“Lady Sinclair, that would be an insult to all river-and-lake-dwelling fishes,” Julianna countered, grinning.
Helena was once more gratified her friend had decided to join in the work of the Lady’s Suffrage Society. Julianna complemented their fellow ladies as perfectly as sugar to tea, whether it was for a smaller circle meeting such as this evening’s or a large gathering for all members. The ladies gathered laughed at her sally, seizing the moment of levity, before getting back to the serious nature of their meeting.
“These ridiculous letters have inspired me, however,” Lady Jo continued when their laughter had faded. “In addition to the periodic publication of pamphlets explaining the necessity of universal suffrage, I propose we begin our own journal. Just think of it, a publication written by us, meant for other like-minded ladies. A means of apprising us of the latest news more regularly than the pamphlets are able to achieve. I have already spoken with my husband about the prospect, and he is keen for his publishing company to provide all the printing, just as he has been doing for our pamphlets.”
A chorus of excited agreements bubbled up in Lady Sinclair’s drawing room. The notion of a journal written and printed by the Lady’s Suffrage Society appealed to Helena as well. It was an excellent idea, and a sure means of reaching more ladies than those who could attend their meetings, including working women.
“I wholeheartedly agree with your idea,” Lady Sinclair said. “Jo, you are a marvel, truly. Have you suggested your idea to Lady Ravenscroft and the Duchess of Bainbridge?”
Those two ladies were the founding members of the Lady’s Suffrage Society, though busy with recently born babes and not present for the afternoon’s meeting.
“I have,” Lady Jo confirmed. “They think it an excellent notion as well. My husband will print and distribute it free of cost as well, so that it cannot only be afforded by ladies of means. We want to reach every woman, not just those who can afford the penny to buy it.”
“I would be more than happy to write for the journal,” Julianna volunteered.
“As would I,” Helena added, thinking it would give her some much-needed distraction from the state of her marriage.
And her inconvenient, hopeless, all-consuming love for her husband.
Which only seemed to increase with each passing day.
Who was she fooling? With each passing hour, minute, second,breath. Gabe filled her days and her nights, but a fortnight into their marriage, her husband still did not trust her. Helena could sense it. Worse, she knew that she alone—with her unnecessary, desperate lie—had caused his lack of confidence in her.
But she must not think of that now, those worries which had been weighing heavily upon her heart. Tonight, she was amongst friends. Their cause was good and right, and it deserved all her attention. Her whole heart.
“What do you suppose we shall call it?” the Duchess of Longleigh asked the room at large.
Petite, blonde, and beautiful yet soft-spoken, the duchess had the misfortune of being married to one of the coldest men in the Upper Ten Thousand. She was, as far as Helena had been able to discern, kindhearted and sweet. Entirely undeserving of the circumstances in which she found herself, tethered to a man she did not love. Though Helena had not often had occasion to speak with Her Grace, she knew from their few informal chats that the duchess was hopelessly ensnared in an unhappy marriage.
“The Suffrage Journal,” suggested Lady Sinclair. “A serviceable, yet explanatory name.”
“The Journal of Equality,” offered Lady Jo.
“What do you think of theLady’s Suffrage Society Times?” Julianna asked the company. “That way, there is no mistaking the organization behind it.”
“They all sound excellent,” Helena said, keen to offer her opinion. “However, I do believeLady’s Suffrage Society Timeswould have my vote.”
“I agree,” Lady Sinclair said.
“Ever so much more cultured thanThe Times,” Lady Jo agreed.
“Lady’s Suffrage Society Timesis the perfect name for it,” the Duchess of Longleigh offered.
“Do we have a consensus, then?” asked Lady Sinclair, who had become a leader by default with the other members preoccupied by their growing families. “All in favor?”
“Aye,” agreed a chorus of feminine voices.
The Countess of Sinclair grinned. “I cannot wait forA Womanand the mysteriousM. to have a peek at theLady’s Suffrage Society Times. Undoubtedly,A Womanshall swoon with horror.M.will similarly shrivel up in disgust, I should imagine.”
“MayhapM.andA Womanought to go boating together in the Serpentine,” Helena suggested mildly.
“In a leaky boat,” Julianna agreed.
“One outfitted with some fortuitous leaden weights,” Lady Jo added.
“Do tell me where to stand,” said the Duchess of Longleigh, “and I shall happily watch them sink. If only they would take His Grace along with them.”
There was a moment of silence as all the women convened privately reckoned with the realization that the Duchess of Longleigh had just suggested she wished her husband would sink to the bottom of the Serpentine. It was one thing to imagine anonymous, invisible opponents slipping beneath the waters, but another indeed to think of a person they knew. No matter how dastardly he was.
