“No. I’m fascinated by this. This feels . . . important. It is not something I hear people speak of at balls.”
“Itisimportant. The men may discuss it after dinner when the ladies have withdrawn.” Reese heaved out a frustrated breath. “Which is absolutely ridiculous. Women can and should make a difference. I’m going to ask you a question you might think is disrespectful.”
Ellen had an expression that made Reese think of a moth about to fly into a light that would burn it, both fascinated and fearful.
“Just tell me this—how does going to parties and races and sporting events, and wearing pretty dresses and trying to find husbands or wives with more money and more property . . .” Reese paused for emphasis, “make the world a better place?”
Ellen considered the question for a second. Her cheeks flushed, and she ducked her head.
“I’m sorry.” Reese patted her on the arm. “I’ve stepped in it again. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
“You do not embarrass me,” Ellen said, her voice humble. “You shame me.”
“No. No.” Reese felt like a wretch. “We’re all victims of how we’ve been brought up. I only meant to give you something to think about.”
“You have given me much to consider. There is a ring of truth in what you say. I do wish to help make a better world. I must give this some thought.”
“Well, don’t beat yourself up. I know there’s only so much one underage girl can do,” Reese said. “You are part of a society that’s as restrictive as the ones your poor people have to live in. I’ll bet they ostracize anyone daring to suggest their way isn’t the only way.”
“Very true.” Her expression had turned troubled.
“Sometimes we have to work within the system,” Reese said. “How about this? What kinds of bills or whatever does your brother sponsor in the House of Lords?”
“I don’t really know,” Ellen said. “Even when I have been his hostess for political dinners here, they save those discussions for later.”
“For when you’ve withdrawn.” Reese made a face. “And I’ll bet that if you have asked questions, you were told not to ‘worry your pretty little head about it.’ Right?”
“That is just the way my uncle phrased it,” Ellen said.
“What do you think your brother would say if a man told Gareth that?”
“He would plant him a facer!” Ellen exclaimed, and then she gasped. “I should not have said that.”
Reese laughed. “I’d like to see him do it though.”
“I would as well.” Ellen giggled.
“Ah, Miss Clarisse, I have found you at last.” Lulu hurried toward them. “Your room is ready.”
“Shhh,” Reese whispered to Ellen before the girl linked their arms.
“I understand perfectly,” the girl breathed in reply.
***
For lack of anything else to do, Jem went with Kaitlyn and the others on a jaunt to London for a few days. William acted as their host and made sure they were invited to some parties. With Jem’s mind preoccupied with Reese and what might have caused her to take off like she had, he didn’t think he made a very good impression. He overheard one man describe him as “surly.”
Jem found London hot, stinky, and dirty. The Thames was essentially a disgusting open sewer. And talk about smog. He had been in some big cities with air quality problems during his touring. They had nothing on 1850 London with its heavy air that made it hard to breathe. He guessed that shouldn’t be surprising since almost everyone used coal. Seeing it now and remembering modern London, he appreciated how much they’d done to improve things.
The only good that came out of the trip with Kaitlyn was that it gave him time to think about what to do. Nellie could tell him to stay out of whatever decision Reese was facing, but nothing said he had to do that.
And he was determined to tip the odds in his favor.
Chapter 13
OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS, Reese got better acquainted with Ellen, Kellworth, and especially the Kellworth gardens. Reese didn’t have to worry much about exercising because she got plenty working in the dirt and riding with Ellen. In the evenings, after dinner, they took turns reading to each other and had some lively discussions about characterizations in the Brontë sisters’ novels.
Reese kept her mind too busy to think about Jem. Mostly. Unfortunately, it didn’t keep her from dreaming about him.
