He looked over his shoulder and acknowledged the table of four comprising Mrs.Courtice, Anna, his sister, and Dr.Logan.“Of course, I see her now.”He turned back to his conversation.“Now, tell me about your philanthropic causes.”
Inhaling slowly, Jane took control of her anger and focused on the question.“My causes, as you call them, are a number of charities in which my father was involved until my mother’s death.Through them I met Mrs.Courtice, who, as you probably know, is a driving force in most of those organizations.Her energy is infectious.We wouldn’t achieve half that we do without her as the commanding officer.”
“What are those charities?”His warm brown eyes focused attentively on her.
Such an attractive man.A great pity about his politics.Jane continued her explanation.“An orphanage, a home that takes in unmarried expectant women, and a mission for young women who come to London from the country alone and who are therefore vulnerable to every pimp and madam in the metropolis.”
He still looked interested.Jane was used to seeing a glaze of boredom invade potential donors’ faces as she endeavored to convince them to contribute.“How do you fund these charities?Just from donations?”he asked.
“We do rely on donations, of course, but we try to be self-sufficient through taking in work with which to train the young women while they wait for their babies’ births, so they can support themselves afterwards.We teach them to read and write.Then we try to establish them in the community, often together so they can share accommodation costs and work from home doing needlework, laundry, and so forth.Any that already have an education, we try to assist into governess or teaching positions, although that means they need to leave their offspring at the orphanage, which is heartrending for them.Several have recently established a day school for infant children in their neighborhood.They have done quite well.We are very proud of their success and so glad that we were able to help them become self-sufficient.”Jane watched him closely for signs of waning interest but detected none.
“How did you contribute to that?”
Jane was surprised by his question.It showed that he was considering what she was saying.“By arranging and signing the lease on the house they use as the school and their home.A small capital injection is all that is usually needed.”
He smiled.It made him look open and admiring.“Indeed, Miss Brody, you are doing very good works.”
“Well, yes, but there is so much more to be done, so much poverty and distress in the world.If only women had the ability to earn a living as men do; but instead most employment opportunities are cut off from them.For a middle-class woman to take on work, unless it is as a companion or governess or schoolmistress, is to lose her right to be called or treated as a lady.Is that fair or correct?”
He glanced away.“Perhaps not, but that is the way of the world.”
You know I’m right, but you won’t admit it.“That is exactly what needs to be changed,” Jane insisted.“And you can help us to do that, Lord Dalton.Youhave the influence and power to do something about the inequalities that women face in this world.”
Still he wouldn’t meet her gaze.“Women are the responsibility of their fathers and brothers.”
“They don’t all have fathers and brothers, and some have fathers and brothers who don’t care for them.Others have fathers and brothers you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy, they are so violent and abusive.That is why they need equal rights to employment and education.”
“Of course, you’re right.But we can’t overturn the order of society for this minority of bad cases.”
Jane shifted forward in her seat to emphasize her point.“But is it a minority, or is it the silent majority who clamor for opportunities?”
He glanced at her face.“Either way, it is the responsibility of each woman’s male family members to protect and support her.”
He had just dismissed her view.Jane was reminded that Dalton was an honorable but somewhat naïve man, believing that his sense of duty to women was replicated in all men.“Surely you can see that it just doesn’t happen that way for very many women.Can’t you use your position in society to support our cause to improve the quality of women’s lives through asserting their equality to men?”
He straightened and answered in a stiff and quelling voice.“At present, I can’t see how I can assist you.Much as I might wish to help you and your causes, I cannot fly in the face of the order of society.That is not my role in this country.My role is to maintain stability, prosperity, and opportunities for men to support their families.”
Jane searched his face for a flicker of wavering from his implacable stance.Seeing none, she swallowed her disappointment and looked toward her sister.
“Come,” he said, rising from the table.
She glanced back at him and saw that his expression showed sympathy.For disappointing her, presumably.“Come,” he said again, taking her hand in his and drawing her to her feet.“Let us not be at odds about this when we get on so well otherwise.”He kissed her hand and drew it through his arm, smiling into her eyes before turning them both towards their sisters’ table.“The dancing is commencing.I cannot partner you again this evening, but I suspect that Dr.Logan will be more than happy to do so, if you have no objection?”
She fought a strong desire to sob with frustration and regret because they could not agree, and momentarily clutched his arm as they approached the other table.
Dance partners changed and the group broke up, with Dalton leading a startled Anna for a country dance while Dr.Logan escorted Jane.Mrs.Courtice and Lady Elizabeth strolled off together in conversation.
After another hour or more of dancing, Dalton gathered his party together for their departure.Seeing Dr.Logan talking with his sister, he offered him a ride home, which the doctor accepted with thanks.
They hurried through the cool night to the carriage when it arrived, and Dalton assisted the women to enter, giving instructions to the driver before following Dr.Logan into the warm interior.
With an extra person in the confined space, the proximity of Dalton disturbed Jane even more than on the earlier journey.The legs of both men crowded the three women.Elizabeth seemed unconcerned by Dr.Logan’s proximity and talked animatedly with him about the ball and their mission work.In contrast, Jane could feel herself blush warmer every time a bump on the cobblestone road rocked Dalton’s legs and feet against hers.She had difficulty following the conversation going on beside her, to which Dalton occasionally contributed, and peered through the gloom of the interior, trying to read her companion’s thoughts and feelings.
A streetlight flared into the carriage as it stopped to let off Dr.Logan, who bid them all a cheery good evening.By its light, Jane saw Dalton’s eyes fixed upon her, keenly watching her face.Her hands clenched in her lap.
Unaware of the tension in the carriage, Elizabeth laughingly started to tell them of Dr.Logan’s family, which, he had informed her at supper, numbered ten children.He was the eldest, followed by four brothers and five sisters, all given Latin names because their father was a Latin scholar and particularly interested in Roman history.The doctor’s name was Marcus Aurelius, while his siblings included Tertius, Septimus, Octimus, Noni, and Decimus.
Jane was thankful the distraction of Elizabeth’s retelling of Dr.Logan’s amusing tale relieved the tension between Dalton and herself.That feeling lasted until the well-sprung carriage swayed to a gentle full stop outside her home.
