Page 48 of Pining for Lord Lockhart
“Yes, we are meeting at the school, and we need materials.”
Her heart skipped. She’d forgotten. The school. “Oh yes. I’m…I’m going to deliver those.” She picked up a biscuit. She would do it. But first she had to meet Lord Wessex.
Her Grace lifted a book from her lap up onto the table. “I’ve been reading this.”
Charity moved closer. “Is that…?”
“The Treatise on Women.”
She could hardly resist that literature. Lord Wessex would have to wait. “And what do you think?” She moved a chair closer to sit right beside her. “Have you read the parts about suffrage?”
“Yes, certainly. And the declaration that every woman has intelligence.” She nodded. “As much as a man.” Her eyes gleamed. “I always knew it to be true.”
“Me too.”
Her Grace opened the book and began reading her favorite passages.
Soon Charity was as lost in the book as she ever had been.
The duchess’s finger shook as she followed lines and turned pages. “I’ve been wondering, hoping some of this could be true.”
Charity nodded. “It is true. This part. Right here.” She leaned closer as words sunk deep inside her, words she’d read before but had forgotten in the haze of her heartbreak, in the haze of finding false satisfaction in the company of men like Lord Wessex, in the idea that she must marry someone, not mattering at all who.
Women and men are equal in soul, intelligence, and nobility of soul. And each has a strength and purpose all their own. Her wit, rational power and speech make her excel in all duties that are uniquely hers.
“How often do you hear words like that?” The duchess laughed.
“Never.” Charity smiled. “Every woman needs to hear these words, and often.”
“Do you ever think about how odd it is that these very words are so important but prevented even by other women? Some shun and mistreat other women who would champion their cause. Bluestockings? What else do they call us? And why? Are we afraid to be strong? Are we afraid when other women are strong? I don’t know, Your Grace. But I wish that every woman knew just those simple words we just read, and so many others, but those at the very least.” She sat back, astounded that she could be so caught up in unimportant things for so long. “And I’ve been spending time doing what? Trying to impress men who I don’t even like?” She shook her head. “You have been very kind, but I care much more about this right here.” She pointed her finger down on the book. “Than I do about a lifetime of marriage to the wrong person.”
The duchess turned to her with fiery eyes. “But my dear, the right man might not be what we think. And he’s taken.”
“Then would it be so wrong to never marry? Or at least not to marry until I’ve met someone I respect and love again?” The words almost stuck in her throat. She had not desired to marry anyone but Lord Lockhart, except, not the Lord Lockhart that had been responsible for Miss Penny’s pregnancy. Oh goodness. The Lord Lockhart that likely didn’t exist. The man who would never do such a thing, the man who was smart and purposeful and kind and …. Who loved her.
“But you’ll have to marry.”
“My sisters will care for me. And I’ll write treatises like this one. I’ll start publishing like Kate, only I’ll discuss matters of understanding for women.”
“You will always be welcome here, my dear.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
“And don’t give up on marriage yet. We still have a Season to complete. We must never underestimate the power of a London Season to see someone in love and married off.”
Charity laughed even though she knew the marriage mart was not for her.
The butler entered. “A Lord Wessex to see you, Miss Charity.”
When the duchess groaned beside her, Charity rested a hand on her arm. “Don’t you worry, Your Grace.” She stood.
Lord Wessex bowed to them both and when Charity had risen from her curtsey, she hurried to him. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re early. Would you mind terribly if we stopped at the school first? We have some items to deliver there.”
“The school? Certainly.”
“Thank you.” She tucked her hands into his arm. He was a good enough sort of man as long as she wasn’t in love with him. Pity the woman who lost her heart to him.
As they pulled up to the school and all the committee was there helping, she could only feel a great exhilaration about the project. Everywhere she looked, she saw the cute little girl, Ronda, who’d tried to pickpocket. And she hoped to be able to help many more just like her.
