Page 97 of Lady Daring
Pitt fumbled with the pages, frowning. The long silence that ensued was broken by the whack of Aunt Davinia’s cane on the floor.
“Well! My Hetty, the reformer. No wonder Pitt threw you in the watch house for speaking your mind. He’d understand women better did he ever go near one.” She turned to the King. “What, may I ask, is treasonous about treating half of the population as if they possess a mind and a soul?”
Pitt ground his teeth. “This debate and those like it, sir, represent a real threat to your authority and the order upon which this kingdom stands. We understand that Miss Wardley-Hines was responsible for the near riot in the London Tavern, at which were made several seditious remarks.”
“You must realize, Mr. Pitt, that there were many in attendance that evening who are not regular members of the Minerva Society,” Lady Bessington said. “I’m afraid we cannot claim responsibility for their views. I can assure you, Your Majesty, that the Minerva Society only admits loyal subjects. Davinia, wouldn’t you agree?”
“The topic concerned what remedy is available when those in power fail in their duty,” Pitt sputtered. “The remedy which Miss Wollstonecraft suggests is to remove tyrants from power.”
“If Miss Wollstonecraft requires examination,” Henrietta said, “then I beg you will call upon her to account for her works. My remedy, which bears repeating, is improved education for women that fits them for employment and pursuits beyond adornment of their persons, and a law which regards themas subjects able to govern themselves and their own property. Women are rational beings, sir. They must be taught proper conduct, their minds formed to dignity and reason and then held accountable for its exercise. That, Your Majesties, is the revolution I desire. To make women not the dependents but the equals, partners, and worthy companions of men.”
She dug her nails into her palms to quell their trembling. There, she had said it, if not to, then before Darien. What she expected from a marriage. What she needed him to understand, and agree to, before she could accept his hand. If it were sedition to ask to be treated as his equal in intelligence, capability, and sense—and to demand a voice in the decisions that would govern her future—then she was guilty beyond a doubt.
“Pittsy?” The King, never one for subtleties, glared at his minister. “Don’t see what any of this has to do with us.”
Lady Bessington dropped a stately curtsy. “If you require no further information regarding the Minerva Society, sir, I beg that his lordship and I be excused. We are planning a ball for this evening to which Your Majesties are, of course, invited.”
Bess and Aunt Davinia had neatly turned the tables, giving the Prime Minister no purchase. He watched Henrietta shrewdly, but when the King sighed and rolled his eyes toward the ceiling, Pitt gave a small, stiff bow. “If His Majesty is satisfied on this matter, then so am I. For the moment.”
Queen Charlotte laid a hand on her husband’s arm as his protuberant gaze ranged around the room. “Shall we see to our tea, milord?”
The audience, taking this as dismissal, filed out backward. Mr. Equiano bowed over Henrietta’s hand.
“I would be honored, Miss Wardley-Hines, to assist when you present the Minerva Society’s petition for full abolition to Parliament,” he said.
“Oh!” Henrietta stared at him, astounded. “Oh, indeed, yes!”
“While I would never dream of concerning myself with matters of state,” Aunt Davinia said loudly, “one might think Mr. Pitt ought to convene a committee to investigate means for improving the lot of women. My niece makes many excellent points. No more than what I’ve been saying for years, of course.”
“A committee to consider the rights of women.” The King rubbed his nose. “See to it, Pittsy.” He eyed Henrietta. “Put this one and Lady Bess in charge.”
Henrietta sank into a deep curtsy. “Your Majesty. I would bemosthonored to accept such a commission.”
King George snorted. “Don’t imagine it will go anywhere, but we must keep the ladies content.”
Queen Charlotte rose and gave her husband a fond smile, holding out her arm so her companion might appear to be escorting her while she helped him to his feet. “As ever, milord, you are the wisest and most generous of men.”
The monarchs departed, and Henrietta stood in the cleared space, looking about her. She felt exhilarated and deflated at the same time. “I am not to be transported? Pilloried? Fined?”
Aunt Davinia rose and shook out her massive skirts. “Pitt can’t arrest everyone who speaks their mind. He’d have half the kingdom in prison.” She chucked Henrietta beneath her chin, a tender gesture she recalled from her youth. “You did well speakingyourmind, Hetty. It’s time someone did.”
Henrietta’s eyes filled with tears of relief. “I’m afraid I’ve brought a shadow on the name. I’m not certain Aunt Althea will ever forgive me.”
“Althea worries about the wrong things,” Davinia replied. She turned to Darien. “Lord Daring, greater than life, and far more dashing than the broadsheets depict. Yes, we’ve seen them, even in Bath.” She held out her hand for him to take.
Darien sketched a bow, still stiff from his injury. “I hope you will believe Henrietta has had a steadying influence on me.”
Davinia gave a scratchy laugh. “I hope you were listening. If you’re to join the family, boy, it’s not Jasper’s approval you’ll be needing. It’s mine.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Most of the party gathered again at Lady Bessington’s that evening. Henrietta allowed Duprix to dress her in her most daring gown yet, a style that a few fashionable ladies were wearing in France. It was modeled after the robes of Greek statuary and consisted of a small bodice, with a few drapes and tucks to resemble a tunic, and skirts that fell in straight, graceful lines to the floor. The style suited Henrietta’s shape exactly.
“You will start a new rage, ma’mselle,” Duprix murmured, studding Henrietta’s unpowdered hair with pearls. “The dashing young countess. Everyone will notice.” She paused. “You will require a proper lady’s maid, of course.”
If she married the son and heir of a marquess, she would have the power to shape public opinion, Henrietta knew. She could set fashions and insist on standards, like a certain respect accorded to women and support for their education. Her opinion would be sought and her voice heeded. She need only bow to those who outranked her, and they would be few.
His rank was dead last on the list of reasons she wanted to marry Darien.
