“I want to rectify it. If I could talk to her or demonstrate how sorry I am… I’d like to send a gift. Something meaningful to express my penitence.”
“She knows where you live and will contact you when and if she ever wishes to.” Rose climbed down the ladder. “Now, I must freshen up for the WSPU meeting this afternoon. Thank you for your assistance today. Our shop is going to be a great success, I know it.”
Guy smiled at her enthusiasm. Rose had him believing, too, and feeling energized and useful. “Would you mind if I tag along to your meeting?”
“The meetings are for women only. The WSPU says it is important for us to effect change without men’s interference. Besides, I believe they fear government spies infiltrating, and they are right to.”
“But anyone may attend the public affairs. I’d like to hear Mrs. Pankhurst speak. Better yet, I’d love to talk with her personally. I have some ideas that might prove useful.”
“I could try to introduce you after today’s meeting. Wait outside and I believe I can arrange it, although she is very busy. She knows who I am,” Rose said proudly. “We spoke together at length one evening.”
“Tell me where and what time and I’ll be there.”
She gave him the details and Guy started toward home to bathe and change. He truly wanted to discuss suffrage, but was also interested in keeping himself occupied constantly to keep from dwelling on Hattie. He must begin to accept and reconcile with the fact that she was gone from his life for good. A paler, sadder version of life must go on.
With evening nearing, Guy occupied a bench in the central green of a neighborhood of stately homes. One of the wealthier members of the movement had hosted the day’s meeting. At long last ladies were emerging from the front door, talking animatedly. They might have been coming from any afternoon tea.
Rose came from the house alongside an older woman dressed in a plain black skirt and white shirtwaist, puffed sleeves narrowing at her forearms. Emmeline Pankhurst was neither tall nor short, elegant nor plain. She could have been anyone’s mother or grandmother, but was the current leader of a movement that grew steadily more powerful.
He rose to greet the impressive suffragette as Rose made the introductions.
“Mrs. Pankhurst, I’m proud to meet you.” Guy started to bow, but the lady offered her hand to shake.
“This young friend of mine said you are interested in the cause, Mr. Hardy. May I ask why?”
“I’ve read pamphlets and books and I believe in equality for all, not only genders but races as well. I’d like to do my small part to help.”
She regarded him skeptically. “What brought on this conversion to radical thinking?”
“I’ve always admired women, probably not for the reasons I should. Someone I met recently opened my eyes to the oppressive attitudes the fairer sex contend with on a daily basis in matters both large and small.”
“Terms like ‘fairer sex’ for example,” she chided.
“I’m learning. Forgive me. What I’ve thought about is this…” Guy took a breath. “The suffrage movement’s recent shift toward violence may be counterproductive.”
“Or it may be exactly what is required of a rebellion.”
“We may agree to differ on that point,” he said diplomatically. “At any rate, I would like to offer my services if you can make use of them. I know people in this city, some in high places and others in low. I’m a social person who has a unique ability to put people at ease and convince them to agree to things they did not intend to.”
“He is a charmer,” Rose chimed in. “The sort to tease a bird off a tree and onto his hand.”
“I could act as your liaison I suppose you’d call it. Set me on a task and I will attempt to persuade all parties until they come to an agreement. I’d be your undercover political operative so to speak,” he finished with bravado despite her increasingly doubtful expression.
“Have you any experience in politics, Mr. Hardy?”
“No. But I know people, and quite often I can humor them into listening to me. Don’t dismiss me on account of my gender, Mrs. Pankhurst. Allow me to work for your organization if I am able. Should I not be able to influence anyone, you’ll be none the worse for my attempt. I will earn nothing from the experiment other than the opportunity to do some good.”
She worked to suppress a smile. “We shall see. I will consider your proposition, discuss with the other members, and let you know. Will that do?”
“Yes, madam. I am at your command.” He bowed with a flourish.
Mrs. Pankhurst chuckled. “You are right, Miss Gardener. The fellow could indeed charm a bird off a tree. I am not certain that is an entirely good quality.”
“But useful at times,” Guy pointed out. “And I do want to become more useful in this world.”
After a bit more talk, he bid the ladies good night and they parted ways. Too energized to take a taxi, he walked home, considering the interview and his ability to perform tasks as he’d promised. She was correct. He didn’t know many members of Parliament, but he got on well with a lot of their sons and could gain introductions to whomever he needed to influence. It was a daunting challenge, but he looked forward to it.
Best of all, for the entire past hour, he had not thought of Hattie. One day, he might be able to let go of his memories of their time together, her smile and laughter, her sharp tongue and prickly ways. That would be a relief, for at that moment he was tortured by a
