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dismissed her view. “Either way, it is the responsibility of each woman’s male family members to protect and support them.”
    Again Jane was reminded that Lord Dalton was an honourable 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?”
    “At present, I can’t see how I can assist you Miss Brody. 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. It 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 glanced away, looking for her sister.
    “Come,” he said.
    She glanced back at him and saw that his expression was one of warm sympathy for disappointing her. “Come,” he said again, taking her hand in his, “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 warmly into her eyes, before turning them both towards their sisters’ table. “The dancing is commencing again. 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 Lord Dalton leading a startled Anna onto the floor 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, Lord 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 into the chilly night to the carriage when it arrived and Lord Dalton assisted the women to enter, giving instructions to the driver before following Dr Logan into the warmer interior.
    With an extra person in the confined space, Jane felt the proximity of Lord Dalton even more than on the earlier journey. Seated between her friend and sister, the legs of both men crowded the three women. However, Elizabeth seemed unconcerned by Dr Logan 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 cobbled stone road rocked Lord 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 and thanks. By its beam Jane saw that Lord Dalton’s eyes were 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 of the distraction of Elizabeth’s re-telling of Dr Logan’s amusing tale, which relieved the tension between Lord Dalton and herself. The more relaxed feeling lasted until the well-sprung carriage swayed to a gentle full stop outside her home.
    Lord Dalton sprang into