CHAPTER6
One month later
Jeffrey smiled triumphantlyas he entered the breakfast room. For once, he was alone. He had finally risen early enough that he had a few moments before the herd of women stampeded in to greet him. He could read his papers in silence, enjoy his coffee, and start the day on a pleasant note.
He nodded to Harper, his ever-efficient butler, who stood in the doorway overseeing the staff. Jeffrey took his seat at the table, and Maxwell, never one to miss accompanying Jeffrey to a meal, settled in beside him, well behaved for the moment, as he knew he could perhaps be fortunate enough for a crumb to drop from the table. A stack of papers was folded at Jeffrey’s elbow, ready for him to peruse as he ate his eggs and toast.
The first was the typical news of the day in theMorning Post. A review of the most current performance at the Theatre Royal, discussions that had occurred within Parliament, a list of the officers killed and wounded in battle, a mix of information from the very same battlefields. Everything contradicted itself, and Jeffrey was looking forward to receiving a more noteworthy report, hopefully in due time.
Setting that paper aside, he picked up the next, frowning as he did, for he didn’t recognize the typeset nor the size and structure of it. “What’s this?” he murmured as he read the heading. “The Women’s Weekly.”
What in the…
He began reading, his eyes widening as he did. It was apparently the debut issue, for the first column spoke of what a reader could come to expect from the publication going forward.
Common sense and reason remain two of the most revered attributes of a man. A woman? Far be it for one to say the same. For that would be at odds with what is expected of women. Beauty, decorum, and modesty are appreciated in the female species, while if a woman displays her wisdom or idealism, she becomes a scandal. Let it not be so. Women, it is true that our education is often lacking, as we are hardly provided with learning environments that are even half as vast as those of men. Therefore, we must become learned in our own right. Never fear a witty conversation, nor telling a scandalous joke in proper company. What am I suggesting? Simply be the woman you truly are.
So often, women gossip and envy one another, particularly if another is more attractive or possesses attributes she is told are desirable. I urge you to put this aside. Strive to help one another rise up, to display the strength we each hold together. Only then will we be seen as equals.
On these pages, we will inform, advise, and ask questions about what we know to be true. Politics, travel, fashion, advice, and even a little bit of (truthful) gossip will provide you all you need in one publication. Welcome.
The next article included texts and publications that might be of particular interest to women looking to better educate themselves, followed by a piece about marriage. It claimed that marriage was necessary for most women in order to look after themselves, but it went on to describe what qualities to search out in a man who would become a lifetime companion.
Jeffrey could hardly believe what he was reading. He looked at the heading to find the name of an author, and seeing nothing but “By a Lady”, he turned the paper to its back, desperately searching.
He looked up, surprised to see that three of his sisters, excluding Viola, were now at the table. He had been so intent on the pages in front of him that he hadn’t even noticed them arrive.
He nodded at them absently before returning to the sheet in front of him. He was about to continue reading when he felt a hand on his shoulder, and before he knew what was happening, the paper was lifted from his hands.
He turned to find a flustered Viola, who was now holding the paper behind her back, out of his sight.
“Viola,” he said sharply, his words clipped, and she flinched slightly. “What is that outrageous thing?”
“It’s nothing, Jeffrey. It should never have become entangled within your morning reading. My apologies. I will advise Harper to ensure that it is held for me next time.”
She attempted a smile and began to walk away, but his voice held her within the room.
“You never answered my question. What is that piece of drivel?”
“It is simply a periodical, Jeffrey, much likeAckermann's Repository.You know, fashions of the day, some gossip, general news, how women can help in the war effort, that type of thing. Nothing to be overly concerned about.”
“Yes, Jeffrey, there really are some lovely fashion plates within,” Rebecca chimed in. “You should take a look! They are on page four. Perhaps then you will see the need to send us for new gowns.”
“I believe half the earnings of the estate went to outfitting the lot of you, and that was but a few months ago,” Jeffrey said sternly, before returning to the matter at hand. “I read some of the pieces, Viola, and it contained much more content than you described. I willnothave this type of nonsense within my home. You will dispose of it immediately.”
The room had gone silent, the fork that dropped from Annie’s hand clattering to her plate as they all stared wide-eyed at their brother. Jeffrey knew he was far too lenient with his sisters, proven by the fact that such an order had shocked them.
“You simply read the first page, Jeffrey!” Viola protested. “There is much more within it, I assure you. It is not untoward, either. All of the young ladies have a copy. It was on the lips of women in all the drawing rooms yesterday — or so I’m told — so I had to find a copy of one myself. Well. Good day, then.”
“Are you not taking breakfast?” he asked, taking in her red cheeks, her eagerness to escape his presence as soon as he would allow it.
“I-I’m not hungry at the moment,” she said with a forced smile. “I will return later on.”
And with that, she was gone. Jeffrey no longer had an appetite, nor a wish to read anything further. He thought of Lady Phoebe’s ideas on the subject, of his own sister’s conviction and belief in the changing role for women. This was what he had been concerned about when he heard Lady Phoebe speaking to her friends of such matters. Now, to have a publication spreading this same type of useless ideals that would come to nothing but trouble? It was certainly not acceptable, particularly now that he had seen its effects within his own home. But what was he going to do about it?
* * *
Not finding an answer,Jeffrey took some advice from the column of the very paper he was battling. Sometimes, it was better to find strength in numbers. While he was unable to find Viola’s copy of the publication, he picked one up from a boy who had one copy left in his hand. As much as Jeffrey hated the thought of supporting the damned journal, he bought the thing to take with him. If there was one place where he knew he could find others who would be equally as appalled as he was, it was White’s.