Dangerous in Diamonds - Madeline Hunter [84]
“Such a crowd can be perilous in itself. Why would the women go?”
“They work in the mills, don’t they? They go for themselves and their men and their children’s futures.”
Daphne recognized the little fires in Margaret’s eyes. They had been burning ever since she arrived. Margaret had a good heart and sympathized with her neighbors’ plight.
“You should know, Your Grace, that I support the principles behind this demonstration. I do not work in a mill, but I know many women who do. I am very good friends with some of them,” Margaret said.
“Do you know any of the ones who formed friendly societies?” he asked.
“Some. Those are only social groups, however. They have nothing to do with—”
“Mrs. Rolland, everyone in the government knows that the friendly societies are frauds, created to get around the restrictions of the Combination Acts that prevent workers organizing themselves. That is true for the ones formed by men, and presumably for those formed by women too.”
“I’ll not be agreeing with you in words, if that is what you want, Your Grace.”
“I do not expect you to betray your friends. I am just curious about how many there are. I know of the ones in Royton and Blackburn.”
“There are others. You must be very curious, if you know some of the towns with such women’s societies.”
“It is unusual. The unusual often piques my interest.” He glanced at Daphne. “Mrs. Joyes can tell you how that happens with me.”
“Mrs. Joyes thinks that a better conversation might be your inheritance from Becksbridge, Your Grace,” Daphne said. “Just as you are curious about these societies, Mrs. Rolland is very curious about her place on this property. Or should she wait for Tuesday to ask you about it?”
Castleford appeared not to hear her. His attention had been distracted. His awareness shifted away, totally and rudely, halfway through her little speech.
He realized he had done it and forced his concentration on her again. Mostly.
“Becksbridge’s legacy,” she prompted. “Mrs. Rolland is very interested in your intentions. Since you are here now, perhaps you will reassure her—”
She lost him again. Thoroughly. This time he rose and went to the window. It was ajar, but he opened it fully and went very still.
Margaret looked at her and shrugged. Daphne waited to learn the reason for this strange behavior.
“Excuse me, please.” He strode from the chamber.
Daphne hesitated briefly, then hurried after him. Margaret followed. They found him outside in the front garden, looking west.
“Listen,” he said. “Can you hear it?”
She and Margaret exchanged bewildered glances. Then she tried to hear whatever it was he spoke of.
It took a while. At first she thought she imagined it and heard only because she wanted to hear something. It seemed an almost inaudible rumble came to her on the breeze. Or perhaps through the ground.
It sounded a little like London. A chaos of people and noise. It seemed to grow while she concentrated.
They stood there, the three of them, motionless, until there could be no denying that noise because it no longer was far away but pouring down the lane.
“Damnation.” Castleford glared toward the empty road. “Get inside, both of you.”
Daphne hesitated.
“Go,” he commanded. “Bar the door and let no one in. I will be back soon.”
He strode to his horse and swung up. Daphne returned to the cottage and joined Margaret at a window.
Castleford had not ridden away yet. Instead he reached into a bag and removed a pistol. He fished out powder and a ball and loaded the gun while his horse waited for a command.
It came soon enough, and the duke galloped away.
Castleford rode toward the noise, shamefully glad to have something important to do that kept him from ruminating on Daphne’s history and all the questions now demanding answers. Since the only answers his mind was producing were unpleasant, it had been hell to sit there being polite when he wanted to drag her to privacy and find out the truth for certain.
With each minute the chaos grew louder until its parts finally became distinct. Shouts. Cries. Voices. And beneath it