The Baron and the Bluestocking by G. G. Vandagriff

make better wives and mothers. Their children, when taught to read, may have more advantages and upward mobility than they themselves had.”
    This caused a spot of murmuring. Hélène heard the words, “Above their station” being muttered throughout the room. She straightened her back.
    “I must say that I do not believe the poor were born to their station by a selective God. They are more in the nature of a test for those of us who have more material possessions. I was recently reminded by a very wise and noble man that it is the duty of those who have been blessed with much to share their bounty with those who have not been similarly blessed.”
    A short, roly poly man seated next to the duke, elbowed him in the side. “Sounds like you Ruisdell. You will be an out and out Whig before long. We will run you out of White’s if you are not careful.”
    The duke smiled comfortably. “Miss Whitcombe, suppose you tell us your views on the education of women. They have proved very enlightening to my mind.”
    Her eyes shot immediately to Lord Shrewsbury who was seated next to Lady Virginia. He was smiling at her broadly, saying, “Hear, hear!”
    Wetting her lips, she tried to gather her thoughts. Finally, she spoke, “I believe that certain women, among them Miss Jane Austen and the duchess of Ruisdell, have proven to have powerful intellects that can wrestle with any notions, political or otherwise. I further believe that we have a natural sensibility that men lack. We, as a sex, have a sort of sixth sense that allows us to see into people’s souls, to see what lies beyond their speech and their actions. Miss Austen has demonstrated this with her irony and wit. Many people read her books as mere romances, but they are actually satires, as Lord Shrewsbury mentioned to me not long ago.”
    The room was dead silent. Hélène detected a narrow-eyed look on Lady Virginia’s face, as though she were thinking hard. Lord Shrewsbury clapped his hands, and soon other people joined in. Had she not used the very best honey?
    The deep bellicose voice of Lord Kent, used to addressing the Lords, rang through the room. “But are these not the tenets put forth by that mad woman, Woolstonecraft? She gave into her sensibilities rather too far. Lived with a chap in France and had his child. Masqueraded as his wife and tried to commit suicide when he rejected her. Not a model for any young woman I would care to acknowledge!”
    Hélène began to tremble. Indeed she had no defense against these charges. They were true. She had no choice but to speak of her own situation.
    “Lord Kent, there is something I would say, though it is personal. It perhaps explains things I have come to know for myself that are true.”
    Lord Shrewsbury looked thunderous. Eyeing him, Lady Virginia stood at once. “Miss Whitcombe-Hodge, there is absolutely no reason why you should feel the need to expose your own personal history to this group. You are clearly a lady of strong principles. Whatever faults Mary Woolstonecraft may have had, you do not share them, I am certain.”
    Hélène took a long, steadying breath. “Thank you, Lady Virginia. I believe I have fulfilled my duty here.” The duke leapt up and handed her down from the dais. “I am sorry,” he whispered. “Kent is Whig leader in the Lords. He tends to speak his mind obstreperously. But you did very well.”
    “I need to thank Lady Virginia.”
    “Of course, but first, reacquaint yourself with Elise. I believe it has been several years since you last saw each other at the vicarage.”
    The duchess held out her hand and pulled Hélène into an embrace. “My dear, you did very well. Do not let Kent deflate you. He is a man who, while quite worthy in many ways, is very adversarial. He generally only sets himself up against something in order to hear himself talk.”
    “I would have delighted to have given him a set down!” Hélène said.
    “Yes, my dear,” the duchess said. “But that