Free A Crimson Dawn by Janet MacLeod Trotter

bite,’ Helen reassured.
    â€˜They were hoying stones,’ Emmie pointed out. ‘And that Tom Curran was one of them. If his da only knew.’
    â€˜His da probably organised it,’ Helen retorted. ‘He’s a strong Liberal. He’ll hate the idea of lasses telling him how to vote.’ She leaned forward and patted the woman’s shoulder. ‘Good on you, pet. At least your da doesn’t stop you speaking your mind.’
    She gave them a sheepish smile. ‘Actually, he doesn’t know I’m here.’
    They all laughed.
    â€˜What do they call you, miss?’ Helen asked.
    She hesitated. ‘Sophie.’
    Helen gave her a quizzical look. ‘I could swear I’ve seen your face somewhere. Ever been in Crawdene before?’
    She shook her head, then said, ‘Well, yes. I’ve been to the Guild.’
    Emmie saw Helen’s eyes widen as recognition dawned.
    â€˜Eeh, it’s never you, Miss Sophie!’
    The young woman went puce and nodded. ‘But please don’t tell my father; he’d only worry.’
    Helen spluttered with laughter. ‘I’ve no more chance of talkin’ to Major Oliphant than growing wings.’
    â€˜Major Oliphant?’ Emmie cried in disbelief.
    Sophie covered her face in embarrassment. ‘Everyone looks at me differently once they know. You see why I like to go incognito?’
    Helen said, ‘There’s nowt to be ashamed of - you should use your connections to help women get the vote. Men like your father have influence in the world.’
    Sophie grimaced. ‘Yes, but it’s the wrong kind. His political friends don’t think women should trouble themselves with anything more taxing than menus and guest lists.’
    The women laughed ruefully. They drank more tea.
    â€˜You know about my family then?’ Sophie asked.
    Helen shrugged. ‘You keep yourselves to yourselves, as far as I can see. Of course, we knew about your father’s heir dying in the first Boer War - there’s that big memorial to him in Blackton.’
    â€˜My brother Liddon,’ Sophie sighed. ‘Mama never got over it - she took to her bed and now she’s an invalid. And Papa … We younger two are a bit of a disappointment to my father,’ Sophie confided.
    Emmie caught Helen’s embarrassed look. She didn’t want the role of confidante to Oliphant’s daughter. But Sophie seemed oblivious to their discomfort.
    â€˜My brother Charles is trained as a vicar but refuses to take a good living in a decent parish. He’s running a mission in Gateshead. That’s where I help out too. There’s a printing press we use for the suffrage campaign.’
    â€˜The Settlement?’ Helen queried.
    â€˜Yes, you’ve heard of it?’
    Emmie nodded. ‘We know it well. Dr Jameson is a friend of ours - and my sister Nell sings in their choir.’
    Sophie clapped her hands. ‘Flora Jameson is a dear friend of mine! She’s known Charles for years. It’s Flora who got me interested in women’s suffrage. You meet such interesting people at the Settlement - women from all over Europe on lecture tours and conferences. It’s so much more interesting than stuffy old Blackton Heights. Course, Papa thinks I’m in town shopping or going to the theatre. He’s so terribly possessive since Liddon died - and because Mama takes no interest.’ She stopped, clapping a hand over her mouth. ‘I’ve said too much as usual. And I don’t even know you. It’s just you’ve made me feel so welcome.’
    Suddenly Emmie asked, ‘This printing press - do you need any help? I’m looking for work. I could do anything - sweep up, make the tea.’
    â€˜Hold your horses,’ Helen protested. ‘You’re too bright to be sweepin’ floors.’
    â€˜Please, Auntie Helen, it’s time I was bringing in a wage. I want to be like Nell -