Free Wayward Winds by Michael Phillips Page B

mounting. Nothing like this ever happened at the Pankhursts.’ Nothing like this ever happened to her . All of a sudden women’s suffrage seemed unimportant and far away.
    â€œIn fact,” she added with a giggle, “I think I will go to Harrods this very afternoon. I simply must find a new dress!”
    â€œOh, but Harrods is too expensive.”
    â€œMoney is no object!” rejoined Amanda. “I can’t be seen in rags for such an occasion!”
    â€œRags—what are you talking about? You have beautiful dresses.”
    â€œBut I must have something new and stylish for the Prince of Wales Horse Race.”
    The conversation at lunch an hour later left Amanda wondering if her hostess approved of her attending the Derby as a spectator, as one of the social elite.
    â€œAmanda dear,” Emmeline said, “I understand you have been invited to the Derby.”
    Amanda nodded, thinking to herself that if given such an opportunity, Emmeline would probably try to disrupt the race with a demonstration, or, as Sylvia had said, with dynamite.
    â€œYou know Emily . . . Emily Davison?” asked Mrs. Pankhurst.
    â€œYes, I believe so. Was she at Hastings with us?”
    â€œThat’s right,” replied Emmeline. “She has always dreamed of attending the Derby. Do you suppose your friend might secure her an invitation?”
    â€œI . . . I don’t know.”
    â€œDo ask, will you, Amanda?”
    â€œI don’t really know him that well. I doubt I will see him before Saturday.”
    â€œBut you will try, won’t you?”
    Awkwardly Amanda agreed.
    Immediately after lunch she set off for Harrods. Already she was having second thoughts. Sylvia was right—Harrods was expensive. Though she did her best to conceal it, her money was dwindling more rapidly than she liked. She had already dipped into the account far too deeply for gowns and other costly apparel, half of which she had never even worn. She had so relished in the freedom of being on her own and having money in the bank, she now realized she had squandered far too much of it on foolish expenditures.
    But she would start exercising more caution later— after next week’s reception at Epsom. For this occasion she would look her best!
    Amanda tried on dress after dress. The Pankhursts were fashionable enough, but they had other things on their minds than men and society. And the luncheon conversation left her with an oddly uncomfortable feeling. Sylvia obviously wouldn’t approve—she didn’t believe in marriage at all, much less social outings with men. Amanda needed to get away from the house for a while. She was glad to be alone for the rest of the afternoon.
    The dress Amanda chose was far too expensive, but it was so beautiful she could not resist—absolutely perfect for the occasion! The long skirt of rich navy blue contained tiny pink stripes running lengthwise through the fabric, highlighted with a bodice of light pink silk, with loose ruffles about the neck. A navy blue jacket fit snugly over the blouse. After a tailoring session the following day with Harrods’ dressmaker, the overall effect showed off her slenderfigure beautifully. She chose a fashionable straw hat and matched it with pink and white flowers, along with pink and navy ribbons.
    As it turned out, Amanda neither saw nor heard from Ramsay Halifax again before the eighth. Neither did she see Emily Davison, nor did Mrs. Pankhurst bring up the subject of the Derby again.
    Halifax called at the door of the Pankhurst home precisely at 11:00 a.m. He was shown into the parlor.
    Before Amanda reached the top of the stairs, Emmeline greeted him. She and Halifax were chatting freely by the time Amanda made her descent. For once Amanda hoped she would hear nothing about the cause. She wanted to step into another world on this day—the world of high London society. She did not want to have to think