She was sure she heard someone gasp.

‘Come now, Miss Arnold,’ Sir Charles said. ‘Women have the vote in council elections. They can even serve as councillors now, surely that is concession enough. Why should women have the vote in parliamentary elections when they do not fight in the army? When there are very few who are doctors and lawyers?’

Don’t rise to it. Don’t rise … ‘Only because your society does not allow it.’

‘My society?’ Sir Charles arched an eyebrow.

‘Our society.’ Lou quickly corrected herself.

‘Let me make sure I understand you correctly. You are suggesting that not only should we allow women to have a say in how the country is run, but we should also remove them from their rightful place in the home, raising children, so that they are free to take up any role they choose?’

‘If a woman wants to fight for her country, why shouldn’t she? If she wants to study law or medicine or dig for coal down a pit, why shouldn’t she?’

‘Because the ability of a woman to acquit herself in these roles you mention is unproven.’

‘How are we ever to prove ourselves, if you don’t give us the chance?’

‘Thomas,’ Sir Charles said to his son, ‘can you imagine being given a troop of girls like your sister to train into soldiers?’

Captain Mandeville laughed, making Lou bristle. What would this father and son double act say if they knew that one day, women would serve at every level in the armed forces? That before this century was out, a grocer’s daughter would rise to the very pinnacle of politics in Britain, influencing the balance of power across the entire globe. She wanted to tell them to wipe the smug grins from their faces. But she had been raised better than to insult a host at his dinner table. She settled on a compromise. ‘Charlotte would make as good a soldier as any man.’ She glanced at Charlotte who looked back, open-mouthed.

‘An interesting position,’ Sir Charles countered. ‘How so?’

‘She has compassion and kindness as well as strength of character.’

‘Even if that were true,’ Sir Charles said, glancing at his daughter doubtfully, ‘you must at least concede that women lack the physical and mental strength of men.’

‘I don’t have to concede anything of the sort. A woman who puts her mind to it can be anything she wants to be.’

‘Are you suggesting that women are better than men?’

‘No. What I’m saying is that we are equal to men, not better. By the end of this decade, women will have the vote. You can be sure of that!’

‘You seem very well informed, Miss Arnold. Do you have intelligence direct from the policymakers in the cabinet? Or do you possess a crystal ball which foretells the future.’

‘No, sir. What I possess is common sense.’

A stunned silence fell across the table. Even Edward lifted his head and peered at Lou from beneath his fringe. Mrs Hart and Charlotte looked at her first with surprise then something that resembled awe. Sir Charles stroked the ends of his moustache.