Taking the hint, Edward bowed to the change in conversation. ‘Let’s just say that enjoyment and Lord Rochdale don’t go hand in hand,’ he said drily, ‘although I have to admit Lady Russell’s presence livened things up a bit. I should have known, being one of Clarissa’s friends, that she wouldn’t be shy about making her opinions known, but once or twice I don’t think the poor old boy knew what had hit him. He’s old school and set in his ways and used to having everyone agree with him, so when they locked horns neither would give way.’

‘Good for Lady Russell.’

He grinned. ‘I thought you might say that. She’s certainly a born fighter.’

‘Most women are – we have to be.’

‘Because it’s a man’s world?’ The mocking note was back.

‘Because men have always been determined to make it so and still are, despite the fact that not one of you would be here if it wasn’t for the privilege of being carried in a woman’s body for nine months.’

‘Believe me, I’m for you, not against you.’

‘Really?’ Ruby said coolly, resenting the slightly patronizing quality to his voice. ‘Have you ever really thought about the judicial unfairness, lack of impartiality at every level of government and the exploitation by men of women and children both in the home and at work and society as a whole? Any show of aggression by women is condemned outright, and yet the male cult of hard drinking in all classes and the violence it causes, and the confrontational attitude to change by men, is considered “natural”. You live and work in the city, Mr Forsythe. How many women are given the same chances of employment as men in your type of business? Don’t tell me you are for my sex until you are prepared to stand up for equal rights and opportunities, even if the “best man winning” means the person concerned is a woman.’

This time the silence stretched on for a while. Ruby was conscious of the view outside the car; of streets flashing by, bairns playing, women standing and gossiping at open doors or walking with shopping baskets, of horse and carts, bicycles and the odd car or two, but it was all on the perimeter of her mind. She was vitally aware of the man at the side of her, of the bulk of him, the clean fresh smell she’d noticed previously, of his hands at the wheel, and most of all his quietness. Had she offended him? she asked herself, her heart beating faster than was comfortable. Well, that couldn’t be helped. He had been laughing at her. Oh, not in a nasty way, she’d give him that, but nevertheless there had been an element of condescension, like the way some folk talked down to a bairn.