“Perhaps, but the issue of suffrage is more like a matter of conscience, it should rise above mundane concerns like dignity and family name,” Petra declared with a return of her customary energetic passion. “It’s such a noble and vital cause. If men of power like Guy supported the cause then it wouldn’t be necessary to protest in the way we are. If Asquith becomes prime minister in a Liberal government shouldn’t we expect some movement toward suffrage reform? You’d support it, wouldn’t you?” It wasn’t a rhetorical question.

“Yes, I would, and I do,” Joth said with a sigh. “But I don’t like the Union’s methods of persuasion.”

“They’re the only ones left to us,” Petra stated. She stared out of the window at the passing countryside, neatly fenced fields, cattle grouped under clumps of trees, the silver thread of a river. It was all so peaceful on the surface. She sat up straighter and said firmly, “Let’s not talk about this anymore. Why aren’t you staying at Ashton Court for the weekend?”

“Because it’s time some member of the family showed their faces on our own estate,” Joth said. “And I can ride over from Rutherford Court every morning and back again after dinner. I can’t miss any of the political discussions.”

“No,” Petra agreed. By including her brother, a very junior member of Parliament, in every aspect of the weekend, Guy had been doing him a great favor. His presence would make him more noticeable to the men at the top of government, those who really ran the country.

“I’d like to stay on the spot, of course,” Joth went on. “But I have duty to the family as well. Ma and Pa haven’t been near the house since your wedding. I’ve been trying to persuade them to celebrate Christmas there at least, give the tenants the usual party, have the tree for the village, all the old traditions. But I don’t know if they will.”

“You, my dear, need to find a wife,” his sister stated. “Then you can put Rutherford House to its proper purpose. Fill it with children, celebrate every major holiday, revive the Christmas pageant, a proper Boxing Day. The tenants and villagers would be in seventh heaven.”

Jonathan said nothing but a little smile hovered on his lips. “There is someone,” Petra crowed. “I knew it, you’ve been too busy to visit me for weeks. Who is it?”

“Not yet,” he said, putting a finger to his lips. “I’ll tell you when I’m ready.”

“Or do you mean when the lady is ready?”

“Perhaps I do.”