A Rebel At
Pennington’s is the second book in my new Edwardian series (both
books can be read stand alone). The series theme is ‘female empowerment’ and in
each book I explore an issue and how it influenced women in the early 20th
century, the obstacles they faced and how they overcame them.
In
book 1 (The Mistress of Pennington’s),
I tackled women in business and the fight for women to be excepted as
intelligent, hard-working and capable. In A
Rebel At Pennington’s, the backdrop is women’s suffrage and the fight for
the vote.
Here’s
an extract where Esther Stanbury (the heroine) is holding her first public
address as part of the Bath suffragist group.
They soon emerged onto Laura Place along with the
crowd who had gathered and followed them across Pulteney Bridge.
Esther studied the various faces for any signs of hostility,
relief lowering her tense shoulders when she only saw expressions of interest
or encouragement. The right for women to vote had steadily gathered supporters
and members over the last twelve months and the atmosphere this evening held a
simmering fever that was inspiring and intoxicating.
They congregated in front of the stone fountain in
the centre of Laura Place and Esther laid the crate she carried on the
cobblestones. Lawrence tipped her a wink and took his place behind her along
with the other Society members.
Esther smoothed her skirt and pulled back her
shoulders, battling the surge of nerves that took flight in her stomach. She
stared at the people around them, revelling in the spectrum of high and
low-class spectators, some dressed finely, others in ragged clothes and dirty,
flattened hats. It cheered her to see them standing side by side, barely moving
aside when horses, carriages and the occasional motorcar beeped its way around
them.
With the sun shining brightly against a clear blue
sky, a welcome breeze keeping the temperatures bearable, it was plain to see
that these people wanted to be here for what promised to be a successful
demonstration. Esther breathed deep hoping this evening would garner more
support and, hopefully, more members.
The chattering quieted as the audience formed a
semicircle in front of her. Esther looked to her side where Louise stood
brandishing a huge placard bearing the words ‘Women Demand
The Vote – We Will Wait No More.’
Esther nodded at her friend and turned to the crowd.
‘We stand before you today as a united group of men
and women determined to make the Government see women’s suffrage is no longer
something that people want to happen, but is something that will happen.’
A smattering of applause sounded along with shouts of
‘hear, hear!’ and ‘Yes, it will!’
‘We are a suffragist group doing our utmost to hold
peaceful campaigns. We write to Members of Parliament and our letters are
ignored. How will our country ever prosper and grow under such blatant
disregard for the voices of its people? Women are not the enemy but often the
very people who keep our homes running, our children cared for and loved. Women
are working in our shops, restaurants, factories and domestic service. How can
we not have a view, opinion and passion for our workplaces, welfare and health
services? We deserve a voice at the next election. We will continue in our
endeavours, side by side with our husbands, friends and families. We will win!’
Rapturous applause thundered from the crowd and Esther
lifted her banner high, her heart racing with euphoria as she started chanting.
‘We will win!’
Joining their voices with hers, her associates walked
forward and thrust pamphlets into outstretched hands. The atmosphere was
vehement with support. Women, young and old, cheered and waved, their
expressions full of belief and tenacity. The tide was turning. The people had
spoken and, one day soon, government would have no choice but to listen.
Esther glanced at the Coronation banners strung
overhead between the black Victorian lamp posts either side of the street. They
advertised the imminent events, stalls and games that would be displayed in Victoria
Park and Pulteney Gardens on the day of the Coronation. The excitement of a new
era loomed. There could be no doubt a definitive change was in the air.
This
scene takes place about two thirds the way through the book and I loved writing
it. By this stage in the novel, readers will have come to know Esther and Lawrence
(the hero), and understand their goals, motivations and conflicts. This is a
minor break through moment for Esther and with Lawrence beside her, it makes
the small victory all the sweeter.
Happy
Reading!
Rachel
x
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