Page 5 of Solving Sophronia

“Have you a goal?” Elizabeth asked.

Miss Thornton came to kneel beside Sophie, taking her hand. She glanced at the others and took a breath, looking nervous. “I, Hazel Thornton, hope to finish nursing school, to achieve nurse probationer status.”

Sophie squeezed Hazel’s hand.

“Very good,” Elizabeth said in a tone that reminded Sophie the young lady was a teacher. She turned to her cousin. “Now, Dahlia, it is your turn.”

Dahlia looked down at her hands. “I really cannot think of anything.”

“You are to inherit your father’s company,” Elizabeth said. “Your goal could be to understand the management of the business.”

“That sounds very worthwhile,” Hazel said.

“It certainly does,” Vivian agreed.

Sophie nodded. As an only child, Dahlia Lancaster would be one of the first women of means to benefit from the recently passed Married Women’s Property Act. Her inheritance would remain her own, even after she married.

Dahlia glanced at her cousin. “I suppose such learning could be advantageous.”

“Do not merely suppose,” Elizabeth said, giving an encouraging nod.

Dahlia frowned and, for a moment, looked as though she would argue. But as her gaze moved to each of the women, her lips pressed together and her expression cleared in determination. She sat up straight and took Hazel’s hand, completing the circle. “I, Dahlia Lancaster, will work to understand the bookkeeping, operations, and management of the steamship company I am to inherit.”

The air in the Marquess of Molyneaux’s library seemed to thicken as the women sat in silence. Sophie felt her wish turn into something concrete, and a surge of confidence in her own abilities grew within her. She looked at the other women, feeling their hopes and strength join together. Her skin tingled. She could do this. They all could. And none would have to do it alone.

“It is settled, then.” Elizabeth’s voice sounded much quieter than before.

“When shall we meet to report our progress?” Vivian asked in her practical manner.

“The next ball?” Sophie suggested. “Lord Everston has a fine library.”

Hazel smiled, and Vivian nodded.

Elizabeth looked at her cousin.

Dahlia hesitated, but after a moment, she nodded as well. The shadow of a smile pulled at her lips. “Shall we gather in the library at midnight?”

Once the time and place had been agreed on, Elizabeth clasped her hands together. “We shall do remarkable things this year, make ourselves into remarkable people, and none of us will need to rely on marriage to make it happen.”

Dahlia’s eyes went wide. “Elizabeth, be careful. Such talk is dangerous.”

Elizabeth smirked. “I should hope so.” She lifted her chin dramatically and pointed at the ceiling. “And we shall call ourselves the Dangerous Bluestocking Sisterhood. I like the sound of it. Positively scandalous.”

Vivian patted Elizabeth’s arm. “Perhaps it is a bit too... controversial.”

Dahlia nodded. “To say the least.”

Elizabeth looked as if she would argue with her cousin but stopped when Hazel cleared her throat.

The shy woman glanced at the others hesitantly. “In India the orchid represents femininity.” She smiled at Elizabeth. “And there is a blue variety of the flower.”

“I have never seen one; it must be very rare,” Sophie added.

“To the ancient Greeks, deep blue symbolized strength and bravery,” Vivian added. “A blue orchid, therefore...” She spread a hand in front of her, as if leaving the others to deduce the meaning for themselves.

“Blue orchid,” Elizabeth said slowly, tapping her lip with her forefinger. “It’s perfect.” She grinned.

“I like it.” Hazel smiled.

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