Captain Northrup’s face went bright red. “I…”
Philippa touched the topmost volume. “There is no denying who should be honored for their artistic talent and their genius, and who should not.”
“She meansnot you, pup,” Tommy barked at Captain Northrup. “Three cheers for Agnes, Katherine, and Miss Damaris Urqhart, lady cryptographer!”
Philippa’s reading circle cheered first and loudest. The rest of the women in the ballroom joined in the cheer.
Damaris’s mother linked arms with her daughter and glared at her brother in stony silence.
The brigadier-general turned to Northrup. “You stole the cipher from your niece.”
“Just like his knavish ancestor!” Tommy quavered helpfully. “Supplanting women for personal gain is in this swindler’s blood.”
“Can there still be a Northrup Salon?” Philippa asked. “Is ‘In honor of Agnes Northrup and Katherine Claybourne’ too long to fit on a plaque?”
“I cannot fathom what actions the Prince Regent may take,” said Brigadier-General Boswick. The cold look he gave Northrup indicated the brigadier-general referred to consequences far beyond whether the Royal Military Academy would rechristen one of its chambers. “Perhaps he’ll start by canceling your pension.”
“I see there won’t be a new viscount in January after all,” Tommy said loud enough to be heard in every corner of the ballroom. “Unless lady cryptographers can be viscounts, too?”
“That would be wonderful, Aunt,” Chloe said, materializing at Tommy’s side. “I hope we all send letters of support to encourage Parliament to crown her a peeress in her own right. In the meantime, I imagine any hostess worth her salt will be certain to have Damaris’s name at the top of her guest list.”
“I hope you come tomymusicale, Miss Urqhart,” Lady Southwell blurted out.
“Andmysupper party,” said Lady Ainsworth. “My daughter would love to speak to you.”
Northrup’s circle of onetime admirers dispersed, putting physical distance between themselves and their erstwhile idol. For him, it appeared the ball was over.
For Damaris, it was just beginning. She hugged Philippa tight. “Thank you.”
The rest of the reading circle joined them, before Damaris’s mother pulled her away to bask in her newfound popularity.
“You did it,” Tommy said to Philippa. “I had no idea tearing a tiny hole in patriarchal coverture would make my nether regions so excited.”
Philippa elbowed her in the ribs and tried not to laugh with joy. She had done it.Theyhad done it.
They were heroines!
34
Warm sunlight streamed through Philippa’s bedroom window at eight o’clock the following morning. She awoke with Tiglet curled into her side. A smile took over her face. She felt as though illuminated manuscripts with tales of chivalry and heroic knights had been written abouther.
Shehad slain the dragon!Shehad brought a happy ending to not one, but three fair maidens! Triumph was not a feeling Philippa was accustomed to. She loved it. She was happier this morning than on the day of her come-out, or the night she first used her Almack’s voucher.
Tommy’s family must awaken with this sense of pride and justice every day of their lives.
The joy came from knowing Philippa had made a difference. She’d been part of a team that nudged the world in a better direction than it had been going yesterday. Afarbetter accomplishment than “can use watercolors” or “knows five melodies at the pianoforte.”
Rightful credit had been given to three talented women who deserved it. The reading circle was euphoric. Damaris was the belle of the ball—due to hercryptography. A so-called unladylike pastime that had helped to win the war.
This sudden popularity should also help with the reading circle’s charity endeavors. After Philippa broke her fast, she intended to write to all the ladies who had previously declined to take part in collaborative charity work with a group of bluestockings. Perhaps now they would be eager to help.
Philippa’s dream to bring lending libraries to every neighborhood in London could actually come to fruition. What lady wouldn’t wish to join causes with women who stood up for other women? Perhaps the reading circle would even grow twofold!
Her lips curving in what felt like a permanent grin, Philippa dressed and made her way lightly down the steps. By now, Tommy and her siblings would have returned the “borrowed” manuscripts. At this hour in Philippa’s home, only the servants would be awake. But even without friends to talk to, nothing could dampen her sunny mood.
To her surprise, the muffled sound of her mother’s voice came from the cerulean sitting room. Philippa paused. She gave up on her plan to read alone and headed to her mother’s sitting room instead.
Philippa’s jaw dropped when she walked through the door. Not only was her father out of his study and seated beside the fire, but every surface of the salon was covered with gifts. Flowers, sweets, wine, pile after pile of letters…
