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but Mr Kershaw was not content to let it rest there.
    ‘You’d find your pretty gowns a sight more expensive, young lass, if we didn’t encourage progress,’ he said with an air of finality.
    ‘Perhaps it would be a fairer world if we did pay more for such frivolities, and gave the people who produce them the chance of getting the necessities of life!’ Bella retorted.
    ‘Well said, Miss Collins,’ an amused voice behind her commented, and with a gasp Bella turned to find Lord Dorney and his cousin standing by her shoulder.
    She bit her lip, and felt her cheeks, already heated from the overcrowded room and the strength of her emotions, grow yet rosier.
    With a curt bow the military gentleman seized the opportunity of drawing Mr Kershaw away. Lord Dorney and Alexander took their places, but tactfully changed the conversation by asking whether the ladies had enjoyed the musical entertainment.
    ‘I didn’t see you there,’ Bella exclaimed.
    ‘No, I’m afraid I was late, I had another engagement first,’ Lord Dorney said smoothly. ‘But Mrs Eversley was so pressing with her invitation I promised to drop in for an hour or so later. She persuades some very talented people to play and sing at her parties, and I was sorry to miss it.’
    After a while he enquired for the dog’s welfare, and Bella was chuckling as she recounted the animal’s encounter with a neighbouring cat.
    ‘And when we walked him in Sydney Gardens he growled at a very large dalmatian. I fear he’ll turn out to be a fighter,’ she concluded ruefully.
    ‘He’s needed to fight to survive, no doubt. As do your mill children,’ he added softly. ‘I applaud your concern, and your courage in speaking out for them,’ he added, and immediately rose to take his leave.
     

Chapter 5
     
    Bella was walking Rags in Sydney Gardens early the following morning when Lord Dorney approached.
    ‘You’re abroad early,’ he commented. ‘This animal looks better already,’ he added, bending down to pat the dog, who after an initial suspicious growl suddenly recognized a friend and began to wag his tail furiously.
    Bella looked shyly up at him. Jane had scolded her soundly on the way home the previous night, and uncharacteristically Bella had accepted the scolding as well deserved. She wondered if her behaviour, despite his words of approval, had made Lord Dorney despise her as an unsophisticated, provincial rustic unable to behave with proper decorum in Society.
    ‘You simply must not argue so vehemently, especially with a man so much older, and in public,’ Jane chastised her.
    Inwardly rebellious, Bella wanted to ask why girls and even women were supposed to have no opinions of their own. Why must they accept what men said, however stupid and bigoted the men? She kept silent, knowing she had argued with unseemly heat. That was her real offence in her own eyes. She was mortified to realize she’d been unable to point out the evils of the crowded mills without allowing her emotions to trap her into rudeness.
    ‘Jane was very angry with me,’ she said impulsively.
    ‘Lady Hodder angry? Why should she be?’ he asked. ‘Let’s walk on, the wind is chill,’ he added, turning to stroll beside her.
    ‘I was too outspoken last night,’ Bella sighed. ‘I don’t mean to be rude, but I cannot bear to hear foolish people saying things which are untrue!’
    To her surprise he laughed.
    ‘There may be more tactful ways of refuting what they say,’ he agreed, ‘but you spoke the truth, your sentiments are honourable. I passed through Preston recently and saw the dreadful conditions those mill workers have to endure.’
    ‘I haven’t learned to bite my tongue,’ she confessed.
    ‘It makes a refreshing change. Most girls are far too busy wondering what effect they’re making to speak so candidly. They say what they think is expected of them rather than the truth. Which brings me to an apology.’
    ‘You? Apologize? What on earth for?’ Bella