Lucie gave her a lazy smile. “Then it’s a good thing that what I have in mind for you doesn’t involve any traveling or canvassing.”
Fiddlesticks. “Do tell.”
“Allow me to introduce our newest campaign,” Lucie said, and pointed at the blackboard again. “The Matrimonial Causes Act of 1878.”
Catriona ate the last bite of her cake. “That act allows wives to petition for a separation in case of maltreatment, doesn’t it?”
“Correct.”
“What has it to do with our Property Act campaign?”
“It has to do with the safety of women,” Lucie said, a little stern. “I worry that if our Property Act amendment is passed with all our demands, it will enrage quite a few husbands—and their wives might bear the brunt. We ought to remain one step ahead.”
Catriona licked frosting off her bottom lip. “I don’t quite follow yet.”
“Assume you are a wife, and you’re unsafe in your home,” Lucie said. “You can apply for a separation. The problem is, more often than not, Mr. Magistrate will reject your application. Now, if a wife could keep her property thanks to our amendment, she could just keep what is hers and leave anyway, right?”
Catriona nodded.
“Wrong,” said Annabelle. “If a spouse leaves without a legal decree, she can be ordered right back home.”
“Precisely,” said Lucie. “And how does a husband do that? He takes out a Writ for Restitution of Conjugal Rights against her. And if she refuses to comply with that writ?” She stabbed the air with her spoon. “She might go to jail.”
A slow, sinking feeling was weighing down Catriona’s stomach. This was hurtling right at her and evading it would make her feel terribly guilty.
Lucie promptly confirmed her suspicions. “I was hoping you could lead the effort against the writ for restitution.”
Her jaw wouldn’t move, and so she just sat and stared in silence.
“Just think,” Lucie continued, eyes gleaming, “with our new amendment in place and this ghastly writ gone, wives could just make a run for it. They now have the means, and the freedom. Stuff the magistrates.”
“I shall consider it,” Catriona said at last. A faint pulse was ticking in her ears.
Hattie and Annabelle were glancing back and forth between them, clearly sensing her reluctance.
“Excellent.” Lucie, who had the social grace of a derailing locomotive, looked well pleased. “It should be no great trouble. Just drafting a first letter. As soon as possible.”
A soft huff of disbelief came from Annabelle. Letters to men in power required days of complicated legal research and sophisticated rhetorical arcs. The sender, in this case Catriona, would receive foolish replies that would enflame her enough to write rebuttals.
“I’m certain there’s someone more suitable for this position than I,” Catriona said.
Lucie’s gaze narrowed slightly. “You are one of our best. Hattie, Annabelle, and I are fully occupied with conquering the House of Commons for the Property Act, as are the other chapters. Hattie also has her hands full with her Friendly Society.”
“Which Friendly Society?”
Hattie brushed crumbs off her skirt. “A new one,” she said. “I’m creating it as we speak—it’s for the benefit of northern factory women who are in the family way.”
“That is news.”
“We are trying to establish a temporary payment for the months before and after birth,” Hattie explained, “so that pregnant women may stay home and rest without losing pay. Aoife Byrne and Miss Patterson are helping me with the details.”
“That’s a fine and worthy cause,” Catriona said, gloom in her voice. Her desire to contemplate vague academic ideas undisturbed sounded more self-indulgent by the minute.
“Blackstone and I are hosting a dinner on Friday to advertise the initiative,” Hattie said. “I never sent you an invitation since you were in Applecross, but now you’re here—join us!”
“Gladly,” she said tightly. “Are there any charitable causes where I could lend a hand, too?”
Hattie was beaming. “Yes, I’m so relieved you ask.”
“I—”
“The Lady Margaret Hall fire drill exercise is tomorrow morning, and I can’t join in,” Hattie pressed on. “I’m—I’m indisposed, and they are missing members because of the term break.”
“Why is there a drill during term break?”