A Debutante's Guide to Rebellion Read Online Free PDF Page B

“You think best out loud, with someone to ask questions.”
    â€œYour questions are always extremely basic,” Ezekiel said. Sophie persisted in her ignorance of his favorite subjects, even after years of listening to him talk about them. They simply didn’t interest her. He had spent a great deal of time being annoyed by this before he realized that she listened to him anyway, and had for years, because she knew it helped him. That was when he had agreed to start going to balls with her.
    â€œBut they help. I’m honestly not sure how, but I know they do,” Sophie insisted.
    Ezekiel nodded. His mind had a way of haring off on wild tangents. When he was forced to consider the basics, it grounded his thinking. Still, he could not help but think that a more engaged partner would be of far greater utility.
    â€œI intend to forge a scholarly partnership, not a romantic one, as the primary focus of my social life,” Ezekiel said. “As a result, I have little time for frivolous pursuits.”
    â€œIt’s not frivolous if you like her. And maybe she’d be interested in what you’re doing,” Sophie said. She bounced her foot up and down, rolling her ankle as she did so. It was a long-standing habit, and extremely distracting.
    â€œI don’t know if I like her,” Ezekiel said. “I find her interesting.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI don’t know.”
    â€œWell, that
is
interesting,” Sophie said with a sly smile. “I think you might be in love.”
    Ezekiel snorted. “Nonsense. Love is not something that can be developed after a single dance.”
    â€œOf course it is. Haven’t you ever read a poem?”
    â€œMy mother always said poetry gets people into trouble.”
    â€œYour mother was a woman with a singular lack of imagination or whimsy, and don’t look at me like that, because it’s not an insult, just a fact.”
    Ezekiel tapped his finger on the arm of the chair. “Her ardent belief in the tales of the Old Testament could be viewed as whimsy.”
    â€œIf you want to be wildly inconsiderate of others’ beliefs.”
    Ezekiel regarded her with surprise. He had not ever perceived his cousin as the religious sort. “You don’t believe that every species of animal could fit onto a solitary vessel in the singular, much less ‘two by two,’ do you?” he asked.
    Sophie rolled her eyes. “Why is that always the example? I’ve always felt that staunch adherence to literalism is the true display of no imagination, whether it leads to refuting such tales or embracing them. You really ought to develop a sense of metaphor.”
    â€œI’ve never needed it before,” he said, but now he was just needling her, and she knew it. She always knew.
    â€œArguing about religion?” his father asked.
    Ezekiel stiffened and turned in his chair. He had not heard the man enter. “Father. We were discussing metaphor, in fact.”
    â€œWell. Don’t let me disturb you.” He paused. “I heard you danced with a girl tonight.”
    â€œLady Mildred Weller,” Sophie offered.
    â€œLord Copeland’s daughter? Huh. Well, they have money. And with a face like that, offers might be scarce, title or no. You could do worse. A lot worse.” He paused again, then nodded once. “Well done, Ezekiel. So. Good night.”
    He left without another word, and the two younger folk stared after him in dazed surprise.
    â€œI do believe that’s the most approving I’ve ever seen him. Actually, it’s rather unsettling,” Sophie said. “You should dance with girls more often.”
    â€œWhat did he mean?” Ezekiel asked.
    â€œAbout what?”
    â€œAbout her face.”
    â€œOh.” Sophie shrugged uncomfortably. “You know. She’s . . .” She trailed off.
    â€œUgly?” Ezekiel asked.
    â€œI wasn’t going to say