A Reason to Rebel Read Online Free PDF

Marianne.”
    “Dear God, is there anything that ogre is not capable of inflicting upon his children? No wonder Matthew could not bear it. Oh, come now, Estelle, don’t cry, we will think of something.”
    “Pray, keep you voice down. There are spies all over the house.”
    “Yea gods, how do you stand it?”
    “By pretending it is not happening to me. By living my life inside my head, where no one can reach me unless I permit them to come inside.”
    “I trust you told your father you have no intention of marrying that popinjay?”
    “Yes,” said Estelle with a feeble smile. “For the first time ever I stood up to him. You would have been proud of me. But, of course, he does not believe I am in earnest. He is confident that once he has me back in Hampshire he will be able to talk me round.”
    “Then you shall not return to Hampshire. You will come back to Fairlands with me instead.”
    “Thank you, Susanna, but that will not do. He will know before we have even reached your home where I am gone and will only come to fetch me.”
    “Hmm, yes, I daresay he will. But that is of no consequence, we will just have to think of something else.”
    “Susanna, I thank you for your concern, but do not involve yourself in my battles. Think of what Mr. Cleethorpe will say if you do.”
    “Michael will understand perfectly.”
    “Yes, but you know how persistent my father can be. Your husband’s parents were reluctant to allow your union.” Estelle covered her friend’s hand with her own. “If Father descends upon Fairlands like an enraged bull, demanding the return of his daughter and implying I have been kidnapped or worse, it will only give them the opportunity to say they were right about you all along.”
    “Do not think to dissuade me from helping you, Estelle, because nothing you can say will achieve that ambition. I know very well that if I leave you to your own devices you will eventually be browbeaten into doing as your father wishes. Now, let us stop arguing and reapply our minds to resolving your difficulties instead. What will you do if you do not marry Mr. Cowper, which of course you will not?”
    “I do not know, find a position I suppose. A governess or a companion. Miss Frobisher’s training has left me well qualified for both occupations.”
    A slow smile spread across Susanna’s face. “I have it! We have just come from Michael’s closest friend’s estate, Crawley Hall in Sussex. His friend, Viscount Crawley, is in need of a companion for his mother.”
    “Oh, I do not know—”
    “I do, and it is the perfect solution.” Susanna’s eyes sparkled at the prospect. “Lady Crawley was bereaved a little over a year ago and feels the loss of her husband most keenly. As a consequence her son is loath to leave her alone, which makes things rather inconvenient for him, especially since she refuses to take a companion.”
    “Well, if she does not crave company—”
    “Ah, but she would love you once she meets you. She will soon wonder how she ever managed without you.”
    “But how can she meet me if she does not wish for a companion?”
    “We must invent a history of misfortune for you.”
    “It hardly requires invention.”
    “Lady Crawley has the greatest good nature and softest heart imaginable. If she were to think you had been treated unjustly she would adopt you as her pet project in the blink of an eye.”
    “I would not wish to deceive her.”
    “We will merely embellish the truth,” said Susanna with an airy wave of her hand. “We will say that you have been unwell and your hard-hearted mistress dismissed you from your previous position without a character, just because your poor health prevented you from discharging your duties for a few weeks.” Estelle shook her head. “You certainly look unwell, so that part is true. But, of course, if you would prefer to return to your father rather than indulge in a tiny untruth—”
    “All right.” Estelle, who considered it to be a