A Reason to Rebel Read Online Free PDF Page B

great deal more than a tiny falsehood, wondered if in all conscience she would be able to go through with the scheme when the time came. “If you think it will work. I will try anything rather than subject myself to my father’s tyranny again.”
    “I am delighted to see you exerting yourself at last.”
    “He has pushed me too far this time and given me a reason to rebel.”
    “Good girl! I am persuaded that our scheme will certainly work. It is as though it was meant to be. And Sussex is much closer to Ramsgate than Hertford. It is also much closer to me in Kent.”
    “That is true.” But Estelle was still dubious about the proposal.
    “Young ladies,” proclaimed Susanna in a perfect imitation of Miss Frobisher’s voice, “if you pay heed to the wisdom imparted to you in this establishment you will be equipped to achieve anything that you set your minds to when you quit it.”
    Estelle giggled. “You have certainly proved her point, Susanna. You have secured a highborn gentleman for a husband, and it is clear to anyone who has seen you together that you are madly in love.”
    “I am deliriously happy. But we will be at leisure to discuss my domestic felicity once we are safely installed at Fairlands. Before then we have work to do. Come, let us pack you a valise and we will leave first thing in the morning. We should reach Kent before nightfall if you shall not mind making an early start.”
    “Not in the least, I assure you.”
    The girls repaired to Estelle’s chamber, where Martha appeared so quickly that she could only have been prowling the corridor, on the lookout for them.
    “This room gives me the creeps,” said Susanna shuddering.
    “And I.”
    “Then why do you not move to another in a different part of the house?”
    Estelle lifted her shoulders but had no answer to give.
    “Oh, silly me, you could not move whilst your husband was still alive since he would have expected you to occupy the room next to his. And since his death you have not wished to give the servants the trouble of making up a different chamber.” Susanna sighed and wagged a finger beneath her nose. “You must learn to be more assertive, Estelle.”
    “What are you doing?” Martha addressed the question to Susanna, who was pulling garments randomly from the armoire. She made faces at the dull black material of the mourning gowns and threw them aside in favour of brighter coloured gowns.
    “Mrs. Travis is going on a journey.”
    “Aye, that she is. She’s going to her father’s house next week.”
    “Wrong,” said Susanna in a careless tone that Estelle would give much to be able to emulate in her dealings with Martha. Her hateful maid had been appointed by her father. She had a tongue as sharp as a razor, deferred to no one and even Mrs. Keller was wary of crossing her. “Mrs. Travis will be staying with me for a while.”
    “No one told me about this.”
    “I did not realize your permission was necessary.”
    “The master won’t like it.”
    “Oh really.” Susanna turned, arms akimbo, and glared down at her. “And who precisely is Mrs. Travis’s master?”
    “I meant her father,” said Martha sullenly.
    “Send word to him. I am confident you know how to contact him. You may inform him that he can collect Mrs. Travis from my husband’s estate upon his return to Hampshire.”
    “Very well, but it don’t seem right, her gadding about so soon after losing her husband. Still, if your heart’s set on it.” She turned towards Estelle, who nodded once. “You’d better let me do that then,” she grumbled, trying to edge Susanna aside. “And she can’t wear those gowns, she’s in mourning.”
    “No thank you, Martha, we do not need your help. Now go.” Martha hovered, her face a study in disapproval. “Get out!” The authority in Susanna’s tone finally caused the servant to slink from the room.
    As soon as the door closed behind her, Estella and Susanna collapsed on the bed in a fit of