Rebellious Heart Read Online Free PDF Page A

proclamation?
    Her eyebrows arched, and her level gaze didn’t waver from his face. “The land west of the Appalachians is dangerous and the threat of Indian attacks constant. Do you not think the king is merely trying to protect men and their families?”
    “I don’t think King George cares one whit for our protection,” he replied. “He’s trying to protect his holdings in America from the French. He knows if he spreads himself overly thin, he risks losing all he’s recently gained in the war.”
    “Even so,” she said, “if the threat from France were to disappear altogether, the king would still prohibit expansion. The Indians are bloodthirsty. We’ve all heard stories of scalping and inhumane torturing of men, women, and children alike.”
    His body had sagged with fatigue since the branding at the trial, but now at Susanna’s challenging comments, his pulse spurted forward with fresh energy. “Did the threat of danger from Indians and elements stop our Puritan forefathers from settling this very land we now call home, this land we hold so dear? Imagine if our ancestors had let the fear of the unknown dictate their decisions.”
    Her lips stalled around her response.
    Cranch took a swig from his tankard and started toward Ben. “See. This is exactly why I count you among my favorite friends.”
    A glimmer in Cranch’s eyes warned Ben to stop, but the words inside him seemed to have a life of their own. “We’re here today in the colony of Massachusetts because of the courage of our relatives. I firmly conclude we can’t let fear deter us from pursuing what we believe is the right course of action.”
    Cranch draped his arm across Ben’s shoulders. “This is why I am loath to be apart from you for even the briefest moment. You’re so talented at livening up a party.” He squeezed, and the pressure of his fingers was enough to remind Ben of where he was and to whom he was speaking.
    And that Elbridge was in the room watching him with calculating eyes.
    Mary giggled and leaned her blond head against Susanna’s dark one, whispering something into her sister’s ear.
    The girl was much shyer than Susanna, but she’d had no problem flirting with Cranch. The young ladies never had any difficulty talking with the smooth-tongued Richard Cranch.
    He was English-born, handsome, and good-natured. He’d moved to Boston with his prosperous father, who’d come like so many others to invest in land, along with the shipping of the rum produced in the colonies. What girl wouldn’t be impressed with him?
    Certainly Mary’s family would have no reason to object if Cranch came calling.
    Elbridge gave Susanna one of his winsome smiles and held out his arm to her. “We’d better make our escape now before Ross begins to regale us with tales of his recent treasonous trial in Boston.”
    “There’s nothing treasonous about defending the innocent,” Ben said.
    “And there’s nothing innocent about stealing a horse from a British regular.” Elbridge spoke as though he were an errant child.
    Ben’s body tightened with old insecurities. He fought the pressure to slouch and fade into the background. Instead he pushed himself to his full height and reminded himself why he was fighting against injustice—to give the downtrodden, like himself, a fair chance in a world in which those with the most power and wealth made the rules.
    Susanna slipped her hand into the crook of Elbridge’s arm, but she didn’t move forward with him. Instead she threw one more question at Ben. “Are you joining the ranks of the treasonous, Mr. Ross?”
    He could see disappointment in the slant of her eyes, and he wished he could ignore it. “Treason can be a subjective issue, Miss Smith.”
    “Obeying our ruling powers is hardly subjective,” she countered. “Scripture commands us to obey our leaders and submit to those in authority. God’s Word isn’t open to subjective interpretation.”
    The intelligence and decisiveness of her