Suffragette in the City Read Online Free Page B

obvious amusement. “It was a lovely visit, Cassandra. Christmas was a most enjoyable holiday, and Henry’s family was very. . .” She paused, considering her words. “. . . interesting. Americans always are, I find. While we were in Boston, we met a fascinating young man. I’m sure he would—”
    I raised my hand in warning. “Although I appreciate your motives, I am not in the least bit interested in hearing about the latest in a regrettably long line of men you have selected to share my life.”
    “Do I have any say in this matter?” Freddy asked, peering over the sodden, tea-splattered newspaper.
    “No,” we both told him.
    “But my dear,” Caroline continued on, “Mr. Teller has a delightful character—”
    “I’m sure he does,” I said amiably. “But you fail to take into consideration my character. And as you are married to the only man who combines those qualities of intelligence, wit, and strength of mind which make a man superior, I shall have to bear the lack of a husband as best I can.”
    “I have intelligence, wit, and strength of mind, and I have proposed, dearest. Several times. Seven, to be exact.”
    “Nine in the last six weeks,” I told Freddy, softening the words with a smile. “And I appreciate your desire to save me from the horrors of spinsterhood, but you know perfectly well we wouldn’t suit. Besides, there is that other matter to which I alluded last week.”
    His gaze moved to Emma, rife with speculation. “Not…er…”
    I sighed, not wanting to upset my aunt, but feeling the need to take charge of my life. “What I am about to say will shock you.”
    “Do you think so, dear? How fascinating.” She, too, glanced at Emma, who gave her a little shake of the head. “Whatever can this shocking subject be?”
    “My future with regards to men.” I cleared my throat and sat up a bit straighter. “Since the long overdue death of my father, I have become a New Woman.”
    “Indeed. Although I am not sure it is kind to refer to your father’s death as overdue, I would agree that I would have been much easier in my mind about you had Henry and I been able to persuade him to let us have you.”
    “That’s all in the past,” I said, waving away a lifetime of abuse and torment, both mental and physical. “What matters now is the present, and as a New Woman, I have taken a stand on several causes. One of which Freddy alluded to in the newspaper article. The other is my attitude toward men.”
    “What attitude would that be?” Caroline asked.
    Emma smiled into her cup.
    “I will, at some point in my life, probably twenty or thirty years from now, marry. Until then—” I took another deep breath. “I shall take a lover.”
    Silence filled the overstuffed, overheated room.
    “Dearest, might I offer myself—”
    “No,” I said quickly, keeping my eyes on my aunt. To my surprise, she didn’t look shocked or scandalized, or even unduly impressed. She merely hummed a little song to herself and sipped her tea.
    “You’re not angry with me, are you?” I couldn’t help but ask.
    “Why would I be angry? Cassandra, my dear, you are thirty years old.”
    “Twenty-nine!” I said quickly. “Only twenty-nine!”
    “That is certainly old enough to know what you want. If you wish to flaunt convention, then far be it from me to stop you.”
    “Oh.” I glanced at Emma. She winked. “I see. Well…good. I am much relieved. I was concerned that my decision to take charge of my life and send it in a new direction would cause you some concern.”
    “No,” she said, lifting the tea pot. “None at all.”
    “Good.” I felt deflated for some absurd reason.
    Caroline waved towards Freddy’s paper. “Tell me more about your involvement with this organization.”
    “Yes, do, dearest,” Freddy pushed the paper aside and got to his feet. “Perhaps Caroline can talk some sense into you.”
    I gave him a mean look.
    “Don’t ruffle your adorable feathers at me,” Freddy