Chapter 7: Standoffs
Rachel and George did not speak to each other at all for the next two days, making mealtimes very uncomfortable. Aunt Mary looked on, perplexed, but wisely decided not to get involved. Besides, Aunt Mary was beginning to understand Rachel's nature, and knew she would be too impatient to hold a grudge for long, especially when it meant eschewing one of her favourite companions.
By the second day of their stand-off, Rachel's temper had cooled and she had begun to realise that forbidding George to talk to Lissa was not going to work. Following breakfast, Rachel chased after George before he could leave. "Wait! George! Might I have a word with you". George looked around suspiciously but paused.
"Depends what it is about Rachel, I am about to ride and meet Edmund." Rachel winced, that wasn't a brilliant start to the conversation, but nonetheless.
"George, I'm sorry I told you those things about Lissa… I have no right to dictate who you speak to." she began
"And they are untrue" George interrupted. Rachel grimaced and amended
"And I may have exaggerated… or she might have changed" George narrowed his eyes but let her continue. "Anyway, I hate fighting with you. I will try to be nicer to Lissa, I promise. But will you forgive me?" she looked up at him innocently, and was delighted to see a small grin. "You will!" she cried and threw her arms around him. George laughed.
"Hang on! I never said that!"
"Oh George, I can read you like a book"
"Alright, fine, get off me you harridan. I forgive you – if you're nicer to Lissa! Now I must go." he replied as he extricated himself and begun to stride off.
"Give my regards to Edmund!" called Rachel. George gave her a dark look over his shoulder
"That we will discuss later!" he responded before he disappeared outside. Rachel, satisfied, decided today would be the perfect day to work in her garden. She headed for the stairs but was intercepted by her aunt.
"Rachel" Aunt Mary said sternly.
"Yes Aunt?" Asked Rachel innocently, but she knew what was coming.
"I have not seen you open a book for the last week."
"But it is my birthday week!" Rachel protested.
"I allowed you a few days, but you know your education is important to me. We had a deal. No college if you kept up your studies, enough to get into University."
"There is no point Aunt! I don't want to go to University."
"You may change your mind! I am just keeping your options open Rachel. This is something I never had the opportunity to do. Do not waste it."
"I am sick of people trying to dictate my life!" Rachel cried "First Father tries to marry me off and then you want to send me away to some University. When do I get to decide what to do with my life?" Rachel brushed past her Aunt and ran up the stairs. She was so sick of having to study, none of her friends studied! She had plenty of inheritance, there was no point . Why couldn't her Aunt stick to lecturing the middle classes, instead of haranguing her? Rachel saw the books sitting on her table and dashed them to the ground. She remembered her promise and she'd keep it. But not today. Today was for gardening. She grabbed her gloves, furiously pulled them on and marched to the garden, not even bothering to change her dress. This was her house and she would do as she pleased!