Undaunted Love (PART ONE): Banished Saga, Book 3 by Ramona Flightner Read Free Book Online Page A

been very worried about you, especially when she has received no word from you for months. And then your aunt Betsy wrote me of your recent visit to her lovely home in Quincy. Made me postpone my usual sojourn to Newport. I had to come and see for myself how you were faring.”
    “You know Aunt Betsy?”
    “Of course. We traveled to Minneapolis together last spring with Clarissa to the NAWSA convention for the suffragists. Wonderful time we had together. Although I’m afraid our enthusiasm for the cause was momentarily overshadowed by Clarissa’s hasty departure for Montana.
    “Thus, when I received letters from two of my favorite people, and I don’t have many of them,” Sophronia said with a raised eyebrow and a mocking half smile, “I knew I needed to determine for myself how you were. I will be disappointed to write them you are not well. Not well at all.”
    “Please, Mrs. Chickering, you mustn’t exert yourself on my account. I chose—”
    “I highly doubt anyone would believe this is the life you imagined for yourself. Locked away in a stifling second-floor sitting room, dreaming of what life might have been. Your life has barely begun!”
    “I can’t …” Savannah whispered.
    “Can’t bear to see reality? Can’t bear to realize that you were a fool when you let your miserly, narrow-minded grandparents manipulate you into a marriage with one such as your husband?”
    “You know them?”
    “Of course. And, no, we do not get along.” Sophronia harrumphed . “I have the misfortune of meeting them at social outings. I take great comfort in always grating on their nerves with my impolitic comments.”
    “They must have disapproved of your friendship with Clarissa.”
    Sophronia laughed. “Ah, they did. But then they never truly cared what Clarissa did. They looked upon her and saw a failure. Someone not worth their notice.”
    Savannah flushed and lowered her eyes. “I wish they had gifted me the same consideration.”
    “Well then, what are you to do?” Sophronia asked. “I can’t imagine this is how you want to continue.” She watched Savannah closely as she remained mute. “As I see it, you have two options. Continue to live a miserable existence and die an early death, or decide you want more from life.”
    “You make it sound very simple,” Savannah snapped, a flush lighting her cheeks.
    “If you don’t sound like Clarissa,” Sophronia said with a chuckle as she thought about Savannah’s cousin. “She said much the same when circumstances forced her to make difficult choices. Life’s hardest decisions are rarely simple, and sometimes they are made for us by a cruel fate. However, sometimes we must make our fate.”
    Savannah looked away, uncertain what to say. “I don’t have that strength. Or the courage,” she whispered.
    Sophronia harrumphed again but then leaned over and clasped Savannah’s hands. “Of course you do. But first you must decide what you want. And what you are willing to forego to obtain it.” Sophronia watched Savannah with passion-filled aquamarine eyes, as though daring her to dream for more from her life.
    “I must leave. And I hope someday soon you will follow me. This is the address of my residence in Boston. I will soon journey to Newport, but I always leave a full staff at my residence here. I will be sure to inform them of your”—she raised an eyebrow—“impending arrival.” Sophronia handed Savannah her card.
    Savannah sputtered. “Mrs. Chickering, you presume too much! I … I …”
    “You what, dear? You could never leave your husband? And why is that? Because he treats you with such respect and consideration?” She patted Savannah on the hand and rose. “Good-bye, my dear. I will see you soon.”
    ***
    “JEREMY!” FLORENCE GASPED as she flung open the door and entered the workshop. “Jeremy!”
    “Flo, what is it?” he asked, turning to face her. She paused, trying to catch her breath, waving a piece of paper. “This just