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.It was simply not fair to the rest of the household to be the cause of her petulance, so Rowena would endeavour to avoid antagonizing her further.She consoled herself with the prospect of receiving a favourable response to one of her applications for the position of companion.She had not yet received any response, favourable or otherwise, to the letters she had sent out.Perhaps she had done something wrong.Since her aunt was bound to be shocked and offended by her desire for independence, Anne was the only person she could consult.She resolved to do so that very evening.As soon as Minton, with a sniff of disparagement, had removed her dress to be cleaned, Rowena hurried to Anne’s chamber.Propped against a heap of pillows, her cousin was perusing a large volume.Lamplight gleamed on her dark, straight hair, a waterfall about her slender shoulders.“Captain Cartwright is coming tomorrow to borrow Mr.Hobhouse’s book,” she announced.“I was just checking a few facts.”“He will never be able to hold that great, heavy thing.” Rowena flopped down at the foot of the bed and hid her toes under the counterpane.“He told me the carpenter at the Grange has made a special stand for him.He says he thinks himself in heaven to have the leisure to read and Lord Farleigh’s library at hand.You cannot imagine how delightful it is to have someone to talk to about books.He is able to explain things to me that I cannot understand for want of experience of the world, and I have information he lacks because soldiering has occupied his entire life.”“You are excessively well suited to each other.Do I scent a match?”Anne flushed.“Pray do not joke, Rowena.I like him very much but I cannot expect to engage his interest while that cat Millie is unwed.He only talks to me because she takes no notice of him.”“Oh, that Millie were wed! If she were, I should be perfectly happy here with you and my aunt and uncle.As it is.Anne, I cannot bear it any longer.If I am to be treated as a servant, at least I want to be paid for my labours.I am determined to seek employment.”“I do understand your feelings, but I wish you will not.Besides, I fear it is unlikely that anyone would hire a female land agent.”“Unfortunately.I would enjoy that.Perhaps I should dress up as a man?” Rowena tried to smile.“No, I fear I should be found out soon enough.All I am fit for is as a lady’s companion, and I have already sent off several applications for positions advertised in the Ladies’ Magazine.Only that was at least ten days ago and I have not received a single answer.Do you think I did something wrong?”“What precisely did you send?”“I wrote a letter explaining that I am young and healthy and willing—oh, and respectable!”“Anyone might claim such qualifications.You need references from previous employers.”“Of course! But I have no previous employers, and I daresay Aunt Hermione will not oblige.”“Of course you must not ask Mama.It will sadly discompose her to have her own niece choose to live with strangers.Is there no one else you can apply to?”Rowena frowned in thought.“There is Lady Farnhouse, or the vicar’s wife at home, but they are no more likely to approve than is my aunt.”“I’ll tell you what.” Anne giggled.“I’ll write you a reference myself.I’ll pretend I’m a cantankerous old lady and I’ll praise you to the skies for putting up with my whims and crotchets.”“Oh, dear, when you put it like that it sounds no more attractive than wondering what Millie will next do to put me out of countenance.”“Well, I do think it will be more difficult than you suppose, but if you insist, I shall start work on your references.In any case, you will have to wait till the next issue of Ladies’ Magazine before you can apply again.With any luck Lord Farleigh will come up to scratch in the meantime and then Millie will soon cease to plague us.”Rowena tried hard to be pleased at the prospect
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