A Little Rebel

"A Little Rebel" by Duchess is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around the unexpected circumstances surrounding Perpetua Wynter, a young heiress left orphaned after her father's death, and her awkward guardian, Professor Curzon, who finds himself unprepared for parenthood. As they navigate the intricacies of their new relationship, the professor grapples with his field of science while trying to manage the vivacious spirit of the girl who has unexpectedly entered his life. At the start of the novel, the professor is in a state of distress after receiving news about the death of his old friend, Wynter. He learns that he has been entrusted with the care of Wynter's daughter, Perpetua, who is a lively and seemingly unmanageable seventeen-year-old. As the chapter progresses, the professor's initial horror turns to concern as he realizes Perpetua's living situation with her aunt, Jane Majendie, is stifling her spirit. When Perpetua eventually appears uninvited at his door, the stage is set for a humorous exploration of their mismatched interaction and the professor's increasing bewilderment as the young girl disrupts his orderly, academic life.