An Imperfect Proposal Read Online Free PDF

surely would not think he would be so improper as to approach you before speaking to us, do you? Now run along, dear, and ask Mattie to dress you in that white fichu with perhaps the string of pearls . . .”
    â€œMama! Am I not to have a say in this matter?”
    Lady Hastings looked suddenly flustered.
    â€œNow, Amaryllis, you are not to create a fuss! In matters as important as this you really must trust your parents. Have we not always had your best interests at heart?”
    â€œYes, but . . .”
    â€œSo then? You are not going to let your silly shyness stand in the way of matrimony, Amaryllis! I won’t allow it, I simply won’t!”
    â€œDoes it not matter whether my affections are engaged?”
    â€œNo, Amaryllis, it does not! Such romantical notions are for writers and poets. You shall do very well, my dear, and if you are a trifle shy at first, well, you will grow in confidence as every year passes. That is how it was with your father and myself, and you know how happy and comfortable we have been together!”
    â€œMama, you can’t compare Papa to Mr. Ratchins!”
    Lady Hastings stared at her daughter. Then, with a little tremble of laughter, she drew her closer.
    â€œGood Lord, Amaryllis, for an intelligent girl you are really rather slow! We gave Mr. Ratchins his comeuppance about a week ago. I would prefer you remain a spinster forever than marry that odious, pompous creature! Gracious, do you realize he actually expected us to be relieved? Inquired after your dowry too, which is nobody’s business but your father’s and the man you actually have permission to marry. The effrontery of it, can you imagine? I enjoyed sending him packing, which I shouldn’t say, for I do aspire to be a peaceable kind of person, but that man could try the patience of saints!”
    Amaryllis felt her legs weaken in relief. Then, as the next obvious question occurred to her, she felt her chest constrict, and she would really have been very close to a faint if she did not have such a remarkable, resolute character.
    â€œThen, Mama . . . ?”
    â€œOh, Amaryllis, can you not guess? It is the Earl of Devonport who has offered for you and in such charming form, too—you cannot imagine. You are to be a countess, my dear, and my only hope is that I can be present when the likes of Martha Caddington open their Morning Gazettes .”
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    The residence was in more of an uproar than Amaryllis had ever known it to be before. From cupboards and stairwells maids and underbutlers and even Cook from the kitchens were taking the opportunity of popping out and staring at her as she made her bewildered progress from the herbarium to her bedchamber above stairs.
    Apparently, the secret was less of a secret than she had imagined, for here and there maidservants grinned and bobbed shyly, and even Charlie, hired for his skill with a team of matched bays, whistled as she caught sight of him from the windows.
    Amaryllis was shaking and hardly knew what to think, never mind respond, as the servants paid their respects. Even her bedchamber was not private, for her dresser was waiting, and had laid out three of her favorite gowns, not to mention all her mother’s jewels upon her bed. Amaryllis politely asked her to leave, and ignored the woman’s disappointment as she put her head in her hands and tried so very hard to think.
    It all seemed so impossible! The earl had not looked at her once in a fortnight! Oh, he had made his bow to her and exchanged a few civil words, but nothing to suggest . . . nothing to suggest such a step as this! She wondered, for a moment, whether it might all be some cruel joke, then shook her head. The earl would not behave so wickedly. If he had spoken to her parents, then he was in earnest, though she was still no clearer as to why. When he made his formal proposal, she would ask him. She would overcome her stupid shyness and ask him outright. That,