Mischief Read Online Free PDF Page B

upbringing."

    How is that?" Matthias asked.
    My brother and his wife were considerably advanced in years when Imogen was born. Indeed, they had both abandoned any hope of having children. When Imogen came along, they were thrilled."
    She has no brothers or sisters?"
    No. Her father, John, who was my eldest brother, was a philosopher who had radical notions concerning the education of young people. He saw in Imogen a golden opportunity to test his theories."
    And her mother?"
    Horatia grimaced. Alethea was a most unusual lady. She created something of a stir in her younger days. Wrote a book that seriously questioned the value of marriage to females. My brother fell in love with her the instant he read it. They were wed immediately."
    In spite of the lady's views on marriage?"
    Alethea always said that John was the only man in the entire world who could have made her a suitable husband." Horatia hesitated. She was right. In any event, Alethea also had developed a host of strange notions about the education of females. Indeed, she wrote another book describing them."
    Matthias was briefly amused. In other words, Imogen is the product of a radical philosophical experiment?"
    I fear that is precisely the case."
    What happened to your brother and his wife?"
    They both succumbed to lung infections the year Imogen turned eighteen." Horatia shook her head. I had often warned them that their habit of smoking that vile American tobacco was most unhealthy. Fortunately, Imogen did not adopt the practice."
    You were about to tell me what happened three years ago when Imogen went to London." Matthias paused at the sound of brisk footsteps in the hall.
    Imogen stuck her head around the edge of the door and gave Matthias and Horatia an inquiring look. How is the inventory going in here?"
    Matthias held up a bound volume of the Quarterly Review of Antiquities which he had just come across. I believe we are making satisfactory progress, Miss Waterstone."
    Excellent." Imogen glanced down at a list in her hand. I have devised a schedule which, if we adhere to it, should see us finished with the inventory of the first floor before we leave for London on Thursday. Aunt Horatia and I will finish the rest of the house at our leisure when we return in a few weeks" time. Keep up the good work." She lifted one hand in a cheerful wave and hurried off down the hall.
    Matthias gazed thoughtfully after her. What an amazing creature."
    I fear that nothing can dissuade her from her purpose, my lord,"
    Horatia said forlornly.
    Matthias set the Quarterly Review of Antiquities down on a table. You were telling me about how she came to be compromised three years ago."
    If only I had been able to join her in London. Imogen consid ers herself a woman of the world, but you know as well as I do, sir, that after a lifetime spent here in Upper Stickleford, she was woefully unprepared for London Society. Furthermore, her parents both detested the Polite World. They taught her a great many useless subjects such as Greek and Latin and logic, but they did not teach her anything helpful such as how to survive in Society."
    A lamb among wolves," Matthias murmured. But a lamb with some teeth, I think."
    Her friend Lucy was certainly no help," Horatia said bitterly.
    Lady Vanneck definitely bore some of the responsibility for the incident. But that was Lucy for you. I know Imogen counted her a dear friend, but the truth is, Lucy never cared a jot for anyone but herself."
    You knew Lucy?"
    I met her on occasion when I visited my brother and his family.
    She was very beautiful and she could be charming. But she used her beauty and charm to manipulate others. She broke the hearts of several of the young farmers here in Upper Stickleford. As far as I'm concerned, she became friends with Imogen only because there were no other young ladies in the vicinity. She did not even bother to correspond with Imogen after she moved to London until a full year had passed. And then, out of the