The Virtuous Ward - By Karla Darcy Page 0,10

with the estate manager to prepare him for her absence. She had great faith in Henderson and knew he would care for the estate much as he always had. While Amity finished her packing, Miss Endicott fed her a continuous stream of strictures and aphorisms in a vain attempt to make up for any lapses in her pupil's education.

Amity was consumed by curiosity over Lord Maxwell's summons. She had assumed he had forgotten her existence and wondered what this reminder of his authority portended. She suspected he had decided she was of marriageable age and wished to discuss his plans for her. Although she might desire him to take a personal interest in her, her practical nature convinced her that Lord Max merely wanted to marry her off. She expected nothing else.

Amity knew from her childhood that it was useless to expect much. When she was quite young she had expected that her parents would love her. Afterwards it was borne in on her that her mother, dubbed "Goddess Divine" by the London dandies, was ashamed of her unbeautiful child. Her father was not fond of children. And of course she was a girl. He saw her as a means to make a favorable alliance, thus adding to his own consequence.

Her parents disinterest in her, combined with Max's neglect after their deaths, forced her to depend on herself for enjoyment. Another child might have viewed the world with a jaundiced eye, but Amity found much pleasure in her solitary life. She had a keen sense of humor and a deep well of curiosity which helped her to find joy in the smallest incidents of her life. Once she had discovered that she was responsible for her own happiness and as a consequence had grown into a cheerful and trusting person.

Amity flopped over on her back, staring up at the fluffy canopy. She was sure she was too excited to sleep. She thought about all the new experiences that awaited her and she wanted to shout in anticipation. The library at Beech House had been filled with books about London. Her curiosity had been whetted in the long bleak winter evenings as she read of the wonders of the city. Although she had been happy enough at her parents' home she had been starved of people to exchange ideas with and places to feed her desire for knowledge. There was a whole world waiting for her and she was anxious to grasp it.

Muffin moaned and snuffled, no doubt dreaming of rabbits he could chase. Amity sighed as her mind drifted into sleep.

Chapter Three

"Well, miss, iffen you ask me this is the only one what's fit to wear," Emily said. It was apparent that Amity's new abigail was not impressed by the items in her wardrobe. With pursed mouth and narrowed eyes, she had examined each dress, deciding that the singular possibility for the evening was a blue and green plaid wool with a high waist and a touch of white lace at the neck.

"Would you suggest I burn the rest?" Amity asked.

"Gor, miss!" Emily whirled around, shocked by the thought of such dreadful waste. Her brown eyes took in the wide grin on her mistress' face and she blinked. Catching the joke, she snorted aloud, hiding her laughter behind her hands. "Not that they don't deserve a proper funeral," she said when she could catch her breath.

"I know most of them are awful, Emily, but there was not much need for fashion in the north. Warmth was much more important."

"Makes good sense, miss," Emily agreed as she closed the doors of the wardrobe. "Soon you'll have new things, much more fittin' for London. Mrs. Trilby says iffen I suit, I'll be your abigail while you're at Edgeworth."

"I'm sure we'll do fine together," Amity said. She had been pleased by the arrival of the cheerful, efficient girl. She was bony and plain of face but her eyes, for all the sharpness of her glance, had the softness of a doe. Though younger by a year, Emily had an experienced quality about her that convinced Amity she would be wise to heed the girl's suggestions.

She put herself in the servant's capable hands and soon the room looked inhabited and she was dressed for dinner. The only disagreement they had was at the abigail's suggestion of a more elaborate hairstyle than she was used to.

"I'm sure it would be grand, Emily, but I'd rather not put it up. My hair's so long that by