The Virtuous Ward - By Karla Darcy Page 0,17

door behind her. Breathing in the moist early morning air, she tied the ribbons on her bonnet and searched in the pocket of her pelisse until she discovered her mittens. Pulling them on, she briskly started down the stairs. After an initial hesitancy, Muffin shook his head and padded after her unwilling to be left behind.

Amity knew Max would be furious if he discovered her early morning adventures. Since their arrival in London, he had warned her about disgracing herself with unladylike behavior. She knew it was not proper to be out at such an hour and most especially without either a maid or a footman. However, she had found her entire life so confining that this bit of rebellion helped her to get through the rest of each day. She walked the two blocks to the park, sighing in relief as she entered the gates.

She had discovered the little park on her second day in London and it had become her private refuge. Used to the freedom of the country, she found the buildings and dirt of the city oppressive and needed her spirits renewed in this little plot of greenery.

Off the main paths, she felt safe from any unwanted eyes of the fashionable set. She walked slowly, letting Muffin poke and sniff as much as he wanted. She found a bench in the sun and sat down, calling to the dog. After taking one more investigative sniff of a rather interesting clump of brush, he nestled at her feet.

Untying the ribbons on her bonnet, Amity pulled off the hat and placed it beside her. She turned her face up to the sun, her eyes closed as her skin soaked in the heat. It was a perfect day and she should feel a well of excitement for all that had happened in the last month. But her come out ball was this evening and just the thought of it sent her stomach plummeting to her toes.

"Oh, Muffin, I've been such a fool," Amity moaned. The dog raised his shaggy head and stared at her with soulful eyes. She reached down and stroked his soft fur and he pressed his head against her knee, letting it slide down until it rested on her foot. "It was my pride that done me in, old sport."

For a moment a smile trembled on her lips at her joking tone but then her eyes filled with tears. How was she ever going to get through this evening? Her dress had arrived yesterday and it was a total disaster; SHE would be a total disaster. She had been so foolish in her pride and now she would pay the price for her vanity. But more than her disappointment over the dress was her awareness of Honoria's treachery. As unsophisticated as she was, even she had to acknowledge that the woman she thought had befriended her had indeed betrayed her trust.

Muffin snuffled in his sleep and Amity was reminded of her one loyal friend. She reached into her reticule and pulled out a lacy handkerchief. She blew her nose and wiped her eyes, admonishing herself for giving in to such a degree. After all it was her own fault.

Amity had liked Honoria when she first met her. The very fashionable Miss Waterston was five years older with a social manner that Amity envied. Beside the elegant perfection of the blonde woman, she had felt like the veriest gawk, but Max's special lady friend had been charming to her, taking her shopping, and praising her for her fashion sense. Amity had been dazzled by the endless bolts of materials and trimmings at the mantua maker. She had been flattered when Honoria asked her opinion on all the selections. At first she had been hesitant but under the older woman's praise, she gained confidence in her choices. Soon she was giving her imagination full rein, choosing dresses that she had dreamed about over the bleak years at Beech House.

It was only in the last week that Amity first suspected that everything was not what it should be. Madame Bertoldi, the modiste Honoria had brought her to, had become more tightlipped as the fittings continued. It was apparent to Amity that the woman was not happy with the dresses but each time she opened her mouth to speak, Honoria interrupted with a distracting remark. When Amity questioned Honoria, she laughed off her concerns, saying foreigners always were moody.

Yesterday when the ball gown arrived, Amity had been filled with excitement.