The Virtuous Ward - By Karla Darcy Page 0,48

more coaxing tone. "Marriage is a serious business and I would deal fairly with you. Come sit beside me where we can talk."

She patted the cushion beside her and smiled into his face. Though annoyed that his well-staged proposal was not going as smoothly as expected, Bancroft was not impervious to the enchantment. Grumbling low in his throat, he stood up and brushed the creases from his trousers before seating himself beside her.

"I must tell you first, that I am sensible of the singular honor you do me by seeking my hand in marriage." She was relieved that her words had such a salubrious effect on his bearing. "I like you very well and I could accept your offer if I was convinced we would suit."

"How generous you are, Miss Fraser."

"We are much too formal for this occasion. Perhaps I might call you Bancroft and you would consent to call me Amity," she suggested, her blue eyes twinkling.

"It would be my honor, Amity."

Bancroft beamed at her. He had taken possession of her hand and was patting it with the same attention as one might in consoling a child. She felt a little less awkward now that they were sitting side by side.

"I wish to be totally honest with you," Amity said, gulping in her nervousness. Finally she blurted out the words, that had been bothering her, "As much as I admire you, Bancroft, I cannot tell you that I am in love with you."

"Love?" Bancroft looked surprised at her words. "But I did not expect that, my dear. After all until we are married it would be strange indeed if you should entertain such feelings. Love is based on many qualities and these would be brought on by the, shall we say, the intimacies of married life."

"Oh," Amity said, flushing in confusion.

"At this time I would hope you might admire me and think of me as a friend. After we are married you will find that the feelings we have for each other will grow in depth. You do not find me repugnant?" he asked jokingly.

"Oh, never that, Bancroft," Amity cried. She could not believe she was making such a hash of things. She held her breath, slowly releasing it as her composure was restored. "I like you very well."

"I can offer you financial security and an impeccable name. I am not one to dally in the clubs or fritter away my funds in gambling hells. I do not approve of loose morals, so you need have no fear that I will embarrass you in that area. I do not consider myself a demanding person and you would be free to conduct yourself much as you are used to," he concluded.

"I can see you will make a very good husband," Amity said with all sincerity. "However are you certain that I will make you a good wife?"

"Since the first night I met you I have been aware of your quality, my dear," Bancroft said. "Although at first I was taken aback by your hair, I find I have become used to it. You have learned to confine it in a most becoming manner. Your manners in company are excellent. Your sense of style and your ease of conversation are exceptional. Always conscious of my obligations to society, I have seen nothing in your behavior to suggest you would not be acceptable in all quarters."

"Thank you, Bancroft," Amity said. She smiled wistfully, wishing somehow that his words had been more loverlike but then she supposed that too would come after marriage.

"Do you see any impediment to our betrothal, my dear?" he asked.

Amity was silent for a moment, wondering how she should broach one area that troubled her. She wondered if he had told his sister that he planned to offer for her. She wished she had had more of an opportunity to get to know Ophelia. When she was around the woman, she sensed a slight disapproval but perhaps that was her way. Ophelia and Bancroft were very close and it would be difficult if the woman did not like her.

"I do not see an impediment, but I do have one concern. That is, I worry that your s-sister might not approve," she said, stumbling over her words. "How will Ophelia receive this news?"

"It is my fond hope that she will be gratified by my choice."

Amity noticed an expression of uneasiness shadow his face and wondered if Ophelia had already verbalized some objection. "I know you are very fond of your