The Baron of Latiz (13)

 13

Samh 08.21.1339 13:04

Amoranda had never been so kindly lectured in her life. Silvergor’s words convinced her in her own breast that he was right. Because she had been allowed to do as she pleased for so long, it was difficult for her to yield to someone else who had her best interest at heart. 

As soon as lunch was over, Mr. Froch was announced. She told her servant to have him wait in the parlor and quickly explained who he was to Silvergor.

“I am confident you can handle this by yourself. I will see you in a bit,” he said and headed off to try on the package that had just arrived. 

“Madam,” Mr. Froch said when she entered the parlor. He rushed over to kiss her hand. “I have often envied the favors you confer on Mr. Galeid. At the same time, you tell me I have an equal chance. Since you can’t have us both, I wish you would at least declare whom you prefer and let the other find another to worship.”

“Mr. Froch,” she said, “your friend and you are gifted with equal merit. It is hardly possible to say whom I like best. Besides, if I should declare in favor of you, Mr. Galeid would not believe I was in earnest. On the other hand, if I say I like him best then you will not believe I speak from my heart. In short, everything I say, both of you construe to your own advantage. If I look easy and pleased in your company, you determine I must certainly be in love. If I am grave and reserved, you assume I am trying to hide my love. For some reason, both of you imagine I am fond of gaining any conquest over any heart. Then, you seem to think once I have gotten that conquest, I find it so very trifling that I quickly dispose of it or, just as I might with one of my old gowns, give it away to my chambermaid 

“If you please,” said Froch, “stop with these general comparisons and discuss the particulars between Mr. Galeid and myself. If I were to prove to you with undeniable reasons that I was better than him, do you promise accordingly to reward me?”

“I faithfully promise,” Amoranda said, “to reward you both as you deserve. Why, here is Mr. Galeid coming up the walk. I would be willing to bet he has as much to say for himself as you have said on your behalf.” 

Mr. Galeid was led into the parlor after a few minutes. 

“I will provide a little county entertainment for you, Madam, if you will do me the honor of seeing it tonight,” he said. 

“You are always so very obliging,” Amoranda said, “but you know Mr. Galeid, I never go far from home especially at night.”

“You have to go no farther than your own greenhouse,” he countered. “There is a local theater troop that was practicing a percussion-dance routine, and I convinced them to come perform it in the lane just outside your security fence. Because of the nice hill on which your greenhouse resides, we should be able to see it well from there. I have ordered them to be there exactly at 22:00 so the road will be quiet and most of the moons will have risen.” 

“I bet lit by the moons it will be as amazing as it is on the stage,” Froch added. 

“Yes,” Amoranda said, “It sounds delightful. I anticipate a great deal of pleasure at that time, but I wish I had known about it this morning. I would have engaged Kieron to come also, and he could have brought some ladies with him. Oh, well, I guess we will have it to ourselves.”

“Come then, Froch,” Galeid said, “we will go and see them do it once more before they perform in the lady’s view.” 

As soon as they were gone, Amoranda went into her room and changed. Then she had her maid take her overdress and scarf to Silvergor while she delivered the package of clothing for the servant who was accompanying him.