The Baron of Latiz (9)

 9

Samh 08.21.1339 08:02

The next morning Pethany came to her lady’s bedside as soon as she was awake. 

“Madam, I was in the garden and found a silver box,” she said showing it to her. 

“I think that it is Kieron’s ammunition box,” Amoranda said, but when she opened it, there was nothing inside it except a paper. 

“Draw the curtains open,” Amoranda said, “and let me see it.”

Pethany gave her the box, and when she had opened the paper, she found it was a contract between Kieron and a lady whom she believed had contacted her but whom she had never seen. It stated that if Kieron withdrew from his promise of marrying the lady, he should then forfeit ten thousand pounds to her. Reading it nettled Amoranda to the very heart. 

“How does Kieron come here to approach me with his declarations against marriage while at the same time he’s engaged himself so firmly to another?” she asked. “Is he so base that he uses me only to divert himself during those hours in which he can’t meet with the one he likes better? Give me my clothes,” she said. 

“I’m sorry,” Pethany said. “I didn’t know you loved Kieron so, Madam. I shouldn’t have shown it to you. I had no desire to put your ladyship into such a passion. I doubt he meant to give it to the lady in the first place. Look, the date of this contract was signed above a month ago.” 

“Pethany,” Amoranda said, recovering herself and smiling. “I believe you are afraid that I have an inward private inclination for this worthless colonel. But since you have always been a faithful and honest servant, I will do my best to put you at ease. I assure you he is upon the same level as the rest of his sex in my esteem, and I yet know no man upon this planet that I have a special favor toward. It is actually quite the opposite in this case. I have more of a resentment against his behavior toward me. If the lady this paper was designed for still wishes to accept the agreement, I will certainly give her it in an instant.” 

“But, Madam,” Pethany said, “What if Kieron comes and enquires for it.”

“If he comes today,” Amoranda said, “tell him I am seeing no company. Tomorrow, I will put this contract out of his reach so even if he comes he will no longer be able to obtain it from me. As long as my mind does not change, and I lose my courage to second thoughts, it will be done. Please remember, though, I don’t want to see any company today except Mr. Froch and Mr. Galeid. Pass my orders on to the others, please.”

Pethany immediately left to do as she was told, and Amoranda folded the contract up, placed it in the silver box, and hid the box under her mattress. When Pethany returned, she helped Amoranda to dress. Then, the girl Amoranda hurried down to meet Silvergor at the breakfast table.