Amelia (The Marriage Market Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

while they were speechless as they digested this new information. Finally Amelia spoke.
    "How do you know that's what Horace wants?" she asked breathlessly
    "Because he told me, that's how."
    "Told you when?"
    "Remember the ball at the Pickard's a few weeks ago?"
    "Yes," Amelia said with a nod.
    "Well, he asked me to dance. In fact, he put his name on my dance card more than is proper. Then during a waltz he whispered all the things he wanted to do to me."
    "What did you do?"
    "I slapped his face, of course, and walked away, but he wouldn't leave me alone."
    "You should have told your mother," Effie insisted, her face red with anger.
    "She wasn't there that night, remember. She had a sick headache. It was hardly the kind of thing I could tell my father about."
    "Well then, you should have told us," Amelia insisted. "I would have given him a black eye to go with his slapped face."
    "And I would have given him a bloody lip," Effie added, pushing up her sleeves.
    Suddenly, they were all laughing, happy to know they had each other through thick and thin. When they settled down, Grace spoke.
    "I love you, Amelia, and I don't want you to go, but I'll keep your secret and help any way I can."
    "Oh Grace, you are such a dear friend. I hope you'll come and visit when I get settled," she said hugging her close.
    "I hate to see you go too," Effie said, wiping away a tear. "And I will come and see you soon. Does H. Jordon have any brothers? He is very attractive," she said.
    "Gosh, I don't know, but I'll write you as soon as I find out," she promised, wrapping her arm around Effie too.
    "When are you leaving?"
    "Tomorrow I'm going to the bank at the far end of town, cashing the draft and getting my tickets. I'll give you the exact date after that. I'll have to plan it carefully if I don't want my father to stop me from going, so I might need you to say I'm with you."
    "Oh Lord, you know how I hate lying," Grace moaned. "My mother always gets it out of me."
    "I'll do it," Effie offered. "I'll think of something."
    "Thank you both so much. I promise I'll write and tell you everything as soon as I can."
    "You better or Effie and I will be on a train headed west," Grace insisted with a watery smile.
    "Good, then maybe I won't write!" Amelia laughed as she pulled them close once again.
    * * *
    Early Wednesday morning, Amelia Westcott donned her dove gray traveling suit, pinned her smart new hat over her auburn curls and walked down the winding staircase, trailing her gloved hand along the banister. It was much more difficult than she'd expected and at the last minute she ran to the kitchen, pulling Mrs. Riley into her arms and giving her a heartfelt hug.
    "Gracious girl," the woman exclaimed, patting Amelia lovingly on the back. "You're only going for a visit. I'll still be here when you get back."
    "I know," Amelia replied with a blush as she wiped away a tear. "It's just that you've always been so good to me, and I want you to know how much I appreciate your kindness, especially after Mother died."
    "Oh, go on with you. A sweet girl like you, I couldn't be anything but kind. Now you hurry along, and have a good time with Miss Effie in Albany."
    "I will. I'm going to miss you."
    "You're going to miss your train," Margaret Riley laughed, ushering Amelia out of the kitchen and down the wide hallway.
    "Amelia, come on," Effie called, bursting through the front door. The skirts of her rose traveling suit swirled around her ankles as she skidded to a stop, clutching her hat. "We're going to miss it."
    "I'm sorry," Amelia replied, hurrying to the door where Effie grabbed her arm and pulled her across the porch and down the stone steps.
    "Just get in the carriage," Effie hissed, waving to Mrs. Riley as she closed the door. "Oh," she sighed as she shoved Amelia in, shut the door and collapsed on the seat. "I'm taking a big risk lying to my folks like this."
    "I know you are and I'm grateful. You do think I'm doing the right thing?" Amelia asked,