Read Quick, Amanda for Free Online

her younger days. Wrote a book that
    seriously questioned the value of marriage to females. My brother
    fell in love with her the instant he read it. They were wed immediately."
    In spite of the lady's views on marriage?"
    Alethea always said that John was the only man in the entire
    world who could have made her a suitable husband." Horatia hesitated. She was right. In any event,
    Alethea also had developed a
    host of strange notions about the education of females. Indeed,
    she wrote another book describing them."
    Matthias was briefly amused. In other words, Imogen is the
    product of a radical philosophical experiment?"
    I fear that is precisely the case."
    What happened to your brother and his wife?"
    They both succumbed to lung infections the year Imogen
    turned eighteen." Horatia shook her head. I had often warned
    them that their habit of smoking that vile American tobacco was
    most unhealthy. Fortunately, Imogen did not adopt the practice."
    You were about to tell me what happened three years ago
    when Imogen went to London." Matthias paused at the sound of
    brisk footsteps in the hall.
    Imogen stuck her head around the edge of the door and gave
    Matthias and Horatia an inquiring look. How is the inventory
    going in here?"
    Matthias held up a bound volume of the Quarterly Review of
    Antiquities which he had just come across. I believe we are
    making satisfactory progress, Miss Waterstone."
    Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    Excellent." Imogen glanced down at a list in her hand. I have
    devised a schedule which, if we adhere to it, should see us finished
    with the inventory of the first floor before we leave for London on
    Thursday. Aunt Horatia and I will finish the rest of the house at
    our leisure when we return in a few weeks" time. Keep up the good
    work." She lifted one hand in a cheerful wave and hurried off
    down the hall.
    Matthias gazed thoughtfully after her. What an amazing creature."
    I fear that nothing can dissuade her from her purpose, my lord,"
    Horatia said forlornly.
    Matthias set the Quarterly Review of Antiquities down on a
    table. You were telling me about how she came to be compromised three years ago."
    If only I had been able to join her in London. Imogen consid
    ers herself a woman of the world, but you know as well as I do, sir,
    that after a lifetime spent here in Upper Stickleford, she was
    woefully unprepared for London Society. Furthermore, her
    parents both detested the Polite World. They taught her a great
    many useless subjects such as Greek and Latin and logic, but they
    did not teach her anything helpful such as how to survive in
    Society."
    A lamb among wolves," Matthias murmured. But a lamb with
    some teeth, I think."
    Her friend Lucy was certainly no help," Horatia said bitterly.
    Lady Vanneck definitely bore some of the responsibility for the
    incident. But that was Lucy for you. I know Imogen counted her a
    Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    dear friend, but the truth is, Lucy never cared a jot for anyone but
    herself."
    You knew Lucy?"
    I met her on occasion when I visited my brother and his family.
    She was very beautiful and she could be charming. But she used
    her beauty and charm to manipulate others. She broke the hearts
    of several of the young farmers here in Upper Stickleford. As far
    as I'm concerned, she became friends with Imogen only because
    there were no other young ladies in the vicinity. She did not even
    bother to correspond with Imogen after she moved to London
    until a full year had passed. And then, out of the blue, she sent for
    Imogen."
    What happened in London?"
    For a time all went well. Imogen got involved in the Zamarian
    Society. She has been passionate about Zamar since the age of
    seventeen. That was the year you and Rutledge returned from
    your first expedition. She joined the Zamarian Society shortly
    after it was formed, but she had not had an opportunity to