Free A Priceless Gift: A Regency Romance by May Burnett Page B

marks. My waist never reverted to what it was in my girlhood, though a good corset helps.”
    “I see.” Amanda felt an impulse to break something, but the delicate bone china service was too pretty to be sacrificed to a childish whim.
    The butler’s entrance saved her from temptation; he presented a letter on a silver salver.
    “Thank you, Rinner,” she dismissed him and sliced the folded paper open with a clean knife. Mattie looked on curiously.
    “From Eve,” she said with a broad smile, recognizing the familiar handwriting.
    Quickly her eyes moved down the lines. It was private; she would tell Mattie later what she desired her to know.
    My dear Amanda,
    Words cannot express my relief at knowing you are safe, and married!
    After those painful scenes at our home, that I hope we shall eventually be able to put behind us, you may still feel angry. I would in your place.
    You know that I never wanted to abandon you. Our days with Aunt Mary were horrid. Mother would not even mention your name or permit any discussion of the matter. She told our aunt that you were ill, to explain why you were not with us. Ursula was told even less of the full particulars than I, but she understood that something was very wrong and was upset for several days, asking how you were and what had happened. I have no idea what Aunt Mary made of our sudden, unannounced visit and strange behaviour.
    The astounding news that you were married and a countess arrived before I quite despaired of your fate. Strangely, Mother did not seem altogether pleased by this intelligence. Aunt Mary’s hearty congratulations on such a brilliant match only exacerbated her irritation. We stayed with our aunt two extra days afterwards.
    I am disappointed, I admit—I always expected to be your bridesmaid, and here you married in my absence. But I understand the reasons and beg you to write back that you are well and happy. Until I see this assurance from you, in your own hand, I cannot be completely easy. And even if you should be the happiest of mortals, which would be surprising under the circumstances, I miss you all the time.
    I shall give this letter to Father to send and suggest that you enclose your answer in a letter addressed to him, as I am not sure Mother would give it to me otherwise. If (or when) she relents, I shall not fail to inform you.
    Please take care of my favourite sister for me.
    Your worried and affectionate,
    Eve
     
    Amanda was silent for so long that Mattie said, “I hope it is not bad news?”
    “No, not at all. Eve is well and merely anxious to hear from me. She is worried and misses me even as I miss her.”
    “I can imagine. Why don’t you invite her for a visit?”
    “Mother is not happy at my match. I doubt she would allow Eve to visit me here.”
    “Understandable,” Mattie said, to Amanda’s irritation. “The earl’s reputation is hardly pristine, and Eve is an innocent young girl.”
    “Lucian would never hurt my sister.” Amanda glared at Mattie. “Must I remind you that he is my husband? I will not hear him spoken of with disrespect.” Considering all the vicious gossip she had heard about him since her early childhood—‘Lord Rake’ indeed!—besides what Lucian and his aunt had told her, it felt strange to defend him like that. But he would never behave like her uncle had done. He was not the kind to prey on innocents, not the servants, and not her sister if she was ever allowed to visit.
    “Oh,” Mattie said, “I beg your pardon, Amanda. I shall try not to speak ill of him; after all, I only have hearsay to go on. And who knows but that marriage to you will reform him, and he’ll be hailed as a model husband soon?”
    “Don’t be absurd,” Amanda said more curtly than she intended. “I would prefer not to discuss my husband at all, if you don’t mind.”
    “Very well,” Mattie agreed. “I’d rather talk of new curtains anyway. What would you say to a very light blue-green shade? And matching