Wrapped (Jennifer Bradbury) by Jennifer Bradbury

Author:Jennifer Bradbury
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Fiction
ISBN: 9781416990086
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published: 2011-05-24T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fiffeen

“Honestly, Agnes, you eat like your brother,” Mother complained.

“If we weren’t in such an infernal hurry,” I said around a mouthful of bread, “I could slow down and be a bit more ladylike. I think Julia and her mother will understand if we’re late.”

“A lady is never late,” Mother replied.

“A lady doesn’t bolt down food, either, but that’s what you’re forcing me to do!”

“Whatever you are in private matters less than what you are in public, though to have mastery over both arenas is preferable. But you cut this fine, so you’ve no one to blame but yourself.”

I nodded, swallowed, wiped my mouth, and followed her out the door.

“You’re so completely distracted, Agnes,” Mother said as we rounded the gate at the front walk.

“It’s a busy time,” I said simply.

“Don’t tell me about it,” she said. “I had my season as well. And I know how busy it is. And believe you me, shepherding you through your first season is almost as trying as my own debut.”

“I’m sorry, Mother.”

“But it isn’t that only”—she paused to tug the cap sleeve of my dress into place—“you seem so disconnected. Even when David was here, your mind always seemed elsewhere.”

It was. It was in the museum with Caedmon.

“I can imagine how Showalter’s attentions have your head spinning,” she said, now pulling at my other shoulder’s sleeve. “Which reminds me: I sent him a note inviting him to take Father’s place with us at the opera this evening. He wrote saying he’d be delighted to escort us.”

Oh, not the opera now. I’d have to figure a way out of that in order to meet Caedmon this evening. “But we’re already engaged to spend the morning with him tomorrow—”

“The man knows how to seize an opportunity, Agnes. Something I hope you’ll take a lesson in,” she said, looking sideways at me. “He’s indicated that he’s very eager to speak with your father upon his return.”

I stopped walking altogether. “What do you mean?”

She quit fussing with my sleeves. “Well, he can’t very well ask you for your hand until securing your father’s permission. I suspect if your father had not been called away so unexpectedly, and had David not come home, maybe we’d already be planning an announcement,” she said, almost cooing with triumph.

Planning an announcement? To marry? I found I suddenly had to remind myself to breathe.

I didn’t want to accept a proposal, much less marry. Not yet at least. But it was more than that.

A snippet of Sense and Sensibility winged its way into my mind. “I want no proof of their affection, but of their engagement I do.” The words slipped out in Spanish before I realized what I was doing. “Quiero ninguna prueba de su afecto, sino de su compromiso lo hago,” I whispered.

My mother took my chin in her hand and gently turned my face to meet her eyes. “Are you sure you’re all right, Agnes? You look a trifle peaked.”

“Just a little tired,” I said, wishing my anxiety would manifest itself in a way less obvious than nervous eruptions of A Lady passages.

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