Paxton Pride by Kerry Newcomb

evening.”
    â€œPapa said you were out.”
    â€œYour father pays little attention to whether I’m in or out. I went in to greet Alfred and, after your father let me know in no uncertain terms I wasn’t needed, returned to my room. I suppose I must have dozed, for I didn’t hear Alfred leave. When I awoke I went to your room to say good night but you weren’t there,” she said with a thinly disguised hint of disapproval.
    â€œI’m sorry, Mother. Alfred left and I came in here to watch the city. It’s so beautiful. I fell asleep.”
    â€œWe provided you with a bedroom for the sole purpose of affording you a place to sleep, my dear. It comes as a shock to think you’ve given up such a comfortable chamber for the dubious benefits of the library. But I suppose it is to be expected, as you have been behaving somewhat unreasonably of late.”
    â€œOh, Mother …”
    â€œKaren, it isn’t polite to interrupt, especially when I’m scolding you. I suppose I should find some small satisfaction in the fact you are at least alone down here.”
    â€œMother!” Karen managed, her voice appropriately shocked.
    â€œNow don’t be offended. Your father and I both know how you two feel about each other. And I shouldn’t for one second believe you immume to the temptations of the flesh.”
    â€œI have never allowed Alfred even the slightest indiscretion, Mother, and I don’t …”
    â€œI know. I know. Alfred is a gentleman. But a young man withall. And I hardly need point out to you that young men have, from time to time, attempted … indiscretions, as you say … with young ladies.”
    Karen sat up, her ire aroused by her mother’s condescension. “I suppose,” she began frostily, “it would be different if he were a loyal subject of Her Majesty’s.”
    â€œThere is no need to be impertinent. I am more than aware of Alfred’s antecedents. His grandfather was in Parliament and his family is vastly important even if he was, as were you, poor child, born in America.” She paused once again, no doubt relishing the misery of the true anglophile. Karen sighed in exasperation. The sound drew Iantha from her reverie and the older woman leaned toward the younger. “Karen,” she asked, “do promise me dear, that you will at least visit England on your wedding trip. Alfred could do so well over there. Both our families have no small amount of interest with the British Empire.”
    Karen bit her lip in frustration and she stifled her rising anger over the way her parents had her life so patently formulated for her. “Mother … Alfred and I haven’t set any plans. I don’t know where you get the idea we are even thinking of anything so definite as an actual wedding.”
    Iantha laughed softly. A suspiciously knowing kind of laugh. “Why, from your father, of course. We do speak from time to time.”
    Karen felt a chill stealing through her veins. “What does Papa have to do with it?”
    â€œReally, Karen. Alfred certainly has more to do with it than your father. And I do wish you wouldn’t play games with me. I find it most distressing.”
    Karen stiffened, her knuckles white from grasping the arms of the chair. She stared at Iantha.
    Iantha reacted with confusion. Never had she seen Karen so.…“Alfred did tell you, did he not?” she asked.
    Karen was very awake now. “Alfred had to leave rather suddenly,” she said shakily. “It was a rather brief visit. Nothing much was said. Of any importance.”
    Now it was Iantha’s turn to stare. Whatever could have happened? Could their plans have changed? No. Alfred would not be easily swayed. It wasn’t his manner. He must have waited for …“Oh, my.” Her hand went to her mouth in a tiny gesture of suppressed mirth. “Oh, my,” she repeated, “I hate to