Putting on Airs by Ivy Brooke Read Free Book Online Page B

pianoforte, Emmeline played the harp, Nell played the flute, and Imogene played the violin—this time well, to the delight of all the spectators.  Then, thrilled with the scheme of her little surprise, Mrs. Cole brought out music so that all the musicians could play together.  She tried to persuade them all to sing also, but that was more than any of them were willing to do.
     
          By the end of the evening, Imogene was feeling better about everything.  And after they returned home, Mr. Campbell had something particular to say as they were all talking excitedly about the ball.
          "I will not be able to attend," he said.
          "But of course you must come, Mr. Campbell," Mrs. Cartwright tried to persuade him.
          "That would be quite impossible, madam, since I will be leaving in the morning."
          Imogene fixed her attention to the conversation, wanting to make sure that she would not misinterpret anything and get her hopes up.
          "Leaving?  You mean for home?  But Mr. Campbell, you know that you are welcome to stay longer."
          "Thank you, madam, but I really think it is time for me to leave."
          Imogene received a very dark look from her mother, but she paid it no mind; she was already silently triumphing, having finally won the battle.  She slept better that night than she had in weeks.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
    Imogene stayed up in her room the next morning and watched through the window as Mr. Campbell's carriage was loaded, as well as Mrs. Barton's.  She drummed her fingers on the windowsill impatiently, waiting for them to leave.  They were just climbing into their carriages when Mrs. Cartwright invaded her room.
          "Come down and see your betrothed off," she ordered.
     
          Betrothed... The words made Imogene suddenly realize that Mr. Campbell had said nothing about arranging a breach of betrothal.  She darted out of the room and down the stairs, but when she made it outside, the carriages were already gone down the road.  Rushing back inside, she sat down with some ink and paper to compose a letter asking if he intended to arrange a breach of betrothal, and insisting that it be taken care of as soon as possible.  After the letter was dispatched, she was once again at ease.  Mr. Campbell was gone, at least, and Mrs. Barton gone with him.  And due to his recent behavior, she was sure that her freedom was on the horizon.  All the rest of the week, she prepared for the ball by practicing Greensleeves on the violin so as to be ready if asked to play.  She also prepared some statements in the event that anyone asked her about Mr. Campbell.
          As soon as the Cartwrights walked into the ball that Saturday, Phillip ordered the band to play and led Imogene to the dance floor for two dances in a row.  It was the most fun she had in weeks, able to dance and enjoy herself without any worries nagging her heart.  After dancing, she and Phillip sat out during a dance to talk.  She thanked him for the invitation and the dances, and he expressed at least twice over how glad he was that she came.  Jane arrived and found her friend immediately, but Phillip insisted that before she could be allowed to join their conversation group that she must dance with him, and Jane laughed at the playful ultimatum as he led her to the dance floor.  Imogene was in too good a humor to sit still, so she went in search of a partner as well.  Since Emmeline was sitting down to the harp for the dance, Mr. Butler obliged her as a dance partner. 
     
          While dancing with Jane, Phillip discovered from her that Imogene was an accomplished violin player, so he immediately encouraged her to play a solo.  All the guests who heard her last public performance began to murmur amongst themselves, many of them deciding to head outside for some fresh air.  Imogene only smirked and took up her instrument, the bow gliding gracefully over the strings.