Kat declared her conclusion that both Henry and Chit had admirable qualities, but she didn’t know why their each having great wealth and prestige was the first notable point mentioned in that regard. Beyond that, Chit was friendly, charming, easy to be around, kind, and respectful. Amala agreed with all of that. Kat mentioned that he was not as pleasing to look at as Henry, but she didn’t personally consider that a deficit when he was obviously a good man. At least Kat was much more sensible than most young ladies in regard to appreciating a person’s character traits above and beyond his or her appearance. But then Kat went on to express that Henry seemed to have all of the same qualities of character as Chit, even if he wasn’t nearly as talkative. And then Kat pointed out how very handsome Henry was. She went on and on about it with a zeal that actually made her sound a little silly while Amala found herself growing increasingly uncomfortable and fearing she might actually throw a tantrum if she didn’t excuse herself and go somewhere to be alone.

While her parents discussed the fine traits of both Henry and Chit, inserting subtle hints of what suitable prospects they might be, Amala forced her inner turmoil to calm down, but she also knew that she couldn’t wait any longer to declare to her family what she’d known for months needed to be said. She’d dreaded it and avoided it, but the appearance of Henry Beckenridge in her life made her fear that if she put it off any longer, a disaster could happen. What if Henry ignored her wishes and asked her father’s permission to court her? Had her parents become so accustomed to seeing Amala as an equal in their home that they’d come to overlook the way other people saw her? Had Amala’s efforts to keep from hurting her parents’ feelings over the many hurtful incidents in her life done her and them a disservice over time? Whatever the reason, she had to stop it. And she had to do it now.

“There’s something I need to say,” Amala said, and all eyes turned to her. She didn’t know if their astonishment was because she’d said nothing at all for several minutes, or if her tone of voice had been more agitated than she’d intended.

“Then you should say it,” Oliver encouraged.