Amelia

Albert

"Yes I am Amelia," she came out timidly and hesitatingly. "But I don't know you, neither the person you were referring to."

"My lady! He shall be here any moment," replied the harbinger laconically, after which he kept silent and stood aside so as not to block the cottage door.

There was silence throughout till the gravels outside made a clattering sound and a horse neigh sounded outside the cottage, following was the dismounting of a man whose steps slowly proceeded towards the cottage, finally he came and stood inside the living room.

"Do we know you sir?," asked Ronald politely.

"Sir I can't say about you but yes Amelia does know me," smiled the boy.

"Father," said Amelia. "I do recognise him. It's only that I've seen him in peasant clothes earlier, it took me some time to decipher him in his new expensive fabric."

"Amelia how do you know him and what is his name?" asked Ronald inquisitively.

"May I have the privilege to explain this to you sir," said the boy and at the nod of Ronald thus began, "My name is Albert and before proceeding towards anything else I congratulate you for this beautiful piece of land that you own," he smiled. "Now, as to my acquaintance with Amelia, I met her at the Sunday market today itself but couldn't wait for another day to meet her."

"Yes father he was very kind. He helped me carry the vegetable bag back to my home, he is courteous and chivalrous, I must add,"said Amelia to her father, then she turned to Albert and asked, "Albert, I hope I got your name right, why were you roaming in peasant clothes in the market when now you come and stand here in such an elegant attire," said Amelia with a blush.

"I like to visit that place as a commoner, being dressed as I am now invites the attention of the passerby's and offers me less opportunity to get lost in that crowd. I stay away from revealing my identity," said Albert.

"That's really pleasing son!," replied Ronald.

"I am emotionally elated and my happiness knows no limitations as I just heard the exact word for whose fulfilment I came here for," said Albert.

"I'm not able to understand what you mean son," laughed Ronald.

"Sir, I want you to make me your son. I'm here to ask Amelia's hand for marriage. My first interaction with her was enough to satisfy all my doubts about a life partner. The simple attitude coupled with a kind gesture and polite flow of words held me in the highest glory for I was well contented of finding the most beautiful girl that one could ever desire. Beauty not only in what I see but in the soothing vibes I encounter. Sir, with your and definitely with Amelia's permission", said he turning to her, "I want to ask her hand in marriage. Before you ask me of the way I uphold my life, let me enlighten you by stating that I am a landlord-my father died early and the responsibility now rests with me- the white mansion in the neighbouring locality that everyone talks of, belongs to me, I am it's sole owner and I wish you to grant me the opportunity of making Amelia the mistress of the place."

Celia and Delia who were standing amazed now widened their eyes and made faces revealing their contempt for Amelia that such an opportunity can fall on her in such a short period of time.

"Albert, I don't know how to answer back your kind tidings! Amelia has without my knowledge, throughout been subjected to downright oppression that didn't let her take a single decision of her will on her own," said Ronald giving a glance at the twins, who out of public embarrassment stared at the floor.
"So, I would like her to take this decision for herself. Speak my child."

Amelia was partly nervous, partly elated and fully blushing. However, she gleaned up the courage and gave a reply, first looking towards Albert, "Albert first let me thank you for such a courteous behaviour and the inflow of kind articulate praise that came out from your wise lips and further I don't want to reiterate the praise that you bestowed me with as I feel exactly the same for you. The first gusts of contented air were provided by the brief yet beautiful conversation that passed between us to our way home, yes I have no reason to refuse your offer and accept it with utmost liberty of mind and composure of talk," then she turned to her father and said, "I really want to live with him dad. His soothing personality and kind demeanour are so pure that nothing but respect flows for him. Yes I give my consent, this is what I have to say."

"Darling if you are ready and the person who shall soon be my son in law is such a worthy individual that is so rare to encounter, I happily give my consent and wish you a lifetime of happiness," said Ronald happily.

The ceremony was soon arranged and the couple wished all the luck on their happy occasion, Celia and Delia had to attend the function due to their father's strict orders and were all the time sitting in a corner, making faces and trying to find fault with one thing or the other. Ronald was contented and happy for his daughter who had seen too harsh a behaviour in her early life, while Amelia and Albert happily went to live in the white mansion with all the happiness and freedom of the world.