“Why ever for?” Peri asked. “From what I hear, Teddy was a perfect gentleman and even saved her from a fearsome beast. It’s not like she spent the night in a strange man’s bed,” she added with a blush.
“I haven’t pressed her too much,” Olive admitted pouring the tea and offering a cup to Peri. “Amanda seems a bit delicate if you ask me.”
“Delicate!” Peri’s blue eyes grew wide over the rim of her cup. “She isn’t sickly, is she?”
“I don’t think so.” Olive shook her head. “She doesn’t seem suited to life here in Texas, though. Perhaps if we could find her a quiet storekeeper, or someone with means who could coddle her a bit, she would be all right.”
Peri lowered her cup to the table, meeting Olive’s dark eyes. “You’d better send for her. I’d like to meet her, and we can do an interview. Maybe that will point us in the right direction. Besides, I don’t know of anyone in town that meets the requirements you mentioned.”
“Oh, hello, Peri,” Ellen smiled as she walked into the small, family kitchen. “I saw your mother in the dining room and thought you might be about.”
“Ellen, would you mind asking Miss Antonia to join us? Peri would like to meet her.” Olive smiled at her pretty daughter-in-law. It had been a big surprise when the rest of the Hampton family had joined them just before the first snowfall last year, but Olive was glad her boys and their families had moved to Needful.
“Of course,” Ellen grinned. “I see you two are already plotting what comes next for Amanda.” Ellen paused for a moment. “That girl sure has some pretty things,” she added with a sigh.
Peri looked at Olive, who only shrugged as Ellen left the room.
“You asked to see me,” Amanda appeared in the kitchen a few minutes later. “Oh, hello.” She turned, greeting Peri. “I’m Amanda Antonia,” she offered her lace-covered hand.
“Pleased to meet you, I’m Peri.” Peri grinned.
“Amanda, won’t you join us?” Olive indicated the tea set. “Peri is my partner in the matchmaking business, and I wanted you to get acquainted.”
Peri studied the young woman with critical eyes. She was dressed in one of the airiest dresses the girl from Tennessee had ever seen. It was very expensive and exquisitely made, fitting the small woman’s slim waist and delicate curves with precision.
“Your dress is lovely,” Peri said as Amanda took a seat. “Where are you from?”
“Virginia,” Amanda took a seat, carefully smoothing the skirt of her pale pink dress. The color complimented the young woman’s pale complexion and brown hair. “Are you from here?”
“I am now,” Peri grinned. “I came here to find out if my sister had found the love of her life and met my own.” A soft laugh tittered from Peri, making the other woman smile.
Amanda picked up the cup and saucer, lifting it carefully and sipping. “What do I do now?” she asked, placing the cup back on the table. “I’m afraid I’m rather lost after what happened. Surely no decent man will want me after that Teddy fellow took me to his home.”
Peri reached out, patting the girl’s hand. She seemed very young, though her letter had indicated she was nineteen. “Just tell us a little about yourself.”
Amanda blinked between the two other women, surprised when neither of them seemed at all concerned about her day alone with the cowhand.
“I’m from Virginia.” She stopped looking for a response and then continued when no one else spoke. “I’m the oldest of three children but the only daughter.” Amanda swallowed, lifting her cup once more. “My mother recently remarried,” she spoke over the rim. “I. I didn’t get along with my step-father.”
“So you came to Needful to be a bride,” Peri nodded with understanding, her green eyes shining with excitement. “I’m sure it’s difficult having your father replaced.”
Amanda blushed a bit but didn’t reply. There were some things she didn’t care to share with strangers. “What will happen to me now?” she blurted. “Who will be willing to marry me if they think I’m a ruined woman?”
“Ruined?” Olive gasped. “No one will think that I assure you. Why Teddy might be rash, but he would never take advantage of a woman.”
Amanda placed her cup back on the table with trembling hands. “I can’t go back home,” she sniffed, pulling a hanky from her sleeve. “I can’t abide my step-father and would be shamed if I did.”
“Don’t you worry, dear,” Olive smiled. “We’ll find you the perfect match. That’s what Peri and I do.” The older woman squirmed slightly in her chair at the half-truth. They did try to match couples appropriately, but things never seemed to go to plan.
Olive’s words seemed to have the desired effect on the girl, and she straightened with a smile. “Thank you. I’m putting myself in your hands.”
“Now, tell us what you like to do.” Peri smiled encouragingly. “Do you sew? Are you a good cook? Perhaps you can ride well.”
Amanda’s eyes grew wide with each question. She was very good with cross stitch and needlepoint but had never tried her hand at a garment. She had always had people for that. “I don’t cook. I do ride, though.”
“Well, that’s good,” Peri grinned. “I know I enjoy riding, though I’m not much good at it. You just wait and see, we’ll find you the perfect mate. Needful is brimming with men looking for a wife.”
Olive looked at Peri, a worried expression on her face. This girl didn’t seem to know how to do any of the basics a wife in Needful would require. How were they supposed to find a match from the men of the town for a delicate flower like this? At least the other girls had a bit of pluck even if
