Chapter Ten
The Interrupted Ceremony
I was well satisfied with the humbling of the proud Mistress of Cheatem, and pleased to see that the taming of her unruly girls, was proceeding apace. The change in the manner of the males of the household was quite remarkable! Edward moved with new strength and confidence; Willie and Ned were beginning to rediscover their masculine pride. The girls seemed to have resigned themselves to their enforced servitude, and their guardian was now showing both Edward and me a new-found respect. Even the servants found they were being treated by the women with a new sense of civility. Still, I was determined to see the last shreds of arrogance wiped out by using the means of public humiliation that Amanda had so enjoyed using to work her will on young Edward an
