At the mention of Lambert, Alessandra rolled her eyes. It was something she only did when she was alone with Avril. "Ugh. I think he thinks I like him because I wore that stupid brooch one time. And earlier he said he expected me to decline that dance with your brother because of him." She jumped off the swing when it was slow enough for her to get off. She stomped her feet in irritation, remembering the haughty way Lambert had talked to her earlier. And probably for more than a hundredth time, she wondered how best to finally get the boy to leave her alone.

She looked at her friend when she asked about Lambert speaking to her father. "He did actually. I overheard them the last time he came to visit." She shook her head in a disgusted manner. "He was offering father several lands in the country side if he promised my hand in marriage." She sighed. "My father said no, thank God. He said that the decision lies with me. Lambert threw a fit." She shook her head again. "Can you imagine having to deal with that every single week? I am almost tempted to ask Adrian to pretend as if we liked each other just to shake him off." Adrian Thornton was one of her childhood friends. He was a whole ten years older than her and she treated him like an older brother.