It had nothing to do with romance.Biologically speaking, of course, any member of any species would wish to be attractive to its own kind.If not to be loved, then to be chosen.Perhaps to come together in a reproductive ritual.Perhaps to form a more lasting mate bond.Those weren’t emotions.It was nature.
A clatter sounded on the roof, followed by an extended silence.
Penelope and Virginia exchanged concerned glances.
Just when she couldn’t stand the uncertainty any longer, the front door burst open and Nicholas strode inside bearing a wide grin and a small poof of fluffy brown feathers in his hands.
“You got a pet!”Virginia exclaimed in delight.
“It’s not a pet.”Penelope stepped closer to inspect the tiny chick shivering in Nicholas’s hands.“This little thing made all that noise?”
He nodded.“I think it crashed into the chimney.”
“You should name him Rudolph,” Virginia suggested.
“No,” Penelope said quickly.
“Randolph,” Virginia tried again.
“No,” Penelope repeated.
“I know,” Virginia said slowly.“Name him ‘Reindeer.’”
Penelope turned around.“It’s a bird.”
Virginia put her hands on her hips.“Have some whimsy.”
“I could use some whiskey,” Nicholas said.“Why are we naming the bird?”
“We’re not.”Penelope took another look at the trembling chick.“What’s wrong with it?”
“Its wing is hurt,” he said softly.“I’m afraid of making it worse.”
Penelope glanced over her shoulder at Virginia.“Can you help it?”
Virginia’s eyes narrowed as if sensing a trap.
“Please,” Penelope coaxed.“I’ll let you name it.”
Virginia rushed forward to take the chick from Nicholas.“Dasher will be fine before you know it.”
“Dasher?”Nicholas echoed.
“She dashed into your chimney,” Virginia explained.“She’s a chaffinch.You can tell by the white bars on her wings.”
“Then she’s in good hands,” Nicholas said solemnly.
“The best,” Virginia agreed.“I will get her situated at once.”
She disappeared as quickly as she had come.
Laughing, Penelope turned to Nicholas.
He was standing right before her.Close enough to touch.Her heart lurched.She wanted to kiss him for a job well done.Throw her arms about his neck, and lay her ear to his chest to calm her racing pulse with the beat of his heart.
She did no such thing.It would spoil the experiment.Duchesswas a test to see if Nicholas with throw himself at her, not the other way around.
“What were you doing while I was on the roof?”His eyes widened.“Wait.You’re a natural philosopher.Were you transmuting lead into silver?”
