Nelson rolled in with trays loaded down, toast, pancakes, syrup, and some muffins that made Dorothea’s mouth water. “I assumed you’d all wish to breakfast well, since the proceedings today may take up quite a bit of time, and lunch will most likely be delayed.”
“Smart lad,” nodded Silas. “Yes, it’s going to be a long day.”
“What’s going to happen, Mr Silas? I know there’ll be garlands coming from the machines, but what else?” Gen carefully buttered a piece of toast.
“Well, it’s been quite some time since I attended, Gen,” he answered. “Perhaps Thea can give us a better idea?”
She was watching his mouth as he spoke, and it took a moment for his words to make sense. As if he knew, he gave her the most wicked smile, then lowered his head to read a message that had been tucked beneath his plate.
“Well then,” she pulled herself together. “Firstly, there will be a lot of people, Gen. Hundreds there in person, thousands more watching the ceremonies on the Lumen Walls. But you do miss a lot by not actually being there.”
“Haveyoubeen there?”
It was a natural question. Dorothea nodded. “Yes, Gen, I have. I don’t know if you remember, but when we first met, I told you I was having an adventure?”
Gen nodded. “Yes, I remember. Meeting me was an adventure, wasn’t it?” She smiled at her Mama. “And Mama too.”
“The best adventure ever,” laughed Dorothea. “But my first adventure was...was deciding to leave my home and find out what it was like down in the Undercroft Forge.”
“Ooh...” Gen’s eyes grew wide. “You ran away from home?”
“Gen,” remonstrated Lyra. “I’m sure Miss Thea is far too smart to do such a thing.”
“Well, actually, Gen’s right, Lyra.” Dorothea winced. “Sorry, but yes. I did sort of leave without telling anyone where I was going.”
“Really?” Lyra’s eyebrows rose. “That was very brave of you...and, if you’ll forgive me...a bit foolish too. Why, anything could have happened...your parents...they must be frantic!”
“Perhaps,” Dorothea said slowly. “But my parents are different, Lyra. They’re not like you and Gen. They are more...more reserved. And a great deal more dictatorial.”
“Are they looking for you?” Hiram tilted his head to one side. “Would they think to look here?”
She shook her head firmly. “No. Absolutely not. It would never cross their minds that I’d travel as far down as the Forge. It would be impossible for them to imagine I’d do such a thing on my own, and as far as working on the machines? Hah.”She scoffed over her muffin. “I’m supposed to be above such mundane matters.”
Silence fell for a few moments.
“Well, I think they’re quite silly, then, aren’t they?” Gen lifted her little chin. “Look at all the fun you’ve had with us, and you’d have missed it all if you hadn’t run away.”
Dorothea bit back a smile. “In this case, you’re right, Gen. But it could have been much worse, so I don’t think you should ever consider doing what I did.”
“Oh, I won’t, Miss Thea. Because Mama knows me, and she’ll understand if I need tools to fix something that’s broken.”
Everyone had to laugh at this definitive declaration.
“I’ll make sure you have a set of your own,” said Hiram admiringly. “I’ll wager you’ll give us all a thing or two to think about.”
With that comment, Nelson re-entered. “Forgive me, sir, but time is getting on. If you and Miss Thea are to escort the Mistletoe Machine, you’d best be on your way very soon.”
Silas nodded, then stood and held out his hand to Dorothea. “Well, Thea. Are we ready?”
She took a breath and reached out as she stood, linking their fingers. “We’re ready, Silas. As ready as we’ll ever be.”
*~~*~~*
“Hiram is...”
“Utterly besotted,” Silas answered her as he helped her with her jacket, and slipped into his own.
“Yes. Yes, he is, and it’s incredibly sweet.”
