“Pretty much.” Reese hopped into the other side.
“I believe it would be most distressing to be wakened in that manner.” Ellen adjusted her nightcap. “I do not understand why a person would wish to use such a device rather than have her maid wake her.”
“They were made for the working classes who can’t afford to have servants do it for them.” Reese adjusted her pillow and curled up on her edge of the bed. She hoped Ellen wasn’t a restless sleeper.
“You do not wear a nightcap?” Ellen asked.
“I hate hats.” Reese glanced over her shoulder at the girl. “I can barely stand to wear a hat during the day. I would go crazy if I had to wear one at night too.”
“But what if something happened and you were required to run from your room in the middle of the night?”
“Then the last thing anybody would be worrying about would be me without a nightcap. Might be different if I ran outside naked.”
Ellen giggled. “Yes, that would cause quite a stir.”
“Yeah,” Reese said. “Even where I come from.”
“Do you recall my invitation to visit at my home for a few days?” Ellen asked.
“Yes.” Reese yawned.
“I would like to suggest that you return with me tomorrow, after the picnic. Unless you have other plans.”
Reese hesitated. If she was gone for a few days, she’d never have a chance to steal some time alone with Jem. She was hoping he would confirm there could be something lasting between them, something she could trust in. The anticipation was driving her nuts.
“But if you would rather not . . .”
The hesitancy in Ellen’s voice made Reese roll over. “I’d love to see your home and come for a visit. I just need to see if I have any other obligations. I should know for sure in the morning.”
“I must warn you,” Ellen said with a sigh. “Aunt Nellie’s house is much more entertaining than my own, especially when my brother is away.”
“Don’t worry about that.” Reese yawned again. “I’m sure we’ll find things to do.”
***
Jem woke late the next morning, a little stiff from the day before. He and the other guys had spent the day marking out a giant chessboard on a section of Nellie’s lawn. There were some other games they had coordinated, but the chess game had been the grandest. It looked to be a lot of fun, with real people as the chess pieces. The servants had constructed raised stands from wood, one for each side.
When he entered the breakfast room, there was no sign of Reese, and several of the men were already there, including a few new faces come for the picnic. Jem filled his plate and sat next to Cyrus, near the door.
“How did the shooting go yesterday?” Jem took a bite of his eggs.
Cyrus grimaced. “I just can’t get into killing a bunch of birds, even if they end up on the table. I like a world where I can go to the grocery store and not worry about where the meat came from.”
“One guy on our tour was always going on about our modern meat processing after he did some research,” Jem said. “It made him turn vegan.”
“All the more reason not to know what I’m eating,” Cyrus said. “The weapons they use in this time are really basic. How did they fight wars when they had to have servants reload their guns for them?”
“I’m glad now I’ve declined the invitations to go shooting with you guys,” Jem said. “I’d rather spend time with Reese anyway.”
Cyrus glanced around the room at the others and lowered his voice. “Since you two have been so busy, you probably haven’t heard what the guys say about the women when they’re not around.”
“What are they saying?”
“It’s all about the money and the status, and what the woman will do for their pocketbooks. For most, it’s also about improving their status.” Cyrus shook his head.
“I think it’s the same way with the women.” Jem remembered what Reese had said about Ellen. “Except the guys probably have more say in who they marry. I think a lot of the marriages are really just businesses set up to keep their place in society.”
“So the rich can stay rich, they let theirfirstcousins marry.” Cyrus made a mock gagging motion.
