“Why do I get the distinct impression Mother will be changing rooms again?”
“I’m sure Fidget has already recaught the rat, but I did hear Mother yell something about never stepping foot in the castle again before she ran down the back stairs, screaming all the while.” Annaliese glanced around the front yard. “I thought I’d find her heading down the drive, probably with the intention of running to Chicago, but I was wrong about that. She must have headed for the lake, where I’m hoping she didn’t decide to attempt to swim her way to the city.”
“You know Mother never steps a toe in any type of water unless it’s an unusually warm day.”
“Then let us hope she thinks it’s too chilly for a swim and is merely brooding along the shoreline, contemplating the horrors she’s faced of late.” Annaliese leaned closer and peered into Drusilla’s face. “Before I resume my search for Mother, though, are you certain you’re alright?”
Drusilla waved that aside. “I’m fine, although I’m sure I must look a sight. I might have looked even worse, though, if Rhenick Whittenbecker hadn’t shown up from out of the blue and rescued me from the ravens.”
“Rhenick Whittenbecker rescued you?”
“He did.”
Annaliese plopped down beside Drusilla, any thought of tracking down their mother seemingly forgotten. “Do you think intervening with the ravens might have been a calculated move on his part in order to get into your good graces, or ... do you think it was a gallant reaction from a gentleman who saw a young lady in danger and did what gentlemen are expected to do—that being saving the damsel in distress?”
Even though Drusilla had just been thinking he’d had an ulterior motive for rescuing her, now that she thought further about the matter, it was highly unlikely Rhenick had had time to consider how his act of chivalry could be used to his advantage, as he certainly couldn’t have known he’d arrive at the castle and find it being taken over by ravens.
That suggested that he’d acted instinctively, and also meant that he might very well have a chivalrous nature buried under what she’d assumed was a cold, calculating heart, which also meant that perhaps—just perhaps—he’d broached the whole marriage idea because of his concern regarding her safety.
“Looks like I won’t need to track Mother down after all,” Annaliese said, nodding across the front yard to where Irma was attempting to pull herself over a low stone wall, one that was only about three feet high, the stiff crepe of Irma’s mourning gown evidently responsible for making it difficult for her mother to clear the wall.
Before Drusilla could do more than rise to her feet, Irma managed to pull herself to the top of the wall, stomach-side down. She then, instead of trying to sit up, simply remained on her stomach, quite as if she didn’t know how to proceed from there.
“Do you think she knows she won’t hurt herself if she just rolls to the ground?” Annaliese asked right as Rhenick walked through the castle door with Mrs. O’Sullivan on his arm, who looked as if she’d had a run-in with the ravens as well, since her hair was straggling from its pins. Mr. Grimsby followed a step behind, streaked with ash and looking rather like he’d run into a bolt of electricity, what with how his hair was standing on end.
After Rhenick got Mrs. O’Sullivan down the steps and then helped her take a seat on the very last one, Mr. Grimsby joining her, he turned Drusilla’s way and frowned.
“You shouldn’t be standing up,” he called.
“My mother needs my assistance,” she said with a wave at Irma, who’d just managed to sit up on the wall, dangling her legs over the side as she peered at the ground, clearly debating the risks to her person if she were to simply jump.
“I’ll get her, but you need to sit down because I can see you wobbling from here,” he called before he headed Irma’s way.
Realizing she actually was wobbling, as well as realizing itwas an odd circumstance that a gentleman had even taken notice of that, Drusilla retook her seat and watched as Rhenick strode closer to her mother.
“What do you think the odds are that Mother’s going to do her best to convince Mr. Whittenbecker he needs to revisit the topic of marriage with you?” Annaliese asked.
“I’d say that’s a given considering she’s been badgering me relentlessly about that matter, insisting our family will only be able to return to a semblance of normalcy if I come to my senses and marry a man she believes has stellar recommendations.
“However,” Drusilla continued, “even if Rhenickhasreturned to broach that particular matter with me, or if Mother succeeds in convincing him I might be more receptive to the idea now that I’ve had a few days living in a castle she believes is haunted, know that I haven’t changed my mind in the least. Furthermore, if Rhenick tries to pursue the matter, I’m going to have to relieve Norbert of his rifle again, since I’ve already had a most trying day and have no intention of dealing with additional ridiculousness in the near or distant future.”
Sixteen
It quickly became apparent that rescuing Mrs. Merriweather wasn’t going to be your run-of-the-mill uneventful rescue attempt, especially not when Drusilla’s mother all but launched herself at him when Rhenick got within a foot of her, almost taking him to the ground in the process.
Stumbling immediately commenced, unaided by the fact that Mrs. Merriweather now had her arms wrapped around his neck, which left her feet dangling in the air, until he finally found his balance, set her on her feet, and then found himself on the receiving end of an incredibly bright smile.
“My dear Mr. Whittenbecker,” Mrs. Merriweather breathed as she took hold of his arm. “I cannot begin to tell you how relieved I am to see you again, and can only pray that you’ve returned because you want to give my darling, and need I add, occasionally stubborn daughter, another opportunity to reconsider your marriage proposition. Before we get into that, though, allow me to correct a grave error between us since we weren’t properly introduced when Drusilla chased you off with a rifle the last time you were here, or perhaps it was the ferrets that had you on the run. Whatever the reason, though, I was unable to meet you formally, so know that I am Mrs. MortonMerriweather, Drusilla’s mother, but you may certainly call me Irma, as I feel we’re soon to be the best of friends.”
“And you must call me Rhenick” was all he could think to respond, since he knew full well that a friendship with the mother of a lady who might try to shoot him again was probably not going to happen anytime soon.
Irma’s smile turned downright blinding in its intensity. “You are a charming man, my dear, as well as obviously brave since I’m sure you were somewhat apprehensive about approaching Drusilla again.” Irma leaned closer. “What you should know right off the bat is that since we’ve learned the house is truly haunted, which I can personally attest to as I distinctly saw an apparition of my departed sister-in-law, as well as infested with rats and snakes, I’m convinced my daughter is now ready to admit she’s in way over her head.” Irma leaned closer still. “You mark my words, while Drusilla might have given you the impression she’s reluctant to marry you, if you don’t give up on her, she’ll come around in the end.”
“I don’t believe chasing me off with a rifle suggested your daughter was only a bit reluctant to entertain the thought of marriage to me.”
“But she didn’t shoot you, did she, dear? I think you should take that as an encouraging sign.”
“Given that your daughter didn’t know how to operate that rifle, I’m not sure she wasn’t actually trying to lodge a bullet in me.”
