He came to a stop directly in front of her and took a long moment to consider her. “Are you alright?”
Her lips began to curve again. “I’m obviously doing better than you are, but...” She winced. “I may have shot a man.”
Rhenick blinked. “You don’t say.”
“I thought I was aiming over the carriage, but I seemingly wasn’t aiming high enough and I hit a man instead. I don’t believe it’s a mortal wound, as he was perfectly capable of yelling at me, and he was still sitting upright when I think he encouraged his driver to run me over.”
Rhenick stilled. “A man encouraged someone to run you over?”
“Indeed, but it was clearly an unsuccessful attempt as I’m still standing, and those particular men were run off due to the intervention of Seraphina and Annaliese, along with the ferrets, goats, one goose, and perhaps our mothers, although now that I think about it, our mothers showed up after the men were racing down the drive.”
“I don’t believe they would have been all that intimidated by our brooms,” Wilhelmine called, drawing Drusilla’s attention to where she and Irma were standing mere feet from Umberto, their brooms at the ready.
It was a curious state of affairs when a laugh began bubbling up Drusilla’s throat.
“Not to point out the obvious,” she called, “but I don’t believe you need to be brandishing those brooms. Mr. Zambarello doesn’t look to be much of a threat right now.”
“We’re not considering giving him a few wallops because he’s a threat,” Irma returned. “We’re considering that because he had the audacity to get into a bout of fisticuffs with our dear Rhenick.”
Umberto swiped a hand over a face that was just as, if not more, battered than Rhenick’s. “He started the fight.”
“Because?” Irma pressed.
“It was of little consequence as I merely stated what everyone is saying around town about Rhenick and Miss Merriweather—that being that he’s resorted to flattery to gain her trust, something Miss Merriweather is obviously unfamiliar with given that...”
“Given that what?” Irma demanded when Umberto suddenly stopped talking, undoubtedly because Rhenick had taken to emitting a bit of a growl as well as balling his hand into a fist.
Umberto dashed a strand of hair out of his eyes before he lumbered to his feet and presented Irma with the slightest of bows. “I fear it won’t benefit me in the least to continue with this conversation, Mrs....?”
“Merriweather,” Irma supplied. “Drusilla’s mother.”
Umberto’s eyes—or rather, the one that wasn’t as swollen—narrowed on Irma. “May I dare hope, since I’ve learned there are no gentlemen in the picture with your family, that you’re the head of your household and are actually the lady I should have been seeking out all along in order to discuss the more-than-fair offer I’m willing to make for the Merriweather castle and grounds?”
Irma narrowed her eyes right back at the man. “I should say not, as Ottilie gave the castle to Drusilla and Annaliese. However...” Irma tilted her head. “I find myself curious as to whether you’re the Mr. Zambarello who has five unwed daughters?”
Wariness flickered through Umberto’s eyes. “I do have five daughters, although there’s no reason for you to sayunwedin what sounded like an accusatory tone of voice.”
“If my tone is accusatory, it’s simply because I was told that your daughters are known to be somewhat rambunctious, and as such, may require you to settle overly large dowries on them, which I’m going to assume is why you’ve seemingly lost your mind since you thought it was a good idea to arrive here unannounced.” Irma lifted her chin. “You then apparently proceededto insult my daughter, prompting Rhenick to defend her, which then resulted in the two of you engaging in a brawl, which I believe speaks very highly of Rhenick’s character, while leaving yours in tatters.”
Umberto lifted his chin, quite like Irma had just done. “But again, I didn’t throw the first punch.”
“But you threw the first insult, which certainly isn’t something you should be proud of. That type of behavior, if you’re unaware, is considered vulgar in polite circles, and it certainly doesn’t set a very good example for all those daughters of yours because they might very well conclude that the insults they may someday suffer are not out of line since their very own father doesn’t hesitate to serve them up to uncooperative women.”
Wilhelmine stepped directly beside Irma and shook her broom at Umberto. “I’m going to suggest you beg dear Drusilla’s pardon now, as well as Rhenick’s, and then take your leave, but only after I have your word that you won’t be bothering the Merriweathers again about this property.”
“Do you honestly believe I’m going to agree to that when I know without a shadow of a doubt that Loughlin MacSherry won’t be abandoning his desire to secure this land anytime soon, nor will Giacomo Caggianni, not after Miss Merriweather lodged a bullet in his right-hand man.”
Drusilla winced. “The whole lodging of a bullet was completely unintentional.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Umberto argued. “Giacomo will take the shooting as a direct insult, and you mark my words, he’ll be more determined now than ever to find a way to get this property.”
“He can try all he wants,” Irma snapped before Drusilla could respond, “but we Merriweathers are quite determined to open a much-needed academy for young ladies. And...” She drew herself up. “While all of you less-than-scrupulous developers seem to believe a household filled with ladies will beeasily intimidated, know that Merriweather ladies are made of much sterner constitutions than I believe even we realized. As such, we’re formidable enemies to make, especially when none of us will suffer the slightest qualm over putting to use any of our many unusual weapons—one of which is a rather terrifying cannon that will be waiting right inside the gate should you choose to not heed my advice and decide to show your face here again.”
Twenty-Five
“I’m not convinced that today was the best day to introduce me, Annaliese, my mother, and Seraphina to the members of your church, given that you still look like you’ve recently been in a brawl, even though it’s been a week and a half since your tussle with Umberto,” Drusilla said, causing Rhenick to turn her way. His eyes took to crinkling at the corners, something that drew attention to the fact that the skin surrounding those eyes was still tinged with various shades of yellow, green, and bruised-blue.
“Everyone in the congregation has already heard about my run-in with Umberto, and I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone throughout Chicago has heard the particulars about that day, as well.” Rhenick grinned. “Truth be told, I also wouldn’t be a bit surprised if you find yourself inundated with offers to watch over you from the majority of the congregation, including quite a few of the ladies who are appalled that your welcome to Chicago has been anything but welcoming.”
