“I’d say there’s a ninety-nine percent chance I’m not, since you mentioned that Annaliese seems to be aware of what this strategizing was about. That suggests she’s aware of what the girls are up to. And, because you also mentioned that Norma Jean said your mother might know, the only logical conclusion is that you and Annaliese are now the object of some adolescent and motherly scheming.”
“What an utterly terrifying thought.”
“Indeed, although I wouldn’t fret that you’ll need to be terrified for long. Adolescent girls, as you already mentioned, are notorious for not lingering on a cause, unless, of course, you’ve given any of them an indication that you’d like to form a romantic alliance with Annaliese.”
“The thought of a romantic alliance hasn’t crossed my mind in years.”
“And I don’t believe that’s true because you’ve remarked tome on more than one occasion how fascinating you find Annaliese’s symmetrical face,” Rhenick countered.
“Who wouldn’t find a symmetrical face fascinating? They’re very rare.”
“Drusilla’s face isn’t symmetrical, but I find her to be the most fascinating, and need I add, beautiful lady in the world.” Rhenick smiled. “And Seraphina’s face isn’t symmetrical either, and even though she’s currently not looking her best, Drusilla swears that Seraphina would have been deemed a Diamond of the First Water if she’d been given the chance to make her debut in New York high society.”
“It’s difficult to look your best when you’re attaching moles to your face.”
“You know that Seraphina’s adding moles?”
“Would have been difficult not to notice when one of them was all but flapping in the breeze the other day but was then miraculously reattached after she gave it a push. Moles don’t usually have the ability to reattach themselves.”
“Did you mention it to her?”
“That would have been a bit rude.” Seth folded his hand over his stomach. “And while I realize that everyone believes I’m rather obtuse, that’s not always the case. Clearly, Seraphina’s disguised herself for a reason, just as, clearly, she doesn’t want to talk about it. With that said, though, I do have an adhesive I’ve mixed up that would keep her moles firmly stuck, and probably for a good month or so. I’m just not sure I should offer it to her since, again, she’s never broached the matter of why she’s masquerading as a less-than-attractive lady.”
“She might appreciate the adhesive because I doubt that Seraphina wants any students to see her moles go flapping away again. That would definitely have speculation running rampant regarding the why behind Seraphina’s disguise.”
Seth frowned. “And the why is what exactly?”
“Not really sure,” Rhenick admitted. “All I know is thatSeraphina is currently experiencing some type of family drama back in New York and that she told Drusilla she needs to lay low for a while.”
“Is she in danger?”
“Perhaps, which is why Drusilla took the liberty of hiring more security to watch over the academy and castle while we’re away.”
“I’ll make a point to visit the academy often while you’re gone as well,” Seth said. “I was already intending on stopping by to make sure Norma Jean is behaving herself, as well as to deliver a vivarium I’m making for Annaliese.”
“You’re making Annaliese a vivarium?” Rhenick repeated slowly.
“I couldn’t very well sit back and let her continue studying all those insects and spiders she collects from those old glass containers she’s currently using when I can provide her with something far better.”
“How do you know she keeps her bugs in old glass containers?”
“I saw them two days ago, after I went with Annaliese to hunt for Pippin, who’d gotten her little ferret feelings hurt after Annaliese scolded her about Harriet and was refusing to come when Annaliese called for her. We ended up down in the dungeons, where Pippin was sulking, and while Annaliese went about the business of coercing her ferret to come out of an old suit of armor, I took a few moments to look around her collection. It didn’t take me long to realize she could use some better containers, and ones that would allow her insects to be contained in environments that mimicked their natural habitats.”
“I imagine Annaliese appreciated you offering to build her some of those environments.”
“I never got a chance to tell her what I was planning because Norma Jean came to fetch us since Agent Pearson didn’t wantto discuss the plans for tracking down Ottilie until Annaliese was present. That put a rapid end to my thoughts of vivariums, terrariums, and aquariums, because the very idea of finding an old treasure map that might be a viable lead to, not only Ottilie, but a pirate’s treasure is downright riveting.”
“It will also make a most excellent adventure for a wedding holiday,” Rhenick added with a grin. “Your mother made a point to tell me how exciting adventures are for wedding trips, as well as told me that there’s nothing quite like a love story set on the high seas.”
“Mother has far too much romance on her mind these days, but to return to what we were originally discussing, which I believe might have been symmetrical faces, I’m beginning to think I may need to revise my theory since symmetry doesn’t seem to be the root cause for why gentlemen find ladies attractive.”
Rhenick stretched out his legs even as his eyes began twinkling again. “Your mind is a peculiar thing, Seth, because I’d forgotten all about the symmetry business, probably because I’m more interested in why you’re building Annaliese a vivarium—and a terrarium and aquarium from the sound of things.”
“As I believe I already mentioned, I don’t want her to make do with subpar equipment, not when it won’t take me more than the rest of the day to get a few more containers put together.”
“And that’s theonlyreason you’re taking an entire day out of your busy schedule to make bug containers?”
Seth opened his mouth but then swallowed the yes that was on the tip of his tongue because, if he was being honest with himself, that wasn’t exactly true.
