“Not sure I’m likin’ the way the feminine set seems to be acting like the male set these days, what with business deals being struck and a girl reading a law book,” Charlie grumbled. “Next thing you know, they’ll be demanding the right to vote, and then we men will really be in trouble.”
Norma Jean’s nose shot into the air. “Have you not heard of the suffrage movement?”
Howard gave his chin a rub. “Ain’t that where all them do-gooders band together to help with suffering?”
“No,” Norma Jean shot back. “It’s where women band together to progress our desire to vote.”
“We surely are in trouble then,” Charlie said. “But speaking of trouble, think I can get that cross back now?”
“I almost forgot about that,” Annaliese admitted before she held out her hand to Harriet, who was looking more than comfortable as she continued to snuggle against Seth’s chest. “Hand it over.”
Harriet merely beamed an innocent smile, until Annaliese arched a brow and the monkey stopped smiling and uncurled her hand, revealing a cross on a now-broken chain.
“That was naughty of you to steal this,” Annaliese said.
“Naughty girl, naughty girl,” Pierre cackled. “Zut!”
“Don’t sound so smug, Pierre. You’re just as naughty,” Annaliese said before she took the cross from Harriet, realized Pippin had yet to relax around her neck, which meant she still might be contemplating a ferret assault, and so tossed the cross to Charlie instead of handing it to him.
He snatched it out of the air and sent a scowl Harriet’s way. “She broke it.”
“Which I’d love to tell you she’s sorry about, but I doubt she is.” Annaliese inclined her head. “With all that out of the way, I believe you have some birds to sell me and a map to draw.”
As Charlie and Howard began trudging toward where they’d parked their wagon, with Seth and Norma Jean trailing behind them, Annaliese turned to Flick and Miranda.
After asking Flick if he would mind seeing if the general store had anything that could pass for bird cages and then giving the man money when he didn’t hesitate to help, Annaliese began walking after Seth, Louisa stepping up to walk beside her.
“Now that we have a minute alone, dear, we should put this time to good use,” Louisa said.
“Good use how?”
Louisa smiled. “Well, given the way you and Seth have been looking at each other today, there’s no sense in delaying plans for a proper courtship. As I’m sure you’re aware, and from what I read in an etiquette book Norma Jean brought home not that long ago, courtships need to adhere to a certain schedule. Since you and your sister own an academy for young ladies and are striving to teach your students how to pursue civility, I’m sure you’ll want to maintain a most decorous attitude, which will require some preplanning.”
The moment those words left Louisa’s mouth, the odd sensation Annaliese had felt only moments before returned to her stomach, and one she was beginning to believe was a direct result of the courtship topic.
It was beyond curious, the fact that her stomach kept going all peculiar, especially considering she’d been contemplating kissing Seth often of late and had also been enjoying his company. Frankly, it wasn’t as if the idea of a courtship with Seth came as a surprise, but for some reason, the very word was leaving her feeling all sorts of discombobulated.
Realizing that Louisa was now watching her closely, probably because she had a feeling she was sporting a look thatmatched the turmoil currently going on in her stomach, Annaliese summoned up a smile. “Forgive me, Louisa. I fear I was lost in thought.”
Louisa returned the smile. “Of course you were, my dear, as entering into a courtship is a most exciting time in a young lady’s life. I know I always felt as if I was on pins and needles until Seth’s father and I made everything official.”
“Did those pins and needles leave your stomach feeling odd?”
The smile on Louisa’s face dimmed. “Odd as in the feeling you get before opening your birthday gifts, or odd as in you’ve eaten a bad piece of fish?”
“I wouldn’t claim I feel as if I’ve eaten bad fish, but...”
Before Annaliese could finish the thought, Norma Jean came striding back to join them, stopping directly in front of her mother, which caused Louisa to come to a stop as well.
“Forgive me for interrupting,” Norma Jean began, her apology suggesting she’d actually been paying attention during the class Annaliese had taught about how to carry on proper conversations. “I just had a thought about something you said, Mother, and need a bit of clarification.”
“Clarification about what?”
“Appointing yourself as Annaliese’s chaperone.”
“I would think that’s rather straightforward.”
“On the surface, sure, but you see...” Norma Jean stepped closer to her mother. “I don’t think Annaliese will want to delay searching for her aunt Ottilie if Charlie and Howard provide her with a map that’s credible, nor do I think Seth will want to return to Chicago and leave Annaliese to do that searching on her own.” A distinct twinkle appeared in Norma Jean’s eyes. “That means you’ll have to accompany them on their quest, and also means, since I know there’s no possibility of you sending me back to Chicago on my own, that I’ll have to tag along as well.”
