Annaliese smiled. “Fortunately, no, but it wasn’t for lack of trying, although your castle isn’t exactly how you left it.”
“Because all that trying you mentioned resulted with it being dismantled?”
“Fortunately again, it’s still standing, but Drusilla and I have made some modifications to it.”
Ottilie’s eyes grew wide. “That makes it sound as if you and Drusilla actually went to Chicago, something I never imagined you’d do.”
“We definitely went to Chicago, although once there, we did realize that you probably never expected us to go there, given all the less-than-reputable men who kept offering to take the castle off our hands, and that you’d only given us the castle as a way to keep it safe from those men while you were gone.”
Ottilie frowned. “You had to modify the castle to keep you safe from those men?”
“No, the modifications we made were done because we were short on funds at that time and the only way Drusilla and I could think of to make some cash was to turn your castle into an academy for young ladies.” Annaliese smiled. “We’ve named it the Merriweather Academy for Young Ladies, and it’s a school that provides young ladies with an education in proper decorum, something we learned was desperately needed in Chicago.”
“I bet there’s a grand story behind that, and I must say I’m anxious to learn why you were short on cash.”
“Believe me, this particular story reads like pages from a suspense novel, complete with unscrupulous men of affairs, imaginary ghosts, walking suits of armor, and ravens that took a dislike to Drusilla.”
“Those ravens dislike me as well.”
“I’m sure Drusilla will be thrilled to learn that since, once we get back to your castle, they can take turns tormenting the two of you, but...” She caught Ottilie’s eye. “We can alwaysmove the academy elsewhere if you prefer returning the castle to how you left it.”
Ottilie waved that aside. “Nonsense. An academy is a perfect use for the castle.” She smiled. “Frankly, I’ve always thought I’d make an excellent instructor, given the life I’ve led, so perhaps we can find a few classes for me to teach.”
“I’m sure we could, but ... are you quite certain you’re not upset you’ll be returning to a castle that’s not how you left it, although know that there’s still an entire wing devoted to personal living space.”
“Good heavens, no, but I’m getting the distinct impression that something dreadful happened while I was away because I can’t imagine my brother would have approved of you and your sister going into what he would have considered trade since he’s certainly less than a progressive man, or how it came to be that you were short on funds when my brother is a very wealthy man.”
Annaliese released a sigh. “As I said, there’s so much to tell you, but know that it’s with great regret that I have to disclose to you that Father died not long after you last saw him in New York.”
Ottilie raised a hand to lips that had immediately taken to quivering. “What happened?”
“He suffered an apoplectic fit, brought about after Sanford Duncan made the claim that he was in love with Mother, and that Mother was in love with him.”
Ottilie lowered her hand. “You’ve got to be jesting.”
“I’m afraid not.”
After dashing aside a single tear that had taken to rolling down her face, Ottilie drew in a deep breath and slowly released it. “While I’m sure you were aware that your father and I butted heads on more than a few occasions, know that I will truly miss him. He could be such a difficult man, didn’t understand my need to lead my life as I saw fit instead of embracing a moretraditional feminine role, and never hesitated to tell me how he felt I was a bad influence on you and Drusilla.” She smiled. “I’m sure he’d be appalled with what you and Drusilla are doing in Chicago, and I must say I’m looking forward to hearing all the gory details.”
Ottilie shot a glance past Annaliese, then squared her shoulders. “Those gory details, though, are going to have to wait since I think we’ve kept your companions waiting long enough. I also want to introduce you to the captain, who has, of course, heard all about you during the time we’ve been traveling together.” Her gaze drifted back to the captain, who was now in the process of pointing out something to Norma Jean. She returned her attention to Annaliese and smiled. “If I’m not mistaken, the captain is currently showing that young lady one of the overly large spiders that inhabit this island. Given that she’s not screaming, I’m going to surmise that she’s an adventurous sort as the spider I’m sure she’s considering right now is a tarantula, and one that could very well be the size of a dinner plate.”
Twenty-Five
Having never seen a tarantula the size of a dinner plate before, Annaliese took hold of Ottilie’s arm and strode across the sand with her, stopping a few feet behind Seth and Norma Jean, who were bending over and peering into a pile of rocks,.
“I think we scared it,” Norma Jean said as she straightened and then turned, her eyes widening as her gaze went straight to Ottilie, or rather, Ottilie’s hacked-off hair. She blinked and then dropped her gaze to the long, flowing gentleman’s shirt Ottilie was wearing, then dropped again to settle on the trousers Ottilie had chopped off at the knee.
A smile immediately began playing around the corners of Norma Jean’s lips, but before she could ask any of the questions Annaliese knew she’d already compiled in that unusual mind of hers, Ottilie took a step forward.
“On my word, if it isn’t Mr. Seth McCormick,” Ottilie exclaimed. “This is a delightful surprise.”
Seth grinned and presented Ottilie with a bow, straightening before he dashed a strand of tousled hair out of his face. “Miss Merriweather. It’s a delightful surprise to see you as well, and a delight to discover you’re not dead.”
“It’s delightful to not be dead, dear, but tell me, what are you doing here, and with my niece no less?”
Seth shot a look at Norma Jean, who missed the look because she’d returned her attention to Ottilie’s hair and was undoubtedly wondering if she’d be able to talk Louisa into allowing her to try out the whole hacked-off hairstyle. “My sister Norma Jean, who I’ll simply say seems to have an adventurous spirit that rivals yours, saw those copies of your treasure maps and decided to head out on her own to do some treasure hunting. I, along with my mother and Annaliese, set out to track her down, picking up”—he nodded to the newly engaged couple—“Flick and Miranda on the way.”
Miranda dipped into a curtsy. “I’m Miranda Cunningham, soon to be...” She frowned and turned to Flick. “I don’t know what your last name is.”
