“And good for you as you’ve never been overly fond of adhering to rules, which is exactly why Drusilla excels in her role at the academy and you do not. But what do you think you’re destined to do?”
“Pursue my passion for insects, as well as pursue my quest to rid the world of plume hunters and fur traders once and for all.”
“And you fear that a formal relationship with Seth will hinder those pursuits?”
“That, and cause Seth to regret becoming involved with me because a lot of my time will be devoted to my interests.” She blew out a breath. “That’s why I’m feeling conflicted, because while I want to continue embracing a sense of independence, I have to admit that Seth is a man who leaves me a little weak in the knees whenever I even think about him.”
“Weak in the knees suggests you care about him.”
“I know.”
Ottilie gave her leg a pat. “Has it occurred to you that the only way for you to become less conflicted is if you discuss the matter with Seth?”
“I discarded that idea after I realized that, if I tell him allthese things I want to do with my life, he might tell me he wants a traditional life instead, which would leave me more conflicted than ever.”
“Has Seth ever struck you as a traditional type of gentleman?”
Annaliese frowned. “He’s the least traditional gentleman I know.”
“Of course he is because, well, he brought you a spider sac as a present. Do you honestly believe a man set on a traditional romantic path would have done that?”
“A fair point, and the reminder of my spider sac does leave me feeling as if I might be a bit of a ninny for not even contemplating discussing this matter with Seth as that was one of the sweetest gestures anyone has ever bestowed on me.”
“You’re not a ninny, Annaliese, merely a young lady who doesn’t want to live an ordinary life.” Ottilie settled a knowing eye on her. “However, youwillbe a ninny if you don’t speak with Seth about your concerns because he clearly loves you, quirks and all, and you, my dear, if you haven’t figured this out, clearly love him as well.”
Twenty-Six
Seth pulled his pocket watch out for what felt like the thousandth time, saw that Annaliese had been catching up with her aunt for almost two hours, and tried to ignore the niggle of worry that had been plaguing him for quite a few days now.
He wasn’t exactly certain why he was still worrying because when he’d admitted—and in front of Annaliese, no less—that she’d captivated him from the moment he’d first laid eyes on her, something warm had settled in her eyes.
One would think that warmth would vanquish his worry since it suggested she might be somewhat captivated with him as well, but ... she hadn’t said anything about discussing what he’d disclosed before she’d gone off to speak with her aunt and ... that right there was worrisome.
“Something bothering you, Seth?” Flick suddenly asked, yanking Seth from his thoughts as the former strongman moved to sit beside the cannon Seth had been attaching a very long fuse to, and a cannon the captain had told him had been found buried in the sand.
“I’m just not sure I’ve put in enough fuse to where, if this cannon is faulty, it won’t blow us all up when I try it out.”
“Nah, I don’t think that’s what’s bothering you,” Flick began. “It’s Annaliese.”
“Why would you say that?”
“It didn’t escape my notice that the two of you don’t seem to be making much progress in the romance department, and that was after me and Miranda made a big show of getting engaged, which usually results with other would-be couples deciding to make their own big show.”
Seth frowned, but before he could say anything to that, Norma Jean came breezing up to join them, where she promptly sat down beside Flick and shook her head.
“Annaliese isn’t ready for a big show, Flick,” Norma Jean began as she leaned forward and rested her arms on her knees.
“Sure she is,” Flick countered. “No lady looks at a gentleman the way Annaliese looks at Seth and isn’t hearing wedding bells clanging in the near future.”
“Unless said lady proclaims—and this is something Annaliese proclaimed to Phoebe, and something that Mabel then proclaimed to me after I stopped talking to Phoebe—that she’s far too busy for romance.” Norma Jean gave a knowing nod. “I just recalled Mabel telling me that while I was sorting through some silver pieces the captain found, but if I’d recalled it sooner, it would have allowed me to figure out Annaliese’s reluctance to discuss courtships days ago.”
“I’m not sure where you’re going with that,” Seth admitted.
“It’s not steam-engine science,” Flick said before Norma Jean could respond. “Your sister’s simply trying to explain that Annaliese has been enjoying a sense of freedom ever since she landed in Chicago and probably doesn’t want to abandon that freedom even though she cares about you.”
Norma Jean beamed a smile at Flick. “That was exactly the point I was about to make.”
“Were you also going to tell your brother that Annaliese isn’t a conventional lady, and as such, the very thought of atraditional courtship might leave her feeling disconcerted?” Flick asked.
