Page 35

“Tasting.”

For goodness sakes, how much more obvious could I be? This was such a simple word! Comfort would have guessed it immediately. I sat on the floor, pretended to lift a heavy tome onto my lap, and turn the pages.

“Sitting.”

“And time’s up!” Mother called out.

“Reading!” I burst out.

“Oh,” was all Cynthia said.

“That is okay,” I said, vexed but trying hard not to show it. “We will get the next one.”

But for the remainder of the evening, Cynthia and I had no luck in Charades. Algernon did propose a history quiz, at which Cynthia excelled. History had never been a subject that intrigued Comfort or myself.

It was difficult to like Cynthia, but I did get along with Algernon. He was easy-going and good-natured. He doted on Mother, and though he wasn’t as talented at storytelling as Father was, he had been to some fascinating places and loved to recount his experiences there. Mostly, I was just glad to see Mother happy again.

After games, everyone discussed wedding plans. Comfort and Cynthia wanted a grand wedding, with everyone in town invited and lots of music and dancing. But Mother, after glancing at me, had refused the idea, saying that she would really prefer a quiet, simple wedding. That the engagement party had been enough, and no reception was needed. I wasn’t fooled. I knew Mother was saying that for me. And I was grateful.

Then came more talk about living arrangements after the wedding, which was only two weeks away. Cynthia wanted to stay at her manor, but Algernon and Mother agreed that Cynthia and her Father would move here. At this point, Cynthia stood up in a huff, saying that she really needed to get home and was tired. She stood waiting for her father, but he forestalled her.

“You go on ahead. I will be there in just a moment.”

Cynthia left, shutting the front door with an astonishing amount of force. I didn’t suspect that such a small girl had so much muscle.

“I hope you will forgive my daughter,” Algernon directed his comment specifically at me. “She really is a lovely girl. This is most unusual behavior for her.”

“It is alright,” I said automatically.

“And I would like to sincerely apologize most sincerely on her behalf for what she said yesterday,” Algernon went on.

“It is really okay,” I said, more earnestly this time. “I am sure she didn’t mean it.” I smiled at Mother. “People sometimes say things they don’t mean.”

Relief broke over Algernon’s face. He took Mother’s hand. “Lenora, your daughters are both remarkable.”

Mother beamed at us. “I know they are. They always have been.”

CHAPTER 30

We were setting up for the wedding. Cynthia had made herself scarce in the past weeks, so I hadn’t had much opportunity to talk to her. But today, she was helping with getting everything arranged, and seemed to be making a special effort to be nice. She complimented me on my dress, and Comfort on her hairstyle. It seemed a little forced, but I was appreciative of the gesture nonetheless.

Mother and Algernon’s wedding was to take place at the top of a hill slightly beyond our garden. As all of us girls lifted our skirts to climb the long flight of stone steps, I caught a glimpse of Cynthia’s shoe.

“Your feet are tiny,” I exclaimed. “My goodness!”

Her shoes looked like children’s shoes, so dainty and petite. Just like the rest of her.

“Dad always told me that it was good for a girl to have tiny feet, so no one would step on her toes while dancing, no matter how clumsy her partner was.”

I thought of all the times Curtis had stepped on my feet and felt a little embarrassed by my large, manly feet. Cynthia didn’t need to know about that. I dropped my skirts to conceal my own foot size.

Just as Mother had said she wanted, the wedding was a quiet, simple ceremony. The priest came to marry Mother and Algernon in our garden, which we had all decorated for the few guests who attended.

The priest gave a short speech about love and unity and until death do they part, and they were pronounced husband and wife. Having never been to a wedding before, I had imagined it would be hours of speeches and a lengthy ceremony. But no, a simple ring exchange was all. I applauded with everyone else.

I mingled with the guests that were milling around after the wedding. There weren’t many. Algernon and Cynthia didn’t have any remaining family, but did have a few friends that showed up. One lady was ancient, with powder white hair and wrinkles upon wrinkles. Upon introducing myself, I found out that she used to watch Algernon when he was small.

“What was he like as a boy?” I asked.