Page 107 of The School Mistress (Emerson Pass Historicals 1)

“Aren’t we a peculiar household?” Merry said. “Everyone from somewhere else.”

“That’s America,” I said.

“Isn’t it strange to think of our children’s children?” Merry asked. “They’ll not know about the old worlds we came from, only here.”

“All of our differences merged together by then,” I said. “Into what, I wonder?”

“Harley’s asked to marry me,” Merry said.

We both whirled around to look at her.

“When did that happen?” I asked.

“Last night after class. When we dropped you off, I went with him to help with the horses. We were talking and then all of a sudden, he kissed me. He asked if I’d ever consider marrying him.”

“What did you say?” Lizzie asked.

“How was the kiss?” I asked at the same time.

Merry smiled. “I said yes, and the kiss made my legs shaky.”

“Oh, my,” Lizzie said.

“That’s the best kind of kiss,” I said, as if I were the expert now that Alexander and I couldn’t seem to stop kissing.

“It’s all because of you, Quinn. If we hadn’t started going to night school together, then I’d never have had the chance to talk to him. I might not have ever had the courage otherwise.”

We all jumped at a knock on the door followed by Alexander’s voice. “Ladies, Clive has arrived.”

I squeezed Lizzie’s hands. “Let’s go make someone jealous.”

Alexander and Clive were sitting in chairs by the fire and rose to their feet as we entered. Jasper was across the room tidying the already-tidy liquor cabinet. His jaw clenched when he saw Lizzie. There it was, I thought.

We joined the gentlemen by the fire.

“I…I like your dress.” Clive blushed red.

Alexander had coached Clive to give Lizzie a compliment. He might need a little practice.

Lizzie flashed Clive one of her best smiles. “Thank you.”

Jasper left the room, the clicking of his heels on the floor louder than usual. We got him. This would shake him into action.

We all sat and made small talk about the weather and various other subjects. I noticed movement just outside the library doors. Was Jasper eavesdropping?

“Will you all excuse me a moment?” I asked.

The men stood.

I went out to the foyer and sure enough, Jasper stood just outside the door. He appeared too upset to even seem embarrassed by his lack of decorum. He gestured for me to move into the parlor that remained unused most of the time. Another one of Alexander’s quirks. He preferred his library for entertaining.

“What in God’s name is that boy doing here?” Jasper whispered.

“He’s calling on Lizzie.”

“How could you let this happen?” he asked.

“What do I have to do with it?”