A Headstrong Woman(68)
“Do you miss your family?”
“I do.”
“Why don’t you go visit, or go home to stay?” she asked and held her breath for his answer.
“At the moment I have no desire to do either. I write often, but I’m content for the time being.”
“Oh,” relief flooded through her. She turned her attention to the passing landscape and fell silent. Jonathon allowed her her quiet and let his own thoughts wander. Lilly had fallen asleep in his arms.
***
Alexandria woke and frowned at the room around her. Where was she? She sat up and her blankets fell away; Alexandria looked down at her shift and her eyes widened as she quickly ran over the events of the evening before. They had been on the train, had arrived late, started for the Morris’ in a buggy… the buggy, she must have fallen asleep in the buggy and then staggered into the house and undressed half asleep. She let out a relieved sigh and hurried to dress. She could hear Lilly talking from the rooms below and followed her daughter’s voice.
“Good morning,” Janice greeted as she came into the kitchen.
“Why didn’t you wake me?” she surveyed the food on the table.
“I figured you needed the rest more but you’re just in time. Have a seat and we’ll say blessing and eat,” Janice instructed her.
Alexandria took the seat indicated and bowed her head.
“I don’t remember arriving,” she admitted as the food started around the table.
“No, you wouldn’t,” Janice smiled, “Jonathon couldn’t wake you and neither could I. I had him take you to your room so I could put you to bed.” Alexandria blushed at the news. She supposed that it was silly but that seemed like a rather personal act to her.
“Oh,” she muttered as she focused on smearing butter on her biscuit.
A knock on the front door pulled their attention and Nathaniel, himself, rose to answer it; he waved away the maid who started that direction. A moment later he returned with a message and handed it to Jonathon. Jonathon quickly scanned it, frowned, and put it away; his gaze when it met Alexandria’s said they would discuss it later.
“Something wrong?” Nathaniel queried.
“Not exactly, Mr. Price needed to apprise me of a new meeting place,” Jonathon shared.
“Ah, well, let’s return to breakfast shall we?” Nathaniel was already lifting his fork.
It was several minutes later that Alexandria followed Jonathon onto the back porch to discuss the day’s plans.
“Look, Alexandria, I think you should let me and Rusty handle this. Mr. Price indicated that this man is no gentleman and he wants to meet in an unsavory part of town…”
“I appreciate your concern, Jonathon; I’ll be fine,” Alexandria argued.
“This man is more than a little rough around the edges, Alexandria.”
“The men aren’t? I hardly blush at their bawdy jokes anymore.”
She blushed more than she realized, he wanted to argue; he didn’t. The two stood staring at each other a moment, each waiting for the other’s next move.
“I’m going, wait here please,” Alexandria instructed. She turned to go in and say goodbye to her in-laws. By the time she had disentangled herself from their protests Jonathon was gone.
Alexandria was furious.
She marched to her room and changed before surveying herself in the mirror. She had added an oversized vest to her ensemble to hide her feminine shape and had shoved her braid under her hat. She felt fairly confident that she wouldn’t draw any immediate attention and nodded in satisfaction.
She knew Jonathon had to meet Rusty and she knew where Rusty was staying. Jonathon had planned to join him but Alexandria had learned over breakfast that the Morris’ had insisted that he stay with them instead. She needed to hurry; she realized and turned to go. She would know in a few minutes if she would pass for a young man; she had always thought so.
***
Jonathon met Rusty in the hotel dining room and claimed the seat across from him. He ordered a coffee from the waitress and removed his hat.
“What took you so long?” Rusty inquired.
“The Morris’ talked me into staying with them and I never got around to asking Nathaniel directions to this place.”
“How did you talk Alex into staying?” Rusty’s expression was wary.
“I didn’t. I left her when she went back into the house to say bye to Lilly and the Morrises. She may murder me when I return.”