Chapter 23
Twenty-Three
Seth took a moment to enjoy the feel of the ocean breeze on his face, as well as the sound of water lapping against the side of the ship they’d hired in Pensacola, the one Norma Jean had found through an article in a newspaper.
He knew full well that the serenity he was currently experiencing could very well change once they reached the island Charlie had drawn a crude map of if Ottilie Merriweather wasn’t the lady marooned on that island, and he wanted to savor it while he had the chance.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Norma Jean said as she moseyed her way across the deck.
“Mother wanted me to come have a chat with you, during which I’m supposed to mention that she might very well come down with another case of scurvy if you don’t start taking her advice.
” Norma Jean’s lips curved. “I’ve also been instructed to tell you that since we’re currently out to sea, her chance of experiencing scurvy increases to thirty-two percent if she’s facing undue stress. ”
Seth’s lips began to curve as well. “Since you and I made a point to stock this ship with fruit, Mother’s chance of contracting scurvy is under one percent, and I’ve never read anything that suggests stress contributes to an onset of that particular illness.”
“I’ve never read anything either about stress and scurvy, but I think she’s just using that as a way to get you to pay more attention to Annaliese.”
“I’ve been spending scads of time with Annaliese.”
“And yet the two of you don’t seem to have finalized a proper courtship between you, something Mother told me she talked with you about just this morning.”
“Mother seems to be under the misimpression that I’m an idiot when it comes to ladies and matters of romance.” Seth patted a spot on the deck beside him. “I’m not nearly as obtuse as everyone thinks I am.”
Norma Jean plopped down beside him. “I told Mother that, as well as told her that you’re different these days.”
“What do you mean?”
She shrugged. “You’re not as lost in thought as you used to be, and you talk more.”
“An interesting observation.”
“Of course it is, just as it’s an interesting observation that the reason behind this new attitude of yours is because of Annaliese.”
“I can’t argue with that.”
“Then why haven’t you taken Mother’s advice and secured Annaliese’s agreement to enter into a formal courtship with you?”
“Because Annaliese hasn’t broached the topic with me, and the last thing anyone wants when they seem to be avoiding a topic is for everyone to press them about the matter or give them unsolicited advice.
” He reached over and gave Norma Jean’s knee a pat.
“I wouldn’t fret about the matter, though.
Annaliese and I are more than capable of figuring out if we want to pursue a romantic relationship, and contrary to what everyone seems to think, we don’t need any assistance to figure that out. ”
“My friends are not going to be happy if they find out their matchmaking efforts were in vain.”
“There really wasn’t much effort made, except for some pointed remarks revolving around what a perfect match Annaliese and I would make, which isn’t exactly plotting at its finest.”
“What did you expect from thirteen-year-old girls?”
“I never really thought about that, but . . .” He grinned. “Luckily for me, you ran off, I had to come find you, and just like that, some adolescent matchmaking came to a rapid end.”
“I wouldn’t let your guard down once we get back to Chicago if you and Annaliese haven’t come to an understanding, although I have to admit that I hope you do.”
Seth frowned. “I thought you weren’t keen for me to even be friends with Annaliese, let alone pursue something more with her.”
“I wasn’t, but I’m thirteen.” Norma Jean sent him a knowing look. “Everyone knows young ladies of that tender age are notorious for changing their minds, hence the reason I now adore Annaliese.”
“Since when?”
“Since I realized you really like her.”
“Imagine that.”
“Yes, imagine that,” Norma Jean said. “But that’s not the only reason I adore Annaliese.
I’ve also come to realize that she’s a very progressive lady, and that progressiveness is certain to pave the way for other progressive-minded young ladies like me.
” She smiled. “It would be nice if, when I reach Annaliese’s age, I’m able to pursue my passions in life, quite like she has begun to do. ”
“She was quite passionate when we ran across that circus owner in Pensacola this morning and she tried to relieve him of his elephants before we set sail.”
“Indeed, although it was too bad that man wouldn’t sell her his elephants, no matter how much she offered for them.
” Norma Jean tilted her head. “I bet if we hadn’t had to leave port because the captain of this ship has a tight schedule, she would have figured out a way to get those elephants.
But even though she failed with those, I didn’t neglect to notice how she mentioned that circuses were going to be a new target of hers, which, again, is a passion I’m sure she’s going to pursue. ”
Seth gave his jaw a rub. “I wonder if deciding to pursue her passions is why Annaliese is avoiding the topic of a courtship between us.”
“An interesting thought, and something you might want to ask her.”
“Except that I’ve decided to simply enjoy her company right now. That means I’ll continue confining our conversations to talking about her insects, although she’s also been rather interested to hear about the horseless carriage I’m in the process of building.”
“You’re going to call it a horseless carriage?”
“By your tone, I’m getting the impression you don’t like that name.”
“Because your invention probably doesn’t have anything to do with horses.”
“It doesn’t as it’s a motorized machine, but . . . I suppose I could always call it an internal combustion wagon.”
“I think using the word combustion might give potential customers the idea that it might up and combust.”
“A fair point.”
“That’s why you have me around, but since I now have you around, may I run an idea I’ve been mulling by you?”
“Of course. What’s the idea?”
“I’ve been thinking about that publishing idea Annaliese doesn’t want to pursue, and I think I could figure out how to open and operate a publishing house, after I find a few books on the subject and read them.
” Norma Jean’s eyes began to twinkle. “That would definitely get me on my way to overshadowing your accomplishments as I don’t think there are any thirteen-year-old publishing house owners out there. ”
“Except that opening a business like that requires a lot of money to start up.”
She smiled far too sweetly. “Surely you’re not going to want me to return all the money I took from your safe, are you? Not when, again, you did tell me once that you would be happy to supply me with any pin money if I was running short.”
“You know you helped yourself to more than a bit of pin money, and yes, you’re going to return all of it.”
“Even the amount I spent on train tickets, food, and the wage I paid Miranda?”
“I’ll cover the cost of your food, but you have to replace the money you used for tickets and Miranda’s wages.”
“That’ll wipe out my pin money for ages.”
“And hopefully teach you that helping yourself to the contents of your brother’s safe without his express permission comes with consequences.”
“I might have liked you better when you were ignoring me,” Norma Jean muttered, although her eyes were crinkled at the corners and had taken to twinkling again.
Seth grinned. “I’m sure you did, but I’m not ignoring you now, although I do apologize for ignoring you in the first place. Know that to make it up to you, just like Mother, I’m going to make a point to spend so much time with you that you’ll undoubtedly begin to find me annoying.”
“I already find you annoying.”
Seth laughed. “I’m sure you do, but to make good on that promise of spending more time together, I was just about ready to dismantle this old sextant the captain isn’t using anymore to discover how it works before you joined me.” He held it up to show her. “Care to help?”
“Since I read a book a few years ago regarding how seamen navigate their way through the seas and thought the sextant invention was exceedingly clever, I will.” Norma Jean smiled.
“And while we’re working on it, and even though you claim you’re perfectly capable of figuring out romance on your own, I’m going to lend you an unsolicited feminine perspective on the matter. ”
“Not to point out the obvious, Norma Jean, but you’re thirteen, which begs the question of why you believe you’re in the position to lend me a feminine perspective about romance since it’s not as if you’re old enough to have gentlemen callers.”
“Young ladies begin preparing for gentlemen callers when we start playing with dolls,” Norma Jean said.
“It’s that whole let’s-pretend-we’re-mothers scenario, and then, as we get older, we tend to listen to our older siblings—or anyone speaking about romance, for that matter—and share all of that information between our friend groups.
” She smiled. “In my case, I’ve been discussing romance with Mabel, Velma, Phoebe, and the rest of the girls for at least three years.
We, I’m sure you won’t be surprised to learn, have some rather strong opinions regarding gentlemen and how we feel they should approach romance in general. ”
“I now find myself waiting with bated breath for you to divulge those opinions.”
“I’m not surprised,” Norma Jean said as she took the sextant and gave it a bit of a perusal before she looked up.
“I think the most important opinion I can lend you is this—a gentleman should make a grand gesture to a lady he holds in affection, and then, after he makes that gesture, he should get down to the business of kissing her.”
“That seems reasonable, although I’m going to need you to elaborate on what this grand gesture should entail.”