Chapter 7 #2
Evie shrugged. “You can never tell what we might see. That’s the fun of an adventure.”
Jared nodded. “We should do it.”
“I’ll speak to Mother and Father about it,” Evie promised, glancing at her parents. “Now, you need to finish up. It’ll soon be time for you to go.”
Breakfast was over before she knew it, and each of her siblings headed off to attend to their business for the day.
The older boys were all going to enjoy sailing lessons while the younger children were horseback riding.
Soon enough, Father got up and kissed Mother, then bid them farewell for a board of directors meeting.
Evie found herself sitting alone with Mother as the servants cleared the table.
“I’m pleased,” she began as Mother sipped her coffee, “to say that the party donations were good. A little lower than our last party, but still substantial. They’ll go a long way to helping run the various organizations for which they were intended.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Mother put her cup down. “With that behind us, it will free you up to start working with your father. Are you excited to begin?”
Evie took a quick sip of tea to avoid having to answer too quickly. She wasn’t quite sure what to say. She had considered that it might be easier to talk with Mother first.
“I . . . well, I have to admit, I’m more than a little nervous.
I’m not even twenty-two and am about to assist in running an entire hospital.
It’s a daunting thought, and I still wonder if it wouldn’t be smarter to get someone in, at least for a time, who could run the place and show me exactly what needs to be done. ”
“Your father can do that. He has masterminded this kind of thing before. He set up more than one battlefield hospital and was instrumental in the charity hospital Reverend Knickerbacker created. He knows exactly what’s needed and will guide you quite capably.
No one expects you to walk in and take over on day one.
Your father will show you everything he expects and work with you and help you decide what you need.
” She offered a sympathetic smile. “He knows that you don’t have the experience. He’ll be very patient with you.”
“I’ve no doubt about that, but—” The doorbell sounded, and Evie glanced toward the hallway entrance. The pocket doors had been left open after the mass exodus of Turner children. There was a muted sound of voices at the front of the house.
“I wonder who that could be?” Mother glanced at the small clock on the window table. “Far too early for callers, and on a Saturday.”
A few minutes later, one of the new maids appeared. She held a large bouquet of flowers. “Excuse me, Mrs. Turner.”
Mother motioned her in. “What is it, Sylvia?”
“These just arrived for Miss Turner.”
Evie’s brows raised. “For me?”
“Yes, miss.” She brought the bouquet to Evie. “There’s a card.”
Evie took the card, leaving Sylvia to manage the mixed arrangement of blooms. There were a variety of pink roses, snapdragons and carnations, ivory alstroemeria, and white statice. The bouquet was of the best quality and must have been quite expensive.
Opening the card, Evie felt her cheeks flush at the message. “I very much enjoyed making your acquaintance. I look forward to seeing you again.” It was signed by Max.
“Oh goodness.” Evie looked at her mother. “They’re from Max Garrison. He enjoyed meeting me last evening and looks forward to seeing me again.”
“You must have made quite the impression,” Mother said, smiling. “That is a remarkable display of flowers.”
“I agree. I did find him most pleasant to speak with, and I am looking forward to knowing him better, I must admit. Still, this is such a surprise.”
Mrs. Arbarca, the head housekeeper, came to the doorway to see what was going on.
Mother stood. “Mrs. Arbarca, would you help Sylvia to arrange this bouquet in a vase and deliver the flowers to Evie’s room, please?”
“Of course, ma’am.” The woman moved quickly to Sylvia’s side and took the flowers. “Come along, I’ll show you where the vases are.”
Evie put her napkin aside and got to her feet. She felt a little giddy at the thought that Max had gone to such lengths to impress her. Or at least to get her attention. The day was starting off quite well.
“I will look forward to hearing about your outing,” Mother said as Evie moved toward the door.
Evie gave a little laugh. “I shall look forward to experiencing it.”
Max had never known a time when he enjoyed himself more. He hadn’t been one to seek the company of his peers, nor to attempt to better his acquaintance with members of the feminine set. But today was clearly proving to him what he had missed.
Despite the fact that everyone was younger than him, Max found they were all rather perfectly suited. Carl Knutsson was twenty-five and a lawyer like Evan. He worked for a different firm, but the two men had been lifelong friends, and both were serious-minded and mature.
Evan was clearly interested in Carl’s younger sister.
The two watched each other constantly and seemed inseparable.
Carl and his fiancée, Amelia Bronson, likewise had eyes only for each other.
That left him and Evie with more than ample time to get acquainted and talk about whatever came to mind.
And there was plenty on Max’s mind as they sat on the shoreline while the others canoed.