The Spinster (Emerson Pass Historicals 2)

He had no more time to ask questions. She was upon us, giving me a shy smile before touching her fingers to the sleeve of Theo’s jacket. “Hi, Theo.”

He turned toward her, acting surprised to see her. “Hi, Louisa. Are you home from school?” He kissed her gloved hand.

She nodded, ducking her chin modestly. “Yes, I’ve graduated finally. I now know all the forks and can walk across the room with a book on my head.”

“Allow me to introduce you to our friend Phillip Baker.” He put his hand on my shoulder. “Phillip, meet Louisa Lind.”

She turned to me. “Pleased to meet you.”

“Pleased to meet you as well.” I took her offered hand and bowed my head in greeting.

“Is Flynn here?” Louisa asked Theo.

Right away asking after Flynn. My sympathy for Theo deepened. To be the one not chosen was never easy, heightened when your rival was your charming, popular brother.

Theo spoke quickly without seeming to breathe between sentences. “He’s around somewhere, talking with Shannon Cassidy last I noticed. Would you like punch? Either of you? I’m going to have some with some whiskey.”

“I’d love a punch,” Louisa said.

“Me too,” I said.

“I’ll be right back.” Theo didn’t wait for a response, charging across the room toward the punch bowl.

I cleared my throat. What did I do now? I had a good mind to give her a tongue-lashing. How insensitive to ask after his brother, given their last interaction.

“You’ve been staying here at the Barneses’?” Louisa asked.

“Yes, I have.”

“How is Theo? Does he seem all right?”

I didn’t know how much she knew about his mental state, and I didn’t want to be the one who spilled family secrets. “He seems fine to me.” Other than being lovesick over you, I thought.

“Mother said he didn’t seem himself when she saw him in town at the festival. I’ve been worried about him.”

She was worried about him? As a friend, I supposed. “I understand you all go way back.”

“Yes, we were all together at school when we were younger. The twins and Isak went off to war and everything seemed to change overnight. I miss the old days when we were all still children.”

“Time does keep on, doesn’t it?”

“Too fast. Other than while they were away. Time seemed to have slowed as we waited for the hideous war to be over and return our boys to us. Then, I was sent away to school just as they were about to return. I’ve longed to see all of my old friends but especially the twins. Their family is special to me.”

The twins? Or just Flynn? “They’ve been very good to me.”

“Mother said as much.” She looked up at me with friendly eyes but also ones that I could easily imagine wary and questioning. The years had not completely restored her innocence. She’d known cruelty and terror. They still lurked beneath her finishing school shine. “She also told me what you and the others have done out at the Cassidys’. We appreciate your efforts.”

I smiled down at her. “It’s the least I could do for a community that’s welcomed me. I’ve never really had a home.”

“I was never at an orphanage, but I know what you mean.”

Theo returned with glasses of punch for Louisa and me.

“Are you happy to be home?” Theo asked her as he handed her the glass.

“More than I can say. After being in Chicago, I’m even more certain I prefer the country to the city.”

“I think Phillip here feels the same way.”