Page 8 of Charlotte

Lottie leaned closer. “Are they kind?”

“Oh, very,” Val said. “That’s why there’s no escaping them.”

Mrs. Schulte reached them first, arms open, and her list held high enough to look official.

“Our brides! There you are. Now, we have a great deal to settle and very little time to settle it, so we shall be organized.”

Delly made a small sound. Lottie tapped her elbow lightly against her sister’s side.

“Behave,” she whispered.

“I am observing.”

“That is how trouble starts with you.”

Mrs. Schulte turned directly to Lottie. “You must be Charlotte. The one with the books.”

Several nearby men looked at her with fresh respect or possibly fear.

“Yes, ma’am,” Lottie said. “Though everyone calls me Lottie.”

“Lottie, then. Our library bride.” Mrs. Schulte consulted her list, though she did not appear to need it. “You are spoken for already. Mr. Peterson, of course. Tall, quiet, difficult to draw into conversation, but steady.”

Lottie felt the heat climb onto her cheeks.

Across the room, Mr. Peterson looked down at his hat.

She wondered if he had heard.

She hoped he had and hoped he didn’t.

Mrs. Beck clasped her hands together. “We are so pleased. A reader will be good for him.”

Mrs. Hanford cleared her throat. “Beatrice.”

“What? I only mean a quiet girl may suit a quiet man.”

“I am not especially quiet,” Lottie said.

Mrs. Beck blinked as Delly took a sip of tea.

Lottie tried again. “I can be quiet, of course. When called upon. In libraries, sickrooms, and during sermons. Unless, of course, the sermon is very confusing.”

Mrs. Hanford gave her a long look. “Well, we shall hope Mr. Peterson is prepared for variety.”

“I like variety,” Lottie said.

Delly coughed into her tea.

Mrs. Schulte moved on, sorting out the remaining brides with brisk confidence. “Margot. Goldie. Then we have…” She stopped before Delly. Her smile stayed fixed, but her eyes sharpened. “And the extra.”

Lottie closed her eyes.

So soon, Lord?

“The extra?” Delly asked.

“Josephine wrote there would be an additional young woman traveling with the brides. A companion, I believe.”