The Librarian

Episode 13

Aaron adjusted his jacket, fiddled with the two ends of material that formed his tie, and left his office with great anticipation. He timed his arrival for five exactly and rapped on the hotel room door.

"Mr. Trenholme!" Harriet glanced at the wall clock in the hotel hallway. "So punctual."

"Comes from managing deadlines with the newspaper," he smiled. "Am I too soon?"

"Not at all. Back east the practice was to be fashionably late for social engagements. Not one I particularly approved of mind you. I'll just get my handbag and shawl."

He studied the mended handbag, wondering if the Derringer he'd returned was inside, or left behind in a drawer.

"May I say you look quite delightful."

"And you appear quite the gentleman." She grinned, seeing he was stumbling over the word, appear.

"I' uh- I reserved a special table downstairs . . . less public."

"One of those alcoves with the heavy drapery?"

"Uhm, yes - if that's acceptable to you of course."

"Interesting." She led the way down the stairs then waited in the dining room entrance for him to offer his arm.

Colleen sailed over, her previous snub forgotten, and with a crimson-lipped smile, took Aaron's other arm and led the couple to a corner alcove.

"We have steak, lamb chops, pork chops, potato and onion soup, cabbage soup, bacon and eggs. Of course there are other vegetables too - and we have a shipment of oysters from back east, which are for the Governor's visit. I could spare a few for you if you like."

Aaron reddened. Her look was downright lascivious.

"I think I would like the potato and onion soup, and a small bowl of mixed fresh fruit, please."

Colleen's smile faded. "And for the gentleman?"

"Steak and eggs, please, and can you bring us some bread."

"Drinks?"

Aaron raised a hand "A bottle of that nice red wine I know you also imported - for the Governor's visit." Collen's face stiffened, and she simply nodded and left. "Are you sure that's all you want, Harriet. It doesn't seem like much of a dinner."

"It's perfectly fine. I usually have my larger meal midday."

"I shall remember that next time."

The only reaction was silence, and he hurried on, asking about the library.

"It's doing very well, thank you. I just received a few new books from back east that I hope will become popular here."

"Cook books?"

"She gave him a weary smile. "Women are capable of much more than washing and cooking, Aaron - we have brains as well."

"I didn't mean—"

"No. You just didn't think."

Colleen arrived with the wine before he could respond and they sat silently while she poured a couple of glasses. She left the bottle and said the food would be along shortly, then closed the alcove privacy drapes.

"Makes it very intimate, doesn't it?" Harriet tasted her wine.

"Look, I didn't intend any kind of insult. I'm sorry if it was taken that way."

"I know you didn't. It's just an ingrained perception men have and one that I am trying to correct with the meetings I have with the ladies in the library. We discuss the books and the behaviours of the characters, applying them to real life situations here in Tuckerville."