The Vicky Series: Book 1: Chasing a Dream

Chapter 26

"Does it sound ludicrous?" Annabelle was embarrassed. What if Eric thought her simple-minded?

"Actually, it's what we were thinking. Now we have to find out if Miss Victoria had any reason to run away and we're going to be speaking to Miss Abigail today or tomorrow."

"There's one thing that confuses me, Eric."

He simply waited for her to continue.

"The man I saw, well, I think it was a man. He was much taller than Victoria, and not, well..."she suddenly felt awkward.

"Not shaped like a woman?" Eric offered. Despite his efforts to be professional, he blushed, although he did manage to keep from looking away.

"No. Not one bit."

"Perhaps baggy clothes?"

"No. They fit. The young man I saw was tall and thin. I've seen Miss Victoria. She isn't...she is... well, she isn't thin." She finally finished after a few false starts.

"I understand what you mean. I've seen the photograph of Miss Victoria. She was very..."

He blushed, unable to find a polite way to say it.

"Feminine." Annabelle finally offered.

Eric was relieved.

"Feminine." He parroted.

Annabelle let Eric walk her home. After he'd gone she retired to her room to think. She knew beyond all doubt that there definitely was something going on. She was in a good position to be one of the first to hear when it was discovered. She glanced at her reflection in the looking glass and smiled. She didn't care what happened next, as long as it would keep Eric around for a while.

A random thought fluttered with a feeling of importance but was lost before she could grasp it. It was something someone had said to her, or maybe asked her? But who and what? She waved her hand as if to brush away concern.

"Whatever it is will come to me."

***

Jeremy was anxious to join Victoria. He knew she was safe, and doing well on her journey, but he missed her. Since he'd known the pleasure of her company, her smile, the sound of her voice, the music of her laughter...it wasn't enough to merely think of her or to dream of her. He longed to be able to hold her again. And the part of him that wasn't a gentleman longed to do a little more.

He was ready to leave by the afternoon train. Abigail, Jeremy and Mrs. Bradley moved to the library for a celebratory toast. Mr. Bradley joined them and Lizzy left them to go about her chores. She was the one who answered the door.

"Hello Mr. McKinney. Miss Abigail is in the library. Follow me, sir."

No one heard Lizzy's first knock. Tom reached past her and opened the door. The excited chatter stopped, all eyes turning to the door in surprise. Recognition dawned and he was invited to join them. Abigail quite forgot herself. In her excitement, she ran to him and leapt into his arms, throwing her own about his neck and hugging him tightly.

"Joseph!"

He nearly fell backward from her momentum. At the critical moment, he came to his senses, held her tightly about the waist and spun around until he was sure footed again. Reluctantly, he set her down.

"We know where to find Victoria! Jeremy's leaving for St. Louis. They..."

"Wait. He's leaving? When?" Tom interrupted.

"This afternoon" Jeremy answered.

"So soon? Well..." he paused looking at Abigail. She stood meekly before him, her hands clasped in front of her and an enduring blush warming her cheeks. "In that case, I guess I can't wait until after dinner. Abigail..."