Page 14 of Bride in Blue
Max headed back into the store, the dirty pants still in his hand. He looked at the mannequin on the ground. Laying the pants on his workstation so they wouldn’t get anything else dirty, he righted the mannequin and looked at the jacket.
Nothing a good brushing wouldn’t fix. He went around the workbench and pulled out a paddle with stiff bristles on one side and a velveteen material on the other.
He counted the number of items in the basket and then slid it back in the cupboard.
“You really should go after her,” a voice called over the workbench.
Max hit his head on the wooden block that comprised the workbench. “I thought I locked the door.”
“You forget, Maximillian, I don’t need doors.”
“You sent her? Didn’t you?”
Mrs. Pennyworth looked down at him. He was still sitting on the floor rubbing his head. “Do you feel an excitement yet?” she asked, ignoring his question.
“I told you I was just fine,” he said scrambling to his feet.
“How’s Mr. Gladstone?” she suddenly asked.
“What?”
“Your cat.” Mrs. Pennyworth looked surprised he didn’t know what she was talking about.
“He’s home.” His voice should have signaled the conversation was over. Max started brushing the soiled fabric.
“You will need help, soon, Maximillian Blue. Cassandra is exactly the type of person you need here. And you’d be doing her a great service as well.”
Max stopped brushing and turned back to Mrs. Pennyworth. “Who are you?” he asked. “Just two days ago you were here in my shop and then you disappear on me. And now, this beautiful woman comes in my store and tells me you sent her? What am I supposed to believe?”
“Beautiful?” Mrs. Pennyworth giggled. Max could see she had her teeth back in place. “I believe that is the feeling of excitement, Maximillian.”
Max slammed his hand on the workbench. “Stop calling me that. The only one who called me Maximillian was my grandmother.”
“Well your grandmother wouldn’t be too taken with your current behavior.” Mrs. Pennyworth shot him a glare very similar to the one his grandmother would have given him. “What do you suggest I call you then? Mr. Blue?”
Max dragged his hand down his face. “Max. Just Max.”
“Okay, Max. Now I suggest you go after her and let everything fall where it may.”
“I don’t even know where she is.”
“She’s at the livery stable. She will be sleeping there tonight unless you intervene.”
“The stable? She can’t sleep at the stable. I directed her to the boarding house.”
Mrs. Pennyworth shrugged her shoulders. “Mrs. Franklin is full, and Mrs. Percy only takes women boarders. It wouldn’t work.” She waved her hand in the air, as if batting a fly. “But I do know you have several empty rooms in that big house.”
“It would be totally improper for me to have her stay there.” Max thought for a moment. “If Mrs. Percy only takes women boarders, why would there be a concern?” Mrs. Pennyworth looked at him. “Oh no. You sent a married woman to me. This is terrible,” Max moaned.
“Cassandra is not married. Her father is with her.”
“Her father?”
“He is a bit of a curmudgeon, but you’d get use to him.”
“Why would I want to get used to him?”
“Because you will need him as well.” Mrs. Pennyworth walked around the shop. “Now hurry along. Remember, she’s at the stable.”
