Roger cleared his throat as he approached. “Your papa believes that you need to learn your maths before you learn how to take over the world.”
“Don’t even joke about such things, or they’ll believe we’re actually trying,” Nina tutted. She gave him tight embrace that he only half stiffened under. “Or worse, succeeding.” She winked.
“Is David with you?” he asked, glancing around.
“He’s still gathering papers from the carriage,” she explained. “He wants to disc—” She stopped, staring at something behind his head. “Miss Adler!”
They all turned to find Rebecca standing in the doorway, her eyes wide, as if she were a mouse who’d wandered into a den of cats and been caught.
Without even thinking, Roger moved to Rebecca’s side even as Nina strode toward her.
“It’s so lovely seeing you again. Thank you for your assistance. We received everything promptly and are more than satisfied,” his sister-in-law stated.
Roger blinked at her. What was she referring to?
“You’re quite welcome,” Rebecca stammered, her eyes large behind her spectacles, her cheeks slightly pinkened.
“What a lovely gown,” Nina continued as she inspected the other woman’s costuming. “It’s cut absolutely perfectly. However, you might want to add a few bracelets and a neck—”
“Not everyone desires to be bejeweled from head to toe, Nina,” his brother said, as he entered the room while adjusting the small black leather kippah on his head. “Though if that’s a hint as to what you’d like for your birthday this year, duly noted.” He gave his wife a kiss on the cheek. “No one wears them better than you.”
Striding further into the room, David added, “Good to see you again, Miss Adler.” He plopped himself down on a seat, crossing one leg over the other motioning to his wife to join him.
“You as well, Mr. Berab,” Rebecca said, giving him a nod as well.
“To what do I owe this visit?” Roger asked, glancing between his two relations.
“We need to discuss the terms,” David said, holding up a ream of paper.
What terms?Roger stared at him for a moment.
“For the bridal contract,” Nina said, glancing between him and his brother.
Ah yes. Time really was speeding, was it not?
“What’s a bridal contract?” Michael asked, swinging his legs.
“An agreement for a new wife,” Fannie told him knowingly. “Father is going to marry Miss Teres, and she’s to live with us, remember?”
“Oh,” his son said. “I remember. When is she coming?”
“In about two weeks,” David told them. “At least if we can all come to an agreement after dinner tonight.”
Roger frowned. Tonight? The dinner was tonight? No, it couldn’tbe. The dinner was supposed to be on the twenty-first of February and it was—right. That was today. It had been more than five weeks since he and Teres had first spoken.
Well, then it was that night. Time to step into the future in earnest. Roger turned back to his children. “Tonight we’re going to have a special meal at Aunt Nina and Uncle David’s home where you’ll meet Miss Teres.”
“Who I am sure you’ll love,” Rebecca added, stepping toward the children. “As you might recall, I met her. She’s very clever and quite beautiful,” she continued. “She has two brothers, so I’m sure she knows all sorts of entertaining stories and games.”
“She’s a very spirited girl,” Nina continued. “Sofia said she’s known to be quite skilled at whist.”
“Or at least in persuading others to yield to her victory,” David muttered.
Roger glanced at his brother.
“Sofia did not say that.” Nina gave her husband a sharp look.
“You’re correct, my dear. She did not. I was placing my own gloss on her words,” his brother affirmed, lowering his voice once more. “A more generous one to Miss Teres and her character.”
