Page 12 of The Starling and the Hatter

“Was it?” he asked. “Well, he does have an eye for character, doesn’t he?”

I closed my eyes and groaned. “Please don’t,” I muttered.

He held up his hands. “My apologies. Heaven forbid I do something as embarrassing as being proud of my own son.”

“Dad—”

“He does have a talent for it,” Elise said quietly, snagging both of our attention. “That much is obvious.” She looked at each of us in turn, seeming unsure that her answer was welcome, before smiling tentatively.

My father looked over at me with triumph. “See? She knows what she’s talking about.”

Saints, this was just getting more embarrassing. “I really hope you didn’t wish to meet Elise just to brag about me,” I said, giving my father a sharp stare.

“Of course not,” he said, turning his attention back to Elise. “I wanted to extend an invitation. Dorothy and the girls would love to have you over for dinner this evening. Will you come?”

Her face was pure surprise. “Oh. Well,” she said, looking like a startled deer.

“Dorothy planned to extend the invitation herself a few days ago, but she didn’t wish to interrupt your performance.”

Elise looked mortified. “I’m so sorry. If I’d known she wanted to speak with me, I would have happily stopped and—”

My father waved her off. “Oh, don’t feel badly over it. It was no one’s fault, but we decided it would be easier for Maddox or I to extend the invitation since we’re here nearly every day. You will come, won’t you?”

I winced a bit at the demanding invitation. What if she truly did not want to come? I didn’t want to impose on her even though I desperately wanted her to accept. This girl needed help. She may not realize she needed it, but she did. And if she didn’t get it from us, I wondered who would take advantage of such a young, innocent—and yes, beautiful—performer.

Elise cut her nervous eyes over to me, and I gave a gentle smile that I hoped would put her at ease. She took a deep breath and then shook herself, putting on a smile like she’d slipped on a hat. “Of course, that’s very kind of you.”

“Wonderful,” my father said, clapping his hands together. “If you’ll just meet me back here when the sun touches the horizon, we can walk to the house. Dorothy will be thrilled.”

Her smile wobbled, but she nodded. “I look forward to it,” she said, but I was fairly sure she didn’t mean it. “I’ll return then.” She started backing away. “Thank you again.”

She practically ran out of the tent.

“Oh dear,” my father sighed. “Was I too pushy?”

“I’ll talk to her,” I said and ran after her before I had a chance to really think it through.

I dodged around a few people. “Elise,” I called.

She stopped her hurried retreat and turned to wait for me.

I stopped in front of her. “Are you sure you want to come? I don’t want my family to overwhelm you.”

“It’s fine,” she said with a forced smile. “I’m happy not to have to make my own meal for a night. And you’ll be there, and I know you, so…” She trailed off and I couldn’t figure out what she’d been going to say. Was she implying that I put her at ease? I certainly hoped so.

“Actually,” I was sad to say, “I won’t be there for dinner.”

She blinked in surprise. “You’re not coming?”

I shook my head. “I have to stay with the merchandise. Someone will bring me a meal later on.” Hopefully that wouldn’t deter her. The way she spoke of food, I wondered if this might be the first full meal she’d had in some time.

“Well,” she said and I held my breath. “I suppose I’ll just have to make do with Twyla and Didi.”

I smiled and sighed in relief. “They’ll be excellent hostesses, I’m sure.”

She chuckled a little. “I’ve no doubt,” she said, and then waved and went her way.

I sighed, grateful that she would be there, that Dorothy would get a chance to mother her and feed her. Something told me that was the very least we could do for her, as she likely needed so much more.