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Excellent. As always, his best friend had once again come through with an actionable solution.
*
Anthony stood inthe middle of the small but bright and cozy front room of Kent’s aunt Adelaide’s dwelling, which mirrored its owner’s disposition.
Aunt Adelaide, who treated Anthony like a family member, waltzed into the room and immediately wrapped him in a hug. “Oh my! What a treat to have you both visit me today.”
The gray-haired beauty released him and shifted to give Kent the same loving treatment, stretching her small arm around his waist.
Kent engulfed the small woman. “Aunt Adelaide, I’m pleased to see you remain hale and happy.”
“Well, of course I’m happy.” She released Kent and grinned up at her nephew. “Your sisters arrived in Town early, and they have been wonderful company.” The small woman stepped back and motioned for them to take a seat.
Kent did as she suggested and relaxed back into the worn but clean settee. Anthony wasn’t sure the petite piece of furniture would support them both, and moved to stand by the window, his preferred location in any room.
“Speaking of my dear, beloved sisters, when are you and Minerva to set off on your grand adventure across the pond?”
Aunt Adelaide’s eyes momentarily went wide, and then, with a plastered smile, she slumped into the nearest chair. “Didn’t Minerva inform you of our plans upon your arrival in Town?” The poor woman clasped and unclasped her hands in her lap as she braved Kent’s intense stare.
“Actually, Minerva has remained rather vague regarding your voyage.” Kent leaned forward, placing a hand on his knee. “I’ve…” Kent slid a glance over his shoulder at Anthony and then continued, “No,we’vecome today to seek your help.”
“I see.” Aunt Adelaide peered over at Anthony. The sweet, innocent woman was clearly befuddled. Aunt Adelaide couldn’t tell a fib even if her life depended upon it. “So you’ve both come here today to ask me for assistance?”
It was time Anthony joined the conversation. “Aunt Adelaide, I’ve—”
Aunt Adelaide’s eyes widened as if she’d come to some sort of revelation. She shifted to perch on the edge of her chair and then waved her finger side to side at him. “Oh no… Oh no you don’t…” She gingerly rose to her feet and began to pace. “Not after all these years.” She shook her head and then pierced him with a look that he recognized as the one Minerva would adopt when she was about to spear his heart with a truth. “You’re too late.”
It was Kent who asked the question that was on the tip of Anthony’s tongue. “Has Minerva shared with you her plans?”
“She may have.” Aunt Adelaide turned to face her nephew. “But you’ll not find out what they are from me.”
Kent got to his feet. “Aunt Adelaide.” He trailed the woman as she continued to pace about in a circle. “I’m pleading with you. We need to know if Minerva plans to venture to the Americas with you.”
Aunt Adelaide continued to shake her head.
Kent tried again. “I won’t deny her the adventure to explore the world, but I do need your assurance that you both plan on returning.”
“Why is our return of any importance?” Aunt Adelaide rounded on Kent. “You are married. Diana is too. Isadora shall be before long. Gregory and Paul are in no need of mothering.”
“Because we love you. We need you both in our lives.”
Kent’s pleas appeared to fall short. Aunt Adelaide bowed her head. “You have Phyllis. You don’t need Minerva or me.”
Kent reached for his aunt’s elbow and halted her pacing. “That’s frankly not true. And the idea of Minerva falling in love with some lout over there and never returning gives me hives.”
The sweet and biddable woman that always had an encouraging word whirled around and gave Kent the most wonderful, heartfelt hug.
She released him and marched to stand before Anthony. “Why should I share with you her plans?”
“Because I love her.” Anthony raked a hand through his hair and held his breath as he waited for her reaction.
“Bah. You’ve loved her for years. You are no dullard, no matter what others might say. You are self-aware and are attuned to those around you, so I’ll ask one last time: why should I betray my niece’s confidence?”
The woman’s compliments were as shocking as her direct question. All these years, he had underestimated Aunt Adelaide. Appalled at his lack of insight, Anthony sighed. “I have no good reason, except that the threat of never seeing Minerva again has my heart palpitating. I’ve finally come to my senses. Minerva is critical to my very existence. I know it is selfish of me to—”
Aunt Adelaide raised a hand in the air and halted his monologue. She moved to the corner of the room and tugged on the bell pull. “I’ll ring for tea. If you would care to join me, I’ll share with you both what little I know.” As if she’d aged ten years, Aunt Adelaide resumed her seat and sighed.
Mere moments later, a maid appeared in the doorway with a tray laden with a tea set. The young maid placed the items on the table next to Aunt Adelaide and scurried from the room.
