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“Oh, I knew he was a ladies’ man at heart,” Archie said, and slapped as many backs and shoulders as he could reach. “He takes after me.” He winked at Lillie, who boldly took inventory of him as if she intended to test his word.
Only Mr. Northstar challenged Tauseret.
“I thought Egyptians were white folk,” he said, inspecting her tawny complexion.
Tauseret cocked her head. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a white person,” she said, to some amusement. “I have heard that in the far north there is eternal snow. Perhaps these white people you talk of live there to disguise themselves.”
“Your parents will be a little surprised by Tauseret,” said the colonel into the dumbfounded silence.
“I will make them a wonderful daughter,” Tauseret said, and wound her arms around my neck.
Yes, what would my parents feel about this voluptuous and possessive young woman? I wrapped my arms around Tauseret’s waist and kissed her cheek. “My parents are very understanding,” I said.
Apollo exploded to his feet. “My father isn’t!” he cried. His fur rose in a nimbus of static electricity. “I can’t go home, Colonel. He’ll beat me dead.”
I winced and groaned. What a thoughtless fool I’d been, absorbed in my own concerns. That was why he’d been quiet.
Apollo tried to storm off, but he couldn’t squeeze between Mr. Northstar and the table. Colonel Kingston grabbed his arm. “Your father’s gone, Apollo. I made him go.”
Apollo stopped struggling. “Gone?” His hair settled like spider silk. I think I was as relieved as the dog boy to hear this news.
“I will not have women and children mistreated in my establishment,” explained the colonel. “He had been warned several times. When you ran away, that was the final straw.”
“My mother and sister?” Apollo asked hesitantly.
“Chose to stay under my protection,” finished the colonel.
Apollo beamed with joy. “Can I still be in charge of the children?” he asked, bouncing with excitement. “We’ve figured out some marvelous acts. You’ll be proud of me, honest, and I’ve got some great ideas for Mr. Bopp. …”
“Ouch, my foot,” squeaked Mr. Northstar.
“Oops! Sorry.” Apollo wriggled by him and tumbled into the aisle.
“We’ll see,” said Colonel Kingston, “but we must set some ground rules.”
“Yay!” cried Apollo. He tugged at Moses’ sleeve. “Come on, you laggards. We need to practice.” He raced down the car, ready to lord it over the children once more, and the children dutifully stirred to follow him.
When we reached home, I wouldn’t see as much of Apollo as I used to, now he had younger companions. This made me sadder than I would have believed. Phoebe would be more distant also, now she was affianced. I should be happy for that, but part of me hoped that Phoebe would be jealous of Tauseret. That didn’t make me a very good person, but I smiled anyway. I thought I had the better deal—an exotic companion with tales of distant days and places was superior to an ordinary hairy man from Baltimore.
I was going home—that sank in at last, and to my surprise my heart sank also with the thought. I had planned to be a wage earner when I returned, an independent man.
“You look unhappy, Abel,” said Lillie.
“Everything has gone wrong, and now I’m going back to where I started and I haven’t accomplished anything except murder.” I couldn’t believe that had spilled out of me.
“You defended yourself,” said Mr. Ginger.
“Any man would have done so,” added Frank.
Miss Lightfoot patted my hand. “He’s worried that he hasn’t found his fortune,” she said.
I remembered how Miss Dibble had told my fortune when I was trying to sneak from home unnoticed. “You will fall in love with an older foreign lady,” she had said. I stared at Tauseret in shock. Stars above. Damned if she wasn’t right.
“You’ve certainly brought fortune to others, honey love,” said Miss Lightfoot. “Where would Mr. Ginger and I be without you? You stood up to Mink when we were afraid to. We found strength in you.”
“Willie might not have had his father again if not for you,” said Lillie.
“You can depend on Abel,” said Colonel Kingston. “That’s his finest quality. He takes responsibility. And look at these marvelous acts you have found me, boy. I do believe you have saved Faeryland from bankruptcy. Bully for you, Abel.”
