Page 30 of Eleanor’s Earrings

“I prefer to verify these things.”

Lydia stepped from behind a hanging petticoat. “You are entering dangerous country, Mr. Cooper.”

“So, I see.”

“Some of those belong to Eleanor.”

Eleanor nearly dropped Charlotte’s ledger.

Nathaniel remained admirably composed. “I will try to survive the knowledge.”

“Lydia.”

“What? He knows you wear clothes.”

“Go help Martha.”

“Martha sent me here.”

“Then help someone who has not.”

Lydia wandered away.

Nathaniel waited until she was out of earshot. “Does that instruction ever work?”

“Almost never.”

“Why keep giving it?”

“Hope is a stubborn disease.”

He crouched beside the wheel. At that exact moment, one of Eleanor’s stockings slid from the line and landed on his shoulder.

He looked at it.

Eleanor looked at it.

Neither spoke.

Nathaniel removed the stocking with grave care. “Your dangerous underthings appear to be attacking.”

Eleanor snatched it from him. “If you mention this, I will deny it.”

“To whom?”

“Everyone.”

“Even me?”

“Especially you.”

His laughter followed him beneath the wagon.

Caroline appeared a moment later. “What did I miss?”

“Nothing.”

She looked at the stocking clenched in Eleanor’s fist. “That appears to be an unusually personal nothing.”