Steadfast Heart by Tracie Peterson Page A

laughed. “But of course, my good sir.” She took his arm, and they led the way.
    The large dining table had been arranged with the twelve bridal students placed six on one side and six on the other, with Miss Poisie taking up the end position.
    At the opposite end of the table, Mrs. Madison took her place at the head with Mrs. Gibson at her right and Abrianna at her left. Booth quickly took the empty chair beside Abrianna, leaving Wade no choice but the seat to the right of Mrs. Gibson.
    Wade watched them for a moment and became aware of something he’d hesitated to notice before. Abrianna had growninto a woman. No doubt some men would seek to take advantage of her. In a protective brotherly fashion, Wade began to plan how he might help to keep her safe. After all, this was a bridal school, and there would be plenty of men at the receptions. Abrianna might find herself in a difficult situation, and Wade wanted to make sure she didn’t make a mistake in running off with the first fellow who asked her. Perhaps he should speak to Mrs. Madison about the matter. One couldn’t be too safe in these situations, could they?
    The meal was wonderful as usual, and Wade couldn’t help but enjoy the company of all the young ladies. At this time of the year, many of them had found interested suitors and were in the latter stages of their time with the school. They spoke of this man and that one, sharing what they did for a living and their plans for the future. In June, Mrs. Madison and her companions would stage their annual bridal ball, and many a bachelor turned out. The dance would go on until midnight, and by then many of the girls would be spoken for, if not married that very night, thanks to a special arrangement Mrs. Madison had with a local judge.
    The only concern about his entire day had been the appearance of Kolbein Booth. Wade was surprised to see how Booth and Abrianna conversed with ease, and when Booth asked Abrianna to accompany him to a particular place where he’d heard rumors of a young woman matching his sister’s description, she agreed to help. Wade was even more surprised to find Abrianna’s aunts so receptive. Did they not see that Abrianna was no longer a child? Miss Poisie further stunned Wade by suggesting she and some of the other young ladies might accompany them, but then dismissed the idea when Mrs. Gibson reminded her of other plans they had for the afternoon.
    Wade didn’t like the idea of Abrianna going alone with Booth. They knew so little about him. For all Wade knew, the man might not even have a sister. What if this was just a huge scam—a means of getting into the middle of the school in order to cause problems. But to what purpose?
    â€œWe shouldn’t be gone long,” Abrianna declared, “unless it starts raining or the streetcars stop running or there’s some other sort of disaster.” She looked at Booth. “One Sunday there was a small fire near the dock, and the fire horses were spooked and ran away. It was quite the excitement, and we watched most of it from upstairs. Didn’t we?” Abrianna looked to the other females. They all nodded and murmured comments about the excitement.
    â€œOh goodness, I do remember that. Thankfully no one was killed!” Poisie dabbed her neck with a lacy handkerchief.
    â€œWell, there most likely won’t be a repeat of that,” Mrs. Madison replied. “Abrianna, I shall want you back by four o’clock. No excuses or protests,” she added as the young woman opened her mouth.
    â€œI wasn’t going to offer either,” Abrianna said and crossed her arms. “I merely wanted to inquire as to whether you needed anything while we were out.”
    â€œWe do not shop on the Sabbath,” Mrs. Gibson declared. “And we would not, even if shops were open. It would be an affront to the Lord. I’m not even sure that searching for Mr. Booth’s sister