graciously, and kissed very softly.
Officer Sullivan smiled slyly, and grabbed Samuel by the shoulder again. “I’m sure you all will have plenty of time to get acquainted later. Right now, I’ve got to take you on the rounds with the fleet.”
Samuel nodded, agreeing, and then turned back to me, “Well, I hope we can speak later, then.”
I nodded, “It was very nice to meet you, I hope we can as well.”
I turned back towards the sunset and sighed. For the first time since I had plummeted into another era on that frigid morning in the forest, I thought that living at the turn of the twentieth century might perhaps not be that bad after all.
All too soon, the dinner bell had rung, and the mass of billowing skirts, tightly fitted bodices and steamed suits made their way into the dining room. These events always mesmerized me, as the waves of extravagant food came out without ceasing, followed by precious little pastries hand-decorated with elaborate diminutive flowers and lace, to be dipped in china cups overflowing with hot teas and coffee. The dinners were something that I had no complaints about, in the least. The only thing I was dissuaded by was being waited on, and always insisted on helping in the kitchen at the end of the meal.
On this particular occasion, I was seated next to Mrs. Sullivan, or Adelle, as per usual. She was a very lovely woman with a big heart, who never rushed me, and was always attentive in the most respectful manner.
Samuel had caught my eye again, and I tried to hide my smile behind my napkin, before sipping my tea and turning back towards Adelle.
“Darling,” she said, “Have you been introduced to Mr. Finnik?” Clearly it was no secret that I had been stealing glances at him all through the dinner.
I put my tea down and hesitated momentarily, nervous that he would hear me, “Yeah—yes, we met earlier, when he came in. John introduced us.”
Adelle smiled and raised her eyebrows in a little, lighthearted smirk, “He’s very handsome,” she said, “Perhaps you two will have time to talk after dinner.”
“ Adelle! ” I whispered, she was the only person who I had met that I felt safe in my unorthodox, teasing mannerisms of the future, “You always have an agenda for me, don’t you?”
“My dear,” she smiled, “I always do.”
We laughed, and carried on with the little cakes. Samuel was talking very seriously with two gentlemen from the force, along with Officer Sullivan. One of them nodded, and they all stood up, making their way into the smoking room for further debate.
“There they go,” Adelle said. “Off into the world of men,” she sighed, laughing as she did.
I smiled back, but held my tongue about the absurdity of some of the imposed gender roles of the time. I knew all I had to do was wait. It would all change, soon. But, also as per usual, I kept these thoughts to myself. Adelle and I talked quietly about the reading group, and as the company began to break up and scatter around the house, she encouraged me to seek out Samuel.
“It can’t hurt,” she said. “And you’re so lovely, I’ve been waiting to find someone worthy of you,” she giggled, very proud of her astute nature.
“Well,” I said, “I won’t go hunt him down, but if I happen to run into him, maybe I’ll say hello.” We both smiled, and I walked out back, onto the porch.
The men had left their smoking room, and many of them had also ventured out onto the porch to get some air. There was a small group of women huddled in the corner, some of whom I knew from the stitching group. I walked up to them blithely, and said hello, before resuming my usual silence among them. No one was bothered.
It was dark out now, and in the night time sky, I could clearly see the stars accented against the shadow. It was incredible, without the industrial glow of the cities of the future, how much of the solar system was illuminated in the evening.
Suddenly then, I heard my name. And to my