Amelia Earhart: Lady Lindy Read Online Free

groomsmen?” Felix read.
    â€œThe Viking Hotel is always nice,” Great-Uncle Thorne offered.
    When Felix showed Maisie the list the next night after dinner, she was dismissive, too.
    â€œThere won’t be any groomsmen,” she told Felix. “He doesn’t have any friends or relatives except you.”
    â€œDad does,” Felix said.
    â€œJunior bridesmaids just walk down the aisle,” Maisie said. “Probably in an ugly dress.”
    â€œI have to organize the wedding toasts,” Felix said. “The bride’s father gives the first one—”
    â€œPenelope Merriweather’s father died on the
Titanic
,” Maisie reminded him. “And Gramps died before we were even born.”
    â€œThen I give the second toast,” Felix continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “Then who should come next?”
    Maisie brightened. “I’ll give the toast after you.”
    â€œReally?” Felix said, checking at least that one duty off his list.
    â€œI’d better get started,” Maisie said, her mind already swirling with quotes she could use. Her teacher, Mrs. Witherspoon, had taught them that every good speech starts with a quote.
    She began to jot down the ones she knew offhand.
Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country . . . Four score and seven years ago . . . Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears . . .
    â€œWhat?” Felix asked her.
    Maisie glanced up at her brother.
    â€œWhat do you mean ‘what’?” she asked him.
    â€œYour eyebrows are all crinkled like something’s wrong,” he said.
    Maisie sighed. “I don’t know the first thing about love,” she said. “I’m going to have get a book of love poems. Who writes love poems?”
    â€œUm,” Felix said.
    â€œExactly.”

    The next morning, their mother did not emerge from her bedroom. Aiofe reported that she was working at home.
    â€œâ€˜Do not disturb,’” Aiofe announced as she refilled Maisie’s hot cocoa. “That’s what she said.”
    â€œI don’t think Mom has worked at home since we moved here—” Felix began.
    â€œEver,” Maisie interrupted.
    â€œShould we call the doctor?” Felix asked, worried.
    Just then Great-Uncle Thorne walked in to the dining room.
    â€œShe’ll be fine once the hubbub dies down,” he said. “Why, Penelope won’t even take a stroll with me this morning.” He shook his head. “A real shame, too, because the Pickworth peonies have all bloomed.” Great-Uncle Thorne gave a small, satisfied smile. “Just in time for the wedding, too.”
    â€œWon’t Penelope want the Merriweather roses for the wedding?” Maisie asked.
    â€œDon’t be ridiculous,” Great-Uncle Thorne said. “Have you
seen
our peonies this year? They are truly magnificent.”
    He took his seat at the head of the table, flicked a linen napkin open and tucked it into his collar.
    â€œMmmm,” he said, reaching for the silver serving tray. “Shirred eggs.”
    â€œI don’t understand why Mom is so mad about Dad getting married,” Felix wondered out loud. “She’s got Bruce Fishbaum.”
    â€œIt’s complicated,” Great-Uncle Thorne said. “Every one of Phinneas Pickworth’s ex-wives got angry when he married a new woman.”
    â€œHow many times did he get married?” Maisie asked him.
    Great-Uncle Thorne waved his bony hand dismissively. “It doesn’t matter. He always loved our mother, Ariane, above all others.”
    His eyes stayed on Aiofe, following her as she made sure everyone had what they needed before she left to get fresh coffee.
    Once she was gone, Great-Uncle Thorne leaned forward and said in a stage whisper, “Get those Ziff twins over here. I’m sending you all on a mission.”
    Felix