Chapter 3

“Now stop looking like that,” Charlotte scolded. “Truly, the bidding did not go very high. If you look closely, you’ll see that Mamma’s cabinet is a little worse for wear.”

Leaning forward to scrutinize the cabinet, Nick made note of several scuffs and chips in the wood. Perhaps the bidding did not go so high after all. “So it is. Still, all that matters is that it is back with us where it belongs.”

“Exactly as I thought,” Charlotte sat back with a satisfied smile, cuddling her son on her lap.

“And this as well.” Lucy handed him a packet tied with a blue ribbon before settling herself at his feet. “Open it!”