Chapter 6：Am I being too forward

―I was wondering if you would like to spend a week there for our honeymoon. My uncle owns a house on the beach and he has offered to let us stay there if we wish, but I thought I would

ask you first. I won't be able to take time off work for another two weeks. Being that this engagement happened so suddenly, I didn't have time to make arrangements for a vacation until today. She looked startled. A honeymoon? His cheeks grew hot. Perhaps such a discussion wasn't appropriate in a room full of people. We can talk about this later if you prefer.

―That would be best.

He nodded. He took a couple of awkward bites of his meal before turning back to her. So, what are some of your interests? She hesitated to respond. He figured that she had to think over his question. He patiently waited for her to speak. To his shock, she said, We don't have anything in common. Her father nudged her in the side and looked sternly at her. She took a deep breath and explained, I'm sorry. It's just that we don't know anything about each other.

―I know, Leo acknowledged. It'll be fun to learn about each other. I think of it as an adventure. She sighed before turning back to her plate. He noticed that she hadn't eaten much. Do you wish for something other than the steak and potato plate? I can have the chef make something else. She looked back at him. Oh, this is good. I just don't have much of an appetite.

―I'm nervous too, he softly admitted.

―Leo, Nathan spoke up. He turned his attention to his friend. Yes?

―Do you think that automobiles are a good investment? he asked.

―I do. I think that we're moving away from horses. Trains are just the beginning of horseless transportation.

―Are you going to invest in them?

―I already have.

―But aren't horses more practical? Brad inserted.

―At this point, they are. I suspect that improvements will be made to automobiles and before long, they will become more practical. I've seen a couple of models of the automobiles and they aren't very useful now but there is talk about ways to make them more beneficial. Currently, they lack room for storage, but that is a simple modification. I like to think of them as miniature trains that don't need railroad tracks. Jessica softly chuckled. He glanced at her. Was she laughing at him?

―I have heard great things about automobiles as well,‖ her father quickly said. I suppose I should look into those particular stocks.

―That's probably a good idea,‖ Leo agreed. He would like to see her father restore his former wealth. I can show you my investment portfolio if you wish.

―I would very much appreciate it, her father agreed.

―Jessica is in good hands with you. He was pleased by the man's kind words. Thank you, sir.

The ice cream treats for dessert turned out well. Louis looked greatly relieved to have the earlier catastrophe resolved. Leo hoped that the new chef would work out. Jim seemed unsure of his ability to succeed at his job, though he showed a great desire for cooking when Leo interviewed him. He wanted to see Jim realize his dream to eventually open his restaurant, and being his chef would give him much-needed experience for that. He decided to try to engage Jessica in conversation again.

―Do you like to dance? She looked up from the ice cream which she had been absentmindedly stirring with her spoon. He wondered when he would be able to get a moment to talk to her without others listening in. Whatever was on her mind, it was serious. It had been distracting her all evening.

―I'm not good at it, she finally stated.

―She hasn't had much practice, her father inserted. I'm sure that given time, she could master it. She closed her eyes and slowly opened them. She continued to stare at the bowl.

He assumed that she was embarrassed by her poor dancing skills. He leaned closer to her so that no one else could overhear him. I'm not very good at it either. Maybe if we dance together in between dinner parties, we'll get better at it. She sat straight up and her face grew bright red. He didn't think his comment was unsuitable before they got married. Am I being too forward?

―Please, Mr. Monroe, I don't feel very well. He immediately grew concerned. Do you need to lie down for a while?

―Yes, I do.

He stood up and found Constance Miller, his maid, and asked her to escort Jessica to a guest bedroom so she could lie down until she felt better. He knew it wouldn't be appropriate to show her to the room himself until after they were married. He was just as inexperienced as she was in regards to intimacy, but he didn't understand why talk of where to spend the honeymoon or dancing should upset her.