Chapter 11: A Lady Doesn't Kiss and Tell
Sunday morning started lazily. Usually, Trixie would have been up at the crack of dawn. She and Honey liked to be at Mr. Lytell's when the delivery man dropped off the daily news. But today, with company visiting, the papers could wait. Anyhow, Honey had other plans. She and her mother were going to the ballet in New York City and wouldn't be home until late. So Trixie decided she'd walk to the country store after breakfast.
On any other Sunday, Brian might have offered to drive her. But the jalopy would be out of commission until he could get the taillight replaced. Besides, Trixie had to run a dozen eggs to Mr. Maypenny, and the only way to the cabin was on foot. So a hike it'd be, which suited her just fine. It meant she'd be away longer.
The day before had been "enlightening", as Mart put it. I'd also been relatively uneventful. That is until Reddy decided to open his present from Aunt Alicia early. No amount of gift wrap could hide the scent of a tasty bone from an Irish setter's nose! And he'd nearly knocked over the Christmas tree in his attempt to find it.
But beyond that, Saturday had just been a family-catch-up-day. Daddy briefly spoke about improvements he'd made to the house, while Moms managed to get in a word or two about her summer garden. Of course, Trixie and her older brothers brought up the Bob-Whites whenever they got a chance. And Bobby had done his fair share of talking about his "bestest" friend Mikey too. But all and all, it'd been Aunt Alicia who'd monopolized the conversation with tales of her scandalous adventures and endless pearls of wisdom.
That is when Mrs. Belden hadn't kept the free-spoken woman's mouth full of food. She'd served the family three big meals, including dessert. And there'd been all kinds of snacks in between. Moms seemed to be going on the theory that as long as there was plenty to eat, a good time would be had by all. And at least, in Mart's case, it was working. Trixie had never seen him smile so much.
Today, however, the still-stuffed girl wished she hadn't made such a pig of herself. She could already feel the weight going to her middle and was more than ready to get a little exercise. Di had been right. If Trixie weren't careful, she'd easily put on ten pounds thanks to her mother's cooking.
So passing on a piece of French toast, the teenager settled on a simple glass of orange juice and then prepared for her journey.
She was at the front door, slipping on her boots when Aunt Alicia came out of the kitchen with the carton of eggs.
"We mustn't forget these, dear," she said, handing them to her niece.
Trixie's eyes nearly popped as she accepted the cardboard carton. "We?" she ventured cautiously, hoping her ears had fooled her.
"Why yes," Aunt Alicia replied. "I thought I'd go with you. Your mother's a wonderful cook, mind you. But if your dear aunt was to eat another morsel, I'm afraid she'd likely burst. We girls need to watch our figures, now don't we?"
Trixie nodded, but she hadn't been expecting the company. She'd even turned down Mart when he volunteered to tag along. "It's a pretty long walk, and the snows very deep," she tried to discourage the gung-ho woman. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather stay in, where it's nice and warm, Aunt Alicia?"
"Heavens no," her aunt replied. "Some air will do me good. Besides, this Maypenny fellow you've been telling me about sounds rather rogue. I must admit I'm intrigued. Living here, in the wilderness all these years, and your Aunt Alicia's never made his pleasure? Imagine! And he's bachelor, you say?"
The waylaid girl was now sorry that she had, said. Poor Mr. Maypenny had no idea what he was in for. But then again, neither did Trixie.
Trixie hadn't imagined Aunt Alicia could walk so fast. Her legs were longer than her niece's. But those high heeled boots should have slowed her down. Only her aunt walked in them as if they were snowshoes.
Reaching Mr. Lytell's store in record time, the two ladies made a quick stop at the stable to give Belle a sugar cube. For whatever reason, Aunt Alicia seemed to be in a terrible hurry, so Trixie didn't dawdle. Once done, they barged through the store door and picked the shortest route to the newspaper stand.
Mr. Lytell, who was helping another customer, glanced up with a start, dropping the can of yams he was ringing into the register. As he scuttled to retrieve the rolling cylinder, the flustered man knocked over his display of snow scrapers, which caused a terrible clatter.
Instinctively, Trixie scrambled to pick up the mess. But the floundering shopkeeper waved her away, giving her a funny look. So Trixie shrugged her shoulders and got in line. If Mr. Lytell wanted to be that way, well, that was his problem. Not hers.
Meanwhile, Aunt Alicia had been browsing through the hardware section, and as Trixie moved to the counter, her aunt came up with a package of thumbtacks. It seemed like a bizarre purchase. But Aunt Alicia was an odd lady, so Trixie did question it.
Tossing the push tacks atop the Sunday edition of the Sleepyside Sun, Trixie's picky aunt then selected two bags of mistletoe off the rack nearby and added them to the pile.
Mr. Lytell, focusing intently on Trixie, refused to give Aunt Alicia even a glance.
"Did your mother like the tree?" he asked the younger Miss Belden as he checked the ladies out.
"Oh yes," Trixie replied. "She said it's the nicest one we've ever had, Mr. Lytell."
The shopkeeper nodded and then noted, "As I said, the best one on the lot and at a ten percent discount too."
"A discount?!" Aunt Alicia tooted. "That, I don't believe for one minute. Why he probably raised the price first," she told Trixie with a sniff.
"Nice to see you too, Alicia," the sarcastic man replied. "I see you're up to your usual tricks," he added, as he reached for the packages of mistletoe.
Trixie gasped as Aunt Alicia's grin turned almost wicked.
"And I see you're still wasting away behind this old silly register, Bryce," the snippy woman said. "Such a shame too. No wonder there's no ring on your finger, dear."
As Mr. Lytell let out a low grumble, Trixie prepared to pay for their purchases; only Aunt Alicia beat her to the mark.
Slipping the gentleman a twenty-dollar bill, the older woman advised Mr. Lytell that he could keep the change. "And no need for a need a bag, Bryce," she added with her nose in the air. "You can save that penny, too."
Then, handing Trixie the newspaper, Aunt Alicia tucked the other items into her purse. And without saying goodbye, the puffed-up woman took her niece's arm and led her out the door.
"Boy, oh, boy!" Trixie cried once they were in the parking lot. "I thought I was the only one Lytell didn't like!"
"Now, why would that silly old man not like my sweet niece?" Aunt Alicia inquired. "Me? Well, that's another story. Your auntie and Mr. Lytell have a bit of a history, I'm afraid."
Trixie raised both eyebrows. "What kind of history?" she asked, as the ladies set off on the second leg of their journey. "The two of you couldn't be more night and day, Aunt Alicia."
Her aunt was now strolling along more slowly. Mr. Maypenny had cleared the path. But the terrain was uneven, making it a treacherous hike in high heels.
"You know what they say," the worldlier woman replied, "opposites attract. Only I must confess it was the love of money which drew us together. You see, when your Aunt Alicia was young and foolish, she and Mr. Bryce were engaged."
"Engaged!" Trixie cried, nearly stumbling in her tracks.
"Alas, it's true," Aunt Alicia sighed. "But it was doomed from the start, dear. My beau- to-be was a terrible tightwad. And as you know, your aunt prefers to be more gregarious in her spending. I wanted a big wedding, but he insisted we go to the justice of the peace. So I did the only thing I could. I called everything off."
Trixie could hardly believe her ears. If Aunt Alicia had married Mr. Lytell, that would have made him her uncle! That was an uncomfortable thought. It was difficult enough accepting that Miss Trask was spending time in the crotchety man's company. But her aunt?!
Apparently, the conversation made Aunt Alicia uncomfortable, too, for she changed it.
"Tell me more about this, Mr. Mangan," she urged, shaking Trixie out of her imaginings. "From what I've heard, your Dan sounds like a bit of a bad boy. And when I was your age, the girls would swoon over a young man like that."
"He's not really a bad boy at all," Trixie replied with a laugh. "Some of the girls at school do like to think he is. But Dan's more of a lone wolf. He keeps to himself a lot. Though, he does enjoy spending time with cousin Hallie when she's in town."
"Cousin Hallie!" Aunt Alicia cried. "You can't tell me he's attracted to that terrible green nail polish of hers? I shudder to think. You seem a much better match, Bea."
"Oh, Aunt Alicia, please don't call me Bea," Trixie moaned.
Aunt Alicia frowned at her niece. "If you insist," she said. "But it's so much prettier than 'Trixie', dear. Your grandmother went by Bea. But as I was saying, I should think that you and Mr. Mangan have much more in common? What with both of you hoping to be adventurous fighters of crime and what-not? Why it's almost from the pages of one of those romance novels your mother reads."
Once again, Trixie couldn't believe the words coming out of her aunt's mouth. The last thing the teenage girl needed was to have the dear lady meddle in her love life. Not that she had a love life. But Trixie certainly didn't want to tell Aunt Alicia that she already had special feelings for Jim. No, Trixie definitely didn't want to do that!
So she carefully tucked her silver I.D. bracelet under the band of her mitten. From here on out, she'd be sure to keep it hidden from view. And then, Trixie thought of the Saint Nicholas medal she was wearing around her neck. Should she hide that too? Or was she becoming overly paranoid?
"I don't know about Moms' novels," the nervous teen replied. "But Moms and Daddy think I'm too young to be dating." Hopefully, that would curb Aunt Alicia's matchmaking.
But Aunt Alicia returned, "Pish-posh. Your mother and father can try all they want, but they can't stop their beautiful bud from blooming. So best we get a move on, dear. We don't want to keep the gentlemen waiting, do we?"
"I suppose not," Trixie said with a sigh. Aunt Alicia wasn't going to turn back now. So best they get the visit over with.
At the cabin, the ladies found Dan and Mr. Maypenny, milling about in the front clearing. They had a fire burning in an old oil drum for warmth. And were busy decorating a large cedar tree with fabulous treats for their feathered friends. This was the men's Christmas tree. And it was like none Trixie had ever seen.
Grapefruit and orange halves filled with suet and birdseed served as ornaments. There were also pinecones spread with peanut butter. And even strings of popcorn dotted with deep maroon cranberries. But the most magical part was that the tree was alit with birds. As the gentlemen worked, the winged beauties flitted from branch to branch, sampling the goodies set before them.
"Well, who have we here?" Mr. Maypenny called out as he wiped his hands on a rag. He was a burly man, with a great handlebar mustache and booming voice. His hair, which was greying on the sides, was slicked back in a bygone style, which complimented his old-time woolen clothing.
"Mr. Maypenny, this is my Aunt Alicia," Trixie said, giving Dan a wink.
As Aunt Alicia smiled and held out her hand, Mr. Maypenny took her gloved fingertips and raised them to his lips.
"Very nice to meet you," he said in greeting.
Trixie and Dan both tried not to laugh as Aunt Alicia, totally charmed, batted back at the gamekeeper playfully.
"I had no idea we'd be in the company of such gentleman," she said to her niece. "Is this strapping young fellow here, the Mangan boy? Why he doesn't look at all like the lone wolf, you described. A wolf, perhaps, but he's much too handsome to be a loner. You're fortunate your aunt's not a few years younger or we'd have to fight over him, dear."
Trixie, who was utterly embarrassed, introduced her equally discomforted friend. And while Dan shook her aunt's hand, he carefully avoided his guardian's gallantries.
"Moms sends you her best," Trixie told Mr. Maypenny. "We've only brought a dozen eggs. But she said she should have another carton for you by the end of the week."
Mr. Maypenny gratefully accepted the box and then handed it over to Dan.
"The black walnuts I promised Mrs. Belden are in a bag in the root cellar," he said. "Why don't you and Trixie go fetch them while Aunt Alicia and I get better acquainted? You can take the eggs by the springhouse, and bring back the jugs of eggnog when you come."
"You can't trim a Christmas tree without a little eggnog, now can you?" he asked Trixie's aunt.
Trixie was having a hard time believing that this was the same Mr. Maypenny, who made hunter's stew and chopped down trees. There was something about Aunt Alicia that turned the toughest of men into babbling goo.
"Oh mercy no," Aunt Alicia replied, resting her hand on one of her host's arms. "It just wouldn't be proper at all, Mr. Maypenny."
"Oh, do call me Charles," he said informally.
Dan made a twirling motion at his temple with his finger making his curly-haired friend laugh. "I hate to interrupt," he said to Mr. Maypenny, "but I want to get this right. You want both jugs of eggnog? The one marked with an x too?"
"You heard me," the older man replied. "Now scoot. I'm sure this fine lady must be thirsty after her long trek."
When Trixie and Dan returned, they found the adults inside, sitting at the table chatting. Mr. Maypenny had set out four miss-matched juice glasses, and he instructed Dan to pour drinks for the young people from the unmarked bottle they'd brought back from the spring. In turn, Mr. Maypenny poured his glass and Aunt Alicia's from the jug marked X. This was his "select reserve", which contained a "secret" ingredient.
The creamy eggnog, Trixie learned, was a homemade concoction, which was as rich as it was thick. And a little went a long way. As a result, Dan and Mr. Maypenny only filled the glasses half full. Now, however, the enlightened girl understood where all of her mother's eggs had been going. And also why, Mr. Maypenny would need more before the holiday. There had to be a dozen in each batch!
So, with the ladies served, Mr. Maypenny raised his glass and called for a toast.
"To old friends and new acquaintances," their cheerful host said. "May the angels protect you, and your troubles forget you."
After clinking glasses, Aunt Alicia took a sip and smiled with delight. "Dear me, this is sinfully good," she admitted. "It seems you are as at home in the kitchen as you are in the woodshop, dear Charles. And may I say, your cabin is rustically exquisite. Though…" she added, pausing for effect.
Trixie giggled and braced herself for a humdinger. She might have been more worried about what her aunt was about to say if the eggnog hadn't been so delicious. Instead, the entertained young lady chose to sit back and enjoy the show.
"… it really could use a woman's touch," the unabashed older lady finished.
Aunt Alicia's heavy drink was now going down more quickly, and Mr. Maypenny grinned as he filled it back up - this time to the brim.
"I do suppose your right," he returned, topping off his own glass. "I dare say I'm open to suggestions?" he hinted friskily.
Trixie had a feeling this was the answer her aunt was hoping for, and it wasn't exactly a good feeling.
"Well, if it were me," Aunt Alicia began, confirming her niece's hunch. "I'd hang a ball of mistletoe over the entry, for starters. Being a fine bachelor of English descent, you really shouldn't be caught without one, Charles."
"Oh, not that!" Trixie thought to herself. Should she try to cut her aunt off at the pass? Maybe if she pretended to be ill…
Only it was too late. Aunt Alicia was already reaching into her oversized handbag.
And as she dug around, the crafty lady added, "But wouldn't you know? It just so happens I picked up a little tidbit at Mr. Lytell's this morning."
Mr. Maypenny grinned widely and replied, "Well, isn't that the darnedest coincidence? And you are very right, dear Alicia. I don't know why I didn't think to hang some there before? Perhaps it's because so few ladies, as lovely as yourself, have ever chanced upon my doorstep."
Aunt Alicia appeared to be blushing, but Trixie wasn't sure if it was due to the compliment or the secret ingredient in her drink. Either way, the result was the same. The older woman produced a piece of mistletoe and a tack from her pocketbook and then handed them to Mr. Maypenny.
And so it was, with a quick push of the woodsman's thumb, the tree-killing-parasite was in place. "Better?" Mr. Maypenny asked, as he stepped back to admire his handiwork.
Ducking gingerly under the greenery, Aunt Alicia began to pout.
"Why I'm not so sure," she replied melodramatically. "It doesn't appear to be working, Charles?"
The hearty man began to laugh. "Hmm?" he said. "Maybe I can fix it." And then, to teenagers' disbelief, the gamekeeper swept Aunt Alicia into his arms and gave her a kiss to remember. "Working now?" Mr. Maypenny wondered as he pulled away and winked.
"Goodness, yes," the overheated woman replied, fanning her face with her hand. "I'd suggest to Bryce that he put warning labels on those packages, but as you know, a lady doesn't kiss and tell."
At this point, Trixie had had her fill of syrupy banter and was more than ready to leave. From the dazed look on Dan's face, she knew her friend had had enough too.
"A lady also doesn't overstay her welcome," the young girl said as she checked her watch and shook her head. "Moms is expecting us for lunch, Aunt Alicia. We shouldn't be late."
"Thanks for the eggnog and the walnuts, Mr. Maypenny," Trixie added, as she slipped into her coat. "See you in the morning, Dan?"
Dan shook his head trying to clear his thoughts. "Sure thing," he replied, still a bit muddled. "Mikey's supposed to arrive at seven-thirty, right?"
"Yep," Trixie finished. "Moms says she'll have a basket of hot muffins waiting for everyone."
Then, as the teenage girl pushed Aunt Alicia toward the door, the older woman stopped suddenly, blocking her way.
That's when Trixie thought she heard Mr. Maypenny mumble, "Go on. You'll bring her bad luck if you don't."
Only before she could make sense of what he'd said, someone tapped the unsuspecting girl on her shoulder. Without thinking, Trixie turned and found a pair of sparkling eyes gazing inquisitively into her own.
"Care to give it a try?" Dan asked, as he pointed to the ceiling with a wolfish grin.
In a state of confusion, Trixie looked skyward, and then her face went white. She was standing under the mistletoe and hadn't even realized it. Aunt Alicia had set her up!
Without answering, the distressed young lady spun around and shoved the despicable woman out of her way.
With or without her aunt, Trixie Belden was going home, and not coming back. Mart Belden would have to bring the next batch of eggs!