CHAPTER 13

A PROPOSITION

I could hear the faint clamor of china as I glided down the oak staircase. Turning the corner, I saw a dining table, gleaming beneath a bravura chandelier suspended from the ceiling. Katrina sat at the far side of the table, daintily sipping tea. Ichabod sat across from Katrina, his back towards me, politely thanking a fair-haired servant for serving the meal. The servant cast a weatherworn smile when she noticed me. "Miss Olsen, please take your seat," she gestured to a chair next to Katrina. Ichabod stood up when he heard my name, and as I walked to my seat, he kindly addressed me: "Ah, Melanie. Nice for you to join us." He only sat when I sat and I felt uncomfortable at his polite actions, as rising for a lady was only something performed if the lady was of higher class than the man who rose. It dignified the respect the man held for the woman, and I could hardly consider Ichabod's gesture appropriate considering I held no class and was residing in his home for the time being.

I sat awkwardly as my plate was pilled with pork, vegetables, biscuits, and other fares. My eyes stayed focused on the napkin folded in my lap, as no one was talking and the only noise that occupied the room was the clanking of silverware against china. I took exceedingly tiny bites from my meal and it was only after the first few hit the pit of my empty stomach, I realized how hungry I actually was. The food was incredibly appetizing and I took particular care to ensure I remained a lady in my manners; not a bite too big, too fast, or too numerous.

It was only when we were halfway through the course, that Katrina finally broke the silence. "So, Miss Olsen, where do you call home?"

I immediately swallowed the food I had in my mouth and cleared my throat. "New York, I suppose."

"You suppose?" Katrina laid down her butter knife and fork, and folded her hands in her lap.

"Yes," I stabbed a piece of pork on my plate and watched as the juices seeped from the meat. "I've traveled quite a bit."

"I see," she said. "I love New York. We lived there for a few months not long ago. It was all so big, and all the buildings and lights…" I could almost see some of New York's finest architecture gleam in whites of her eyes.

"It's a city that will steal your heart," I said taking a sip of the zinfandel looking coldly at Ichabod like I could see right through him. He was looking nervously at his plate, toying with his food. The stench of the rat grew stronger. Had Ichabod lied to me when he said Katrina hadn't liked New York? Or was Katria lying by saying she had loved it? I glanced in her direction. No, she probably isn't even capable of telling a little white lie, I thought.

"What are your plans from here?" Katrina lightly dabbed her napkin to her mouth.

"I don't really know. I didn't really expect the present situation," I spoke shyly and avoided eye contact. "You and Ich – The Constable have been extremely kind and generous. I don't know how I can ever thank you enough."

"Well, if it would interest you, I do need an extra hand around the house, and you could continue boarding in your quarters temporarily until you find something a little more permanent." A dry lump accumulated in my throat, and I looked at Ichabod whose mouth was wide open and his fork was stalled in midair.

"Katrina, dear, I really don't think Miss Olsen would take to…" he spoke softly and nervously while he set his fork on the edge of his plate.

"Thank you, but I really don't…" as I tired to think of an excuse to politely decline her request a pang of relief came over me. True, things were going be tremendously uncomfortable with Ichabod, but Katrina's offer gave me a sense of security. Before, I had been blind to where I would be in twenty-four hours, but if I accepted, I would at least know that I had a roof over my head and a bed to return to each night.

"Nonsense," Katrina smiled warmly at her husband and spoke as if I were not there. "Ichabod, where would she go? It's the least we could do, and besides it is quite tiring keeping up with all the housekeeping by myself. I know you're not fond of hired help, but this solution would benefit all of us."

Ichabod sighed his defeat, "very well." He than shot me a glance that almost knocked me from my chair and made me realize the evident; perhaps residing under the same roof as Ichabod wouldn't be as easy as I thought.