Excerpt from book "Specious Nephew"

"Ladies, please excuse me. I want to go to the water
closet before we leave," Jeffrey said, standing up.
"We all should think about that, shouldn't we, Gracie?"
asked Melinda.
Gracie didn't hear her. Jeffrey turned the wrong way
down the hall toward the outside door. Perhaps he didn't know
his way about, but if he didn't know the way to the water
closet, why hadn't he asked? Jeffery Armstrong didn't appear
to be the bashful type to her. She stared at the doorway, waiting
for him to realize his mistake and come back by.
"Gracie, don't you think we should think about leaving
soon? Gracie, are you listening to me?" persisted Melinda.
"What?" Gracie asked absently, not taking her eyes
from the door. It had been too long now. Jeffrey had to realize
his mistake. "Oh, I'm ready whenever the rest of you are." She
rubbed her arms. "I feel a bit chilly. I think I left my shawl out
on the hall table. I'll go get it."
"All right, dear," said Melinda. "Miss Moxie and I'll
wait here for you and Jeffrey."
Jeffrey wasn't in the hall. Perhaps he decided to leave
without saying anything. That would disappoint poor Melinda
if he decided to change his mind about taking them to the barn
dance. Gracie picked up her shawl. She draped it around her
shoulders and started back past the library. Puzzled that the
door was shut, she stopped. No one ever shut that door. She
placed her hand on the knob, giving it a gentle twist. She
pushed the door open a crack and peeked in.
Standing on a chair in front of the book shelves, Jeffrey
pulled a book out of the top shelf. He opened it and flipped
through a few pages. Closing it, he slipped the book inside his
suit jacket and stepped down from the chair. Gracie eased the
door shut as fast as she could and hurried to take her seat in the
parlor. What on earth was that man doing? If he wanted to read
a book why didn't he just say so? He lied about where he was
going. He shut the library door so no one would see what he
did. He stole one of Miss Molly's books, but he didn't know
much about priceless books. That brown covered book wasn't
one of the first additions so why would he want it?
Deep in thought, Gracie flinched at the sound of
Jeffrey's voice when he burst back into the parlor, announcing
he was ready to leave.
"Are you still cold now since you got your shawl from
the hall table, Gracie? If so you best bundle up good for the
ride out to Mr. Orie's farm. We need to get our coats. It'll be
cold tonight when we start home," instructed Melinda.
Gracie glanced at Jeffrey. He stared at her with a
smoldering expression on his face and one eyebrow raised.
"Maybe Miss Gracie hasn't had time to warm up, Aunt
Melinda. When did she get her shawl?" He asked, not taking
his eyes off Gracie.
"Just a few minutes ago," cheeped the little lady.
"Is that right? I do hope youve' warmed up by now,"
Jeffrey said. His voice was icy sounding through tightened lips.
"I'm fine," returned Gracie calmly, thinking some
things never change. Melinda always talked when she should
keep her mouth shut.
Jeffrey seemed to relax again. Maybe he decided she
hadn't seen anything with the door shut. She hoped that was the
case.