To Steal a Heart

by Jen Turano

  Nicholas dashed after Gabriella but found himself plowing directly into her when she suddenly stopped moving.

  Grabbing hold of her arm, he helped her regain her balance, then turned and frowned when he caught sight of Winston leaping from his carriage, quite unlike the cowardly dog he usually was, as he charged directly for Precious.

  “What do you think he’s doing?” Gabriella asked.

  “No idea.” Nicholas started forward, his attention on Precious as she barked her way closer to Winston, the white ball that made up her tail moving back and forth at a furious rate. Nicholas slowed his pace, though, when Precious’s barks suddenly turned to yips, and then Winston began yipping as well.

  Incredulity left Nicholas rooted to the spot as he found himself watching what looked to be a scene right out of a romance novel, albeit with dogs instead of the expected human hero and heroine.

  Precious’s white fur was ruffling in the breeze as she pranced Winston’s way, while Winston suddenly adopted a most confident air as he strutted forward. A mere blink of an eye later, the dogs met, and then Precious was licking Winston’s face and receiving licks from him in return.

  “This is going to be difficult to explain to Mrs. Goelet,” Gabriella said, coming up beside him.

  “Looks like Winston found that lady friend on his own,” Gus called, hurrying toward them while giving the two dogs a wide berth. He stopped and gave a rueful shake of his head. “I wouldn’t have thought he’d be able to attract a dog like that. She seems rather high in the instep for a mutt like Winston, but it might be one of those cases of love being blind.”

  “It’s a love that’s bound to come to a bad end because I can’t see Mrs. Goelet allowing Precious to take up with a mutt,” Gabriella said, taking a step forward and snapping her fingers. “Precious, come here.”

  “How do you know my dog’s name?” Miss Langtry demanded, rushing up to join them, the pink of her cheeks exactly matching the color of her traveling cloak.

  “You called her that after she leapt from your buggy,” Gabriella pointed out.

  “Oh yes, I did,” Miss Langtry said as Eunice bustled up to join them as well, still holding the large painting under her arm.

  Stopping next to Gabriella, Eunice hoisted the painting up, lifted her veil the tiniest bit, looked the painting over, then looked at Precious. “Looks like we found her.”

  Miss Langtry raised a hand to her throat. “Is that a painting of my Precious?”

  “I’m afraid she’s not your Precious,” Eunice said.

  “Of course she is,” Miss Langtry argued. “Mr. Thomas Goelet, my soon-to-be fiancé, surprised me with her just the other day after I remarked that I’d seen numerous ladies in the company of poodles.”

  “Mr. Thomas Goelet isn’t yours either, Miss Langtry, and he’s certainly not about to become your fiancé,” Eunice said.

  Gabriella rolled her eyes. “I believe it’s time for you to return to the carriage, Eunice. I’ll take matters from here.”

  Eunice cocked a veil-covered head. “Have I been too straightforward with Miss Langtry?”

  “Matters such as these require a bit of sensitivity, something you certainly lacked just now,” Gabriella returned. “But again, I’ll take it from here. I’m sure Ivan would be vastly relieved to have you safely inside your carriage, far removed from what is definitely going to be an unpleasant disclosure.”

  “Absolutely not,” Eunice protested. “How am I to learn more about the way to conduct inquiries if I’m not present during an interrogation?”

  “I’m in for an interrogation?” Miss Langtry whispered, the color leaking from her face.

  Gabriella released a sigh. “Of course not, Miss Langtry, but I do have some unfortunate news I have to disclose to you, and the sooner the better, I think. Precious does not belong to you because she belongs to someone else . . . Mrs. Goelet, to be exact.”

  “Thomas gave me his mother’s dog?” Miss Langtry breathed as more color disappeared from her face.

  “Not his mother’s dog, dear,” Eunice said. “His wife’s dog.”

  Nicholas was not surprised when Gabriella gave another roll of her eyes and pointed to Eunice’s carriage, which was drawing to a stop a few feet away from them.

  “Thomas has a wife?” Miss Langtry asked, swaying slightly on her feet.

  After sending Eunice a look of clear warning when she refused to repair to the carriage, Gabriella turned back to Miss Langtry. “I’m afraid he does. The inquiry agency I work with was recently hired by Mrs. Thomas Goelet to recover Precious after the dog went missing. In the process of investigating the disappearance, we became aware that Mr. Goelet had set an interested eye on you, Miss Langtry, which is why my associate and I are in the park today, after learning you enjoy taking an afternoon ride before your nightly performance. We thought Mr. Goelet might have turned Precious over to you, which we’ve now ascertained he did.”

  Miss Langtry’s forehead scrunched. “But what if this isn’t the Precious you’re looking for? I hardly believe Thomas would have given me his wife’s dog. Or if he did, I would imagine he would have, at the very least, changed its name to avoid getting caught.”

  “He could very well have tried to change Precious’s name, but perhaps she wouldn’t answer to a new one, or maybe he didn’t have time to get Precious a new collar. Her name is engraved on the one she’s wearing, isn’t it?”

  “It is, but Thomas couldn’t have given Precious a new collar because the clasp is stuck on the one she’s wearing now. He tried to remove it the other day, but it wouldn’t budge.”

  “Well, there you have it,” Eunice said. “The reason behind not changing Precious’s name.”

  Miss Langtry shot a glance to Eunice, shuddered, then returned her attention to Gabriella. “You mentioned you work for an inquiry agency?”

  “Forgive me, I’ve not introduced myself. I’m Miss Goodhue of the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency.”

  Miss Langtry waved a gloved hand back and forth in front of her face. “This is all very unsettling, and I simply don’t know what to think.” Her waving increased. “Thomas told me he loves me and even found an apartment for me. He also purchased me a new wardrobe, along with my pink buggy, and told me that after we get married, I’ll not have to act again.” She dashed a lone tear from her cheek. “I’ve recently realized that acting doesn’t suit me at all. It’s far too complicated, and I have a horrible time trying to learn all the lines I’m expected to know. I’m convinced I’m far more suited to a life of leisure.”

  Gabriella stepped closer to Miss Langtry. “I’m sorry to have to be the bearer of such distressing news, but Thomas Goelet will never marry you. He may very well believe he’s in love with you, but given his vast history of philandering, there’s every indication he’ll tire of you within the year.”

  “I don’t know what philandering means,” Miss Langtry whispered, looking more than pathetic.

  “It’s a term used to describe a man who casually enters into relationships with women . . . those relationships being of the intimate kind,” Gabriella said.

  Miss Langtry’s mouth made an O of surprise. “I had no idea that was Thomas’s intention and can only be thankful that we’ve not shared so much as a single kiss.”

  “Which is probably why he gave you Precious, to speed matters up,” Eunice muttered, earning an arch of a brow from Gabriella, which Eunice ignored.

  Turning back to Miss Langtry, Gabriella took hold of the lady’s pink-gloved hand. “I’m very sorry for what’s happened to you, Miss Langtry. I understand that you came to New York from a farm in Ohio. Is there a chance you’re keen to return home after having experienced some of the worst New York has to offer?”

  “I’d be embarrassed to return to my parents and have to admit they were right about my not finding success on the stage.”

  “I imagine your parents will be relieved to have you back home, and with most of your reputation still intact,” Gabriella said. />
  “But I don’t have enough money to get back there. I’ve already spent the money I earned from my performances, and Thomas hasn’t gotten around to setting up that personal account he promised me.”

  “Of course he hasn’t,” Eunice said briskly, stepping forward, which had Miss Langtry withdrawing her hand from Gabriella and taking a few steps backward. Eunice didn’t appear to notice because she’d turned her attention to Miss Langtry’s buggy. “He has, however, given you that, which I, as a representative of the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency, will be more than happy to help you sell.” She looked to Miss Langtry. “Dare I hope he gave you some jewelry?”

  “He did.”

  Eunice moved to Miss Langtry’s side. “We’ll sell that too, which should leave you money to spare.”

  “Isn’t the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency working for Mrs. Goelet?”

  “We are, but we’re an agency that strives to assist women in need, and you, Miss Langtry, are certainly in need.” Eunice turned to Gabriella. “Ivan and I will take her back to her apartment to gather her things, then I’ll take her to the boardinghouse. Luckily, we have a spare room available since Jennette and her mother have repaired to the Linwood house.” She nodded to Nicholas. “You’ll see Gabriella home?”

  “I will, and I can also accompany her to the Goelet home to make certain she doesn’t run into any difficulties while returning Precious.”

  Eunice handed Gabriella the painting. “You’ll need to give this back to Mrs. Goelet. I’m sure she’s anxious to return it to the wall with the rest of her many canine portraits.” She turned to Miss Langtry. “Shall we get on our way?”

  Miss Langtry shot a desperate look to Gabriella. “I’m not sure I want to go with this woman, and why do I have to ride in her carriage? I have a perfectly lovely pink buggy of my own.”

  Eunice waved that aside before Gabriella could respond. “You’re coming with me because I don’t trust you not to change your mind about Thomas. I assure you, dear, if you seek him out now, he’ll spin a pretty tale for you, and then, soon after that, you’ll find yourself well and truly ruined.”

  Miss Langtry drew in a shuddering breath. “You’re very terrifying.” She turned to Gabriella. “Couldn’t you just have Mr. Quinn return Precious to her rightful owner so you could ride with me in my buggy back to my apartment?”

  Gabriella shook her head. “I’m afraid not, Miss Langtry. It’s my case, so I need to personally return Precious. Nevertheless, Mrs. Holbrooke’s not a bad sort. You’ll be fine in her company, and I’ll see you back at the boardinghouse because I live there as well.”

  “Come along, Miss Langtry,” Eunice said, taking hold of Miss Langtry’s arm and tugging her forward.

  Miss Langtry glanced over her shoulder at Precious and grimaced. “I can’t say I’m distraught about letting Precious go. She’s a horrible dog. Be mindful of her teeth. She bites.”

  “Of course she does,” Gabriella said as Eunice and Miss Langtry walked to the carriage, Ivan assisting them into it before he climbed back on the driver’s seat and set the carriage into motion, Miss Langtry’s driver following behind them in the pink buggy.

  Nicholas caught Gabriella’s eye. “I’ll get Precious, you get Winston, and then, together, we’ll take Precious back to Mrs. Goelet.”

  “I certainly am glad you came to find me today,” Gabriella said, nodding to where Precious and Winston were gazing soulfully into each other’s eyes. “I don’t particularly care to be bitten, something Precious would surely do to me since she’s obviously prone to biting and I seem to be a magnet for dogs like that.”

  “Which begs the question why you agreed to work a case that involved a dog to begin with.”

  “I thought being paid to look into a dog-napping might help me get over my fear of them.” She set down the portrait and shoved aside a stray strand of hair that had escaped its pins. “Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case because the mere sight of Precious has sent my knees to knocking.”

  “There’s no need for the knocking because I’ll get Precious. Winston won’t give you any trouble. He likes you, especially when you speak pirate to him.”

  “I’m going to have to try to become more fluent,” Gabriella said before she started forward, stopping when Precious turned from Winston and bared her teeth. “Ahoy, matey,” Gabriella called, nodding to Winston. “What say we pirates go for a wee ride?”

  “I’m not certain wee is a pirate word.”

  “Winston’s wagging his tail, so I don’t believe he really understands pirate talk. It’s all about the tone of the voice.” She snapped her fingers Winston’s way. “Come here, you scallywag.”

  It was not a good sign when Winston didn’t budge.

  “Winston, the carriage,” Nicholas said, which only earned him a reproachful look out of Winston’s one eye, quite as if the dog was letting Nicholas know he’d embarrassed him by ordering him about in front of his new lady love.

  “I’ve got some chicken,” Gus called from the carriage, holding up what looked to be a piece of his lunch.

  In the blink of an eye, Winston, with Precious by his side, was dashing for the carriage, leaping into it after Gus tossed the chicken inside.

  “That was very resourceful of you, Gus,” Gabriella said, picking up the portrait and walking toward him.

  “Resourcefulness is a skill one never forgets after living on the streets,” Gus said, holding the door for Gabriella, who climbed inside, then made room for Nicholas after he told Gus to take them to the Goelet residence.

  The ride through the park and then down Fifth Avenue passed quickly with Nicholas asking question after question about the agency and Gabriella becoming more and more animated as she told him about their future plans.

  As she talked, he couldn’t pull his attention from her face, appreciating the expressiveness of it and smiling when she kept using her hands as she talked, something he’d forgotten she did when she was enthusiastic about something.

  “Why do you keep looking at me like that?” she suddenly asked.

  “Like what?”

  “I don’t know, but it’s odd.”

  He smiled. “I was just enjoying being us for a change—the old us, the us who could talk to each other about anything. I’ve missed that.” His gaze sharpened. “I’m finding myself wondering if, since we have begun talking easily to each other again, and you’re willing to help me out with the society lady issue, you’re now considering resuming our friendship?”

  She held his gaze for a long moment before she, to his relief, nodded. “It does seem as if I’ve changed my position on our friendship, probably because I’ve realized I’ve missed talking to you as well. However, with that said, I don’t know how we’re going to go about maintaining a friendship. How will we be able to keep it under wraps, and what will we do if any of your society friends happen upon us when we’re together?”

  “I never said anything about keeping our friendship under wraps. If any of my friends happen upon us, I expect I’ll introduce you to them.”

  “You can’t introduce me to your society friends. They’ll be scandalized.”

  “Unfortunately, I’m sure some of them will be, but hopefully, not all of them.”

  “I guarantee most of the ladies you’ve set your eye on will be scandalized if you introduce me to them. I also guarantee whichever lady you do decide to marry will have an issue with our friendship.”

  “I’m not going to deny our friendship to anyone.”

  Gabriella frowned. “Forgive me, Nicholas, but I have to ask what brought all of this about. You’re acting very . . .”

  “Conflicted?”

  “Indeed.”

  Nicholas raked a hand through his hair. “I feel conflicted of late, and not simply about the lady business. Truth be told, I’ve been considering a lot about my life ever since you and I reunited. That only intensified after I visited the Knickerbocker Club earlier today and had a rather unpleasant exchange wit
h one of the members there, Mr. Chauncey de Peyster. That exchange brought to the forefront a prevalent callousness many society members hold against those not of their station.” He blew out a breath. “And while I’d love to say I was unaware such callousness still existed, that would be a lie. But even knowing that attitude was alive and well, I’ve never spoken up against it until today.”

  “I bet that went over well with Mr. Chauncey de Peyster.”

  “Quite.” Nicholas shook his head. “He didn’t linger in my company, but then I had another troubling conversation with Professor Cameron directly after Chauncey took his leave. The conversation with Professor Cameron left me very unsettled, and after he and I parted ways, I decided I needed to hear from a voice of reason, hence my desire to find you. As Gus and I tried to track you down, I used some of that time to gather my thoughts, and one thought in particular kept coming back to me—opportunity.

  “I recently told you how I’ve believed for some time that God sent me to Professor Cameron as an opportunity to better myself and my life. Ever since reuniting with you, though, I’ve been left wondering if I’ve been wrong about that, or perhaps, better put, if I’ve been wrong about how I’ve looked at the opportunity I’ve been given. Frankly, I can’t help but think that I’ve squandered the opportunity God gave me by living a frivolous life.”

  Gabriella frowned. “Your improved circumstances in life have allowed you to hire people from the Lower East Side.”

  “True, but it’s not a significant number of people.”

  “I imagine Gus, Billie, Minnie, Bridget, and whomever else you’ve helped find what you’ve offered them fairly significant.”

  “Perhaps, but I could and should do more. I have the means to assist a great many people. I simply need to figure out how to use my resources most effectively.” His gaze sharpened on her again as an intriguing idea flashed to mind. “What would you say to my offering the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency assistance with some of its cases?”

  “That’s a rather unexpected proposition.”

  He leaned toward her. “I agree, but you mentioned that the agency, besides assisting ladies of society, has also seen numerous women without means who are seeking aid. I could assist you with those cases because I wouldn’t need to be paid, which means the agency wouldn’t suffer a loss from taking on cases that can’t generate revenue.”