by Turano, Jen
Harriet crossed her arms over her chest. “Fine, since it appears I’m stuck here, due to the massive jaws of your beast, tell me, Mr. Addleshaw, what exactly do you have in mind? I’ll give you sixty seconds to explain.”
“Don’t you think it would be more comfortable to discuss this in my nice, warm office?”
“You don’t have an office at the moment. Miss Birmingham turned it into a dressing room, and you’re down to forty seconds.”
A vein began to throb on Mr. Addleshaw’s forehead. “Very well, since you’re obviously intent on being unreasonable, I’ll explain while the two of us get completely drenched.”
“You’re obviously confusing me with Miss Birmingham. I’m never unreasonable.”
“In all fairness, Miss Peabody, I do hope that little statement didn’t take further seconds off my allotted time.”
Seeing absolutely no point in arguing further with the man, Harriet tried her hand at releasing a sniff, just like Mrs. Birmingham had done numerous times during their ridiculous exchange. To her acute embarrassment, though, it turned out that sniffing was not actually advisable when it was pouring down rain, because water tended to immediately be sucked up one’s nose. She sneezed, snorted, sneezed again, and finally managed a halfhearted wave in his direction. “Continue, if you please.”
Mr. Addleshaw reached into the pocket of his ill-fitted jacket and retrieved a handkerchief, although it seemed to be a struggle for him to get it out of his pocket. He shook it out and handed it to her.
“Thank you,” she mumbled as she sniffled into the handkerchief.
“You’re welcome.” He studied her for a moment. “Shall I continue?”
“I’m waiting with bated breath to hear what you’ll say next.”
“Ah, sarcasm, how refreshing,” he said pleasantly. “But allow me to return to my proposition. I regrettably have to admit that, because of Miss Birmingham’s behavior, I currently find myself in a bit of a quandary.”
“That must be an unusual circumstance for someone like you.”
“I do believe I’m about to find that sarcasm of yours more annoying than refreshing, but . . . Oh! I think I understand now how I insulted you. Really, Miss Peabody, I wasn’t trying to throw aspersions on your status in—”
“Your time’s almost up.”
He sent her a glare. “If you don’t want to hear the rest of my apology, that’s fine with me, however I did not—”
“You don’t apologize often, do you?” she interrupted when it appeared Mr. Addleshaw was getting ready to launch into a full-scale tirade that would undoubtedly insult her further.
His jaw turned rigid. “You’re beginning to try my patience, but getting back to the business at hand . . . I need a lady.”
“A . . . lady?”
“Indeed, and I’ve decided you’ll do nicely.”
Harriet frowned. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
“It’s simple. Gentlemen of business are expected to abide by certain unspoken rules. One of those rules has to do with having a lovely lady by our side while we entertain our associates. Since Miss Birmingham has proven herself unfit for that position, I’m in need of a replacement, a lovely bit of femininity, if you will, to hang on my arm and my every word as I go about the tricky business of negotiating a deal with a duke. I’ve come to the conclusion you would fit that role admirably.”
For a moment, words were impossible to produce, but only for a moment. “Am I to understand you believe I’m a ‘lovely bit of femininity’?”
Mr. Addleshaw had the audacity to grin. “Well, not at the moment. You’re more of a sodden mess than a lovely bit of anything. But I imagine with the proper clothing and a fashionable hairstyle, you’d be a charming asset, one the Duke of Westmoore would appreciate.”
Harriet yanked on her skirt, effectively pulling it away from Buford, who’d been gnawing at the hem, before she bobbed a curtsy in Mr. Addleshaw’s direction. “You’re delusional, and no, I won’t be accepting your offer.” With that, she spun around and walked as quickly as she could through the stream that had once been the sidewalk.
“I’ll give you five hundred dollars.”
Pride warred with practicality as Harriet’s steps faltered. Practicality won and had her turning. “Five hundred dollars?”
“Indeed, which, for someone . . .”
“If you finish that sentence, I assure you, Mr. Addleshaw, our conversation will be at an immediate end.”
Mr. Addleshaw frowned. “You’re very touchy, aren’t you.”
“And you’re very insulting and condescending.”
Waving her words away with a flick of his wrist, a motion that almost caused one of his jacket seams to come completely apart, Mr. Addleshaw stalked closer to her. “So will you do it?”
Harriet considered him for a moment. He seemed so sure of himself, so very arrogant in his belief that she’d accept his offer that, instead of nodding—something she knew she should be doing—she shook her head instead. “No.”
“What do you mean—no?”
“I thought my answer was self-explanatory.”
“You’re being ridiculous. You’re a hat girl, one who is soon to be without a position. I can’t imagine opportunities like this come your way often.”
Her hands clenched into fists. “Miss Birmingham was right. You, sir, are a complete and utter boor, and . . .” Her words trailed off when she noticed an elderly gentleman dressed in black hobbling toward them through the rain, clutching a large umbrella in his hand. He stopped a few feet away from her, bent over as he drew in a few gasping breaths, straightened, wheezed a few times, and then opened his mouth. “I say, I could not believe . . .” He stopped speaking as another wheeze racked his aging body.
The irritation that had been pouring through Harriet ever since she’d made the acquaintance of Mr. Addleshaw evaporated into thin air. Here was clear proof there were still good people in the world. The elderly gentleman had obviously witnessed her quarreling with Mr. Addleshaw and was coming to her aid. Moving closer to the man, her lips curved into a smile, until she caught his eye and found herself pinned under the man’s beady glare. He released a sniff, one that, annoying enough, didn’t cause him to erupt into sneezing, and then edged closer to Mr. Addleshaw, placing the umbrella directly over that insufferable man’s head.
“Shall I summon the authorities, sir?”
Harriet’s temper roared back to life. “There is absolutely no reason to summon any authorities,” she snapped before Mr. Addleshaw could respond. “I’ve done nothing wrong, whereas Mr. Addleshaw . . . Well, I hardly believe now is the appropriate time to discuss all of his transgressions, since it does seem to be raining harder than ever.”
The elderly gentleman somehow managed to look down his nose at her, even though they were of a similar height. “From what I just witnessed, you were about to assault Mr. Addleshaw.”
“Just because I was thinking about it, doesn’t mean I was planning on seeing it through to fruition.”
“A lady should never contemplate slapping a gentleman, especially not one of Mr. Addleshaw’s social standing.”
“I wasn’t thinking about slapping him,” Harriet muttered. “He deserved much more than a simple slap for being under the misguided belief that, simply because he has deep pockets, everyone should cater to his ridiculous whims.”
The elderly gentleman’s expression turned confused. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.” He looked to Mr. Addleshaw. “What is she talking about?”
“Miss Peabody has evidently taken issue with the idea I’d like to hire her to stand in as my lady of choice as I negotiate my business deal with the duke.”
The gentleman’s eyebrow rose until it disappeared beneath a shock of white and dripping hair. “Lady of choice?”
“Surely after witnessing that scene with Miss Birmingham you can understand my reasoning, Mr. Blodgett. Hiring a companion is the perfect answer to my current dilemma of not being attached to
a lady. Also, I won’t have to leave matters to chance with a temperamental society lady, since I’ll be paying Miss Peabody to behave appropriately.”
Mr. Blodgett sent Mr. Addleshaw a look that had disapproval written all over it. “I’m afraid your reasoning is a little faulty, sir, since such things are never done, especially amongst the quality. Why, if you ask me, your idea sounds completely untoward.”
“It’s nothing of the sort,” Mr. Addleshaw argued. “If anything, my idea should be looked upon as an act of charity since Miss Peabody is soon to lose her position and will benefit greatly through the funds I’m willing to give her.” He completely ignored Harriet’s huff of disbelief and continued speaking even when she began to mutter under her breath. “Why, accepting a position that will only require Miss Peabody to look lovely and act in a charming fashion will surely have to feel like a holiday to a young lady used to spending tedious hours assembling hats.”
Mr. Blodgett considered Mr. Addleshaw for a moment before he moved away from him and toward Harriet, taking the umbrella as he moved and leaving Mr. Addleshaw standing in the downpour.
Harriet felt the rain stop beating against her hat as Mr. Blodgett angled the umbrella over her head, right before he pressed the handle of it into her hand.
“He’s normally a very rational gentleman, Miss Peabody, but I fear the rain and his unfortunate interaction with Miss and Mrs. Birmingham have affected his mental capabilities at the moment.”
Mr. Blodgett patted Harriet on the shoulder, shook his head at Mr. Addleshaw, and then began hobbling away without another word. She looked back to Mr. Addleshaw, finding him peering through the rain with a bemused expression on his dripping face.
“How very odd,” Mr. Addleshaw muttered. “Mr. Blodgett has never questioned my mental capacities before. It’s quite unlike the gentleman. However, my butler’s peculiar attitude has nothing to do with the matter we were discussing. Would you agree to my offer if I upped the amount to one thousand dollars?”
Harriet barely managed to choke back the yes that had been on the very tip of her tongue. “I think not.”
Mr. Addleshaw’s brows smashed together. “I only need your services for a few weeks, a month at the most, just until I secure the duke’s agreement to allow me to invest in his wool business.”
Before she could swallow what little pride she had left and accept the offer, Mr. Addleshaw let out a very loud grunt.
“Fine, two thousand dollars, then, and an allowance for a few new garments.”
She knew her eyes had to be as wide as saucers. The man was clearly insane. No one in their right mind would offer two thousand dollars and an allowance for clothing for a few weeks’ work. “Ah . . . ” was all she seemed capable of saying.
“Three thousand, but that’s my final offer.”
Harriet’s mouth dropped open.
He really was insane, and it seemed she might be a little as well because . . . “Very well. You win, Mr. Addleshaw, because that is an offer I’m incapable of refusing.”
4
The moment those unfortunate words slipped out of her mouth, Harriet desperately wanted to call them back.
Agreeing to be Mr. Addleshaw’s companion was sheer madness. No matter that the gentleman had just offered her a small fortune to attempt it, she knew perfectly well she wasn’t up for the daunting task of mingling with society members.
Scuffing her shoe through the water that swirled around her feet, she lifted her chin and discovered Mr. Addleshaw watching her with what appeared to be a trace of surliness on his face. “Is something the matter?”
He grimaced. “What could possibly be the matter? I’ve gotten exactly what I wanted. You at my beck and call for the next few weeks with no expectations of a trip down the altar.”
There was definitely an edge to his voice, that edge causing her lips to curl. “Were you not intending to offer me so much for my cooperation?”
“I would have paid twice what you agreed to.”
Her lips curled up another notch. “Now you’re just being sulky.”
To her surprise, Mr. Addleshaw let out a grunt and then, strangely enough, smiled. “Perhaps you’re right, Miss Peabody. If you must know—and it pains me to admit this—I’m unused to anyone, especially a lady, besting me in a business negotiation. You, my dear, have managed to do just that, and while speaking relatively few words in the process.”
His admission took her aback, even as she found herself returning his smile. “Would it be churlish of me to gloat a little?”
“Gloating is not in your job description, but perhaps now you’ll finally agree to accompany me back to my dry home, where we can delve into exactly what I expect of you during the coming weeks.”
Reality returned to smack her in the face. “Forgive me, Mr. Addleshaw, but I must speak frankly. I rarely act impulsively, but I fear that is the case today. You should know that I’m not one who enjoys being at anyone’s beck and call. I believe we’re making a huge . . .”
The rest of her words got lost as a strong gust of wind blew out of nowhere, wrenching the umbrella out of her hand and her hat from her head. She turned to run after them, but rain began falling more heavily than ever right as a flash of lightning lit up Fifth Avenue, followed by a boom that almost had her jumping out of her shoes.
“We need to get out of the storm,” Mr. Addleshaw yelled as he took hold of her arm.
The second his hand touched her sleeve, Harriet felt as if she’d been struck by lightning. A bolt of something incredibly disturbing traveled up her arm and then all over her body. Her feet remained rooted to the spot, even though Mr. Addleshaw was trying to tug her forward.
“Miss Peabody, whatever is wrong with you?” he shouted.
“Didn’t you feel that?”
“Indeed I did, which proves the lightning is far too close for comfort.”
Relief was immediate. It hadn’t been Mr. Addleshaw’s touch that had tingles still resonating all over her, it had been the lightning. Ducking her head when another gust of wind whipped around them, she clutched Mr. Addleshaw’s arm and allowed him to hustle her down the sidewalk. As they approached his mansion, she stumbled when Mr. Addleshaw suddenly stopped moving. She squinted through the rain and found none other than Mr. Blodgett once again struggling their way. He was trying his very best to keep a grip on another umbrella, but the umbrella was turned inside out, not affording the poor man a single piece of protection against the storm.
“What are you doing, Mr. Blodgett?” Mr. Addleshaw called.
The elderly man pressed forward, hobbling faster than ever until he reached them. He angled the useless umbrella over his head and scowled at Mr. Addleshaw. “We have a slight problem back at the house, sir.”
“And this problem forced you out into this horrid weather because it is grave enough that it couldn’t wait until I returned?”
Mr. Blodgett shifted his attention to Harriet. “Well, no, sir. It couldn’t wait—especially because she’s still with you.” The butler stepped closer to Harriet. “My dear, why haven’t you taken your leave?”
“Miss Peabody and I have recently agreed to join forces,” Mr. Addleshaw answered for her.
“Oh . . . dear, that’s a troubling state of affairs.” Mr. Blodgett drew in a wheezy breath and shook his head. “Well, she can’t come into the house.”
Hurt, mixed with indignation, stole through Harriet, even though she should have expected nothing less from Mr. Addleshaw’s staff. She’d told Mr. Blodgett exactly what Mr. Addleshaw required of her, and it hardly spoke well of her character that she’d agreed to take on the role of a lovely bit of femininity. She ducked her head and hoped the color she knew was now staining her cheeks would go unnoticed.
“Honestly, Mr. Blodgett, I do believe this storm has rattled not my brain but yours.” Mr. Addleshaw gave her arm a squeeze, sending additional pesky tingles up it. “Of course Miss Peabody is welcome in my home. I’m surprised you’d say differently.”
Mr. Addleshaw’s brows drew together. “Mr. Birmingham’s in my home. . . . now?”
“Indeed he is. He evidently decided to come early, believing there would be celebration news to enjoy before the two of you got down to business. However, now that he’s come to the conclusion something is dreadfully amiss, I fear he’s beginning to become agitated.”
Harriet began backing slowly away. “I think I’ll just be on my way now, and clearly our deal is going to have to come to a rapid end. I’d hate to think what would happen if we’d run into the Birminghams while I was trying to help you entertain your duke.”
“That might be for the best,” Mr. Blodgett agreed.
“No, it’s not,” Mr. Addleshaw argued, as he pulled Harriet back to his side. “The entire Birmingham family has been entirely too presumptuous. I never broached the subject of marriage to Miss Birmingham. I’m sure that after I bring that to Mr. Birmingham’s attention, he’ll be disappointed, of course, but then I expect he’ll immediately repair back to Chicago, taking his wife and daughter with him. You and I, Miss Peabody, have agreed to form a business alliance. If I need remind you, it’s one you desperately need, given you’re soon to be dismissed from your position, and given it’s one where you’re going to earn an indecent amount of money in a relatively short period of time.”
Mr. Blodgett’s eyes widened. “Good heavens, sir, you really have lost your mind.” Not giving Mr. Addleshaw an opportunity to respond, the butler turned to Harriet. “Now, I don’t blame you, dear, for what can only be described as downright lunacy. An offer of an ‘indecent amount of money’ must seem all too tempting, especially to a lady about to lose her income. However, such arrangements never turn out the way one might expect. As the only reasonable voice in this insanity, allow me to point out that your reputation could suffer irreparable harm. Besides that, society is not kind to outsiders, which you clearly will be seen as, and—”