Jen Turano - [Ladies of Distinction 02]

by A Most Peculiar Circumstance

  “And just where do you think you’re going?” Theodore asked.

  “I heard a shot.”

  “And you thought you were going to do what? Come to my rescue?”

  “It would make for a nice change of pace.”

  “Grandfather found the coward hiding behind some timber. He thought it would be fun to flush him out.”

  “But where is your grandfather?”

  “He’s still back there with my men. Grandfather wanted to question the criminal before we hand him over to the police.”

  “Why aren’t you questioning him?”

  “I wanted to check on you and Katherine, and my grandfather is perfectly capable of proceeding without me around.”

  “Will there be torture involved?”

  “Of course not,” Theodore said with a laugh, keeping his arm around Arabella as he steered her back where everyone was still waiting. “What odd ideas you come up with at times.”

  Arabella ignored the fact that his touch was causing her knees to wobble and tried to stay focused on the conversation. “It’s not such an odd idea, given that your grandfather was a spy, and everyone knows spies use diabolical methods to get their targets to talk. And speaking of spies”—her eyes narrowed as she met his gaze—“your grandmother mentioned something about you and spying, and your sister told Wallace you worked for the government. Why didn’t you tell me you were following in your grandfather’s footsteps?”

  Theodore stopped in his tracks and sent her an exasperated look, but then his eyes sharpened on her face and he lifted a finger to her cheek. “Did you suffer all that damage to your face from the blow I saw that man give you, or did he hit you more than once?”

  Arabella couldn’t help but notice the barely suppressed rage visible in Theodore’s eyes. He’d been so affable while they’d spent time at the farm that she’d somehow forgotten that the heart of a warrior beat underneath his charming exterior.

  “Umm, well . . .”

  “I’ll just ask Katherine.”

  “Carter hit me once before because I refused to get on the horse.”

  “Is Carter wearing the blue or the red coat?”

  “Ah, red.”

  Theodore walked her over to Ethel before he stalked back to Carter, who was stirring on the ground. He knelt down and shook the man, causing Carter’s eyes to flash open.

  “I understand you hit Arabella.”

  Carter didn’t respond.

  “That’s going to cost you,” Theodore said in a quiet yet lethal voice. He leaned further over the man until he was almost nose to nose with him. “I’m going to make certain you land in front of the toughest judge in New York, and unless you tell me what you did with those prostitutes, you’re never going to get out of jail.”

  “I didn’t do anything to any prostitutes,” Carter bit out. “The only harlot I was dealing with was your lady love.”

  Theodore smiled, drew back his arm, and then Carter quickly descended into unconsciousness. Theodore straightened, got to his feet, and set his sights on Arabella even as he shook his head.

  “I think the only way I’m going to be able to keep you safe is to marry you.”

  20

  Theodore eyed the festive bunch of mistletoe dangling over his head and quickly strode to a different spot, glancing up first before coming to a stop. It was just like Mrs. Murdock to use that particular plant for decoration at her Christmas ball. Granted, it was a Christmas custom, but really, did it have to be strung so thoroughly about, almost as if it were just waiting to take some poor, unsuspecting gentleman by surprise?

  He’d always been more than happy to embrace the charming tradition of a kiss on the cheek under the mistletoe. Now, however, he only wanted to give his kisses—even those just reserved for a cheek—to Arabella.

  “Ah, Theodore, there you are,” Zayne exclaimed as he strolled over to Theodore’s side, glanced at the ceiling, and grinned. “I don’t think I’ve ever known Mrs. Murdock to be quite this diligent in her hanging of that delightful plant.”

  “I’m not moving from this spot.”

  “Now, that’s no way to think,” Zayne said before he turned, snatched two glasses of bubbling liquid from a passing servant, and thrust one of them into Theodore’s hand. He took a sip of his own and tilted his head. “Sulking, are you?”

  “I’m hardly sulking at an explosion of mistletoe.”

  “Arabella speaking to you yet?”

  Perhaps he was sulking just a bit.

  “Your sister is avoiding me.” He took a gulp of his drink and caught Zayne’s eye. “I’ve tried to see her, numerous times every day these past ten days, and yet the exasperating lady is making herself remarkably scarce.” He shook his head. “I hate to admit this, given my reputation with the fairer sex, but it would seem as if I have no understanding of the female mind. None of the women in my family are currently speaking to me much, and when they do, it’s not in a pleasant manner. Even your mother has taken to rolling her eyes every time she sees me. Granted, I was a little abrupt with your sister when I stated my intentions, but I thought Arabella would welcome the idea of marriage, as I’d come to the conclusion she liked me.”

  Zayne snorted into his glass. “I don’t think Arabella is opposed to marriage in general, only marriage to you.” He shook his head. “Truth be told, I think she did like you, up until you told her you had to marry her.”

  “My grandmother claims I made a complete muck of the entire situation.”

  “I would have to agree with her.”

  “I’d be more than willing to make amends if only Arabella would afford me a few minutes of her time.”

  “How would you make amends?”

  Theodore shrugged. “I’m not certain. As I said before, it’s clear I have little understanding of women.” He eyed Zayne for a moment. “You could help me. Women seem to adore you, and I’ve never seen any woman, except Agatha, give you a difficult time.”

  “Women fail to give me a difficult time because I don’t hurt their delicate feelings.”

  Theodore narrowed his eyes. “Arabella’s tougher than most gentlemen I know. She didn’t even cry when I found her at the mercy of those men, which proves she’s hardly delicate.”

  Zayne narrowed his eyes right back at him. “That’s where you’re mistaken. Arabella is a romantic at heart. She devours romance novels, dresses in pink whenever possible, and cries whenever she goes to the opera.”

  “She can cry on cue.”

  “True, but she can also cry for real.” Zayne shook his head. “Honestly, Theodore, what were you thinking? Your grandmother told me you punched a man and then casually told Arabella you’d have to marry her in order to keep her safe. That’s almost as bad as telling her she needs to marry you for her own good.”

  “I did punch that man on her behalf,” Theodore muttered before he took another gulp of his drink, swallowed, and then grimaced. “You’d think I’d get a bit of credit for that.”

  “I’m sure you would have if you hadn’t followed up your chivalrous act by behaving like an idiot.”

  “I suppose my attempt at proposing was a bit clumsy, but I’ve never asked a woman to marry me before, and it just burst out of my mouth.”

  “Perhaps if you had asked Arabella to marry you instead of blurting out the first thing that came to mind, you wouldn’t be in this situation.”

  “I suppose you planned your proposal to Helena down to the last detail?”

  Zayne looked down and began to study the cut of his sleeve. “I never actually asked Helena to marry me.”

  “What?”

  Zayne looked up. “It’s always been assumed we would marry.”

  Theodore threw up his hands. “Why am I wasting my time asking you about women? You know even less than I do.”

  “I know Helena would never resort to the dramatics you’re experiencing with Arabella. We enjoy a stable relationship and understand each other completely.”

  Theodore arched a brow.
“How can you enjoy a stable relationship when she’s traveling out west and you’re still in New York?”

  “I really don’t think we need to delve into my relationship at the moment, Theodore. Your problems are entirely more daunting than anything I might be experiencing with Helena.”

  “I wouldn’t consider my problems ‘daunting.’”

  Zayne blinked. “Did you not know that Arabella came here with Grayson, as in the debonair and charming and, let us not forget, wealthy Grayson?”

  “Yes, thank you for that.”

  “So you did know?”

  “Mrs. Murdock made mention of it the moment I stepped through the door.”

  Zayne laughed. “That explains her extremely happy demeanor. She believes you’re back on the market.”

  “No wonder Felicia saw me and bolted from the room. Mrs. Murdock is probably encouraging her to entertain me this evening.”

  “Felicia’s a lovely lady.”

  “This coming from a man who takes an almost fiancée out of his pocket anytime an earnest mother comes sniffing around.”

  “Again, not talking about me at the moment,” Zayne said. “We were discussing you and my sister.”

  Theodore blew out a breath. “I have no idea how to proceed.”

  “You could always try groveling,”

  “I’ve never groveled in my life.”

  “Maybe now would be a good time to try.”

  “Your sister would hardly think well of me if I suddenly threw myself at her feet.”

  “She might find it a lovely gesture.”

  “Or she might decide I’ve taken leave of my senses.”

  Zayne grinned. “True.” He tapped his finger on his chin. “You could donate a large sum of money to her cause, or better yet, find reputable employment for Violet and all her friends.”

  “Didn’t Arabella tell you? She and my grandmother have already settled Violet and her friends into positions. They are now working permanently on the farm.”

  “Doing what?”

  “Well, Violet and Lottie have a great liking for cooking, so they’re in the kitchen. My grandfather has taken it upon himself to convince Hannah and Sarah that farming is a reputable and fulfilling profession. I heard him mention something about helping them set up a small shop to sell herbs.”

  “That’s unfortunate,” Zayne muttered.

  “It’s unfortunate the women have gotten off the streets?”

  “No, it’s unfortunate your grandparents and Arabella came to their rescue. It leaves you with one less option to try to impress my sister.”

  “They might decide they’re ill-suited to a respectable lifestyle,” Theodore said slowly. “If that happens, I could swoop in and save them.”

  “They won’t,” Agatha said, stealing up beside them. “God is watching over them, and He helps those who seek to live a better life.”

  “A very poignant point, Agatha, but tell me, how do you think God feels about eavesdropping?” Zayne asked.

  “Oh, I highly doubt God would judge me too harshly for that. Besides, it was not as if you were even attempting to lower your voices.”

  “Did you hear anything of importance?” Theodore asked.

  Agatha let out a dramatic sigh. “Alas, no, nothing I was hoping to hear, such as what your plans are concerning Arabella.”

  “Zayne thinks I should grovel.”

  “Groveling might be called for, but may I suggest prayer?”

  “It couldn’t hurt,” Theodore muttered.

  “If you’re not comfortable saying a prayer on your own, Theodore, I’d be more than happy to intercede on your behalf,” Agatha said.

  “I don’t know why everyone has this propensity of questioning my faith,” Theodore said. “I’m completely willing and able to say my own prayers, and I can assure you, my relationship with God is growing. If it makes you feel any better, my time at the farm has strengthened my faith.”

  “Hmm, well, fine then, but I’ll still say a little prayer for you even if you’re capable of doing it yourself. You’ve made such a mess of things that you’re going to need a lot of assistance.”

  “I keep hoping that you’ll someday become less annoying.”

  Agatha sent him a cheeky grin. “I wouldn’t hold my breath, but enough about my annoying tendencies. I’ve come up with a plan to help you win Arabella.”

  “This should be good,” Zayne mumbled.

  “Your only suggestion was for Theodore to grovel,” Agatha said with a sniff. “Mine will win him the love of his life.”

  “I never claimed Arabella was the love of my life,” Theodore said.

  “And that’s why you’re not currently engaged to her,” Agatha returned. “You must make the grand gesture.”

  “I told him that,” Zayne said.

  “Actually, Zayne, you didn’t suggest a grand gesture,” Theodore corrected. “You simply said that if I did throw myself at Arabella’s feet, she’d see it as a lovely gesture.”

  Agatha made a tsking sound under her breath. “Arabella deserves more than you groveling at her feet, Theodore. You must give her romance and love.”

  “I’m not really adept at proclaiming my affection.”

  “Hamilton wasn’t either at first,” Agatha said, “and look how well his relationship with Eliza turned out.”

  “Agatha’s right. Hamilton did make a complete disaster of his first proposal to Eliza, and if you will recall, it happened in this very same house,” Zayne said before he winced. “It’s almost as if I’m experiencing his pain all over again, but with you instead as the bumbling suitor.” He blatantly ignored the fact that Theodore had taken to sputtering. “It was not well done of my brother to infer he only wanted to marry Eliza because she’d make a wonderful mother for Piper and Ben. Luckily for Hamilton, she gave him another chance.”

  Agatha grinned. “And now we get the supreme pleasure of watching them exchange lovey-dovey eyes on an annoyingly frequent basis.”

  “I don’t think I’m prepared for lovey-dovey eyes,” Theodore said.

  “You might want to give it a try,” Agatha suggested. “You are a very handsome man with intriguing eyes you could use to your advantage. I doubt Arabella could resist you if you turned on the charm and groveled a bit at the same time.”

  “Was that supposed to be a compliment?”

  “Maybe a small one,” Agatha said. Her eyes suddenly widened. “Good heavens, here comes Mrs. Murdock, and it looks to me as if she’s actually dragging Felicia behind her, and . . . oh dear. I wonder why Felicia is wearing a gown with red and green bows attached to it. She looks like a Christmas tree.”

  “It must be her way of getting in the holiday spirit,” Zayne said weakly.

  Theodore turned his head and swallowed a laugh. Poor Felicia really did look like a Christmas tree. Her gown was bedecked with flounces and bows, and they weren’t simply red and green. They were bright, almost blinding red and green. Her expression was entertaining. Appalled certainly, but resigned too, and a little amused.

  He realized then and there that Felicia Murdock was more than she appeared. It was unfortunate his heart was settled so firmly on Arabella because Felicia was a woman of whom any man could be proud, even in a hideous gown and possessed of a mother with high social ambitions.

  “Mr. Wilder,” Mrs. Murdock exclaimed as she pulled Felicia up beside herself and came to a stop. “Mr. Beckett, Miss Watson, I do hope you’re enjoying the ball.”

  “It’s lovely,” Agatha replied before she winked. “I have high expectations that something of a dramatic nature will occur, given what happened at your last ball.”

  Mrs. Murdock beamed. “That was something, was it not? Who knew I would throw a ball in which Eliza would disclose a fraud being perpetuated on society?” Her eyes twinkled. “I’ll never forget when she ripped that necklace from around that imposter’s neck. People are still talking about it to this day.” Her smile dimmed. “I do hope no one will be too disappointed if somethin
g equally dramatic doesn’t happen this evening.”

  Theodore let out a chuckle. “I, for one, am perfectly content to endure a normal evening for once. It has been entirely too chaotic of late.”

  “I did hear tell of your latest escapade, Mr. Wilder,” Mrs. Murdock said. “It was very gallant and heroic of you to save Miss Beckett and your sister from those dastardly criminals.”

  “I’m sure anyone would have done the same,” Theodore said. “In fact, I’m fairly certain Katherine and Arabella would have found the means to escape if I hadn’t come to their aid. They’re fairly resourceful young ladies.”

  “As is my Felicia,” Mrs. Murdock said with a not-so-subtle prodding of her daughter that brought her front and center. “You should tell Mr. Wilder about your latest charitable efforts with the orphanage. Why, Felicia has put her life at risk numerous times in order to scour the streets looking for homeless orphans.”

  “I don’t think visiting foundling homes is on quite the same level as being abducted by scoundrels and threatened with being sold to a man in India,” Felicia said.

  Mrs. Murdock abruptly changed the subject. “It is so lovely your grandparents decided to stay in the city for the holiday season, Mr. Wilder. I’ve always enjoyed your grandmother’s odd sense of humor. I’ve noticed Mrs. Wilder spending a good deal of time with Gloria and Cora. I’ve been wondering if they’re contemplating a new charitable venture together.”

  “I think the only venture they’re contemplating is one of a personal nature,” Zayne said.

  “Oh?”

  “Mother, Mr. Beckett said it was of a personal nature,” Felicia said. “I hardly believe that requires an explanation, as we are not personally attached to their family.”

  “I am very good friends with Gloria,” Mrs. Murdock said.

  “Then may I suggest you question her on the matter?” Felicia asked before she set her sights on Zayne. “Eliza mentioned that you’re intending to join Miss Collins out west soon. Will you stay in New York until after the holidays?”