Out of the Ordinary

by Jen Turano

  Temperance lifted a hand, patted down hair that could only be described as having a fly-away look, and shuddered. “I was just given the supreme pleasure of careening down the streets of the city in an open buggy with Miss Henrietta at the reins.” She looked at Miss Henrietta and shuddered again. “What a thrilling adventure that was, especially when Miss Henrietta decided we weren’t traveling fast enough because of traffic and took me on a tour of the side streets, traveling at breakneck speed and taking turns that almost saw the buggy wheels leaving the ground.”

  Miss Henrietta smiled somewhat smugly. “But we did make it back here in one piece, and it seems fortunate indeed we made such excellent time or else Gertrude and Mrs. Davenport would continue suffering from nasty accusations being directed their way.” Her smile dimmed. “Forgive me, Temperance, but I just noticed you don’t seem to be in possession of our evidence.”

  Temperance smiled. “Mr. Barclay wanted to be included in the process of revealing it.”

  “You mean the butler who answered the door when I arrived?” Cornelia asked slowly.

  “Indeed, although he’s been branching out from his butler duties these days,” Miss Henrietta said. “Just as I’ve been branching out from my established role as recluse.” With that, Miss Henrietta looked to the door. “Mr. Barclay, we’re ready for the big reveal if you please,” she called.

  Mr. Barclay immediately appeared in the doorway, his eyes twinkling as he presented the room at large with a bow. Straightening, he rubbed his hands together and smiled as he gazed fondly around at everyone.

  Miss Henrietta wrinkled her nose. “Forgive me, Mr. Barclay, but I believe we may be at sixes and sevens here. Was it not your intention to bring the package in with you?”

  “I thought it would lend the situation a more dramatic air if I were to come in, then depart again to retrieve the package, increasing the level of suspense for everyone.”

  “Ah, prolonging the moment. A most excellent way to increase the drama of the situation,” Miss Henrietta said with a nod. “We’ll now direct our full attention to you as you depart to retrieve the package.”

  “Very good, Miss Henrietta,” Mr. Barclay said with such a tone of seriousness that Harrison couldn’t help but think the man had missed his calling on the stage.

  “Is it only me, or has the entire world suddenly gone mad?” Cornelia asked to no one in particular.

  “Shh,” Miss Henrietta returned. “You’re ruining the moment.”

  As his mother descended into silence, even though she didn’t look happy about it, Mr. Barclay moved toward the door ever so slowly, as if he wanted to keep prolonging the suspenseful moment for as long as possible. When he disappeared through the door, Harrison felt his lips twitch when everyone simply kept their attention centered on that door.

  At long last, Mr. Barclay returned, carrying a package wrapped in brown paper that Harrison was fairly certain had been wrapped in that paper in another attempt to increase the theatrics of the moment. Walking directly up to Cornelia, Mr. Barclay handed her the package. “For you, Mrs. Sinclair.”

  “Thank you,” Cornelia said, setting the package on the floor. “Although I have to say this is quickly becoming over the top in more ways than one.” With that, she tore open the paper then frowned. “On my word, it’s my painting.”

  Miss Henrietta nodded. “Indeed, which means you now owe darling Gertrude a most heartfelt apology, since clearly she did not take your painting, nor did Mrs. Davenport.”

  “I’m afraid I don’t understand,” Cornelia said.

  Gesturing around the room, Miss Henrietta nodded again. “Perhaps it would be for the best if everyone were to find a seat, because this might take some time to explain.”

  As Permilia and Gertrude sat down on a settee, Temperance moved to sit between them. Everyone else began to look for places to sit, a tricky business since all the hat boxes and other accessories that Asher and Permilia had brought with them were scattered about the room. After all the ladies found a seat, Harrison moved to stand next to Asher by the fireplace.

  They were soon joined by Agent McParland, who pulled his notepad out of his pocket and glanced around.

  “I’m hoping some of the disclosures about to be made might help with the investigation still going on regarding the thefts at the Manhattan Beach Hotel,” Agent McParland said to the room at large.

  “I’m afraid the mystery of Mrs. Sinclair’s painting is unrelated to the mystery you’re attempting to solve,” Temperance said, drawing everyone’s attention. “Especially since the culprit seems to be my oh-so-vindictive cousin, Miss Clementine Flowerdew.”

  Gertrude’s mouth dropped open. “Really?”

  “I’m afraid so, although I doubt she did the deed herself. Clementine wouldn’t want to dirty her hands with theft, but she wouldn’t be opposed to hiring someone to do it for her.” Temperance shook her head. “It was only a lucky happenstance that I stumbled on the painting, finding it in the attic when I went up there to fetch a trunk I’d stored there. I found the painting tucked behind a stack of blank canvases I’d also stored in the attic, tucked there no doubt under the assumption it would never be found. I’m sure when my relatives left rather suddenly for Newport, it never entered their minds that I would stumble on the painting because I’d decided to move out of their home earlier than expected.”

  “Your relatives went to Newport and left you behind?” Gertrude asked.

  Temperance waved that aside. “I highly doubt Clementine wanted me tagging along since she’s more than put out with me at the moment. And considering how rapidly they left town, I do think that they might have done so to provide Clementine with the alibi of being out of town if any suspicions were ever to be cast her way about the missing painting.”

  “But why would this cousin of yours steal the painting to begin with?” Agent McParland asked.

  “Because she’s vindictive and wanted to get back at Gertrude since Gertrude refused to advance Clementine’s pursuit of Harrison,” Temperance said. “My cousin is not the type of lady to ignore what she clearly believed was a slight, even though she now seems determined to win the affections of Mr. Gilbert Cavendish, a gentleman who foolishly accepted an invitation to join my Flowerdew relations in Newport.”

  Gertrude’s eyes widened. “Good heavens, Temperance. Perhaps we should plan a trip to Newport to rescue Gilbert. His future could be doomed if Clementine convinces him she’s a lady he should consider pursuing.”

  Temperance shook her head. “Gilbert’s perfectly capable of taking care of himself, Gertrude, and besides, his mother is more frightening than Cornelia.” She shot a look to Cornelia. “No offense, Mrs. Sinclair.”

  The very corners of Cornelia’s lips curved. “None taken, dear, although I don’t believe you and I have ever been introduced.”

  Harrison stepped forward. “She’s Miss Temperance Flowerdew, Mother. Temperance, this is my mother, Mrs. Sinclair.”

  “Charmed,” Temperance said, rising to her feet. “And while you and I have just met, Mrs. Sinclair, I do hope you’ll agree that Gertrude is obviously innocent of any wrongdoing in regard to your painting, and in all honesty, she incurred the wrath of Clementine simply because she was trying to protect your son from my cousin’s vindictive nature.”

  Cornelia considered Gertrude for a long moment, and then, to Harrison’s relief, she nodded. “It would seem as if I’ve made a very grave mistake, Miss Cadwalader, for which I apologize. Do know that I certainly don’t expect you to forgive me anytime soon, given the nasty accusations I kept throwing your way.”

  Gertrude rose to her feet and smiled. “Of course I forgive you, Mrs. Sinclair. You mustn’t think on that for another moment.”

  As Gertrude gave his mother an unexpected hug, and then encouraged her to join them on the settee, Harrison moved back to where Asher and Agent McParland were still standing, shaking his head as he turned and regarded the ladies again.

  “They’re curious creatur
es, aren’t they?” he asked in a low voice.

  “Indeed,” Agent McParland agreed. “Although speaking of curious, how would you think these Flowerdew relatives will react if I track them down to Newport and question them about the matter of the now-recovered painting? And do you think it may be possible that Clementine Flowerdew might have played a part in the thefts at the Manhattan Beach Hotel?”

  Harrison shook his head. “Clementine spent a great deal of time with me while we were at the hotel and was also one of the first guests to reboard the Cornelia once everyone left the hotel. She wouldn’t have had time to enact a heist of any great size. As for questioning Clementine and her parents, I don’t think you’ll find much success with that. Clementine’s father, Wayne, has lofty connections in the city that he’ll use if he feels the need. In all likelihood, the most they’ll admit to is proclaiming that the painting was taken as a lark, so I would say a trip to Newport won’t be worth your while. And since the painting has been returned to my mother, I don’t believe she’ll want to press charges in the end.”

  Agent McParland sighed, tucking his notebook away. “I suppose the only way I’ll solve that mystery now is to return to the Manhattan Beach Hotel. Although, given the time that has elapsed since the thefts, I’m not sure we’re going to be able to uncover any additional evidence.”

  Asher stepped closer to Harrison. “We could use the mystery at the hotel to set the stage for what I’m sure you were about to do with Gertrude before your mother burst in. If you’ll recall, solving a mystery is number five on our list.”

  Harrison blinked. “I’m not sure we should continue on with that list, Asher. The two gestures I’ve tried so far have not worked out exactly well for me. In all honesty, I’ve been thinking it might be for the best if I pull Gertrude aside in the next few minutes and simply get this over with once and for all.”

  Asher shook his head. “Absolutely not. A gentleman should not approach matters of such a delicate nature with an attitude of ‘getting it over with once and for all.’ Gertrude has proven herself to be an extraordinary lady, and as such, she deserves a romantic gesture from you, one she’ll remember for the rest of her days.” He glanced at Agent McParland. “If you’ve no objections, and with your full cooperation, I’m going to suggest we repair to the Manhattan Beach Hotel. We’ll say we’re traveling there to assist you with your investigation, and then, after the ladies have snooped around a bit, discovering nothing with their snooping, of course, we’ll then gather on the beach. It’s to be a full moon tonight, and with the moon shining down on you, Harrison, and the waves lapping against the beach, that will be just the romantic setting you need to extend Gertrude the most romantic gesture of her life.”

  “But what if their snooping turns up more than we’re expecting?” Harrison asked slowly.

  Asher smiled. “Since the Pinkerton detectives have uncovered nothing of worth, I’m more than confident the ladies’ paltry efforts of poking around will turn up nothing as well. There’s absolutely nothing for you to worry about because I’m quite sure nothing can possibly go wrong.”

  Chapter

  Twenty-Six

  “While it certainly is lovely being back at the Manhattan Beach Hotel,” Gertrude began, her arms linked with Edwina’s and Temperance’s as they strolled down the boardwalk with the ocean to their left and the hotel to their right, “don’t you find it somewhat curious we find ourselves here on what seemed to me to be a spur-of-the-moment decision?”

  Edwina smiled. “My family has always embraced the idea that adventures are best enjoyed when they’re the spur-of-the-moment kind. Although I do think the haste in which we found ourselves here is likely because Samuel, or rather, Agent McParland, seems to be somewhat anxious to have us assist him in solving the mystery of the missing jewelry.” She nodded to Gertrude. “I know I mentioned before that we ladies think differently than men, and I have to imagine that is why Samuel requested our help in his investigation, unless . . .” She frowned and met Gertrude’s gaze. “I’m completely off the mark and this is Harrison’s curious way of making matters right with you for the disappointments and embarrassments you’ve suffered at the hands of my family lately.”

  Temperance drew in a sharp breath. “Perhaps Harrison has arranged all of this as your very own version of a Northanger Abbey mystery, one complete with an actual mystery and a setting that, while not gothic, is still somewhat mysterious since the hotel is so grand and sits right up next to the ocean.”

  Gertrude smiled and shook her head. “I don’t think Harrison is the type of gentleman to read Jane Austen, although that would be a lovely gesture for a gentleman to make if he needed to make amends. Not that Harrison needs to make amends, mind you.”

  “He completely made a mess of matters with you in Grace Church, and he’s yet to be given an opportunity to correct that,” Edwina pointed out.

  Gertrude’s smile dimmed. “I believe he might have been trying to explain his actions right before your mother burst in, but since he has yet to try again, he might have had a change of heart. That means it might be time for me to simply embrace the idea that Harrison and I are going to remain strictly friends.”

  “Don’t be daft,” Edwina said. “Harrison adores you, and I believe he’s simply waiting for the perfect moment to act. However, until we reach that moment, I suggest we enjoy our unexpected adventure, and see if we can’t go about solving the mystery of the missing items from the Manhattan Beach Hotel.” She smiled. “If we could do that, I do think my interest in joining the Pinkerton Agency would be taken seriously, and I could very well impress Samuel in the process, which . . . wouldn’t that be lovely?”

  Forcing her thoughts away from Edwina’s comment about Harrison adoring her, and ignoring the weakness her knees had acquired, the second the word adores entered the conversation, Gertrude cleared her throat. “That would be lovely, but I don’t believe you need to work too strenuously to impress Agent McParland since, in my humble opinion, he seems more than impressed with you without you solving any mysteries.”

  “He is adorable,” Edwina returned. “And speaking of adorable, did I mention how adorable I found it when you dismissed all the expected clothing choices Asher provided for Harrison, instead choosing the one jacket that was not what anyone would consider a fashionable choice, but one that suited Harrison’s sense of style perfectly?”

  “Harrison has a sense of style—a curious sense of style, but one he’s made all his own.”

  Edwina beamed a smile back at Gertrude. “And that is exactly how I know you’re the lady specifically meant for my brother. You don’t see him as others see him: dangerously attractive but in need of fixing. You see him as simply Harrison—a man with disheveled hair more often than not, who mixes plaids with stripes, and a man who seems completely oblivious at times when faced with what he obviously finds to be the bewildering world of women.”

  “I enjoy his air of bewilderment,” Gertrude said with a smile.

  “Whose bewilderment are you discussing?”

  Turning, Gertrude found Harrison right behind them, accompanied by Agent McParland who was, of course, smiling Edwina’s way. A few yards behind them were Miss Henrietta and Miss Mabel, who’d refused to be left behind, claiming they were taking on the position of chaperone for all the unmarried ladies traveling to the hotel.

  “We were discussing how bewildering it was to us when Mrs. Davenport didn’t put up a fuss about not being able to travel to the hotel,” Edwina said without a single bat of an eye. “Although I do believe any indignation she might have felt over missing this adventure was put to rest when Permilia offered to take Mrs. Davenport back to Rutherford & Company with her.”

  “The treat of seeing where Miss Betsy Miller designs her creations was certainly brilliant on Permilia’s part,” Temperance said, speaking up. “Hopefully Permilia and Asher won’t be too long finishing up their business at the store, or else they might not be able to sail with Mrs. Sinclair when she fi
nishes up whatever business it was she needed to finish before joining us here.”

  “My mother won’t leave the city without Asher and Permilia,” Harrison said. “But since I know all of you promised Permilia you wouldn’t delve into too much investigating until she arrived, what say we enjoy ourselves with a nice game of croquet?”

  As Miss Henrietta and Miss Mabel finally reached them, Harrison took hold of Gertrude’s arm, and having no reason to protest a game of crocquet, she soon found herself holding a mallet and having the time of her life.

  “Did you just miss Gertrude’s ball on purpose?” Edwina demanded after Harrison took a turn and missed Gertrude’s ball that had been lined up directly in front of his.

  “Have you ever known me to miss on purpose?” Harrison asked, sending Gertrude a wink before he turned back to his sister.

  “Well, no, but you’ve also never missed such an easy target before, which is telling,” Edwina said before she took her shot, knocking Miss Mabel’s ball out of the way, and after that, it was war.

  By the time the game was complete and Miss Mabel declared the winner, Gertrude’s sides were aching from laughing so hard and she’d once again fallen into the easy relationship she’d enjoyed with Harrison before he’d turned a little peculiar that day at Grace Church. The only thing different about that relationship seemed to be in the way Harrison watched her.

  His eyes, always filled with one emotion or another, appeared to hold a new level of warmth she’d not encountered before, and that warmth was what was giving her hope—hope that he’d reconsidered and truly was contemplating declaring his intentions in the not too distant future.

  “Wonderful game,” Miss Mabel said as Miss Henrietta nodded in clear agreement. “But now I’m going to suggest we ladies go and freshen up in our assigned rooms.” She looked to Harrison. “What time would you like us to meet you for dinner and where?”

  Harrison smiled. “We’ll be dining on the beach this evening after we’ve taken an evening swim, so do make certain to wear the appropriate bathing costumes, because swimming in the sea at twilight is an adventure that shouldn’t be missed.”