by Jen Turano
He suddenly realized that Theo, a woman he spent an extraordinary amount of time with, what with how she could always be counted on to lend a helping hand with any of his many experiments, often fidgeted when she was in the vicinity of other women.
It was curious, that, and almost suggested Theo was uncomfortable in the company of women, although why that was, he had no idea.
Beatrix shot him a look of exasperation before she turned to Theo. “Since Mr. Nesbit is apparently thinking far too strenuously about how to provide me with your name, I’m Miss Beatrix Waterbury, and you are . . . ?”
“She’s Theo, Theo Robinson,” Norman supplied when Theo just blinked back at Beatrix, seemingly at a loss for words.
Beatrix’s smile faltered for the span of a second, but then she hitched it back into place. “Forgive me, Miss Robinson, but I noticed that you winced when Mr. Nesbit introduced you as Theo. May I dare presume he’s being his usual insensitive self and doesn’t realize you might not care to be addressed as Theo, which I’m also going to presume isn’t your full name?”
“Everyone calls her Theo,” Norman said when Theo still didn’t say a single thing and stared back at Beatrix as if she’d never met anyone quite like her in her life, which she probably hadn’t.
Beatrix didn’t spare him a single glance, keeping her gaze on Theo. “Be that as it may,” she began through teeth that seemed to be clenched, “I get the distinct impression Miss Robinson may prefer everyone use her full name that might be . . . Theophila?”
“Theodosia,” Theo mumbled.
“How lovely,” Beatrix exclaimed. “If I had a name as delightful as Theodosia, I would definitely prefer that instead of having people shorten it to Theo.”
“Her own father calls her Theo,” Norman felt compelled to point out when Theo retreated into silence again.
“And my father occasionally reverts to calling me pumpkin at times, but that doesn’t mean I enjoy anyone else calling me that,” Beatrix shot back.
Theo considered Beatrix for a moment, then nodded. “Before I was born, Father was convinced I was a boy and decided I was going to be a Theodore. But because my mother died in childbirth, leaving him to raise me on his own, he apparently found it too much of a bother to come up with another name, so he decided a version of Theodore would do just fine. Someone suggested Theodosia and that’s what he named me, evidently relieved that he could still shorten the name to Theo because he’d gotten used to thinking of me as a Theo before I was born.”
Norman blinked. “You’ve never told me that before.”
“You never asked.”
“Why does that not surprise me?” Beatrix muttered with a shake of her head. “You have my sympathies, Miss Robinson, for the death of your mother. I imagine that has caused you all sorts of difficulties over the years, unless, of course, your father remarried and you have a stepmother.”
“Father’s much too busy with his work to take time to find another wife.”
“How unfortunate,” Beatrix returned. “But tell me this, Miss Robinson, why, if you don’t care for the nickname, have you not bothered to correct Mr. Nesbit? I assume the two of you are friends, which means it’s perfectly acceptable for you to disclose your preference when it comes to your name.”
“We’re not friends,” Theo declared firmly. “We’re acquaintances who share an interest in science.”
Beatrix blinked before her lips began to curve. “Ah, well, that explains it. You’re just like him.”
Theo turned to Norman. “Am I mistaken in taking that as something less than a compliment?”
“Hard to tell,” Norman admitted. “During the time I spent with Beatrix, she was very vague at times with her words, but if I were to hazard a guess, given the frequency in which she insulted me, she might very well have just done the same to you.”
Theo frowned. “When did you spend time with her? You’ve not mentioned anything about her before, although is that why you insisted we come to Marshall Field’s today?”
“I wouldn’t think Mr. Nesbit knew I worked here,” Beatrix said, catching his eye. “You didn’t know, did you?”
Unwilling to admit that Edgar had disclosed Beatrix’s employment situation to him, Norman turned back to Theo. “I’m sure I must have mentioned my encounter with Beatrix to you. She’s the woman who got off the train with me after the train heist.”
Theo shook her head. “No, you never mentioned her, and frankly, you’ve not said much about your experience with the train robbers except to tell me how you foiled their efforts to rob you of your research papers. The only other thing you told me was that the robbery was the reason you’re currently being trailed by Pinkerton men.”
“You’re being trailed by Pinkerton men?” Beatrix repeated.
Relieved that the conversation was taking a more acceptable turn, Norman nodded. “I’m afraid so. My mother is convinced I’m in dire jeopardy, even though I’ve explained to her numerous times that it’s highly unlikely anyone will try to accost me again, what with how the thieves believe they absconded with my real research. And since the research I included in those false documents was very complicated, it’ll take someone months to wade through it and realize they’ve been duped.”
Theo shoved back her hat. “What if whoever is responsible for stealing your research is just as brilliant as you?”
“It’s highly unlikely that will be the case because there are only a handful of men in the country who are currently at my level with electricity and currents. Why, besides Nikola Tesla, I’m confident in saying there aren’t any other men experimenting with double currents.”
“What if Nikola Tesla is the man behind the theft?” Theo pressed.
“Mr. Tesla is far too arrogant to stoop to theft to further his theories on electricity.”
Theo bit her lip. “I’ll have to take your word on that because I’ve never personally met the man, what with me being a mere woman and all.” Her cheeks began turning pink, as if she just revealed something she’d not meant to, something that suggested she held a bit of resentment over the fact she was blatantly excluded from the scientific set because she was a woman.
Not knowing what he could possibly say to Theo’s disclosure, he glanced to the gloves displayed in the counter before he nodded to Beatrix. “We’re here to purchase new gloves for Theo.”
“I don’t need new gloves.”
“Then I’ll not show you any, Miss Robinson,” Beatrix said firmly, sending him a look that dared him to contradict her, which had him stepping closer to the counter and pointing to a pair of ivory gloves that had buttons marching up the side of them.
“I’d like to see that pair for Theo,” he said.
Mutiny flashed through Beatrix’s eyes. “I think not. Miss Robinson has been perfectly—”
A loud clearing of a throat from behind him drew Norman’s attention. Turning, he discovered an older woman standing a few feet away from the glove counter, her lips pursed and her eyes narrowed on Beatrix.
“Is there a problem here?” the woman asked.
Beatrix beamed a bright smile at the woman. “Not at all, Mrs. Goodman. Miss Robinson and Mr. Nesbit are simply deciding if Miss Robinson needs a new pair of gloves.” She inclined her head to Mrs. Goodman. “May I presume you’re acquainted with Mr. Nesbit and Miss Robinson, or if not, would you care for me to perform a proper introduction?”
When Mrs. Goodman drew herself up and began looking rather scandalized, Beatrix’s smile dimmed ever so slightly before she hitched it back into place, muttered “pesky rules” under her breath, then squared her shoulders. “Forgive me, Mrs. Goodman. Clearly you’re already acquainted with these two customers, and—”
“I’ve never met Mrs. Goodman in my life,” Norman interjected, which had Mrs. Goodman turning her gaze on him. “Frankly, I’ve never stepped foot in Marshall Field & Company, so if you ask me, Miss Waterbury’s inquiry was warranted.” He presented Mrs. Goodman with a bow. “Mr. Norman Nesbit at y
our disposal, Mrs. Goodman.” He nodded to Theo. “And this is my acquaintance, Miss Theo . . .” He stopped talking when Beatrix sent him a pointed look. “Ah, or rather, Miss Theodosia Robinson.”
Mrs. Goodman inclined her head. “I’m well aware of who the two of you are, Mr. Nesbit, but thank you for reaffirming your identities to me.”
Uncertain where he was supposed to go with the conversation from there, while not wanting Beatrix to intervene on his behalf because she’d certainly suffer some manner of discipline from the unpleasant Mrs. Goodman if she did, Norman settled for doing what he always did when he felt indecisive.
He stared at Mrs. Goodman.
For some reason, that particular action always made people uncomfortable, probably because he was capable of staring without blinking. Mrs. Goodman rapidly proved his theory correct, because less than thirty seconds later, she excused herself, telling him she had other customers to see after.
“Impressive,” Beatrix breathed as Mrs. Goodman stalked away.
“Works like a charm,” Norman said. “But before she decides to return to check on your progress with selling us some gloves, why don’t you show Theo a few selections?”
“Again, I don’t need new gloves.”
“And again, I’m going to respond to that by saying of course you do. According to my sister Constance, ladies always purchase new gloves, as well as new gowns, for the opening ball of the season. You’ll need new gloves for Mrs. Palmer’s charity ball.”
Theo’s nose wrinkled. “How did you know I’m attending Mrs. Palmer’s ball?”
“You’re going with me.”
“I don’t recall you asking me to attend the Palmer ball with you.”
“I haven’t gotten around to it yet, but you often accompany me, so I’m not certain I understand why you’re suddenly turning difficult about the matter.”
“I’m not being difficult, although I will admit to feeling the most unusual sense of annoyance toward you.”
“Why would you be annoyed with me?”
Theo descended into silence again, although her cheeks took on a decidedly pink tinge.
He’d never seen Theo blush, and that she’d now taken to doing so more than once in the span of a few minutes meant he was going to have to devote time to ponder the matter more thoroughly, but now was hardly the moment for that. Instead, he turned to Beatrix. “Would you have an idea why Theo’s annoyed with me?”
“I have several,” Beatrix began, “but since I really cannot be seen chatting with the two of you for too long, I’ll disclose the main reason I think she’s annoyed. You assumed, which is something I’m going to assume you do often, that Theodosia would be attending the ball with you. However, you didn’t bother to extend her the courtesy of asking her if she wanted to be your guest.”
“But she must have known I was going to ask her because I’ve taken her with me before when I’ve received invitations I can’t decline.”
“How could she have possibly known that?” Beatrix asked before she stiffened, then spun on a heel, pulled out a drawer, and retrieved a pair of gloves, which she immediately spread out on the counter. “Mrs. Goodman is circling closer,” she whispered before she was smiling brightly again, her smile turned on Theo. “Am I mistaken in concluding you’re attending this ball with a gentleman who isn’t Mr. Nesbit?”
Theo, to Norman’s disbelief, gave a bob of her head, the action causing her short hair to bob as well under her unraveling hat.
“What do you mean you’re going with someone else?” he all but sputtered. “Or better yet, who would that someone be?”
Theo’s face turned from pink to red. “Mr. Harvey Cabot.”
“Surely not.”
Theo’s eyes flashed in a very un-Theo-like manner. “Do you not believe I’m capable of drawing a gentleman’s interest?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Of course you’re capable of drawing interest. Why, I’ve always been very interested in almost everything you have to say, and I’m a gentleman.”
“You’re interested in almost everything I say? What, pray tell, have I ever said, or done for that matter, that didn’t interest you?”
His collar suddenly felt unusually snug. “If you must know,” he began as Theo glowered at him, “I don’t find it all that interesting when you show me those fashion advertisements from different newspapers.”
“I showed you an advertisement one time because I was trying to seek your opinion on whether or not your mother would find me more acceptable as your escort to that charity ball we attended last February if I wore one of the gowns displayed in the advertisement instead of the gown I always wear.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that instead of leaving me to try to decipher on my own why you were taking an interest in fashion?”
Theo’s nose shot straight into the air. “One would think, what with that stellar mind of yours, that you wouldn’t have needed me to explain why I was asking you about fashions. You must know that I’m challenged in that regard, but you do have two sisters, so I assumed you’d be able to lend me at least a smidgen of advice, but sadly, that didn’t happen.” She blew out a breath. “And because your mother looked me over at that specific ball as if I was something unpleasant one finds on the bottom of her shoe, I’ve concluded I was quite right to consider purchasing a new gown, although I truly have no idea which style, or . . .” Her voice trailed off as she shot a look to Beatrix, then immediately descended into silence again.
Beatrix leaned closer to Theo. “If you’re in need of a new gown, Miss Robinson, the second floor is where you should visit next. The saleswomen will have models parade in front of you with styles they believe will suit you. All you’ll need to do is allow them to measure you after you settle on a gown and they’ll have it made up for you.”
Absolute horror flickered through Theo’s eyes. “I don’t really need a new gown. The one I have is fine.”
Beatrix winced. “Forgive me, Miss Robinson. I’m not supposed to offer advice to our customers unless asked. I was being far too forward.”
Norman shook his head. “You weren’t. She does need a new gown because I noticed the last time she accompanied me that the gown she always wears is becoming frayed around the, ah . . .” He gestured to his chest. “Bosom area.”
Beatrix gave a very uncalled for rolling of her eyes. “I hope you realize it’s really not quite the thing to embarrass Miss Robinson like that in public.” She lowered her voice. “Besides, did you ever consider that Miss Robinson may not care to spend the funds required on a new gown right now?”
“Theo has an entire fortune to her name, and doesn’t even need to seek out her father’s permission to access that fortune.” He nodded to Theo, who was once again looking annoyed with him, so he quickly returned his attention to Beatrix. “Her father, Gus Robinson, is a brilliant engineer in his own right, but his father, Theo’s grandfather, very kindly left him the fortune he’d made in shipping, which Gus wisely invested in George Pullman’s railroad company.” He glanced to Theo. “That means there’s no reason for you to not indulge in a new gown, which may allow you to get a small bit of enjoyment out of the Palmer ball since I doubt you’re going to enjoy the company of Mr. Harvey Cabot.”
If he didn’t know Theo so well, he would have sworn she was fighting an urge to strangle him, given the increased temper in her eyes.
“I’m sure I’ll enjoy Mr. Cabot’s company.”
“You won’t. Harvey doesn’t come close to being as intelligent as you, and don’t even get me started on all the inventions he brags about to one and all, even though I’ve never seen him complete an invention or receive a patent for one.” He narrowed his eyes on her. “I imagine you’re only going with him because you know it’ll please your father since the Cabot family has recently invested in the Pullman company, which has allowed George Pullman to expand his operation, thus increasing your father’s profits.”
Instead of replying to that, Theo stepped up to the coun
ter, looked over the pair of gloves Beatrix had spread out over the glass, then lifted her head. “I’ve decided I will need to purchase some new gloves for the Palmer ball, Miss Waterbury. In fact, I may decide to purchase numerous pairs.” She glanced to Norman. “It shouldn’t take me more than an hour or so, but because this glove business was your idea, I expect you to wait patiently. And do not even think about trying to give me your opinion as I look through the selections Miss Waterbury shows me. At this moment, your opinion is the very last opinion I’d put any stock in.”
Chapter 12
It took Beatrix a mere two minutes to discover that Miss Theodosia Robinson had not been exaggerating when she’d claimed to be challenged when it came to fashions.
Theodosia had not known there were different styles of gloves, her eyes widening when Beatrix pulled out a glove Theodosia had pointed to, and then explained that the glove wasn’t appropriate to wear to a ball because it was meant to be worn while riding a horse.
“Is that why it only goes up a short distance from the wrist?” Theodosia asked, admiring the driving glove she was now wearing.
“It is. Makes it easier to handle the reins if your arm isn’t encased in fine leather.”
“Fascinating,” Theodosia breathed, stripping the glove from her hand and laying it aside. “I’ll take it.”
“Are you sure you want it in this particular color?” Beatrix asked. “Red is a bold color, unless, of course, you have a riding habit that has a bit of red in it.”
Theodosia’s shoulders drooped. “I only have one riding habit and it’s brown.”
Beatrix’s heart gave a lurch at the dejection she saw in Theodosia’s eyes. Pulling a piece of brown paper from beneath the counter, she set the red gloves on top of the paper. “Red gloves would certainly add a nice splash of color to a brown riding habit.”
“Or Theo could purchase a new riding habit that would match the gloves,” Norman said, looking up from the notepad he’d pulled out of his pocket a second after Theodosia had proclaimed she was going to purchase some gloves. “Perhaps, Theo, after you finish selecting a pair or two of gloves, you should take Beatrix’s suggestion and go visit the salon on the second floor.”