“I suppose we do enjoy a friendship, but—”
“Is it also true that Mr. Sinclair saved your life from that madman who was trying to do in Mr. Asher Rutherford?” Miss Flowerdew interrupted.
“I suppose he did intervene on my behalf and save me from a nasty death, but simply because a gentleman saves a lady’s life, that doesn’t mean that particular lady is then in a position to encourage said gentleman to begin courting another lady.”
Miss Flowerdew’s smile faded as her lips formed anOof surprise. “Good heavens. Why didn’t I see this at once? You’ve grown fond of Mr. Sinclair, what with all the time you’ve spent with him, and are reluctant to agree to assist me because you want to secure his romantic affections for yourself.”
An immediate denial formed on Gertrude’s tongue, but for some reason, she couldn’t get that denial past her lips.
While it was true she’d spent time in Mr. Harrison Sinclair’s company of late, what with them having mutual friends in Mr. Asher Rutherford and Miss Permilia Griswold, she’d not actually allowed herself to dwell on the affection shemighthave begun holding for Harrison.
That he was a fascinating gentleman, there was no question, but he was not the type of gentleman an ordinary woman such as herself should ever view in a romantic fashion.
Harrison Sinclair was a man possessed of rakish good looks and a wonderful sense of humor. He was also in possession of an extensive fortune, one that was responsible for New York society deciding he was soon to become the most eligible gentleman in New York, especially since Mr. Asher Rutherford was now engaged to Permilia and firmly off the...
“...and while I do hope that I won’t hurt your feelings, dear, you must realize that a man of Mr. Sinclair’s caliber might be a touch out of your ... ah ... well ... no need to go into specifics since I’m sure you’re only too aware of what I’m about to point out.”
Shaking herself from her disturbing thoughts, Gertrude opened her mouth, but was spared a response when Miss Flowerdew hitched another smile in place and continued speaking in a rapid manner, as if she’d realized she might have insulted the very woman she was hoping to coerce into helping her.
“Do know that I completely understand and sympathize with the tender affections you’ve apparently formed for Mr. Sinclair, because he is a most delicious gentleman. But you seem to be a most practical sort, and that practicality, Miss Cadwalader, is exactly why I feel comfortable broaching this subject.” Miss Flowerdew smiled her brightest smile yet. “Mr. Sinclair has become quite fashionable of late, even given his somewhat unusual fashion sense, which means he has the attention of diamonds of the first water.” With that, she stopped talking and batted expectant lashes Gertrude’s way.
“And I’m not a diamond of the first water?” Gertrude finished for her when Miss Flowerdew remained silent.
A tinkle of laughter greeted that response before Miss Flowerdew clapped her hands. “I knew you would catch my meaning without me having to spell it out for you. Now that we’ve gotten that pesky business settled, may I dare hope you’re in a more accommodating frame of mind and are now willing to pave my way toward a more intimate association with Mr. Sinclair?” She smoothed a wrinkle out of her skirt. “In all honesty, I’m doing you a favor since I’m certain other society ladies will soon be seeking you out, pestering you relentlessly to convince you to assistthemwith becoming better known to Mr. Sinclair.”
Before Gertrude could respond to that bit of nonsense, Miss Flowerdew rose ever so gracefully from her chair and began strolling about the room, stopping in front of a bookshelf filled with leather-bound books. Trailing a finger down one of the spines, she turned. “I must say, Mr. Sinclair certainly does have a well-appointed library, filled with what are obviously expensive objects. Makes me wonder if his wealth is more substantial than anyone knows.”
As soon as those telling words spilled from Miss Flowerdew’s lips, Gertrude understood exactly why she was reluctant to agree to the lady’s request.
Miss Flowerdew didn’t want to pursue Harrison because he was a commendable gentleman, but instead only longed to attach her name to his because he could offer her a life of luxury, one she could then flaunt to other members of society. Simply put, Miss Flowerdew was proving herself to be anything other than a pleasant young lady—which meant she did not deserve a gentleman like Mr. Harrison Sinclair.
Harrison, even though he was one of the most handsome gentlemen of the day, possessed a kind nature, one not often found in men with such dashing good looks.
That kindness, aided by the fact that he had not a hint of vanity in him, was incredibly appealing, and certainly wasn’t meant to be spent on ladies who cared more for his fortune and handsome face than his caring attitude and willingness to befriend a wallflower who just happened to be orange the first time he met her.
“Do you suppose Mr. Sinclair would be agreeable to suggestions pertaining to his wardrobe?” Miss Flowerdew asked, pulling Gertrude immediately back to the disturbing conversation at hand.
“You don’t care for how Mr. Sinclair dresses?”
Miss Flowerdew waved off the question. “His sense of style is somewhat peculiar, given that he pairs the most unusual colors together. I also believe he’d look more refined if he visited a barber on a weekly basis, which would take care of the windblown look he seems to favor with that overly long, dark hair of his.” She smiled. “I will admit that Mr. Sinclair looks very refined this evening in his formalwear, something I’ll be certain to point out to him later in the hopes it will encourage him to adopt that style more often.”
Gertrude’s lips began to curve. While Harrison was presently looking well turned out, she was all but convinced that was a direct result of Mr. Asher Rutherford, owner of Rutherford & Company, providing Harrison with clothing for the night. Asher had also provided Harrison with a length of black ribbon to secure his unruly locks, that ribbon pulled from one of Asher’s always-well-stocked pockets after he’d realized his friend had used a scrap of fabric from someone’s petticoat—most likely a scrap that had belonged to one of his three sisters—to tie a bow at the nape of his neck.
In all honesty, even with Harrison resembling a most dashing man-about-town this evening, Gertrude was slightly disappointed he wasn’t wearing so much as a hint of purple, pink, magenta, or any other vivid color he was known to favor. His fondness for unusual color combinations frequently raised a few eyebrows, but in Gertrude’s opinion, she found that idiosyncrasy charming since it suited Harrison’s true character.
“Ah, Gertrude, there you are. I was getting worried when I noticed you missing from the festivities and realized that Mrs. Davenport was missing as well, a sticky situation to be sure, but ... goodness,Miss Flowerdew, what in the world are you doing down here?”
Turning her head toward the door, Gertrude found Miss Permilia Griswold walking into the library. She was looking beautiful, garbed in an exquisite gown of delicate lavender silk trimmed with small feathers. Her red hair was twisted in a sophisticated knot on top of her head, and a diamond choker encircled her neck, one her father had sent her from Paris a few weeks before, a token of apology for his being unable to attend her engagement festivities.
With only a small frown sent Gertrude’s way, Permilia continued walking across the library, not stopping until she was directly in front of Miss Flowerdew, who was in the process of retaking her seat.
Miss Flowerdew, unfortunately, was already cocking her head to the side and regarding Permilia in a far too considering fashion. “Did you just say that Mrs. Davenport has gone missing? And, if that is indeed the case, why, pray tell, hasn’t everyone been alerted to the situation? If you’ve forgotten, we’re on a ship, Miss Griswold, in the ocean at that, and if the poor dear has fallen overboard, well, she’s probably done for by now.”
Instead of answering her, Permilia moved to the chair beside Miss Flowerdew and sat down, taking a long moment to rearrange her skirts. She finally lifted her head and smiled.
“It’s so refreshing, Miss Flowerdew, to learn you’re the type of young lady who worries about the well-being of others, but rest assured that Mrs. Davenport has not fallen overboard. She occasionally suffers from a small state of confusion, that state soothed, or so I believe, by, er ... wandering. I’m sure she’ll turn up soon, just as I’m sure she’s probably in the galley since I have found her moseying around kitchen areas before when she’s suffering from, er, confusion.”
Miss Flowerdew leaned forward. “I’ve never taken Mrs. Davenport for one of those dear, dotty ladies who suffer from confusion.”
