Harrison winced. “I am sorry about that ... and about your hat.”
“I’ve lost my hat?”
“Indeed.”
“Not to worry,” Asher said cheerfully as he trailed behind them. “I happen to know we have numerous lovely hats in our millinery department, and you may choose a new one. My treat.”
Gertrude stopped walking and turned. “Why would you treat me when it’s Harrison’s fault I lost my hat in the first place?”
Asher winced. “Umm ... because I enjoy extending my soon-to-be wife’s favorite friend a treat?”
Gertrude’s brows drew together. “Was it your idea for Harrison to snatch me off the street?”
“I must say I can’t remember a time I’ve seen Edwina looking so delighted, but she certainly seems to have enjoyed being pulled up on Agent McParland’s horse,” Asher said, ignoring the question. “That sparkle I noticed in her eye is exactly what I’d like to capture in an advertisement for my store.” He nodded to Harrison. “Do be certain to remind me to broach the idea of her modeling for me if she ever returns from her adventure with Agent McParland.”
“I’ll do no such thing,” Harrison argued. “Edwina’s enough of a handful as it is. The last thing we need is for her face to be all over the city, because that’ll encourage more men like Agent McParland to come calling. And don’t even get me started on what my mother will do if she learns I’ve encouraged your mad idea to use Edwina for advertising copy.”
Asher begantsking under his breath. “There’s no need to be so argumentative. If you haven’t noticed, I’m trying to help you.”
“Perhaps you should stop helping him, Asher, before you both get into more trouble than you’re already in,” Gertrude said. “But speaking of Edwina, I do hope she hasn’t suffered an injury. If either of you didn’t notice, she tumbled to the ground after Harrison ripped me right away from her.” Gertrude rubbed her arm. “She and I are fortunate to still have our limbs attached.”
“How are matters progressing at Miss Snook’s School for the Education of the Feminine Mind?” Harrison asked, earning a nod of clear approval from Asher but a frown from Gertrude.
“It’s going very well, thank you,” Gertrude said, and even though her response was perfectly pleasant, Harrison thought he detected a trace of an edge to her tone.
He refused another wince. “Have you been enjoying being taken in hand by all the ladies?”
When Gertrude spun on her heel and stomped away from him, and Asher began shaking his head somewhat vigorously, Harrison realized he’d once again allowed the wrong words to escape. Breaking into a stride, even though his stride was somewhat limited because Rupert wasn’t cooperating and Harrison had to practically pull him down the street, he finally reached Gertrude’s side.
“May I assume you don’t care to be taken in hand?”
“You shouldn’t assume anything about me.” Sending him a look that practically scorched the skin right off his face, she lurched ahead, and he wasn’t quite brave enough to catch up with her just yet.
“What are you doing?” Asher demanded, joining him. “Why would you broach the idea of her being taken in hand? That’s what got you into this mess in the first place.”
“Forgive me for being a little rattled, but if you missed it, my dashing gesture wasn’t remotely dashing, and I’m afraid my mind has yet to snap back into place.”
“Then allow me to snap it back for you, because there’s a puddle up ahead, and it’s time to try out romantic gesture number two.”
“Do you honestly believe I should continue on with the list?”
“What possible harm could come of the next gesture? The worse that can happen is she’ll feel sorry about you ruining your jacket, although”—Asher met Harrison’s gaze—“that’s exactly what we need her to feel for you now: sympathy. So, off you go again. I’ll hold Rupert’s reins. But you’d best break into a bit of a run or she’ll pass that puddle before you have an opportunity to act the gallant.”
Handing over the reins, Harrison started forward, breaking into a run. Shrugging out of his jacket as he passed her, he fished the list out of the jacket pocket, tucked it into the pocket of his trousers, then stopped directly in front of the large puddle Asher had pointed out. Spinning around, he stepped right in front of Gertrude, blocking her way.
He was not reassured when she lifted her chin and narrowed her eyes.
Taking a second to make a big production of shaking out his jacket, he turned and threw the jacket over the puddle, turning back to her and gesturing her forward.
“You’re not suffering from a fever, are you?” she asked slowly.
Thinking it would be a little much to tell her he was feverish with affection for her, Harrison cleared his throat and gestured forward again instead. “I’m fine. I simply want to help you cross over this puddle without getting your dainty little feet wet.”
“I have larger feet than the average woman.”
“If you don’t walk over that jacket soon, your feet, whether they be large or small, will get soaked because the water seems to be absorbing somewhat quickly into the fabric of my coat.”
The very corners of her lips twitched. “I don’t think I’m up for arguing with logic like that.”
