Asher completely ignored that statement, turning toward the door instead and letting out a whistle, which had several members of the staff from Rutherford & Company walking into the room.
Before Gertrude could voice even the smallest of protests, she found herself led to a screened-off section of the library that had been erected for her use, while Harrison was led to a smaller room that connected with the library, muttering protests as he was led, none of which Asher addressed.
It quickly became clear that the staff from Rutherford & Company knew their business. They had her out of her garments and into new ones so quickly, she barely had time to blink before they gave her a gentle shove and she found herself standing on the other side of the curtain, where Edwina, Agent McParland, and Mrs. Davenport sent her nods of clear approval. Permilia and Asher, on the other hand, eyed her critically.
“I think the blue one next,” Permilia called. “It’ll go well with her hair.”
Gertrude looked down at the lovely green she was wearing. “The green doesn’t go well with my hair?”
“Of course it does, but blue will be striking, and...”
Everything else Permilia said got lost when Harrison suddenly stepped out from his dressing area, looking stylish in gray trousers, a white shirt, a gray jacket with pinstripes, and a tie that Gertrude was certain she’d seen bankers wear at her bank.
Even though he looked devastatingly handsome, something about his appearance was wrong.
Marching across the room, she stopped in front of the rack that held the clothes marked for Harrison and began riffling through them, smiling when she spotted the perfect jacket and waistcoat for him. Pulling them down, she turned and displayed her choices to the room at large. “I think this is more to Harrison’s tastes.”
Silence was the first reaction, before Asher cleared his throat.
“I only brought that jacket, Gertrude, because it was the only one I could find that had a thread of orange to it. And then I found that waistcoat, which is definitely orange, but it’s merely a sample from a vendor, and a color I rejected because, well, it speaks for itself.”
Gertrude lifted her chin. “I love it, and I want to see him in this, along with...” She turned back to the rack, found a pair of charcoal colored pants with a bit of a plaid, then marched her way over to Harrison and handed him her choices. “Off you go.”
Sending her a warm look and a smile that made her knees go weak again, Harrison inclined his head and disappeared from sight. Not caring for the knowing looks she was getting from Edwina, Mrs. Davenport, Permilia, and even Agent McParland, who was now enjoying a cup of tea, Gertrude headed back to her dressers, finding herself redressed in the blink of an eye in the blue gown Permilia had suggested.
Stepping into the room again, she found Harrison already standing there, looking rather pleased with the outfit she’d chosen for him as he looked in a floor-length mirror Asher had evidently brought over from his store. Given that Asher didn’t appear completely horrified by the outfit she’d picked out for Harrison, she smiled and moved farther into the room.
Any thought she may have had about commenting on Harrison’s appearance, though, disappeared straightaway when he turned from his reflection and saw her. His mouth dropped open, and then he was striding across the room toward her. Stopping directly in front of her, he reached for her hands, lifted them, then placed a kiss on each one.
“How extraordinary you look, Gertie. Quite possibly the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life.”
For what seemed like forever, Gertrude could not get a single word past her lips, until she managed an impressive “Oh my” right as Harrison kissed her hand again, then cleared his throat and suddenly began to look rather nervous.
“There’s much I need to say to you,” he began. “And while this is not exactly how I planned this, I need to...”
“Hold your tongue before you make the biggest mistake of your life.”
Chapter
Twenty-Five
“Oh, this is unfortunate,” Harrison heard Edwina say right as his mother marched her way across the library, her eyes darting about the room, and her color turning more concerning with every step she took. Coming to a stop in front of Harrison, she sent a pointed look at Gertrude’s hand that he’d been lingering over, then thankfully, leaned to the right, and let out a sound like an angry cat when she spotted Edwina sitting directly next to Agent McParland on the fainting couch.
“It would seem as if I got here in the nick of time,” Cornelia began, stepping around Harrison to march her way over to Edwina. “If memory serves me correctly, dear, you allowed me to believe you were off to this school to better acquaint yourself with the programs offered here.” She drew herself up. “However, you neglected to mention Miss Cadwalader was to be present, or—” she shot a look to Agent McParland, who’d now risen to his feet and was watching Cornelia warily—“a gentleman I’ve yet to meet but who seems far too comfortable in your company, or...” She spun around and pointed a finger to Mrs. Davenport. “If I’m correct in my assumption, and given the unusual manner in which that lady is dressed, that’s Mrs. Davenport, a woman, Edwina, I distinctly recall telling you to steer clear of.”
Harrison winced when Edwina pushed herself up from the fainting couch and narrowed her eyes at her mother.
“You’ve been unreasonable with your opinion of Mrs. Davenport and Gertrude,” Edwina said. “And while I do apologize for not being more forthcoming about this gentleman—” she paused to smile fondly at Agent McParland—“I wasn’t certain you’d be accepting of my spending time with a Pinkerton detective, especially when I’ve decided my new goal in life is to join their illustrious ranks.”
“Agent Samuel McParland at your service, Mrs. Sinclair,” Agent McParland said, impressing Harrison in spite of himself when the man executed a perfect bow toward Cornelia even though she was obviously seething with animosity.
“While I’m sure that under different circumstances, I’d be just delighted to meet you, Agent McParland, I’m far too annoyed with my daughter for purposefully withholding information from me to appreciate making your acquaintance.” Cornelia spun around and pinned Harrison with a furious scowl. “Why were you holding Miss Cadwalader’s hand?” she demanded.
Realizing this was not the moment to divulge what he’d been intending, because that would diminish what should be a moment Gertrude could cherish for the rest of her life, Harrison forced a smile. “What are you doing here, Mother?”
“I came to find Edwina because I’ve recently experienced a most disturbing situation that I needed her assistance with, a situation that coincidentally concerns Miss Cadwalader and Mrs. Davenport.” She cast a glare Edwina’s way. “I had no idea I’d find you and your brother cozying up to the enemy.”
“Enemy?” Harrison repeated.
