Gideon swallowed a laugh. “Harrowing morning or not, I’m still not going to appease your curiosity about who Imightbe following.”
“There’s nomightabout it, and I’ve already discerned who your target is” She sent a discreet nod Lottie’s way.
He couldn’t help being impressed, not that he was going to admit that to her because that would definitely lead to more badgering on her part.
“How’d you figure that out?”
“You keep sneaking glances at her.”
It was an unusual circumstance to be sure, being found out by a lady who was far too perceptive for her own good.
“May I dare hope she’s an intelligence agent from anothercountry, sent here to ferret out some deep, dark secret, but you’ve now uncovered her mission and are about to bring her to justice?” Adelaide asked, drawing him from his thoughts.
“You might want to consider selecting a new genre of choice because those spy novels have sent your imagination into uncharted territory.”
Disappointment clouded Adelaide’s eyes. “She’s not a spy?”
“Hardly. She’s simply the subject of a missing person’s case. Her employer hired us to find her.”
Adelaide shot a look to Lottie. “She doesn’t look like she’s missing to me.”
“Indeed.”
Adelaide tapped a finger against her chin. “Could it be that she abandoned her job because she might be a thief and left her position because she stole something from her employer and no longer needed to pose as the help?”
“Uh...” was all Gideon could think to say to that.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Adelaide said. “However, in order to avoid drawing her suspicions, we should take a turn about the room and pretend we’re browsing for that book for your grandmother.”
With that, Adelaide took hold of his arm and began ushering him around tables heaped high with books, slowing to a stop when a gentleman dressed in a well-tailored suit stepped up to them, inclining his head toward Adelaide and smiling a smile that, in Gideon’s opinion, was far warmer than it needed to be.
“Miss Duveen,” the gentleman exclaimed. “I was hoping you’d be here today. I wanted to discuss that mummy book you recommended. I found it to be a fascinating read.” The gentleman’s gaze drifted to where Adelaide’s hand was still clutching Gideon’s arm, then shot up and settled on Gideon’s face. “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of meeting your ... escort.”
“Gideon Abbott,” Gideon supplied after Adelaide’s eyes went wide, as if she still wasn’t certain what name she shouldbe using since he was in the bookstore on behalf of the accounting firm.
“A pleasure, Mr. Abbott,” the gentleman returned. “I’m Mr. Jeromy Hopkins, and—”
“Ah, Miss Duveen,” another gentleman, who was sporting a large mustache and wearing an eye-wincing green jacket, interrupted as he bustled up to join them. “I see Mr. Hopkins is once again monopolizing your time, but, my dear, I must beg a few moments. That book you encouraged me to purchase regarding the Australian goldfields, well, it kept me up long into the night last week. I’ve been dying to discuss it with you. Please tell me you’ve been considering that idea for a book salon a few of us broached with you a while back, because a gathering such as that would allow us to share our take on the stories you recommend. It would also alleviate the hours many of us spend lingering about this very store in the hopes you’ll make an appearance.”
A trace of irritation swept over Gideon because he had the sneaking suspicion these gentlemen weren’t lingering to discuss books with Adelaide. It was far more likely they were loitering about because they enjoyed her company—perhaps too much—an idea that left him in a more annoyed state than ever. Before he could whisk Adelaide away from her admirers, though, she was beaming a smile at the men, one that left both gentlemen gazing back at her in a far too adoring fashion.
“I’m delighted you enjoyed my suggestion, Mr. Osborne, although I have to admitRobbery Under Arms: A Story of Life and Adventure in the Bush and in Australian Goldfieldstook me forever to get through. While I enjoyed the story, I thought it went on a little too long, although I know you appreciate hefty reads.”
Disappointment flickered through Mr. Osborne’s eyes. “I take it that wouldn’t be a novel you’d care to include during a book discussion?”
“I’d much rather delve into an author such as Mrs. Gaskell. HerMary Bartonwas an intriguing read, and it’s not a long story, so we’d have plenty of time to examine the work at length.”
Mr. Osborne brightened. “That almost sounds as if youhavebeen considering the salon idea.”
“I must admit I find the notion of an evening spent discussing books to be intriguing. The only problem is that my schedule is currently filled with, ah, charity appointments, which won’t leave me any time for other events until after the new year. But where are my manners?” She nodded to Gideon. “Gideon, allow me to introduce you to Mr. William Osborne. Mr. Osborne, Mr. Gideon Abbott.”
William’s gaze sharpened on Gideon. “Are you any relation to Mr. James Abbott?”
“He’s my brother.”
“Ah, so you’re one oftheAbbotts,” William said, whipping out a card and pressing it into Gideon’s hand. “It’s an honor to meet you, and if you ever have need of a book agent, I’d be happy to be of service.”
Before Gideon could do more than nod, Jeromy Hopkins shouldered William out of the way where he promptly pressed a card into Gideon’s hand as well. “I’m also an agent, Mr. Abbott.”
