“Observing and speaking with a suspect are two entirely different kettles of fish.”
“True, but again, this is a girl who’s undoubtedly immersed in the city’s underworld. The last thing we need is for you to become involved in a situation that gives new meaning to the termperilous.”
“Fine.” Adelaide dusted her gloved hands together. “Since you’re in a nonnegotiable frame of mind, we’ll shelve this discussion for later.”
Gideon flashed a grin. “There’s nothing to shelve, but I must admit your persistence is, curiously enough, rather charming.”
Her heart, clearly being in a traitorous frame of mind, took to beating far too rapidly at the sight of his grin, something it had taken to doing often over the month and a half they’d spent together.
It was bad enough she found herself in his arms practicallyevery evening, although she really couldn’t blame her heart for fluttering madly about while dancing because hewasGideon, after all—a gentleman in possession of far too many attributes that were known to make a lady wish for the unobtainable. Regrettably, she was simply a bluestocking with a penchant for finding herself in the most ridiculous of situations, who certainly wouldn’t appeal to someone like Gideon and...
“What? No witty comeback arguing the point that you’re persistent?” Gideon asked, pulling her from thoughts that were beyond nonsensical.
She lifted her chin. “I fear I have nothing witty to say because my poor mind has grown weary of debating this subject with you.”
His grin widened. “I highly doubt that. It’s more likely you’re thinking through a change in strategy and are intending to implement that when I least expect it.”
She resisted a grin of her own. “You’re a very suspicious sort, aren’t you? But before you argue with that, and since you apparently have no reason to skulk about the store right now, I’d like you to meet a dear friend of mine, Mrs. Bainswright. She’s currently sitting beside the cash register, with no customers to serve, so this will be the perfect time to perform an introduction.”
“I’d be delighted to meet your friend, but give me a moment.” Gideon gave a discreet nod to a man browsing through a table close to where the book agents and Jane were still rummaging through the crate. “I need to have a word with Duncan.”
“Shall I come with you?”
“And have you immediately attempt to coerce information out of the poor man? I think not.”
“You’re very annoying.”
Sending her a wink, which she returned with a roll of her eyes, Gideon ambled off in the direction of Duncan before she called after him that she was going to ask Mrs. Bainswright ifshe had any suggestions for appropriate books for his grandmother, which earned her another wink from him in return.
Refusing to dwell on how all the winking was sending heat cascading over her cheeks, Adelaide made her way across the bookstore, stopping beside Mrs. Bainswright, who was scratching Harvey and eliciting a purr from the kitten in return.
“It’s a shame your other cats don’t seem tolerant of Harvey,” Adelaide began. “He seems to like you.”
Mrs. Bainswright smiled. “He does indeed, the poor little mite, but there’s no question my other cats don’t enjoy him. I think it’s because they’re older and Harvey’s still on the rambunctious side.”
“None of my other cats have taken to him either,” Adelaide said. “But I haven’t lost hope I’ll find him the perfect home, which is why I’ve been taking him with me wherever I go. If I don’t find him a home before January, though, I’ll have more places to showcase him once society events begin in earnest. Someone is bound to fall in love with his adorable personality at some point.”
“He’s certainly a sweet kitten,” Mrs. Bainswright agreed. “And while I don’t know of anyone who’s longing for an energetic addition to their family, I do have a few regular clients who might be willing to give some of your older darlings a good home. Mrs. Silverman was in just yesterday and lost one of her cats to old age, and then Mr. Walker mentioned how lonely he’s been of late, what with how the weather’s changing and it’s difficult for him to get out as much since his rheumatism kicks in during the colder months.”
“How wonderful—I mean, not the part about Mrs. Silverman’s cat dying or Mr. Walker’s rheumatism—but that they may need feline companions. I’m afraid I’m beginning to become overrun with cats. And while you’ve helped me find new homes for a few of my lovelies, I keep finding new strays onan alarmingly frequent basis. I’ve had to resort to dispensing my large collection to the Duveen homes here in the city and on the Hudson, and I even left a few cats behind in Newport. The problem with that, though, is I worry they’re not getting the individual attention they deserve.”
“I’m sure your many feline friends are simply happy to have a roof over their heads and plenty of food to eat,” Mrs. Bainswright countered. “You mustn’t be so hard on yourself. But cats aside, I’ve just noticed you’re not carrying any additional books to add to your treasure pile today. Nothing else strike your fancy?”
“I’m afraid not, but the three books I found earlier were treasures indeed, so I’ll be leaving today as a very satisfied customer.” Adelaide glanced to the embroidery hoop beside Harvey’s wicker basket. “Starting a new project?”
Mrs. Bainswright picked up the hoop and smiled. “I’m making you a little something to go with the cats.”
Adelaide’s gaze sharpened on the fabric. “Is that a chemise?”
“You need a matching good-luck set.” Mrs. Bainswright handed Adelaide the embroidery hoop. “You’ll notice I’ve decided to branch out a little from my last project.”
Adelaide squinted at the stitches. “Are these ... birds?”
“Butterflies, dear. I thought they’d add a touch of whimsy when paired with the cat drawers, what with how cats enjoy playing with butterflies.”
“Right before they eat them.”
Mrs. Bainswright laughed. “Good heavens, I never considered that.” She took the embroidery hoop back from Adelaide and gave it a closer look. “I don’t imagine it would take much to turn these into birds, although ... cats do seem to enjoy eating those as well.”
