“I’ll see if Mr. Bainswright has a similar book the next time I return to his store,” Adelaide said. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to replace the last book I purchased because it was a diary written by a young lady around the time of the Revolutionary War. The handwriting was old and faded and would have been difficult to decipher, but I thought it would make an interesting read. Mr. Bainswright sold it to me for less than a dollar, given that it was in even sorrier shape than the herbal one was.”
Gideon frowned. “How does he make a profit if he charges so little for his books?”
“He always buys unsorted crates at a set rate from the supplier of the batch of books I got mine from today. Sometimes he uncovers treasures and sometimes he barely manages to break even.” She smiled. “I believe he enjoys the possibility of discovering unknown gems, which is why he continues purchasing from that particular man.”
“Do you remember the titles of the books that were stolen from you?” Gideon asked next.
“I’m afraid not, but I’m sure Mr. Bainswright would be happy to look up my missing titles. He keeps a log of every book he puts on the floor to sell.” Her eyes suddenly took to gleaming in a rather concerning way. “Dare I hope you’re inquiring about the titles because you think we should launch an investigation, one where we’ll need to let the right ears on the street know we’re on the lookout for my books and will pay handsomely for any information leading to their recovery?”
“Wewon’t be doing anything.”
She waved that straight aside. “You need to discontinue your aversion to the wordwe. Besides, it was my books that were stolen, and it was me, along with Vernon and Leopold, who had to fight valiantly to get poor Harvey back. That means there definitely needs to be awein this particular instance.”
Before Gideon could argue with that, Leopold sat forward. “Forgive me for interrupting, but it almost sounds as if Adelaide has become involved with that business you’ve taken such pains to keep quiet, Gideon.”
“Would anyone like some cheese?” was all Gideon could think to ask as a distraction as he made his way over to the tea tray and began fixing up small plates, ignoring the startled look from Mr. Timken, whose job it was to serve the cheese, and who was unaccustomed to anyone blithely taking over his duties.
Edna, surprisingly enough, hurried to assist him, which earned a widening of Mr. Timken’s eyes, something she neglected to notice as she went about the business of handingCamilla and Adelaide small plates of cheese. She then grabbed two plates Gideon had finished preparing before she headed Vernon’s way, fluttering her lashes in his direction as she thrust a plate into Leopold’s hands, who barely managed to grab hold of it because Edna had already turned her back on him and was once again batting her lashes at Vernon right before she settled herself between the two gentlemen. That unexpected development left Vernon smiling and Leopold practically falling off the settee.
“This day just keeps getting more and more interesting,” Adelaide muttered, which earned her a nod from Camilla, who’d not said much since Adelaide and the gentlemen had arrived, which was quite unlike her, and suggested she might very well be wondering exactly what she’d agreed to get herself into by taking Adelaide on.
“Where were we?” Vernon asked, drawing everyone’s attention, although Edna had been keeping her attention centered on him, something that was probably responsible for Vernon being somewhat flushed.
“I believe we were discussing Gideon’s occupation and Adelaide’s involvement in that,” Leopold said before he took a bite of cheese and turned an expectant eye on Gideon.
“I never knew Gideon had an occupation, other than being a gentleman who can lunch,” Edna said, leaning toward Vernon and smiling a smile Gideon had often seen Camilla put to good use when she wanted to coerce information out of someone. “Truth be told, I don’t see him lunching often, which could very well be explained due to this mysterious occupation of his.”
Gideon cleared his throat. “I don’t believe this is exactly the moment to delve into that, not when we’re already running behind schedule with our dance practice this evening.”
The smile slipped from Edna’s face as she crossed her arms over her chest and took to looking exactly like the high-society widow she was, one who’d been known to strike terror into thehearts of the upper crust with a glance, an ability that had been the reason behind Camilla convincing her aunt to take up the role of chaperone for her.
“Your secret occupation has now come out into the open,” Edna began. “It would hardly be fair to deny me at least a summary of what that occupation entails, especially when it sounds as if dear Adelaide has been swept into this secret. With me being the oldest lady in the room—although I’m not that old, being a mere sixty, er, something—it’s my obligation to ascertain that whatever shenanigans you’ve allowed Adelaide to become involved with will not damage her reputation.”
Gideon gave a tug on a tie that was beginning to feel overly tight. “Contrary to what Adelaide seems to believe, she’s not involved in any business I may be engaged with, nor will she be in the future. It should also be noted that Camilla, who has been less than subtle with her attempts to convince me she should be brought on board with my, uh, firm, will not have that desire appeased either. And, as another aside, I’m not involved in shenanigans, but in a legitimate business endeavor.”
“But what exactly is this business?” Edna pressed.
Seeing absolutely no way to extricate himself from what was turning into an honest-to-goodness inquisition at the hands of a determined society matron, Gideon summoned up a smile. “I’m invested in an accounting firm.”
“My late husband was invested in many ventures, but he never took pains to keep his interest in those businesses quiet, something Leopold mentioned you’ve been doing,” Edna shot back. “May I assume you’re doing so because there’s some question about the legality of this business or perhaps the men involved with you?”
“My firm is completely on the up-and-up.”
“Who else works at this firm?” Edna tossed at him next.
“Ah...”
“Roland Kelly,” Camilla supplied.
“Traitor,” he muttered, garnering a wink from Camilla before she calmly took a sip of her tea, the wink lending the impression she was a tad put out with him for reiterating his refusal to allow her to become involved with his firm.
Edna tilted her head. “Wasn’t Roland Kelly your former bodyguard?”
Gideon settled for simply nodding, knowing that was hardly going to stop the interrogation but not wanting to provide her with too much information if he could help it.
“Roland never struck me as the type of gentleman to concern himself with poring over dreary ledgers,” Edna said.
Vernon released a chuckle, immediately drawing Edna’s attention.
