Camilla released a sigh. “You know there’s absolutely no argument I could possibly make to that.”
“Then it’s settled,” Adelaide said. “I’ll take up the reins of the bookstore, and you’ll convince everyone that’s a most innovative idea.”
“You make that sound as if it’ll be an easy accomplishment.”
“You’re the one who said you wield considerable influence within the Four Hundred.”
“Notthatmuch influence,” Camilla muttered right as Mr. Timken, her butler, knocked on the door, stuck his head into the room, and announced that Charles Wetzel had arrived. A second later, Charles stepped into the room, his gaze immediately settling on Adelaide.
“Thank goodness. There you are,” Charles said as he strode over to Adelaide. He gave her a kiss on the cheek, presented Camilla with a bow, inclined his head to Gideon, then returnedhis attention to his cousin. “I’ve been all over town looking for you.”
Adelaide’s brows drew together. “Because?”
“Your mother wants a word with you. She told me you left early this morning for Bainswright Books, but after I fought my way through traffic, I discovered the shop deserted. I then made my way to the Ladies’ Mile, wandered around down there for an hour, then recalled you mentioned something about suffering through additional fittings this week, so ... here I am.”
“Why does Mother want a word with me?”
Charles rubbed a hand over his face. “I suppose that’s on account of me. I may have—inadvertently, of course—told her, along with my mother, that you were set upon by thieves yesterday.” He winced. “Given your mother’s reaction, it was immediately evident you neglected to mention anything about that incident to her.”
“You told my mother I was robbed?”
“In my defense, I didn’t know it was a secret.”
“It’s not. I simply wanted to avoid worrying her, which is why I’ve taken pains to avoid her today.” Adelaide’s shoulders slumped ever so slightly. “I’m sure, though, since Mother has a tendency to overact to my misadventures, she’s already making plans to hire armed guards to watch me.”
“She’s decided I’m going to be your guard until after she gets word to your father,” Charles said. “She was composing a telegram to him as I was leaving.”
“Of course she was,” Adelaide murmured before she frowned. “But how did you know about my latest incident in the first place? I haven’t seen you for a couple of days.”
“Leopold and Vernon told me. I encountered them pulling up to your house when I returned to my carriage to fetch a shawl for Mother.”
“Why were Leopold and Vernon at my house?”
“I believe it had something to do with them wanting to persuade your mother to speak to Camilla on their behalf.”
“I knew they were taking my refusal to include them a little too easily,” Camilla grumbled.
“Well, quite,” Charles agreed. “But after they explained why they were there, they then wanted to know my thoughts about the theft. After I admitted I had no idea what they were talking about, they disclosed the details of what had transpired.” He winced. “That’s why, when Aunt Phyllis said you’d taken your carriage out early this morning, and then my mother remarked that it was odd you’d take a carriage instead of traveling on the El, I may have said something about how it wasn’t odd in the least considering you’d been robbed only the day before.”
“Oh no,” Adelaide whispered.
“Indeed,” Charles said. “Needless to say, the conversation took a turn for the concerning. On the bright side, though, Leopold and Vernon seemed very pleased, because your mother has already decided theywillbe brought on to help with your relaunch since those two gentlemen can help protect you if I’m unavailable.”
“The last thing I need is two septuagenarians intervening on my behalf if I get approached by thieves again. Poor Leopold already suffered a black eye, and Vernon was limping his way out of Camilla’s house last night because of an unexpected tumble over a fence.”
“They might not be as physically threatening as they once were,” Charles countered, “but they assured your mother they’re both more than proficient with weapons. They’re apparently now armed whenever they leave their respective homes, something they’ve not bothered to do for years, given the relative safety of traveling amongst the society set.”
“One has to wonder how many years have elapsed since they’ve had an opportunity to practice with those weapons,” Adelaide muttered.
“I was of that same thought,” Charles said. “Which is why, even though I didn’t get the impression they were exaggerating their skills, I invited them to join me at my rod and gun club to see exactly how accomplished they are.”
Gideon tilted his head. “You’re a member of a marksman’s club?”
“I belong to several,” Charles admitted. “I don’t enjoy participating in every event offered during any given Season, so I use the excuse of prior arrangements with members of my clubs to avoid frivolities I don’t particularly want to attend, such as dinners with Mother and her friends. Because of that, I’ve spent hours on firing ranges and have acquired, not that I care to brag, expert status with both pistols and long arms. That’s why Aunt Phyllis wants me to assume the role of Adelaide’s bodyguard until other arrangements can be made.”
“I’m sure you’ll be more than capable of protecting her,” Gideon said. “And if Leopold and Vernon step in when you’re unavailable, I’ll have time to devote to discovering who was behind the attack on Adelaide.”
Charles frowned. “Forgive me, but I’m not certain I understand why you’d do that, or why you’d have the qualifications to look into the matter at all.”
