“You should discontinue doing that type of considering because, no, I don’t believe fieldwork would be appropriate for a woman with an uncanny ability of landing into trouble at the drop of a hat, or a woman who purchased a revolver from a man selling kitchen utensils.”
Before Adelaide could argue with that, the carriage turned onto another road, one that was filled with bumps and had Harvey abandoning Gideon’s lap and clawing his way up the front of Gideon’s jacket to settle on his shoulder.
Ignoring the way her heart gave an odd pitter-patter when Gideon gave Harvey a pat instead of pulling him from where he was now perched, Adelaide lifted her chin.
“If you must know, I never had any intentions of purchasing a weapon. I’m well aware, what with my history of unfortunate events, that society would find the notion of my possessing a weapon somewhat appalling. With that said, though, I really had no choice but to buy the revolver because that poor vendorwas desperate for funds, and the revolver was the most expensive item he had for sale.”
“You could have simply given the man some money,” Gideon pointed out.
“That might have injured his pride.”
“You would have been better served buying several books that would have been equivalent to the price of the gun, or a few of those kitchen items, because after I inspected your revolver, I discovered it’s in abysmal shape,” Gideon argued. “I’m convinced if you’d tried to operate it, it may very well have backfired and harmed you instead of some well-deserving culprit, which is why we’re now on our way to my apartment in an effort to spare you unintentional bodily harm.”
“You’re going to provide her with another weapon?” Camilla asked before Adelaide could respond to any of that.
“Since I get the distinct impression Adelaide now has it in that stubborn head of hers that she needs to keep a weapon in her bottomless reticule, I think it’ll be best all around if I provide her with one that’s more appropriate for a lady unaccustomed to handling pistols.” Gideon settled a frown on Camilla. “But why did you think we were going to my residence, if not to get a more appropriate firearm for Adelaide?”
“I thought you forgot something and needed to fetch it before we repair to Adelaide’s house to discuss additional security measures since she’s determined to keep the diary in her possession.”
“Something that’s still a bone of contention for me,” Gideon muttered.
“It shouldn’t be, because it’s the only option that won’t draw suspicion from whoever was after that code,” Adelaide argued.
“It’s not the only option,” Gideon argued back. “My idea—where we’d let it be known that you’ve given the book to me—would send everyone on a wild-goose chase and also afford us more time to figure out who actually wants it.”
“We can’t say I gave it to you since there’s the possibility, what with how your secret occupation isn’t nearly as secret anymore, that word is even now traveling around the street about your involvement with the accounting firm,” Adelaide countered. “Whoever is after the code would certainly go to ground if they heard about your true occupation, which would then leave us with no way to ferret out the truth about the code or who was responsible for attacking me. And—” she drew in a breath—“before you blame me for so many people knowing about your clandestine activities, you need to remember that Camilla was already privy to that information, and that Leopold and Vernon figured everything out on their own.”
“Vernon is a most astute gentleman,” Edna said before Gideon could retort to that. “And not that I want to take sides in this matter, but I think Adelaide may be right in that having her retain the diary, at least for now, is the best course of action. Even to me it would seem odd if someone went out of their way to let it be known they’d given away a book, especially when that diary isn’t valuable.” She settled a smile on Gideon. “And while I understand you’re simply trying to keep Adelaide safe, our dear Vernon, along with Leopold, is going to step up to help protect her as well as Charles, so I don’t believe she’ll be in much danger.”
Camilla’s nose wrinkled as she settled her attention on her aunt. “Since when have you begun thinking of Vernon asdearVernon?”
Edna fluttered her lashes. “Did I call himdear?”
“You know you did, which suggests you’ve formed an attachment to the gentleman, even though I thought you swore off gentlemen forever after Uncle Morton died, and just two years after that, you got involved with Count Something or Other, who had his eye on your fortune.”
“Vernon doesn’t need my fortune, darling. He’s independently wealthy.”
Camilla opened her mouth, but before she could speak asingle word in response to that telling statement, the carriage slowed to a stop.
“We’ll be continuing this discussion about Vernon later,” Camilla muttered as the driver opened the door and held out his hand to Adelaide as Edna said something about there not being anything more to discuss.
Taking a second to readjust her traveling cloak, Adelaide turned back to the carriage, smiling as she watched Gideon attempt to convince Harvey he wanted to return to his basket. It quickly became evident that Harvey wanted no part with that because he dug his little claws into the fabric of Gideon’s jacket and refused to budge from Gideon’s shoulder.
“I believe your stubbornness is rubbing off on him,” Gideon grumbled as he handed Adelaide the basket before he sent Harvey, who was still perched on his shoulder, a side-eye, then turned to assist Edna and Camilla out of the carriage as Charles strode over to join them.
“Didn’t realize you lived at the Dakota, Gideon,” Charles said, his gaze traveling over the impressive building in front of them, one that appeared to be at least ten stories high. “I’ve been considering moving out of my mother’s house, but every time I broach the subject, she comes up with a million excuses why I should remain living under her roof.” He grinned. “She’ll deny this, but her main reason is because she fears I’ll never get married if she’s not present to nag me about that every day.”
Adelaide returned the grin. “Aunt Petunia does enjoy a reputation for persistent nagging, but perhaps you could have Gideon speak with her and extol all the advantages of living in an apartment, such as how some of the residents here must surely be eligible ladies.”
“I doubt any self-respecting lady would live in an apartment,” Edna argued, scowling at the building before she settled a stern eye on Gideon. “I assumed you resided in a reputable brownstone, which is why I agreed to stop by your residencein the first place. If I’d known you lived in a seedy apartment building, I certainly wouldn’t have condoned this detour.”
Adelaide settled her gaze on the Dakota, which was anything but seedy and more along the lines of majestic, given the gabled roof, dormered windows, terracotta detailing, balconies, projecting turrets, and a cornice that separated the seventh story and roof from the rest of the building.
“Once you get inside, Edna,” Gideon said, “you’ll see that the apartments give the impression of a brownstone, yet with more spacious accommodations.”
“That may be true,” Edna began, craning her neck as she looked over the building. “However, I would think it’s burdensome to have to traipse up endless stairways to gain access to the upper floors.”
“And it would be, except that the Dakota is equipped with hydraulic elevators.” Gideon smiled. “It also boasts eight apartments per floor, each of which has between four and twenty rooms, and each floor has four elevators, one designated for two specific apartments. Since I lease two apartments, I’m the only resident on the sixth floor with access to my assigned elevator, which affords me the privacy to come and go at will.” He shook his head. “I would have preferred the seventh floor over the sixth because the views are better, but there were no apartments available.”
