“I haven’t as of yet, but I’m not all that fussed about it considering I’m not in any hurry to abandon my bachelor state, no matter that my mother nags me about that on an almost hourly basis.”
“Perhaps her nagging would cease if you attempted to dance with a few ladies at any given event. You never know, you might discover one who suits you.”
Charles took another sip of his champagne. “I’m not sure you’re qualified to lend me lady advice since it’s clear you’re not keen to leave your bachelor state behind anytime soon either.”
“Simply because I’m determined not to marry doesn’t mean I don’t have credible advice to lend about the subject. Half my friends have entered marital bliss, and they feel free to share their observations about the fairer sex with me on a frequent basis.”
“Which I’m sure has lent you insight, but may I assume that has left you with an unfavorable impression of ladies in general, which is why you’re opposed to marriage in the first place?”
“Not at all. I’ve simply made the decision to remain a bachelor for now because, given my occupation, it wouldn’t be fair to become involved with any lady. I’d constantly be keeping secrets from her, and that’s not the best way to sustain a happy union.”
“Not every lady is incapable of handling the truth about your involvement with matters of intrigue,” Charles argued. “Adelaide knows exactly what you do, and instead of being appalled by it, she’s champing at the bit to convince you to bring her into the firm.”
Gideon resisted a sigh because Adelaide not being put off by what he did was a notion that had been springing to mind more than he cared to admit. He’d always been of the belief that ladies were meant to be sheltered from the unpleasantness the world had to offer, but Adelaide had proven that simply wasn’t true in all cases.
She seemed to thrive in the midst of chaos and had actually tried to convince him three nights before that she should accompany him to Five Points to try to ferret out information regarding what had been transpiring at Bainswright Books under the oblivious noses of poor Mr. and Mrs. Bainswright.
She’d been less than pleased when he’d flatly refused, telling him she was perfectly capable of looking after herself, then adding that it was quite presumptuous of him to make decisions about what she could or couldn’t do.
Adelaide, he was beginning to discover, was rather magnificent when she was in a temper. In fact, she was quite magnificent during any given hour of any day, and ... he couldn’t seem to stop dwelling on the idea that if he were in the market for a wife, she’d be someone exactly like Adelaide, or rather, shewouldbe Adelaide.
It was a thought that crept frequently to mind, rousing him in the middle of the night from the deepest of sleeps, and one that suggested Adelaide was much more to him than simply a friend.
“Given you something to ponder, haven’t I?” Charles said, dragging Gideon back to the conversation at hand.
Gideon cleared his throat. “Forgive me. I fear I was lost in thought, which was quite rude since you and I were engaged in conversation.”
“And that thought would be?”
He hesitated for the briefest of seconds, not knowing how much he should disclose. “I was thinking about your cousin and how she isn’t intimidated by the risks I’m faced with on any given day.”
“Adelaide has never been one to shy away from danger, as can be seen by how she’s longing to join the accounting firm.” Charles smiled. “I’m simply waiting for the day you relent to her persistent badgering.”
“You’ll be waiting a long time because even though Adelaidewouldbe an asset to the firm, what with how she possesses unusual insight into figuring out plots, bringing her on is not a possibility, given that associates of the firm are required to interact with members of the criminal persuasion far too often.”
“A valid concern, but because you do seem rather fond of my cousin, instead of bringing her on to work for you, you could always consider turning your eye to courting her instead. As we’ve mentioned, Adelaide is perfectly aware of what you do, doesn’t shy away from the dangerous life you lead, and besides all that, I think she’d make you a more than suitable partner.”
“Which is an interesting proposition, but you must realize that there’s always the threat that whatever criminal I’m pursuing will turn to anyone I care about in retaliation for my disrupting any nefarious plans they have. I would never want to place Adelaide in peril, which means there’s no sense continuing this conversation because I’m not in a position to offer your cousin a place in my life other than friendship, even if, perhaps, there’s a part of me that wants to do exactly that.”
Nineteen
It really came as no surprise when Charles’s mouth went a little slack a second after Gideon’s admission slipped past his lips.
“That was definitely not the response I was expecting,” Charles said, setting his now-empty glass on a silver tray a server held out to him. “And not that you’ve asked for my counsel, but I can’t help but feel compelled to point out that you may very well be wrong with your decision to not explore what the possibilities could be with Adelaide. Yes, your work is dangerous, and people close to you have the potential of being affected by that. Nevertheless, I don’t think you’re giving Adelaide enough credit. She’s incredibly resourceful and always seems to extricate herself well from the unlikely situations she finds herself in.”
“The last thing I want is Adelaide placed in further jeopardy, which she would most certainly be if I began courting her. Besides, she’s given me no indication her thoughts about remaining a spinster have changed.”
“Perhaps you should ask her about that.”
“That would be an interesting conversation because your cousin would most assuredly be curious as to why I would ask her such a thing.”
“To which you could reply that you’ve realized you’re, uh, well, perhaps somewhat, um, fond of her.”
“Professingfondnesswould certainly leave her heart in a fluttering state as well as set her palms to sweating for sure.”
Charles grinned. “I don’t claim to be an expert on romantic prose, as can be seen by how dismal my love life has been. You, however, have most likely assumed the role of cavalier gentleman to the ladies when you’re on assignment. I’m certain that experience would serve you well in coming up with something suitable to say to Adelaide.”
“I don’t believe my occupation has equipped me with the skills needed to glean information likethat. I also don’t think this is a conversation we need to be having right now because, if you’ve forgotten, there’s soon to be a plan afoot, one I’m playing a key part in.”
