He laughed. “Why am I not surprised, but will it put you in a more affable frame of mind if I promise to seek your council if the accounting firm has another opportunity to decipher a code?”
It was difficult to resist a snort. “While I would normally be thrilled at the thought of you seeking my counsel, I find myself curious as to exactly how many ciphers the firm has ever handled.”
It was rather telling when Gideon winced. “Uh, only one.”
“I thought so, which means you’ll likely never have a reason to make use of my assistance again.”
Gideon leaned closer. “I hope you know I’m not deliberately trying to disappoint you, nor have I been refusing to bring you into the firm because I question your abilities. I’m simply determined to keep you safe.”
Adelaide’s brows drew together. “But I wouldn’t expect you to include me in covert operations. I was thinking more along the lines of acting as an investigator of sorts, slogging through files, searching for clues in the safety of your office, which, if you’ve forgotten, is on Broadway, not down in the Battery. I highly doubt anyone of the criminal persuasion would burst in there and threaten me.”
“A somewhat valid point.”
“It’s more than somewhat and you know it,” Adelaide said. “You also know that your associates don’t appreciate the mundaneness of research and looking through case files. I, on the other hand, would relish that opportunity. It would give me that purpose that’s glaringly absent from my life right now.”
“And to that I must disagree because I would think you’ve realized over the past few days that you have a purpose, and a noble one at that.” Gideon nodded to Dorothy Mann, who was speaking with Camilla, who’d turned El Cid over to Dorothy, even though the cat was now gazing longingly back at Camilla, obviously trying to beseech her to hold him again. “You made a point of including Dorothy, along with Marigold Welding and Lucille Codman, at our table during the Patriarch Ball. Because of that, they now seem to have the confidence neededto pay calls, something I know Dorothy wasn’t comfortable doing because she told me so last night at the theater.” He settled a warm smile on her. “I don’t know of any other lady who would have extended such a gesture, but you didn’t hesitate to act, which speaks to your inherent character, and highly at that. You must know, given your recently elevated status within society, that you can have a large role with helping ladies not possessed of sparkling labels find their place in the world, and not one that keeps them invisible.”
“It’s not that I won’t continue pulling wallflowers from their walls, but I’ve realized that I’m not meant to spend the entirety of my days immersed in society events. I need something more, something that will mentally challenge me.”
“Won’t the bookstore provide you with that?”
“To a certain extent, but I won’t be opening that for a few months, not when I want to refurbish. Plus, I’ve struck a deal with Mother. She was adamantly opposed to me purchasing the store until I sent a telegram to my father, who’s currently away on business. Father didn’t hesitate to contact his bank, give his approval for me to remove money for the bookstore from my trust, and have his attorney begin proceedings to legally transfer the deed into my name.”
Gideon frowned. “Your father doesn’t mind his daughter launching herself into trade?”
“Not when he knows I have a passion for books. However, he insisted I agree to Mother’s terms, which are that I’ll hire a manager and a full staff. That means my presence won’t be needed every hour of the day, so I’ll have time for other endeavors, preferably useful ones.”
“Such as research?”
“Exactly, which, if I haven’t mentioned this already, I’m very proficient with. And not that this is a selling point, mind you, but taking on a research position at the accounting firm would allow me the opportunity to not simply read about all the fabulousadventures in my beloved spy novels, but to experience them in person for a change.”
Gideon smiled. “Your enthusiasm for the accounting firm is somewhat difficult to resist.”
She let her shoulders sag the tiniest bit. “But you’re going to resist, aren’t you?”
To her surprise, instead of immediately agreeing to that, Gideon considered her for a long moment before his brows drew together. “I’m not sure.”
She blinked. “You’re not?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because an idea just sprang to mind that may work to appease your longing for a mental challenge, although I have to state here and now that what I’m about to offer is against my better judgment. . . . What would you think about sorting through all of those case files you mentioned and perhaps setting up a more organized filing system for us?”
Her mouth dropped open. “You’re offering me a job?”
“I’m considering it, but it would be on a trial basis, and you won’t be working from the accounting office, even if it is on Broadway. I’ll have the files sent to you here, where you can peruse and organize to your heart’s content.”
“That seems like it might be a bit of a bother for you.”
“Bother or not, that’s the only option I’m willing to consider.” He settled a stern eye on her. “There will be no wheedling on your part to get you into the office instead of your house, nor any trying to convince me to let you go out into the field. This is strictly a desk job, and one you’ll do in the safety of your own home, and I won’t change my mind about that.”
Twenty-Three
“I’ve clearly taken leave of my senses,” Gideon muttered to Charles as he watched Adelaide flitter about the room, bidding her guests good-bye, the genuine smile on her face suggesting she was delighted by his invitation to slog through old files on behalf of the accounting firm—an offer that, frankly, had taken him just as much by surprise as it had her.
“I think your senses are fine,” Charles countered. “It’s more to do with you being incapable of disappointing my cousin.”
