Camilla gave El Cid a scratch behind the ears. “It would be better to have a bag made for El Cid because he probably outweighs poor Gladys, but allow me to get out of here before Adelaide decides El Cid needs a cat companion and I’m taking two cats home with me instead of one.” With that, Camilla sent him a cheeky grin, did the same with Charles, then headed for the door, her pace increasing when she shot a glance to Adelaide, who was now holding a tabby cat and looking around the room.
After Charles excused himself, saying he needed to check on his mother, Gideon moved over to a floor-to-ceiling window and took a moment to enjoy the sight of rapidly falling snow, trying to distract himself from the sparking business. It was a difficult feat to accomplish because the idea of Adelaide perhaps feeling sparks between them was one that left him with the distinct urge to abandon decorum, stride to her side, remove the tabby cat from her arms, and ... kiss her.
It was an unusual urge to have at this particular moment, but it was one that had undoubtedly come about due to Camilla’s broaching the idea that he felt a spark toward Adelaide. In all honesty, he couldn’t completely refute that because he did feel something between them, although it was more powerful than a spark, and had prompted thoughts of kissing her on more than one occasion.
“I’ve said my good-byes to most of the guests, but I still needto get Dudley Paulding on his way before we can head for Central Park. He seems oblivious to the fact that calling hours have come to an end,” Adelaide said, materializing next to Gideon and pulling him from his thoughts, although considering his gaze immediately went to her lips, it was obvious that kissing was still foremost in his mind.
“Frankly,” she continued, “I’m reluctant to approach him because he’s been saying the oddest things to me.”
All thoughts of kissing disappeared in a flash. “Whatkindsof things?”
“Not those kinds of things,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “He’s not completely inappropriate. However, today he mentioned he was disappointed I wasn’t wearing that sapphire necklace I wore to the ball. He apparently has little knowledge about the rules of society, such as ladies don’t wear gems during the day. I tried to tell him that as gently as I could, but instead of dropping the subject, he had the audacity to suggest he should send me a lovely ruby necklace that’s been gathering dust in his safe after I told him I don’t own any rubies.”
A sliver of temper stole over him. “Did he now?”
“I’m afraid so.” Adelaide shook her head. “I think he’s determined to marry into society, and not that I know this for certain, but he may have his eye on me.”
“Would you like me to discourage him?”
“I’m hoping having you escort me over to speak with him will be enough, although...” She tilted her head. “How would you go about discouraging him?”
“Pistols at dawn springs to mind.”
Adelaide laughed, the sound lessening some of the temper that was flowing freely through him. “Pistols seem a little excessive. Perhaps you should merely take him by the arm and steer him for the door, which will then result with him standing on the sidewalk, wondering how that came to be.”
“That won’t be nearly as amusing as meeting him at dawn.”
“Well, quite, but simply because Dudley’s annoying doesn’t mean he needs to suffer a bullet.” With that, and with eyes now twinkling, Adelaide settled the tabby into the crook of her right arm, then took hold of his arm with her other hand, and together they walked across a nearly empty parlor to join Dudley, who was contemplating one of the many paintings gracing the parlor, peering at the brushstrokes through his ever-present monocle.
“Do you enjoy works of art, Mr. Paulding?” Adelaide asked.
Dudley immediately popped the monocle from his eye and left it dangling from a gold chain down the front of his jacket as he turned, the smile on his face dimming significantly when he caught sight of Gideon.
“Indeed I do, Miss Duveen,” Dudley returned. “And if I haven’t mentioned this, I’m currently in the process of working with an architect to build a residence on Fifth Avenue—close to the Vanderbilts, at that. I’ve decided to include a room dedicated to paintings, sculptures, and the like, so I have taken to inquiring about artists whose work is hanging in all the best houses.” He inclined his head to Adelaide. “Your house is obviously considered one of those, hence my interest.”
“The Duveen house does possess an impressive art collection,” Gideon began, catching Dudley’s eye. “But I’m afraid you won’t have time to look over additional pieces today because calling hours have drawn to a close.”
Dudley’s lips thinned before he settled a smile on Adelaide. “Then I’ll be certain to return tomorrow. May I dare hope you’ll give me a personal tour of this impressive residence, where we can then discuss your art collection at length?”
The distinct desire to plant his fist in Dudley’s face stole over Gideon, but before he could do more than scowl at the man, Adelaide shook her head.
“I’m afraid I won’t be at home to receive callers tomorrow. I have a pressing engagement to attend to, and speaking ofengagements, I must apologize because I have committed plans for the rest of the day, which means I need to bid you a good afternoon.”
Dudley’s smile faltered for the briefest of seconds before he hitched it back into place. “I certainly don’t want to keep you, although I hope you’ll spare me a few additional minutes to meet some of your cats.” He leaned forward, his eyes on the tabby nestled against Adelaide’s side. “I’ve recently spotted a few mice in my house, so a cat, which I also understand you seem to collect, may be exactly what I need to route the rodents from my house. I imagine that beast in your arms would probably suffice.”
Annoyance flashed through Adelaide’s eyes, and if Gideon wasn’t convinced Dudley was showing interest in Adelaide’s cats because of some odd manner of courting ritual, he might have felt a small sliver of sympathy for the man, given the wrath he was soon to experience.
“I don’t believe Finnegan is the right, ah,beastfor you,” Adelaide returned in a voice that was downright frigid. “He’s somewhat temperamental and needs affection on a regular basis.”
“Nonsense,” Dudley countered, brushing aside Adelaide’s concerns with a flick of his hand. “Finnegan will be perfect for me because I have scads of affection to give an animal.” With that, Dudley reached for the cat, earning a hiss from Finnegan in return, which Dudley ignored as he stepped closer, his proximity causing the cat to take a swipe at him with his claws exposed, which left Dudley stumbling backward, his monocle bouncing up and down against his jacket.
A yowl of displeasure resounded around the room a second later as Finnegan jumped to the ground, sent Dudley another hiss, gave a twitch of his tail, then shot out of the room.
“What a nasty cat you have there, Miss Duveen,” Dudley said, lifting his arm as his eyes narrowed on the sleeve of his jacket. “It tore a hole in the fabric.”
Adelaide’s lips thinned. “Finnegan is usually pleasant to everyone, but I will apologize for the damage done to your jacket. I’ll be happy to replace it for you.”
“I suppose that’s the least you can do since your cat just tried to maul me,” Dudley muttered. “I’ll send you the name and direction of my tailor at my earliest convenience. But now, if you’ll excuse me, I believe it best for me to take my leave before your feline tries to have another go at me.” After sending Adelaide a hint of a bow, Dudley didn’t bother to address Gideon as he practically sprinted out of the room, checking to the left and to the right as he hurried away, obviously concerned that Finnegan might have decided to lie in wait and attack him again.
