“I’m sure it does. I wouldn’t think Sophia Campanini is accustomed to being rejected.” Adelaide’s gaze returned to Sophia, who was still leaning halfway out of her carriage. “Perhaps that explains why she’s lingering, or does she want you to join her and you’re about to tell me our trip to the park is going to be delayed?”
“It truly is uncanny how accurate your deductions are at times. But while Sophia did suggest I delay my walk and abandon you, she’s now changed her mind about that because she wants you and Charles to join us for a ride about the city.”
Adelaide arched a brow. “Because?”
“I may have called you my dear friend, which apparently piqued her interest.”
“Or infuriated her, since she’s now undoubtedly concluded that we share some manner of romantic, er, involvement—not that you view me in a romantic light, of course, but she doesn’t know that.”
He felt an unusually strong inclination to contradict her about that.
“Gideon! It’s not getting any warmer out here,” Sophia yelled before he could get a single word of contradiction out of his mouth.
“She’s a very demanding sort, isn’t she?” Adelaide said before she lifted her chin. “However, having her shriek like a fishmonger is certain to attract my mother’s attention since Sophia does have a voice that carries. I believe it’ll be best all-around if we join her for that ride. Truth be told, I’m beyond curious to discover what she wants to have a word with you about. I’m hoping it has something to do with Frank Fitzsimmons. Perhaps he’s reached out and proposed having another tête-à-tête with her.”
Gideon took hold of Adelaide’s arm, and with Charles walking on her other side, and Moe keeping pace with Charles, they began moving down the sidewalk. “From what I’ve learnedabout Frank over the past month, besides being adept at remaining out of sight, hence the reason I’ve yet to run him to ground, he’s an incredibly savvy man who’s got a reputation for knowing exactly how to keep his involvement in criminal endeavors sequestered. He won’t attempt to personally meet with Sophia again because that would be too great of a risk. That is exactly why I assume he sent Lottie McBriar to take up a position with Sophia, probably to either steal whatever it is Frank was hired by someone to steal from her, or to at least extract information that he needed.”
Adelaide came to an abrupt stop, wiping snow from her face. “Sophia’s the client who asked you to locate Lottie?”
“She is.”
Adelaide’s eyes began to gleam. “I’m suddenly feeling far more enthusiastic about meeting this woman.” With that, she surged into motion, tugging him along at what could almost be considered a trot.
She released her hold on his arm the second they reached Sophia and dipped into a curtsy. “Madame Campanini,” she all but gushed. “How lovely to make your acquaintance. I’m Miss Adelaide Duveen, and may I simply say that I am one of your greatest admirers?”
As Sophia began to preen before pressing Adelaide on why she was such an admirer, Charles moved close to Gideon and lowered his voice. “I thought you were determined to keep Adelaide far removed from any fieldwork.”
“I am.”
“You’re failing miserably with that then, because Adelaide isn’t the type to fawn over anyone. That she’s doing so now suggests she’s about to launch into an attempt to extract any information she can about Lottie.”
“I’m afraid you may be right.”
“Indeed. So why did you ask us to join you if you knew Sophia wanted to discuss Lottie in the first place?”
Gideon rubbed a hand over his face. “Adelaide asked me to get Sophia on her way as quickly as possible, what with the wig business and all, and—”
“You couldn’t refuse her request,” Charles finished for him as Sophia swung her attention to them, or rather Charles, beaming a smile at the man as she fluttered her lashes.
“You must be Mr. Charles Wetzel, darling Adelaide’s cousin.” Sophia thrust her hand Charles’s way, waiting until after he’d kissed it before she blew out a breathy sigh. “How charming you are, Mr. Wetzel, or should I call you Charles?”
When Charles merely stared at the woman as if he had no idea how to respond to that, Adelaide edged closer to Sophia and smiled, although the smile didn’t reach her eyes—not that Sophia noticed. “I fear my dear cousin has found himself tongue-tied in your presence, Madame Campanini, and who can blame him? You are, after all, the most renowned opera singer in the country, if not the world. But perhaps we should continue discussing that from the comfort of your carriage? It’s beginning to snow harder, and I would hate your lovely voice to suffer any damage from the cold.”
Sophia shot a look to Gideon. “I now understand exactly why she’s yourdearfriend.” With that, she retreated into the carriage, but not before telling her driver she wanted him to drive them around the city. A second later, she called for Adelaide to join her, and after sending him a grin, Adelaide climbed into the carriage, Charles following behind her.
Whistling for Moe to jump in after Charles, Gideon took a second to get Moe settled on the floor before he sat down beside Charles, looking up to find Sophia scowling at him.
“I didn’t realize your mutt would be joining us,” she said.
“I couldn’t very well leave him or Harvey behind.”
“Harvey?”
Gideon nodded to where Harvey was peeking out of his saddlebag. “My cat.”
“I never took you for a cat person.”
“I wasn’t one until Adelaide convinced me, as well as a good portion of society, that cats make extraordinary companions.”
