“There’s plenty to say because you, my boy, are making the worst decision of your life,” Vernon argued. “Adelaide is perfect for you. You can’t let her go simply because you’re afraid you’ll lose her in the end.”
“I’m afraid I’ll lose her because of her association with me.”
Leopold sat forward. “Life comes with risks, Gideon. Yes, you take more risks than most, but Vernon and I were the same in our younger days. We traveled the country, seeking out new adventures, did some work for the government at times, and then returned every so often to the city because our mothers demanded we show up for holiday dinners.” He smiled. “We were fortunate to meet our wives during one of those visits, and Adelaide reminds both of us of our late wives.”
“How so?”
Vernon took a sip of his drink before he smiled. “My Veronica and Leopold’s Darcy were women not fond of the expected feminine graces. They both enjoyed escapades, which is why they were drawn to us in the first place. Veronica and I got married a month after being introduced, and Leopold married Darcy a month after that. Both of our wives insisted on traveling with us, and what adventures all of us enjoyed together.”
“Darcy and I got chased by bears once,” Leopold added, his eyes twinkling. “We reached the edge of a cliff, and Darcy didn’t hesitate to jump, landing in a pool of water at least twenty feet below us. I, of course, followed her, and we could have lost each other then, but we didn’t.” The twinkle faded from his eyes. “I lost her to an illness ten years ago, but you see, Gideon, one of the last things she said to me was to thank me for allowing her to lead such an extraordinary life and to not curtail her adventurous spirit simply because she was born a woman.”
“Veronica was the same,” Vernon said. “She died of a weak heart some five years ago, but like Darcy, she told me before she died that she wouldn’t have changed a thing about our lives. That she loved sharing everything with me instead of being left behind to tend home and hearth.”
“Adelaide deserves an extraordinary life,” Leopold said. “And you’re the only one who can give that to her.”
“But what if she’s harmed?”
“I’ve always believed God looks after us, and I think you can see that’s certainly been the case with Adelaide, given the life-threatening circumstances she finds herself in.” Leopold leaned closer to Gideon. “Don’t deprive yourself and Adelaide of an exceptional life simply because you think you’re being chivalrous by turning away from her to keep her safe. Adelaide is a woman who was born to live life to the fullest, and I’m convinced she wants to live that life with you.”
“I’m not sure I agree with that,” Gideon argued. “She never gave me any indication she was anything other than fond of me,even if shewassomewhat distraught when I told her I wanted to discontinue our friendship.”
“She’s definitely not fond of you now if you actually told her that,” Vernon said dryly. “But luckily for you, Adelaide possesses a generous soul and a kind nature. I imagine she’ll forgive you, although some groveling might be in order.”
Gideon glanced out the window as he tried to gather his scattered thoughts, stilling when he caught sight of Lottie McBriar, who was, oddly enough, waving at him from the other side of the glass.
“Isn’t that ... Lottie?” Leopold asked, peering through the window.
“I’ll be right back,” Gideon said.
“We’re coming with you,” Vernon said, rising to his feet as Leopold did the same, the gentlemen falling into step behind Gideon as he made his way through the dining room and then out a door that led to a snow-covered terrace, Lottie hurrying to join him.
“This is an unexpected surprise,” Gideon said once Lottie stopped in front of him.
“I’m sure it is,” Lottie said, “but I had to come because...” She stepped closer to him, laying a hand on his arm. “It’s Adelaide. He’s got her, along with Sophia Campanini.”
Gideon’s heart missed a beat. “Marshall Wilson has Adelaide and Sophia?”
Lottie frowned. “Why would Marshall Wilson have them?”
“Because Marshall’s the man who hired Frank to retrieve Sophia’s journal.”
“Dudley Paulding paid Frank to steal the journal, and he’s the one who has Adelaide and Sophia.” Her brows drew together. “Why did you think Marshall is behind everything?”
“That’s what Frank told me.”
Lottie wrinkled her nose. “I suppose that’s not surprising, given that Frank, who isn’t afraid of much, is deathly afraid ofDudley, but we’re wasting time. As I said, Dudley has Adelaide, along with Sophia.”
“Has them where?” Gideon demanded.
“Last I saw them, they were heading toward Bleecker Street. I think he’s taking them to the bookstore. I was following them, but then I saw you riding in the opposite direction and came after you because I wouldn’t have a chance of saving them on my own, not when they’re with Dudley.”
He shot a look to Leopold. “Did you bring your carriage today?”
“It’s around front.”
Five minutes later, they were racing down Park Avenue, Lottie explaining everything she knew.
“...and then Frank demanded I get a job with Sophia after he was unsuccessful meeting with her, the fact that he decided to get personally involved in this affair speaking volumes about just how intimidated he is by Dudley. I was tasked with the job of discovering where she kept her journals, and then I was supposed to steal her current journal and whatever journals she’d written over the past four months.” Lottie dashed a strand of hair out of her face. “Unfortunately, Sophia doesn’t keep her journals lying about, putting them in her safe. After telling Frank that, he insisted I stay on as Sophia’s dresser until I uncovered where her safe was and located a key or a combination to said safe—a difficult assignment if there ever was one because Sophia’s a suspicious sort.”
