A snort was Camilla’s first response to that. “Of course I did, which is why I’m taking credit for your happy union.” She sent Adelaide a wink. “I knew the moment I saw the two of you interacting when you were up in that tree that you were meant to be together, which means I may have been a little hasty with abandoning my matchmaking endeavors.” She caught Adelaide’s eye. “I’ve been thinking I should take Charles on.”
“Aunt Petunia would adore that.”
“She would indeed. And not that Charles is aware of this, but Petunia already sought me out the other day while I was enjoying tea at Rutherford and Company. She mentioned that the ennui everyone apparently realizes I suffer from was certain to return since life will undoubtedly be rather dull now that you and Gideon are settled. She then told me Charles, being somewhat difficult when it comes to setting his sights on a particular lady, would be a challenge for me, staving off my boredom.” She blew out a breath. “She then broached the matter of my aunt Edna, telling me how I could banish the disappointment I was sure to be feeling over not matching up my own flesh and blood with a man Aunt Edna was destined to marry—that being Vernon of course.”
“Were you disappointed to not have had a hand in that romance?”
Camilla waved that aside. “Aunt Edna had no need of a matchmaker, not when she and Vernon fell for each other after spending an afternoon together.”
“Edna does seem incredibly pleased with herself.”
“She also seems twenty years younger since Vernon proposed to her and is happier than I’ve ever seen her.” Camilla’s lips curved. “She told me she’s highly anticipating the adventure she’s certain to experience when Vernon takes her on a European tour. She mentioned something about hiking in the Alps and then going off to Egypt to view the pyramids.”
“Leopold will certainly miss their company while they’re gone.”
Camilla tilted her head. “Perhaps I should take him on to find him a match as well.”
“You definitely wouldn’t suffer from boredom then because Leopold, as I’ve learned, can be a handful. But returning to Edna, since she’s no longer your chaperone, are you considering hiring someone to fill that role?”
“I already have.” Camilla smiled. “Although technically Lottie McBriar is now my paid companion, not chaperone.”
“You’ve hired Lottie?”
“I certainly wasn’t going to allow the poor girl to find herself working for Victor Malvado next, something I got the distinct impression Lottie was worried about because it seems every criminal boss in Five Points longs to have well-spoken girls who can read working for them.” Camilla dashed a strand of golden hair out of her face. “I’ve already taken the liberty of resettling Lottie and her mother in the apartment above my carriage house here in the city, but know that I’m having improvements made to a delightful cottage that resides on the grounds of my Hudson estate. Mrs. McBriar will move there when it’s ready, and I’ve assured Lottie she’ll be able to visit her mother whenever she pleases.”
“Aren’t you concerned that this mysterious Victor Malvado may take issue with that if or when he returns to the city and discovers he won’t be adding Lottie to his stable of thieves and hoodlums?”
“I don’t believe anyone of the criminal persuasion would think I, a well-established member of the Four Hundred, would even consider hiring someone with Lottie’s history.” Camilla sent Adelaide a hint of a wink. “However, if that’s not the case, I do have connections with the accounting firm.”
“Gideon’s already determined to learn more about Victor Malvado.”
“I’m sure he is, but enough about that troublesome criminal.” Camilla moved to take hold of Adelaide’s arm. “Tell me, has Gideon told you yet where he’s taking you after the wedding?”
“I’m afraid not, but I’ve devised a plan to coerce that information out of him.”
“A plan, you say? How intriguing.”
A tingle ran up Adelaide’s spine as she turned and found Gideon walking her way, a large box in his hand and a twinkle in his eyes. As he set the box atop of a stack of books, she moved to join him, the tingles increasing when he leaned forward, kissed her ever so softly on the lips, then drew back and arched a brow.
“So?” was all he said.
“So ... what?” she had to ask because his kiss had left her thoughts a bit muddled.
“Your plan?” Gideon prompted.
She wrinkled her nose. “I’m not telling you that. It won’t work if I do.”
“She makes a most excellent point,” Camilla said, earning a scowl from Gideon in return.
“Don’t you have somewhere you need to be?”
Camilla sent him a cheeky grin. “Since Adelaide has no oneelse to chaperone her at the moment, I’m afraid I don’t have anywhere else to be except here.”
“I hear the back room calling you,” Gideon countered.
Camilla tapped a finger against her chin. “I suppose it could be calling, but I’ll only answer that call if you agree to teach me how to use the Assassin’s Creed.”
“You’re not nearly as proper as everyone believes because that sounds exactly like blackmail,” Gideon grumbled. “Besides, the Assassin’s Creed is far too much gun for you since you just learned how to operate a basic revolver.”
