Squaring her shoulders, she turned and caught Owen’s eye. “Forgive me, Mr. Chesterfield, but given what you’ve just told me transpired between your sister and Stanley Murchendorfer, I’m afraid I don’t possess the qualifications needed to rectify the whole breaking-a-gentleman’s-nose situation.”
Owen rose to his feet. “Luella doesn’t make a habit of inflicting bodily harm, Miss Pierpont. I fear she was simply overcome with temper after Stanley mocked her, which I’m sure you’ll agree was ungentlemanly decorum on his part. In all honesty, Walter Townsend’s recommendation alone regarding your incredible success with Adelaide Duveen is enough to assure me you’re fully qualified to carry out what I acknowledge is going to be a daunting undertaking.”
“Daunting might be an understatement.”
“A fair point, but from what Walter disclosed, Adelaide had been facing social ostracization until you stepped in and turned her into one of the most sought-after ladies of the New York Season. Not only did you manage that impressive feat, you were also responsible for matching her up with Gideon Abbott, one of the most eligible bachelors in New York last year.”
Camilla refused a sigh as she moved to retake her seat. “While I might have dabbled in a touch of matchmaking between Adelaide and Gideon, I hope you’re not about to suggest that I not only take Luella in hand, but also smooth matters over between her and this Stanley character. If Walter neglected to mention this, I’m officially retired from the matchmaking business.”
“You’re not completely retired,” Mr. Timken contradicted as he walked into the room.
Camilla frowned. “Of course I am.”
“Then explain why I have it on good authority that you’ve been considering taking on Charles Wetzel and Leopold Pendleton to sponsor, at least unofficially.”
“Whatgood authoritytold you that?”
“A proper butler never reveals his sources.”
She settled back on the chair. “A proper butler also never contradicts his employer in front of a guest.”
Mr. Timken sent her a wink. “Touché.”
She bit back a smile. “May I assume there was a reason you abandoned your normally strict adherence to what you always refer to as the rules of butler brotherhood?”
“I might have been hoping that by reminding you that you’re not actually retired, you might consider Mr. Chesterfield’s proposal.”
“Because?”
“Disclosing that reason would once again leave me abandoning my normal adherence to the butler brotherhood.”
“But since you’ve come this far, you might as well disclose away.”
Mr. Timken inclined his head. “Very well. I’d like you to consider taking on Luella Chesterfield because you’ve been sufferingfrom ennui often of late. Assisting that young lady would fill up your days, and given that Mr. Chesterfield admitted she’s a handful, your ennui would no longer be a problem.”
“A somewhat valid point,” Camilla admitted.
“It’s an excellent point, and you know it.”
“There you go again, abandoning your butler brotherhood rules of proper behavior.”
“But only because I have your very best interests at heart.”
Since there was no arguing with that as Mr. Timken had made a point of looking after her from almost the moment she’d been born, Camilla settled for sending him a smile, which he responded to with a wink before she returned her attention to Owen. “If we may return to your sister, I asked if you wanted me to smooth matters over with Luella and Stanley.”
“That’s the last thing I want, as does Luella, since she’s decided she’s never going to contemplate marriage again. With that said, though, she’s also decided to prove Stanley wrong and turn herself into a refined young lady.” Owen leaned forward. “Given your success with Adelaide, I’m convinced you’re the one person who can help her achieve that goal.”
“My success with Adelaide was completely different,” Camilla argued. “For one, she’s from a Knickerbocker family, whose position within the Four Hundred is firmly cemented.”
“Not firmly enough if society was going to ostracize her.”
Drawing in a deep breath in the hopes of dispelling the irritation that was once again plaguing her, she arched a brow his way. “Do you make it a habit to contradict everything everyone says, or is that simply something you reserve for me?”
“I wasn’t contradicting you. Merely pointing out the obvious.”
It was difficult to keep her jaw from clenching. “Be that as it may, I think you’re missing the point.”
“And I think you’re missing that Adelaide was in the same situation Luella now finds herself in and that you were able to step in and fix everything.”
