“And while the idea of an interrogation sounds downright delightful, I overheard you and Charles making plans to go riding later this afternoon. I’m sure the ladies will be more than understanding when I tell them I can’t linger around for any interrogating since I’ll be assuming the role of chaperone.”
“I don’t need a chaperone.”
“Given the way you and Charles were thick as thieves earlier, chatting about horticulture of all things, and then gazing intently at each other until we were ushered into ladies’ furnishings, leaving Charles and Mr. Timken waiting for us on those comfy settees I assume were strategically placed to stash waiting husbands and the like, you, my dear Luella, are definitely in need of a chaperone.”
“I’ve gone riding numerous times in my youth with boys I know and have never bothered to take a chaperone with me.”
“But you’re no longer in your youth. You’re also determined to become a proper lady, and proper ladies, when in the company of a gentleman, require a chaperone to assure that expected proprieties are maintained.”
“I doubt Charles would even consider abandoning proprietieswith someone like me. We’ll most likely spend our time riding speaking of horticulture. You’ll then end up being bored to tears, which means there’s no need for you to accompany us.”
“Except that a shared interest often leads to other interests, and those interests are exactly why you need a chaperone.” Camilla smiled. “However, if you’re opposed to me taking on that role, I’ll be more than happy to ask Elma to step in. She has, after all, promised to assist me with, as she says, ‘gussying you up.’”
Luella blinked. “Oh, I don’t think there’s any need to involve Aunt Elma.”
“Does that mean you’re agreeable to me chaperoning you?”
“I’d be absolutely thrilled to have you accompany us on our ride.”
“Sarcasm, just so you know, should be used sparingly, but with the chaperoning business settled, off you go to the dressing room.”
As Luella made her way across the room, Camilla moved to rejoin Lottie, who was holding up a hat, one she discarded a second later.
“It had a bow” was all Lottie said once Camilla stopped by her side.
“Luella does seem to have an aversion to bows.”
“For good reason, since her mother and Ada Mae Murchendorfer apparently engaged in rivalry bow competitions over the years.”
“An excellent point, but bows aside, and before I forget, I was wondering if you’d be opposed to stopping by Chesterfield Nails after we complete our shopping today. I’ve been longing to see how nails are manufactured.”
Lottie abandoned another hat. “Please. The only thing you’re longing for is an opportunity to create a supposedly random encounter between me and Edward because you’ve got matchmaking on your mind.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Lottie caught Camilla’s eye. “Then explain, if you please, why you were all smiles when Edward and I returned with another loadof furniture last night, even though he only offered to go with me because he’s aware that Victor Malvado might be a threat.”
“Since Leopold received another telegram early this morning from the Accounting Firm, who now has Victor under surveillance and hasn’t noticed any unusual activity coming from him or his criminal associates, I think the threat level to both of us is relatively low right now.”
“But we didn’t know that yesterday, hence the reasoning behind Edward’s gallant offer to protect me.”
“Ah, so you find him gallant, do you?” Camilla smiled. “I’m sure that notion only increased after he chose to sit beside you last night at dinner and made a point of explaining all the local dishes to you before you tasted any of them.”
“He sat next to me because you told him to.”
“Did I?”
Lottie crossed her arms over her chest. “For a woman who keeps claiming to have retired from matchmaking, you certainly seem to be jumping back into it with gusto—and not only with me.”
“Is it my fault that as a former matchmaker I’m finding it difficult to ignore what could certainly be spectacular matches that have all but landed in my lap?”
“Yes, that would be your fault, and while I agree that there’s something interesting between Beulah and Leopold, and that learning Luella and Charles share a fondness for horticulture, which I can’t believe too many people do, does suggest they might be more than compatible, Edward Stevens and I are not well matched.”
“He’s clearly besotted with you and spent yesterday practically glued to your side.”
Lottie rolled her eyes. “And while his attention was certainly flattering, I’m not the woman for him. Edward, I’ll have you know, teaches Sunday school, volunteers teaching English classes at a grammar school three times a week during his lunch hour, and escorts his mother to church two times a week.”
“You attend church with me every Sunday, so I know you’re not opposed to going to church.”
