Jen Turano - [Ladies of Distinction 02]

by A Most Peculiar Circumstance

  He’d always thought of them as practically motionless, except when they were moving of course.

  He muffled a snort at that ridiculous reasoning and was suddenly thankful when the carriage began to slow. He needed a diversion from the strange notions that kept plaguing his every thought.

  “What was I thinking?” Louise asked as the carriage came to a stop.

  “Harold is going to be so disappointed with me,” Katherine said, although her cheeks sported a rosy hue and her dark eyes sparkled.

  Theodore could not remember the last time Katherine’s eyes had held anything but aloofness. She almost seemed a bit mischievous at the moment, her attitude most likely brought on by the fact she was doing something her staid and formal husband would not approve of in the least.

  It gave Theodore pause.

  Was he like Harold and his own father, Samuel? Did he believe a woman should be expected to wait at home while a gentleman was free to cavort around as he pleased?

  His collar suddenly felt rather tight. He tugged on it, but stilled when Louise sent him a frown.

  “Are you not feeling well, dear?” she asked, and before he could respond, continued, “I have to imagine you’re beginning to experience a trickle of unease regarding our plans for this evening. Have you come to the same conclusion I have, that this is not a good idea?”

  He pushed his troubling thoughts away and summoned up a smile. “Of course not, Mother. Having dinner with the Beckett family is a fine way to pass the evening. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time. If nothing else, it will certainly be more pleasant for you than spending the evening moping at home.”

  “I don’t mope,” Louise said.

  “Nor do I,” Katherine added.

  Theodore grinned. “You have no reason to mope now, Kate. Zayne will be here tonight, and that’s certain to improve your spirits.”

  “If you even so much as hint to him about my old infatuation, I promise I will hunt you down after the dinner party and inflict bodily harm upon you.”

  “I’d forgotten what a bloodthirsty wench you can be when you put your mind to it.”

  “It is hardly appropriate to call me a ‘wench,’ and you must know, if word gets back to Harold regarding my past, er, infatuation, he’ll be furious with me.”

  Theodore’s amusement died a rapid death. “Surely you know I would never intentionally embarrass you. As for Harold, he has little reason to be furious with you about anything. He should have made himself available to escort you to dinner tonight.”

  Louise’s brow furrowed as she regarded him warily. “What has gotten into you? You are not behaving in your normal fashion.”

  “What is my normal fashion?”

  “Well . . . normal,” Louise said before she leaned forward and peered out the window. “Oh, look, there’s another carriage pulling up.”

  Theodore glanced out the window. “It’s Mr. and Mrs. Murdock, and I do believe that’s Miss Murdock climbing down now.”

  Louise leaned back and patted her hair. “Well then, this is all right. The Murdock family is completely respectable.” She smiled. “I have always enjoyed Miss Felicia Murdock. She is very proper and would make any gentleman an excellent wife.”

  “I’m not planning on getting married in the foreseeable future.”

  “You’re rapidly on your way to becoming thirty. Your father and I married when he was only twenty-four.”

  “Which goes far in explaining why the two of you barely speak anymore,” Theodore uttered under his breath.

  “What’s that?” Louise asked.

  “Nothing,” Theodore said. “Do not, and I repeat, do not attempt your hand at matchmaking this evening, Mother. We’ve come to celebrate Miss Beckett’s return home, and that’s all we’re going to do.”

  “Do you know, I don’t believe Miss Murdock’s ever missed a church service? A lady like that doesn’t come around often. You would be lucky to attract her interest.”

  Katherine released a grunt. “Theodore doesn’t have a problem attracting interest from the ladies. Honestly, it’s annoying to have ladies seek out my company when I know perfectly well they’re only doing so in order to get closer to Theodore.”

  Theodore shifted in his seat. “I didn’t know ladies bothered you in the hopes of becoming known to me.”

  “I’m certain there’s a lot you don’t know.”

  “Katherine, stop baiting your brother,” Louise said before she glanced at Theodore. “Now then, returning to Miss Murdock. She is a very devout woman and would suit you admirably.”

  “I doubt even Miss Murdock would be up for the task of saving Theodore’s soul,” Katherine muttered, softening the words when she sent him a grin.

  He returned the grin. “As we discussed not that long ago, sister dear, my soul is perfectly fine.”

  “I doubt that, but I suppose you can always hope,” Katherine said. “Perhaps you should seek out Miss Murdock and her devout ways after all.”

  Theodore shook his head but was spared a response when his mother pressed her face up against the window and made a tsking sound under her breath.

  “I do wish Mrs. Murdock would not encourage her daughter to gown herself in such unexpected colors. Why, a lady possessed of Miss Murdock’s fair complexion should never wear that particular shade of green. She looks peaked even from this distance.”

  “While Miss Murdock’s unfortunate choice of a gown is indeed riveting, may I suggest we get out of the carriage and greet the Murdock family? I think they may be waiting for us,” Theodore said.

  Louise let out a sniff. “No need to get testy. I was simply pointing out the obvious.” She smoothed down her gown as Theodore opened the carriage door.

  He stepped out and took his mother’s hand, helping her to the ground. “You look lovely.”

  Louise began blinking rather rapidly. “That is quite the nicest thing you’ve said to me in years.”

  A stab of regret pierced Theodore. He told women on a daily basis how lovely they looked. How could he have neglected to pay the same compliment to his own mother?

  “I’ll try to be more diligent in the future,” he said quietly.

  “You really are ill, aren’t you?” Katherine asked as she paused in the door of the carriage.

  “I’m fine,” Theodore said, helping her down.

  Katherine lowered her voice. “Have you been drinking?”

  Theodore arched a brow.

  Katherine arched a brow right back at him. “Pity . . . that was the only explanation I could come up with to explain your odd behavior.”

  “Mr. Wilder,” Mrs. Murdock called, drawing his attention, “we meet again.”

  Theodore took his mother’s arm and extended his other one to Katherine before strolling up the cobblestone pathway to stop in front of Mrs. Murdock. He inclined his head to her and Felicia and smiled at Mr. Murdock, who was struggling to carry a large box.

  “Allow me to assist you with that, Mr. Murdock,” he said, taking a step forward as his mother and sister dropped their hold on him.

  “Thank you,” Mr. Murdock said, then handed the box to Theodore. “It was heavier than I was led to believe. I thought it only held a quilt.”

  Louise bit her lip. “I didn’t realize gifts were expected.”

  “Oh, don’t concern yourself, Mrs. Wilder,” Mrs. Murdock said. “That isn’t a present for Miss Beckett. It’s for Hamilton and Eliza. We gave them a gift at their wedding, of course, but Felicia and I have been working day and night on a special quilt for the new couple. They married so quickly that we didn’t have time to complete it before the ceremony.”

  “You know how to quilt, Miss Murdock?” Louise asked before sending a telling smile in Theodore’s direction.

  “I do, Mrs. Wilder, but I can’t claim to be overly proficient at the art,” Felicia said.

  “Nonsense,” Mrs. Murdock said with a wave of her hand. “Felicia is highly competent with all the feminine pursuits. Why, she even knows how
to cook.”

  Two bright spots of color appeared on Felicia’s cheeks. Theodore was about to intervene, being all too familiar with the antics of parents— especially mothers who were prone to push their daughters’ attributes in front of every available gentleman—but before he had an opportunity, his sister stepped forward, took Felicia by the arm, and began strolling toward the house.

  “I love to cook,” Katherine said. “Isn’t it amusing that you and I have been acquainted with each other for years and yet I didn’t know that about you?”

  “It is not as if we speak on a regular basis, Mrs. Gibson,” Felicia said while Theodore dropped into place beside her. “You have moved on to the married set, whereas I’m still lurking on the outskirts of society, trying to avoid the maneuverings of my mother.”

  Katherine leaned closer to her and whispered, “I can certainly sympathize with your plight. My mother’s maneuverings used to drive me mad.”

  Felicia stopped walking, glanced over her shoulder, then turned back to Katherine and Theodore. “Even though my mother makes the claim I’m adept in the kitchen, I’m really not. Our cook has forbidden me to step foot into her domain ever since I set the stove on fire. Funny thing, it turns out that grease really will explode if you allow it to get too hot.”

  Theodore juggled the box in his arms and smiled. When Felicia wasn’t suffering from embarrassment over her mother’s attention, she was quite lovely and seemed to possess a wonderful sense of humor. He tilted his head and considered her. With her blond hair, fair complexion, and eyes gleaming with mischief, Miss Murdock was actually incredibly lovely.

  Why then did he not feel one single bit of attraction for her?

  “Oh no,” Felicia moaned.

  Theodore glanced where Felicia was staring and realized another carriage had pulled up. A gentleman was climbing out of it, and in his arms he carried a small dark-haired girl.

  “This is marvelous,” Mrs. Murdock exclaimed as she hurried up to join them, Louise and Mr. Murdock following more sedately after her. “I was unaware Lord Sefton would be here.” She waved cheerfully and let out what sounded like a giggle when Grayson Sumner, Lord of Sefton, lifted his head, smiled, and began to stride toward them.

  “Mrs. Murdock, how lovely to see you,” Grayson said as he rearranged his small daughter, Ming, against his shoulder, and then grinned at Felicia. “Miss Murdock, you’re looking well this fine evening.”

  Theodore couldn’t help but notice that Felicia turned a deeper shade of pink. It was obvious by the way Mrs. Murdock was beaming at Grayson that she wasn’t at all opposed to Felicia attracting notice from this particular gentleman.

  “Mr. Wilder,” Grayson said as he sent Theodore a nod, “it’s good to find you back in town. I understand congratulations are in order this evening. You were finally able to locate Miss Beckett and return her to the folds of her appreciative family.”

  “Lord Sefton,” Theodore replied as he inclined his head. “I suppose congratulations are in order, considering it turned into a rather large ordeal to locate and return Miss Beckett to New York.”

  “She sounds like a delightful minx,” Grayson said with a charming smile, which for some peculiar reason made Theodore long to hit him. “And please, call me Grayson. I’ve recently abandoned my title and truly do prefer being addressed like everyone else.”

  “How does one abandon a title?” Katherine asked.

  “It’s easy,” Grayson said with another smile, “especially when one no longer resides in England.”

  “I do beg your pardon, Grayson,” Theodore said. “I’ve forgotten my manners. This is my mother, Mrs. Samuel Wilder, and this is my sister, Mrs. Harold Gibson.”

  “It is an honor to make your acquaintance,” Grayson said, gesturing to the little girl now burying her head in his neck. “This is my daughter, Ming.”

  Ming lifted her head before she plopped her thumb in her mouth.

  “Hello, Ming,” Felicia said.

  Ming stretched out her little arms, and Felicia stepped closer, scooping the child into her embrace. She nuzzled Ming with her nose, causing the girl to giggle.

  “I wasn’t aware you knew Ming,” Mrs. Murdock said, her eyes brimming with delight.

  “She’s been at the church a few times,” Felicia said.

  “My Felicia has a special way with children,” Mrs. Murdock declared.

  Theodore wasn’t certain, but he thought he heard Felicia release an exasperated sigh. He cleared his throat. “Perhaps it would be best if we made our way inside? I must admit that this box isn’t getting any lighter.”

  “Oh, forgive me, Mr. Wilder,” Mrs. Murdock exclaimed. “I forgot I added a few books for Hamilton and Eliza to enjoy. You know, the ones regarding childhood ailments and baby names?” She released a loud sigh. “The good Lord alone knows none of my children will need them anytime in the near future.”

  Louise smiled. “Why, Mrs. Murdock, your daughter is a lovely young lady who is certain to form an alliance soon.” She winked. “Perhaps you should take back those books.”

  Mrs. Murdock beamed as she exchanged a look with Louise before both ladies looked at him and then switched their attention to Grayson.

  He felt slightly like a cow being brought to auction.

  “I do hope you’re right, Mrs. Wilder,” Mrs. Murdock said. “You are fortunate to have your daughter so well-married.”

  “Yes, fortunate,” Katherine muttered, which caused him to frown and wonder yet again why he’d failed to realize his sister was unhappy.

  He searched his mind for a delicate way to question her about her marriage, realized it was hardly the appropriate time to enter into such a private conversation, so instead turned toward the door, pausing when it suddenly sprang open and Piper skipped out.

  “I’ve been waiting for you forever,” she squealed as she ran up to him, stopped by his side and grinned. “Why is everyone standing around outside in the freezing cold when the house is toasty warm?”

  “That is an excellent question, Piper,” Grayson said. He took Ming from Felicia and strode inside, the others following behind him.

  Theodore moved to join them, but found his way blocked by Piper, who was staring at the box in his arms, a look of glee on her tiny face.

  “Is that my surprise?”

  “I’m afraid it’s not.”

  Piper’s face fell, and her lips began to tremble.

  “Piper, you’ve forgotten your manners,” Hamilton said as he appeared on the stoop beside them. “Theodore only just returned to town after chasing your aunt around the country for weeks. He’s barely had a moment to settle in and certainly hasn’t had time to pick you up a surprise.”

  Piper’s blue eyes filled with tears, causing Theodore’s heart to lurch.

  “Here,” he said, thrusting the box into Hamilton’s arms. “Make yourself useful.”

  He squatted down in front of Piper and wiped a tear from her cheek. “You don’t actually believe I would have forgotten my promise to you, do you, darling? For your information, I made a special stop at the toy store before I went to fetch my mother and sister. Perhaps you would care to walk with me back to the carriage so we can retrieve your present?”

  Piper’s tears miraculously disappeared. She grabbed his hand and tugged, causing him to laugh as he straightened and nodded to Hamilton. “We’ll be right back.”

  Piper chatted incessantly as they hurried down the sidewalk and to the back of the house where the grooms had parked the carriages. He opened the door to his carriage, reached inside, and extracted three packages. He stepped back and rolled his eyes at Piper’s expectant expression.

  “Now, don’t get your hopes up. Only one of these is for you; the others are for Ben and Ming.” He handed the box wrapped in red paper to Piper, who let out an excited giggle. He tucked the other two boxes under his arms and began walking back to the front of the house, Piper beside him, shaking the box again and again with every step she took. She suddenly stopped and
sent him a bright smile.

  “Thank you so much for getting me whatever is in this box, Mr. Theodore. I don’t care what everyone else says, you’re a very nice gentleman.”

  He smiled at her comment, but then the rest of her words registered and he couldn’t quite hold back a grunt. “What does everyone else say about me?”

  Piper shook her head. “God doesn’t like us to gossip about what we’ve heard, but it isn’t completely horrible what everyone says.” Her eyes crinkled at the corners. “Grandmother adores you.”

  “What about Eliza and Agatha?”

  “Hmm . . . I suppose they adore you as well, especially since you saved Ben and me from a terrible, painful death.”

  He really did love this precocious child.

  They rounded the corner of the house and walked briskly up the steps, the butler holding the door open for them before they even reached it. Theodore sent him a nod of thanks and entered the house, not surprised in the least when Ben barreled straight for him, Ming scampering at his side.

  Theodore bent down and gave Ben his package and smiled when Ben set it on the floor and took the package from him that was meant for Ming.

  “She’s shy,” Ben said. He handed the present to Ming and then scooped his off the floor. He bolted out of the room, shouting a “thank you!” over his shoulder, with Ming and Piper running after him.

  “It was very kind of you to remember Ming,” Hamilton said, stepping into the foyer.

  Theodore shrugged. “Kind is my middle name. Zayne mentioned that Grayson was bringing Ming with him tonight, so it wouldn’t have been acceptable to exclude her.”

  “You really are nicer than people give you credit for, aren’t you?”

  He was going to have to reevaluate how he projected himself to the world.

  “I keep telling all the ladies that you are . . .”

  Hamilton’s words faded to nothing when an enticing laugh drifted from the next room, causing Theodore to move into motion, hardly aware of leaving Hamilton still speaking behind him. He reached the large receiving room and froze.