Jen Turano - [Ladies of Distinction 02]

by A Most Peculiar Circumstance

  “I certainly appreciate the fact you ladies decided to include me.”

  Arabella swung her attention around and watched as Katherine Gibson breezed through another silk curtain, gowned in a hideous creation of putrid pink, a towering black wig perched on her head. “We didn’t decide to include you, Mrs. Gibson. If you will recall, you blackmailed us into agreeing to let you tag along.”

  “Blackmail is such a nasty little word, and please, under the circumstances, don’t you think you should call me Katherine?”

  Agatha took a step forward, wobbled on her shoes, kicked them off in disgust, then stalked over to stand in front of Katherine. “Fine, we’ll address you as Katherine, but you still resorted to blackmail.”

  “Honestly, Agatha, I would think you would be more sympathetic to my plight,” Katherine said. “If you’ve neglected to remember, I was facing an evening spent with parents.”

  “You were the one who accepted an invitation to dine with them,” Arabella pointed out.

  “True, and I admit I was perfectly content to enjoy their company until I discovered the adventure planned for the evening.”

  “You were eavesdropping outside my bedroom door,” Arabella said.

  “I stand guilty as charged, but I have no remorse over my underhanded method. If I hadn’t followed you after I saw the three of you skulking past the parlor, I’d still be socializing with the old people.” Katherine gave a delicate shudder, the act causing her wig to lean to one side.

  Arabella crossed her arms over her chest. “Don’t you think your mother is going to become concerned after a few hours when you don’t reappear from using the powder room?”

  “Did I forget to mention that I went back to the parlor and told everyone that you had graciously included me in your plans for the evening?”

  “Yes, you did forget to mention that,” Arabella muttered. “I must admit I’m a little astonished your mother agreed to your change of plans. I was under the distinct impression she doesn’t approve of me.”

  “She’s had a change of heart, dear. Truth be told, she’s been a little rebellious of late, and I do think her change can be laid squarely at your feet, and those of your mother.”

  Alarm trickled down Arabella’s spine. “But . . . your mother and I barely exchanged a word between us at the dinner party.”

  Katherine waved a gloved hand in the air. “I know, but there you have it.”

  Arabella frowned. “Where did you tell your mother you were going tonight?”

  “I was ingeniously vague, not that I had a choice in the matter considering none of you extended to me all the particulars about the evening.” Her eyes began to twinkle. “Where did you tell your parents you were going?”

  Arabella smiled. “I was ingeniously vague as well, although . . . I didn’t lie when I told my mother we were going to the theater.” She gestured around the room. “We are at the theater.”

  Katherine rolled her eyes. “We’re in the dressing room, and it’s not as if we’re planning on seeing the show.”

  Eliza stood up and moved to stand beside Katherine. “Have you considered how you’re going to explain tonight to your husband? I hate to bring this up, but there is always the chance something will go wrong, as has happened all too frequently with some of our plans, and then what will you do?”

  Katherine shrugged. “I’ll worry about that if and when something goes awry. I readily admit that Harold and I are not on good terms at the moment, so, quite frankly, I don’t care if my actions cause him distress.” She blew out a breath. “He’s been very difficult of late, accusing me of becoming ‘bothersome’ simply because I pressed him to explain some of his recent activities.” She nodded to Arabella. “I believe he holds you responsible because I spent an evening in your presence.”

  How in the world was she supposed to respond to that?

  “If you ask me,” Katherine continued, “he’s simply throwing nasty accusations my way to muddy up the waters regarding his recent carousing.”

  “Carousing?” Agatha asked.

  “Oh, not with women, mind you, but I do believe quite a few pubs have been involved. He was very put out regarding my questions. It would seem he only wants me to speak of mundane things and nothing of any substance.”

  Arabella swallowed as she realized Katherine’s blasé attitude hid a world of hurt. She couldn’t imagine being married to a gentleman who refused to engage in heated conversations, and her attitude toward the lady changed immediately. She rose to her feet, walked to Katherine’s side, and reached out to touch her arm. “Have the two of you ever spoken of anything other than the mundane?”

  Katherine’s eyes turned a little misty. “He was more attentive while we were courting. That went away almost the moment the vows were exchanged. Now we’re simply strangers sharing the same roof, and all he expects from me is demure behavior and no trouble.”

  “You certainly look like trouble now,” Arabella said.

  Katherine’s lips twitched. “My entire family would be appalled if they knew what I was up to. Well, maybe not my mother. She’s apparently as annoyed with my father as I am with Harold. I believe that might have been why she accepted the invitation to dinner this evening. She knew full well that socializing with Mrs. Beckett and Mrs. Watson would cause my father a bit of aggravation.”

  Arabella tilted her head. “Your brother will be beyond aggravated if he discovers you went with us tonight.”

  “I don’t care what Theodore thinks.”

  “You’re only saying that because he’s not in town at the moment.”

  “Oh, he’s in town. He got back last night and stopped by for a visit.”

  A thread of temper began to stir. Even though Arabella had tried not to think about Theodore, he’d occasionally invaded her thoughts, and with those thoughts had come worry. The man did have a dangerous job after all, and the least he could have done was allow her the common courtesy of letting her know he’d returned safely.

  Honestly, what was she thinking? It was not as if they’d parted on friendly terms, and he certainly didn’t owe her a nicely penned note telling her he’d—

  “He was in a foul frame of mind,” Katherine said.

  Arabella’s temper cooled considerably. “Oh?”

  “I think you had something to do with his dismal mood.” Katherine frowned. “He kept badgering me about whether I’d seen you while he’d been away, and what you’d been doing.”

  Arabella tilted her head. “Why would he expect you to know what I’d been doing?”

  Katherine shrugged. “I have no idea, nor do I really understand why he showed up at my house. It’s not as if my brother visits often.” She tapped a finger on her chin. “It was most peculiar, especially when he turned downright surly after I mentioned that I’d heard you’d been shopping.”

  “He was surly because I’d been shopping?”

  “That is what I came to believe, unless you did something other than shopping that might have annoyed Theodore?”

  Arabella paused for a moment even as her lips twitched. “I might have breathed.”

  Katherine’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “Yes, breathing has been known to send Theodore over the edge, but I have no wish to dwell on my dear brother at the moment. He is cut from the very same cloth as Harold and my father, and I’m tired of contemplating men and their irritating ways. They are much more trouble than they’re worth.”

  “Excuse me, Miss Beckett, but it’s almost time for Madame Antoinette to arrive, and she will not react well to finding all of you taking up space in her domain,” Mrs. Davis said, bustling up beside them.

  Arabella smiled. “Then we shall be on our way, Mrs. Davis, because I for one certainly don’t want to incur the wrath of Madame Antoinette. Thank you again for lending us such lovely costumes.”

  “I don’t know if I’d go so far as to make the claim my costume is lovely,” Katherine muttered.

  Arabella ignored her, watched as Agatha shoved he
r feet into her high shoes, and couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “You do remember that it snowed yesterday, don’t you?”

  “I need to look authentic,” Agatha said before she smiled at Mrs. Davis, grabbed her reticule off a table, and pranced somewhat gingerly out of the room, Eliza laughing by her side.

  “Are you certain you want to go through with this?” Arabella asked as she and Katherine strolled toward the door.

  “This is the most fun I’ve had in quite some time.”

  “Fun has a way of turning into trouble,” Arabella said. She took Katherine’s arm, hurried through the theater and out the door, sucking in a breath as cold air smacked her in the face. She bent her head and hurried to the carriage, gave the driver instructions on where to take them, but then told him to wait a minute when she noticed Eliza sitting there on the seat.

  “Did you forget that you brought your carriage?” she asked as she scrambled to take her seat, scooting over to make room for Katherine.

  “I only wanted to give all of you some last minute encouragement and to remind you to not do anything dangerous.”

  Agatha pulled a blanket from under the carriage seat, threw it on top of herself, and smiled. “There’s no need to worry about us. We’re only going to ask some questions and perhaps do a bit of snooping.”

  Eliza narrowed her eyes. “You never said anything about snooping.”

  “If I’m going to write an award-winning article, snooping will be required.”

  “Now I’ll never relax until I get word you’re safe,” Eliza said.

  Arabella reached over and took Eliza’s hand. “I know not being able to accompany us is difficult, but . . . if you need a distraction, you could think of ways to get the ladies off the streets for good. It was an ingenious move on Agatha’s part to insist they not solicit customers this evening so they could help us, but that only gets them away from their job for a single evening.”

  “I’m surprised they agreed to my suggestion,” Agatha said. “They were so adamant about not accepting charity.”

  Arabella released Eliza’s hand and settled back in the seat. “That’s why I was rather ambiguous when I was discussing their payment for assisting us tonight. I admit I might have led them to believe the wages they’re earning are coming from the New-York Tribune. We’ll need to be careful and not mention that I’m the one paying them.”

  “I’m still not comfortable with you absorbing the full amount,” Eliza said.

  “I have more than enough money at my disposal, Eliza, and besides, I’ve decided that helping women get off the streets is going to be my newest cause.”

  “I thought your cause was to secure the right to vote,” Katherine said slowly.

  “It’s not as if I’m going to abandon the suffrage movement, but I’ve come to realize that while I’ve been campaigning around the country, true atrocities are occurring to women right here in New York. I believe God has had His hand in recent events and is pushing me to lend these ladies my assistance.”

  Eliza frowned. “I don’t want to discourage you, Arabella, but I don’t know if these ladies will be receptive to any assistance from you. They were quite adamant about not appreciating charity.”

  “It wouldn’t be charity if we found them another way to procure a living,” Arabella argued.

  “I have no idea what manner of employment they would be willing to accept,” Eliza said. “From what we’ve seen, they’re relatively uneducated, and you and I both know New York society is incredibly particular regarding what type of servants they allow in their grand houses.”

  Katherine blew out a breath. “Perhaps we should simply ask them what they’d like to do with their lives.”

  “Now, there’s an idea,” Arabella said. “Simple yet brilliant. I should have thought of it.”

  Katherine rolled her eyes. “I don’t believe you’re the type of lady who likes to settle for ‘simple.’”

  Eliza laughed. “On that note, I’m going to take my leave before events turn violent.” She shoved open the carriage door, the act causing a frigid burst of air to whip over them. She jumped to the ground and turned. “You will be careful, won’t you?”

  Agatha rooted around on the carriage seat, located her reticule, and pulled a pistol from it.

  “Why am I not surprised you’re armed?” Eliza said.

  “I have one too,” Arabella said, lifting up her skirt to display the pistol securely attached to her leg with a frilly garter.

  Eliza shifted her gaze to Katherine. “Just make certain you stick next to these two.”

  Katherine whipped up her skirt and pointed to two pistols, one attached to each leg. She dropped her skirt and grinned. “I am Theodore’s sister after all.”

  “God help you,” Eliza said before she closed the door and hurried away.

  Arabella watched out the frosty window until she saw Eliza disappear into her own carriage, then rapped on the roof and leaned back in her seat when the carriage set to moving.

  “So, Arabella,” Katherine began, drawing her attention, “I’m still curious as to what you did to my brother to make him so disagreeable to me.”

  Arabella opened her mouth, shutting it when absolutely nothing came to her, but was saved the bother of a response when Katherine continued on as if she hadn’t just asked a question.

  “There I was, sitting in my parlor with Theodore, fielding question after question about you, but then I told him your mother mentioned you’d been spending a bit of time shopping, and he got testy. It was rather odd, especially since Theodore has been known to escort more than his fair share of ladies through the shops.”

  Arabella wouldn’t allow herself the luxury of contemplating why that statement rankled her. “I have no idea why the idea of shopping would have made Theodore testy. I can assure you, I’ve never once enjoyed a turn through the shops with your brother by my side.”

  Agatha made a tsking sound under her breath. “Theodore’s surliness had nothing to do with shopping. I think it results from his finding you fascinating, Arabella, but being too stubborn to admit it. I think he realized he wasn’t behaving in his normal fashion and turned surly to distract from his behavior.”

  “Theodore does not find me fascinating. Irritating perhaps, but not fascinating.”

  Agatha smiled. “Why else would he have accused you of flirting with Grayson?”

  “Because he enjoys annoying me?”

  “Well, there is that,” Agatha mumbled.

  Arabella turned back to the window and allowed her gaze to drift over the people scurrying around the streets, their heads bent and their shoulders hunched against the cold. She caught a glimpse of ships in the distance and turned from the window. “We’re almost to the docks.”

  Katherine’s eyes widened. “I didn’t know we were going to hawk our wares at the docks.”

  “We’re not hawking our wares. We’re just asking questions. There will be no need for any hawking.”

  “But . . . the docks are exceedingly dangerous. What should I do if some man approaches me?”

  “I doubt we’ll encounter that,” Arabella said. “I’m more than certain our appearance will be a deterrent rather than an enticement. Just stay by me and you’ll be fine, or you could always remain in the carriage.”

  Katherine lifted her chin. “Although I admit I did not realize what our final destination was going to be, I’m not a coward. I’m going with you just as I promised, and I’m determined to be useful.”

  “Look, there’s Violet,” Agatha said as the carriage rolled to a stop. She opened the door and jumped to the ground, the long skirts of her gown trailing behind her.

  Arabella struggled through the door, followed immediately by Katherine, and took a moment to collect her bearings as a strong gust of wind smacked into her, causing her wig to wobble and her dress to lift up around her. She pushed the gown down, straightened her wig, and took hold of Katherine’s arm before they hurried over to Violet.

  Violet’
s mouth dropped open as her gaze went from Arabella to Agatha and then lingered on Katherine. “Good heavens, would you look at the three of you.”

  “You ladies look like a bunch of traveling actors,” Lottie said as she strode up to join them, with Sarah and Hannah following a few steps behind.

  Katherine shook out her skirts. “We’re wearing opera gowns.”

  Lottie frowned. “You’re not Mrs. Beckett.”

  “I’m Mrs. Gibson, but you may call me Katherine, or maybe Kate would be more appropriate for this evening.”

  Lottie’s frown deepened. “Are you married to Mr. Harold Gibson?”

  Katherine narrowed her eyes. “You are familiar with Harold?”

  “Not personally,” Lottie said, taking a step back as Katherine advanced.

  “How do you know him?”

  “He’s one of the richest men in New York,” Violet said. “We know all the rich folks. It can come in handy at times if you catch one of them doing something shady.”

  “Yes, well,” Arabella said quickly when Katherine began to sputter, “we should get into our places. Where do you suggest we start, Violet?”

  “As we discussed yesterday, we’ll go to the far end of the docks where most of the girls have gone missing. We’ll stroll around and see if anyone suspicious turns up.” Violet drew in a breath and slowly released it. “There’s always the chance that we might run into the madman who’s been stealing our friends, so if any of you feel uneasy about someone, don’t hesitate to yell. Remember, even though we’re going to split up into smaller groups, everyone needs to be with another lady at all times. It would be a cruel ending to this evening if someone else was snatched.”

  A shiver ran down Arabella’s spine at those ominous words. She fell into step with the other ladies and tried to ignore the vulgar comments that began coming their way from the men lining the docks. She straightened her shoulders, stifled the urge to address the rude comments, and continued forward, the moisture from the sea stealing through her clothing and causing her to shiver. She couldn’t help the sadness that seeped into her very soul as the thought came to her that Violet and her friends were out on these docks nightly, forced to ignore the elements in order to earn a living.