Out of the Ordinary

by Jen Turano

  Finding himself the center of attention a mere second later, attention that came with an air of expectation, Harrison drew in a breath, then paused when an unexpected thought sprang to the forefront of his mind.

  He could, right here and now, appease them all by proclaiming his very great affection for Gertrude while standing in the midst of God’s house.

  Since that idea might have come directly from above, and because he was a man who believed in following where God led, he knew it was an idea he should act upon.

  Drawing in another breath, he opened his mouth, but then he glanced to Gertrude and found her not looking back at him in an anticipatory way, but with an expression on her face that seemed to be one of . . . horror.

  Not understanding the horror in the least because he’d been under the impression she held him in some esteem, Harrison struggled to understand the look, breathing a sigh of relief a second later when a perfectly reasonable explanation sprang to mind.

  Gertrude had been without the attention of a mother figure forever, and yet now not only Mrs. Davenport but Miss Henrietta and Miss Mabel as well were anxious to take her in hand, smothering her in feminine attention if he was understanding their intentions correctly.

  That was why she was obviously not anxious for him to declare his intentions, because that would deprive her of fulfilling a need she’d been longing to experience most of her life.

  Realizing he’d evidently misunderstood God’s subtle nudge, he inclined his head Gertrude’s way before smiling at Mrs. Davenport.

  “While I willingly admit that Gertrude and I have been progressing nicely as I do believe you mentioned, we’re progressing nicely as friends. She has become one of the most important ladies in my life. As such, I wouldn’t do her the disservice of discouraging you, Mrs. Davenport—or Miss Henrietta, or Miss Mabel—from taking her in hand. My greatest hope is that you’ll see her well-settled with her very own happily-ever-after in the not-so-distant future.”

  For a brief moment, silence settled over the church, until Mrs. Davenport let out a completely unexpected snort, took Gertrude by the arm, and then marched her way up the aisle, muttering something about what an idiot he was when she brushed past him.

  He was not reassured when Temperance sent him a sad shake of her head before she followed Mrs. Davenport and Gertrude, nor did it bode well for the situation when Miss Henrietta and Miss Mabel cast pitying looks his way before they, too, marched up the aisle. Edwina and Agent McParland left next, although they didn’t bother to even acknowledge him, apparently having missed everything he’d said because they seemed interested only in each other.

  Before he knew it, he was standing alone in the sanctuary save for Reverend Perry, a gentleman who tossed what might have been a commiserating glance his way before he bowed his head and began to quietly pray aloud, his prayer seemingly centered around the topic of misunderstandings.

  Chapter

  Twenty-Two

  TWO DAYS LATER

  MISS SNOOK’S SCHOOL FOR THE EDUCATION

  OF THE FEMININE MIND

  Gertrude walked the length of the long dining table, checking each place setting to make certain everything was laid out properly for the class she was preparing to teach on table etiquette.

  Miss Snook’s school was not yet back in session, but because Gertrude was no longer Mrs. Davenport’s companion, and had accepted the offer of becoming a full-time instructor in all matters of decorum, she had hours and hours of time on her hands. Those hours needed to be filled with tasks that kept her busy, especially since when she was at her leisure, thoughts of Harrison snuck into her mind and left her feeling somewhat morose.

  Spotting a knife that wasn’t polished as well as it should have been, Gertrude picked it up and moved to a serving cart situated by the door to the dining room, smiling when she saw someone had snuck in while she’d been occupied with her lesson planning and left a little snack of cookies and milk for her on the cart.

  Gertrude picked up one of the cookies, gave it a nibble, and wondered if she’d ever get used to being fussed over.

  Not only was Mrs. Davenport hovering over her at all hours of the day and night, but Miss Henrietta and Miss Mabel were hovering as well, their obvious determination to distract her from Harrison’s disappointing response to how he viewed their relationship going far in keeping her from descending into too many bouts of wallowing.

  It wasn’t that she’d truly believed Harrison would fall on his knees and extend her a proposal of the most romantic sort smack-dab in the middle of Grace Church. However, his staunch rejection of the idea that his relationship with her was progressing in a romantic fashion left her with a somewhat aching heart.

  That she’d known falling in love with Harrison was a great risk didn’t ease the disappointment now settled deep in her soul, especially since she’d thought she’d seen something interesting in his eyes after Mrs. Davenport’s initial remark, something that—

  “I simply do not understand why I’m being required to enter Miss Snook’s school as a student. Clearly I have designing skills those poor women who attend the school could find very useful in getting them out of their domestic jobs and into more satisfying ones.”

  Swallowing the piece of cookie she’d just put into her mouth, Gertrude looked up and found Mrs. Davenport standing in the doorway, holding what seemed to be a large amount of horsehair in her hands.

  Gertrude smiled. “Miss Henrietta believes it will benefit you to hone some of those skills by working with a real designer, one who designs clothing for the socially elite on a regular basis.”

  “But I can design for the elite as well,” Mrs. Davenport argued before she held up what might have been her attempt at another bustle. “Take a gander at this. Perfection, if you ask me, and I didn’t resort to dismantling a single birdcage to obtain this large size.”

  Gertrude eyed the lump of horsehair, proud of herself when she didn’t so much as shudder. “It’s impressive to be sure, but I don’t believe that’s going to persuade Miss Henrietta to change her mind.”

  Mrs. Davenport released a sigh right before she flung herself into the nearest chair, discarding her creation on a neighboring chair. “Henrietta’s a nightmare.”

  Gertrude smiled. “You two adore each other.”

  Mrs. Davenport returned the smile. “True, but she’s still a nightmare.” She flicked aside the lacey curtain and peered out the narrow window directly beside her chair.

  “Expecting someone?” Gertrude asked, picking up a new knife and returning to the place setting she’d been working on.

  “I keep wondering when Harrison will stop in to call. We haven’t seen that gentleman since the incident at Grace Church.”

  “Edwina told us yesterday that Harrison had to leave town because their father needed assistance again with one of their more difficult customers over in Boston.”

  “If you ask me, I think Harrison frequently abandons the city for the high seas when he’s facing disgruntlement from the feminine set,” Mrs. Davenport said.

  Gertrude pulled a ruler out of her pocket, made certain the knife was exactly aligned with the other silverware, then repocketed the ruler. “I am not disgruntled with Harrison.”

  “Well, I certainly am,” a new voice said from outside the doorway. A second later, Edwina strode into the room, stopping directly in front of Mrs. Davenport. Bending over, she gave her a kiss on the cheek, then straightened and grinned. “I couldn’t help but hear your dulcet tones, Mrs. Davenport, as I was walking down the hallway. You appear to be in a feisty state today.”

  Mrs. Davenport returned the grin. “Your brother’s fault, dear, and why have you begun addressing me as Mrs. Davenport again instead of Hester?”

  “Because Gertrude can’t seem to get comfortable with calling you Hester, even though you finally came to your senses and suggested she do exactly that. I’m simplifying the situation for everyone.”

  Mrs. Davenport inclined her head. “Very tho
ughtful of you, dear. However, returning to your brother, is he truly out of town, or is that excuse simply a ruse that is sparing him an unpleasant encounter with ladies such as myself, Miss Henrietta, and Miss Mabel?”

  Edwina plopped into the chair next to Mrs. Davenport. “Oh, he’s definitely out of town, and you may add me to the list of ladies who long to have an unpleasant encounter with him.” She released a dramatic breath. “He had the audacity to tell my mother I was batting my lashes at Agent McParland, and . . . behaving in what he described as an untoward fashion with a man I’d only just met.”

  The corners of Gertrude’s lips curved. “That sounds exactly what I would expect an older brother to do, and you were batting your lashes at Agent McParland.”

  “Well, quite, but he’s the most delightful gentleman I’ve ever laid eyes on, and what good is having long lashes if I don’t ever get to bat them? As for Harrison, he may have been acting like a ridiculous older brother, but in my mind, he’s nothing but a traitor. Did I mention he also told my mother that I began speaking in a very sultry voice and that I was calling Agent McParland by his given name?”

  “It’s somewhat sweet when you think about it,” Gertrude said, trying her best to swallow the laughter that kept bubbling up in her throat. “He’s just looking out for you.”

  “I’m almost a spinster. And while Adelaide and Margaret seem perfectly content to embrace that unfortunate condition, I’d rather not spend the rest of my days surrounded only by women—no offense to the two of you—and a brother who I swear was put on this earth to torment me.”

  Mrs. Davenport suddenly sat forward, her eyes sparkling. “We could always attempt to convince Miss Henrietta and Miss Mabel that it would be in your best interest to travel to Newport for the summer as we originally planned. Why, I’d still be more than happy to sponsor you into society. I would imagine you’d have offers from some of the most delectable society gentlemen the very second you’re presented.”

  Edwina slouched deeper into the chair. “You’re forgetting your agreement with Miss Henrietta, one that has you on a probationary period, so to speak. During this period, you’re barely allowed to take a walk down the sidewalk, let alone enjoy any society events.”

  Mrs. Davenport sat back in the chair again. “They believe I could still be tempted by items of a shiny nature.”

  “And it’s best not to take any chances with that type of temptation,” Gertrude said, nodding at the table setting that was now perfect. Walking to join the other ladies, she pulled up a spare chair next to Mrs. Davenport and sat down. “The good news is that you and I were planning on an uneventful summer before you met Edwina, something I know you weren’t looking forward to. However, with us moving into Miss Henrietta and Miss Mabel’s old house, our summer is now anything but uneventful, so there’s no need for you to bemoan the loss of a season in Newport. And because there’s still so much organizing to do in this old house before classes resume in a few weeks, you’ll be distracted from all thoughts of shiny objects for the foreseeable future.”

  Mrs. Davenport’s brows drew together. “I’m not certain organizing a house filled with the treasures Miss Henrietta and Miss Mabel collected over the years is really the best way to dissuade me from old habits.”

  “You know you’ll never take anything from them, and you know it’s a reach to use that as an excuse to get you and Edwina off to Newport.”

  “It was worth a try,” Mrs. Davenport mumbled. “Newport is so very lovely in the summer.”

  Edwina released a sigh. “I’m sure Newport is oh-so-lovely, but even if you weren’t on a probationary period, I’m afraid it wouldn’t be possible for me to join you at your cottage.” She rolled her eyes. “Besides squealing on me about Agent McParland, Harrison also made a point of telling our mother about my society aspirations. Pair that with the fact that she caught Gertrude with items you, Mrs. Davenport, admitted to stuffing in your reticule, and I’m afraid, even after I explained the perfectly logical reason behind your peculiar habit, she’s not exactly keen to see me deepen my association with either you or Gertrude.”

  Gertrude sat forward. “Does she know you’ve come to call on us today?”

  “She knows I’ve come to call at Miss Snook’s School for the Education of the Feminine Mind, a school my mother finds quite acceptable given her progressive attitude.” Edwina grinned. “She might not be aware of the fact, though, that you and Mrs. Davenport have taken up residence within the walls of this particular school.”

  “And you’re not concerned your mother might find out that less-than-secret information?” Gertrude pressed.

  “I’m hoping by the time she does, she’ll have come to her senses. She’s not a very trusting woman, quick to judge if you must know. Although, after poor Margaret got taken in by two fortune-hunters, as did my mother, who thought those fortune-hunters were aboveboard, one can’t blame her these days for being overly cautious about anyone unfamiliar trying to get close to our family.” Edwina blew out a breath. “She’s also currently in a bit of a dismal mood because she’s missing my father.”

  “Then why didn’t she go off to assist your father instead of Harrison?” Mrs. Davenport asked. “Am I mistaken in believing she’s an integral part of Sinclair Shipping?”

  “She and Father have always been equal partners in the business, although Harrison has been assuming more of a leading role these days. Mother and Father intend to eventually hand everything over to Harrison, me, and my sisters.” She released a dramatic sigh. “I might have mentioned to her that I have no interest in continuing on with the family business, which explains why she didn’t travel to Boston but sent Harrison instead.”

  “So Harrison didn’t sail out of the city because he’s avoiding all of us?” Mrs. Davenport pressed.

  “Oh, I’m sure that was one of the reasons he agreed to go to Boston to assist my father, although I’m also certain he didn’t bother to explain that to my mother. No, he, being annoying, made certain to point out the errors of my recent ways, thus encouraging my mother to stay behind and keep watch over me.” Edwina turned to Gertrude. “I feel I should explain that Harrison takes to the sea when he’s troubled, and I do believe you’ll find it comforting to learn he’s definitely troubled about you.”

  Gertrude’s spirits began to improve just the slightest little bit. “Why would he be troubled about me? He made a most emphatic argument about us being strictly friends, an argument I couldn’t help but notice he truly seemed to believe.”

  “He doesn’t believe that. He’s simply confused, a condition Harrison suffers frequently in this messy business called life. However, you mark my words, by the time he returns to the city, which will hopefully be today, he’ll have sorted through that confusion and come up with a plan to make amends.” Edwina’s eyes twinkled. “That’s when it will get very interesting around here.”

  Gertrude’s brows drew together. “I do believe you’re in for a disappointment, Edwina, because Harrison has been rather firm that he doesn’t have time for a romantic relationship.”

  “That’s because he’s never met a lady he wants to become romantically involved with—until you.”

  Not caring to dwell on that since she wasn’t fond of her heart aching all the time, and she certainly didn’t want to experience another disappointment like she had at Grace Church, Gertrude got up from the chair and casually strolled back to the table, pulling out her ruler in the pretense of rechecking her perfectly set table.

  “I do wonder how Harrison will go about the tricky business of making amends for that fiasco he caused,” Mrs. Davenport said.

  Gertrude moved her ruler to the next place setting, edging a crystal water goblet a fraction to the right. “There’s no reason for Harrison to make amends. He was simply being truthful, and while I may have allowed my affections for him to travel in a direction they never should have traveled, one can’t force a gentleman to return affections he doesn’t care to return.”

  “
She’s very stubborn, isn’t she?” Edwina asked Mrs. Davenport as she abandoned her chair and moved to join Gertrude. “However, because you’re my friend, and I’d like for you to remain my friend, I’ll stop harping on the subject of my brother.” She leaned forward and began counting the forks that were now perfectly aligned. “I do hope this isn’t a typical table setting, because, on my word, the forks alone are overwhelming.”

  Relieved to have a change of topics, Gertrude smiled and gestured to the table. “I’ve set this table for an eight-course meal because I want the students to become comfortable in any social setting. One never knows when you might be asked to attend a dinner at Delmonico’s, but you should know that many society matrons serve a twelve-course meal. And, unfortunately, I do believe the number of courses will steadily increase, what with so many competitions sprouting up amongst the society set—each society matron trying to outdo the last society event attended.”

  “But . . . how can a person be expected to eat so much?” Edwina asked.

  “You merely taste the courses, dear,” Mrs. Davenport said, walking up to join them. “Society is all about appearances. The more courses you serve, the more gold and crystal you have on your table, the more exclusive the wine, well, the more you’ve proven you’ve arrived. That is what society believes to be all important these days.”

  Edwina glanced down the table again, then shook her head. “Perhaps I’m not meant for society after all. I don’t know if I’d be able to witness such pretentious attitudes and still be able to hold my tongue.” She smiled. “Having admitted that, it’s probably fortunate I’ve almost decided to pursue a completely different avenue these days for my life.”

  “You’re giving up on the idea of becoming a society lady?” Mrs. Davenport asked.

  Edwina nodded. “I believe I’m meant to live a more adventurous life, Mrs. Davenport. And I believe I might just find that life by learning skills that will allow me to embrace a position investigating crimes.” Her eyes sparkled. “Samuel, I mean Agent McParland, told me there are a few ladies employed by the Pinkerton Agency. I’d like to become one of those ladies, especially because, after living with Harrison all these years, I’ve decided that men do not think like we do, which means a feminine mind might very well prove useful when dealing with cases involving lady confidence artists.”