Storing Up Trouble

by Jen Turano

  Norman’s brows drew together. “I hardly believe Mort will hold me in any great affection if I abandon him to the sidewalk while I go off to find him a carrot.”

  Beatrix glanced around, then nodded to a young boy who was waiting to shine shoes. “I bet he’d watch over Mort if you offer to pay him. But only give him half up front and then promise him the other half when you return so you don’t find yourself missing a mule.”

  “Sensible to be sure.”

  “I’m nothing if not sensible.”

  “And stubborn as well, what with you being—”

  Theodosia cleared her throat in a very telling manner, which had Norman stopping midsentence and sending his friend a quirk of a brow, which she returned, before he blew out a breath and shrugged. “Fine, I’ve nothing else to say on that matter.” He nodded to Theodosia. “I’ll be by the Huttleston house later to see you safely home. Don’t even think about leaving there until I come to fetch you.” He pulled out his pocket watch and frowned. “However, since I’ve just realized I’m running short on time, I’m off to . . .”

  “Buy Mort a carrot?” Beatrix finished for him when Norman simply stopped talking.

  Norman shot a look to Theodosia before he returned his attention to Beatrix. “Indeed.” With that, he strode over and had a quick word with Agent Cochran. He then set his sights on the shoe-shine boy, who grinned in delight over whatever Norman said to him before moving to stand beside the still-sleeping Mort as Norman strode away.

  “Why do I get the feeling he’s not off to purchase a carrot?” Theodosia asked.

  “What else would he be off to purchase?”

  Theodosia winced. “I’d rather not dwell on that because there are endless possibilities at this point, what with the gauntlet you threw down at Norman’s feet.”

  Before Beatrix could ask a single question about that, Theodosia was moving toward her wagon, barely waiting for Beatrix to take her seat beside her on the bench before she got Rosie, her pony, ambling down State Street.

  “I don’t know where your aunt lives,” Theodosia said.

  “Hyde Park,” Beatrix said before she rattled off the address.

  Theodosia nodded as she urged Rosie into a trot, steering their way through the crowded street with a practiced hand.

  “What gauntlet did I throw down?” Beatrix asked after they’d left the worst of the traffic behind.

  “You told Norman you found his kiss merely pleasant.”

  “I wasn’t complaining about it.”

  Theodosia blew out a breath. “I didn’t say you were, but I have to imagine Norman was hoping for higher praise, such as you found his kiss to be invigorating or perhaps exhilarating.” She tilted her head. “Did you truly not find it to be either of those things?”

  Beatrix released a sigh as she considered the question.

  The truth of the matter was—of course she had.

  His kiss had been responsible for her foot kicking up, an action she’d never thought to experience. That she’d even had such a reaction to his kiss left her reeling.

  She was a lady who’d decided that she might never marry. But ever since she’d met Norman, she’d been feeling all sorts of peculiar. She’d begun to wonder if her aunt was right and that the unexpected path she now found herself on actually did include not only a chance to understand the plight of the working woman, but also had something to do with Norman.

  Beatrix blinked as another terrifying thought sprang to mind.

  For the briefest of moments, after Theodosia had announced Beatrix and Norman needed to get married, she had realized that she wasn’t exactly opposed to that idea and might have been just a touch disappointed when Norman seemed so shocked with the notion.

  “You do know that Norman will put a concerted effort into proving to you he’s capable of delivering a more-than-pleasant kiss, don’t you?” Theodosia asked, drawing Beatrix from her thoughts.

  “Surely not” was all Beatrix could think to say to that, the very idea of Norman attempting to kiss her again leaving her feeling rather tingly all over.

  “I’m afraid so, although because it didn’t seem to me that you weren’t enjoying his kiss—not that I intended to gawk at you while the two of you were kissing. I don’t imagine you’re too concerned about him kissing you again, are you?”

  “How do you know I was enjoying his kiss?”

  “Your leg shot up.” Theodosia nodded. “I recently read about that in an article in Harper’s Bazaar. A rising leg often accompanies an exceptional kiss, especially if a lady is overly fond of the gentleman kissing her.”

  “I never claimed to be overly fond of Norman.”

  Theodosia didn’t seem to hear that as her eyes went rather distant. “I imagine my leg might very well kick up if the gentleman I hold in affection ever kissed me.”

  Relieved to have a reason to avoid further talk of her kiss with Norman, Beatrix placed a hand on Theodosia’s arm. “I didn’t realize you held a certain gentleman in affection.”

  Theodosia’s cheeks turned pink. “I must admit that I do, but this particular gentleman is beyond my reach. He’s far too handsome to be interested in someone like me, and besides, he has ladies fawning over him at all the society events. That he’s yet to settle on a specific lady, even though he’s in his thirties, suggests he’s a man with very discerning tastes, which means he’ll never return my affection because . . . well . . . look at me.”

  Beatrix squared her shoulders. “I am looking at you, Theodosia, and what I see is an accomplished woman possessed of an unusual intellect as well as a woman who has proven herself to be a fast friend to a man many must find difficult. Any gentleman would be fortunate to be the recipient of your affection.” She tilted her head. “Does this gentleman have any idea you hold him in high esteem?”

  Theodosia’s eyes widened. “I should say not, nor am I planning on allowing that to ever happen. It would certainly make time in his presence uncomfortable, and I’d have to take to planning out my visits with Norman to make certain this gentleman wasn’t—”

  “He’s friends with Norman?” Beatrix asked when Theodosia went silent.

  “I’ve said too much,” Theodosia muttered before she turned Rosie down a different street, smiling brightly at Beatrix a second later. “Weren’t we discussing Norman and that gauntlet you’ve thrown?”

  “I find myself not nearly as curious about that right now.”

  Theodosia ignored her. “What you need to understand about Norman is this—he’s very focused when he comes up against a challenge, and he’ll definitely see your remark about a pleasant kiss as a challenge. Although . . .” Theodosia bit her lip. “Since he and I have been taking great pains to have him avoid annoying you, it will be interesting to see how he goes about it.”

  Taking a second to direct Theodosia to turn Rosie down another street, Beatrix glanced over her shoulder to make certain Officer Stewart was still following them, then wrinkled her nose. “What do you mean, you and Norman have been taking great pains to learn how to avoid annoying me?”

  “Aren’t we almost to your aunt’s house yet?”

  “No, we still have a good ten minutes to go, so out with it.”

  For a second, Beatrix didn’t think Theodosia was going to cooperate, but then she released a sigh right before she launched into an explanation regarding what she and Norman had been doing over the past week, finishing by saying, “But even though Norman’s been attempting to adhere to the rules of the general manners and etiquette articles we’ve researched, you still seem to get annoyed with him often, which is forcing us to rethink our theories.”

  “Am I to understand that I’m some sort of experiment to the two of you?”

  “When you put it that way, it sounds slightly insulting.”

  “It is insulting, although I’m still incredibly bewildered regarding why Norman felt it necessary to go to such extremes in the first place.”

  For a moment, Theodosia didn’t respond, but t
hen she blew out a breath. “Because he’s fond of you and wanted you to return that fondness.”

  Beatrix felt a distinct flutter in her stomach. “Just because he frequently annoys me doesn’t mean I’m not fond of the man.”

  Theodosia settled a stern eye on Beatrix. “You just recently told me you never said you were overly fond of Norman.”

  “I did say that, didn’t I?” Beatrix asked weakly, even as she realized there was no good way to extract herself from what was turning into a very interesting, yet revealing conversation. “I suppose what you need to know about me is this—most gentlemen of my acquaintance are careful to never annoy me, which is why I find Norman somewhat refreshing.”

  Theodosia steered her wagon around a large hole, turning to Beatrix after she got Rosie back on the right side of the lane. “Refreshing is encouraging, and I hope you’ll also find it refreshing and not annoying when Norman puts a concerted effort into changing your mind about his kissing abilities.”

  “How exactly would he go about doing that?” Beatrix asked slowly.

  “By finding other opportunities to kiss you, of course.”

  Chapter 26

  “You’ve not said much in response to my declaration about Norman’s plans regarding kissing,” Theodosia said to Beatrix in a low voice an hour later as they sat around a large table, waiting for Aunt Gladys to signal for their first course to be brought in.

  “There’s really nothing else to say about the matter,” Beatrix returned, placing a stiff linen napkin on her lap and then nodding at Theodosia to do the same.

  “I’m sure there’s much to say, and frankly, there are many questions I find I now have about kissing, questions you may be able to answer since, clearly, you’ve been kissed, whereas I, well, I’ve not had the pleasure of that experience,” Theodosia whispered before she placed her napkin in her lap, the seven other women at the table following suit. The only woman who lived under Aunt Gladys’s roof who was not in attendance was Miss Colette Balley, who’d gone off to help her sister with a sick child.

  “Nicely done, ladies,” Aunt Gladys boomed, drawing Beatrix’s attention while earning a sigh from Theodosia, who’d obviously been hoping to continue their kissing discussion.

  It wasn’t that Beatrix was opposed to discussing kissing. However, given that Theodosia would undoubtedly divulge whatever was said about the matter to Norman, what with how she didn’t seem to grasp that women expected each other not to divulge secrets that may be rather embarrassing, it would be for the best to delay the discussion until Beatrix had ample time to consider the matter.

  “I hope all of you are famished,” Aunt Gladys said, reaching for a small bell resting beside her and giving it a ring. “It’s time for the first course, and our esteemed chefs this evening, Roberta and Susan, have chosen quail eggs in aspic with caviar.”

  “What’s caviar?” Mamie asked.

  “I don’t think you should start asking questions again, Mamie,” Blanche said. “The last time we were served a fancy meal, you asked what terrapin was and then spent the remainder of the meal going on and on about a turtle named Franklin.”

  “Even thinking about eating poor Franklin should have made everyone queasy,” Mamie shot back.

  “Caviar is fish eggs,” Aunt Gladys said firmly. “It’s a delicacy, and since I’m sure none of you have ever had pet fish eggs, no one should get queasy.”

  Mamie frowned. “I’m not so sure about that. Fish eggs sound revolting, unless they’re scrambled and cooked up.”

  “They’re eaten raw,” Aunt Gladys said, looking over her shoulder to the door and frowning. She picked up the bell again and gave it a vigorous ring, watching the door for a good few seconds before she blew out a breath. “Edgar is apparently put out with me again.”

  “He did seem annoyed after Miss Beatrix told everyone about the attack outside Marshall Field & Company,” Della said, looking up from where she’d been scribbling something onto a notepad. “I’ve just been writing down an account of everything Beatrix and Theodosia told us so that nothing will be forgotten. I’ll type up my notes later on this evening.”

  “An excellent idea,” Aunt Gladys proclaimed. “Once the culprits are apprehended, they’ll be taken to trial, and your notes may be able to aid a prosecutor with winning a case against these men, especially if Beatrix and Theodosia remember something they share here that they forgot to tell the authorities.” She looked to the door again, picked up the bell, and gave it another ring, this time more vigorously than the last. When Edgar did not appear in the doorway, Aunt Gladys rose from her chair and marched out of the room.

  A mere thirty seconds later, she breezed back in again. “Good news, ladies,” she exclaimed. “Edgar, I’m pleased to report, is not put out with me. He’s been helping Hubert with that new leg Norman made for him. They’re having a few difficulties getting it attached.”

  Theodosia removed her napkin from her lap and rose to her feet. “I may not have much proficiency with maneuvering my way around a table set with all this cutlery,” she began, nodding to the cutlery in question, “but I’m more than proficient with matters involving prosthetics. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be back directly.”

  Aunt Gladys beamed at Theodosia as she quit the room, then sat back down and turned her smile on Beatrix. “She’s such a delightful lady and has so much potential. I have to imagine she’ll take Chicago society by storm after we get done with her.”

  “I’m not sure Theodosia will be comfortable with that,” Beatrix said slowly.

  “Being comfortable is overrated,” Aunt Gladys returned as Edgar strode into the room, Hubert right behind him, with Theodosia bringing up the rear.

  “Ah, I see Theodosia got your leg on properly, Hubert, and in no time at all,” Aunt Gladys said.

  Hubert grinned. “She knows what she’s about with this leg,” he said before he proceeded to walk up and down the dining room, his gait still slightly stiff, but he was moving much better than Beatrix had ever seen him move. “The foot part works almost like a real foot, and the leg is incredibly comfortable, something I never expected.”

  “What a lovely happenstance it’s turning out to be, having Norman drop into our lives as he did,” Aunt Gladys proclaimed before she sent a pointed look Beatrix’s way. “Why, one could claim without hesitation that Norman’s arrival in our lives has presented us with unforeseen opportunities that may very well enrich our lives, something I’m certain Hubert agrees with, given the freedom his new leg is sure to bring him.”

  “Indeed it will,” Hubert said, still walking back and forth across the dining room. “I’ll never be able to thank Mr. Nesbit enough for his unexpected kindness.”

  Beatrix’s heart missed a few beats.

  Norman had shown an incredible kindness by creating a new leg for Hubert, a kindness that had certainly taken her by surprise, but a kindness that spoke to who Norman really was.

  He was not just a man possessed of an unusual mind, but a man who truly could make a difference in the world, although she wasn’t certain he understood that quite yet.

  “Can we please get on with this meal?” Roberta demanded from the doorway. “Creating a seven-course meal and then serving it so that it may be fully enjoyed is all about the timing, and our timing is soon to suffer if we don’t start serving everyone their food.”

  Aunt Gladys nodded. “An excellent point, Roberta, but I must mention that it’s rare for a professional chef to speak so crossly to her customers.”

  Roberta rolled her eyes. “I don’t know of any professional women chefs, Gladys. We’re always considered lowly cooks.” With that, she disappeared from view, Hubert and Edgar trailing after her.

  Less than five minutes later, the first course was served, followed by six more courses. The menu Roberta and Susan had chosen was an ambitious one. Potage Saint-Germain followed the caviar, then came Homard Thermidor, which Beatrix had to explain to Mamie was lobster with potatoes. Mamie didn’t balk over eating th
at course, but she did balk at tournedos aux morilles, tender beef with wild mushrooms.

  Mamie apparently didn’t trust mushrooms so refused to eat that course, earning a lecture from Roberta, who’d stepped into the room to see how the dinner was progressing.

  Aunt Gladys had been forced to intervene, sending Roberta back to the kitchen after reminding her that really great chefs, of which Roberta should consider herself to be, never wasted their time berating a guest since they found that type of behavior beneath them.

  The rest of the courses were spent enjoying the different dishes, which consisted of cailles aux cerises, which were quails with cherries, consommé Olga, and then the final course, chocolate-painted éclairs with crème. Aunt Gladys spent the meal dispensing instructions regarding proper table etiquette, even though she didn’t bother to reprimand some of the ladies when they all but devoured the éclairs, although she did send Mamie a quirk of a brow when Mamie picked up her plate and licked the last bit of crème from it.

  Sitting back in her chair as Edgar and Hubert cleared the last of the plates, Beatrix set aside her napkin and smiled at Roberta and Susan, who’d just walked into the room, anxious to discover what everyone had thought of the meal they’d prepared.

  “That was excellent,” Beatrix said, Theodosia nodding in agreement before she gave her stomach a pat.

  “I’m stuffed to the gills,” Theodosia added.

  “Which I’m sure Roberta and Susan adore hearing,” Aunt Gladys said, “but if you were in polite company, that is a remark that should be avoided.”

  “Duly noted,” Theodosia said with a smile right as a loud gong sounded and everyone jumped.

  “Wonder who that could be?” Aunt Gladys asked while Edgar strode from the room to answer the door.

  “Perhaps it’s Norman,” Theodosia said. “He told me he’d be by to escort me home, but he’s going to be in for a long wait since we’ve yet to get to my hair.”