A Most Peculiar Circumstance (5 page)

“You believe she should abandon her talent and settle for marriage?”

“You say that as if it’s a horrible fate.”

Arabella straightened in her seat. “Did you ever consider the fact that God blessed Miss Watson with a talent for the written word, and perhaps He expects her to put that talent to use? If you ask me, Miss Watson, through insightful writing, has brought to attention a condition in the clothing mills that most people know nothing about.”

“I think God created man in His image and expects men to lead, while He created women to remain in the background and raise children while being a source of comfort to men.”

She eyed the window and wondered if she’d suffer a horrible death if she flung herself out it.

Theodore chuckled. “I see I’ve finally rendered you speechless.”

She drew in a breath. “I cannot believe my brother thought it was a good idea to have you come after me.”

“Your brother isn’t the one who approached me; your mother did.”

Horror was swift. “My mother—as in Gloria Beckett—asked you to come fetch me home?”

He nodded. “She thought you might want to be present at your brother’s wedding.”

“Which is certainly understandable, and yet . . .” Arabella squared her shoulders. “May I inquire how she was acting when she made her request?”

“What do you mean?”

“Was she perhaps a little . . . giddy?”

“Ah, well, no, I wouldn’t say she was giddy,” Theodore said slowly. “She was extremely grateful, but not giddy.”

“Of course she was,” Arabella said before she let out an unladylike snort. “I love her dearly, but honestly I’d thought she’d gotten past her unfortunate habit of meddling, at least in regard to me.”

“I’m afraid I’m not following you.”

Arabella bit her lip. “What did she tell you about me?”

“She told me you were possessed of a pleasant disposition and that you were absolutely delightful.”

“And you didn’t find that odd?”

“Not at the time. Most mothers do proclaim their daughters to be delightful.”

“But now?”

His lips twitched. “I think Gloria might have slightly exaggerated how well-behaved you are, and she certainly neglected to tell me about your propensity for getting into trouble.”

“Why do you think she did that?”

Theodore’s eyes widened. “Surely you’re not suggesting she was trying her hand at matchmaking, are you?”

“I’m afraid there is no other explanation.”

“But your mother knows me fairly well.”

“Hmm . . . then this is peculiar, because, forgive me, Mr. Wilder, but you are the last gentleman on earth I would ever
consider as a potential spouse. If my mother truly does know you, she would realize that.”

“I am considered one of the most eligible bachelors in New York.”

She stifled a grin at his surly tone of voice. “Of course you are, Mr. Wilder. You’re from a prominent family, attractive in a manly sort of way, and you enjoy an exciting career. I’m certain there are ladies flocking to your side at each and every society event you attend.” She frowned. “Speaking of society events, why do you suppose, given the fact you’re friends with Zayne, we have never met?”

“I try to avoid society events whenever possible,” he admitted slowly. “Matchmaking mothers always seem to have me in their sights, and since I have no desire to marry anytime in the near future, it’s better for my digestion if I simply avoid those particular situations. Quite honestly, I prefer to spend my time working or relaxing at my club.”

“May I presume no ladies are allowed at your club?”

“I knew it would be difficult for you to go more than ten minutes without bringing up something that pertains to your cause.”

And here she’d almost been enjoying his company.

“Ah, feel that?” Theodore asked before she could think of a clever retort. “The train is slowing. We’re almost home.” He picked up the newspaper still lying on his lap and held it up. “Would you like me to dispose of this for you?”

A thread of annoyance slid through her at his now-jovial tone. Apparently, he was thrilled to soon part ways with her. She held out her hand. “I actually need that back. I didn’t jot down the specific date and time of that suffrage rally I mentioned.”

He handed the paper to her. “Don’t you ever get tired of going to those?”

“Not when there’s so much work still left to be done to get women the right to vote.”

“When is the rally?”

“I believe it’s sometime next week in Central Park.”

“I might be able to go.”

She suddenly felt a little warm. “I beg your pardon?”

“I’ll have to look at my schedule, and hopefully I’ll be in town, but if you’d like, I could escort you there.”

“You want to go to a suffrage rally?”

“Of course not,” he said with a smile before he sobered. “But I still have grave concerns over what happened in Gilman, and I’m not certain you’re out of danger quite yet. You shot a man, and it’s been my experience that men who’ve been shot have a desire to seek revenge. A rally is a perfect spot for someone to ambush you, and since I went through so much trouble to bring you back, I’d hate for someone to harm you. That would make my efforts all for naught.”

Temper replaced the warm, fuzzy feeling of a moment before. Good heavens, what could she have been thinking?

It was not as if he’d shown any interest in her, so why in the world was she feeling a touch disappointed that he only wanted to attend the rally with her to keep her safe, not because he longed to be in her company?

Before she could contemplate that to satisfaction, the train shuddered to a complete stop. Theodore stood, extended her his arm, and then hustled her out into Grand Central Depot.

 5 

A
rabella, darling, I’m over here.”

Arabella stood on her tiptoes and craned her neck, scanning the throngs of people that bustled around Grand Central Depot. A grin teased the corners of her mouth when the sight of her mother came into view. Her grin widened as she realized Gloria had climbed on top of someone’s luggage and was waving madly in her direction, completely oblivious to the owner of said luggage’s less-than-pleased look.

Arabella dropped her hold on Theodore’s arm and took off into the crowd, her pace increasing with every step. Muttering an apology after stumbling against a burly gentleman, she squeezed through a group of ladies, who sent her exasperated looks and barely glanced at another gentleman tipping his hat to her, until she finally found herself snatched into her mother’s embrace. She breathed in the familiar scent of Gloria Beckett’s perfume and felt tears sting her eyes.

“Thank the good Lord you’re safe,” Gloria exclaimed as she took a step back and swiped at her own face with a lace
handkerchief. “I didn’t know what to think when I received that telegram from Mr. Wilder. Jail, Arabella?”

“It was completely unintentional.”

“Of course it was, darling,” Gloria said before she pulled her close for another hug. “You can tell me all about it once we get home. I have a feeling you’ll only be able to do justice to the story over a bracing cup of tea.” Gloria released her, stepped back, and looked over Arabella’s shoulder. “Where is that charming scamp I sent after you?”

Her mother really did have her heart set on matchmaking, so much so that she was seemingly willing to cut their tender reunion short.

“I lost that ‘charming scamp’ in the crowd, but he’s certain to turn up soon. Bad pennies always do. But before he gets here, Mother, you and I need to come to an understanding. Mr. Theodore Wilder is not for me. You need to stop, immediately, with whatever scheming you’ve got rattling around that diabolical mind of yours.”

Gloria blinked innocent eyes back at her. “I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about, dear. Of course you and Mr. Wilder would never suit. The mere idea is preposterous.” She reached out and rubbed Arabella’s arm. “I do believe you must be suffering a great deal of fatigue from your stint in jail.”

“At least
I
can still make the claim, as can Hamilton, of never being incarcerated.”

Arabella turned and found herself swept off her feet, her brother Zayne crushing her in a bone-jarring hug.

“Zayne, you’re squeezing me too hard,” she mumbled.

Zayne set her on her feet and released his hold on her, brushing a lock of burnished brown hair out of his eyes and shaking his head. “You, my independent yet exasperating sister, have worried everyone endlessly. Would it have killed you to have sent us word regarding where you were heading
or when you expected to return to town? We were stunned to receive that telegram from Theodore telling us you’d been arrested.”

“But . . . didn’t he explain that he’d gotten me released?”

“Would we be waiting for you here if he hadn’t?” He switched his attention to something behind her and grinned. “Ah, there’s the gentleman of the hour. Now we’ll finally be able to get all of our questions answered to satisfaction.”

Arabella wrinkled her nose, even as her gaze settled on Theodore, who was striding toward them. She couldn’t help but notice how the crowd simply disappeared around him, making it possible for him to walk at a rapid clip without interruption.

She tore her attention away from him. “Just so you know, Zayne, I’m perfectly capable of explaining my adventure to satisfaction. There’s no reason to badger Mr. Wilder, and . . .” Her voice trailed off as Zayne, apparently unaware she’d been speaking, moved forward and then laughed as he and Theodore shook hands and even hugged, as if Theodore were the returning hero no one had seen for ages.

She certainly hadn’t been greeted quite so enthusiastically. Admittedly, her mother had clearly been thrilled to see her, but . . . she had the sneaking suspicion Gloria was just as thrilled to see Theodore, especially given the fact her mother was currently bustling over to the gentleman, her face wreathed in a wide smile.

Arabella trudged after everyone, coming to a stop beside Zayne just as her mother let out a tinkling laugh when Theodore picked up her hand and placed a kiss on her knuckles.

“My dear, dear boy,” Gloria exclaimed as Theodore released her hand. “Douglas and I can’t thank you enough for returning our sweet Arabella to us.” She reached up and patted him on the cheek. “We were hoping of course you’d
get her back in time for the wedding, but alas it’s hardly your fault she uncharacteristically became embroiled in a concerning matter.”

Her mother, bless her heart, had not listened to a word she’d said. She was still intent on a bit of romantic maneuvering in regard to Mr. Wilder. Why else would she attempt to give the gentleman the impression it was uncharacteristic for her daughter to get into trouble?

Arabella cleared her throat, gaining only her mother’s attention as Zayne and Theodore continued to catch up. “I do so hate to interrupt this touching yet disturbing scene, but we have been traveling for days, and I, for one, would like to go home.”

Gloria shook her head. “We have to wait for Hamilton.”

“Hamilton’s here?” Arabella asked.

“Of course he’s here, dear. He’s been very anxious to introduce you to his Eliza, and I must say, he’s had to wait entirely too long. Far be it from me to tell you what to do, but in the future, it might be wise if you’d check in with us every once in a while. That would alleviate the need to send a private investigator after you and would ensure you don’t miss any weddings in the future.”

A stab of remorse ran through her. “I am sorry, Mother, for being so negligent. I’m afraid I sometimes get so consumed with my cause that I occasionally forget to keep you and Father abreast of my whereabouts. I didn’t realize I would be so late in returning to New York, but I kept getting requests to speak at rallies, and I just couldn’t seem to pass up such wonderful opportunities.” She smiled. “As for missing future weddings, I highly doubt anyone else will decide to marry on the spur of the moment.”

Gloria’s eyes began to twinkle, right before she sent an all-too-telling wink in Theodore’s direction. Arabella decided it would be prudent to change the topic from weddings to
something a little safer. “Speaking of waiting around, are we also waiting for Father?”

Gloria’s eyes went from twinkling to shifty. “He really wanted to come, dear, but since it’s such a lovely day, I wanted to bring the phaeton, and for some odd reason, your father suddenly remembered a bit of pressing business. He told me to extend to you his deepest apologies for not meeting you here, but he said you’d understand.”

Her mother really was incorrigible, and her father, to give him credit, completely adored his wife and put up with many of her antics. The one thing Douglas Beckett did balk at was willingly riding in a phaeton with Gloria at the reins.

He’d frequently told Arabella that sitting there, waiting for disaster to happen, played havoc with his nerves.

It took everything she had not to grin. “I completely understand Father’s reasoning, although I really do have to point out that it is
not
a lovely day. From my view on the train, the wind looked to be growing fiercer by the second, and you and I will be frozen solid by the time we reach the house.”

Gloria waved her comments away with an airy flick of her hand. “A brisk wind does wonders for a lady’s complexion, and you are looking a bit peaked.” She stepped closer and tilted her head. “I was going to ask you this over tea, but since Hamilton seems to be dawdling and this particular question has been plaguing me constantly, tell me what possessed you to travel across the country without your paid companion?”

She should have known that would come up eventually.

“How do you know I traveled without her?”

Gloria gestured to the crowd swarming around them. “Miss Hunt is obviously not with you, and Theodore mentioned absolutely nothing about her in his telegram, and your father told me he ran into Miss Hunt back in California,
after
you’d made your departure.”

Theodore suddenly stopped talking in mid-conversation with Zayne and turned his head. “You have a paid companion?”

“I
had
a paid companion, up until about two months ago, but then she met a gentleman she claimed she couldn’t live without. Since I had no intention of traveling the country with two people who are madly in love, I allowed her to get out of our agreement.”

“You could have hired a new companion,” Theodore said.

Arabella shrugged. “I’m perfectly capable of traveling on my own, Mr. Wilder. I’m no girl fresh out of the schoolroom, but a lady who is almost twenty-five. Those years should afford me a certain amount of freedom.”

“You wouldn’t have ended up in trouble if you’d been accompanied by a companion.”

“I doubt even having a companion along with me would have stopped me from assisting Miss James.”

“It might have slowed you down.”

“Or it might have gotten another lady arrested.”

“There is that,” Theodore muttered.

“Time for me to check on the luggage,” Zayne said before he spun on his heel and disappeared into the crowd.

Gloria shook her head. “He never has been comfortable being in the midst of squabbles.”

“Who was squabbling?” Arabella and Theodore asked at the same time.

Gloria’s eyes turned cunning in a split second. Her lips spread into a smile, and she began whistling a jaunty tune under her breath.

Arabella was surprised it wasn’t the wedding march.

Theodore cleared his throat. “Ah, perhaps I should go look for Hamilton.”

Gloria stopped whistling. “He’ll be along shortly, dear. Piper and Ben noticed a vendor selling cakes, and Eliza couldn’t resist indulging them.” She smiled. “I must say, she’s
a wonderful mother to the children, very affectionate, and they adore her.”

“Speaking of affectionate, may I hope that Hamilton and Eliza have ceased with their somewhat disturbing propensity of mooning over each other?” Theodore asked.

Gloria laughed. “I’m pleased to say their mooning has gotten worse. Zayne claims they’re an embarrassment to the entire family, but I find them delightful.”

Theodore let out a sigh. “I’m going to have to leave town again soon.”

Gloria swatted him on the arm. “Now, that’s no way to think, dear. Love is a glorious thing, and I’m hopeful you’ll be in Hamilton’s shoes someday.” She sent him one of her disturbing winks and then nodded toward Arabella.

Arabella wished a huge hole would suddenly open up right in front of her so that she could leap into it and escape from her mother’s embarrassing maneuvers. To her relief, Theodore ignored her mother’s comment and began to whistle his own tune under his breath, thankfully not one of a romantic nature.

Needing a distraction, Arabella began to adjust her hat, but her hand stilled when a man off in the distance caught her attention. There was something familiar about him. He lifted his head, and all the breath rushed out of her in a split second as recognition set in.

He was one of the men from the farmhouse.

She hitched up her skirt and broke into a run, dodging an elderly gentleman who brandished his cane at her before she increased her pace. “Stop right there,” she yelled as she jumped over a piece of black luggage, tripped on the hem of her gown, lifted her skirts higher, and plowed forward.

The man she was chasing turned for a brief moment, but then plunged into the crowd in a desperate manner, proving she was after the right man.

She developed a stitch in her side, but ignored it and the voice yelling behind her.

She raced down a small flight of stairs, satisfaction flowing through her as she realized she was gaining on the man. She pushed herself harder, leaped up on an empty bench, then launched herself into the air. As she landed on the man with a thud, the impact sent both of them tumbling to the ground, even as the breath left her in one harsh
oof
.

“Get off me,” the man snarled as he sucked in a ragged breath right before putting his hands over his head when she smacked him with her reticule.