It came as no surprise when they ignored all of that.
“We’ll need to construct a strategic plan,” Leopold said.
Vernon nodded. “Agreed, one where a spotlight is finally cast on our dear Adelaide.” He began looking Adelaide up and down. “I believe a renovation may be in order. You should be dressed in darker shades, my dear, mixed with some gold and jewel tones, and...” He tilted his head. “A new hairstyle wouldn’t be remiss. After all that, we’ll need to orchestrate an entire campaign, one that will ignite that spark and see you on your way to a romantic happily ever after.”
“There will be no campaign, nor will the two of you once again attempt to dip your toes into any matchmaking scenarios.” She narrowed her eyes. “You know neither of you are very good at that. And before you argue the point, need I remind you of what happened when the two of you were convinced Mr. Lyle Hammerston had fallen to his knees because he was overcome with fondness for me?”
Leopold rubbed his nose. “Anyone would have assumed that.”
“Lyle fell to his knees because I stepped on the hem of that ridiculous cape he’d taken to wearing about town.”
“Since we didn’t see that firsthand, we assumed it was admiration that had him on the floor,” Vernon returned before he shook his head. “Poor Lyle was rather taken aback when Leopold and I approached him with suggestions regarding how he should go about courting you.”
“I’m sure he was, but with that incident now firmly returned to your memories, I’m certain you’ll agree you’re mistaken about any spark, and we’ll put this conversation behind us.”
“Did you detect a hint of wistfulness in Adelaide’s voice just now?” Vernon said, once again ignoring everything she’d said.
“Indeed,” Leopold agreed. “She’s in denial because of all the romantic disappointments she’s suffered over the years, but...” He caught Adelaide’s eye. “No need to worry about being disappointed this time, my dear. We’re here to enlighten you every step of the way, and we’ll expound upon that while in the comfortable confines of a hired hack.” He glanced to the package of books he was carrying. “These really are growing heavier by the second.”
“Then allow us to put all talk of sparks aside,” Adelaide said, nodding to an idle hack that was waiting for new fares. She strode into motion, with Leopold and Vernon following her.
She made it all of ten feet before a boy stumbled into her, causing her to lose her footing. Before she could find her balance, another boy brushed against her, right before a third boy ran past her, snatched her wrapped parcel out of her hands, and darted through the crowd.
“Get back here...” was all she was able to call out before one of the other boys grabbed hold of her basket, wrenched it away from her, and sprinted off, leaving Adelaide with no choice but to give chase because the thieves were now making off with something far more valuable than her books—that being Harvey.
Eleven
“It’s unlike Adelaide to be late.”
Gideon turned from the window and settled his attention on Camilla, who was checking the elegant watch encircling her wrist for the umpteenth time.
He moved to join her on the settee. “It’s only ten past six, and Adelaide didn’t leave the bookstore until after four. I imagine she’s running behind because she agreed to return home in a hired hack instead of taking the El.”
“Why Adelaide insists on riding an elevated train when she has numerous carriages at her disposal is beyond me, even if the El is faster,” Camilla muttered as she continued fiddling with her watch.
“I’ve never been on the El before,” Mrs. Robinson, Camilla’s aunt Edna, said, rearranging her skirts on the dainty chair she was sitting on before she reached for her second cup of tea. “Adelaide’s been trying to convince me I haven’t lived until I’ve traveled about the city on an elevated track. I must say, I find the notion oddly appealing.”
“You do recall you’re the lady who suffers from queasinesswhen you’re taking your well-sprung barouche out and about, don’t you?” Camilla asked.
“Adelaide thinks the El has a different type of motion that may soothe my stomach.”
“Or leave you tossing up your accounts.”
“That is always a concern,” Edna murmured right as the sound of voices reached the parlor.
Before Gideon could do more than rise to his feet, Adelaide, in the company of Leopold and Vernon, stumbled into the parlor, all of them looking the worse for wear.
Vernon was missing his hat, his hair standing on end. Leopold had a large tear on the side of his trousers and dried leaves clinging to his jacket, his right eye suspiciously puffy, and Adelaide was covered in a variety of stains, her hair straggling about her shoulders as she clutched her wicker basket to her chest as if she were never going to let it go.
“What happened?” Gideon demanded, striding to Adelaide’s side and taking her arm, surprised when she didn’t hesitate to let him assist her into the first available chair, a circumstance that spoke volumes.
“It was an ambush,” Leopold proclaimed, hobbling across the room, where he made a point of inclining his head to Camilla and Edna before he lowered himself onto a fainting couch, wincing ever so slightly.
“An ... ambush?” Gideon repeated.
“Indeed,” Vernon said, presenting Camilla and Edna with a bow before he joined Leopold on the couch, wincing as well as he got himself settled. “We were accosted before we had an opportunity to rent a hack.”
“I shall bring more tea,” Mr. Timken, Camilla’s butler, said from the doorway, his expression stoic as ever, although his glance lingered on Vernon and Leopold before he said something about fetching a bottle of brandy as well as cheese and bread, before he bowed himself out of the room.