“Isn’t that what we ladies are supposed to do? Play the piano, sing, complete needlepoint samplers, and chat about the weather?” Adelaide nodded to the window. “Per the weather report in the newspapers today, it has, indeed, stopped snowing.”
“You never read the weather forecasts.”
“I’ve turned over a new leaf.”
Phyllis moved to join Adelaide on the bench, releasing a sigh after she got herself settled. “I’m not certain this is the way to do that turning, dear, although I understand your somewhat odd state of mind. You’re disappointed with Gideon’s decision.”
“I’m more disappointed for allowing myself to fall for his charming nature.”
“You certainly shouldn’t be upset that you grew fond of Gideon. He’s a very likeable sort, and I would have been surprised if you hadn’t developed feelings of the affectionate typefor him. The two of you were incredibly well suited, and I’m not the only one who realized that. Everyone remarked on it, including Camilla, who, if I’m not mistaken, had her eye on making a match between you and Gideon from the moment she saw how you interacted with each other.”
“I think youaremistaken about that because Camilla’s first opportunity to observe us interacting was when I was sitting in a tree in my unmentionables.”
“And I believe that circumstance is when she realized you’d be perfect for Gideon because you’re unconventional. That’s what he needs in his life.”
“According to Gideon, he doesn’t need a lady in his life at all since the nature of his business is far too dangerous for members of the weaker sex to be exposed to.”
Phyllis smoothed a hand over Adelaide’s hair. “I understand why you’re angry, but don’t give up hope, my dear. It’s only been two days since you and Gideon parted ways. I assure you, he’s having second, if not third and fourth, regrets by now.”
“He won’t act on those regrets even if he has them because he’s apparently made some sort of personal vow to hold danger at bay for as many people as he can, myself included.”
“Gentlemen can get the most ridiculous ideas at times,” Phyllis said, her lips curving ever so slightly.
Adelaide’s lips curved as well. “I’m not saying his chivalrous attitude is ridiculous, but his decision to set me aside because of that attitude is complete nonsense. I’m not some delicate china doll that needs to be placed on a shelf, because contrary to Gideon’s belief, I’m not that fragile.” She trailed her fingers over the keys, eliciting some horrid notes in the process and earning a wince from Phyllis in return. “What bothers me the most, though, is that the annoying man alluded to the notion he’s rather fond of me but won’t allow that fondness to sway his decision because it wouldn’t be in my best interest.”
“Gentlemen do embrace nonsensical reasoning at times.”
“Which is why I’m now going to embrace my spinster status and spend the rest of my years surrounded by my cats.”
“A troubling image, to be sure.”
Adelaide grinned. “Perhaps I’ll even take to wearing a platinum wig around town.”
“Another disturbing image.”
“You’re the one who thought I’d look marvelous with blond tresses.”
“True, but when I pictured you with that color, I wasn’t counting on you being flanked by cats.”
“They’ll be far better company than any of the gentlemen who’ve decided I’m all the rage this Season, Gideon included.”
Phyllis checked the watch encircling her wrist and caught Adelaide’s eye. “What you need, my dear, is a change of scenery. It just so happens that I’m due at Petunia’s house in less than thirty minutes. I’m sure she’d love to see you, as would Charles, since he’s still recuperating from all those stitches he now has in his head.”
“I’m not very pleasant company at the moment, but tell Charles I’ll come around later.”
“What are you going to do instead?”
“Play the piano for another hour or so, then maybe do some reading.”
Phyllis glanced at the piano, winced again, then gave Adelaide a kiss on the cheek before she rose from the bench and moved across the room.
As her mother shut the door firmly behind her, likely to spare the staff the horror of listening to Adelaide play, Adelaide resettled her fingers over the keys, launching into one of the few songs she somewhat remembered from when she’d taken lessons eons ago, lessons her mother eventually discontinued after deciding proficiency with musical instruments might not be a talent Adelaide would ever acquire. As she massacred onenote after another, her thoughts, to her annoyance, returned to Gideon, something they did with maddening frequency of late.
He’d decided, and from out of the blue, that he wanted nothing to do with her—as in ever.
No more dancing around a ballroom, no more enjoying time at the shooting range, no more watching him with Harvey, no more . . . anything.
And while she understood, to a certain extent, his reasoning for shutting her out of his life, she didn’t agree with it, nor could she believe he’d admitted he might hold her in some manner of affection, and yet that hadn’t been enough for him to consider maintaining any type of relationship with her.