After a Fashion (7 page)

The gentleman’s eyebrow rose until it disappeared beneath a shock of white and dripping hair. “Lady of choice?”

“Surely after witnessing that scene with Miss Birmingham you can understand my reasoning, Mr. Blodgett. Hiring a companion is the perfect answer to my current dilemma of not being attached to a lady. Also, I won’t have to leave matters to chance with a temperamental society lady, since I’ll be paying Miss Peabody to behave appropriately.”

Mr. Blodgett sent Mr. Addleshaw a look that had disapproval written all over it. “I’m afraid your reasoning is a little faulty, sir, since such things are never done, especially amongst the quality. Why, if you ask me, your idea sounds completely untoward.”

“It’s nothing of the sort,” Mr. Addleshaw argued. “If anything, my idea should be looked upon as an act of charity since Miss Peabody is soon to lose her position and will benefit greatly through the funds I’m willing to give her.” He completely ignored Harriet’s huff of disbelief and continued speaking even when she began to mutter under her breath. “Why, accepting a position that will only require Miss Peabody to look lovely and act in a charming fashion will surely have to
feel like a holiday to a young lady used to spending tedious hours assembling hats.”

Mr. Blodgett considered Mr. Addleshaw for a moment before he moved away from him and toward Harriet, taking the umbrella as he moved and leaving Mr. Addleshaw standing in the downpour.

Harriet felt the rain stop beating against her hat as Mr. Blodgett angled the umbrella over her head, right before he pressed the handle of it into her hand.

“He’s normally a very rational gentleman, Miss Peabody, but I fear the rain and his unfortunate interaction with Miss and Mrs. Birmingham have affected his mental capabilities at the moment.”

Mr. Blodgett patted Harriet on the shoulder, shook his head at Mr. Addleshaw, and then began hobbling away without another word. She looked back to Mr. Addleshaw, finding him peering through the rain with a bemused expression on his dripping face.

“How very odd,” Mr. Addleshaw muttered. “Mr. Blodgett has never questioned my mental capacities before. It’s quite unlike the gentleman. However, my butler’s peculiar attitude has nothing to do with the matter we were discussing. Would you agree to my offer if I upped the amount to one thousand dollars?”

Harriet barely managed to choke back the
yes
that had been on the very tip of her tongue. “I think not.”

Mr. Addleshaw’s brows smashed together. “I only need your services for a few weeks, a month at the most, just until I secure the duke’s agreement to allow me to invest in his wool business.”

Before she could swallow what little pride she had left and accept the offer, Mr. Addleshaw let out a very loud grunt.

“Fine, two thousand dollars, then, and an allowance for a few new garments.”

She knew her eyes had to be as wide as saucers. The man was clearly insane. No one in their right mind would offer two
thousand dollars
and
an allowance for clothing for a few weeks’ work. “Ah . . . ” was all she seemed capable of saying.

“Three thousand, but that’s my final offer.”

Harriet’s mouth dropped open.

He really was insane, and it seemed she might be a little as well because . . . “Very well. You win, Mr. Addleshaw, because
that
is an offer I’m incapable of refusing.”

4

T
he moment those unfortunate words slipped out of her mouth, Harriet desperately wanted to call them back.

Agreeing to be Mr. Addleshaw’s companion was sheer madness. No matter that the gentleman had just offered her a small fortune to attempt it, she knew perfectly well she wasn’t up for the daunting task of mingling with society members.

Scuffing her shoe through the water that swirled around her feet, she lifted her chin and discovered Mr. Addleshaw watching her with what appeared to be a trace of surliness on his face. “Is something the matter?”

He grimaced. “What could possibly be the matter? I’ve gotten exactly what I wanted. You at my beck and call for the next few weeks with no expectations of a trip down the altar.”

There was definitely an edge to his voice, that edge causing her lips to curl. “Were you not intending to offer me so much for my cooperation?”

“I would have paid twice what you agreed to.”

Her lips curled up another notch. “Now you’re just being sulky.”

To her surprise, Mr. Addleshaw let out a grunt and then, strangely enough, smiled. “Perhaps you’re right, Miss Peabody. If you must know—and it pains me to admit this—I’m unused to anyone, especially a lady, besting me in a business negotiation. You, my dear, have managed to do just that, and while speaking relatively few words in the process.”

His admission took her aback, even as she found herself returning his smile. “Would it be churlish of me to gloat a little?”

“Gloating is not in your job description, but perhaps now you’ll finally agree to accompany me back to my dry home, where we can delve into exactly what I expect of you during the coming weeks.”

Reality returned to smack her in the face. “Forgive me, Mr. Addleshaw, but I must speak frankly. I rarely act impulsively, but I fear that is the case today. You should know that I’m not one who enjoys being at anyone’s
beck and call
. I believe we’re making a huge . . .”

The rest of her words got lost as a strong gust of wind blew out of nowhere, wrenching the umbrella out of her hand and her hat from her head. She turned to run after them, but rain began falling more heavily than ever right as a flash of lightning lit up Fifth Avenue, followed by a boom that almost had her jumping out of her shoes.

“We need to get out of the storm,” Mr. Addleshaw yelled as he took hold of her arm.

The second his hand touched her sleeve, Harriet felt as if
she’d
been struck by lightning. A bolt of something incredibly disturbing traveled up her arm and then all over her body. Her feet remained rooted to the spot, even though Mr. Addleshaw was trying to tug her forward.

“Miss Peabody, whatever is wrong with you?” he shouted.

“Didn’t you feel that?”

“Indeed I did, which proves the lightning is far too close for comfort.”

Relief was immediate. It hadn’t been Mr. Addleshaw’s touch that had tingles still resonating all over her, it had been the lightning. Ducking her head when another gust of wind whipped around them, she clutched Mr. Addleshaw’s arm and allowed him to hustle her down the sidewalk. As they approached his mansion, she stumbled when Mr. Addleshaw suddenly stopped moving. She squinted through the rain and found none other than Mr. Blodgett once again struggling their way. He was trying his very best to keep a grip on another umbrella, but the umbrella was turned inside out, not affording the poor man a single piece of protection against the storm.

“What are you doing, Mr. Blodgett?” Mr. Addleshaw called.

The elderly man pressed forward, hobbling faster than ever until he reached them. He angled the useless umbrella over his head and scowled at Mr. Addleshaw. “We have a slight problem back at the house, sir.”

“And this problem forced you out into this horrid weather because it is grave enough that it couldn’t wait until I returned?”

Mr. Blodgett shifted his attention to Harriet. “Well, no, sir. It couldn’t wait—especially because
she’s
still with you.” The butler stepped closer to Harriet. “My dear, why haven’t you taken your leave?”

“Miss Peabody and I have recently agreed to join forces,” Mr. Addleshaw answered for her.

“Oh . . . dear, that’s a troubling state of affairs.” Mr. Blodgett drew in a wheezy breath and shook his head. “Well, she can’t come into the house.”

Hurt, mixed with indignation, stole through Harriet, even though she should have expected nothing less from Mr. Addleshaw’s staff. She’d told Mr. Blodgett exactly what Mr. Addleshaw required of her, and it hardly spoke well of her character
that she’d agreed to take on the role of a lovely bit of femininity. She ducked her head and hoped the color she knew was now staining her cheeks would go unnoticed.

“Honestly, Mr. Blodgett, I do believe this storm has rattled not my brain but yours.” Mr. Addleshaw gave her arm a squeeze, sending additional pesky tingles up it. “Of course Miss Peabody is welcome in my home. I’m surprised you’d say differently.”

“My apologies, Miss Peabody,” Mr. Blodgett said, nodding at her when she lifted her head. “I meant you no disrespect, but you see, Mr. Birmingham has arrived early for his meeting with Mr. Addleshaw. I’m afraid he’s a little put out that his daughter and wife are not still in residence but have removed themselves to a hotel.” He stepped closer to her. “Since you’ve apparently agreed to whatever ridiculous plan Mr. Addleshaw proposed—replacing Miss Birmingham in the process, I might add—I don’t believe it’s in your best interest to step foot into Mr. Addleshaw’s home at this particular time.”

Mr. Addleshaw’s brows drew together. “Mr. Birmingham’s in my home. . . . now?”

“Indeed he is. He evidently decided to come early, believing there would be celebration news to enjoy before the two of you got down to business. However, now that he’s come to the conclusion something is dreadfully amiss, I fear he’s beginning to become agitated.”

Harriet began backing slowly away. “I think I’ll just be on my way now, and clearly our deal is going to have to come to a rapid end. I’d hate to think what would happen if we’d run into the Birminghams while I was trying to help you entertain your duke.”

“That might be for the best,” Mr. Blodgett agreed.

“No, it’s not,” Mr. Addleshaw argued, as he pulled Harriet back to his side. “The entire Birmingham family has been entirely too presumptuous. I never broached the subject of mar
riage to Miss Birmingham. I’m sure that after I bring that to Mr. Birmingham’s attention, he’ll be disappointed, of course, but then I expect he’ll immediately repair back to Chicago, taking his wife and daughter with him. You and I, Miss Peabody, have agreed to form a business alliance. If I need remind you, it’s one you desperately need, given you’re soon to be dismissed from your position, and given it’s one where you’re going to earn an indecent amount of money in a relatively short period of time.”

Mr. Blodgett’s eyes widened. “Good heavens, sir, you really have lost your mind.” Not giving Mr. Addleshaw an opportunity to respond, the butler turned to Harriet. “Now, I don’t blame you, dear, for what can only be described as downright lunacy. An offer of an ‘indecent amount of money’ must seem all too tempting, especially to a lady about to lose her income. However, such arrangements never turn out the way one might expect. As the only reasonable voice in this insanity, allow me to point out that your reputation could suffer irreparable harm. Besides that, society is not kind to outsiders, which you clearly will be seen as, and—”

“She’ll be fine,” Mr. Addleshaw interrupted right as a heavyset lady wearing a cap hurried up to join them. “Mrs. Rollins, you shouldn’t be out in this storm.”

“Neither should any of you,” Mrs. Rollins returned as she splashed through a deep puddle and came to stop. She leaned forward and peered at Harriet. “Oh dear. You’re the hat lady, aren’t you.”

Harriet frowned. “Why do I get the distinct feeling I’m about to hear something of an unpleasant nature?”

“Probably because what I’m about to tell you cannot, in any way, shape, or form, be considered pleasant.” Mrs. Rollins stepped closer to Harriet. “I’m Mrs. Rollins, dear, the housekeeper, and unfortunately, when Mr. Birmingham moved to Mr.
Addleshaw’s office, he immediately took note of all the gowns his daughter left behind. In an attempt to explain why those gowns were left behind, I brought to his attention the . . . ah . . . altercation his daughter had been involved with. I fear I might have mentioned something about her pummeling a poor girl who was just trying to deliver some hats.”

“And he didn’t react well to that information?” Harriet asked slowly.

Mrs. Rollins drew herself up. “Indeed he did not. Instead of coming to the conclusion I’d hoped he’d come to—that his daughter had behaved badly—he immediately demanded to know your name—not that I had that information available to give him—and I’m afraid he’s considering pressing charges against you.”

The sound of yelling suddenly reached them from what seemed to be inside Mr. Addleshaw’s house. Harriet flinched when Mr. Addleshaw’s jaw clenched. His eyes turned cold and his posture stiffened, that stiffening causing the seam that had been pulling apart on his sleeve to lose that particular battle. Although Harriet found it impossible to look away from his rapidly deteriorating clothing, he didn’t seem to notice.

“Mr. Blodgett, please go and try to calm Mr. Birmingham while I escort Miss Peabody to the stables.” Mr. Addleshaw nodded to Mrs. Rollins. “I need you to go retrieve the small blue bag I keep in the lower left-hand drawer of my desk and then bring it to me. I have to get Miss Peabody into a carriage and on her way before Mr. Birmingham catches a glimpse of her and realizes she’s the hat girl in question.”