Storing Up Trouble, стр. 13
Beatrix wrinkled her nose. “Why would you think I’m in a time of need?”
“That’s the only reasonable explanation I could draw, given that Miss Gladys Huttleston is not a lady I believe anyone, not even a niece, would willingly travel to visit unless that was the only option available.”
“I assure you, nothing could be further from the truth. My mother wanted me to spend time with her older sister, so that’s why I’m in Chicago.”
Norman tilted his head. “So you’ve not recently lost your parents?”
“Both of my parents are alive and well.”
“Does your mother not care for you, then?”
“I’m sure my mother loves me very much.”
Norman frowned. “An idea you might want to revisit because I wouldn’t think a mother who loves her daughter would send her off to stay with a woman as terrifying as Miss Huttleston, something I assure you everyone in and around Chicago believes, whether they are society or not.”
“Aunt Gladys is a bit querulous from what I recall, but not terrifying.”
Norman leaned toward her. “When I was younger, my sister told me all about your aunt. She lurks about the city in the company of a hulking brute of a man, searching for orphans she then takes home with her—and those orphans are never seen again.”
A snort escaped Beatrix’s lips right before she began to laugh.
“Abducting the orphans of the city is no laughing matter,” Norman said.
She released a hiccup of amusement. “May I assume this sister of yours is older than you?”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Everything, because older siblings are known to torment their younger siblings, and clearly that’s what your sister was doing with you.” She released another hiccup. “I have two older brothers who enjoyed tormenting me endlessly in my youth with farfetched stories that I certainly did believe at the time. However, when I reached the age of eight, I realized my brothers were jesting with me, which put a rapid end to their stories.” She shook her head. “You’re evidently a literal sort—so literal, in fact, that you apparently never realized your sister was telling you some very tall tales.”
“My sister is not one to tell fibs.”
“While I hate to disillusion you about your sister, I fear she was amusing herself at your expense. However, because you’re hardly going to listen to my argument, allow me to appeal to what I’ve concluded is a very logical mind. Don’t you think that if orphans had truly begun disappearing, and my aunt’s house was the last place they were seen, that the authorities would have stepped in by now and carted my aunt off to jail?”
Norman opened his mouth, then closed it again as the logic of what she’d said registered. Rising to his feet, he helped Beatrix to hers, then took her arm.
“You’ve just presented me with a most valid point,” he said, steering her for the door. “And one that I’ll be broaching with my sister the next time I’m in her company.”
“I’d love to be a fly on the wall during that conversation.”
“I’m sure you would enjoy it immensely, but enough about that. If you’re agreeable, I’d like to escort you to your aunt’s house.”
She raised a hand to her chest. “Be still my heart. Here I thought you’d had just about enough of me today, and yet you’re now suggesting you desire to spend additional time in my company, even though there’s really no need.”
“Of course there is,” he countered. “I need to see for myself that you won’t be in danger. And once I’m satisfied that I won’t be leaving you to the machinations of a madwoman, then and only then will I bid you good-bye.”
Chapter 6
To Beatrix’s surprise, Norman, instead of retreating back to his mathematical equations as they rode through the crowded streets of Chicago in a hansom cab, took to telling her all sorts of tidbits about the city, making the ride downright pleasant instead of uncomfortable.
He started with explaining about the great fire of 1871, which saw a good portion of the city go up in flames, then moved on to telling her about Potter Palmer. That gentleman had evidently been influential with the recovery of State Street, making improvements to that area that would not have been possible if many of the derelict buildings both on and surrounding that street had not been consumed by the fire. He then pointed out stores he thought she’d find interesting on State Street, including Marshall Field & Company, before launching into a list of the churches available throughout the city, as well as parks.
“Why are you telling me all this?” Beatrix finally asked as Norman settled back on the seat next to her.
“Because you accused me of being inept at chitchat, and I’m now determined to prove you wrong.”
“And here I thought you were trying your hand at being charming.”
“I can be charming.”
“Tell me about this Hyde Park where my aunt resides. Is it a fashionable part of town?” Beatrix asked, seeing no point in getting into an argument with Norman yet again, even though she had much to say about his charm, or lack thereof.
“Hyde Park is a perfectly respectable area, and it’s located not far from where I live on Prairie Avenue, which is north of Hyde Park.”
“If Prairie Avenue is closer, perhaps we should have the driver drop you off first and then I’ll continue on to my aunt’s house.”
“I can’t determine if you’ll be safe at your aunt’s house without personally assessing the situation.”
Beatrix waved that aside. “For goodness’ sake, Norman, my mother is hardly likely to send me off to stay with a mad relative, even if she is rather put out with me at the moment.”
Norman arched a brow. “You lent me the impression you enjoy a lovely relationship with your mother. Why is she put out with you?”
“It’s not unusual for mothers to occasionally become put out with their daughters.”
“My mother is never put out with my two