Storing Up Trouble, стр. 29

“Mr. Tesla is far too arrogant to stoop to theft to further his theories on electricity.”

Theo bit her lip. “I’ll have to take your word on that because I’ve never personally met the man, what with me being a mere woman and all.” Her cheeks began turning pink, as if she just revealed something she’d not meant to, something that suggested she held a bit of resentment over the fact she was blatantly excluded from the scientific set because she was a woman.

Not knowing what he could possibly say to Theo’s disclosure, he glanced to the gloves displayed in the counter before he nodded to Beatrix. “We’re here to purchase new gloves for Theo.”

“I don’t need new gloves.”

“Then I’ll not show you any, Miss Robinson,” Beatrix said firmly, sending him a look that dared him to contradict her, which had him stepping closer to the counter and pointing to a pair of ivory gloves that had buttons marching up the side of them.

“I’d like to see that pair for Theo,” he said.

Mutiny flashed through Beatrix’s eyes. “I think not. Miss Robinson has been perfectly—”

A loud clearing of a throat from behind him drew Norman’s attention. Turning, he discovered an older woman standing a few feet away from the glove counter, her lips pursed and her eyes narrowed on Beatrix.

“Is there a problem here?” the woman asked.

Beatrix beamed a bright smile at the woman. “Not at all, Mrs. Goodman. Miss Robinson and Mr. Nesbit are simply deciding if Miss Robinson needs a new pair of gloves.” She inclined her head to Mrs. Goodman. “May I presume you’re acquainted with Mr. Nesbit and Miss Robinson, or if not, would you care for me to perform a proper introduction?”

When Mrs. Goodman drew herself up and began looking rather scandalized, Beatrix’s smile dimmed ever so slightly before she hitched it back into place, muttered “pesky rules” under her breath, then squared her shoulders. “Forgive me, Mrs. Goodman. Clearly you’re already acquainted with these two customers, and—”

“I’ve never met Mrs. Goodman in my life,” Norman interjected, which had Mrs. Goodman turning her gaze on him. “Frankly, I’ve never stepped foot in Marshall Field & Company, so if you ask me, Miss Waterbury’s inquiry was warranted.” He presented Mrs. Goodman with a bow. “Mr. Norman Nesbit at your disposal, Mrs. Goodman.” He nodded to Theo. “And this is my acquaintance, Miss Theo . . .” He stopped talking when Beatrix sent him a pointed look. “Ah, or rather, Miss Theodosia Robinson.”

Mrs. Goodman inclined her head. “I’m well aware of who the two of you are, Mr. Nesbit, but thank you for reaffirming your identities to me.”

Uncertain where he was supposed to go with the conversation from there, while not wanting Beatrix to intervene on his behalf because she’d certainly suffer some manner of discipline from the unpleasant Mrs. Goodman if she did, Norman settled for doing what he always did when he felt indecisive.

He stared at Mrs. Goodman.

For some reason, that particular action always made people uncomfortable, probably because he was capable of staring without blinking. Mrs. Goodman rapidly proved his theory correct, because less than thirty seconds later, she excused herself, telling him she had other customers to see after.

“Impressive,” Beatrix breathed as Mrs. Goodman stalked away.

“Works like a charm,” Norman said. “But before she decides to return to check on your progress with selling us some gloves, why don’t you show Theo a few selections?”

“Again, I don’t need new gloves.”

“And again, I’m going to respond to that by saying of course you do. According to my sister Constance, ladies always purchase new gloves, as well as new gowns, for the opening ball of the season. You’ll need new gloves for Mrs. Palmer’s charity ball.”

Theo’s nose wrinkled. “How did you know I’m attending Mrs. Palmer’s ball?”

“You’re going with me.”

“I don’t recall you asking me to attend the Palmer ball with you.”

“I haven’t gotten around to it yet, but you often accompany me, so I’m not certain I understand why you’re suddenly turning difficult about the matter.”

“I’m not being difficult, although I will admit to feeling the most unusual sense of annoyance toward you.”

“Why would you be annoyed with me?”

Theo descended into silence again, although her cheeks took on a decidedly pink tinge.

He’d never seen Theo blush, and that she’d now taken to doing so more than once in the span of a few minutes meant he was going to have to devote time to ponder the matter more thoroughly, but now was hardly the moment for that. Instead, he turned to Beatrix. “Would you have an idea why Theo’s annoyed with me?”

“I have several,” Beatrix began, “but since I really cannot be seen chatting with the two of you for too long, I’ll disclose the main reason I think she’s annoyed. You assumed, which is something I’m going to assume you do often, that Theodosia would be attending the ball with you. However, you didn’t bother to extend her the courtesy of asking her if she wanted to be your guest.”

“But she must have known I was going to ask her because I’ve taken her with me before when I’ve received invitations I can’t decline.”

“How could she have possibly known that?” Beatrix asked before she stiffened, then spun on a heel, pulled out a drawer, and retrieved a pair of gloves, which she immediately spread out on the counter. “Mrs. Goodman is circling closer,” she whispered before she was smiling brightly again, her smile turned on Theo. “Am I mistaken in concluding you’re attending this ball with a gentleman who isn’t Mr. Nesbit?”

Theo, to Norman’s disbelief, gave a bob of her head, the action causing her short hair to bob as well under her unraveling hat.

“What do you mean you’re going with someone else?” he all but sputtered. “Or better yet, who would that someone be?”

Theo’s face turned from pink to red. “Mr. Harvey Cabot.”

“Surely not.”

Theo’s eyes flashed in a very un-Theo-like manner. “Do you not believe I’m capable of drawing a gentleman’s interest?”

“Don’t