Storing Up Trouble, стр. 68

Miss Burden blinked again. “But your aunt is rumored to be one of the wealthiest women in the city.”

“Indeed” was all Beatrix said to that right as Agent Cochran strode into view and made his way directly for Norman.

“He got away,” Agent Cochran said, shaking his head. “But at least we have James McCaleb. He might, under a bit of pressure, divulge the names of the other two men.”

“James McCaleb escaped,” Beatrix said, nodding to Harvey. “He overpowered Mr. Cabot and ran off.”

Agent Cochran ran a hand through his hair, his hat nowhere in sight. “I should have known James would try something like that, but I didn’t want to leave Norman out there unprotected with so many men of the criminal persuasion running loose.” He blew out a breath. “On a positive note, though, at least we have one name of someone who most certainly can shed some light on the earlier events of the day. I don’t imagine it will take long to track James down, not with how many Pinkerton men are now working on this case.”

“Pinkerton agents are involved with all this?” Miss Burden asked.

Beatrix frowned at Miss Burden before she nodded to Harvey. “Perhaps it would be for the best, Mr. Cabot, if you were to escort Miss Burden home. She seems flustered by what’s happened, and the last thing any of us need is for her to suffer a fit of the vapors. Theodosia will be fine because I’ll ride with her to my aunt’s house, so there’s no need to fret about leaving her unprotected.”

“I would like to go home,” Miss Burden proclaimed, holding out her hand to Harvey. “I would also appreciate you escorting me there because I drove my pony cart to the store earlier, but I certainly don’t feel safe right now.”

Harvey looked at Theodosia, who was once again reading, then back to Miss Burden, then returned his attention to Theodosia and cleared his throat. “If you’ve no objections, Miss Robinson, I’m going to escort Miss Burden home. I will, however, call on you tomorrow.”

Theo waved that aside. “There’s no need for that, Harvey. I’ll see you on the evening of the Palmer ball. I’m sure you’ve already told my father what time you’ll be by to pick me up for that ball, so that’s soon enough to see you again.”

Miss Burden looked Theo up and down, her brow wrinkling. “I’m sure you’re much relieved, Miss Robinson, that the Palmer ball is still some time away. You’ll have plenty of time to scrub that dirt from your person and get yourself presentable, although I’m not certain much can be done with that hair of yours.”

Irritation began trickling through Norman’s veins. “I’m certain Theo will look lovely at the ball, Miss Burden, dressed in the first state of fashion, if I’m not mistaken.”

His irritation increased when Miss Burden looked Theo over again and pursed her lips. “If you say so, Mr. Nesbit, but looking lovely might be a somewhat insurmountable goal for Miss Robinson.” With that, she grabbed hold of Harvey’s arm and together the two of them hurried away, Miss Burden whispering furiously into Harvey’s ear.

“Are you certain you won’t change your mind about attending the ball with that man?” Norman asked, which had Theodosia abandoning her book and looking up.

“According to numerous etiquette books, a lady never reneges on a promise, and I did, unfortunately, promise Harvey Cabot I’d attend the ball with him.” She snapped her book shut and tucked it under her arm. “I have no idea, though, why you said I’d be dressed in the latest fashions when you know I’m wearing my one and only gown.”

“Couldn’t seem to help myself.”

“Yes, well, now I’m in a bit of a pickle because I know that awful Miss Burden will enjoy nothing more than mocking me when she sees me dressed in my slightly shabby ball gown.”

Norman frowned, considered that for a moment, then nodded. “I’ll take care of it.”

Theodosia blinked. “Take care of what?”

“Never you mind,” Norman said before he turned to Beatrix and handed her his satchel. “This is for you.”

“You’re giving me your research papers?”

He shook his head. “My research papers aren’t in there, although I should have realized someone might mistakenly believe that and chosen a different type of bag to carry what is in there. That might have spared us our recent drama.”

Beatrix opened the latch and frowned as she pulled out the object nestled inside. “Is this some type of club meant to be used as a weapon?”

“It’s not a club. It’s a prosthetic limb I made for Hubert. I finished it late last night and wanted you to take it to him today. I’m hopeful he’ll find it more comfortable than that peg leg he’s currently wearing.” He helped her unwrap the fabric he’d wrapped around the limb. “I made it out of steel, and it has a suction socket to keep it firmly attached as well as a polycentric knee, which I won’t bore you with what that means, and an articulated foot.”

For the longest moment, Beatrix didn’t say a thing, but then she lifted her head, her eyes sparkling quite as Theo’s had done when they’d decided they were friends.

“Thank you, Norman,” she said quietly. “Hubert will love this, and it was very kind of you to take the time to make him something that will certainly improve his quality of life.”

The most curious feeling took that moment to settle in the very pit of his stomach, a feeling that then spread throughout his body and left him rather warm. He took a step toward Beatrix, powerless to do anything else, and then he reached out and drew her toward him, right before he lowered his head and kissed her.