Storing Up Trouble, стр. 80
“We don’t have time to wait for that,” the officer behind the cart said.
Beatrix narrowed her eyes. “If you think I’m going to step aside and allow you to proceed, you’re gravely mistaken.” One by one, she looked each officer directly in the eye. “All of you should be ashamed of yourselves. You must know this is wrong, and yet you’re using your orders to go through with it as if you don’t have a choice in the matter.” She gestured to the women behind bars. “These are mothers you’re so anxious to abuse, and daughters, and may very well be your neighbors. How, pray tell, has it happened that you’ve allowed yourselves to forget that?”
“It’s not as if we’re going to take enjoyment in following our orders,” one of the officers finally said. “And again, since you’re only short twenty dollars, most of the women will be spared.”
“All the women will be spared.”
Turning, Beatrix discovered Aunt Gladys marching their way, Blanche on one side of her, a gentleman in an expensive suit on her other side. That gentleman immediately introduced himself as an attorney, right before he announced that all bail had been paid and all the women were to be released immediately.
Given the fury residing in Aunt Gladys’s eyes, Beatrix knew that her aunt would be more determined than ever to advance the cause of women. And given the real-life lesson Beatrix had just experienced, she knew without a doubt that she’d finally found a worthy purpose in life, one she’d never be able to ignore.
Chapter 29
“Where’s Theodosia? I thought she’d be here for the big launch of Gemma and Oscar’s peddle-boat.”
Looking up, Norman found Stanley moving to join him where he was standing at the back of a wagon Mort was hitched to. Mort had apparently decided he no longer wanted Norman to ride him after the cat debacle, but had graciously condescended to pull the wagon holding the recently completed peddle-boat, but only after Norman had bribed him with more than a few carrots.
“I’ve not seen Theo much this past week,” Norman replied. “She’s been spending most of her time with Blanche at the Huttleston house.”
Stanley frowned. “Who’s Blanche?”
“She’s a woman who wants to take the beauty industry by storm. Theo’s been using her extensive background in chemistry to help Blanche reformulate recipes, which will hopefully curb some of the unfortunate effects Blanche’s creations have caused—such as hair falling out and hives.”
“I doubt any lady would want to buy a beauty product that has her breaking out in hives.”
Norman smiled. “Indeed. However, Theo’s been joining me every afternoon as I wait for Beatrix to get done for the day at Marshall Field & Company, so I imagine she’ll show up here at some point, then go with me to fetch Beatrix.”
“You fetch Beatrix from work every day?”
“Didn’t really have a choice in the matter, not after realizing Beatrix’s life has been placed in jeopardy because of me.” Norman raked a hand through his hair. “It would have been far easier to keep an eye on her if she would have agreed to abandon her position. But because she adamantly refused to do that, Edgar, Gladys Huttleston’s butler, and I came up with a plan. He escorts Beatrix to the store every morning, and I meet her every afternoon when she gets off work. I’ve then arranged for Pinkerton men to check on her while she’s at work, just to make certain she’s safe.”
“If you’re escorting Beatrix home every afternoon, and you’re coming to the factory every morning and staying until lunch with me and Father, when are you finding time to work on your electrical research?”
“I’ve not done a bit of research in weeks,” Norman said, using a rag to rub a smear of grease off the peddle-boat. “After I’m done at the factory, I’ve been helping Gemma and Oscar with their peddle-boat as well as giving them science and mathematics lessons because their tutor is still under the weather.”
“How’s that going?”
“Surprisingly well. Gemma is far more advanced intellectually than I realized, which makes instructing her incredibly satisfying. And while Oscar isn’t as accomplished as Gemma is, he’s still remarkably bright and eager to learn.” Norman set aside the rag and caught Stanley’s eye. “I’ve been considering taking up teaching, perhaps at the college level. I’ve been hounded to teach at different colleges for years, and now might be the perfect time to explore that option.”
Stanley frowned. “Why now?”
Norman shrugged. “Because one of the stipulations I’ll make before accepting a position will be to include women in my classes. That might eventually benefit Gemma once she reaches college age because perhaps it’ll prove that women deserve a chance in the world of scientific study.”
“Are you sure you’re not dying?”
Norman grinned. “As I told Father the other day after he asked me the same thing, no, I’m not dying.”
“You’re acting quite unlike your normal self, although I have to say I’m enjoying this new, un-normal you, even if it is somewhat unsettling.”
Norman inclined his head. “Thank you, I think, but I have to mention that you’ve not been acting normal of late either, what with how often you bring Theo into our conversations.”
“I don’t bring her up all that often.”
“You do, and you also still seem incredibly put out that she’s attending the Palmer ball with Harvey Cabot instead of you.”
Color creeped up Stanley’s neck. “I never said I wanted to take Theodosia to the ball.”
“You didn’t have to. Your constant scowling whenever the topic of the ball comes up speaks for itself.”
Stanley tugged on his collar. “Theodosia hasn’t mentioned anything to you about what she thinks of me, has she?”
“No, and even if she had, I wouldn’t divulge that information to you, because according to numerous etiquette books I’ve recently read, a gentleman does not disclose personal information about a lady to anyone unless he