Chapter 25

The moment Norman’s lips touched hers, Beatrix felt a shock run through her, one that was obviously responsible for her foot lifting of its own accord, something she’d read about in the romance novels she enjoyed but certainly had never experienced before.

A second later, she felt something jab into her stomach, realizing it was the prosthetic limb. A second after that, she realized they were standing in the middle of a busy sidewalk, and . . . it was not exactly the right setting or moment for her to be enjoying a kiss with Norman.

Tearing her lips from his, Beatrix took a step back, faltering because her foot had yet to return to the ground. Flailing about, she grabbed hold of Norman’s arm, concern immediately replacing the shock she’d been feeling when she glanced at his face and found him staring at her, quite as if he was experiencing some manner of shock as well but hadn’t snapped out of it just yet.

Glancing past Norman, Beatrix found Theodosia leafing through her book like mad, shaking her head and muttering until she finally stopped on a page, lifting her head a moment later.

“While this is certainly an unexpected development between the two of you, not to fret,” Theodosia said, catching Beatrix’s eye. “According to this book, as long as Norman immediately asks for your hand in marriage, there will be no unfortunate repercussions for the kiss the two of you just shared in front of an entire crowd, if you neglected to realize that.”

Beatrix felt the most unusual urge to laugh, until Norman blinked and began looking as if someone had knocked him over the head with something heavy.

“We have to get married?” he asked, the note of disbelief in his voice going far to banish any urge Beatrix felt to laugh, replaced with an urge to kick the man.

“Of course not.”

“But Theo just said it’s expected after we, ah . . . kissed—a kiss I’m going to assume was noticed by more than a few people.”

Beatrix gestured around at the crowded sidewalk, where not a single person was seemingly paying them the least little mind. She looked back at Norman. “No one noticed anything, probably because everyone’s preoccupied with getting home in time for dinner.”

Norman’s brows drew together. “I’m sure someone must have witnessed our kiss.”

“I did,” Theodosia said, holding up her hand.

“Yes, well, you don’t count, Theodosia,” Beatrix returned. “And besides, you must realize that Norman’s unexpected kiss was simply a result of him suffering some adverse effects from the madness we just experienced. I believe that sensitive nature you mentioned earlier might have been to blame.”

Norman narrowed his eyes on her. “I’m not having an adverse effect to any madness, and I’m not all that sensitive.”

Beatrix arched a brow. “Does that mean it’s a frequent occurrence for you to kiss an unsuspecting lady on the street?”

“Can’t say that I’ve ever done this before.”

“Then for goodness’ sake, put that unusual mind of yours to work, which will then allow you to conclude that your recent behavior was some manner of anomaly.”

“My mind is in fine working order. It’s working so well, in fact, that I have to consider what Theo suggested.”

Beatrix waved that aside. “Honestly, Norman, even though we did enjoy a rather pleasant kiss, there’s no need for talk of marriage.”

His eyes narrowed another fraction. “You found our kiss to be merely pleasant?”

“Indeed.”

“Perhaps I should give it another go. I’m sure I’m capable of delivering a more-than-pleasant kiss.”

“Absolutely not, and with that settled, we’re going to put this matter behind us for good.” She nodded to Theodosia, who missed the nod because she was once again thumbing through her book. “We should get on our way, Theodosia. If you’ve forgotten, my aunt has plans for you this evening, ones I’m going to assume she’s anxious to begin.”

Theodosia lifted her head. “I thought Gladys was only going to serve me dinner and then have one of her friends try to fix my hair.”

“That’s some optimistic thinking on your part,” Beatrix said, pretending not to notice that Theodosia’s eyes had gone wide and that she’d begun muttering under her breath about “terrifying situations,” followed by her hair not being that bad after all.

Returning the prosthetic limb to the satchel she’d dropped to the ground at some point, probably the second Norman’s lips had touched hers, Beatrix nodded to Norman, who was watching her far too intently and looking remarkably disgruntled.

“I’m off to make certain Agent Cochran has no further questions for me, and then I’m going home,” Beatrix said.

“Just like that? With no further discussion about what transpired between the two of us?”

“Yes.” Turning on her heel, she marched her way over to Agent Cochran, who greeted her rather warily, lending the impression he’d witnessed the kiss but was too polite to mention it. Thankful for that small favor, she was quickly told that there was nothing further he needed from her, since he’d already informed the police about what little he knew of their attackers. He then nodded to Officer Stewart, the policeman who’d taken down her account of events, and told her that Officer Stewart was going to be accompanying her home since dangerous criminals were still afoot.

Not having a reason to argue with that because she certainly didn’t want to suffer another ambush, Beatrix thanked Agent Cochran before she moved to rejoin Norman and Theodosia.

That those two were whispering to each other was somewhat concerning, especially when their whispers came to a rapid end the second they caught sight of her.

“Am I interrupting?” she asked, earning a nod from Norman and a shake of the head from Theodosia.

“Shall we get on our way?” Theodosia all but chirped, an unusual state of affairs because Beatrix had never heard the woman sound quite so chipper. “My pony and wagon are just over there, next to Mort.”

Norman’s eyes widened. “I forgot all about Mort.”

“Which you might not want to do again since you are now responsible for that animal’s welfare,” Beatrix said.

“I would have remembered him at some point, but . . .” Norman looked over to where Mort was standing by Theodosia’s wagon, his eyes closed and body completely still. “Do you think there’s something wrong with him?”

Beatrix glanced to Mort. “I believe he’s sleeping, which might put him in a more amiable frame of mind, making him keener to cooperate with you—after he wakes up, that is.”

Norman tilted his head. “Perhaps you should be the one to wake him up since he does seem to like you more than me.”

“I’m not waking him up, and the only reason he gravitated to me earlier was because I’ve always enjoyed animals and they can sense that.” She caught Norman’s eye. “If you want Mort to like you, you might begin showing him more affection. You could also go off and find a carrot at one of the local groceries and give it to him when you do wake him up.”

Norman’s brows drew together. “I hardly believe Mort will hold me in any great affection if I abandon him to the sidewalk while I go off to find him a carrot.”

Beatrix glanced around, then nodded to a young boy who was waiting to shine shoes. “I bet he’d watch over Mort if you offer to pay him. But only give him half up front and then promise him the other half when you return so you don’t find yourself missing a mule.”

“Sensible to be sure.”

“I’m nothing if not sensible.”

“And stubborn as well, what with you being—”

Theodosia cleared her throat in a very telling manner, which had Norman stopping midsentence and sending his friend a quirk of a brow, which she returned, before he blew out a breath and shrugged. “Fine, I’ve nothing else to say on that matter.” He nodded to Theodosia. “I’ll be by the Huttleston house later to see you safely home. Don’t even think about leaving there until I come to fetch you.” He pulled out his pocket watch and frowned. “However, since I’ve just realized I’m running short on time, I’m off to . . .”

“Buy Mort a carrot?” Beatrix finished for him when Norman simply stopped talking.

Norman shot a look to Theodosia before he returned his attention to Beatrix. “Indeed.” With that, he strode over and had a quick word with Agent Cochran. He then set his sights on the shoe-shine boy, who grinned in delight over whatever Norman said to him before moving to stand beside the still-sleeping Mort as Norman strode away.

“Why do I get the feeling he’s not off to purchase a carrot?” Theodosia asked.

“What else would he be off to purchase?”

Theodosia winced. “I’d rather not dwell on that because there are endless possibilities at this point, what with the gauntlet you threw down at Norman’s feet.”

Before Beatrix could ask a single question about that, Theodosia was moving toward her wagon, barely waiting for Beatrix to take her seat beside her on the bench before she got Rosie, her pony, ambling down State Street.

“I don’t know where your aunt lives,” Theodosia said.

“Hyde Park,” Beatrix said before she rattled off the address.

Theodosia nodded as she urged Rosie into a trot, steering their way through the crowded street with a practiced hand.

“What gauntlet did I throw down?” Beatrix asked after they’d left the worst of the traffic behind.

“You told Norman you found his kiss merely pleasant.”

“I wasn’t complaining about it.”

Theodosia blew out a breath. “I didn’t say you were, but I have to imagine Norman was hoping for higher praise, such as you found his kiss to be invigorating or perhaps exhilarating.” She tilted her head. “Did you truly not find it to be either of those things?”

Beatrix released a sigh as she considered the question.

The truth of the matter was—of course she had.

His kiss had been responsible for her foot kicking up, an action she’d never thought to experience. That she’d even had such a reaction to his kiss left her reeling.

She was a lady who’d decided that she might never marry. But ever since she’d met Norman, she’d been feeling all sorts of peculiar. She’d begun to wonder if her aunt was right and that the unexpected path she now found herself on actually did include not only a chance to understand the plight of the working woman, but also had something to do with Norman.

Beatrix blinked as another terrifying thought sprang to mind.

For the briefest of moments, after Theodosia had announced Beatrix and Norman needed to get married, she had realized that she wasn’t exactly opposed to that idea and might have been just a touch disappointed when Norman seemed so shocked with the notion.

“You do know that Norman will put a concerted effort into proving to you he’s capable of delivering a more-than-pleasant kiss, don’t you?” Theodosia asked, drawing Beatrix from her thoughts.

“Surely not” was all Beatrix could think to say to that, the very idea of Norman attempting to kiss her again leaving her feeling rather tingly all over.

“I’m afraid so, although because it didn’t seem to me that you weren’t enjoying his kiss—not that I intended to gawk at you while the two of you were kissing. I don’t imagine you’re too concerned about him kissing you again, are you?”

“How do you know I was enjoying his kiss?”

“Your leg shot up.” Theodosia nodded. “I recently read about that in an article in Harper’s Bazaar. A rising leg often accompanies an exceptional kiss, especially if a lady is overly fond of the gentleman kissing her.”

“I never claimed to be overly fond of Norman.”

Theodosia didn’t seem to hear that as her eyes went rather distant. “I imagine my leg might very well kick up if the gentleman I hold in affection ever kissed me.”

Relieved to have a reason to avoid further talk of her kiss with Norman, Beatrix placed a hand on Theodosia’s arm. “I didn’t realize you held a certain gentleman in affection.”

Theodosia’s cheeks turned pink. “I must admit that I do, but this particular gentleman is beyond my reach. He’s far too handsome to be interested in someone like me, and besides, he has ladies fawning over him at all the society events. That he’s yet to settle on a specific lady, even though he’s in his thirties, suggests he’s a man with very discerning tastes, which means he’ll never return my affection because . . . well . . . look at me.”

Beatrix squared her shoulders. “I am looking at you, Theodosia, and what I see is an accomplished woman possessed of an unusual intellect as well as a woman who has proven herself to be a fast friend to a man many must find difficult. Any gentleman would be fortunate to be the recipient of your affection.” She tilted her head. “Does this gentleman have any idea you hold him in high esteem?”

Theodosia’s eyes widened. “I should say not, nor am I planning on allowing that to ever happen. It would certainly make time in his presence uncomfortable, and I’d have to take to planning out my visits with Norman to make certain this gentleman wasn’t—”

“He’s friends with Norman?” Beatrix asked when Theodosia went silent.

“I’ve said too much,” Theodosia muttered before she turned Rosie down a different street, smiling brightly at Beatrix a second later. “Weren’t we discussing Norman and that gauntlet you’ve thrown?”

“I find myself not nearly as curious about that right now.”

Theodosia ignored her. “What you need to understand about Norman is this—he’s very focused when he comes up against a challenge, and he’ll definitely see your remark about a pleasant kiss as a challenge. Although . . .” Theodosia bit her lip. “Since he and I have been taking great pains to have him avoid annoying you, it will be interesting to see how he goes about it.”

Taking a second to direct Theodosia to turn Rosie down another street, Beatrix glanced over her shoulder to make certain Officer Stewart was still following them, then wrinkled her nose. “What do you mean, you and Norman have been taking great pains to learn how to avoid annoying me?”

“Aren’t we almost to your aunt’s house yet?”

“No, we still have a good ten minutes to go, so out with it.”

For a second, Beatrix didn’t think Theodosia was going to cooperate, but then she released a sigh right before she launched into an explanation regarding what she and Norman had been doing over the past week, finishing by saying, “But even though Norman’s been attempting to adhere to the rules of the general manners and etiquette articles we’ve researched, you still seem to get annoyed with him often, which is forcing us to rethink our theories.”

“Am I to understand that I’m some sort of experiment to the two of you?”

“When you put it that way, it sounds slightly insulting.”

“It is insulting, although I’m still incredibly bewildered regarding why Norman felt it necessary to go to such extremes in the first place.”

For a moment, Theodosia didn’t respond, but then she blew out a breath. “Because he’s fond of you and wanted you to return that fondness.”

Beatrix felt a distinct flutter in her stomach. “Just because he frequently annoys me doesn’t mean I’m not fond of the man.”

Theodosia settled a stern eye on Beatrix. “You just recently told me you never said you were overly fond of Norman.”

“I did say that, didn’t I?” Beatrix asked weakly, even as she realized there was no good way to extract herself from what was turning into a very interesting, yet revealing conversation. “I suppose what you need to know about me is this—most gentlemen of my acquaintance are careful to never annoy me, which is why I find Norman somewhat refreshing.”

Theodosia steered her wagon around a large hole, turning to Beatrix after she got Rosie back on the right side of the lane. “Refreshing is encouraging, and I hope you’ll also find it refreshing and not annoying when Norman puts a concerted effort into changing your mind about his kissing abilities.”

“How exactly would he go about doing that?” Beatrix asked slowly.

“By finding other opportunities to kiss you, of course.”