After a Fashion (A Class of Their Own #1)(25)
“I would have to believe, since Miss Thornridge is off on a mission in the wilds of some backward country and has been off on that mission for at least two years, Fred thought you’d be easier to locate if something were to happen to him, which it did.”
“Being the easiest godparent to locate does not make me the most viable candidate. I’m a single gentleman who spends his time immersed in business and society matters. I don’t have time to raise three children, all of whom seem to have made it their goal in life to slowly drive me insane with their daily bouts of mischief.”
Oliver thought it was a sign of true friendship that he didn’t laugh. Everett looked so disconcerted that he’d hardly appreciate amusement, and Oliver really couldn’t blame the man. It wasn’t every day a person got saddled with someone else’s children. “I imagine Fred really never thought he’d die, but it’s a great testimony to how much he trusted you that he left you his children.”
“I’d rather have been left a yacht.” Everett shuddered. “Elizabeth, she’s the oldest of the bunch, actually took down all the curtains in the receiving room, cut them up, and sewed them into dresses for herself and the twins.”
“Isn’t one of the twins a boy?”
“That was exactly my point. Poor Thaddeus looked ridiculous in the mauve-colored frock Elizabeth stuffed him into.” Everett shook his head. “Unfortunately, when I made mention of that, Elizabeth burst into tears, Rosetta, the other twin, bit me, and Thaddeus now refuses to wear anything other than dresses.” He blew out a breath. “How could I have possibly known that Elizabeth was not proficient with sewing and had tried to make Thaddeus a pair of trousers out of the drapes, but they didn’t work, and because of that, she’d made him the only thing she was capable of making, a frock.” He released a heavy sigh. “She didn’t want her little brother to feel left out.”
“I’m almost hesitant to bring this up, but that was rather sweet of Elizabeth.”
Everett slouched down into the chair again. “I know, and quite frankly, it would be easier if they were horrible all the time. That way I could send them off to some boarding school, wash my hands of them, and not feel a sliver of guilt about it.”
“Aren’t the twins only around five years old?”
“They are, but Miss Dixon managed to find a school that will take them, even given their tender ages.”
Oliver crossed his ankles. “Ah, the ever-resourceful Miss Dixon. May I assume your association with the lady is going according to plan?”
“I imagine it is, although nothing is official just yet.” Everett swiped a hand through his hair, leaving it standing on end. “She’s certainly an ideal candidate for the position of Mrs. Mulberry. She’s friends with all the right people, and my parents approve of her.”
“Do you approve of her?”
“What’s not to approve? She’s beautiful, fairly well-educated, has stellar manners, and we rub along quite nicely together.”
“But she doesn’t care for the children?”
Everett frowned. “Why would you say that?”
“She took it upon herself to search out a boarding school for them.”
“Hmmm . . . I never thought of it in that light, but enough about the brats. They plague me all too often as it is.” Everett smiled. “Tell me about you—is there anything new and exciting happening in your life?”
“You could say that.”
Everett’s eyes widened. “You’ve finally buckled under the pressure of your grandfather’s badgering and gotten engaged, haven’t you.”
“No, I’m not engaged, although I must tell you, a Miss Birmingham seems to have spread it about town that she was soon going to become the new Mrs. Addleshaw. Luckily for me, I discovered her true nature before our association could progress. I’m hopeful she’s even now on her way back to Chicago—even though she did end up costing me a pretty penny in the process.”
“Pennies are worth the cost if you managed to dodge a nasty bullet.”
“Miss Birmingham certainly did turn nasty, as did her father.” Oliver grinned. “I shudder to think how he’ll react if he learns about Miss Harriet Peabody.”
Everett moved his chair closer to Oliver. “You’d better start at the beginning.”
Fifteen minutes later, Oliver concluded his story, unable to help but notice that Everett was staring back at him with undisguised shock on his face. He was about to ring the bell to order a fresh drink when Everett released a grunt.
“And you had the audacity to tell poor Mr. Birmingham that his daughter was mentally unstable.”
“I’m not insane, Everett. Hiring Harriet to accompany me as I proceed forward with the Duke of Westmoore is one of the most ingenious ideas I’ve ever come up with. I can’t dine with the gentleman without having a lady around to add a touch of charm to the atmosphere. The duke will expect to be properly entertained, and I’m not willing to disappoint the man. I’m determined to finalize my deal with him and procure wool that’s considered the finest in the world.”
“It’s only wool, Oliver. Don’t you think you might be taking things too far?”
Oliver shrugged. “I’ve spent countless hours formulating this deal, and my time is money. Besides, hiring a lady to help me entertain business associates instead of counting on ladies with marriage on their minds will save me a huge amount of aggravation. I should have thought of it years ago.”