After a Fashion (A Class of Their Own #1)(69)

“We are obviously having two different conversations here, Jane. What, pray tell, are you talking about?”

“You . . . following in my footsteps, of course. As I mentioned before, I was flabbergasted to learn you’d gone to live with Mrs. Charles Hart. But when Martin discovered the gentleman you were riding with in that carriage Miss Plum was driving was none other than Mr. Oliver Addleshaw, well . . . it almost brought me to tears.”

A hiss of protest from the cat had Harriet relaxing the death grip she’d taken on it. “You’ve heard about Mr. Addleshaw?”

Jane’s lips thinned. “Not much, other than he’s been seen coming and going from Mrs. Hart’s house, and that the two of you were seen shopping together at Arnold Constable & Company. I don’t currently have informants in houses owned by members of the true quality, but I do believe, given Mr. Addleshaw’s obvious interest in you, that may be about to change.”

“Did you ever consider that he may simply be a good friend of Mrs. Hart?”

“You really shouldn’t doubt my intelligence, Harriet. Gentlemen don’t escort ladies shopping unless there’s a very good reason behind it. At first I thought you may have agreed to become the man’s mistress, but then . . . that didn’t make any sense, because Mr. Addleshaw certainly wouldn’t take his mistress to the leading department store in the city. It’s driving me mad, trying to figure out what confidence scheme you’re actually perpetuating, which is why I felt compelled to track you down today. Quite honestly, if you hadn’t been so kind as to leave the safety of Mrs. Hart’s house, I was actually considering marching up to the door and demanding to speak with you.”

“I’m sure that would have provided everyone with a bit of amusement—you trying to take on Mrs. Hart—but back to this confidence scheme idea. Don’t you remember me telling you last year that I’m of the firm belief God wants me to live a good life? I highly doubt He’d consider my participating in a confidence scheme to be an acceptable way of living honorably.”

Releasing a snort, Jane waved a hand in the air. “Yes, yes, I remember that nonsense about your God and what He wants for you, but tell me . . . if you’re not scheming, what exactly are you doing with Mr. Addleshaw?”

“It’s really none of your concern.”

“Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong, my pet. My business of choice these days is collecting information, and if you now find yourself in the midst of society, I can use that to my advantage. And again, you owe me.”

Harriet frowned. “You’re blackmailing people now?”

“Exactly, and I wanted you to join me while you were working in that hat shop, because you must have been privy to juicy gossip overheard from customers. But . . . since you’re apparently no longer employed there, there’s no reason to discuss that particular plan.”

“There’s no reason to talk blackmail at all, since I’m not going to help you with whatever mad scenario you’ve come up with.”

Jane waved Harriet’s words away with a single flick of her wrist. “Tell me, do you happen to know where Mrs. Hart keeps her safe?”

“Why would I want to know where Mrs. Hart’s safe is located?”

“Don’t be coy, Harriet. It doesn’t become you.”

“I’m not intending to steal from Mrs. Hart.”

“How very noble, but again, do you know the location of her safe?”

“I’d like to get out of the carriage now.”

“We’re not done talking.”

“I have nothing left to say to you.”

Jane leaned forward. “I’ll let you out as soon as you explain to my satisfaction what you’re doing with Mr. Addleshaw.”

“He’s my fiancé.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Harriet knew she’d made a dreadful mistake.

Jane’s face was beginning to mottle, her freckles were standing out in high relief, and her eyes had turned to green shards of ice. “You’re lying.”

“I assure you, I’m not.”

For a second, Harriet thought Jane was going to launch herself at her, but then her aunt gripped the seat with both hands, drew in a deep breath, slowly released it, drew in another, and then began to speak, far too calmly. “May I assume he’s taken with your beauty?”

“I’m fairly certain he’s more taken with my wit.”

“You’re beginning to wear on my patience.”

“As you are on mine,” Harriet retorted. “I’ve now told you the truth about Mr. Addleshaw and would like to get out of this carriage. Obviously, I’m not following in your footsteps, which means you, my dear aunt, need to leave me alone from this point forward.”

“Not until I’m given some type of compensation for raising you.” Jane tapped a gloved finger against her chin. “Since blackmail seems to be beneath you, as does stealing, I’ll make this easy on you. You’re going to introduce me into society.”

“How would you expect me to do that?”

“If what you claim is true, that you’re really engaged to Mr. Oliver Addleshaw, it won’t be difficult for you to introduce your loving aunt to the New York Four Hundred. I’ve never been given an opportunity such as this before, or at least not in quite some time, and since, again, you owe me, I’m sure you can grant me this one tiny favor.”