A Most Peculiar Circumstance by Jen Turano

disappeared in a split second. “May I see that?”
    Arabella handed him the paper and watched as he disappeared behind it, reappearing a moment later with a frown on his face.
    “Did you not appreciate the story?” she asked.
    “It is well-written.”
    “And that disappoints you?”
    “It does,” Theodore admitted. “If you must know, Mr. Wallenstate is actually Miss Agatha Watson, and I readily admit I did not realize she possessed so much talent.”
    “May I assume you are known to this Miss Watson?”
    “She is a dear friend of your new sister-in-law, Eliza, andI must tell you now, she is trouble. I encouraged her to abandon her quest to become a journalist, but as you can see, she didn’t heed my advice. I wonder what her father makes of the fact his daughter is behaving in a manner hardly suitable to her social status.”
    “I would hope her father is proud of her. She has a true gift.”
    “She is taking a job away from a man who could have penned just that article. Miss Watson has no need to earn funds. She has a wealthy father to provide for her, and besides that, she is an attractive woman and holds an enviable position in society. She would have no difficulty finding a husband if she would only put aside her strange notions regarding a profession and behave in a more ladylike manner.”
    “You believe she should abandon her talent and settle for marriage?”
    “You say that as if it’s a horrible fate.”
    Arabella straightened in her seat. “Did you ever consider the fact that God blessed Miss Watson with a talent for the written word, and perhaps He expects her to put that talent to use? If you ask me, Miss Watson, through insightful writing, has brought to attention a condition in the clothing mills that most people know nothing about.”
    “I think God created man in His image and expects men to lead, while He created women to remain in the background and raise children while being a source of comfort to men.”
    She eyed the window and wondered if she’d suffer a horrible death if she flung herself out it.
    Theodore chuckled. “I see I’ve finally rendered you speechless.”
    She drew in a breath. “I cannot believe my brother thought it was a good idea to have you come after me.”
    “Your brother isn’t the one who approached me; your mother did.”
    Horror was swift. “My mother—as in Gloria Beckett—asked you to come fetch me home?”
    He nodded. “She thought you might want to be present at your brother’s wedding.”
    “Which is certainly understandable, and yet . . .” Arabella squared her shoulders. “May I inquire how she was acting when she made her request?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Was she perhaps a little . . . giddy?”
    “Ah, well, no, I wouldn’t say she was giddy,” Theodore said slowly. “She was extremely grateful, but not giddy.”
    “Of course she was,” Arabella said before she let out an unladylike snort. “I love her dearly, but honestly I’d thought she’d gotten past her unfortunate habit of meddling, at least in regard to me.”
    “I’m afraid I’m not following you.”
    Arabella bit her lip. “What did she tell you about me?”
    “She told me you were possessed of a pleasant disposition and that you were absolutely delightful.”
    “And you didn’t find that odd?”
    “Not at the time. Most mothers do proclaim their daughters to be delightful.”
    “But now?”
    His lips twitched. “I think Gloria might have slightly exaggerated how well-behaved you are, and she certainly neglected to tell me about your propensity for getting into trouble.”
    “Why do you think she did that?”
    Theodore’s eyes widened. “Surely you’re not suggesting she was trying her hand at matchmaking, are you?”
    “I’m afraid there is no other explanation.”
    “But your mother knows me fairly well.”
    “Hmm . . . then this is peculiar, because, forgive me, Mr. Wilder, but you are the last gentleman on earth I would everconsider as