Read Online A Talent for Trouble by Jen Turano - Free Book Online Page A

delicateshade of pink but who was glaring back at him, her amazing eyes blazing with heat.
    He’d apparently been lost in thought longer than he’d realized, but what to do now?
    Should he give in to Agatha’s request and agree to escort Felicia to the ball, even though doing so was against his better judgment? What would happen if she formed an attachment to him, which would cause him to disappoint her, and then . . .
    â€œI’ll pick you up at eight.” He heard the words come out of his mouth before he could stop them.
    To his immediate annoyance, instead of smiling and accepting his less-than-gracious offer, Felicia stuck her nose in the air. “I think not,” she announced before she spun on her heel, stalked to the fitting-room door, and disappeared from view.
    â€œWell, hmm . . .” was all he seemed capable of responding, which caused Agatha to let out a snort right before she stomped out of the room as well, leaving him standing there by himself.
    At this rate, it wouldn’t be long at all until everyone realized he was no knight in shining armor. Then he’d be left in peace, not expected to run at the drop of a hat after ladies who seemed to have the propensity for running amok.
    That idea, surprisingly enough, hardly sent relief flowing through him.
    He made for the door and increased his stride, edging around shoppers and racks of clothing until he finally caught up with Felicia and Agatha, who were standing in front of the steam elevator.
    Neither of the ladies bothered to speak a single word to him as they waited for the elevator to arrive, but to his further annoyance, they became downright chatty with the elevator operator once the door opened and that gentleman ushered them inside.
    Before their descent began, Felicia asked if she could operate the lever that controlled the elevator, and the operator was only too happy to agree. Grayson couldn’t say he blamed theman. When Felicia was smiling, much like she was doing at that moment, her smile seemed to bring out the best in people. The operator, appearing absolutely thrilled that a beautiful lady was giving him her undivided attention, briefly explained how the lever worked and with a besotted smile handed it over to Felicia—and she handled that lever in much the same way she’d driven his horses.
    By the time they finished their jerky ride to ground level, he was afraid he was about to lose his breakfast. The moment the operator opened the gilded doors, Grayson stumbled out of the dreaded contraption, so determined to get out of what he’d come to think of as a death device that he completely forgot to allow the ladies to go first. Felicia didn’t even appear to notice his blunder, though, as she bid the elevator operator a good day and brushed past Grayson with nothing but a very loud sniff.
    â€œWhat in the world is the matter with you?” Agatha snapped, drawing his attention as she stepped up beside him. “You’ve hurt Felicia’s feelings.”
    â€œI told her I’d pick her up at eight.”
    â€œIn a remarkably unpleasant tone of voice.” Agatha grabbed his arm and prodded him forward. “Felicia’s in a precarious state of mind at the moment, and you’re hardly helping that situation. Go apologize, and then tell her you’ll be completely disheartened if she doesn’t agree to accompany you to the ball.”
    â€œThat might be stretching the truth just a touch, and she needs to apologize to me for scaring a good ten years off my life just now. Did it escape your notice that she had a heavy hand with that lever? Quite frankly, I’m not certain elevators are supposed to stop and start that abruptly. We’re lucky the silly thing didn’t break altogether and plummet to the ground, killing us in the process.”
    Agatha ignored his little speech and pointed a finger toward Felicia’s back.