Page 71 of A Contracted Spouse for the Prizefighter

“And you ain’t ‘eard from ‘er since that first telegram?” he asked, clearing his throat.

“Not yet,” Theo admitted. His face twitched, but he said nothing. She averted her eyes to give him some privacy as he struggled to rein in his feelings.

“Fank you for tellin’ me,” he said quietly. “That’s ‘ansome of you. You always acted ‘ansome toward me, Miss Theodora, and that’s the truth. I know I ain’t got no right to ask after Miss Henrietta.”

“Nonsense, you have every right,” Theo told him. “You are an old friend of Hetty and mine. Of course, I will let you know as soon as we hear she has reached Paris safely.”

He swallowed convulsively and ducked his head. Theo judged it would be kinder to let the subject drop. Instead, she started to brightly explain the reason why she had an appointment at a gentleman’s outfitters.

Vincent kept up his stoic silence, but she saw from the way he pressed his lips together he did not entirely approve. “You’re plannin’ on takin’ to the stage at Dabney’s establishment?” he asked finally in a blank tone.

“I am, Vincent. Have you ever visited The Eagle and Sun?”

He shook his head. “It ain’t to my taste, miss.”

If he was not such a rough-looking customer, Theo would have thought Vincent’s expression almost prim. “You prefer something a little more highbrow?”

Vincent frowned at this. “How do you mean?”

“You prefer the entertainment at The Parthenon.”

He shrugged. “To tell the truth, I can scarcely follow what’s happenin’ on stage most of the time.”

“What do your tastes run to?” she asked curiously. “Sporting events?”

His gaze brightened. “Now you’re talking, miss.”

“Have you ever seen my husband box?” she asked.

He looked cagey. “Might have done.”

Theo gave him a sidelong look. “That means yes, I gather.”

“Couple of times maybe. I prefer the ‘orses, miss,” he admitted, “when I get the time.”

“Ah, I see.”

They had reached J. Finch & Sons by this time, so they entered the establishment and Charlie Finch hurried forward to lead her into the back room out of sight of any of the other customers. He had tacked together an approximation of her evening suit and day suit and Theo spent the entire time patiently standing around in both while he adjusted pins and added chalk marks to each of the pieces.

Vincent remained on the other side of the curtain, though she could feel his heavy presence the entire time. From the monosyllabic answers the tailor gave to any comment she made, Theo realized he would rather work in silence, so she held her tongue for the most part and regarded herself thoughtfully in the mirror. Her outfits were taking shape, but it was hard to determine fully how they would look.

She would need to steal Felix’s old shoes again and re-stuff the toes. Perhaps, too, she could borrow Uncle’s pocket watch and a pair of Clem’s cufflinks for the finishing touches?

“All done,” Charlie Finch told her, straightening up. “I’ll send for you when it’s time for the second fitting.”

“Excellent, thank you so much, Mr. Finch.”

He nodded and helped her ease out of the partially assembled clothes, then left her to dress again. When Theo emerged, Vincent was still standing sentry.

“I’m so sorry to have kept you waiting so long, Vincent,” she said sincerely. “I genuinely did not realize what a lengthy process a suit fitting was.”

“Don’t mention it, miss. Anytime.”

She glanced at the darkening sky as they exited the outfitters and exclaimed over the time. “We had better take a cab, I think Vincent. Where is best to drop you? I forget where you said you lodged these days.”

He shook his head. “I’ll see you safely home, Miss Theodora.”

He was as good as his word, but to Theo’s distress would accept neither tip nor her insistence that she pay his cab fare home. “I want the walk to clear my head,” was all he would say as he waved the driver off. “I’ve got a lot to mull over.”