After a Fashion Read Online Free PDF

that bill, especially not after your reprehensible behavior toward my Lily.”
    Miss Peabody’s hand didn’t waver. “My ‘reprehensible behavior’ has nothing whatsoever to do with this bill.”
    “Your impertinence is astonishing, and because of it, your employer won’t see a penny from me. In fact, I do believe I’m going to demand Mrs. Fienman hold you responsible for the full amount of the bill.”
    Miss Peabody looked at the bill and began muttering what sounded like numbers under her breath even as her face began to pale. Oliver heard her whisper, “That would take about three years of my wages,” before she squared her shoulders and nodded. “Fine, do that.”
    The very idea that the young lady was even contemplating accepting Mrs. Birmingham’s outlandish suggestion had protective instincts Oliver hadn’t been aware he possessed roaring to life. He stepped closer to Miss Peabody and held out his hand. “You may give the bill to me, Miss Peabody. I’ll take responsibility for it.”
    Something warm and unexpected shot through him when Miss Peabody turned and smiled a lovely smile in his direction—one that, strangely enough, seemed to steal the very breath from him.
    He felt her press the bill into his hand, her touch leaving himfrighteningly devoid of air, but then Mrs. Birmingham rudely shoved her way between them.
    His lungs immediately began working again, as annoyance replaced the odd feeling of a moment before.
    “That will be quite enough of that,” Mrs. Birmingham said, shaking her finger at Miss Peabody. “The behavior of you shop girls is truly appalling, which is why I’m going to demand you remove yourself from my presence at once.”
    Instead of complying with that demand, Miss Peabody lifted her chin. “I would love nothing more than to ‘remove’ myself, but your daughter is currently residing in my employer’s carriage. Until you decide how to get her out of there, I’m afraid my ability to leave is severely limited.”
    Mrs. Birmingham stopped wagging her finger and turned to Oliver, surprising him when she smiled. “Mr. Addleshaw, would you be a dear and summon a servant to fetch Lily something decent to wear? Her gowns, as you know, are currently in what used to be your office. I’m certain after she’s properly dressed and we find ourselves some tea, we’ll be able to look at matters with the right perspective.”
    The only response Oliver seemed capable of making was allowing his mouth to gape open. Surely the woman couldn’t still believe there was the slightest chance he’d want to spend additional time with her daughter, could she? It was rapidly becoming apparent that he might actually have to inquire at the Long Island Home Hotel for Nervous Invalids as to whether or not they truly did have any available beds, preferably two—one for Miss Birmingham and one for her mother, because—
    “I’m not getting out of this carriage, Mother,” Miss Birmingham said as she rolled down the window and tried to stick her head out, her attempt thwarted when the new hat she’d put on wouldn’t fit through. Drawing back, she yanked the hat off and then pushed her head back through the window. “I haveno wish to become parted from my hats because I wouldn’t put it past Mr. Addleshaw to hold them from me simply out of spite. We’ll just take this carriage to the Grand Central Hotel.” She sent Oliver a glare. “That’s the hotel we were intending to stay at, until I foolishly decided I’d be more comfortable in your home.”
    “You’re not suitably dressed at the moment, dear, to travel to the hotel,” Mrs. Birmingham pointed out.
    “My current state of undress is another reason for not getting out of this carriage,” Miss Birmingham said with a sniff. “I’m sure that rabid dog is still on the loose, and I have no doubt he’ll go for my unmentionables next time I’m in his sights.”
    Mrs. Birmingham looked as if she longed to argue with her daughter but