An Agent for Victoria

by Kate Marie Clark

Victoria grinned. “With such a name as MacGregor, I can’t seem to escape the questions when I’m around other Scots. I, too, find the idea of clans outdated and unimportant.” She released Alastair’s arm and curtsied. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Kemp.”

  Sophie was silent for a moment. Her eyes surveyed Victoria like a hawk, slowing on the slightest detail of her dress and facial feature. At last, Sophie nodded. “What can I help you with, Miss MacGregor?”

  “I’ve recently inherited a small fortune. As you might guess, the news of my good luck has spread quickly, and I’ve become the prey of many men. You are San Francisco’s wealthiest independent woman. I hoped you might steer me in the right direction.” Victoria sighed. “I haven’t family relations to do the job.”

  Sophie ran a finger through her curls. Her eyes were beyond beautiful but equally as cold and unforgiving. Detecting the meaning behind such a gaze seemed impossible. Sophie smiled and gestured to a plush chair. “You’ve come to the right place, Victoria. Take a seat.”

  Victoria was more than happy to oblige, as her knees threatened to buckle under the anxiety. She situated herself in the velvet chair. “Thank you.”

  “Now,” Sophie said, sitting across from Victoria. “Tell me where you’ve settled.”

  “Nowhere yet.” Victoria furrowed her brows, allowing her true anxiety to shine through. “I’ve been at a loss. I only arrived in the city days ago. I hoped you would be able to tell me where best I should settle?”

  Alastair sat on the settee near Victoria’s chair, his eyes never leaving her. “This side of town is best. I could show you an apartment. I’ve recently heard that the building across the street from me…” His voice drifted when he noticed his older sister’s icy glare.

  “Leave,” Sophie said to him. She pointed to the door. “Miss MacGregor doesn’t need a man like you showing her around. She’s come for advice from an independent woman.”

  “Dear, dear.” He laughed, however uncomfortably, and clicked his tongue. “Seems Sophie’s taken a liking to you, Miss MacGregor. Count yourself lucky.” He turned to leave, but not before taking Victoria’s hand in his. He planted a kiss, then disappeared behind the door.

  Victoria’s cheeks burned at the touch, a result of her nerves coupled with Alastair’s nearness.

  “Now,” Sophie said, seeming oblivious to Victoria’s discomfort. “I’ve decided to keep you.”

  “Keep me?” Victoria asked. Sophie’s words were that of a friend, but her tone commanded obedience.

  Sophie lifted her chin even higher. Her pink lips formed a curve, and the movement looked unnatural. “I only offer things once, Miss MacGregor. You may stay here. I’ve a spare bedroom on the top floor, next to mine. There’s a washroom and stove, too.”

  Victoria’s mouth parted. “A generous offer, Mrs. Kemp. Thank you.” She paused, swallowing repeatedly. Could she accept such an arrangement? Sophie, according to the reports—and only validated by her intimidating presence—was a dangerous woman.

  “Is that a ‘yes’ then?” Sophie asked, crinkling one brow. “I’m not used to waiting for an answer.”

  “Certainly.” Victoria smiled amidst her anxieties. “I shall have my trunks delivered by the afternoon.”

  Sophie walked Victoria to the door. “Splendid. I’ll see you at tea in two hours.”

  Mav leaned against the crate and tried to keep his nerves steady. A new and strange sensation in his chest had nearly overtaken him as he awaited Victoria’s return. Minutes had drifted long past an hour, and Mav was prepared to bolt at the slightest sound of distress. Just how thoroughly had Victoria planned to introduce herself to Mrs. Kemp?

  The afternoon sun was blistering by the time Victoria emerged from the alley entrance. Mav was quick to notice her downcast eyes and pink cheeks. He resisted the urge to meet her, and he waited until she reached his side.

  “You plannin’ a church picnic with the woman already?” Mav scratched at his cheek. “That was the longest introduction I’ve ever waited for. Either something went terribly wrong, or you couldn’t find the woman.”

  Victoria put a hand on her hip and tilted her head. “Are those the only two possibilities you’ve considered?”

  He shrugged. “Did you meet the old bat?”

  “I wouldn’t call her that,” Victoria said. She avoided his glance and scooted to the opposite side of the path. “Sophie isn’t nearly as old as I imagined for a widow, and the descriptions of her beauty were understated.”

  Mav let out a puff of air. “Is that all you noticed?”

  She shook her head. “Sophie isn’t a woman to be trifled with.”

  “Course not.” Mav stretched out his legs in front of him. “She ain’t so rich by being a simple kind of character. How’d the meeting go? Did you make a memorable impression?”

  “She’s Scottish.”

  Mav’s brows lifted. “So you played your commonality up, I imagine?”

  “Course. I told her my name was MacGregor.” She paused, looking to Mav for a response. When he shrugged once again, she sighed. “You haven’t any idea about the Highland clan Gregor? Sophie’s invited me to room with her, on the top floor of the emporium.”

  Mav started. He lifted his hat and tugged at a tuft of hair. As impressed as he was of her ability to cozy up to the woman in such a short time, he didn’t like what he was hearing. Victoria had no way of knowing what she was getting herself into. “You turned her down, right?”

  She bit the edge of her bottom lip.

  “Don’t tell me you actually accepted her offer!” Mav scrambled to his feet and grabbed Victoria by the elbow. He ushered her further down the alley and behind a stack of crates. His glance dropped to her lovely brown eyes, and his voice fell to a whisper. “You don’t know the first thing of dealing with criminals. She’ll sniff you out before you’ve stayed two days. Besides jeopardizing the case, you might end up all the worse for wear. Women like Sophie Kemp don’t allow those that cross them to walk away untouched. She’ll have your hide.”

  Victoria’s lips trembled. “Don’t you think I realize that? What choice did I have? If I were to reject her offer, Sophie would’ve felt snubbed and I’d have rendered myself useless to the investigation.”

  Mav’s eyes clamped shut. He hated to admit Victoria was right because her rooming with Sophie put her at risk. “I’ll have to find a way to keep an eye on you then. I’ve a man that’s promised to introduce me to Mrs. Kemp for work. I’ll have him recommend me for labor in the emporium.”

  “In the emporium?” Victoria’s jaw dropped, and her brows rose to a center point.

  “Why is that so difficult to swallow?”

  She dropped her eyes to the ground. “You don’t seem the type—I—I—I mean, I thought you’d lie low, mix with others from the outside of the operation. Wasn’t blackmailing your technique?”

  He flinched, inadvertently tightening his grip at her arm. “You don’t think I could act my part as a convincing salesman?”

  She leaned away from him. “I didn’t mean that. Only, you don’t seem like one to blend in with the likes of Sophie Kemp…or anyone really.”

  He leaned closer. “What does that mean?”

  Her breath hitched, and her cheeks burned darker. “I only meant that you are hard to miss. I can’t imagine Sophie Kemp not noticing you.”

  His heart caught fire seeing her so nervous, so bashful. Despite his inner warnings, he couldn’t help but find her beautiful and intriguing. “Mmm.” He released her arm and straightened. “I’m an agent, Victoria. I’ve learned to blend in when I need to, and if I don’t, I make it a point to stick out in the right kind of ways.”

  She visibly swallowed. “Right. Well, I’ll be having my trunks delivered today by someone other than you—”

  “I’ll find a man.”

  She nodded. “Thank you. Now, about Sophie. I’ve handled her well enough so far, but I’m not accustomed to playing a part. I imagine living in such close proxim
ity will be challenging.”

  “Invariably.” Mav sighed. “I reckon you’ll need some sort of distractions. Find something to occupy yourself outside of the emporium. Mrs. Kemp don’t need you constantly anyhow; that kind of thing irks most.” He crossed his arms. Perhaps a cover as husband and wife would have been easier. Protecting her from afar would prove difficult. Mav turned his thoughts back to Mrs. Kemp. “I imagine this situation will be ideal, if you can manage your part. You’ll have free roam to her apartment, and maybe her office. Well done.”

  She smiled, and her dark eyes seemed to sparkle. “Thank you.”

  His heart clamored against his chest once more. He shrugged away the sensation, turning toward the back of the emporium. “I better find Holden—the man I’ve already cornered—before he makes the wrong kind of introduction.” He ran his tongue against the front of his teeth. “I reckon I’ll be needing a new suit.”

  Victoria surveyed him up and down. Her nose pinched. “That and a haircut. I suggest pomade.”

  He ran a hand through his hair. “What’s wrong with my hair?”

  She shook her head. “Nothing in particular, but you don’t look the type to run with customers of the emporium.”

  “Ah,” Mav said, grinning. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Did she really think she was an expert in detective work after a minute? “I don’t think you realize who you’re dealing with, Mrs. Jones. I’ve had my fair share of undercover work. I think you’ll be surprised.”

  “Mrs. Jones?” Her pitch rose. “And I thought it was strictly business, Mr. Jones.”

  He laughed. “That is your name for the time being, isn’t it?”

  “Miss Victoria MacGregor, actually.” She lifted her chin and set her jaw. “And I’m not the type of woman to discuss matters in the alley with a stranger.”

  Mav rolled his eyes. “Sure. Meet me at the harbor tomorrow night. For now, continue courting Mrs. Kemp’s approval. Make yourself indispensable, but also keep your distance—however you can manage that.” He pushed his hat to his head and hesitated. Against his better judgment, yet again, he didn’t want to leave her side.

  “Right,” was all Victoria said. She gathered her skirt and stepped from behind the grates.

  Mav remained motionless as he watched her disappear around an alley corner. Archie’s little sister was more than he’d bargained for, more than he could have ever anticipated. He laughed aloud and threw back his head. He’d a feeling he was in for trouble.

  Good thing trouble was his specialty.

  5

  Victoria’s hand slid across the smooth, black walnut banister. She guessed the fixture had recently been installed, for the wood still smelled fresh—fruity and pleasant and strangely familiar. She removed her glove and touched it once more. The lacquer had the slightest stick. The weight in her shoulders lightened; her observations had doubled since arriving.

  She stopped on the marble steps when she met Sophie’s brother’s eye.

  Alastair was holding a handful of flowers. “Miss MacGregor. Good morning. I hoped I’d see you today.”

  “Good morning, Mr. Kinley.” She cleared her throat. “I’m afraid I’m still in your debt for introducing me to Sophie. It seems your sister has seen to the smallest details of the apartment and my comfort—the furnishings and linens, the flowers and chocolate on my bed table, the laundry and maid services. The cupboards have been stocked with more tea than I’d ever imagined possible.”

  His smile went flat, and he lowered the flowers to his side. “Then you’ve already received flowers?”

  Victoria shook her head. “Just for the table by the cupboards, not from anyone in particular. Are those…?” She pressed her lips together and glanced at the bundle in his hands.

  “For you.” He held out the bouquet of roses. “I wanted to formally welcome you to the emporium, however long it is you plan on staying. My sister isn’t usually prone to offering her extra room.”

  She took the flowers in her arms and tried to block her blush by smelling them. She’d never received flowers from a man before. “Thank you. And yes, your sister was kind to offer the room. It seems she’s thought of everything—everything except food. I’m actually off in search of a market this morning.”

  Alastair started forward. “I was just about to leave to market myself. Please allow me to escort you.” He offered his arm and she accepted.

  “Thank you, I nearly…” Her voice broke off when she caught the gaze of another, and she swallowed hard.

  “What is it?” Alastair asked. He tilted his head closer.

  Mav Jones stood at the emporium entry, dressed to impress. His tall and muscular frame seemed only accentuated in the fitted suit, and his cheeks were freshly shaven. His hair, usually as wild as the man, was slicked to one side. But his eyes—his liquid, honey brown eyes—were set aflame. Like daggers and bullets, his gaze shot straight to Victoria’s heart.

  She inhaled sharply. “I’m fine, Mr. Kinley. I was attempting to recall my list for the market. I seemed to have left it in the apartment.”

  Alastair smiled. “Oh, that? I’ll help you construct a new list on the way. Come, I’ve a carriage we can take. If you’ll only wait on the porch a moment, I’ll see to the arrangement.” He walked her to the porch—past Mav—then turned once more. “I’ll only be a moment.”

  She forced a smile but gasped for air once her companion had turned the corner. Victoria could feel Mav’s eyes on her, burning into the back of her neck. She folded her arms. “What is it?” she asked without turning around.

  “Going out with Mrs. Kemp’s brother? I thought I told you to find something else to occupy your time.” He was only a few feet away, and his voice was hushed. But there was no mistaking his anger.

  Victoria flinched and turned to meet his glance. Mav was indisputably the most attractive man she’d ever seen, but when he looked at her like that—so fiercely possessive and protective—she wanted nothing more than to flee. His stare, like the rest of him, dripped of danger. She well remembered their wedding kiss and how helplessly she’d fallen to his charms.

  She released a breath. “He offered.” She paused to look his attire over once more. “Besides, I hadn’t expected to see you this morning. What are you doing here?”

  “I told you I’d found an introduction. My friend, Holden, introduced me to Sophie last night. Seems she took a liking to me straight away. She offered me a job on the spot as doorman.”

  “I’m sure Sophie did take a liking to you. What type of lies did you use to gain her trust?” Victoria chided herself for the pang of jealousy pulsing near her temples. She was no better than Mav, getting possessive and weak at the slightest hint of another’s interest. Mav had made it quite clear; their marriage was strictly a business arrangement, no matter how handsome or alluring she found him.

  Mav’s lips parted into a smirk. “I don’t reveal my ways, even to a partner. Now, if you don’t mind, Miss MacGregor, you’ll be meeting me tomorrow evening at the harbor. Remember?” He dusted his sleeves and glanced around the empty entrance.

  “I remember,” Victoria said, biting back a cutting remark. How could he go from smoldering to unaffected so quickly? “And will you be working in the emporium every morning?”

  “Most days, unless Sophie has other assignments.”

  Her attention shot to him, and she waited for him to say more.

  Alastair’s carriage pulled to a stop in front of the emporium, and he darted to Victoria’s side. “I’m sorry if I kept you waiting even a minute too long. My driver had disappeared down the alley, and I—” He stopped midsentence when he noticed Mav at the door. “Isn’t there anything else you can do besides stand watch at the door, Mr. Larsen?”

  Mav crossed his arms. “Mrs. Kemp’s orders. She’s expecting a new shipment and has asked me to stand watch.”

  Alastair sighed, opening the carriage door. “I wondered why she’d hired such a strapping man to stand watch. Seems she wanted a guar
d, instead of a salesman.” He climbed inside and sat across from Victoria. His narrowed eyes returned to Mav. “My sister goes through men like she does dresses—wears them once and discards them for another. I wonder how long this one will last.”

  Victoria’s eyes widened. “You don’t think that Ma—Mr. Larsen is courting your sister, do you? He has to be ten years younger than her.”

  He laughed and leaned to take her hand. “Dear Miss MacGregor, I doubt I’ve met a more proper lady. Sophie doesn’t court, not after her first husband. I won’t be indelicate, but as with her business, Sophie has ways of getting what she wants, no matter the price, no matter the age gap.”

  Her lips formed an ‘o’, and her innards twisted in repulsion. Surely, Mav wasn’t willing to romance Sophie, solely for the purpose of winning a case? She bit the edge of her bottom lip and tried to steady her breathing.

  “Forgive me if I’ve upset you with talk of Sophie’s habits. You asked for her advice as an independent woman—might as well know the truth about her. Independence can sometimes bring about indecency and little self-restraint. Women who aren’t dependent on men for anything—affection, finances, happiness—can find themselves lonely and desperate for any new thing to give them a rise.” Alastair dropped her hand and shrugged. “I hope you won’t be taking too close of notes. A brother has the tendency to be uncommonly hard on a sister, after all.”

  “Of course.” She wanted to ask so many questions, but she settled on one. “Do you mind if I ask how Sophie came under her fortune and the ownership of the emporium? It’s rare to find a woman in such a position.”

  Alastair was silent for a moment, then leaned across the aisle. Upon closer inspection, his blond hair shimmered with red, and his eyelashes were the same carrot color. “Then you haven’t heard of her late husband?”

  Victoria shook her head.

  “Harry Kemp. He was born wealthy and died wealthy—kind fellow. After his death, Sophie decided to open up an emporium. From there, her wealth and notoriety increased even more.” He inhaled through his nose, and his nostrils pinched. “She’s been generous to employ me, her younger and less-than-favorite brother.” His lips snapped shut, and he shook his head.