She flinched. She didn’t need any more introductions or anything that would further complicate her mission. She was already getting too comfortable with Alastair, and she worried she might slip up. “Perhaps another time.”
Alastair set his hat and coat on a hook. “I mean to keep you to myself tonight anyhow.”
Mav shot her a dark glance, laced with…was that jealousy or warning?
She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and turned back to the crowd. Whatever Mav knew wasn’t good. She wished there was a way to speak to him, but Sophie was keeping an extra eye on him. And Alastair…he was always within arm’s reach of Victoria.
Guests hovered near the entrance and along the wall. Victoria longed to join them, to disappear into the background, at least until she could get a handle of how to best utilize her position in this case. Sophie was as impersonal as possible, never breaking her composure to smile or chat. And Alastair—he hinted at underlying issues, but he never seemed to complete a thought. Victoria was unsure how much he knew, and where he stood on the issues.
The host, Mr. Edward Florentine, took Sophie by the hand and led her to the head of the table, beside his wife, and the meal soon commenced. The menu included roasted duck and asparagus, orange wedges and puddings, and more than three different soups to choose from.
Alastair sat to Victoria’s right and continued to speak incessantly. A young lady with exquisite olive skin and dark hair sat on Victoria’s left. The woman looked familiar, but Victoria couldn’t quite place her face. Perhaps it was from her schooling? Victoria angled toward Alastair. The last thing Victoria needed was someone to recognize her. She’d be outed as an imposter.
“You haven’t answered my question,” Alastair said, setting his fork to the table.
A lump formed in her throat. She took a drink of water and sighed. “Forgive me. The heat of the room has caught up to me. If I could only get some fresh air for a moment.”
“Now?” Alastair asked, glancing down the line of guests.
She surveyed the line of men and women at the tables, her eyes halting when they came to Mav. Sophie leaned close, and she appeared to be giving instruction of some sort. Mav’s jaw clenched, and his brown eyes seemed to darken to black. His face snapped in her direction.
Victoria held her breath, but then her eyes bulged when she realized it was the woman next to her that held Mav’s attention.
“Victoria?” Alastair was still waiting for an answer.
She shook her head. “I’m quite all right. I suppose it is the heat of the room. I can’t be the only woman to feel so insufferably warm.” She turned to the woman next to her, summoning all courage. She silently pled the woman wasn’t from her past. “And you, Miss—? Are you not ready to fall over with the heat?”
The woman smiled, a brilliantly polished and eye-catching smile. “I find it is always thus at these parties. They’re designed for the men in their simple suits, while us women are forced to suffer the wrath of petticoats and slips and layers galore.”
Victoria nodded her agreement. “Exactly, as I was telling Mr. Kinley. I’m Victoria MacGregor. And you are?”
“Lotta Crabtree.”
Victoria started forward. “Goodness, I saw you five years ago in New York when you performed in Loan of a Lover. You were magnificent. I’m ashamed I didn’t recognize you in an instant. My school friends and I were permitted to see only one show that year, and we begged to see yours.”
Lotta chuckled. “Ah, then you are a true friend—one that remembers me before my rise to fame. A pleasure to meet you, Miss MacGregor.”
“Miss Crabtree,” Alastair interjected, leaning over Victoria’s plate. “A pleasure, as always.”
“Now,” Lotta continued, completely discounting Alastair, “have you been to see my most recent play here in San Francisco, Little Nell and the Marchioness? You simply must come. I’ll have my mother send you a pair of tickets—she’s still my manager, you see.”
Victoria gasped. “I’d be delighted. Thank you.”
“And speaking of shows, isn’t this a dreary one? My mother demands I attend such functions, but I’m only a recent favorite of this group.” She tilted her head closer, and her voice fell to a whisper. “If I keep quiet, do you think I might escape the conversation of those like your companion, Mr. Kinley?” When Victoria giggled, Lotta continued. “I’d much rather catch the eye of that man across the table.”
Victoria followed her line of sight to Mav. Victoria’s smile fell flat, and her stomach stabbed in an unfamiliar and threatened way. “Mr. Larsen—Mrs. Kemp’s current errand boy?” She lifted her chin and attempted to act unaffected.
“An errand boy?” Lotta sighed. “A pity, but handsome still the same.”
There was no denying he was attractive. Victoria was certain that if she tried to lie about Mav’s smoldering glance or striking features, she’d only come off as an unconvincing and silly schoolgirl. So she allowed herself one more look. “Not many men are more handsome, but I’ve heard he’s trouble.”
Lotta snickered and leaned in. A diamond glittered across her chest—a pink and oversize gem attached to a ring that looped the chain around her neck. “He’d have to be, to be in league with Sophie Kemp. That woman is vile.” She covered her mouth and leaned back to make sure Alastair hadn’t heard. When she was convinced, she continued. “I’ve heard for months that Sophie had plans to infiltrate the diamond business.”
“Diamonds?” Victoria’s eyes rounded.
Lotta nodded. “She’s the only seller in California to claim she has a pink diamond. Awfully rare. I only came upon one in my latest tour in New York.”
Victoria’s throat dropped to her knees, and she traced Mav’s gaze to Lotta’s neck. He couldn’t…Surely Sophie hadn’t sent him on an errand to steal Lotta’s diamond.
Mav stood, as if on cue, and exited to the hotel gardens.
Lotta smiled once more. “I believe I am rather hot, Miss MacGregor. Perhaps you’ll accompany me out to the gardens?”
Nightfall had already knocked against the sky, and starlight glittered across the blackness. Mav was relying solely on a hunch—a hunch that Lotta Crabtree noticed his mock attentions and that she welcomed them. There were other ways to get the diamond, but romancing the woman was his safest bet. He’d spent the better half of dinner eyeing her. The task, under normal circumstances, would have been an easy one. Lotta Crabtree was pretty. But even the actress, seated next to Victoria, seemed dull.
He chuckled and chided himself. He was still thinking about Victoria, entertaining her features and figure. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. It was impossible not to notice Victoria, especially on a night such as this. She had dressed with more care, accentuating her already lovely features. Her hair, as hot as her temper, had been swept up into a twist at the nape of her neck. And during the meal, one stray curl sporadically fell across her cheek, no matter her efforts to sweep it behind her ear. Mav bit his lip to keep from smiling. She was oblivious to her charms…and oblivious to the difficulty she was in. He’d tried to warn her, but time hadn’t allotted a single moment to tell her that Sophie didn’t yet trust her.
He fiddled with the ring in his suit pocket—his decoy. Stealing a kiss in the gardens wasn’t unheard of, and he ran over his plan to unclasp the necklace and drop the diamond ring into his pocket. The decoy would be effortlessly slipped from his smallest finger to the necklace just in time to reattach the chain.
He leaned against a pillar on the terrace, which overlooked a kitchen garden. He plucked a lemon from a branch beside him and tossed it up in the air. He caught it just as footsteps fell behind him. He inhaled and summoned a mock scowl. “Couldn’t abide the company inside any longer either?”
He turned almost straight into Victoria. She was linked with Lotta, and her eyes were narrowed. Mav’s smile dropped, but he hoped the darkness disguised his surprise.
“Seems silly to waste another evening indoors when the weather
outside is so pleasant.” Lotta took a step closer, effectively pushing Victoria out of his view. “My friend Miss MacGregor informs me you work for Sophie Kemp. Tell me it’s not true. It’d be a shame to see your efforts mixed with a woman such as her.”
He put a hand to his hip, once again composing himself. “And if I am? Does that ruin my chances for an introduction, Miss…?”
Lotta laughed. “Don’t pretend like you don’t know who I am. I saw Sophie whispering in your ear and pointing in my direction.”
He chewed the inside of his cheek. Lotta wasn’t as silly as he’d hoped. Taking something from a fool was infinitely easier than stealing from a respectable person. “Fine. You’ve caught me. I know who you are, and I still want to get to know you.”
Victoria’s mouth dropped.
“Still?” Lotta dropped Victoria’s arm.
“Mmhmm. I learned long ago not to set my heart in the hands of an actress—never know when she’ll drop it and take a bow.” Mav flashed her a smile. “Walk with me?”
Lotta turned to Victoria. “I s’pose I won’t be needing your company any longer, Miss MacGregor, but do be a gem and take my scarf.”
The fabric was wound around her neck, and Victoria loosed it, only slowing to lose a pin from the fabric. “One moment, Lotta. You’ve got quite a tangle.”
“Take the pin with the scarf,” Lotta huffed. “If only you’ll leave me with Mr. Larsen.”
At last, Victoria took the scarf in her hand. She shot Mav a look of warning and retreated to the ballroom. It took all Mav’s effort to peel his gaze from her and turn them on the woman at his side.
“So, Mr. Larsen,” Lotta said, fitting her gloved hand in the nook of his arm. “Shall we sit in the rose garden, just next to this one?”
He nodded. “If that’s what you’d like.”
She pulled him along the pebble path and stopped in front of a large plant, already blooming with light pink roses. She leaned closer to smell the flower. “Pink is my absolute favorite color. Don’t you agree?”
He snickered. Pink was his least, unless it was part of another word—Pinkerton. “A lady is free to her own opinion.”
She sat at the bench in front of the planter and leaned back against her hands. “Is it true Mrs. Kemp has a pink diamond?”
“Yes.” Mav folded his arms. He hadn’t expected to speak of diamonds, especially not when he was about to steal the one from around her neck. “But let’s not talk about that now.” He joined her side and sat on the bench.
“Shall I show you my own secret?”
“Please.” Mav leaned in for the kiss, ring at the ready. Perhaps he’d be done with the task in time to steal a dance with Victoria.
A harrowing scream pierced his ears. He covered his ears, nearly jumping away from Lotta.
She pressed her hand again and again against her chest and around her neck. Panic wrote itself in her wide eyes and trembling lip. “My diamond.”
“What did you say?” Mav asked, slipping the decoy back into his pocket.
“I was about to show you my pink diamond, but it’s gone.” She scrambled to her feet then dropped to the ground, parting the grass and moving the pebbles across the path. “Miss MacGregor—she took my scarf. You don’t think my necklace caught on the scarf?”
Mav nodded. “I’ll find her straight away.”
Without waiting a moment for her to answer, Mav darted to the ballroom. The diamond had to be attached to the scarf. If not, how would he explain the situation to Sophie? She’d think he’d stolen the diamond for himself. The odds of such a mishap happening on the very night of his plan were nonexistent. He wrung his hands behind his back and took to Lotta’s empty chair beside Victoria.
“Are you well?” Victoria asked, placing her hand on his sleeve.
Her touch acted to slow his racing heart, and he allowed himself to survey her dark eyes and perfect lips. “Miss Crabtree is missing jewelry. Do you reckon that’s what caught in the scarf?”
She covered her open mouth. “For shame.”
Victoria twisted in her chair to retrieve the scarf on the chair back. Dangling on the corner of one side was an open chain, broken in the middle.
Mav took it in his hands and flinched. His tanned cheeks drained of color. Fate had snatched the diamond, securely ruining his chances of convincing Sophie of his trustworthiness. Unless he could return the decoy and search for the real diamond the next day. He cleared his throat. “I’ll return it straight away.”
Mav found Lotta sobbing. Her gloves were even darkened from her efforts digging in the dirt and grass.
“I’m afraid I have the worse news.” He showed her the scarf and broken chain.
She scratched at the scarf and then bounded to the terrace. “I was standing here when Miss MacGregor took the scarf from me, was I not?”
Guilt plagued him, but he nodded.
“So the ring has to be around here somewhere.”
Mav fell to his knees and searched. When he found nothing he retrieved the decoy from his pocket. “Is this it?” he asked with wide eyes. He prayed she didn’t look too closely.
She pounced on his hand and took the ring in her own. “Thank goodness, Mr. Larsen.”
7
Victoria stood on the deserted dock, watching the moonlight against the ripples of the water. The evening with Alastair and Sophie, Mav and Lotta, had gone so differently than she’d imagined. Pinkerton agents never sleep. Archie had repeated the motto over and over, but only now did she understand it more clearly. There were clues all around—Lotta’s gossip of Sophie, Alastair’s bitter remarks, Sophie’s coldness…Mav’s willingness to steal a pink diamond to solve a case. She sank deeper into the collar of her coat. She didn’t know what to think of him. He was as convincing of an actor as the professional he’d hoped to dupe. How could she ever know if he was acting around her?
A fish jumped and splashed at the edge of the dock, startling Victoria.
She inhaled. Where was Mav? She’d had less than a minute to speak to him in the carriage, but they’d agreed to meet at the appointed time and place. Victoria needed to speak to him alone, to try to make sense of the mess she’d seen and heard that night.
She turned around and navigated the rough boards in the darkness. Standing that close to the water was silly, but the beauty of the stars and moon had lulled her farther and farther along the walk. She reached the lamp next to an abandoned warehouse, their appointed meeting spot.
She pulled out the pocket watch from her reticule, rubbing her thumb across the faded initials on the back, those of her father. A quarter of an hour late. She sighed. There were allowances in a case like this; Victoria well knew the difficulty of navigating the city at such a time of night. Getting out of the emporium unseen was a feat in and of itself. After sneaking past Sophie’s open door and out of the apartment, she’d had to slip out of the emporium unnoticed by the cleaning staff.
The rustle of the tree beside her once more startled her. She ducked behind the side of the building, just as a man was approaching from the other side. Victoria’s mouth clamped shut, and she held her breath.
“Victoria.”
She released her breath. “I wondered if you’d be coming.”
Mav stepped into the lamplight, and his left cheekbone was marked in purple and red. “I ran into a small spell of trouble.”
She gasped but restrained herself from moving closer. He deserved such a mark if he meant to steal from an innocent woman. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on, or leave me guessing? I’ve already surmised enough of what happened, but I’m at a loss as to why.”
He closed his eyes. “It’s not what you think.”
“Really? Because it looked as if Sophie instructed you to steal the pink diamond from around Lotta’s neck and that you were more than happy to comply.” She paused to catch her breath. “I thought Pinkerton agents never bargained with criminals, always upheld the law—”
“I didn’t have a choice
,” Mav said, interrupting. “Sophie told me that if I didn’t get her the diamond, I was back on the street. We’d have been even worse off on the case, and I’ve never lost a case, Victoria. Besides, I wasn’t planning on stealing the ring for forever…just until the case was solved.”
Victoria’s chest heaved. “But what if someone purchased the diamond in the interim? What then, Mav? Lotta Crabtree, despite her poor judgment in courting your attention, is a decent person, a woman who had come to her fortune honestly. Would you really rob her of such a treasured item?”
Mav grunted. “It don’t matter. I didn’t get the diamond, and I’ve spent the last hour trying to talk sense into Sophie’s men—hence the shiner below my eye. I’ve promised Sophie that I’ll bring the ring tomorrow, after I can return to Del Mar’s and find the diamond ring.”
Her breath hitched. “Just now? You mean, you just came from speaking with Sophie?”
“As I said.”
If Sophie was gone, that meant she might return to find Victoria absent from the apartment at this very moment. Victoria shook her head; there were more important things to discuss. She glanced up at Mav. “Why were you trying to warn me, and what was that about?”
Mav swallowed. His eyes looked black in the dim light. “You’re on trial. Sophie hasn’t determined your trustworthiness nor your use. She’s watching you.”
“I’d guessed as much. But I’m confident Alastair will vouch for me.” She tucked her hands into her pockets.
“About that—” A carriage rolled beside the harbor, and Mav nearly tackled Victoria in an attempt to usher her to the side of the warehouse and, subsequently, out of the lamp light. When they’d recovered from their tumble and the carriage had passed, they were both pressed against the brick exterior. Mav’s hands were braced against the building, on both sides of Victoria in a protective stance. His face was loomed over hers. “Mr. Kinley isn’t the type of man to take kindly to be conned.”
Victoria melted against the wall. The stirring in her abdomen rose up to a burning in her throat. Did Mav realize the effect he had on her? She closed her eyes and steadied herself. “I’m not afraid of Alastair. He’s my friend.”
An Agent for Victoria Page 6
