The Billionaire's Setup

by Marie Higgins

  “Yes!” Nicole yanked on Bailey’s arm, getting her attention. “Please do. I never wanted you to come with me, anyway. Go home. You’ll be much happier.”

  Bailey threw her a glare before tossing one Nolan’s way. “And I’m sure you’ll be happier when I’m gone, too.”

  “Yes, I will.” Nicole pushed her cousin out of the alley before grasping her arm. “In fact, let’s find you a taxi now and have them take you back to the bed and breakfast so that you can pack. I’ll call and schedule your flight.”

  “Augh!” Bailey pulled out of Nicole’s grasp. “Fine, but... you’re payin’ for the flight.”

  Nicole wanted to laugh – hard. But she didn’t want Nolan to know why. After all, their flight was on her jet, so of course she’d be paying for it. “Don’t I always?”

  “You are impossible!” Bailey marched away, but after five steps, she stopped and threw another scowl over her shoulder. “Nicole, Daddy is not going to like this.”

  Shrugging, Nicole shook her head. “Then it’s time I told your daddy exactly what I think of his interference.”

  Bailey grumbled and punched numbers into her cell phone before holding it up to her ear. Nicole knew exactly what her cousin was doing, and it wasn’t trying to find a taxi, either.

  “Nicole?” Nolan asked in a worried voice. “Are you sure this is the way you want to send her off?”

  She sighed and caressed his cheek. “I appreciate how much you care about my relationship with Bailey, but I assure you, we do this several times a year. It’s easy to get on each other’s nerves when her dad has her followin’ me around everywhere.” She glanced toward the main road. “Now... How can I get a taxi?”

  “Sweetie,” Nolan said, “are you sure you want to do this?”

  “I’ve never been more certain about anythin’ in my life.”

  He nodded. “Then I’ll go and find her a taxi.”

  “No, because I need to pay—”

  “I’ll pay,” he said. “You just go talk to your cousin and let her know we’ve got this handled.”

  All the anger she’d had toward Bailey evaporated the longer she stared at Nolan’s sweet smile. How did I get so lucky?

  As Nicole turned to find her selfish cousin, her phone buzzed. She glanced down at caller ID. Inwardly, she groaned. It appeared talking to Uncle Ethan would happen sooner than expected. But that was all right. She was full of determination, and she would not let him sway her this time.

  It was time Nicole Carrigan took control of her own life once and for all.

  TWENTY-TWO

  Hand in hand, Nolan walked Nicole to her room. Everything he’d done since they met had been romantic, and she loved how he didn’t want to let her go. She, too, had those same feelings. The end of the tour was getting closer, and it hurt her heart to think of that last day.

  She neared her door, and leaned her back against the wall, looking up into his mesmerizing green eyes. “It’s been a very long and tirin’ day. We did a lot of walkin’.”

  He pressed himself against her as he caressed a lock of her hair. “I think your exhaustion comes from the fight with your cousin.”

  “That, too. But really, it was bound to happen. I’d been bitin’ my tongue for too long.” She sighed sadly. “Do you think differently of me now because I blew a fuse?”

  He chuckled. “Actually, I think you have more patience than I have.”

  “I’m glad. I don’t want you to think I have mood changes a lot.”

  “No, I don’t think that. In fact, that’s the first time I’ve seen you really upset, and I have to admit, I was wondering if nothing ever bothered you.” He smiled widely. “I’m happy to see you are normal, like the rest of us.”

  She swung her arm around his shoulders, pulling him closer. “You wouldn’t believe how borin’ly normal I really am.”

  He kissed her on the lips. It was short and sweet. As he withdrew, he looked into her eyes as they held each other. The lights in the hallway were bright enough for her to study his expression. Seeing the emotion in his eyes made her heart flip crazily. It was hard to believe she’d fallen so fast and hard for this incredible man. The longer they stared at each other, the more she felt the magic between them growing. She hoped he’d want to take her to his room and kiss her a little bit longer. She wouldn’t even mind falling asleep in his arms.

  Nolan’s head moved closer again, and she met him halfway until their mouths connected. As the tender kiss started out, she knew it was on its way to turning passionate. It made her happy to know he was a mind-reader.

  Suddenly, the lights flickered, and she heard a familiar voice from inside her room.

  “Nicole, we need to talk.”

  Groaning with irritation, Nicole broke the kiss and pressed her forehead against Nolan’s. “My ghost is tryin’ to get some attention.”

  His body shook with a silent laugh. “Well, you don’t want to make her mad.”

  She pulled away and arched her eyebrow. “We should be worried about makin’ me mad.”

  He stroked her cheek. “Go see what she wants. I’ll meet you downstairs for breakfast.”

  “Good night.”

  “Good night, sweet lady.” He kissed her forehead and moved to his door.

  She entered her room, and as she reached for the light switch, the lights came on by themselves... or from Victoria’s help. Nicole grumbled and closed the door behind her, locking it. Victoria sat at the desk, folding her arms.

  “It’s about time you get home, young lady,” Victoria said in a motherly tone.

  “Oh, for goodness sake.” Nicole tossed her purse on the bed. “Why can’t you just leave me alone for one day? I have a life, you know.”

  “Well, I don’t!” Victoria jumped to her feet. “Which is why I need your help.”

  Guilt crept in Nicole’s chest, wishing she hadn’t said it that way. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

  “I’ve been waiting all day for you to tell me what happened in your dream this morning.”

  Nicole sat on the edge of the bed, kicking off her shoes. “You were upset with your cook. Your maid and cook were complainin’ about you when you left. The cook said somethin’ about buying cyanide.”

  “What? Are you jesting? Matilda said that?” Victoria’s hand flew up to her neck. Her wide eyes stared at something on the floor. Finally, she lifted her gaze to Nicole again. “Do you think she poisoned me?”

  “It’s definitely a possibility, but because your body has been buried six-feet-under the ground for so long, I really doubt we can have the medical professions figure out how to do an autopsy.”

  “But... how will we know?” Victoria sat dejected on her chair.

  “I have no idea.” Nicole rubbed her forehead. “Victoria, it’s happened so long ago, there is no use for you to try to get revenge. Everyone involved is dead. And who’s to say Matilda actually poisoned you? I mean, your maid Missy had stolen one of your lockets, and your other maid – the one you’d been yellin’ at – was ready to strangle you. Even your brother could be a suspect, because he was upset that you got the inheritance.”

  “My brother wouldn’t harm a fly. However, my staff...” Victoria’s shoulders drooped. “I had yelled at Anna unnecessarily that day. She and Missy were the two I took out my frustrations on and blamed them for things that were really my fault.”

  “What about your cook? Had you even once told her thank you for a great meal?”

  Victoria’s frown deepened. “No, not once. I always told her what she’d done wrong.”

  Nicole’s gut twisted. Bailey was definitely following in the footsteps of their dead ancestor.

  “Oh, my poor William.” Victoria’s voice tightened. “And to think he would have married such a shrew. I loved him, I really did.”

  Nicole stretched to her side on the bed, facing the ghost. “Tell me about William. Why had you decided to marry someone of lower-class?”

  Victoria hiccupped a laugh. “Before Willi
am came into my life, I’d never even considered marrying a man who made less than my father. However, William was different. His whole demeanor portrayed that of an upper-class gentleman. I loved how he looked at me and made me feel important as if my feelings mattered to him.”

  Nicole hugged a pillow to her chest. That was exactly how Nolan made her feel. “I know what you mean.”

  “I wish I would have known what a rotten person I’d been back when I was alive. Now it’s too late.” Victoria looked up at Nicole. “But it’s not too late for you and Bailey.”

  Nicole shrugged. “I’ve already changed, but Bailey... I worry she’ll never see what she’s doin’ to other people.”

  Victoria scratched her cheek. “Does Bailey have servants?”

  Nicole nodded. “She’s had them all of her life. Her daddy made sure his precious girl didn’t do anythin’ for herself.”

  “Someone needs to horse-whip that man.”

  Nicole laughed. “Boy, don’t I know it.”

  “I just pray that Bailey’s servants don’t want to kill her like mine did.”

  Nicole’s chest tightened as fear grew inside her. Was this the reason Victoria was still alive and that Nicole was having dreams about her life? Was it for Bailey and not her? Her stomach churned. Perhaps she had been too hasty to send her cousin back to Texas.

  Sitting up, Nicole scrambled to remember when her jet was scheduled to leave the airport. She quickly pulled out her cell phone and checked the time. Ten thirty. Relief poured through her. The jet would still be there.

  Nicole quickly called her pilot, hoping to stop the flight. When the pilot answered, she sighed again in relief. “George, I need you to make up some excuse why you can’t take Bailey back to Texas. Send her back here and put it on my card. Don’t tell Bailey that I called and asked you to do this.”

  “Yes, Miss Carrigan.”

  “Thanks.” She clicked off her phone. That man definitely needed a raise.

  “Bailey was going home?” Victoria asked.

  Nodding, Nicole flipped her hand. “Long story, but she’ll be comin’ back soon. I just need to hurry downstairs and make sure the clerk hasn’t already given her room to someone else.”

  “Well, you did pay for a week, correct?”

  “Yes, I did.”

  “Then they shouldn’t—”

  “No, they shouldn’t, but they could.” Nicole quickly grabbed her shoes. “I’m sorry to interrupt our conversation, but I need to go downstairs.”

  “That’s all right. I’ll let you go to sleep. Hopefully, you’ll have another dream that will lead us to who killed me.”

  “Yes, that would be nice.” It would also be wonderful if she could end this mystery and get a normal night’s sleep, too. She slipped on one shoe and began to tie it.

  “Your man – the one across the hall – is very handsome.”

  Nicole smiled at Victoria. “Yes, he really is. He also believes in ghosts.”

  Victoria beamed. “I knew there was a reason I liked him.”

  “I told Nolan about you. He wants to help me find out why you died.”

  “What a sweet man.” Victoria’s smile softened. “Will he be able to help at all?”

  “Well, he’s already helped me by not thinkin’ I’m crazy.” Nicole grinned and slipped on her other shoe. “And he’s goin’ to help me figure out my dreams.”

  “He is definitely a keeper.” Victoria winked. “But have you two admitted your feelings for each other?”

  “We have talked a lot about our feelin’s.”

  “No, what I mean is has he told you he loves you?”

  Nicole gasped. “Love? Victoria, we haven’t even known each other for a whole week. Talkin’ about love at this point in our relationship would ruin everythin’.”

  Victoria sighed. “I might be very old, but I’m still very knowledgeable about things. Neither of you have very much time before the tour is finished. I need to help you out now. Perhaps it’s time for me to set you up.”

  “What do you mean ‘set us up’?”

  “Since you’re helping me find my killer, I’ll help you.” Victoria smiled and walked across the floor. “Yes, that’s exactly what I’ll do. By the time you get ready to leave this place, you’ll be madly in love.”

  Panic surged through Nicole. She couldn’t have the ghost sticking her nose into Nicole’s life. “Victoria, no—”

  Victoria walked toward the far wall and disappeared. Nicole grumbled. This was not good. Unfortunately, she’d have to worry about that tomorrow. Tonight, she needed to make sure Bailey’s room was still available... and somehow, Nicole needed to make her cousin believe in ghosts so that she could hear Victoria and how treating other people like they were gutter rats was not the way to live.

  There was no way Nicole could allow her cousin to die like Victoria had.

  TWENTY-THREE

  Nicole didn’t get to sleep until she heard Bailey enter the room next door. Once Nicole realized she was back and that tomorrow that woman was going to start believing in ghosts, Nicole’s mind finally drifted off to dreamland.

  She entered the dream – just like she was a spectator during the filming of a movie. Victoria stood inside the parlor glaring at the vases of flowers lined on the floor. They were all lovely pink roses with pink and white ribbons wrapped around the glass vases and tied in bows.

  Slowly, Victoria’s face reddened and she fisted her hands by her sides. “Missy? Come in here now!”

  Missy, who’d been in the music room dusting, rushed into the parlor and stopped. “Yes, Miss Victoria?”

  “What... are these?”

  “Um, well...” Missy twisted her hands around the handle of the duster. “Those are the flowers you ordered for your wedding tomorrow.”

  Victoria scowled and shook her head. “What? Are you an imbecile? These are not the flowers I ordered.” She pointed toward the front door. “Take them back. Now!”

  Missy curtsied and grabbed a vase of flowers in each hand. Trying to keep them in her hold, she walked as fast as she could toward the double front doors. Just before reaching them, one of the doors swung open and Donald walked inside. Missy quickly stepped out of his way, which made her tilt and lose balance. She hurried toward the front door, but just as she reached the patio, one of the glass vases slipped from her arm and hit the wooden floor, shattering.

  Fast footsteps came into the hallway. Victoria stared at Missy with wide eyes. Missy quickly ducked her head as if preparing for Victoria’s verbal abuse.

  “You seriously dropped the vase?” Victoria screamed, throwing up her hands. “You can’t do anything right, can you?”

  Donald moved to Missy and stood next to her, facing his sister with a determined expression. “It wasn’t her fault. I bumped into her on the way in.”

  Victoria rolled her eyes. “Then you can help her clean up the mess!” Victoria stormed up the stairs toward her bedroom.

  “Master Donald, you don’t need to help me.” Missy’s eyes filled with tears. “It was my fault. I should have been more careful.”

  He slid his arms around the maid’s shoulders in comfort. “I really wish my sister wouldn’t talk to others the way she does. She doesn’t have any respect for anything – other than what’s hers.” He shook his head. “She’s a nasty person, and I hope that one of these days she gets what is coming to her.”

  Missy moved away from Donald and knelt on the patio floor. Using her apron, she gathered the broken glass. “I fear, Master Donald, that nothing will make your sister change her attitude.”

  He knelt beside Missy and picked up the larger pieces of glass. “She doesn’t deserve the inheritance,” he grumbled.

  Missy peeked at him with confusion on her expression. “I don’t understand.”

  “Don’t pay any attention to me. I’m just upset and voicing my thoughts when I shouldn’t.”

  The two picked up the shattered glass, but Missy kept looking at Donald curiously. “May I in
quire why you are upset about the inheritance? Will you not get your share, too?”

  “Oh, I’ll get mine when I’m twenty-five, but I’m worried that my sister’s spending habits will leave us poor by my twenty-fifth birthday.” He blew out a frustrated breath. “Did you know she’s hired the best band in Colorado to play at her wedding? She has purchased her wedding gown from France, if you can believe that. She wants only the finest food served at the wedding, and she’s invited only the elite people to her wedding.” He shook his head. “I’m never going to get a penny of my inheritance while Queen Victoria is still alive.”

  Matilda hustled out to the patio with a bucket and a broom. Donald took the broom, and as Missy dumped her apron full of broken glass into the bucket, he swept up the last of the glass, dumping it in the bucket.

  Missy and Donald followed Matilda back into the kitchen. The cook ushered them both to the sink to wash their hands.

  “Master Donald, thank you so much for your assistance.” Missy smiled.

  He nodded. “It’s only fair that I try to mend the damage my sister’s words have done to your heart.”

  The chubby cook moved beside Donald and patted his arm. “Master Donald, you are an exceptional young man. You will be the reason the family’s name doesn’t get ruined.”

  He smiled widely and puffed his chest. “That’s my plan. If I leave it up to my sister, the whole state will loathe the name, Carrigan.”

  Matilda nodded and moved back to the table where she’d been peeling potatoes for the supper meal. “All I can say is that you, Master Donald, and your kind mother are the only reason I’m still employed here. I’m counting down the hours until your sister repeats her vows and leaves this house for good.”

  “Unless...” Missy giggled, “Mr. William realizes what a huge mistake he’s made in marrying her, so he doesn’t show up on his wedding day.”

  Both Matilda and Donald laughed loudly. Missy grinned.

  “Then, maybe he’ll notice other women besides...” Missy glanced at Donald. “What did you call your sister? Queen Victoria?”

  “Yes, that’s what I’d called her.”