“And do you think she will? Come through when she’s needed, I mean?”
“I know she will. She’s a great many things—most of them disagreeable—but she’s loyal to her allegiances. She and Anna might fight like two cats trapped in a hatbox, but she would do anything for her sister, and I know Anna feels the same.”
Todd nodded. “Then that’s all I really need to know. She’s certainly not lacking in courage.”
“No, she’s not.”
“And she can hold her own in any argument.”
“That she can.” Liam considered him for a moment. “You know, we were discussing the fact that she’s hard to handle, but the more you talk, the more admiring you sound.”
“True. I can’t help but admire her—along with being frustrated and confused. She’s unlike any other girl I’ve ever met.”
“And that will continue to be the case. There simply aren’t other girls like her.” Liam stood. “I’d best be going. I left Anna at her parents’ house to help Emily pack, and she’ll be expecting me to come save her. Good luck, Todd. I’ll be keeping in touch with the office, and Agent Gordon will pass along any messages should you need me.”
“Thanks for that, Liam.”
Todd closed the door behind his friend, then returned to studying the schematics of the Astor estate. The family quarters boasted eight rooms, while there were twelve rooms for guests. It was hard to be sure because the map was hardly drawn to scale, but it looked as though the guest rooms were each larger than a small cottage. He’d rent a horse and go for a ride after dinner—he wanted to get a feel for this place before they arrived officially the next day. The more information he could gather ahead of time, the better.
Chapter Five
Emily held her green skirts carefully as she descended the stairs. After all the work Anna had put into her hair, it would be a shame to lose her footing and go tumbling end over end, especially with Jeremy standing there waiting for her.
When she reached the bottom, he made a short bow, then handed her a nosegay of small white flowers. “For you,” he said. “You look stunning, Emily—like a bit of sea glass washed up on the beach.”
She offered a polite smile, thinking back to the conversation she’d had with Anna about flowery speeches and glowing compliments. “Thank you. I wasn’t sure where we were going, so I hope this is appropriate.” She knew it was—she was just fishing for another one of those silly compliments. It was a rather long-standing habit.
“You will be absolutely perfect.” He helped drape her shawl around her shoulders, then guided her out to his carriage. She wished there was some way to climb aboard without risking her skirts on the muddy wheels, but all she could do was gather them up and do her best.
“Thank you for agreeing to come with me tonight,” Jeremy said as the driver guided the carriage down the street. “I’m glad for this chance to reconnect before tomorrow.”
“I don’t see this as a chance to reconnect, Jeremy,” she told him. “This is a chance for us to coordinate our stories so we don’t ruin the investigation.”
“Yes, of course. That’s what I meant. I did hope, though, that we could discuss . . . the other subject I brought up this morning.”
“Your feelings for me.”
“Exactly.”
“I don’t know, Jeremy. Somehow I find myself completely weary of the whole thing.” She turned her attention to the trees and the homes they were passing. It was easier than looking at him. “I’m not sure you ever saw me as I really am. You told me I was sweet—I’m not sweet, and if that’s your impression of me, it’s best that we clear it up now. You shouldn’t be in love with a person who doesn’t even exist.”
“I’ll admit, you’ve shown a bit more spunk and backbone today than I ever thought possible from you, but it only served to make you more attractive to me,” Jeremy said. “That’s what I was missing from you before, Emily, and now that I see it was there all the time . . . I do wish our reconciliation was a fact and not just a fantasy.”
“You like this side of me? This cantankerous, ruffled, impossible-to-please side? I don’t think you could possibly mean it, Jeremy. You’d be ready to get rid of me in an hour’s time.”
“No, I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t because you’re real, finally and at last. Before, you were a pretty painting on the wall, something to admire but never touch. Now you have blood in your veins and fire in your spirit.”
She turned back to face him. He was saying everything she’d longed to hear, and yet . . . she felt nothing for him. Not one thing. Why couldn’t she push aside her reservations and give him a chance? Why did she feel the need to barricade herself and stay locked in her tower? It was true that she hadn’t cared for his timid responses at lunch, but she’d likely caught him off guard. Now he seemed stronger, more in command of himself and his emotions, and he seemed to appreciate her and who she was on a deeper level than ever before. That should be enough to make her fall in love, shouldn’t it?
Apparently not.
“I can’t make you any promises,” she said at last. “But I’m willing to hear you out because you listened to me this afternoon.”
“Fair enough,” he replied, giving her a smile.
***
The Astor estate was everything Todd had expected it to be. It looked as though it had been scooped from the English countryside and set down there on the outskirts of Denver, along with an expansive lawn and a generous selection of trees. The sun was setting as he approached, and the light glinted off the dozens of windows and nearly made him need to shield his eyes from the glare.
The entire thing was built from red brick, with white-painted wood trim and pillars. A circular drive wrapped around a fountain in front, which wasn’t in use at the moment. Todd had no doubt that it would be up and running for the party that weekend—no one eager to impress their guests would allow it to sit there empty.
He didn’t ride too closely to the house, suspecting that there would be dogs or some other sort of protection in place. Instead, he saw what he could from the road, peering through the trees when there were no passersby. The last thing he wanted was to catch someone’s attention and be reported.
Having seen what he could, he turned his horse and headed back into town. He appreciated the green grass that surrounded the house and edged the many terraces—it would make coming and going from those rooms quite easy. He could slip in and out soundlessly once the windows were unlocked. He wondered how often those particular windows were checked, and if unlocking them once at the start of the weekend would be sufficient or if he’d need to come back and do it again. He suspected they were checked nightly. He hadn’t heard any dogs, but that didn’t mean there weren’t any.
Upon reaching town, he returned the horse and climbed the stairs to his room. He’d already sent a trunk along with Mr. Tobler’s manservant, but he’d carry along a small valise with the last-minute items he was just now realizing he’d want. An extra pair of gloves, certainly, in case he got grass stains on his dinner pair while sneaking around. And a few extra handkerchiefs because as lovely as grass could be, he was also allergic to it. That might make things a little more complicated, but he’d do his best to keep his sneezing under control.
Once satisfied that he’d packed everything he’d need, he climbed into bed. Not that he expected to sleep—he always found it hard to drift off the night before starting a new case. He thrived on the excitement, though, the unexpected. He liked feeling his heartbeat accelerate and his blood coursing through his veins. It made him feel alive, and he didn’t think he’d ever get tired of it.
It was a good thing the Pinkertons never seemed to lack for clients.
***
The carriage pulled up in front of a new restaurant that had only opened a few months before. Emily had heard people speak of it, but she hadn’t yet been able to go—not when everyone in town was still buzzing about her disgrace. Jeremy couldn’t have chosen a more perfect location for their publ
ic reconciliation dinner.
They alighted from the carriage, entered the building, and were seated promptly while it seemed that many other couples were waiting for that privilege. Emily knew Jeremy must have paid extra to be treated with deference, and she appreciated it. There were few things she liked less than standing around, waiting her turn.
Their table was private, sectioned off from the rest of the room by curtains that hung from ceiling to floor but were then held back with gold-tasseled ropes. She could look around with ease and see the other diners, but they would have to strain a bit to see her. That suited her just fine. They might be here to begin creating the idea that they had reconciled, but that didn’t mean she wanted to have everyone spying on them all evening long.
Once their orders were taken, Jeremy turned his full attention to her. “I’m struggling to know what to say that might be convincing to you,” he began. “First, I’d like to start with an apology. I behaved abominably, coming to see you so often and then calling an end to it. I created a difficult situation for you, and that wasn’t at all my intention.”
“Now that you mention it, what was your intention?” Emily asked. “Surely you know that the sort of attention you paid me makes one think that they’re being courted.”
“I did know that—er, I do know that, and that was my actual intention. I’d just never stated as such officially. Then my maiden aunt heard of our connection, and she advised me that I’d be better off with . . . with someone else.”
“Your maiden aunt? Maiden, as in, she’s never married herself? What advice could she have to offer you about marriage? And just who did she believe you should be with instead?” Emily paused and moderated her tone. They were supposed to be reconciling right now, not arguing. “And why hadn’t you made our courtship official by this point?”
“So many questions.” Jeremy chuckled. “I will answer them all, but you must give me time.”
“You shall have it.” Emily sipped her water, then blotted her lips. She hoped they wouldn’t take too long to serve dinner—the light lunch she’d had at the Pinkerton office earlier that day seemed like hours ago. “Let’s start with the question of your aunt and her . . . shall we say, credentials to be handing out marriage advice.”
Jeremy looked rueful. “It’s true that she’s never been married. However, she worked closely with my grandfather, acting as his secretary, and she understands the ins and outs of how this business works. She told me that I needed someone more established, more mature to help bring my grandfather’s company forward into the future. I’m sure she just had my best interests at heart and wasn’t in possession of all the information.”
“And yet you were, but you still chose to take her advice.”
“True, and I assure you, I regret it.”
“You’ve said that, but I must ask why you regret it. Did something happen that made you wake up one morning and think, ‘I certainly miss Emily today.’”
“Not exactly, but very nearly so. It started out as a small ache in my ribcage, and I thought I’d strained it while fencing. But then I recognized it for what it was—the loss of you.”
Emily wasn’t sure how to reply. She’d thought she’d have the upper hand during this entire conversation—as the wronged party, she was prepared to listen to a long litany of flowery apologies and maybe even whimpered regrets. But he really had suffered, and strangely, she found herself caring just a little bit.
She had no idea what to do with that emotion.
Thankfully, the waiter returned just then, saving her from the embarrassment of not knowing what to say. He slid their plates in front of them, and she concentrated on cutting her rosemary chicken into tiny pieces so she could eat it daintily.
“After a time, I decided to see if I couldn’t ease that ache another way. I took a young lady out to see a play, but I spent the entire evening bored out of my mind and wishing I was with you instead. I took a quick trip to San Francisco, and while I enjoyed it immensely, it didn’t solve the problem, and that was my need to see you again.”
“And now you have the perfect chance—bringing me in to help with this case.” Emily paused, her fork in midair. “Jeremy, you didn’t concoct this whole scheme so you could spend the weekend with me, did you? That would be . . .” Sweet. It would be unutterably sweet. “Foolish and most likely expensive.”
“No.” He shook his head. “While I’d gladly take credit for the idea, it’s not mine. Agent Wilcox came up with it when we first met about the case. He’d hoped there would be a lady in my life who would agree to accompany us, and when I explained that there wasn’t one, he suggested former acquaintances. And now here we are.”
“Here we are.” Emily took a bite of her chicken, swallowing it before she’d even considered what it tasted like. “What will your maiden aunt think now when she hears you’ve taken me out to dinner?”
Jeremy winced. “She won’t be too thrilled about it, I’m sure. But you have to understand, Emily. She’s not a bad woman, or even unkind. She just has different ideas for how things ought to be done.”
“And I don’t fit into her ideas. No, I understand. I’m somewhat of a rare breed, Jeremy. I tend to annoy people who have never met someone like me before. I don’t hold back what I’m thinking, and I certainly don’t hold back how I’m feeling. None of that would be suitable in your wife, and they likely won’t be suitable for someone sitting on a board of directors either. How will she handle that piece of knowledge once it’s announced? Will she disown you for fraternizing with someone so far below your station?”
“You’re not below my station. Gracious, Emily—I feel like you’re taking everything I say and turning into a criticism. Can we please find a way to be civil, even if it’s just for this weekend? You may go back to hating me all you like once the case is solved, all right? I give you my full and unfettered permission.”
“But if I have your permission, it won’t be nearly as much fun.” Emily smiled. “All right, I’ll admit that I’m being particularly hard-nosed right now. You wounded my pride, Jeremy, and that’s something I’ve worked hard to maintain and protect. This whole situation has made me wonder . . .” She paused. Did she dare reveal so many of her thoughts and feelings? She disliked feeling vulnerable, but if she wanted him to understand . . . “I’ve been wondering if that’s all I have. What if there’s nothing more to me?”
“But that’s what I’m trying to tell you. I was wrong to say what I did—you have so many incredible things to offer, Emily. There are layers and layers to you that I never saw before.”
She looked down at her plate with a snicker. “And now you’re saying all these things to a married woman.”
“I didn’t intend for you to marry someone else, and I certainly don’t intend for you to remain that way. You’ll be getting an annulment as soon as possible, and then . . . then I’d like to make our courtship official.”
Her gaze flew up to meet his. “I can’t promise you anything, Jeremy. This rift you caused—it’s not something I can just forget about. I’m not being stubborn or unyielding, at least right now—you must understand that some things just can’t be swept under the rug. Where real damage has been caused, real restitution must be made.”
“And I will devote the remainder of my life to just that—making restitution.”
“What a frightfully boring life you’re planning to lead.” Emily ate another bite of chicken, chewing slowly to give herself time to think. “I can’t allow you to hold out hope for me. I simply don’t have those sorts of feelings for you, and I don’t believe I ever will.”
“You’re referring to romantic feelings?”
She raised an eyebrow. “Of course. What other kind would I mean?”
“It’s just . . .” Jeremy set his fork down and studied her. “Do romantic feelings have to exist in a relationship to make it successful? Couldn’t friendship be enough?”
“I . . . I’m quite surprised at you.” Her voice went up a notch,
and she lowered it again. “We’re not friends—right now, we’re business associates, and nothing more. And while I admit that I’ve never thought of romance as being necessary, wouldn’t the possibility of it be nice?”
“I’m already in love with you, so I suppose I wasn’t thinking it through from your perspective as I should.” He toyed with his fork. “Is there nothing I can say to convince you?”
“Not at the moment, no.” She studied his eyes. “We could go around and around on this and have the same conversation for the next two hours, but we both know that would be a waste of time. Let’s put it aside and think about the case, all right? How shall we tell your Mr. Astor about our reconciliation?”
Things at the dinner table became much more comfortable when they shifted the talk back to the task at hand, and by the end of the meal, Emily felt much more confident about their ability to make this work. As long as they stayed focused on their task and kept romance out of it, everything would be fine.
Chapter Six
“You must be sure to be careful every minute,” Venice Gray said, dabbing her eyes with her handkerchief. “Stay close to your agent, and never wander off by yourself.”
“I’ll be careful, Mother. I promise.” Emily bent over and kissed her mother’s cheek, noticing how thin and papery it felt. Venice was supposed to be improving, not getting worse. Emily made a note to speak with the doctor as soon as she returned. Anna usually handled things like that, but perhaps if both the sisters made it a priority, they would actually get some answers instead of this interminable waiting. “You get lots of rest while I’m gone.”
“I’ll do my best, but I’ll be worried about you.”
“Don’t be. The Pinkertons are well trained, and I’m only there as window dressing. Everything will be fine.” She gave her mother’s shoulder a squeeze, then headed down the staircase. Jeremy’s carriage would be arriving any minute, and she was eager to be on her way. The allure of a glamorous house party was calling her, but she had to admit, she was anxious to get this over with. She’d had trouble sleeping the night before, worried about failing in her part of the assignment, and she wanted to prove to herself more than anyone that she was capable.
An Agent for Emily Page 4
