Flora's Wish (49 page)

She continued walking in silence until she reached her room. Lucas placed his hand over the knob and himself between her and the door.

“Flora.” While he hoped his voice conveyed the appropriate amount of warning, her expression told him it did not. “Flora Brimm, do not even think of doing anything without my knowledge. Are we clear on this?”

She looked up into his eyes, and Lucas swore he saw a twinkle there. “Of course, Lucas. Perfectly clear. And remember,” she said as she placed her hand over his. “I've amended my ways.”

“Why am I more concerned now than ever?” he asked as he bent down to draw her into an embrace. “For once, please listen to me.”

“Oh, stop talking and kiss me, Lucas, before I'm forcibly hauled back into my stateroom by the nanny Father sent to protect what remains of Fatal Flora's reputation.”

So he did.

T
he following morning, Lucas awoke to a knock on the door. How he'd managed to oversleep and miss the vessel's landing, he could only attribute to once again losing far too much sleep thinking about Flora Brimm. Thankfully, his years as a Pinkerton had taught him how to step out of his bedroll and into his clothes in record time.

Still adjusting his collar, he met Flora and her maid on the dock. A carriage had already been delivered for their use, and someone in livery—presumably from Winthrop Brimm's household staff—was loading their bags.

“Good morning, ladies,” he said as if he hadn't sprinted until just before he reached sight of them.

Lucas noticed Kyle Russell leaning against a shed a short distance away. When their eyes met, Kyle nodded.

Flora touched his sleeve, drawing his attention away from his fellow Pinkerton. “When you weren't at breakfast, I thought you'd decided to leave me to my own devices.”

“And I still might. If you'll excuse me just a moment, I need to speak to someone.”

“But what if we're ready to go and you're not back?” she called.

“Then it would be in your best interest to wait,” he said over his shoulder as he closed the distance to greet his best friend.

After the pleasantries were exchanged, he got down to business. “What have you got for me on Brimm?”

“As far as I can tell, the guy's clean. He's strapped for cash, but he's been throwing around some sort of big inheritance he's due to come into.”

“Brimmfield?”

“It's possible. The old man's will is sealed, so I would have to have access to family to get a look at the terms.” Kyle glanced past Lucas. “Or I could just ask your friend Flora.”

“Right.” Lucas turned to see the woman in question walking their way and suppressed a groan. “Anything else before she joins us?”

“Just that the word you had on his India hunting trip wasn't exactly correct. He backed out at the last minute. My source couldn't say why, only that he'd practically dropped the news as the men were getting on the boat.”

“Money troubles.” A statement, not a question.

“Could be, but if that's true, he's likely not the only one. I did some checking, and the only one of those men who concerns me is Martin Lennart. His wife and daughters are expensive, and I'm not so sure his companies are completely able to handle that kind of financial drain.”

“Could Lennart be leaning on Cousin Winny to pay a debt? That would explain his reluctance to spend a month with the man and his hunting rifle.”

“It's possible.” He paused. “McMinn, that is one fine-looking woman. And if I weren't such a good judge of character, I would think she only thought of you as the Pinkerton out to jail her fiancé.”

Lucas turned to face him. “What does that mean?”

“Just that it doesn't take a fool to see that Flora Brimm's crazy about you, pal. If I were you, I'd watch myself around her.”

“Doesn't do any good. She's already crawled up under my skin. The sooner this case is over, the sooner I will forget about her and have a good night's sleep.”

“I doubt that,” Kyle said as he once again fixed his attention to a spot behind Lucas. “Well, hello there, Miss Brimm,” he said with the smile he reserved for only the prettiest of pretty women. “Kyle Russell, inventor, Pinkerton agent, and unfortunate acquaintance of your Mr. McMinn since well before his mama allowed him out without his nursemaid.”

Kyle thrust his hand out toward Flora. Instant jealousy flamed when Flora not only smiled but also allowed his old friend to kiss her hand.

“Yes, of course,” she said as the smile broadened. “Mr. McMinn has spoken of you, Mr. Russell. Though I must say he did not tell me how very handsome you are.”

It was all Lucas could do not to gape at the woman. Was she actually flirting? And with his best friend?

“Likewise, ma'am. I wonder if I might walk you to your carriage. This late May sunshine can wreak havoc on a lovely lady's skin if she's out in it too long. At least, that's what my New Orleans mama always said.”

That was what
his
New Orleans mother always said, not Kyle's. What in the world was his soon-to-be-former best friend up to?

“Thank you. It's so kind of you to consider my welfare.” The latter she said to Kyle while looking directly at Lucas. “A true gentleman is a rare thing.”

“So is a man who tells the truth,” Lucas echoed as he fell into step beside them. Looking past her to fix his attention on Kyle, he gave the man a look that would have withered cotton. Of course, Kyle ignored it.

Reaching the carriage, Flora allowed Kyle to help her up. “Might you join us? We're headed into town.”

“Thank you, Miss Brimm. Actually, that would be most kind of you.” He shot Lucas a glance that appeared to ask for him to play along.

Lucas gave an almost imperceptible nod, though he also offered up a hard look that told Kyle exactly what he thought of the too-familiar banter between him and Flora Brimm. Before he could climb in to take the spot next to Flora, Lucas elbowed his way in front of him.

“Don't even think about it,” he whispered as he made himself comfortable beside Flora. Only then did he realize that, from the seat opposite her, Kyle not only held Flora's attention, but he also sat in the one spot where it was impossible for her to look away.

They rode into New Orleans with Flora and Kyle making small talk while Lucas sat quietly and glowered.

“Isn't that something?” Kyle said, laying his charm on thick as he leaned across the space between them in the carriage. “Here I was just saying hello to an old friend, and now you and I are practically—”

“And we're here,” Lucas announced. “Sorry we can't stay and chat longer, but I'm sure you have things to do that are much more important that that.”

“No,” Kyle said thoughtfully. “I don't believe I do.”

“Well, isn't that lovely?” Flora beat both of them to the punch by allowing one of the liveried Brimm housemen to help her from the carriage.

As the servants unloaded the carriage, Lucas took Kyle aside. “If you could stop the flirting for one minute, I'd like to finish our conversation.”

To Lucas's supreme irritation, his friend laughed. “Flirting?” He shook his head. “That was nothing of the sort. Has that woman got you so head-over-heels that you've forgotten everything you learned in training?”

Lucas inclined his head, all the while watching Flora as she was deep in conversation with her maid. “So you were getting cozy with her to see what you could find out about her cousin?”

“No. To see what I could find out about the two of you.”

“And?”

He slapped Lucas on the shoulder. “And you probably ought to just marry her. Pending final analysis, there's likely no basis to the rumors of her fiancés' early demises, so I'm reasonably certain you're safe. There is the issue of Flora Brimm being party to a Pinkerton investigation, but, of course, I'm sure that with you being a professional and all, that won't be a problem.”

“Mr. Russell,” Flora called, interrupting any possible response. “Won't you join Lucas and me for tea? I would so love to continue our conversation.”

“What she's saying,” Lucas added, loud enough for Flora to hear, “is that she wants to pry any possible details of my childhood and the Tucker investigation out of you.” He shrugged. “Of course, I'm sure that with you being a professional and all, that won't be a problem.”

Kyle slipped past Lucas to take Flora's hand and once again press it to his lips. “I regret I must decline your generous offer after all, Miss Brimm, though I will be most glad to see you again tonight at the Governor's Ball. I do hope you'll save room on your dance card for a Pinkerton agent.”

She met Lucas's eyes. “Yes,” she said, smiling, “I've saved plenty of room on my dance card for a Pinkerton agent.” Abruptly, her attention returned to Kyle. “However, as you and I are barely acquainted, I fear the Pinkerton lawman who has claimed my dances is Mr. McMinn. I'm sure you understand.”

He nodded and released her hand. “I do indeed.” Kyle stepped away toward Lucas. “Well,” he said quietly with a grin that made Lucas want to punch him. “I'd say I've found out exactly what I needed to here.”

“And that is?” Lucas growled.

“I don't know how you've let it happen, old friend, but you've fallen hard for that pretty gal. The bad news is, if I had to guess, I'd say she feels the same way.”

Lucas watched Flora and her maid walk up the stairs to the front door of the Third Street house. “Just be sure her cousin isn't in on things, will you?”

“A few introductions from you tonight, and I ought to have what I need.” He paused. “The question is, do we involve Miss Brimm or keep her unaware of what we're working on?”

“She knows enough,” Lucas said. “I think we'll find better access to the people you need to speak with if she's the one making the introductions.”

A nod. “I'll come up with a list and have it sent over before so the two of you can review it.” Kyle paused. “Now, unless you really do want me to join you for tea, I'd better make myself scarce.”

“Scarce is a good idea right now, because if you stick around much longer, I'd have to ask you what in the world you're thinking to tell me I should marry a woman who is in my custody.”

Kyle nodded toward the house. “Looks like it might be the other way around.”

Lucas turned to see Flora watching him from the door. “I'll look for that list to be delivered in a few hours. Anything else we need to talk about before I rejoin my fiancée?”

His friend smiled at that, but then his expression became serious. “Afraid so. I know I'm giving you a hard time about this beautiful Southern belle, but can I just be straight with you for a minute?” At Lucas's nod, Kyle continued. “In all the time I've known you, I've never seen you as involved in a case as you are in this one. Perhaps because Tucker was involved with your sister, or maybe because of your feelings for Flora Brimm. Whatever it is, I just need to warn you that if you're not careful, you're going to lose your edge.” He paused. “And we both know what happens then.”