An Agent for Emily Read online

  The carriage pulled up into the drive, and Emily went out to meet it. She was already wearing her traveling hat and gloves, her small bag was on the steps, and all that was needed was for her to climb aboard. Before she could even approach the vehicle, however, the door opened, and Agent Wilcox jumped out.

  “Good morning, cousin!” he said, bending to kiss her cheek. “And thank you for inviting me on this fine holiday. I expect I’ll have a marvelous time.”

  She caught the whiff of alcohol on his breath and took a step back. “You’re drunk!”

  “As a ne’er-do-well cousin should be, don’t you agree?” He winked, and beneath the twinkle in his eye, she saw that he was clear-headed. Very well—she could abide the smell for the sake of their cover, she presumed. As long as he didn’t take it too far and find himself impaired.

  Jeremy descended from the carriage as well and took her hand. “Good morning, Emily. I trust you slept well.”

  “Then your trust was completely misplaced. I had a terrible night. That’s not important, though—let’s be on our way. I believe you said the guests are arriving on the noon train and the Astors are expecting us all in an hour.”

  “Yes. Excellent idea.” Jeremy directed the driver to place Emily’s bag in the luggage rack, then gave her a hand up. She arranged her skirts as neatly as they would go when crammed into the seat of a carriage, holding them out of the way as the two men climbed back in to take their seats.

  “There are several things we have yet to discuss, Agent Wilcox,” Emily said once the carriage had begun to roll.

  He held up a hand. “Todd, my dear cousin.”

  “Of course. Tell me just how we’re related.”

  He grinned. “Your father has a younger brother, Percy, who moved to Tennessee about thirty years ago. He didn’t stay in touch with anyone in town besides your father, so no one will question him having a son of my age. I would have been born about a year after he left.”

  Emily nodded. “And you know that Aunt Esther died five years ago.”

  “I do indeed. In fact, I believe it contributed to my drinking problem and the fact that I can’t be depended upon to do anything. We were very close, you see—she was the only one who believed I would succeed in this world, and with her gone . . .”

  “You’ve worked this out quite nicely, haven’t you?”

  “I have. It’s one of the parts of going undercover I enjoy the most. Every character needs a compelling story.”

  “Have you ever thought of turning your hand to writing suspense novels?”

  Todd chuckled. “I have, but for right now, I’m happiest actually living my adventures instead of writing about them. Later, after I retire, I’ll turn my hand to it.”

  She could imagine him a few years down the road, perhaps with a touch of gray at the temples, hunkered down over a stack of papers with a pen in hand. It was a rather attractive image, really.

  “The most important thing for you to know about me is that I’m a disgrace to my father,” Todd went on. “I spend far too much time in the gambling houses and flirting with women, but at heart, I’m quite harmless. I’ve been sent here to see if there’s anything Uncle Prescott can make of me, and I’m to begin work with him next week. This party is meant to be my last wild fling before I settle down and make something useful of myself.”

  “And we aren’t close, you and I, so I’m allowed to disdain you?”

  “Of course! Disdain away. You don’t approve of me in the slightest. In fact, you’ll quickly grow tired of my shenanigans.”

  “When did you arrive in town?”

  “On the morning train. I did, too—I rode a horse a few miles out of town, paid a boy there a few coins to return it, and hopped aboard when the train stopped for water. The stationmaster will remember me disembarking—I made sure to cause a mild scene—and I was collected by your ever-patient and doting beau.” He nodded at Jeremy.

  “Thank you for making this all quite simple. I’m sure I’ll have no trouble keeping it straight.” Emily looked out the window, catching only a few glimpses of a cloud here and there. “It looks like we’ll have good weather for the party.”

  “Mrs. Astor ordered it up especially, and no one would dare disobey Mrs. Astor,” Jeremy said.

  “You really haven’t told me much about the Astors,” Emily reminded him. “What should I know?”

  “The most important thing to note is that they’re childless, and that’s a great source of contention in their home,” Jeremy said. “Mr. Astor—Bennington, or Ben—is all but desperate for a way to preserve his riches by creating an inheritance, but Iris is barren. She’s told him repeatedly that she’ll leave him so he can remarry and have an heir, but he says she’ll do no such thing. In the meantime, though, he’s putting his money in all sorts of ventures, investing it in hopes of protecting it.”

  “If he’s so wealthy, why did he feel the need to steal from you?” Emily asked. “And is there any more evidence against him besides his access to the money?”

  “Those are the two very questions we hope to work out this weekend,” Todd replied. “He is the most logical suspect, but only because he has access. We must firm up the evidence if we hope to prove anything. A letter, a list, a second ledger—any of these things could be useful.”

  “And you’ve spoken to the managers at the bank, I’m sure?”

  “We have, but with no real results. In many instances, the money would have disappeared before it ever reached the bank. I would collect a hundred dollars and plan to have that amount deposited, but the bank only shows a deposit of eighty—that sort of thing, with no record of what happened to the other twenty. It’s going in someone’s pocket, that’s for sure,” Jeremy said.

  “And it’s not the bank teller?”

  “No.” Todd shook his head. “We’ve looked into it quite thoroughly. That’s what Liam was doing all this last month—clearing the bank of any suspicion.”

  Emily nodded. She might not be the most adventurous person, but she had read her fair share of exciting novels, and she was glad to hear that the Pinkertons had everything so well under control. At least, they seemed to—she wasn’t the expert, after all.

  The carriage turned up a beautiful tree-lined drive, and up ahead, Emily could make out a palatial redbrick home with white trim and pillars. It was lovely—just the sort of place she’d like to own someday. The sort of place that would require a staff of a half dozen just to maintain, but that was to be expected. She’d let her future husband worry about the details—her task was to organize lavish house parties, such as this one. In addition to working on the case, she should also take note of how these sorts of gatherings were managed. She’d need the information someday when this was her station in life.

  When the carriage came to a stop, a footman was on hand to open the door, and Emily alighted. She suddenly felt as though she’d stepped into a lovely novel where anything was possible—magic and lights and dancing, and perhaps even love. She was brought back to reality with a start when Todd lurched forward behind her and hiccoughed. She had no idea what he was up to—it could have been anything, really.

  A lovely woman in a green silk day dress stood waiting on the steps of the veranda, and she came forward with arms outstretched. “Welcome to our home,” she said. “I’m Harmonia Astor. You must be the delightful Emily Gray. I can’t believe we’ve never met before.”

  “Neither can I, Mrs. Astor. Thank you so much for including me in your party.”

  “Well, when dear Jeremy told us that the two of you have reconciled, I knew I simply must have you along. We have so much to talk about, my dear. I want to know everything about you.” She looped her arm through Emily’s and gave it a squeeze.

  “I’m sure we’ll find a great deal in common.” Emily looked over her shoulder to see Todd stumbling around the carriage to get his bags. “I wonder if you’ll forgive me something,” she said in a whisper.

  “Oh? What’s that?”

  E
mily looked over her shoulder again. “It’s my cousin. You see, he arrived unexpectedly this morning—his father sent him to mine in hopes that we’ll do him some good. He’s had a run of bad luck, you might say, and he needs a fresh beginning. He’ll be starting at my father’s company next week, but for now . . . well, I’m afraid he’s my responsibility to entertain. He won’t be too much of a bother, will he?”

  Harmonia looked him up and down. “He does seem a bit untidy, but he’s quite attractive, and I’m sure the ladies will enjoy his company. Yes, do bring him in. We’ll take him in hand and make something of him, shall we? What’s his name?”

  “Todd Gray,” Emily replied.

  “That’s a nice, spritely name. Yes, I believe he’ll do.” Harmonia let go of Emily’s hand and moved forward to greet Jeremy. Then she turned her attention to Todd. “I understand you’ve come to stay with the Grays for a while.”

  “Yes, ma’am. They’ve been charged with keeping an eye on me. I feel a bit sorry for them, actually. It won’t be an easy task.”

  “And why is that?” Harmonia fixed him with a look. “Are you that unrepentant?”

  “Ma’am, in order for a man to be repentant, he must first believe that what he did was wrong. Life is to be lived, is it not? And how is living to be considered wrong?” He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed the back of it, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

  He caught Harmonia completely by surprise, and she giggled. “Yes, quite right. Why don’t you follow our footman inside? He’ll show you to your rooms.”

  Todd gave her a small bow, then followed along as he was told.

  Jeremy held his arm out for Emily, and she took it. As they trailed along behind the small processional, she murmured, “He’s certainly not going to stay in the background, is he?”

  “No, he’s not, and I’m quite looking forward to this plan of his. It’s already quite amusing.”

  “Mrs. Astor brought up a good point just now. She wondered why she and I had never met before. I’ve attended a few of your business gatherings in the past—why haven’t she and I run into each other before now?”

  “Oh, there’s no actual reason for it. Astor and I simply divide up our obligations between us so neither of us are too bogged down by them.”

  “Hmm. So, it wasn’t some sort of design to keep me from meeting her?”

  Jeremy turned to her just as they were about to climb the stairs. “Emily, why would I have any such design? What could I possibly gain by it?”

  She lifted a shoulder. “I was just thinking. Perhaps if you weren’t serious about our courtship then, Mr. Astor might question why you’re serious about it now.”

  “I wasn’t keeping you from their society. It was merely a matter of dividing and conquering. Now, let’s be on our way—we’re lagging behind.”

  Emily supposed his explanation made sense, but she did still have a sense of being left out, and it didn’t sit right with her.

  They climbed the staircase and were shown their rooms. Because Todd was a surprise guest, he would be sharing with Jeremy, but that was for the best anyway because it would give them the chance to discuss the investigation out of earshot. Emily’s room was farther down the hall and to the right. It was a lovely room done up in powder blue brocade and ivory.

  “I apologize that it’s rather small,” Harmonia said, entering a moment later. “I wanted you to have some privacy, and this way, you won’t have to share with anyone.”

  “It’s a beautiful room, and I wouldn’t consider it small,” Emily replied. “In fact, it’s quite comfortable.”

  “I’m so glad. Now, here’s the bell pull in case you need anything. These rooms do get a bit chilly, so the chambermaids are on hand to add more wood to the fire or to bring you a hot water bottle should you want one. Don’t hesitate to ask for a single thing.” She reached out and tugged a corner of the duvet as though it had a wrinkle, although it did not. “We’re going to have a delightful picnic lunch to welcome everyone. Please meet downstairs in one hour ready for the great outdoors—you brought a parasol, I hope?”

  “Yes, I did.”

  “Wonderful. I do have extras that could be borrowed in case one of the ladies showed up without, but I do hate lending personal items. I hope that doesn’t make me selfish—I just feel that each person should have their own things, you see.”

  “I quite agree.” Emily smiled, but in the back of her mind, she was running through a list of everything she’d brought. She hadn’t forgotten anything, had she? Having to borrow would be such a disgrace after what Harmonia had just said.

  “Splendid. Your trunk will be delivered in a moment, and I’ll see you downstairs in one hour. Please make yourself comfortable, my dear. I’m so glad you’ve come, and I can’t wait to hear the story of how you and our dear Jeremy managed to find your way back to each other.”

  Emily smiled again. “It’s quite the story. I’m sure we’ll be more than glad to share it.” And hopefully make it convincing, but that remained to be seen.

  “Good. Romance, you see, is one of the things I enjoy most in this world. Moonlight canoe rides used to be a favorite of mine. If only I were ten years younger . . . and if Mr. Astor were the same.” She laughed as she exited the room.

  A moonlight canoe ride sounded wonderful—as long as no one went overboard. Emily opened her small bag and placed her hairbrush on the vanity, then opened her door for the footmen when they arrived with her trunk. Behind them was a young girl of probably fourteen wearing a frilly white cap and apron.

  “Beggin’ your pardon, miss, but I’m sent to help you unpack your things.” She bobbed a quick curtsy.

  “Thank you. What’s your name?”

  “Bessie, miss.”

  “Well, Bessie, let’s begin with the gowns.”

  The girl might have been young, but she moved with quick efficiency. “Beggin’ your pardon, miss, but these are lovely gowns. Much nicer than most of the others I’ve helped with today.”

  “Have all the guests arrived, then?”

  “All but Mr. and Mrs. Perceval. They sent a note around saying they’d be here tonight, and it’s got Mr. Astor all riled up. He was counting on them being here sooner, but Mrs. Astor says that as long as they’re here for dinner, no harm done. If they aren’t here for dinner, though, it will completely destroy her table settings.” Bessie chuckled. “I don’t imagine that would make the food taste any less nice, would it?”

  “I’m sure the food will be delicious regardless.” Who were the Percevals? Had Emily ever met them? Because of her delicate constitution, she didn’t attend all the parties she’d like, but she had been to her fair share, and she couldn’t remember anyone by that name. “Are the Percevals new in Denver? I don’t believe I’ve met them.”

  “They came about six months ago, miss. I remember when it was because my sister Polly went to work for them. Mr. Astor set it all up—he knew they needed a girl, and he knew my sister was looking for work.”

  “That was a good thing he did.”

  “Yes, miss. Polly has gotten along there just fine.” Bessie hung up the last dress, then turned her attention to the shoes. “Plus, it’s nice that we get to see each other sometimes. Mrs. Astor brings me along when they go visiting—she says it’s to help her fetch and carry, but I know it’s so I can see Polly.”

  “The Astors sound like thoughtful people.”

  “They are, miss. Oh, sure, I don’t always enjoy things like cleaning out ash from the fireplaces, but as far as positions go, I can’t imagine a better one than this.” She placed the last pair of shoes in the wardrobe and closed the door. “Now what can I do for you, miss? Do you need anything mended?”

  “No, thank you.” Emily glanced around, trying to come up with another task for the girl. She wanted to see what she could learn about the other guests before she went down to meet them. Finally, she decided just to ask directly. “What are the other ladies like?”

  Bessie didn’t seem to find
her question odd at all. “Oh, they’re quite fashionable. Mrs. Donovan brought along her little poodle—he’s likely never set one paw on the floor in his entire life, the way she carries him around. She says it’s quite the thing in France to have a dog companion. I wouldn’t like that, I don’t think—you wouldn’t ever have a moment to yourself. And Mrs. Cunningham has the most beautiful hair. It looks like copper, and she piles it on her head like a crown.”

  “That sounds lovely.” Emily smiled, glad her little maid was the talkative sort. “How do the Astors know all these people?”

  “Well, the ones like your Mr. Tobler and the Percevals are business partners, and Mrs. Donovan is actually Mr. Astor’s sister, and the Cunninghams . . . I’m not sure.” Bessie looked thoughtful. “At any rate, they’re all pleasant, and the only one who’s difficult to help is Mrs. Rawley. Thank goodness I’m not in charge of her this year.”

  “Were you here last year, then? You must have been very young.”

  “Oh, we go out to service young in my family, miss. That’s just the way of it.” She spoke cheerfully, as though it was nothing for a thirteen-year-old to leave home and take a job. Emily had to admit, she’d never once thought about where their servants had come from. Anna had done a great deal of the work at their house, and when she’d brought in help, Emily hadn’t given them more than a second glance. This was the first actual conversation she’d ever had with a servant.

  “I couldn’t help but notice, miss, if you don’t mind my saying so, but your cousin is certainly handsome,” Bessie went on.

  “Hmm? Oh, yes.” Emily had allowed herself to become distracted and forgot that she had a cousin. “He is, but it’s difficult to concentrate on his appearance when his behavior is so . . . uncouth and wild.”