Flora's Wish (34 page)

“Flora,” he said firmly, “are you in agreement that you and I are on the same side in this case?”

She released her grip on his arm and settled onto a chair. “If by that you mean we both want Mr. Tucker found so he can prove his innocence, then yes.”

“Close enough.” Lucas paused to allow another couple to stroll past and then took the seat nearest to Flora. “I need to be able to move freely in Natchez society. My contacts say he's there.” He appeared to study her a moment. “I know you don't believe he's guilty of anything—”

“No, I don't.”

“I want to give him the ability to come clean, Flora, but he has to speak to the authorities for that to happen.”

“I understand, and I'm not concerned about any conversation he might have with the authorities. So how can I help in this?”

“When we arrive in Natchez, you will introduce me as your acquaintance and houseguest. In truth, I will be both, so I am not asking you to lie.”

“You will be staying at Brimmfield?” Her eyes narrowed. “You do understand that's my grandmother's home.”

“I do, and I will. The other choice is for you and me to find a place where I can securely keep you in personal custody until my mission is complete and I have Tucker.” He paused. “Any suggestions on where that might be?”

Flora felt her shoulders sag in defeat. “No, I can't imagine that the gossips would mind telling that tale over and over should you and I…” She shook her head. “Fine, you'll stay with us at Brimmfield. Is that all?”

“I need to move around in society. Be accepted. That's where you come in.”

“What do you mean?”

He smiled. “I'm going to be introduced as your new beau. That ought to get the job done.”

“Absolutely not.”

His smile went south. “You have a better plan?”

“I do. You will be introduced as a family friend. Remember, I'm trying to live down a scandal, not create another. And if I'm right and Mr. Tucker is innocent, I plan to marry him as soon as possible.” She paused. “It will just set the gossips talking if I marry him after claiming to entertain you as a beau.”

“I suppose that makes sense.”

“I warn you, however, that Grandmama may prove stubborn.” The wind tossed a curl across her face, and Flora tucked it behind her ear. “And we both know that's a distinct possibility.”

He rose and offered her his hand. “She's just going to have to be won over somehow. The question is how?”

“You claim to have a way with her. Maybe you should charm her,” she said as she stood and followed him.

“I don't recall that working so well last time.” He opened the door and escorted Flora inside. “I don't suppose we could arrange for her to take an ocean voyage of some kind. Just for a month or two?”

She laughed. “She'd never go for it. Grandmama claims she's too old for trips that take more than a few days travel time. I'm surprised she decided to return to Eureka Springs this year. She'd been a little vague on whether she would.”

“That would have been mighty inconvenient for you.”

She shrugged as she paused in front of her stateroom door. “It turned out to be inconvenient anyway, didn't it?”

“I suppose so.” He seemed reluctant to say good night, though Flora knew standing this close to him was far too dangerous to continue.

“I'll bid you a good evening, Lucas,” she finally said. “Unless you want to tell me more about your family. Perhaps what life was like before working for the Pinkertons ruined you for polite society?”

His attention jerked to her face, where she hoped her features gave no indication of whether she was serious. Then he must have spied the beginnings of a smile.

“Well played, Flora. But no, I don't think I want to talk about things unrelated to this case. If you'll not have me as your beau, then I don't think my life is worth discussing.”

The smile disappeared. “It's nothing personal,” she hurried to say. “But I did meet Mr. Tucker first, and promises have been exchanged.”

“I was teasing, Flora.” He moved over to place his hand on the doorknob of his room. “Tomorrow morning at breakfast we'll talk more about what to expect in Natchez.” He'd almost stepped all the way inside his stateroom when she called him back out into the hall.

“Yes?”

“Just one more thing. Please tell me we don't have to sit with the Lennarts.”

Lucas laughed. “Table for two it is. I'll be sure to tell the steward.”

Long after Flora had undressed and donned her nightgown, she thought about that laugh. About that table for two waiting for her in the morning. About Lucas's offer to play at being her beau. And about what sort of background he might have had. Was he cultured from birth or did he merely affect a background of ease with luxury when the case warranted?

None were unpleasant thoughts, but when she lingered on the memory of that kiss…

Flora reached up to place her palm against the wall that adjoined Lucas's room and wondered if he, too, was thinking about their moment together on the balcony during dinner.

Probably not, she decided as she allowed the slap of the paddle wheel against the water to lull her toward the promise of a sound sleep. Men like Lucas thought of much more important things than a kiss in the moonlight.

After backtracking his steps to find the steward and request a table for two for breakfast, Lucas fell asleep with Flora Brimm on his mind. He woke up at least twice, maybe three times, still thinking of the feel of her trembling in his arms after he'd kept her from falling. The thought of her smile as they danced across the floor. Of the kiss they shared.

Finally, somewhere before dawn he gave up on sleeping to wander out onto the balcony to watch the sunrise. As the purple of night faded to the pale orange of day, he went to stand at the door leading into her room. The window had been left open, the curtains teased only slightly by the light breeze.

Inside he could almost hear her deep draws of breath, the soft exhale, and the rustle of blankets. He could have gone back into his cabin and retrieved his hearing device to check for sure, but something about that felt wrong. Intrusive.

So he remained in place, wishing he'd either slept longer or made enough noise to cause Flora to join him. It would likely be another hour, possibly two, before she awakened, and yet here he stood like a fool waiting for her.

Returning to his cabin would only make the situation worse, so he walked down to the sitting area, retrieved a chair, and returned to get comfortable. With his feet propped on the rail, he leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

The next time he opened them, Flora stood over him. A few steps behind her was one of the Brimm maids.

“He snores something awful, Miss Flora,” the maid said. “I pity the poor man's wife. She'll have him sleeping in the barn rather than listen to—”

“Hush, Lucy. I think he's awake now.”

Lucas stumbled to his feet and did his best impression of a man who had been up and moving for hours. It failed miserably, however, when the maid gestured toward him and then hid her smile behind her hands.

“You want me to call the valet, sir?” she said. “'Cause someone needs to tame your hair, and I'm not so sure it's going to be something you can do without help.”

Lucas reached up with both hands to slick down the mop of hair that was obviously showing the need for a comb. Generally his hat kept things under control, but when damp weather caught him unaware, things did not go well.

He met Flora's amused glance. “You do snore,” she said as she gave a poor example of how to hide laughter. “But, honestly, I don't mind your hair in that sort of…” She shrugged. “Disarray, I suppose, is the word. It's refreshing to know that not everything about you is perfect.”

With that she stepped back into her cabin, leaving her maid to gape and Lucas to wonder if he'd heard her correctly. Perfect? Well, now that was some statement.

“Come and help me with my hair, Lucy,” Flora called.

“I'll help you all right,” the maid said as she turned her back on Lucas, “but I tell you there's no help a woman of my skills can give to that man.”

“Oh, come now,” Flora said as the door shut behind the maid. “I think it's rather attractive. His hair reminds me a little of that adorable King Charles Spaniel my father once owned. Remember him? What was his name?”

“I can still hear you, Flora.”

“I know,” was her cheerful response. She came to the door just as he'd picked up his chair to return it. “But I am famished, so whatever you end up doing to get ready for breakfast, be it hat or valet, I do wish you'd hurry.”

Precisely five minutes later, Lucas knocked on her door. Lucy opened it and then scurried past without sparing him a glance. Flora stepped out a moment later. Today she wore a yellow dress sprigged with tiny red flowers that fit her just right, her hair secured in a cascade of curls that teased her neckline. Unlike Lucas, she looked well rested and ready to go.

“Excellent, Mr. McMinn. You are right on time. Isn't it a beautiful morning?”

“It is, Miss Brimm,” he said as he escorted her to the dining room. “And other than the prospect of dining alone with me, is that the only reason you're so happy this morning?”

She gave him a look. “Once we arrive in Natchez, this whole silly mess will be cleared up. That's a good reason to be happy, don't you think?”

“You seem pretty sure of yourself.” He nodded to the steward, who led them to a table for two as promised.

“I'm confident. But more than that, I'm almost home. And that means something, doesn't it?”

He smiled. “I wouldn't know.”

She leaned back to allow the steward to place the napkin in her lap. “What do you mean?”

This wasn't the topic he'd hoped to discuss first thing in the morning. He picked up his menu and pretended to study it. That only worked until she reached over to snatch it from his hands.

“Hey,” he said as he made a swipe for it and missed. “How am I going to know what to order if I don't have a menu?”

“It's a diversion,” she said as she neatly tucked his menu inside hers. “Pay attention and perhaps I can be persuaded to give it back.”

“I'm listening.”

“I have a brilliant idea, Lucas. If you want to meet Natchez society, the best way to do that is to throw a party in your honor. What do you think?”

The last thing a man working undercover to solve a crime needed was to be made the center of attention. What was she thinking?

“No.”

Her smile fell. “No?”

Lucas retrieved both menus and placed Flora's in front of her and then went back to reading his. Once again, however, the irritating woman stole it.

“This can work. You just have to hear the whole plan.”

Lucas leaned back in his chair to focus on her lovely face. “All right, Flora. Tell me your whole plan.”

“Grandmama has no option but to be nice to you in front of her friends. After all, a woman of her breeding would never consider being thought of as a bad hostess. And apparently you do come from quality, even if it is not Natchez people.”

She said that in an imitation of her grandmother that was dangerously close to the original. Lucas chuckled.

“And though you're the reason for the party, you don't have to worry about being the center of attention. I promise I'll be the one the gossips talk about the next day.”

“How are you going to manage that?”

“That's the best part of the plan.” She paused to look around. “Mr. Tucker and I will announce our plans to marry.” She shrugged. “Or maybe we'll elope and then announce our wedding? It will all depend on how quickly the irritation of your little investigation is over.”

“Flora,” he said gently, “if the ‘irritation of my investigation' is over, why would you possibly want to give a party for me?” He held up his hand to prevent further discussion. “The point is to draw Will Tucker out of hiding or, failing that, to introduce me to people who may have knowledge about Tucker and his whereabouts. Beyond that, I do not care for any sort of social event either for me, about me, or where I am invited.”