An Agent For Wilhelmina (The Pinkerton Matchmaker Book 2) Read online

  “I’m going to arrange for supper to be delivered. I’m not in the mood to go to the dining room.” Reece stood, dropping the papers on the straight chair.

  “Whatever you want, my dear. After all, you are the man of the house, though there isn’t a house.” Her sarcasm followed him as he went into the hall.

  “This is not going well,” he muttered to himself. “Maybe I’m being a bore. I’ll try to be more friendly. We need to work together and I don’t want her attitude toward me to jeopardize the case. Pinkerton stands to earn a hefty payday from the little I’ve read of the case.”

  He continued muttering as he descended the stairs to the dining room where he ordered their meal. On the way back, a nickname for Wilhelmina came to him. The perfect nickname. She’d love it, he was sure.

  Reece took the last flight of stairs two at a time. He couldn’t wait to tell Wilhelmina her new nickname. When he entered their room, she wasn’t there. Maybe she was behind the screen changing.

  “Wilhelmina?”

  No answer.

  Her trunk and carpet bag were still there, as well as that lacy garment hanging on the screen. Where had she gone? Had she been kidnapped?

  The door opened behind him, knocking into his backside. Reece stumbled forward, swung around, pulling a knife from his sleeve.

  “Do you make a habit of standing in front of closed doors?” Mina cocked an eyebrow at him.

  “Where were you? You didn’t tell me you were leaving the room.” Reece knew his tone was strident, but not finding Wilhelmina where he left her brought every protective instinct he had to the forefront.

  “You were not here when I decided to go to the necessary at the end of the hall. I didn’t realize I needed your permission. Next time I’ll be sure to get it.” She swept past him over to the bed to continue her packing.

  Well, that didn’t go well. Instead of getting on her good side with the nickname, he’d snapped at her again, increasing her irritation at him.

  “Supper will be here in about a half hour. Do you think you will be done packing by then?” Reece thought that was a neutral topic of conversation.

  “I’m sorry if my puttering is bothering you. I’ll finish as soon as I’m able. It should only be a few more minutes.”

  Wrong again. Everything he was saying seemed to come out wrong. He’d been worried about where she was and snapped at her when she came back. Now, he’d somehow managed to sound annoyed at her for not having completed her packing. Reece gave up. He’d stay quiet and read the case files. Maybe once they ate things would go better.

  He flopped down onto the settee causing it to scrape the floor a little. Wilhelmina stopped, shot him a glance, then went back to her packing. He picked up the files and concentrated on committing the details to memory.

  Mina closed the trunk, turning the key in the lock before placing it in her reticule. Although the traveling outfit Marianne had so thoughtfully provided the ladies was nice, Mina was going to be wearing one of her own. It had the modifications she preferred for quick access to her weapons as well as hidden pockets for other various items she carried.

  “I’m all packed now with the exception of the things I need for tonight and in the morning. If you’d like, the bellboy can place my trunk with yours when he brings our meal.” Mina suggested, hoping he’d think she was deferring to whatever he wanted. It didn’t matter to her. The bellboy would take it down either time.

  Reece looked up from his papers. He held several and two piles sat on the settee beside him. “He can take them when he leaves our meal. It should be here soon.”

  As if summoned by his words, there was a knock on the door, and a call of, “Mr. Galway, your supper is here.”

  Mina stood back as he opened the door allowing the teenage boy to push the wheeled table into the room. Delightful smells emanated from under the silver covers.

  “I’ll get another chair for you, Miss Cutler.” The boy looked from Mina to Reece and back.

  “It’s Mrs. Galway now, Richard. Mr. Galway and I were married today.”

  His face reddened. “Sorry ma’am. Congratulations. I’ll just get that chair now.”

  Once the embarrassed teen brought the chair and took the trunk, Reece held the chair for Mina, very properly seating her at the table. He did seem to have lovely manners. At least she wasn’t married to a lout, even if he was rather condescending towards her and was constantly in poor humor.

  They ate in silence for a while before speaking at the same time.

  “What is the case we’ll be handling?”

  “This is an interesting case.”

  They laughed, easing the tension between them for the first time.

  “It seems we want the same topic discussed.” Reece took a bite of his mashed potatoes.

  “Yes. Have you read most of the file?”

  “It’s a case of possible insurance fraud. Seems there was a theft of a diamond necklace, bracelet, and earrings from Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Dodrill’s residence in San Francisco. The insurance company is suspicious that the jewelry wasn’t truly stolen. Before they pay the settlement, they want the couple investigated thoroughly.”

  “I see.” She waited for him to give her more details or maybe offer her the case file to read. When he didn’t she resumed eating. The food was quite good, but she tasted it less and less as Reece remained silent.

  Mina wondered if Reece had read her letter of recommendation. He hadn’t mentioned anything about her experience and training. Hadn’t questioned her at all. Well, she surely wasn’t going to say anything about it. Let him read about it or not. It was his choice. Mina knew she was being spiteful, but after the way he’d been speaking and treating her, she really didn’t care.

  Once the room was cleared of their supper, Reece took off his boots and flopped down on the bed with the case files again. Mina stared at him. He thought he was going to sleep in her bed? Yes, they were married, but really. They were not sleeping together.

  “You may get off my bed now, Mr. Galway.”

  Reece’s eyes shifted from the papers to her. “I’m planning on sleeping here. You might as well get used to it, Bill. We’ll be sharing a room and a bed until we get back to Denver once we’ve solved this.” He waved the papers he held.

  Mina drew herself up. “What did you call me?”

  “Your name’s too long. If I need to get your attention fast you need a name I can say or yell just as fast. Wilhelmina is just too long. Since it’s the female German of William, Bill is a great nickname for you.” He focused again on his papers.

  “I think not on both counts, sir.” Her hands fisted on her hips. How dare he summarily decide what to call her without even asking if she had a nickname or if she liked the one he thought up. And she certainly did not like it.

  “What?” Again he looked at her.

  “One, we will not be sleeping together. You will sleep on the settee or the floor. I care not which. Two, I will not answer to Bill. If you had asked, rather than thinking up that poor excuse for a name, I would have told you what to call me instead of Wilhelmina.”

  “One, no I won’t. I’ll be sleeping in the bed. Where you will sleep is by my side. Two, since you object to my chosen name, what shall I call you?”

  Mina ground her teeth together. She wasn’t going to sleep beside him. She’d sleep on the settee. There was no need to argue about that. She’d just change into the nightgown, get a blanket, and curl up there.

  “My nickname is Mina. I give you leave to use it. It is infinitely better and more appropriate than Bill.”

  Reece walked back from the bathroom in his nightshirt and socks. Mina had kicked him out when she was going to change into her nightgown. He did have to admit that Mina was a nicer name to call her than Bill. Suited her femininity. He grinned wickedly. He’d call her Bill sometimes just to aggravate her. She became all stiff and prickly when she was irritated. He seemed to irritate her a lot.

  Reece stopped short when he stepped int
o the room. His wife was seated on the straight chair brushing her hair. The deep red glistened in the lamplight. The lacy gown now adorned her slim, curvy figure. Thankfully, under the lace appeared to be some white fabric.

  Reece swallowed down the temptations rising in him. They were to get annulled as soon as the case was done. Besides, he didn’t want a wife, especially one so prone to speak back to him. If he was ever going to marry, the woman he chose would be quiet, listen to him in all ways, accepting his leadership, knowing he was right. Bill certainly wasn’t her.

  “Archie is picking us up to take us to the train station. We’ll need to be ready when he gets here. I’m not sure who else is taking tomorrow’s train, but he’ll be taking them too. Let’s get to bed.” Reece climbed in and leaned against the headboard with his arms behind his head.

  Rather than obey his order, she sat silently stroking the brush through her hair. It looked so very soft. Maybe when she was asleep he’d have a chance to run it through his fingers. He could almost feel it slip across his skin now.

  She set the brush down and began braiding the lovely tresses, spoiling his plans she tamed the locks into a long rope. Well, maybe he could ‘accidentally’ pull the ribbon out while she slept.

  What was he thinking? He wanted to get this marriage annulled. Running his hands through her hair wasn’t conducive to keeping things impersonal between them.

  When she stood and leaned over to blow out the lamp, her body was silhouetted through the white fabric. Reece swallowed again. Maybe having her sleep in the bed with him wasn’t such a good idea. Then again, he’d made a pretty big deal about it so he’d have to appear to give in to her desire to sleep on the settee.

  “Are you coming to bed now?” he asked.

  “I believe I told you I was sleeping on the settee.” She never even turned to look at him.

  “That settee is comfortable enough to sit on. I’m not sure how good a night’s rest you’ll get on it. I’m planning on beginning your instruction on the train tomorrow. I want you alert and ready to listen to me.”

  Reece thought he heard some muttering but couldn’t make out the words. He could guess what she was saying and thought it best he didn’t hear them.

  Wilhelmina lay on the settee facing away from him. She pulled a blanket over her, fumbling to get herself covered. The white of her gown clad bottom caused him to swallow again until she managed to hide it beneath the blanket.

  Reece turned down the wick on the lamp beside the bed but continued to watch her toss and wiggle in the dimness, trying to get comfortable. She’d lie still for a few minutes, then squiggle, trying to keep her feet or shoulders covered. This was repeated over and over. When she fell off onto the floor, he’d had enough.

  Jumping out of bed, he ran over and scooped her into his arms. Reece ignored her squeak of outrage. “Obviously, the settee is not conducive to either your or my sleep. You keep disturbing me with all your tossing. You’ll sleep on the bed with me.”

  Tossing her into the middle, Reece swiftly followed and wrapped his arm around her, holding her to his side. Struggling against him, it took a while for her to realize she was no match for his strength. With an aggravated sigh, Wilhelmina stopped.

  “Bill, just relax. We’ll both sleep better here in the bed. You’ll thank me in the morning when you are well refreshed.”

  She pulled the covers over her shoulder. “I doubt that.”

  With his wife in name only held tightly against him, Reece began to wonder if he’d be as well rested as he predicted.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  AS MINA WAS pulling on her gloves, Reece answered the knock admitting the bellboy who carried their carpet bags downstairs. Archie was to pick them up after they broke their fast.

  Once they’d ordered in the hotel dining room, Reece said, “We’ll take the train to Cheyenne and stay a day or two depending on how well you pick up on what I’m going to teach you. A certain level of proficiency is required on some very basic things before I’ll feel comfortable having you on a case. As this case doesn’t involve time sensitivity we can take a few days.”

  “About that. Did you read…” Mina began.

  “Once I think you won’t injure yourself or kill me with a gun, and you have an understanding of basic observation skills, we’ll head to San Francisco.”

  “I asked Mr. Gordon to acquaint you with…” Mina tried again.

  Their meals arrived and Reece cut her off again, telling her to hurry up and eat. She bit down hard to keep from snapping at him to quit interrupting her.

  As she set her fork down and reached for her tea cup, Reece stood. “I’m finished, hurry up, Bill. We need to be ready when Archie gets here with the wagon.”

  Just to be contrary, Mina sipped her tea slowly without replying. She’d told him she wouldn’t answer to Bill, and she wasn’t going to. When he stalked off to pay their bill, she smiled to herself. She wasn’t going to start this case off by being bullied by him.

  Mina joined Reece on the sidewalk and waited for Archie to arrive. They waited at least fifteen minutes, though she didn’t take her pocket watch from the concealed pocket in her bodice. Her husband tapped his foot impatiently. Seems they didn’t need to get here quite this early.

  Archie finally arrived in a wagon with an extra seat. Their luggage was loaded and Archie helped Mina up onto the front seat. Reece sat on one side and Archie on the other, driving the horses.

  “We need to pick up Randall and his wife. He gave me directions, but I’m not sure exactly where it is. I don’t think there’s a hotel or inn there, or a saloon with rooms to let.” Archie clucked the horses into motion.

  The day before must have been very stressful for the head agent. He seemed impatient with the horses. Mina saw dark circles under his eyes. Maybe he hadn’t slept well.

  Reece must have noticed. “Rough morning, Archie?”

  “Rough few days. I’ll be glad when you all are out of Denver,” was Archie’s terse reply.

  They wandered through the poorer area of Denver, out of town, and into the woods. There a shack that was nearly falling down tucked near the side of the mountain. Mina was appalled that the agent had brought Elizabeth to such an awful place to spend the night. It seemed Stephen Randall’s bride didn’t think much of his choice either. She stormed out of the building and over to the wagon.

  “You made a mistake, Mr. Gordon, in matching me with this lout-head. How dare he make me stay here overnight. I got no sleep for fear of rats nibbling my toes.” She turned her severe gaze on Stephen. “You think you know me so well since we grew up together, but I will not tolerate any more of your ‘surprises.’”

  “I’m coming to learn that. Please forgive…” Stephen began but she slashed her hand through the air, stopping him.

  Reece had gotten down from the wagon. “Better leave this alone for the moment. I don’t think she wants to hear you right now.” Stephen nodded and allowed Reece to help the new Mrs. Stephen Randall up to sit beside Mina. There was a dark bruise on his cheek and she noted dark bags under Stephen’s eyes. Seems he might not have gotten much sleep either.

  When their baggage was in the wagon, the men climbed into the back seat. Mina could hear them muttering to each other, but couldn’t make out their words.

  Mina took Elizabeth’s hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. The girl was fighting tears. As irritating as Reece was, he wasn’t treating her with the disrespect Agent Randall was his new wife.

  “Let’s you and I sit together on the train. I could use a break from my husband and I think you could too.” Mina patted Elizabeth on her back.

  “I think that’s a wonderful idea. Let’s sit as far from them as possible.”

  Archie didn’t say anything, but Mina glanced his way and saw the man frowning.

  At the station, porters unloaded the trunks and carpetbags. With a “stay here,” from Reece, he and Stephen made sure the baggage was directed properly and went to purchase their tickets. Archie stayed
by the ladies, not saying anything. When the men appeared, he moved away and intercepted them, speaking and gesturing. He was obviously upset. Maybe Stephen would start treating his wife better. Mina hoped so.

  Stephen stormed from Archie to Elizabeth. “Come on. Let’s get boarded. The train leaves in a few minutes.”

  “I’m sitting with Mina, not with you.”

  “Be that as it may, I’m taking you onto the train and will see you seated. Come on.” Stephen took her arm firmly and guided her away.

  Reece exchanged a few more words with Archie, then came to where Mina was standing. “Don’t look so peeved, Bill. They have to work it out between themselves. Come on. We need to board the train.”

  Why was he telling her not to be peeved? It seemed to her that he had the corner on that by the look on his face. Of course, his calling her Bill certainly peeved her.

  About halfway across the platform, Mina stopped to make an adjustment to her hem, causing another frown to appear on Reece’s face.

  “Must you do this now?”

  Just then two youths ran in front of them, just where they would have been had they not stopped. Without the pause they would have been bowled over.

  “How fortuitous that I did stop. I, at the very least, would have been sprawled on the boardwalk had I not.” Mina retook his arm as she continued their progression to the steps leading up into the railroad car.

  Elizabeth stared out the window, but Mina was sure she wasn’t seeing the passing landscape. The girl had poured her heart out, weeping at how she’d been treated by her new husband. How could a man be so cruel? Mina wanted to punch him in the nose. Really hard.

  They were sitting about five rows ahead of the men. They’d argued that the ladies should seat across from them to be safe. Mina had simply turned on her heel and drawn Elizabeth behind her, up the aisle, finding seats across from several occupied rows. This forced the men to sit further to the rear of the car.