Marianne sipped her tea as she watched Bronco and Claudette stroll around the grounds from her apartment window. Her arm was threaded through his and he held her hand. It was much too comfortable for Marianne’s tastes, but perhaps things were different in the South.
The agent seemed absolutely smitten with the dark-haired beauty from Louisiana and appeared to be on his best behavior. He hadn’t pulled out his knife once since she arrived at the house. Marianne knew it was a matter of time before something would set the man off.
It was still a little cool as spring wasn’t in full effect, but everyone seemed to be enjoying the outdoors and the sunshine warming the ground.
In the far corner of the garden, Charity and Arielle sat together under a tree. Both were reading and every once in a while, one would pause to say something that would make the other laugh. The British lady was such an enigma, Marianne was still trying to figure her out. In all her days, Marianne had never met anyone quite like the lovely colored woman. Charity was unique as well. A first glance she appeared rather bookish, with large glasses covering her face and making her eyes appear larger than they should be. But Archie soon realized she missed nothing. Even if she had no practical experience, she was well versed in book learning and could be an asset in an investigation.
Several of the agents were playing croquet with some of the ladies, their laughter reaching all the way up to Marianne’s open window. Marianne smiled. It appeared that everyone was getting along. She knew that it was only a matter of time before the fragile peace would be shattered.
The ladies that were left were the final selections for matching with the available agents who would be leaving for wherever the cases would take them. The trains were pulling out of Denver tomorrow evening headed west towards San Francisco, south towards New Mexico and even north towards the Wyoming Territory. Tonight, she and Archie would be making the final selections based on his interviews with the ladies and her observations on how they interacted with the men.
She had just finished her tea and placed the cup back on the tray when she heard the door to the apartment open. Looking up she saw Victoria hesitantly walk in, papers in her hand.
“What is it, Mouse? Why aren’t you out playing croquet with the others? You should be happy having all these new companions here for a few days.”
“Oh, I am. It is fascinating to hear all their stories, but…”
Marianne looked at Victoria. She was hardly ever this nervous. “Out with it. You look as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”
Victoria came closer and held out the papers in her hands. “I was wondering if you could help me write a letter.”
“Whatever for?” Marianne took the papers and started to read. She sat down on the sofa, placing her finger on her lips as she read the words in front of her. When she was done, she laid the papers on her lap and looked out the window as she formulated her thoughts. She could still hear the sound of laughter from the game in the yard. “Are you sure, Mouse?”
“I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.”
“Then of course, I’ll help you.”
CHAPTER 8
Saturday, May 20
The main area of the dormitory was crowded. Archie rarely had meetings here, preferring the comfort of the furnishings in the main house. However, he needed to speak to the agents privately, and since the dorm was their private lodging it made the most sense to hold the meeting there.
The dormitory was, in fact, a house on its own. It housed the servants that worked in the main house many years prior. When Archie acquired the property for the new office, he converted the servant’s quarters into the dormitory for the single agents and the house into the main office for the business. The kitchen was functioning, but rarely used. Today, however, Pearl did stop by to make coffee and set out a quick repast of sweet rolls and fruit, so no one would have to go to the main house before mid-afternoon.
Both Marianne and Archie insisted that no one was to venture over before then. The men were more likely to listen to Marianne than me, Archie thought.
“I know each one of us talked privately, but I wanted to meet with you as a group to makes sure everything is covered for later this evening.” He handed out envelopes to each of the agents. “Inside you’ll find your final assignments, two train tickets, your contact information and enough money to cover incidentals. You can bring your partner up to speed on the train. I know some of you, like Wyatt, are staying in town for a few days more so you can do some training here. The grounds and dormitories are yours to use.
“Normally, I assign your cases based on the skills you have and your interests, but this time I needed to look at both your skills and your potential partner’s skills, hence, you might find yourself in new territory.”
“What does that mean?” Warren Rockwell asked. He had been with the agency for over three years and the thought of having to work with a woman didn’t sit well with him at all.
“What it means is you are going to have to learn how to adapt. Just because you know everything there is to know about train robberies doesn’t mean you’ll be headed for one. You may have to spread your wings a little to train your new partner. Anyone have any questions?”
“Yeah, I have one.” Wyatt raised his hand. “You talked about this marriage being for the sake of the case. So, we can get it annulled if we wanna when the case is over. What if she doesn’t want to get it annulled?”
“That is between you and her. But Judge Hotchkiss has assured me that there will be no issue as long as the marriage has not been consummated and both of you have kept to the terms of the agreement.” Wyatt nodded and returned to looking at his papers.
“Do we have any say in who we are assigned to?” Rockwell spoke up again.
Rick Tanner spoke up from the back, “Yeah. I don’t want to be assigned to someone ugly. Have you seen some of the women that have come through the door?”
“Marianne and I…”
“Marianne was involved in assigning us partners?”
“Yes, Marianne observed you with…”
“I should have known she was behind this.”
“Marianne had nothing to do with this. In fact, she was against it. She simply…”
“Where is she?”
“Cease! I am in charge here. Not Marianne. She simply validated what was in the letters, and based on what she knew about you from the many years she has been here, made recommendations. I make the final decisions. Are we clear?”
The only answer he received was a knife whizzing past his head and landing in the wall behind him.
The meeting wasn’t as bad as Archie had feared. After all, the men had had three weeks to get used to the idea of partnering with a female agent, and two weeks to get used to the idea of marrying one for the sake of the case. At their hearts, Archie knew that these men were gentlemen and would behave as such. Well, he still had his doubts about Bronco. He swore that man was just wild.
He made his way across the yard as he had to speak to the women. Several of them were strolling around the garden quietly chatting with each other. Two were sitting on the bench reading. What were their names? Oh yes, Arielle, the scholar and Charity, the one that liked to read detective novels. He walked over to them.
“Ladies.” He tipped his hat.
Charity giggled. She looked very young and inexperienced, but Archie knew from interviewing her that she was very sharp and didn’t miss a detail. “Mr. Gordon. How are you today?”
“Just fine, ma’am. I was wondering if you might do me a favor?”
“Of course.”
“Would you and Miss Bradford gather up all the young women that are remaining and meet Marianne and I in the dining room in the main house?”
Charity giggled again. “Come on, Arielle, let’s go.”
Archie coughed and looked at Marianne who raised an eyebrow signifying that she wasn’t going to offer him support at this moment.
“Uhm, yes. Wel
l, then.” He took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his forehead with it before sticking it back in his pocket. “I guess we should begin. Those that remain are the final selections for the first female agents to secure employment out of the Denver office.” A round of cheers went up through the crowd. “Yes, yes,” he motioned for them to settle down. “As exciting as that is, there are some things that I need to go over with you before you may proceed to the final step.”
He hesitantly looked back to Marianne, who shook her head and motioned for him to continue.
“You know about the provisions the agency will provide. The stipend, a small wardrobe, accommodations, and training. Part of the training involved handling cases that require some, uhm...” Archie rolled back on his heels, “delicacy. And you will be going into territory where a single woman might be in explicit danger. As such, one of the conditions of employment is rather unique.”
Archie looked out at the crowd of eager faces leaning in to hear them. Several leaned forward in anticipation, others bit their lower lip as if sensing something was amiss. If they only knew, he thought.
Best get it done, as the moment of truth arrived.
Archie stammered out the words that had been haunting him the past few weeks since the order came down from headquarters.
There was a stunned silence as Archie looked out at the faces. Suddenly a cry of frantic voices reached his ears, drowning out … were those giggles?
“Goodness, Marianne,” he said, turning to his assistant who stood there watching his discomfort. “Did that woman just faint?”
CHAPTER 9
Marianne handed Pearl a handkerchief. The cook had outdone herself preparing for the group wedding on such short notice.
Victoria and Marianne decorated the main room with flowers and ribbons the night before. If the ladies thought it was odd, they didn’t say anything.
The large dining room table had been moved to one side of the room so that there was enough space for the couples to take their vows. It was covered in white tablecloths and piled with cold meats, cheeses, and tiny cakes decorated with white sugar icing that Pearl baked the day before.
“Isn’t it so romantic?”
“I am not sure about that. I do have to admit, though, I love a wedding,” Marianne replied.
After Archie’s announcement, several of the candidates grabbed their bags and left immediately. Several of them tried to plead their case, to deaf ears, that they could meet all the requirements without having to go through with any charade. They, too, were promptly dismissed. Very quickly there were just a few remaining women in the library with Archie. Marianne quickly left to make sure everything was ready for the ceremony that was about to happen.
“Oh look,” she pointed, “here comes everyone.”
Archie led the way to the front of the room. Marianne sighed. He was so handsome in his navy suit jacket and pants. His hair was no longer in tufts all over his head as Marianne trimmed it the night before. He held a bible in one hand and notes in the other.
She was surprised to see Judge Hotchkiss present as well. He was determined to see that no man, or woman fell through the cracks. She wasn’t privy to the conversation he had with the agents earlier that morning, but she could tell it must have been as intense as the one he just had with the ladies, as several of the agents took their places with scowls on their faces.
Bronco had no such scowl. He was grinning from ear to ear as he lined up with the other agents. Marianne knew that he must be planning something. She quickly looked at his leg and the knife and sheath were missing. She visibly relaxed knowing that the walls were safe.
The women followed shortly, and Archie began to call out names.
“Wyatt, Diana Gleason will be your partner. Will you step forward and move to this side? Holding of hands is optional.” He waited until the pair had moved to the designated spot before continuing. “Isabelle Wood? Are you here?”
“I am,” a voice said from the back.
Archie nodded. “You and Valentine, please come forward. Next are Jed Green and Lucy Haskell.”
Jed stood a little taller and moved next to Lucy, placing his hand on her elbow. Marianne didn’t know if it was to reassure her or to stop her from running out the door.
“Reese Galway?”
The handsome agent came forward and took his place at the front of the crowd. “Let go on record that I am not happy about this and I don’t believe that this is the best way to move forward. With that, I’m ready to meet my partner.”
“Duly noted, and duly ignored. You are with Wilhelmina Cutler.”
A stunning redhead in a bright purple gown moved to the front of the room and Marianne saw the start of a smile play on her lips. Mina strode confidently to Reese and took his arm, saying, “I’ll try to not make this too painful for you, Galway,” before moving towards the back.
Archie looked back down at his list, adjusting his glasses before continuing. “Next is Bronco, I mean Bronson.”
“I’m here.”
“Bronson, I’ve put you with Sarah Walters. Please move forward.”
“What?” He reached for his leg and realizing his knife wasn’t there, he glared at Archie instead.
“You cannot put me with this savage. I absolutely will not be tied to someone who is half Indian,” Sarah complained.
“Then you may leave.”
“What?”
“I said you may leave.”
Sarah looked panicked. “Can’t you assign me to someone else? What about him?” she said, pointing to Luke who stepped behind one of the agents in the room.
“You accepted the terms when you walked into the room. Those terms were that you would be matched to the agent that best complements your skills and can provide additional training. You in turn will complement theirs. We assigned you to Agent Wauneka. Since you’ve changed your mind, you are no longer welcomed here. Judge Hotchkiss, can you please show our guest to the door?”
A gasp went up from the women in the room. Even Marianne gasped.
Sarah looked around, turning red-faced as she saw the glares from the other agents and pity from the women. Lifting her skirt, she ran to the front door and disappeared.
Archie looked at the crowd. “Is there anyone else who would like to leave now? Just let Marianne know your name so she can take it down.”
A quiet murmur rose up from the crowd, but no one stepped forward, before a young girl came forward. She was a slip of a thing, Marianne noted. Her long hair was secured in pins, pulling it away from her face and she couldn’t have been more than sixteen.
“Sir? My name is Jacqueline Carroll. I know I’ve taken up much of your time this week, but I realized I don’t think I would be an asset to the agency. Even knowing that there is an out at the end of the investigation, I can’t get married to someone I don’t love. I would like to withdraw now and come back again later, if that is alright?”
Archie nodded. The young girl gave the woman next to her a hug before leaving the room.
“Anyone else?” Archie cleared his throat and waited a minute. “Okay, let’s continue. Where was I? Ah, yes. Bronco.” He looked down at his papers and shuffled them. “Claudette LeBas, please come forward.
An elegant tall woman with skin that looked like she spent time in the sun without a hat, and dark brown hair, strode forward and linked her arm inside Bronco’s and they took their place, standing in front of Marianne and Pearl.
“I hoped it was going to be you,” Bronson said, capturing her hand in his own.”
“Oui, Cher. Me too. But I should tell you that if you try to kiss me without my permission, I’ll slap you so hard you won’t ever want to try it again.”
Marianne giggled, and both turned to look at her. She shrugged her shoulders and turned her attention back to Archie at the front of the room. He had called several others and she saw the couples making their way around the room.
“Maverick Jones? I have you with a … Miss Smith?” Archie
looked puzzled. “Marianne, did you recall Miss Smith? I don’t remember her.”
“Uhm, yes, Archie. She was one of the last letters. Well educated, from a college back east. Had been around investigations her entire life. That was the time you asked me to lend a hand reviewing everything. I apologize if you missed it. Oh look, here she is.” Marianne led a figure forward that was drowned in a veil. Mav visibly paled under his tanned skin.
“Hey, Mav,” a voice called from the back. “There is only one reason a woman would cover her face in that much lace.”
A few snickers went up from the agents as Marianne led the lace-clad figure over to Mav. “Shush,” she chastised to the crowd, unsure of who called out to Mav.
“I’d prefer to stand in the back,” Miss Smith said quietly.
“Uhm, Archie...,” Mav began, as the mysterious woman in white slipped her hand in his.
“Not right now, Maverick,” Marianne admonished. “Whatever it is can wait until after the ceremony. She quickly returned to her spot next to Pearl and watched Mav and his soon-to-be bride move to the back.
“Arielle Bradford?”
“Yes, sir?” The petite woman with skin the color of rich pecans stepped forward and wiped her hands on her skirt.
“You will be with Caleb Smith.”
A dark gentleman standing nearly seven feet tall came and stood next to Arielle, taking her hand in his own. Her hand was dwarfed in his, as he led her to the side next to the refreshment table.
“Warren, I have you with Audrey Hardwick. Stephen, you are with Elizabeth Stone.” Archie cleared his throat. “Seth, you are with Charity. Broderick you will be working with Cecily. And Sam, I have you with Ada. Have I forgotten anyone?”
A woman emerged from the back of the crowd and raised her hand. “Ah Regina. Yes, I remember you. I have you with Luke Tucker.” He gave a quick look around the room. “Where’s Luke? He was here a minute ago.”
Luke appeared from behind the couples he was using as a shield. He coughed slightly and shifted his tie. “Ma’am,” he said, before taking her arm and moving to the back of the couples.”
The Pinkerton Matchmaker Page 4