Searching for Home (Spies of Chicago Book 1)

by Jessica Keller

  Ellen took a swig of the offered tea.

  James’s lips formed the closed smile she knew so well. Warmth started in her chest and spread to the coldest tips of her body … pretty strong tea.

  He collapsed onto the floor; his back leaned against the sofa. “The crew is scrounging up a pair of clothes for the both of us as we speak.” Droplets still clung to his hair. One dared to roll down his face and trickle off the tip of his nose. For some reason, her fingers itched to touch the back of his neck. She shook the thought away. Cupping the mug in her hands, the heat prickled against her skin.

  Aunt Louisa spoke in a hushed tone to the doctor near the door before he exited. She then turned to face Ellen, popping her hands onto her hips. “You realize this little escapade just ruined everyone’s night, don’t you? Mr. McCormick has a soft heart and has decided to end the party, and even now we’re nearing the harbor. I hope you’re pleased with yourself.”

  Ellen shoved back the blankets and tried to stand. Her legs wobbled, the evening air hit her skin, and she fell back onto the couch. James spun around, steadied her with his hands on her waist, and helped her sit again.

  “I didn’t jump in. Someone shoved me over the edge.”

  Not meeting her gaze, James leaned to tuck the blankets back around her.

  “It’s those books. See? I knew they would be your ruin.” Aunt Louisa jiggled Uncle Garrett’s arm. “We should have taken them away from her. That imagination of hers is running wild. Shoved indeed! I’ll have you know no one in polite society tosses women off the side of ships.”

  “I didn’t imagine it! Someone in a black cloak approached me and said that I’d never get in the way of his plans again. Then he pushed me.”

  James went rigid. The vein in his neck popped out a little bit.

  “I will have no more of this talk. Do you hear me? I forbid it.” Uncle Garrett shook a finger at her.

  A sailor entered with two bundles of clothes. James jumped to his feet, grabbed one of the bundles and dashed from the room.

  ***

  “Please.” Ellen latched onto James’s arm as he stooped to pick her up. “Can we use a back entrance? I don’t want anyone to see me like this.” Still raking with shivers, she couldn’t walk on her own yet and allowed James to carry her. Even in the dry clothing, a simple cotton dress given up by a woman assisting in food preparation for the party, it seemed like she’d never regain her normal temperature.

  At her plea, James swung around and made for the servant’s quarters. “Where is the lower way out?”

  A pair of boatmen directed them toward the entrance used for supplies and shipmen. Above them on dock, the party goers dispersed, many of them tittering with the evening’s events.

  “I think she just wanted that man’s attention.”

  “Well one thing is certain, she’s succeeded in making herself the talk of the town.”

  Ellen groaned. “I don’t think I can manage with Aunt Louisa’s barrage of questions the whole way home.”

  “You won’t have to.” Ever since she opened her eyes in the captain’s office, James’s expression had been somber. His one half-second smile hadn’t returned. “My rented carriage still waits.” He jutted his chin in the direction of the street lined with carriages.

  “But my aunt and uncle will assume I’m going home with them.”

  “Then they’ll have assumed wrong. I escorted you here, and I’ll escort you home. Besides, they know we all share a common destination. I left word with the doctor that I’d take you home.”

  Locating their cab, he seated her inside and then sat on the bench across from her. The second he placed her down, a tremor worked its way through her body.

  James looked out the window as the carriage swayed into motion. “The man who pushed you over, did he really say that to you—about no longer being in the way?”

  “You believe me?” she whispered.

  He looked back at her, a sadness gathering around his pale blue eyes. He sighed. “I saw him.”

  “He said I should have been harder to get rid of and that I couldn’t mess up his plans anymore. I don’t understand.” Her hands shuddered.

  “Oh, Ellen.” In the moment it took to take a breath, something flashed across his expression. His jaw set, and he reached out and dragged her across the gap in the seats and onto his lap. He tipped her chin back and his lips descended, claiming hers.

  Ellen’s mind swirled in a cozy haze. A fire sprinted from where his mouth met hers and scorched down her spine, heating all the way to her toes. His strong hands ran up and down her back. He cradled her head as he deepened the kiss. She traced her fingers across the thin fabric of the borrowed shirt covering his solid arms. She now knew they harbored the strength it had taken to save her.

  She’d almost drowned in Lake Michigan only an hour ago and now she had the sensation of drowning all over again. Her breath came short, her heart pounded, and her mind went dizzy. Lost in an emotion she didn’t understand, Ellen sagged against him. A first kiss. Had she known it would be this wonderful, she’d have cornered James and forced an embrace long before today. With the tips of her fingers she explored the back of his neck. She reached into his hair, her nails tracing circles across his scalp.

  He moaned.

  Suddenly he grabbed her elbows and set her away from him. He scraped his hand over his face and blew out a long stream of air. “I, um, I don’t know what came over me. You were in danger and then the spies … and you were shaking. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have—”

  “The spies?”

  He blanched. He leaned his elbows on his knees and put his face in his hand. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Wait. What spies?”

  “Pretend I didn’t say that.”

  “Not likely. Fess up, or I’ll tell Aunt Louisa you mauled me in the carriage.”

  His torso snapped back to attention. “I hardly mauled you, I—”

  “You kissed me. You certainly can’t deny that.” She smiled then scooted over, snuggling against him. “I’m cold again.”

  Grumbling, he wrapped his arm around her so she was snug beside him. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

  She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. “I liked it. I’ve never been kissed before. Is it always like that?”

  “Like what?”

  “Like dizzy and on fire?”

  A chuckle rumbled his chest. “You too, huh?”

  “So tell me about the spies.”

  He rested his chin on her head. “I’m not going to talk for the rest of the ride home.”

  “Talk, or I’m telling Aunt Louisa about your attack on my person.”

  James straightened. “But you just said…?”

  “I know, but believe me—you don’t want to deal with my aunt on a tirade.”

  He growled. “Listen, it’s dangerous for you to know anything about this, but on second thought, you’re already involved. Why in the blazes did you have to go gossiping all around town this morning?”

  “I just—”

  He expelled a theatrical groan. “It was a rhetorical question, half-pint. Your little caper gained you more than the title of town chinwagger. The anarchist spies have you pegged as their next hit.”

  “What? I don’t even know what an anarchist is. How can they want anything to do with me?”

  “The information you passed along happened to be a spy meeting to discuss their next move, not a romantic tete-a-tete.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “They think you’re a spy. They think you’re the one who’s been foiling their plans these past two weeks.”

  “But?”

  His expression softened as he searched her face. The usual perfectly groomed hair stood at awkward angles, and tension near his eyes showed how tired he must have been from their ordeal. “They think you’re me.”

  ***

  James stopped pacing in the hallway outside of Ellen’s bedroom when Mrs. Danby emerged. “May I s
ee her?”

  Ellen’s aunt rubbed her eyes. “I don’t know if that’s wise. She needs rest. For creating such a shameful ruckus, the poor dear does look tuckered out. I pity her that. I’m not sure if the young Hurst will consider her after this. Which is such a disappointment because her prospects were looking so bright.” She sighed. “You know, men don’t like women who fall off boats, accident or not. No family wants such a scandal connected to their name.”

  “Any suitor worth his salt would see to her welfare before concerning himself with gossip.” James eyed the door. Ellen’s spirits seemed buoyant enough during their carriage ride home, but she’d suffered such a shock that he needed to assure himself she remained in good health.

  Mrs. Danby offered her hand, and James took it in both of his. Weathered lines marred the corners of her eyes. For all the old woman’s terrible advice and foolhardy matchmaking, she loved Ellen and wanted the best for her. That showed at least.

  “I shouldn’t allow it, but since the two of you are like brother and sister, I’ll grant you a couple minutes to see her. Only a couple minutes, mind you. She needs her rest, and my staff doesn’t need any more reasons to wag their tongues.”

  James bowed, then slipped into Ellen’s room. She bolted up in bed when she saw him, motioning for him to shut the door. He thought better of it, but did anyway.

  “How are you—”

  With a finger to her lips, she shushed him and pointed to the blue chair beside her bed. James crossed the room and flung himself into the offered seat.

  She leaned toward him, eyes wide. “So, what’s the next mission?”

  Focusing on her words became the most difficult task in the world. She wore a white sleeping gown with lace about her neck and wrists, and her midnight-hair spilled down her shoulders like a chocolate waterfall.

  “—and then I’ll filch some of the servant’s clothes and meet you at the back of the house, near the alley where the milkman makes his deliveries.” She tapped her finger on her chin.

  Her delicious red lips and cloudless-sky-blue eyes showed even in the single flickering light of the lantern on her nightstand.

  “Make sure to pinch a set of clothes for yourself as well. I think the stableman’s wardrobe would suit you.” As she waved her ruffled sleeves, the scent of rosewater wafted in his direction.

  He dug his fingers into the wooden armrests. “What the devil are you talking about?”

  “Oh, keep up, James! Just explain about anarchy to me and let’s go catch the spies.”

  In a second, he moved to her bedside and leaned over, grasping her thin shoulders. So fragile. She trusted people too soon and would fall prey in a heartbeat. It would be so easy for an evildoer to harm her, again.

  He gave her a little shake. “You will have nothing to do with the spy ring. It’s dangerous. Don’t you understand they were attempting to kill you tonight?”

  “But I—”

  “No buts, Ellen, I’m serious. Promise me you’ll stay at the house and with your aunt. Say you’ll forget about the anarchists.”

  “Never! You can’t tell me what to do. We’re in this together now.”

  “Ellen, if something bad happened to you … I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.”

  “Because you care about me?”

  He ran a hand over his jaw. “Because I saw Lewis experience the pain of losing one sister already. As far as it depends upon me, I won’t watch him lose another one.”

  “So that’s the only reason? For Lewis?” She spat the words at him, her eyes narrowing.

  “It’s dangerous.”

  “If it’s too dangerous for me, then why are you doing it?”

  He tipped his head back and stared up at the ceiling. “Because my life doesn’t mean as much as yours.”

  She grabbed his hand, flipped it over and pressed a kiss to his palm. “It does to me. I’m in love with you,” she whispered.

  The words he’d dreamt about hearing from her lips for the last year now made his skin grow cold. Maybe Prissy was right about him leading girls on. Nausea raced up his throat. Ellen and James could never be together. It’d be treachery to Lewis. His best friend had warned James once before to keep his eyes off his sister. And here he’d gone and betrayed Lewis’s trust the second Lewis wasn’t around.

  James jerked his hand from her grasp and moved to pace at the end of the bed. “No, you don’t. You’re confused. It’s my fault. I never should have kissed you.”

  She ripped off her covers and pounced into his way. He reeled backwards and averted his eyes.

  With clenched fists, her arms trembled. “You will not tell me my own mind, James Kent. You might have been able to trick me when I was a child, but I’m not a little girl anymore. I know you care about me. You wouldn’t have jumped into the water if you didn’t.”

  His lip pulled into a snarl. “Any decent human would—”

  “And that might have been my first kiss.” Ellen crossed her arms, eyes flashing rage. “But I’m smart enough to know you felt more than brotherly affection during it.”

  Reaching for the knots on his neck, James expelled a long breath. “Hardly brotherly indeed.”

  “Ha!” A sharp finger jabbed his chest. “You admit you love me.”

  He closed his eyes, messaged his fingers over his forehead. “If so, what does it matter? We can never be together.”

  “That’s absurd. If we love each other, why should we be kept apart?”

  Opening his eyes, he took in the beautiful sight of her. Stunning, really. Angry tears clung to Ellen’s long lashes as she tipped back her head to look up at him. Flushed cheeks gave her creamy skin a tantalizing glow. She loved him, clear as day, but that knowledge hurt more than a rejection would have.

  “For a million reasons.”

  “Name them.” She spoke through clenched teeth.

  James sighed. Admitting their unsuitably hurt. “Because you are the younger sister of my best friend, and I would do nothing to pain him. Because I’m the nothing son of a banker and you deserve someone in Hurst’s circle. And sometimes a man must risk his neck to accomplish something greater than love.”

  She blinked. “What could be greater than love?”

  Unable to help himself, James brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, reveling in its silkiness. Framing her face, he rubbed his thumbs against her cheeks. She leaned into his hands.

  He touched his forehead to hers. “Keeping the person you love safe.” He pressed his lips to her cheek. “They’re after you, Ellen. I’ll do anything to crack the ring so they can’t get to you.”

  With that resolve he rushed out of the room. He had to send word to Hugh that he accepted membership in the Cygnus Brotherhood.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Chicago, April 29, 1886

  Ellen peered around her room, certain she’d just heard something, but no shadows lurked in the corners. Hopefully nothing inched under her bed. A chill ran over here shoulders.

  She craned her neck, waiting. A clock ticked in the hallway.

  Foolish Ellen. Go back to sleep.

  She folded her hands over her stomach while she examined the canopy fabric suspended above her. When had she gone from pinching James’s arm to being in love with him?

  Or were those two things the same thing?

  A romantic thought about James had not once flittered through her mind. But then again, she couldn’t imagine a life without teasing him daily, without his tight-lipped smile and his attempt to remain stern when she goaded him.

  Nothing felt more like home than James.

  A movement near the window stilled her thoughts. The floor creaked. A scream caught in her throat as dark fingers descended upon her, a fine-boned hand clamping over her mouth.

  “Shhh. Please don’t yell. No one can know I’m here,” her brother’s rich voice whispered.

  Lurching forward, she yanked off his hood. Dark stubble covered his angular jaw, and his coal-black hair spilled forward.

&
nbsp; “Lewis,” she breathed. “How can it be? You’re supposed to be traveling. We received letters from you postmarked New York.”

  “I know. I write notes and send them to an operative there and he sends them back to Mother. Forgive my deception.” He sat on the edge of her bed. “You can’t tell anyone that I’m in town. Not Aunt or Uncle. Not Mother. Swear to it.”

  She crossed her arms. “I don’t know. I’m being forced to make an awful lot of promises today against my will.”

  His eyebrows dove. “Who is forcing you to do something?”

  “James told me I had to stay in the house or near Aunt Louisa at all times.”

  Lewis’s shoulders relaxed. “And he’s correct. I want you to do whatever James tells you. Do you hear me? He knows what’s best for you and he’s the perfect one to make decisions right now since I’m not around.”

  “You’re here now.”

  “Not for long. I can’t.”

  “Why can’t you be around?” She grabbed his sleeve. “Stay.”

  “It’s not possible. I wish things were different, truly. I just wanted to make certain that you were in good health. You weren’t injured today when you fell in the water, were you? This was never supposed to involve anyone but me. If someone hurt you I’ll—”

  She pressed her fingers onto his arm. “I’m fine. James fished me out in time.”

  Lewis cradled his forehead, and his hair spilled forward. “Thank God he was there.”

  “Where were you?”

  His eyebrows knit together. “You can’t know. It’ll be best for you if you pretend I don’t exist. Live like you don’t have a brother. Tell no one in Chicago about me. Understand? Not even James.”

  Why did Lewis hate her? Why had he only loved their sister Grace? How could he leave her with no family?

  Tears filled her eyes. “Are you so ashamed of me that you don’t want to claim me as family any longer? Am I such a burden? You don’t even want to be around me.”

  He squeezed her hand. “Quite the opposite. I’m a blight to you.”

  “But you aren’t.” She sat up, throwing her arms around him. “Tell me what’s going on. I want to help you. How come you’re hiding?”