Too Many Secrets
Belles of Wyoming #33
By Marie Higgins
Copyright © 2020 by Marie Higgins
Edited by Teresa Pearson & Amy Petrowich
Cover Design by Virginia McKevitt
Edition License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.
THE BELLES OF WYOMING SERIES:
Christmas 2018 (Theme: Holiday)
Book 1, Christine Sterling, Wynter’s Bride
Book 2, Marianne Spitzer, Holly's Christmas Wish
Book 3, Cyndi Raye, A Tin Star for Christmas
Book 4, P. Creeden, A Pony for Christmas
Book 5, Julia Ridgmont, Natalie's Surprise Engagement
Spring 2019 (Theme: Renewal/Redemption)
Book 6, Christine Sterling, The Homecoming
Book 7, Ginny Sterling, Blessings of Love
Book 8, Cyndi Raye, Mercy’s Gift
Book 9, P. Creeden, Moments of Grace
Book 10, Julia Ridgmont, Emeline's Redemption
Summer 2019 (Theme: Summer Love / Barn Raising)
Book 11, Ginny Sterling, Lightning Strikes Twice
Book 12, Julia Ridgmont, In the Nick of Time
Book 13, Jenna Brandt, June’s Remedy
Book 14, Lynn Donovan, The Wrong Bride
Book 15, Marisa Masterson, Grace for a Drifter
Book 16, Rose Castro, Lucy’s Luck
Book 17, P. Creeden, Steel Blue Bride
Book 18, Cyndi Raye, Stealing Her Heart
Book 19, Cheryl Wright, Eleanor’s Dilemma
Book 20, Jo Grafford, Wild Rose Summer
Book 21, Patricia PacJac Carroll, Summer’s Love
Book 22, Lisa M. Prysock, The Prairie Princess
Book 23, Marie Higgins, Whispers of Yesterday
Book 24, Amelia Adams, Butterfly Kisses
Book 25, Margaret Tanner, Flynn's Debt
Book 26, Mimi Milan, September’s Switch
Book 27, Julia Ridgmont, Daring to Love Again
Book 28, Christine Sterling, A Matter of Marriage
Book 29, Ginny Sterling, Change of Heart
Book 30, Christine Sterling, The Barn Raising
Winter 2020 (Theme: New Beginnings)
2/5 - Book 31, Patricia PacJac Carroll, Setting Things Straight
2/12 - Book 32, Marianne Spitzer, Charity’s Promise
2/19 - Book 33, Marie Higgins, Too Many Secrets
2/26 - Book 34, Marlene Bierworth, From Mourning to Joy
3/4 - Book 35, Marisa Masterson, The Teacher’s Star
3/11 - Book 36, Lisa Prysock, Hazel’s Tribulation
3/18 - Book 37, Lynn Donovan, Nellie’s New Attitude
3/25 - Book 38, Julia Ridgmont, The Trouble with Lucy
4/1 - Book 40, Lisa Prysock, Title
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Nicole Bastian wants a life of adventure, just as her father and brother have as government secret agents, but because she is a woman, they don’t want her assistance. She learns about the string of train robberies in which government money is stolen, and she decides to do her own investigating. What she finds, however, is something that indicates the man of her dreams, Ashton Lee, one of the wealthy owners of Conrail as the number one suspect. Desperate to remain cool and impartial, Nicole strives to keep her suspicions quiet until she learns what Ashton is keeping from her. At the same time, she’s determined to keep her own secrets from Ashton, hoping he never finds out.
Ashton Lee is immediately attracted to the woman he’d met at the masked ball. Unfortunately, there’s something not right about her, and he can’t put his finger on why he thinks this way. She’s mysterious, beautiful, but very secretive. Dare he allow her to soften his heart? And more importantly, will she understand why he keeps secrets from her?
ONE
Belle, Wyoming 1882
Nicole Bastian jiggled the doorknob to the study and at the same time, strained to listen to what was happening down the hallway. It was early in the evening and the bulk of the guests for the masked ball had yet to arrive at General Babcock’s residence in Ft. Bridger. While the family greeted guests and the staff readied last minute details, Nicole took the perfect opportunity to sneak around his study.
Of course, she had always been curious as a girl, and now as a woman, she was worse. It didn’t help that she heard all of the stories her father and brother related to her about their secret agent cases. If only they’d give her a case all to herself. Instead, they had her assist them in small ways.
Grumbling under her breath, she gritted her teeth. The locked door wouldn’t budge.
Not to be deterred, she reached into her styled hair for the extra pins she had placed in her mass of waves just for this very occasion. As she pulled one out, her knuckles bumped against her mask, making it tilt on her face. Quickly, she adjusted the black silk cover over her eyes, and then pulled free the second hairpin. She artfully stuck the pins into the lock and maneuvered them slowly. Her father would be livid if he knew her brother had taught her how to master the skill of picking locks.
The latch finally popped and Nicole opened the door. She took one last peek down the hallway. Closer to the ballroom there was more light, but on this side of the house the lamps were dimmed. Only shadows played with her now—shadows and sounds. After stepping into the room and easing the door shut, she let her ears take over where her vision failed in the darkened room.
She stood by the door and waited until her eyes adjusted. A window hung like a picture on the far wall, and nearly as lovely. The lanterns from outside peeked through the slits of the thin, white curtains, showing her the way. Slowly, she slid her booted heeled steps across the carpet, feeling for any obstacle that might alert someone to her presence. A clock ticked noisily somewhere close by, and her fast beating heart was nearly as loud.
The window grew closer until she was able to touch the curtains and part them open. The light trickled in, and she swung her head, scanning the room carefully. She was only after one item. A journal. Unfortunately, as the shadows in the room changed into actual shapes, she noticed General Babcock’s study was filled with a vast collection of books.
Inwardly, she groaned. Locating the journal among his personal library could take all night. She didn’t have that long. Her brother waited outside at the carriage for her to pass him the journal so he could take it straight to his superior.
The heat inside the room was insufferable. She pushed open the window and peeked outside. She flattened herself next to the wall, hiding in the shadows. Satisfied she wouldn’t be seen, she leaned her face out into the cool, night air. Rose scent infused the air from the bushes just under the window.
After taking a few deep breaths, she turned back to the room. The large oak desk sat near the hearth, and one sofa leaned against the wall. The rest of the room was occupied by shelves filled with books. She groaned. Indeed, this would take her more time than she liked, but she was determined to find the journal.
After aggressively searching for a few minutes, she stopped and blew out a frustrated breath. There had to be an easier way. Think Nicole. You can do this! She mentally tried to put herself in the general’s shoes. Where would she hide something of importance for safe-keeping?
The most logical choice would be in the desk, which was what some people might thin
k, but that location was too obvious. Now she needed to decide where the least obvious hiding spot was in the study.
She took careful steps to the far wall. A small table stood, holding a filled decanter of liquid and two glasses. She took a deep sniff. It was brandy. General Babcock was known to enjoy his brandy late in the evening before going to bed. Would he keep his important papers nearby his favorite drink? Crouching, she looked around the area, on the floor, and behind the table. From the corner of her eye, she spotted something odd. As she studied the wooden chair near the desk, there was an item stuck to the bottom of the seat.
She moved closer and inspected the piece of furniture more thoroughly, reaching beneath the seat and running her hand across the wood. Immediately, her fingers connected with a book. In her haste, she turned over the chair. A journal—exactly like what her father had described to her—had been purposely fastened to the bottom with ropes. Grinning, she maneuvered the booklet out of the bindings and rose to her feet. She carefully set the chair upright before hurrying to the window where there was more light.
Nicole held up the journal and opened it. After flipping through a few pages, she saw the important ledger, which was the proof she needed. Several whiskey-ring distillers, chiefly in Cheyanne and Casper, Wyoming, were listed on the pages as was the purchases for each sale. In her hands, she held the very evidence the Secret Service needed to have General Babcock arrested.
At long last, relief was only days away. Gordon would be thrilled and very grateful for her help. Of course, their father must not find out. Her parent was determined to keep her out of the spy business.
Gordon had been working long and hard on this case, traveling from one state to another chasing leads as the journal passed from one hand to the other. Everyone involved tried to keep the journal a secret. It was Gordon who figured the general would keep this book in the study of his residence. Thankfully, Gordon’s instincts were spot on.
She ran her thumbs over the old, brown edges of the journal. Now it was in her capable hands. Men would kill for this evidence. Already people had died trying to find it. Some public officials were defrauding the federal government of taxes from the liquor sales. Naturally, they wouldn’t want this book to be discovered.
Footsteps in the corridor clipped on the wooden floor in a hurried pace. Gasping, she swung toward the door, knowing that she had to hide quickly. A wardrobe was nearby. She rushed to it, opened the doors and tried to fit inside. As she squeezed in, shelves and hooks jabbed at her head and back. Squishing any closer was impossible, but she tried, nonetheless. Just as she pulled the door mostly shut, General Babcock strolled into his study.
She held her breath, afraid to even breathe as she watched the man through the open slit. He swung his attention toward the window. His gaze narrowed. Silently, she scolded herself for not closing the curtains before hiding.
The man grumbled aloud and marched to the window. She tilted her head to follow his actions, but a hook caught in her hair and yanked it. Gritting her teeth, she tugged on the strand to free it.
As the general pulled the windowpanes closed, he paused and stared at something down below. “You! Down there,” he barked. “What are you doing?”
Nicole’s heart sank. Had someone been outside this whole time and had seen her through the window?
“Are you lost, man?” the general demanded loudly.
“I’m not lost, sir. I’m actually waiting for my friend,” the other man’s voice called from outside.
Groaning, she squeezed her eyes closed. Why hadn’t she detected someone down there? Fervently she prayed that this man had not seen her in a room where she didn’t belong. If she was discovered, her brother would never ask for her help again.
“Come inside,” the general said. “I cannot have you standing so near to my wife’s precious rose bushes.” Babcock flipped his hand. “Move away now.”
“Yes, sir.”
She opened her eyes again just as the general closed the windows and pulled the curtains together. He turned and walked toward his desk. She held her breath, clutching her fingers tighter around the book. Please don’t look for the journal.
He shuffled through the papers littered on the top of the desk. Huffing his breath, he moved to the side drawers, pulling them out one at a time.
“Ah, there it is.” He reached into a drawer and withdrew a canary-yellow mask. Thankfully, it matched well with his bright, obnoxious costume. Chuckling, he placed it over his eyes and tied it behind his head. He glanced in the mirror hanging on the wall, making certain everything was in order.
As he left the room, Nicole blew out a nervous sigh. Slowly, she crept out of the wardrobe and glanced at the book still in her hand. She slid the journal in the secret pocket she’d sewn in her gown last night for this very occasion. The wide skirts of the gown helped to hide the bulk of the object. Now all she needed to do was to sneak back downstairs and get it to Gordon who waited at the parked coaches.
With her hand on the door handle, she cracked the door open and peeked up and down the hallway. No one else lurked in the passageway. Satisfied she was alone, she casually walked out, and as she headed down the hall, she linked her hands together behind her back as she pretended to study each picture hanging on the wall.
She made it to the grand stairs without a cry of alarm. Slowly, she glided down the carpeted steps. She scanned the crowd gathering in the ballroom. More people had arrived while she’d been in the general’s study, but she didn’t recognize anyone…except of course for her cousin and her husband whom Nicole had come to the party with.
Nearing the bottom of the stairs, she still worried that the man who’d been outside the window had seen her. Then again, she’d been wearing her mask. There was no way he’d recognize her.
From the corner of her eye, something caught her attention. A man watched her as he stood near the wall by the stairs. Had he been there a moment ago? If so, why hadn’t she noticed him? Once her gaze latched onto his, he moved closer to the railing. His interest in her was obvious by his growing smile. Why was he looking at her in such a way? Cautiously, she reached up and patted her hair, and then slid her hand down to make sure her mask was in place once again. He couldn’t possibly recognize her.
The tall man’s raven mask matched the color of his hair perfectly. A dark blue frock coat with gold tassels molded to his broad shoulders, and medals lined his chest perfectly. A gold sash draped from his left shoulder across his wide chest, coming together at his right hip. His costume was made for a prince.
She didn’t know if she’d ever met him before, and with his black mask hiding the top half of his face, he didn’t look familiar in the least. But he watched her descend the stairs in such a charming way that it made her insides flip.
Not entirely paying attention to where she stepped, she reached the bottom and the heel of her shoe caught on the edge of the stairs. She stumbled, and gasped. On instinct, she grabbed the railing with one hand and held tighter to the journal hiding in her pocket with the other.
The handsome stranger jumped into action. His long arms caught her around the waist before she sprawled on the floor in a mess of silks and satins. She stared into his eyes, and breathed in his musky scent. Goodness, he smelled enticing. For the first time in a long time, she was tempted to press her nose against a man’s clothes and inhale.
“Oh, dear,” she breathed deeply. “Thank you for catching me. I cannot believe how clumsy I am tonight.” She glanced at his chest again, decorated like royalty. “I suppose I should be grateful that a prince chose to rescue me.”
One corner of his mouth lifted higher than the other. “It was my privilege to have caught such a lovely woman.”
As she stepped away, her shoe slipped off her foot. She turned to retrieve it, but he crouched down and took it before she could. Picking it up, he lifted his gaze to hers.
“Will you allow me the honors…Cinderella?”
Her heart leapt, and she wished the twit
tering in her belly would cease as well. Lightly, she chuckled. “You think I’m Cinderella?”
He shrugged. “You did lose a shoe, did you not?”
Smiling fully, she nodded. “Since you appear to be a prince—and a most charming one at that—then I shall allow you the honors.”
She stuck her foot out beneath her gown only far enough for him to slip on her shoe. His fingers grazed across her ankle longer than should have been allowed. Heat from his touch spread through her limb. The man certainly knew what he was doing. The meaningful gleam in his eyes let her know he was aware of what his touch did to her.
Slowly, he rose to his full height, keeping his gaze on her the whole time. He mocked a bow. “Is there anything else Cinderella needs me to do for her?” He motioned his hand toward the ballroom. “Perhaps escort her for a dance?”
Nicole’s acceptance was on the tip of her tongue, but the feel of the leather-bound journal outlined in her hidden pocket reminded her that she couldn’t enjoy his company until she delivered the book to her brother. “As much as the offer tempts me, I need to find someone first. However, I will return shortly. If you will excuse me…” She moved past him, but kept looking in his direction.
Nodding, he grinned wider. “Until later then, Cinderella.”
Her cheeks hurt from smiling so wide as she made her way to the front door. That man was certainly doing a great job of charming her, and she’d better not let him become a distraction—well, until after she delivered the journal, of course.
Weaving between people coming in the door, Nicole made her way outside. Trying not to appear in a hurry, she walked toward the side of the house where the guests’ buggies and horses were kept.
It didn’t take long to spot her brother. Dressed as a driver, Gordon stood in the seat and looked her way. Medium build with sandy brown hair, he appeared much younger than the other drivers. Smiling, he jumped down from their cousin’s coach and acted as if he was tending to the horses.
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