An Agent for Anna

by Amelia C. Adams

  He couldn’t imagine how he’d actually go about proposing such a thing, but at least now he’d chosen the girl. The rest would fall into place . . . he hoped.

  ***

  Mr. Tobler had said many sweet things on their walk around the garden the night before, or so Emily reported, but he hadn’t said anything about marriage. Emily had locked herself away in her bedroom in a fit of disappointed tears, but Anna just shook her head. It couldn’t possibly be time for a proposal anyway—they hadn’t spent enough time together to make that kind of decision. All Emily could see was his money, and while that was certainly a good incentive, Anna couldn’t imagine marrying someone without knowing much about their personality. This definitely wasn’t a case of being in love—anyone within a ten-mile radius would be able to spot that one.

  Prescott had gone back to work without saying a word, and Anna wondered if he’d remember their conversation. Sure enough, at ten o’clock, a middle-aged woman with a generous middle knocked on the door, saying she was a private nurse who had been sent to care for Mrs. Gray. The woman’s name was Lillian, a pretty name in contrast to her rather plain features, but she had a pleasant way about her, and Anna felt that she and Venice would get along well. That was certainly a weight lifted from Anna’s chest, and she felt as though she could breathe a little easier.

  At eleven o’clock, another knock came at the door, and for a brief second, Anna allowed herself to imagine that her father had changed his mind and had sent a housekeeper or a cook as well as the nurse. But when she opened the door, that’s not who she found on the porch.

  “Hello, Anna,” he said, taking off his hat and giving her a little bow.

  He was familiar—so familiar—but it seemed as though she was remembering him through a cloud or from a dream. It had been a long time. “Liam?” she said at last, not sure she was correct.

  He grinned. “I knew you’d remember me.”

  The grin she would have recognized anywhere—he should have led off with that. “Liam! Oh, my goodness! What brings you here? Please, come in!” She stepped back, holding the door out of the way so he could enter. She wore a flour-covered apron and probably had flour in her hair as well—she wasn’t a tidy cook.

  He came in and hung his hat on the rack by the door, then turned to her again. “I hope you don’t mind that I’ve just dropped by like this.”

  “Of course I don’t mind. I’m delighted to see you. What brings you back? The last I heard, you were planning to stay in New York forever.”

  “That was the idea, but my parents aren’t doing as well on their own as I’d hoped. I got a telegram from their pastor asking me to come home for a visit, and when I got here, I realized I had to stay.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” She motioned toward the parlor. “Come sit down. We don’t have to stand in the entry all day.”

  She quickly untied her apron and tossed it on the small table in the corner, hoping she didn’t look too entirely frightening. Liam was certainly looking good—taller and broader than she remembered.

  They each took a seat, and Liam inquired about her family.

  “That’s rather a depressing topic,” she replied. “My sister is positive that the love of her life—a man she doesn’t actually know very well, so she’s not sure if she loves him—will never propose, my mother is slowly recovering from an illness, and my father is working himself into oblivion.”

  “That sounds like a rather mixed bag,” Liam replied. “I’m sorry to hear about your mother’s health.”

  “She’s rallied the best she can, and we actually got a new nurse for her about an hour ago, so we’ll see if that makes any difference.” She paused. “It’s so good to see you. Having you here is bringing back so many pleasant memories from school.”

  “Did you graduate after I left?”

  “No, and I badly wish I did. But things . . . things got more complicated.”

  “I remember there was some kind of conflict with your father.”

  “Yes, that . . . He never did come around to the idea of women being educated beyond the basics, even though I tried repeatedly to explain to him that things are changing, that women aren’t the same as we were twenty and thirty years ago. He’s so stuck in his ways—he can’t imagine the idea of women doctors or women scientists or women engineers even though there are now several of each.”

  “Or women Pinkerton agents,” Liam filled in.

  “Exactly! Are you still with the company?”

  “I am. I was able to transfer to the Denver office.”

  “That’s good. Any exciting new cases?”

  Anna didn’t think that question was out of the ordinary, but Liam pressed his lips together, and she wondered if she’d said something wrong. “Of course, you can’t give me any details—being discreet is part of being an agent, right?”

  He nodded. “Yes, but . . . I need to talk to you about something, if you have a minute.”

  “Of course I do. I’ll always have time for you. What’s the matter?”

  He stood up and walked over by the fireplace, resting his hand on the mantel. “When I checked in at the office yesterday, they had an assignment waiting for me—a bodyguard position escorting a young lady to London. She’s traveling without a companion, so I need to bring a female agent along with me.”

  Anna nodded. “That makes sense.”

  “And they want me to be married to that female agent.”

  “Oh.” Anna blinked a few times. “Do you know her? Is she someone you’ve worked with before?”

  “They didn’t have anyone in mind—actually, now that I think about it, they didn’t specifically say if they’d chosen someone for me. The whole conversation went by in such a whirl, I think I missed that detail.”

  “I’m not sure why you’ve come to see me about this,” Anna said. “Are you inviting me to the wedding? Would you like me to make the cake? I’m not the best in the kitchen, but I’m getting better. I’m more of a savory cook, though.”

  He held up a hand. “I’m sorry—I’m not presenting this very well. You see, they gave me the choice of bringing in my own bride, and I’m here to ask if you’d consider it.”

  Anna sat back in her chair so abruptly, it knocked the wind out of her for a moment. “You want me to marry you?” she said at last.

  “It’s only for the duration of this case, I’d remain a perfect gentleman at all times, and we can get an annulment when we return,” he said, now speaking very quickly. “You’d be doing me a favor, Anna—a real favor, and we could tour England for a few days before we came back. All expenses paid. You’d just be helping me keep an eye on this girl until we deliver her to her fiancé. The easiest assignment imaginable.”

  Anna shook her head. “You know, I used to daydream about you proposing to me, but this isn’t at all how I imagined it.”

  “You did?”

  “I did what?”

  “Used to imagine me proposing to you.”

  “Oh. I didn’t realize I said that part aloud. See what you’ve done? You’ve completely rattled me.” Anna stood up and started to pace. “I just . . . I haven’t seen you in years, then you show up unannounced and propose marriage as part of some business deal, and you soften the surprise by telling me we can just get an annulment, simple as that?”

  “It sounds pretty horrible when you put it like that,” he said.

  “I don’t know another way to put it. But since this is a business deal, I suppose that’s how I need to view it—with no expectations for any sort of romantic gesture like a flower or a box of chocolates . . .”

  “I didn’t realize that was a requirement.”

  “It’s not, but I really want some chocolates!” She sat back down, suddenly too tired to stand up where only seconds before, she was too agitated to sit. “What would I need to do? If I were to accept, which I’m not committing to yet.”

  “You’d come with me down to the Pinkerton office in about an hour and apply to be an age
nt. Once you’re approved, we’d be married, and we’d meet up with our client.”

  “You want me to come down to the office in an hour? Have you lost your mind? No, I retract that question because it’s absolutely obvious. You have lost your mind, Liam Mason. Maybe you were clunked on your head during your last case—I don’t know. But this is ridiculous.” Not only that, but it was just a little bit insulting, too. Of all the girls he could have proposed to, he had to choose her, the one girl who would have wanted it far more than the others. If it wasn’t a horrible joke.

  “Anna, I’m really sorry. I’ve gone about this entirely the wrong way.” Liam ran a hand through his hair, and she remembered how he used to do that while they were studying. “I’d like to take this case, but I can’t without a wife, and I can’t think of anyone I’d rather marry than you. If you can’t, I’ll understand because I’ve struggled with it too—I was up all night trying to decide. I don’t have any right to ask this, especially when we haven’t seen each other for so long, and I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings in any way.”

  So many thoughts were churning in Anna’s head that it was difficult to know what she was feeling. If she did this, she’d get a chance to see England, which she’d always wanted to do. And to go with all the expenses paid? What an opportunity! It sounded like a simple assignment, she’d be working with Liam—someone she already enjoyed spending time with—and they’d get an annulment when they got home.

  But what if she didn’t want to get an annulment?

  What if seeing him again reminded her just how much she’d loved him in school, and what if she was realizing that those feelings hadn’t gone away?

  “I’d need to speak with my father,” she said at last. “When exactly would we be leaving?”

  “The day after tomorrow. We’ll be taking an eastbound train at noon.”

  Was she really considering this, even with her family’s current turmoil?

  “Will you come with me to see my father? We’d have to go now if we’re to be at the Pinkerton office in an hour.”

  “Of course.” His eyes lit up with relief. “Does that mean you’ll do it?”

  “It means that we’re going to speak to my father. My answer will depend entirely on what he has to say. I can’t leave things unsettled here at home.”

  “Understood. Do you need to . . .?”

  “Do I need to . . . what?” she asked when he didn’t continue.

  “Um, freshen up a bit?” He motioned toward his face.

  She glanced at the mirror hung over the corner bookcase and gasped. She’d had a streak of flour running down her cheek during the entire conversation. “Yes. That’s a very good idea. I also need to check in with Mother and make sure everything’s going well with the new nurse. I’ll be down in ten minutes.”

  She picked up her skirts and trotted up the stairs as quickly as she could, wishing she’d thought to look in the mirror sooner. It must have been so hard for Liam to keep a straight face that whole time.

  Her kitchen dress wouldn’t do for this errand. She took it off as quickly as her fingers could manage the buttons, then pulled on her sage green dress with the peplum jacket. It was a bit warmer than she wanted for July, but she couldn’t go to her father’s office looking anything but her best. She studied her face in the mirror, adding just a bit of the right kind of powder, and smoothed down her hair before putting on her hat. That was the best she could do with such tight time constraints. Then she crossed the hall to her mother’s room.

  Lillian was rearranging the medicine bottles on the dresser and taking note of what was there, and she gave a nod as Anna entered.

  “Mother, I have a few errands to run. Will you be all right while I’m gone?”

  “Absolutely,” Venice replied. “Lillian and I are getting along very well.”

  Anna smiled. “I’m so glad. Do you need anything?”

  “Perhaps some lemon drops. Oh, and some toffee.”

  Anna chuckled. Even when her mother didn’t feel well, she never lost her sweet tooth. “All right. I’ll be back as quickly as I can, and maybe I’ll see about a surprise for Emily, too. I imagine she’s still taking things hard today.”

  “Which she will until she’s made to shake herself out of it,” Lillian commented. “I’ve met young ladies like her before, their hearts all broken to pieces until the next nice thing comes along. She’ll survive—I’m quite sure of it.”

  Anna liked Lillian all the more now. “I’ll be back as soon as I can,” she promised, then made her way toward the staircase.

  Liam was waiting for her at the bottom as she descended, and when he turned and looked at her, the expression on his face made her heart beat faster. He looked at her like she’d always wanted him to—like he found her incredible and irresistible. She couldn’t move past his words, though, that they’d be married temporarily, as though none of it mattered. She supposed that for her own sake, she’d have to pretend that it mattered as little to her as it did to him.

  She took his offered arm when she reached the bottom of the stairs, and he escorted her outside, where a hired hack was waiting.

  “It’s certainly a lovely day for a drive,” he said as they got underway.

  “Yes, a very lovely day for telling one’s father that one is running off to get married for a few weeks,” Anna said wryly, not meeting his eye. She didn’t want him to discover the emotions she was trying to hide.

  Chapter Four

  Liam could sense Anna’s nervousness as they walked up the flight of stairs that led to her father’s office. He couldn’t remember what Mr. Gray did for a living—it seemed he was in some sort of importing and exporting, maybe. Whatever it was, it certainly brought in a healthy income—the Gray home was far nicer than the home where Liam grew up, and Anna had always dressed in the nicest clothes. She wasn’t spoiled, though, which he appreciated. He couldn’t tolerate spoiled girls.

  “Hello, Miss Gray,” the receptionist said, looking up at their approach. “Are you here to see your father?”

  “Yes, please,” Anna replied. “It’s very important, and we’re in a hurry.”

  The woman nodded. “I’ll let him know.” She slipped into the next room, returning just a moment later to inform them that they could go in.

  Mr. Gray met them right inside his office door, his concerned gaze searching his daughter’s face. “Is everything all right at home? Did the nurse arrive?”

  “She did, and she and Mother are getting along well. Father, do you remember Liam Mason?”

  Mr. Gray blinked as though just now realizing that Anna wasn’t alone. “I believe so . . . Didn’t you have classes together at one point? We had him over for dinner one night?”

  “Excellent memory, sir,” Liam said, reaching out to shake the man’s hand.

  “So, what brings the two of you to my office today? My secretary said it’s important.”

  Liam didn’t say much as Anna outlined the situation for her father. It would be best coming from her—he didn’t think Mr. Gray would take too kindly to him swooping in and informing him that he was running away with his daughter.

  At the end of Anna’s explanation, Mr. Gray’s face was quite a bit redder than it had been when they first arrived.

  “And if I object?” he said at last. “What will you do then?”

  “Why would you object, Father?” Anna asked. “This is nothing more than a trip overseas, and I’ll be back before you know it.”

  “I think it’s indecent, and I think it’s wrong of the Pinkerton Detective Agency to put their operatives under such strict obligations. That’s no way to run a business.”

  “I can’t say that I know how to run a business, Father, but Liam is my friend, I trust him, and he’s asked for my help. This is what I’ve decided to do.”

  “You’ve decided? Against my wishes?”

  “I’m of age, Father,” she said gently. “And I’m suffocating in that house. I need to get out—I need a break.”
<
br />   “I see what this is. You’re angry with me because I wouldn’t hire help.”

  “I was frustrated, yes, but this goes beyond that. I’m going to be leaving—our train departs day after tomorrow—and yes, now you’ll have to hire some help. It’s not my intention to force your hand, but rather, to give myself some breathing room. I’ll be back and then we can decide what to do from there.”

  Liam was impressed by Anna’s calm demeanor through the whole conversation. Her father looked ready to have some sort of apoplectic fit, but she’d explained herself reasonably and logically, and even now, with her father beginning to huff and puff like a smokestack, she was undisturbed.

  “I’ll have your hide for this,” Mr. Gray said at last, turning and pointing at Liam with a shaking finger.

  “I understand, sir,” Liam said, then followed Anna out of the office and back to their waiting driver.

  ***

  “I simply don’t understand all the fuss.” Veronica Miller stood on the platform of the train station, elegant in a maroon traveling suit, her dark hair swept up under her hat. “Sending the Pinkertons to escort me, as though I was some sort of child in need of tending. I ought to be offended.”

  “I’m sure that wasn’t your father’s intention,” Anna replied, trying to smooth their client’s feathers. “He cares for you, and wants you to arrive safely.”

  “If he cared for me, he wouldn’t be sending me to England. But that’s neither here nor there. Here he comes—it’s time for us all to pretend we’re excited.” She pasted on a bright smile as a short man with iron-gray hair approached, holding three railway tickets. Liam was right behind him. The two of them had gone off to discuss some sort of arrangements while Anna waited with Veronica for the travel arrangements to be finalized.

  “Forgive me for monopolizing your husband’s time, Mrs. Mason,” Mr. Miller said with a slight bow. “He was kind enough to help me with a few things.”

  Anna smiled, trying to get over the awkwardness of thinking of Liam as her husband. It had all happened so fast—the ceremony there in the Pinkerton office, performed by Agent Gordon rather than a judge or a minister. Dashing back home to pack and to explain to her mother and sister what she’d just done. A last night in her family home with the silence ringing off the walls—no one knew what to say to her. There hadn’t been a moment to contemplate everything that was happening, and she hadn’t spent one minute alone with Liam, making the fact that they were married seem even more far-fetched.