An Agent for Serafina

by Lynn Donovan

  Gordon leapt from his chair and rounded the desk. Serafina stood when he moved toward her. He grasped her shoulders in a fatherly fashion, but she pulled away. Terror flashed in her eyes and then vanished. She’d settled a mask of fierceness in its place.

  Gordon stepped back from her. “Miss de la Verde, let me explain. Here in Colorado, we are considered the Wild West. And a lady’s reputation as… as a wholesome woman… is very important.” Gordon glanced at Todd, but he remained silent. This was Gordon’s mess to sort out.

  “We, we can’t allow a man and a woman to… work like they need to work, that is, travel together, stay in… hotels… together.” He cleared his throat. “So… we, that is Marianne and I, came up with… an office policy… where…”

  “What?” Serafina demanded.

  Gordon stiffened his jaw. “If you accept this assignment with our office, you will be required to” —Archie looked so pale his rusty freckles popped out on his face— “accept a marriage of convenience to your partner.”

  Serafina collapsed into her chair. Her eyes darted across the front of the desk but never rose to meet Gordon’s or Todd’s.

  “Do… do you understand what a marriage of conve—”

  “Of course I do!” Serafina snapped.

  Gordon mouthed, “Oh.” And backed further from her, returning to his chair but not sitting down.

  Her perfectly formed brows slowly drew together. She lifted her face. “So… if I accept this offer to help you break this Whiskey Ring, I’d have to marry… Agent Todd Smith. But we would not be really married? “¿No verdaderamente casado?”

  “Uh. Right.” Gordon sat down. “But— when you return to Denver, you can go straight to Judge Hotchkiss’s office and he will grant you an annulment.”

  Gordon waited for her to respond. His expression was that of concern, or embarrassment. Todd reached out and laid his hand over Serafina’s. “Miss de la Verde. I give you my word, as a gentleman and a Pinkerton Agent, I will not do anything to harm you… or take advantage of you while we are on this case. Just because we are pronounced Man and Wife, does not—”

  Serafina shoved her petite hand toward Todd’s face. “I get it!” She turned back to Gordon. “Until you have Enrique’s permission, all of this discussion is irrelevant.”

  Gordon looked confused.

  Serafina shook her head with a tight frown. “My… boss. Enrique Barrera, Director de Agente del Servicio Secreto, de Mexico.”

  Gordon’s eyebrow shot up on his forehead. “I’m going to need you to write that down for me.” He chuckled and handed her a piece of paper and a pen.

  She sighed, but wrote the information down and handed it to him.

  “Ah. Alright. Give me a few hours and I’ll let you know what we hear back.” He started to stand but then faced her. “Uh, Marianne and Pearl should be back soon. Would you care for some tea or a sandwich? I think I could manage either of those until the ladies return.”

  Serafina shook her head. “If Enrique gives you the… go ahead, I’ll need to fetch my luggage.”

  “Ah. Yes. I’ll see to that for you.” Turning his gaze to Todd, Gordon gestured to the door. “Agent Smith, would you show Miss de la Verde to the library or somewhere where she’ll be comfortable while I send this wire?”

  “Of course.” Todd stood and put out his hand to help her stand.

  Slowly, she rose. Her hand felt cold in his grasp. “How about some hot tea?”

  “Yes. I think tea would be… nice.” She walked at his side, but she appeared to be in a trance. This was a lot to take in. He had to admit. Even he was surprised Archie had expressed his intentions to put Todd on this assignment. He hadn’t officially finished the Presidents’ meeting assignment. But with Mav and Jed there at the Tabor Hotel, Todd knew he could be moved to a different case without jeopardizing either clients’ safety.

  Missouri was a day and a half train ride away. It would give him time to get to know the lovely Miss de la Verde. After all— with Archie’s current policy for partnering male and female agents— if they boarded the train for Missouri tomorrow morning, they’d board as Mr. and Mrs. Todd Smith. This was the first time Todd had seriously considered being married. And it had a strange, bittersweet taste to it.

  He staggered through the batwing doors that lead to the kitchen. One swung back and hit him in the nose. He jerked out of his runaway thoughts from the surprise.

  A marriage in name only, he reminded himself. No matter how beautiful she is, he would never get to know her as intimately as he’d like. He covered his sore nose and shook his head. These thoughts had to be boxed up and put on a shelf way, way in the back of his head.

  “So, what kind of tea would you like?”

  CHAPTER THREE

  Serafina sipped her tea slowly, absorbing everything Señor Gordon had told her. Her eyes wandered over the plethora of books on the shelves. She could see herself staying in this room forever, reading all these stories, beginning on one side and reading her way through to the other side.

  Agent Smith had disappeared, and she didn’t mind having some time alone. She pulled a random book, written by M.P. Porter, from the shelf and sat down to read. Soon, Smith returned with a cup of tea and a plate of sugar cookies covered with cinnamon, like the churros back home, but different. As he sat with her, he offered a cookie but otherwise remained quiet.

  Serafina had to admit she missed Mama Peltier’s cookies. Whoever made these must have a talent for baking, too. They were delicious. Growing up in the missionary’s orphanage in Mexico, Serafina enjoyed Mama Peltier’s efforts to keep familiar traditions, like American desserts and cajun dishes, while learning to prepare the local sweets and meals as well. But for some reason this cookie had not been among her repertoire of goodies. Serafina broke the silence. “What do you call these cookies?”

  Smith jerked out of his thoughts. “Oh, Pearl calls them snickerdoodles. They are tasty aren’t they?”

  Serafina couldn’t help herself, she giggled as she took another bite. “Yes. They are wonderful. Does Pearl do all the cooking here?”

  “Yes. It’s her job. She cooks for all the agents and I guess she and Marianne maintain the house cleaning. I’m not sure. It’s just always clean so we rather assume Marianne and Pearl take care of it while we are out on assignment.” He shrugged.

  Serafina poured herself another tea and stood. Hugging the book she had chosen to her chest, she let her eyes rove over the book spines. “Mr. Gordon has an enviable collection of books.”

  “Yeah. I don’t know where all these came from. For all I know, they came with the house.”

  She turned to see if he was teasing. But his eyes appeared to be sincere. “Well, I’d love to have time to re—”

  “Good news!” Gordon strode into the room, rubbing his hands together. “And I’m sorry it took so long, but… um… In-Rick-Kay, uh, your boss, has agreed to allow the Pinkerton National Detective Agency to borrow your services for the length of time needed to investigate this Whiskey Ring. Hopefully it won’t take too much time because he made it very clear he wants you back.” Gordon’s eyes wandered away from her, as if there was something he was not saying. “And! He has agreed to allow Mav and Jed to continue at your president’s side until he is safely in his home or office, alive and well.”

  Serafina swallowed. “So… that’s good.” Her eyes lifted to Agent Smith. “And Agent Smith will be on this assignment with me?” She hesitated. “And… I will be required to… marry him?”

  The front door opened and closed, bringing the discussion to a halt. Marianne and Pearl were overloaded with boxes and baskets of items they had bought at the market. Their chatter filled the foyer. Gordon and Smith rushed to help carry the purchases. Serafina remained in the library, staring at the activity that disappeared through the batwing doors.

  What had she agreed to? Not that she minded remaining in America a little longer. Or working with the handsome Todd Smith. But this marriage of convenience!
This, she had not dreamed would ever happen. Not to her. She had resolved herself to a life of working for the Mexican Secret Service, not marriage. Would this matrimony even be recognized by her government? Would the annulment? She drew in a slow, deep breath. What had she gotten herself into?

  An innocent tour of the city of Denver, that was all she had wanted, and now she was facing marrying an agent and being assigned to an intriguing tax evasion case. The case. That was worth staying in America for. But the marriage? The two cups of tea she had drank felt like acid in her stomach. She glanced around the room and ran for an indoor washroom.

  A knock made her eyes pop open. She’d emptied her stomach and now sat crumpled on the cool tile floor. “Miss de la Verde?” It was Marianne’s voice. “Are you alright?”

  Serafina drew herself over onto her hands and knees, then slowly rose. “Yes.” She swallowed. “I am alright.”

  She opened the door and feigned a smile. Marianne wasn’t buying her lie. “Oh. Hone. Come with me.” Marianne put her arm around Serafina’s shoulders and escorted her upstairs. On the first landing, the two entered a tidy bedroom. Serafina recognized her luggage. “There’s a wash stand over ther, and your things are here.” She pointed as she spoke. “Take your time, freshen up and we’ll be waiting downstairs for when you are ready to come down.”

  Marianne smiled. It reminded Serafina of Mama Peltier’s kind face, although Marianne was much younger. “Yes. Thank you.” Serafina uttered. She walked across the room to wash her face and rinse out her mouth. The quilt-covered bed looked inviting. She sat on it and stared at her trunk. Should she change clothes? Did these Americans dress for dinner? She lay back, letting her head sink into the billowy pillow.

  “Momma!” Serafina screamed as the wagon tilted and she slid over its side.

  “Hide!” her mother shrieked. “Stay hidden, Serafina, until I come get you!” A bullet whizzed over her momma’s head. “You hear me? Stay! Hidden!”

  Serafina hunkered down to the ground as the wagon slammed into the dirt beside her. A supplies box attached to the wagon was intact, unbroken, even though the wagon fell on it. She scrambled to the box and lifted the lid. Material and tools were inside. She clawed at them, emptying the box, and crawled inside. A thunk sound reverberated in the wood of the wagon. The grown-ups screamed around where she hid.

  “Get the rifles. Bring those wagons over here! Circle up, people!”

  Serafina closed her eyes, covered her ears, and drew up as tight as she could inside the box. Darkness engulfed her until a swaying motion woke her as the wagon was right-sided. Men called out to her, but it wasn’t her pappy. A woman desperately cried out Serafina’s name. It gave her courage to lift her head.

  “Oh, Praise God!” The woman exclaimed. It was Mama Peltier. Only she didn’t know her name yet. Serafina unfolded and sat up. Mama Peltier lifted her from the box and pressed her against her amble bosom. “Thank you, Jesus.” The woman cried, her tears wetting Serafina’s neck.

  Serafina uttered.“Where’s Momma?”

  “Miss de la Verde?” Marianne’s voice was at the bedroom door. “Honey, we are serving dinner. Do you feel like coming down?”

  Serafina cleared the tears from her throat. “Yes.” She croaked. “Give me just a minute.”

  “Of course, dear. Take your time.” Footsteps faded. Serafina lifted her head and considered her trunk. Dress for dinner? Or go as she was? Her business gown was not suitable for civilized dining, she decided to change… in a minute. She closed her eyes.

  

  A tap on the door woke Serafina. She stared at the white coffer beams that framed pale yellow panels on the ceiling. Long shadows shaded the rectangular structures. Where was she? She lifted herself onto her elbows. A knitted coverlet draped across her torso. It was morning. According to the pinkish-purple light pouring through the windows, early morning.

  This was the Pinkerton Mansion.

  Another three taps at the door and this time a man’s voice. “Miss de la Verde?”

  Agent Smith.

  “We have a train to board. And Pearl has made us breakfast.”

  Serafina blinked. Had she slept through the night? Pushing the knitted afghan off, she swung her legs to the ground. “I-I’ll be right there.”

  “May I come in?” Agent Smith didn’t walk away.

  Serafina glanced in the mirror. She was a mess. “I’d rather you didn’t.”

  The door knob turned and the door opened. Agent Smith poked his head in. “I’d really like to speak to you.”

  She sat hard on the side of the bed. “Fine. Come in.”

  She shoved her unruly hair back from her face and tucked it behind her ear. The other alabaster comb had dislodged in her sleep and hung down near her shoulder. She fought to untangle it, and then used its teeth to comb that side back and gingerly secured it just past her temple. She turned to the insistent Smith with what she knew was not an inviting expression.

  He held up a folder. “I have our dossier. We can study it on our way to Missouri. It’s a day and a half trip, so we’ll have plenty of time to determine our game plan.”

  “Alright, fine.” She folded her hands in her lap. “May I change my clothes now?”

  He looked taken back by her curt tone. “Of course. Archie is anxious to perform the ceremony and Pearl is worried you haven’t eaten at all. So if you can, please hurry.”

  She sighed. “I will.” Her heart ached with regret. “And… tell Miss Pearl thank you. I’ll be down as quickly as possible.”

  “It’s Missus.”

  Serafina stared at him in confusion.

  “Pearl is married.”

  Serafina opened her eyes wider. “Oh. My pardon.”

  He smiled and closed the door with him on the other side. She huffed and moved to her trunk. Her hair needed a good brushing and what should she wear? She was about to stand up to be married. The wedding dress Mama Peltier had saved for her from Serafina’s mother’s belongings was back home. A lovely ballroom gown would be nice, but impractical for the train. A brown traveling gown would be suitable for the two days ahead, but dreary for a wedding.

  She riffled through her clothes, settling on a comfortable but tasteful dark-blue gown, appropriate for dining or entertaining. It would be elaborate but suitable for traveling as well. She sat in front of the vanity mirror and brushed out her hair. Drawing the top half up and quickly braiding a plait to the end, she wrapped it artfully in a clove-hitch knot around a blue stained bone that doubled as a letter opener… or knife, at the crown of her head.

  Papa Peltier had been a boatman before becoming a missionary and taught all the children about the practical knotting techniques. She often used the knowledge when she fixed her hair without a chamber maid, to incorporate and disguise weapons as accessories to her appearance.

  She took the bottom half and braided four plaits, weaving them together to form a lovely basket-weave and pinned them into place. This she accessorized with flower-tipped pins which also came in handy if a lock needed picking, or a close-range attacker needed to be deterred. She looked nice and would be comfortable for the train trip, too.

  She buffed her boots, then sat to pull them onto her stockinged feet. Touched her cheeks and lips with a soft crimson rouge. She was ready. One last glance at the mirror, she smoothed down the front of her skirt. Tears stung her eyes. She wished Mama Peltier could be here.

  “Oh well,” she sighed and hurried down to those who were waiting on her.

  Agent Smith glanced up when she walked into the dining room. He choked on his eggs and shoved his chair back to stand. “Miss de la Verde. You-you look lovely.”

  Pearl and Marianne grinned at Smith’s swift actions, but it was Pearl who spoke. “Come sit down and eat. Please. I have no idea when you ate last.”

  Archie Gordon strode in from the direction of his office with a cup of coffee in his hand. “Make it quick. You’ve got a train to catch and we still have a ceremony to perform.”
r />   “Archie!” Marianne scolded her husband. “Give the woman a chance to catch her breath!”

  He raised a variegated red and grey, wiry brow and continued into the kitchen. Agent Smith pulled out a chair next to where he had been sitting. Serafina gathered her bustle and sat while he pushed the chair in under her. Marianne passed a plate of fried eggs, and then a bowl of fried bacon, followed by a platter of sausage patties. Pearl poured a cup of coffee and sat it in front of Serafina. She nodded her thanks.

  Archie crossed the room again and disappeared through the door to his office. The smell of fresh coffee wafted from his cup behind him.

  The breakfast food smelled wonderful. Fluffy biscuits were passed next and a bowl of creamy gravy. Serafina inhaled the aroma. It was delightful, although it was different from what she had at home for breakfast. Tortillas and beans were a staple to her diet, but this… she could get used to.

  They finished breakfast and cleared the table. Serafina tried to help, but Pearl wouldn’t hear of it. Agent Smith shrugged. “Technically, you are the guest.”

  She pursed a smile and stood awkwardly with him in the foyer while the other two women busied themselves moving in and out of the swing doors. Serafina sighed. Agent Smith put his hand on her shoulder. "Listen, I’ll go get your trunk and carpet bag, and we’ll be leaving real soon. Our train is schedule to leave in an hour.”

  She nodded. Still feeling as useless as a donkey in a parade of stallions, she waited. Archie emerged from his office again, this time carrying a worn leather bible. He looked around. “Where’s Smith?”

  “Here he comes.” Serafina looked to the stairs where he was easing her trunk down the steps.

  “Ah.” Gordon said and rotated his shoulder, as if he were releasing tension in his neck. The two of them watched Smith pull the trunk to the front door and set it aside, along with her faded carpet bag. He rushed to Serafina’s side and Archie cleared his throat. “Dearly beloved—”

  “Wait!” Marianne and Pearl scrambled from the kitchen. Pearl had a basket over her arm and Marianne had something wrapped in linen in her hands. They positioned themselves beside Serafina.