Secrets and Lies

Eight

The morning passed too slowly for Nicole, and she wanted to scream with frustration. Of course, now that the whiskey-ring fraud case was over for her, she literally had nothing to do but sit and wait for the next assignment. Or, in this case, wait for the morning to pass so she could come up with some excuse to go into town.

She couldn't let her relatives know the reason she wanted to go shopping. For certain, her aunt and uncle would be watching her closely if they knew she was somewhat interested in Mr. Ashton Lee.

Silently chuckling, she shook her head. All right, so maybe she was more than somewhat interested in him. The fact that she hadn't stopped thinking about last night at the ball told her she was definitely infatuated with the charming man who knew how to kiss her until she was breathless. Never had her heart beat so hard, or had she felt the urge to stay in a man's embrace like she had with him.

She'd lain awake after retiring for bed last night, just staring at the dark walls in her room as her mind went back over everything she and Ashton had said, every touch, and especially, every time her heart skipped a beat. Even though she hadn't gotten much sleep, she was still up at the crack of dawn, hoping the morning would pass quickly so she could ride into town and see him.

She had wandered through the house, and even outside, wanting something to do that would keep her mind occupied. Reading didn't even help. She'd started writing a couple of letters to her father and brother, but found her mind drifting off several times, unable to concentrate.

Never had she felt such restlessness, and the more restless she was, the more upset she became. This was certainly a different emotion for her and she wished she could go back to feeling normal once again. Yet, she caught herself smiling, and daydreaming, and yes, even laughing much more now than she ever had.

A loud knock sounded on the door, and she jumped in her chair. Her uncle had allowed her to use his study while she wrote letters to her father and brother. She had closed the door as not to be disturbed.

"Come in," she called.

The door opened and a familiar head poked inside. She hitched a breath and leapt out of her chair. "Gordon!" She widened her arms and met her brother in the center of the room, giving him a hug. "What are you doing here?" Suddenly, worry filled her chest and she pulled back. "Were you able to deliver the package safe and sound?"

He winked and squeezed her hands. "You doubt my ability to do my job?"

Relieved, she shook her head. "No. It's just that your surprise visit worried me for a moment."

"I gave the package to Father and he will take it to President Grant."

Suspiciously, she narrowed her gaze on her brother. "Then why are you here?"

He glanced behind him toward the hallway and closed the door. She walked with him to the sofa and sat down.

"We've been given another assignment from the President," he said in a lower voice.

Dread washed over her. "So soon?" Couldn't she enjoy a little vacation? If even for a few days?

He nodded. "Unfortunately, the President wants this to be our top priority now. Apparently, a train has been robbed. This train was the one the government uses to send money to Georgia to help rebuild the old south. We need to find out why they are being robbed."

"Oh, dear. It sounds very important." She frowned, knowing her time with Ashton Lee would be very limited. "When does President Grant want us to start?"

"Father will be back in New York by the end of the week. You have that long to relax before joining us at the townhouse."

That wasn't too bad. At least she had a few more days to get to know her prince. "Fine. I'll be there by the end of the week as well." She glanced at the closed door. "Have you said anything to Uncle Michael about this?"

"All I said was that Father would return home at the end of the week, and he wants his children there with him for much needed family time. Our uncle agrees with Father."

Smiling, she shook her head. "That's a good excuse. I swear, you can convince people of anything. Sometimes I wish my brain worked as quickly as yours."

He threw back his head and laughed. "You certainly have a quick wit, my dear sister. If half the women I meet were as intelligent as you, I might find one to marry."

She blurted out a laugh. "Really? You don't want some dimwitted female as your wife? If you married someone who actually thought for themselves, they might argue with you—and win."

He shrugged. "It would make for a more interesting marriage, don't you agree?"

Tilting her head, she studied him closely to see if he was being humorous or not, since he was known to tease her quite a bit. His hair was the same sandy, light-brown color as hers, and they even shared the same brown eye color, but that's where their similarities ended. She never thought they really resembled each other as they grew up. Even friends of the family remarked about how different they were.

"Actually, Gordon...I do agree. I have spent enough time with Uncle Michael and Aunt Anita to know I want a marriage like theirs. They respect and love each other, yet our aunt isn't going to let something pass by her without giving her opinion. Some of their arguments have been comical, but in the end, they say I love you to each other, and they are back to being happy."

His smile waned as he stared at her. "I don't remember our mother all that much, so I can't tell you if she was like that with Father."

Nicole laid her hand on Gordon's arm. "I want to believe they were. I want to believe they loved each other so much that our father couldn't find another woman to replace her when she died."

Moisture collected in Gordon's eyes, but he quickly blinked it away. "Yes. I shall believe that as well." He leaned over and kissed her forehead before standing. "I should be leaving now. I'll see you when you arrive home."

"Why are you leaving so soon?" She reached to grab his hand but he backed up too far. "Why not stay and visit with our relatives for a few hours?"

He shook his head. "Not this time. I have some things I want to accomplish before we start our new assignment...if you know what I mean." He winked.

Yes, she knew exactly what he meant. Her brother was a ladies' man; an accomplished rake of the first order. "Fine. I'll see you when I get home."

He blew her a kiss before leaving the room.

Sighing, she slumped on the sofa. Well, if her brother could carry on with women for his small vacation, then she should at least be allowed to spend a little time with Ashton Lee. She glanced at the clock on the mantel above the fireplace. Her heartbeat picked up rhythm. It was time to leave for town, but first she must convince her relatives that she and Emily could go alone. Nicole prayed things would go her way today.

She jumped off the sofa and rushed out the door. As she hurried down the corridor, she glanced in each room, searching for her uncle and aunt. Her aunt sat in the sitting room working on her stitchery.

"There you are, Aunt Anita." Nicole smiled and entered the room.

"Yes, I'm here." She glanced behind Nicole to the hallway. "Where is Gordon? I heard he was here."

"He was, briefly, but left."

Aunt Anita frowned. "Without even staying for the midday meal?"

Nicole shrugged one shoulder. "You know how Gordon is. He's always busy with something."

"Very true. So why did he come?"

"To tell me that Father is returning home at the end of the week from his latest assignment, and he wants both of his children there to greet him."

"Oh, dear. So you'll be leaving us again?"

"Yes, Auntie. For a little while." She moved to the cushioned chair where the older woman sat, bent over, and kissed her cheek. "But I shall return soon enough, I assure you."

"I know you will." Aunt Anita smiled.

"But because I'll be leaving soon, I want to spend more time with my cousin. Can I take Emily into town this morning?"

"Whatever for?"

"Nothing in particular. Maybe I'll see a pretty bonnet to buy while I'm there. Or shoes, or—"

Flipping her hand in the air, her aunt laughed. "Of course, my dear. You and Emily can go and enjoy yourselves. Don't spend too much money. I don't want my brother getting vexed with me for turning you into a spendthrift."

Excitement bubbled inside Nicole and she tried not to grin too wide. "Not to worry. I know when to stop, I assure you."

"You may, but I highly doubt Emily will." She patted Nicole's arm. "So you'd better keep an extra eye on your cousin to make certain she doesn't spend too much."

"I will."

Nicole hurried out of the sitting room before her aunt could call her back. Knowing Emily, she was probably still in her bedroom, but by now, she would be awake and nearly dressed for the day. When she reached her cousin's room, she knocked on the door.

"Come in," Emily replied.

Nicole walked into the room. Emily sat at her vanity while her maid finished curling her hair.

Smiling, Nicole moved closer. "How would you like to go into town with me this morning?"

Her cousin's gaze met Nicole's through the reflection of the mirror. "Why?"

"Because I'll be leaving in a few days to return home, and I wanted to spend a little more time with my cousin."

Emily pouted. "Do you have to go home?"

"Yes. Father will be there. I haven't seen him for a few months."

Sighing heavily, Emily nodded. "Well, I certainly understand you wanting to be with your father."

"So do you want to come to town with me?" Nicole asked again.

Slowly, a smile stretched across her face. "Of course. That's a ridiculous question to ask."

"I want to leave soon. Is that all right?"

"Yes. I had the cook bring my breakfast as I dressed. I'll be ready to go once Grace is done with my hair."

Nicole nearly leapt with happiness. "I shall collect my shawl and parasol and meet you downstairs then."

"I'll be there momentarily."

Nicole practically skipped to her bedroom. She stood in front of her full-length mirror, checking herself one last time. Emily's maid had also fixed Nicole's hair this morning, and thankfully, it was still intact. Grace had done a splendid job pulling back the sides loosely from Nicole's face and coiling it on the top of her head in curls, leaving the length of Nicole's hair to hang in ringlets down her neck and over her shoulders.

Although she had tried to make Ashton Lee believe she was a plain woman, the truth was that she had some very lovely gowns that were far from being ordinary. Today she chose to wear a short sleeve, light blue and green floral pattern with a beige underskirt. Matching blue ribbon crisscrossed the bosom and tied with a bow just above her breasts. She felt very feminine wearing this ensemble, and couldn't wait to see what Ashton thought of it. Of course, it was nothing like the sensual sensation she had on last night.

Within a half hour, she and Emily were on their way into town. Emily jabbered on and on about last night, but Nicole's attention was focused out the carriage window, watching the people stroll up and down the boardwalk. She searched for Ashton, but couldn't see him. When the vehicle stopped and she and her cousin were helped down, Nicole's nerves were on edge.

Had Ashton decided not to come to town after all? She sincerely hoped that was not the case. If so, she would be forced to admit that she wasn't as desirable as he led her to believe. The realization of that would be hard to swallow, which in turn would make her a very moody woman—even for her father.

As she stepped onto the boardwalk beside her cousin, Nicole gripped the parasol tighter. She continued to scan the street. Several men were around, but none of them looked familiar. A few of them greeted Emily, tipping their hats as the women strolled by. Nicole tried to smile at them, and hoped she didn't appear as uneasy as she felt.

Emily stopped at a shop and stared inside the window. Nicole's gaze couldn't look at what the shop was displaying. But with each minute that passed, a sinking feeling weighted heavily in her chest.

Ashton was not coming.