Sadie's Secret: 3 (The Secret Lives of Will Tucker) (41 page)

Resolutely turning from the neat rows of desks, she watched as Jefferson pulled a chair near the fire and then set a blaze going in the fireplace. The golden glow bested the harsh light from Kyle’s invention.

Jefferson must have felt the same, for he extinguished the device and then brought a second chair to place before the fire. “Sit with me.”

She did, and then impatience got the better of her as she placed the carpetbag on the floor beside her. “Couldn’t this have waited until morning?”

He looked up from stoking the flames, and Sadie’s breath caught. Firelight slanted across his features made him even more handsome.

“There is no time to waste, Sadie.” Jefferson returned the poker to its place on the hearth and then sat back to fold his arms over his waist. “Tell me what happened today.”

“You know what happened.”

He shook his head. “Humor me and start from the beginning.”

She thought to protest and then decided against it. “All right. I paid a visit to Monsieur Valletta’s shop. He was not there when my maid and I arrived, or at least his assistant claimed his absence. I was able to gain access to Valletta’s private apartment at the invitation of that assistant upon the guise of purchasing an item of particular interest.”

“And what item was that?”

“An Egyptian feline burial crypt. Apparently with the bones still inside.”

His brows rose, indicating surprise, and then lowered again. Definitely interest in that expression. “And then?”

“And then you know exactly what happened after that. You were there, after all.”

“No, Sadie. I was not.”

Her breath stuttered to a halt as she searched his expression for signs he might be teasing her. Finding none, she shook her head.

“You were,” she insisted. “You saved me in the courtyard. Or rather you assisted me to the carriage. Julia saw you, as did our driver. In fact, Julia had a conversation with you beforehand as well while I was in Valletta’s apartment.”

Jefferson rose to take a few steps away, his boots echoing against the wide cypress boards. “I was here all day. With Ethan.”

“That’s not possible. You were…”

“I was fishing with Donovan. And then later Ethan took me on a most impressive tour of the building where your father’s sugarcane processing takes place.”

She searched his face. “Oh, that is a funny joke.”

“It is no joke. Think Sadie. What did we have for supper?”

“Fish, but—”

“Fish that Donovan and I caught. Lest you think I’m not telling the truth, I can now tell you that the evaporator is located just north of the boiling house, bagasse is used as fuel for the boiler, and, thanks to his time at Louisiana State University, your brother has some interesting ideas for mechanizing several aspects of the refining process. Care to hear more?”

She shook her head and the reality of what happened this afternoon—of who exactly was standing in the courtyard with her—sunk in. “That means…”

“The man at Valletta’s shop was my brother.”

Sadie leaned forward and grasped her knees as a sudden wave of dizziness hit her. “I swore to arrest him, and instead…”

“You allowed him to help you to the carriage.” He stopped his pacing to stand before her. “Tell me everything that led up to the moment John spoke to you in the courtyard.”

“Monsieur Valletta…” She paused to recollect the details. “He was climbing down the back stairs with a burlap sack. When I called to him, he threw the bag at me. I fell and…”

“What happened to the bag?”

She let out a long breath. “Valletta took it. I tried to save an amulet, but he ground his shoe into my hand.”

Sadie showed him where a red blotch on the top of her right hand marked the spot. Jefferson took her hand in his and seemed to be examining the remains of the injury.

“Go on.”

Sadie shrugged. “I don’t recall much beyond that moment, at least not clearly.”

“But my brother assisted you to the carriage?” At her nod, he continued. “Did he say anything?”

“Nothing that I remember beyond reassuring me that he would see to my safety.”

“And before that? Did he speak to you or perhaps have a conversation with Valletta in your presence?”

“No.” She thought a moment. “Do you think he was following me?”

“My guess is that he was meeting Valletta and did not expect to see anyone but him.” Jefferson released his hold on Sadie’s hand and then rose to resume his pacing. “I have seen John once since my release from Angola.”

“What?” She stood and caught up to him. “And you did not think it prudent to mention that fact to me? Did you tell Kyle?”

“It happened when I first returned to Mobile. And yes, Kyle knows.”

“Go on.”

Her echo of his phrase made Jefferson smile. “There’s nothing further to tell beyond a cryptic remark John made about Valletta. Something about how Valletta thinks he knows me well but he does not.”

“John has been passing as you.”

Jefferson offered a weak smile. “As you can attest, it would not be the first time.”

“Indeed.” She went to the window. Outside the cane swayed and a cloud drifted lazily over the moon. “Does he mean you harm?”

“An interesting question,” Jefferson said as he moved to stand beside her. “What do you think?”

“I think he wishes he were you.” She slid him a sideways glance. “And when someone wishes to be someone else, that can make for a dangerous situation.”

“I’m not afraid of him. Nor is he my first priority right now.” He paused only a moment. “I have secured passage to Newport for us.”

She stepped away from the window to respond carefully. “I have plans to take a train to New York City at the end of the week.”

Jefferson shook his head. “The Rembrandt is in Newport. At Beaulieu. And I can have you standing in front of it well before you can manage it on your own.”

At her astonished expression, he chuckled. “Was that a test, Sadie? If so, you failed it miserably. Or perhaps you do not wish to have me along as you solve your case.”

“I work best alone.”

He dipped his head and then met her gaze. “As do I.”

“Then we are agreed.”

He stepped in front of her. “Hardly. I need you. And you need me.”

“Hardly.”

She moved around him, her eyes on the door. Once again, he blocked her path and then turned her around to walk with her back to their place near the fire. She allowed it as much for the warmth as the fact that though she wanted a hasty exit, the rain that threatened was not exactly beckoning her outside.

“You cannot gain access to Mrs. Astor and her friends without me,” she said. “That is why you’re keen on coming along.”

“And without me, you cannot leave Callum Plantation unless you wish to invoke the wrath of your mother and father and likely end up with one or more of your brothers in tow. I have it on good authority your uncle’s traveling days are over.”

His smile irked her, as did his stance. Worse, he was right. She moved to go past him again and he countered.

“I know why Brent and Cade were in Baton Rouge. Your mother wishes you to have protectors. I understand Aaron was sent to Denver, and I believe Donovan was called upon to attend a particularly interesting meeting between you, Kyle Russell, and an agent by the name of Lucas McMinn in Natchez. Or was it New Orleans?”

She knew the answer but would not reply. What she hadn’t known was that Donovan had followed.

“I can see that you do not doubt me. I wonder if you’re willing to listen just yet. Or perhaps I need to offer more examples?”

“No, you’ve made your point.” A jagged flash of lightning heralded the bad weather that the moon had predicted. “However, I believe any further conversation on the topic can wait. If you’ll excuse me.”

“Not yet.”

Thirty-One

J
efferson looked down into Sadie’s eyes and tried to decide if he could go through with the plan he and Seamus had decided upon. It would work. But should it?

Something about this woman had rendered her unforgettable, even beyond the way she had taken on a judge to see him released from prison. Though she was stunning, one of the most beautiful women he had ever laid eyes on, the depth of what lay behind those eyes, that smile…that was what captured his attention and held it.

“You’re looking at me in the oddest way, Jefferson.”

The object of his thoughts swept past as regal as a queen escaping her throne room. When she paused at the door, he took the moment to consider her in silhouette.

Though Callum Plantation with its grandeur and beauty suited her quite well, Sarah Louise Callum was made for greater things. And thus his mind was made up.

“We need each other, Sadie. Let me get you out of River Pointe and back to work as a Pinkerton agent.”

She turned toward him, her face still hidden in shadows. He heard her soft sigh.

“You know I’m right,” he added gently.

Her chin tilted up and her shoulders dropped. He knew that pose: Resignation. Again she allowed him to lead her back into the circle of firelight.

“Hear me out,” he said gently. “That’s all I ask.”

“I won’t pretend to marry you, Jefferson. That’s ridiculous.”

“And it would cause you to be required to arrest your pretend brother-in-law, which might prove uncomfortable at family gatherings.”

“You’re teasing me.”

“Only slightly.”

She crossed her hands over her waist. “I will not lie to my family.”

“I am not asking you to.”

“No?” Her voice held a measure of interest that gave him hope she might actually cooperate.

“I have spoken to your father. He approves of my plan.”

Only after he made the statement did Jefferson consider the fact he probably should have termed the scheme
their
plan. Seamus had certainly provided his input.

“You
what?”
Indignation rose on her pretty face, accompanied by the loveliest color of pink in her cheeks. “How dare you go to my father and tell him—”

“I told him nothing, Sadie. Nothing beyond the fact that I had business that required travel and needed your assistance.”

“I doubt he believed you.”

“Then you would be wrong.” Jefferson leaned in, inhaled the lavender and lemon scent of the Lavande perfume that was uniquely Sadie. “Trust me.”

“I shouldn’t.” And yet her expression told him she would. “I will speak to Daddy before deciding.”

“You have one hour. Pack what you can, including at least three of your ball gowns as I expect we will be called upon to socialize. Then you can speak to your father, although I warn you he will tell you that what I’ve said is true.”

“One hour?” She laughed. “Stop teasing me.”

“I assure you I am quite serious.” He paused to nod behind him toward the river. “Our means of escape docked this afternoon.”

“Here? At Callum Plantation?”

He decided his nod was answer enough for her. “Unless we leave in one hour, your mother will be home from her benevolence society meeting and, unless your father and I are wrong, will very likely prevent you from leaving quietly.”