He kissed her.
Lucas held Flora Brimm close, as much to keep himself upright as to buy time before he had to look her in the eyes. What was he thinking? Personal custody did not include acting like a love struck fool.
At least he told himself that as he swallowed hard and dug up the courage to hold her at arm’s length. He should say something. Anything. After all, he was the one in charge here.
But her lips were so soft, and her eyes were so blue. And the tears that still dampened his shirt had also soaked right through his ability to think straight.
She looked up at him with a slow sweep of her gaze, finally colliding with his stare. Lips he’d just kissed now turned up in what could almost be called a smile.
“We should go back in there,” she said softly. “People will be wondering where we are.”
“You’re probably right.” He took his handkerchief from her hand and dabbed at her cheeks and then stuffed it into his pocket. Spying a curl that had come unpinned, he grasped her shoulders and turned her around. “Let me repair this so no one thinks you’ve come undone because of me.”
She glanced over her shoulder, a thick strand of fiery hair still curled in his palm. “And yet I have, it seems.”
So had he, but he would never admit to it. “Miss Brimm,” he said with his most authoritative voice, “you should turn around now so I’m not tempted to do that again.”
With a nod she complied. When he’d repinned that curl and several more that her maid had poorly styled, he turned her back around to face him. “All right, let’s go back in.”
Another nod and she did as he asked. Without comment or complaint. That’s when Lucas began to worry.
He followed her inside. Just before they reached the dining room, he reached to stop her progress. “Miss Brimm,” he said when he had her attention. “About that kiss.”
She looked up at him, eyes wide, and her expression one of complete innocence. “What kiss?”
Lucas paused only a moment. “Yes, right,” he managed as he watched her weave her way through the maze of tables to return to her seat.
If he waited until his heart stopped racing and his thoughts cleared, Lucas was certain he would be standing there like a fool until well past the time the steamboat docked in Natchez. And of all the inventions he and Kyle had created over the years, there wasn’t a single one he could call upon to fix what he’d just done.
So he shouldered his pride and straightened his backbone and marched back to the table as if he hadn’t just kissed the most beautiful woman in the room. By the time he reached his seat next to Flora, he’d almost convinced himself he could actually pull it off.
“Well, there he is,” Mrs. Lennart exclaimed. “Everything all right?”
“Just dandy,” he said as he braved a sideways look at his companion. “Right, Miss Brimm?”
“Dandy,” she said with what he knew was forced good humor. “Yes, absolutely.”
As the Lennart women dug in to their meal, Lucas tried to do the same. And yet every time he spied Flora out of the corner of his eye, all he could think of was how good she felt in his arms, how helpless he felt as her tears dampened his shirt, and how soft her lips were when they pressed against his.
It was enough to drive a sane man crazy. And yet Lucas somehow managed to plaster on an interested look while the Lennart ladies talked on and on about who knew what. He’d just about managed to get his mind back to where it belonged, and then the dessert course arrived.
The steward presented the silver serving dish and placed it at the center of their table. Then, with a flourish, he removed the domed lid to reveal chocolate cake.
Flora started to giggle, a quiet little sound that unless Lucas had been paying attention, he might have missed. He slid her a sideways glance and caught her looking at him.
That’s when he burst into laughter.
“Oh, my,” Mrs. Lennart said. “I wish you would let the three of us in on the joke.”
“Actually, it’s not really all that funny, I suppose,” Flora said. “Mr. McMinn and I were recently in Eureka Springs. And during our stay there, we had the most delicious chocolate cake, didn’t we?”
Lucas stabbed his fork into the cake on his plate and nodded. He might have attempted words, but at that point they likely would have made no sense.
“You and Mr. McMinn were in Eureka Springs together?” Mrs. Lennart asked.
“At the same time,” Flora said carefully, “but no, not together. I was there with my grandmother. Perhaps you know her? Millicent Brimm?”
“Of course I know her. Lovely woman, your grandmother.”
“Yes, she is,” Flora continued. “She suffers a bit from aches that the waters in Eureka Springs tend to soothe.”
“So, Mr. McMinn, how do you and Miss Brimm know each other?” Eudora Lennart asked, her attention fully focused on Lucas.
He couldn’t resist teasing her. “We met while searching for a chessboard. Isn’t that right, Miss Brimm?”
“Don’t pay any attention to him,” she said. “My fiancé is a mutual acquaintance of ours.”
“And now you’re traveling together?” Mrs. Lennart asked.
“No,” Flora said quickly.
“Actually, yes,” Lucas amended. “I’m escorting Miss Brimm to Natchez in her grandmother’s absence. Mrs. Brimm had to leave the city early, so I agreed to see to the safe arrival of Miss Brimm and some of the Brimm household staff.”
“So this fiancé. Is he one of the dead ones or is this a new man?” This from the other Lennart daughter. Delphine? Or was it Delphinium? He hadn’t paid close enough attention to recall.
Whatever her name, this woman’s expression told Lucas she was clearly pleased she’d jabbed Flora. Not a good reflection on the woman and, because the other sister and the mother didn’t seem to mind the bad behavior, it wasn’t a good reflection on them either.
He thought of several possible retorts but decided to remain silent. None of the things he wanted to say to this Lennart daughter would endear him to her or the rest of her family. Lucas settled instead for taking a bite of cake.
“Ladies, this cake is delicious,” he said in an attempt to steer the conversation away from the current topic.
“He is my current fiancé,” Flora said. “I’m sorry, but would you pass the water pitcher, Mrs. Lennart?”
“Yes, dear,” the older woman said. “And, Delphinia, do have some manners. Can’t you see it still troubles Flora to speak of her lost loves?”
Three sets of eyes peered at his companion, leaving Lucas free to try and swallow the bite of chocolate cake that refused to go down. One by one, the Lennart females shifted their attention to him.
Apparently it was his turn to contribute to the conversation. And yet he had absolutely nothing worthwhile to say.
“Good cake,” he finally managed, which once again set Flora to giggling.
When he could keep quiet no longer, Lucas joined her and soon they both dissolved into full-fledged laughter.
“I wonder if they ever found those plates,” she said.
“Plates?” Eudora asked.
Lucas instantly sobered. “Didn’t you leave a note with the chef?”
“No, why would you say that?” Flora asked as she reached for her water glass.
He rested his elbows on the table and fixed her with an intense look. “Because that’s what you told me. What was that you gave the waiter?”
Again the Lennarts were staring. Again, Lucas felt the pressure to say something to divert their attention. He ignored both.
“Oh. Well, about that.” Flora swung her gaze to meet his for the first time since they reached the table. “I did send a note to the chef. That’s true. The thing is…” She took a drink of water and then another. Finally she returned the glass to the table. “The thing is, the paper was blank.”
“Blank?” He shook his head. “Why would you pass off a blank note to the chef? That makes absolutely no sense.”
“No, it doesn’t, does it? Now about those elbows,” she said as she leaned toward him. “It’s bad manners to eat with your elbows on the table. Best remove them.”
“I’m not eating right now, Miss Brimm, and you are dodging the question.”
“No, what I am doing is merely saving you the embarrassment that bad table manners can offer.”
He was not to be deflected. “Miss Brimm, answer the question.”
“All right. I cannot tell you why I left a blank note for the chef.” She turned her attention to the other ladies at the table. “Have you ever done something like that? Something that you looked back on it after the fact and just wondered what in the world you were thinking?”
“Oh, yes,” Eudora said before jumping into a lengthy discourse about the multiple times she or her sister had committed some faux pas or another while in the presence of people whose opinions of her were greatly valued.
Lucas listened in stunned silence as he realized how quickly his investigation into his prisoner’s questionable statement was utterly and completely derailed by the women at the table. Finally, he’d had enough.
“Ladies,” he said as he tapped his spoon against his glass. “May I offer a challenge?” With all eyes on him and three of the four ladies nodding—Flora abstaining—he continued. “Can we turn the conversation back to the topic at hand and keep it there for more than five minutes?”
Eudora offered a broad smile as she leaned forward to also offer a view of her décolletage. Lucas quickly averted his gaze.
“Anything for you, Mr. McMinn. Now, what was the topic at hand, exactly? I believe I’ve lost track.”
“Oh, that’s easy,” her sister said. “We were talking about Miss Brimm’s fiancés. Remember how angry Father was when he discovered Winthrop might be involved in their deaths?”
Lucas jolted to attention. “What’s this?”
“You weren’t here when we discussed the matter earlier,” Delphinia said sweetly. “You see, Eudora and Winthrop Brimm, that’s Flora’s first cousin…well, they were an item.”
“Not exactly an item,” her mother chastised. “Winthrop had an interest in Eudora that went beyond a friendship.” She turned her attention to Lucas. “It might have been more than it actually was, but with the rumors and then the circumstantial evidence, well, what could a father do but put an end to a romance that might reflect poorly on his daughter?” Her attention skittered to Flora. “I do apologize, my dear, but the truth of it is you’re not to be ashamed of things that are not in your control. And whatever was said about your cousin, well, that’s neither your fault nor your affair.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Lennart. It’s very kind of you to say that.”
Lucas shook his head. “I’m confused.” He turned his attention to Flora. “What are they talking about?”
“Winthrop Brimm is my cousin,” she said as she lifted her gaze to meet his. “Our fathers were brothers. While my father chose to stay in Natchez, Winny’s father settled in New Orleans. Apparently, these ladies are acquainted with Winny.”
“Father is hunting with him in India right now,” Eudora exclaimed.
“Isn’t that nice?” he said to her before returning his attention to Flora. “But what is this about murder?”
“Oh, that’s the best part of the tale,” Delphinia said. “Apparently all four of Miss Brimm’s fiancés have failed to arrive at the altar for the wedding alive. The reason is cause for much speculation.”
“Delphinia,” her sister said, “don’t be so ghoulish. Every one of those four men met their demise due to natural causes. To suggest otherwise would just be wrong.”
“Then why suggest it at all?” Lucas looked to the three women. “Is there any evidence to support this?”
“There was talk that Winthrop stood to inherit should Flora…” Mrs. Lennart shook her head. “No, I will not repeat gossip.”
The statement almost made Lucas laugh out loud. “Miss Brimm,” he said slowly, “you don’t know of any reason why your cousin would want any of your fiancés dead, do you?”
“No,” she said quickly. Too quickly.
“If Flora doesn’t marry and have a child before her cousin turns thirty, Winthrop is the sole heir. His grandfather set up the will that way. Apparently there was some sort of disagreement between Mr. Brimm and his eldest son, Flora’s father. He should have inherited.” Eudora shrugged as her mother and sister gaped in her direction. “What? It’s the truth. Winthrop told me, and he told Father too. That’s why Father decided I should find a more suitable suitor. He felt that a woman as beautiful as Flora Brimm would easily find a man who could live long enough to marry her and sire a child.” Her gaze went back to Flora, and she said, blushing slightly, “Though you truly have little time left.”
The other sister nodded. “Indeed, it can take a while to… well, there is an order to things that would cause one to believe three months or possibly four would be the most you could wait to—”
“Enough of that, girls!” Mrs. Lennart exclaimed. “Not another word.”
Lucas couldn’t help watching Flora during the other woman’s diatribe. He didn’t have to ask if any of it was true. The look on her face was answer enough.
No wonder Fatal Flora wanted to hitch her wagon to the first star that looked to be sturdy enough to survive. She didn’t want to marry Will Tucker. She needed to.
There is nothing awful about the truth being known, Flora told herself as if she might actually become convinced of it. What else had Winny said? Had he thought to charm Eudora Lennart with promises of a fortune he had yet to gain?
“Flora,” Mrs. Lennart said, “I’m sorry this dreadful topic has been resurrected. I intend to banish it immediately from the table, and I know my daughters will heed my warning about saying another word on the matter.” She looked first to Delphinia and then to Eudora. “Won’t you?”
Both women nodded, though neither showed much enthusiasm with the idea.
“Thank you, truly, but you’d be surprised how little this topic bothers me. Honestly, the idea that Winny might have something to do with… well, the unfortunate events? That’s just ludicrous. And besides, I’m the one dubbed Fatal Flora. I just assumed that everyone blamed me.”
“Oh, dear, no,” Mrs. Lennart said. “You’re a darling for even broaching the topic, but I assure you that among the better folk of our set you are nothing if not a tragic figure.”
Great.
“What I mean to say,” Mrs. Lennart hastened to add, “is that you are well bred and impeccably raised, and there’s no fault to be found in you, my dear. This I have heard both from the gossips and those who are in a position to know you.”
“Thank you,” Flora said, though she found the comment uncomfortable. Why did anyone make it their business to know the details of another’s life?
To divert her thoughts, she turned to face the Pinkerton agent. “So, you see, Mr. McMinn, there is no mystery here. Winny is not a murderer, and I am of good character.”
“Duly noted,” he said as he turned his lips into the beginnings of a smile.
Lips she had just kissed. Flora pushed away her plate and placed her napkin on the table, the need to escape propelling her to her feet. “If you’ll excuse me, I really should…”
Mrs. Lennart shook her head. “Should what, Miss Brimm?”
“Actually,” Lucas said as he rose. “What Miss Brimm has forgotten is that while she and I met looking for a chess game, we’ve not yet managed to play.” He gestured to the lounge area just beyond the dining tables. “Unless I miss my guess, I believe we’re about to finally get our chance.”
He then offered Flora his hand. She took it without argument or comment. From his expression, Flora could tell Lucas McMinn didn’t know whether to be pleased or worried.
“Ladies, it has been distinctly interesting.”
Though Flora recognized sarcasm in his tone, the three New Orleans ladies obviously did not. He fawned over each in equal measure and made sure to kiss Mrs. Lennart’s hand just as he had when he greeted her.
“Anytime you’re in New Orleans, we would love to host a party for you, Miss Brimm,” Mrs. Lennart said.
“And do bring Mr. McMinn with you,” Delphinia added.
Eudora leaned close. “Perhaps you could bring along your cousin as well? I do miss his attentions.”
“Well, that would be up to Winny, but I will certainly tell him of your offer—”
“Oh, no, you mustn’t!” Eudora exclaimed. “He would think it awfully forward of me, especially given our issue with Father’s lack of approval.”
“An issue that’s obviously been remedied if the two of them are away hunting in India.” A thought occurred to Flora, both entertaining and mischievous. “You know, Miss Lennart, perhaps you should write to your father and ask him to rethink his misgivings about my cousin. He could easily converse with Winny on the spot and solve any differences he might have.”
“That’s brilliant!” She clasped her hands together and turned to her mother. “Don’t you think that’s brilliant, Mama?”
“It is,” Mrs. Lennart said. “We could perhaps plan a party for Father’s return. Yes, that sounds lovely. We shall.” A stricken look crossed her face. “But what of Winthrop? Might you also write him as well?”
“I will,” Eudora said with enthusiasm as she rose. “I must write him immediately. I’ll tell him of the party we’re planning and how I met his cousin Flora and she’s just lovely.”
“Please don’t tell him you met me,” Flora said quickly. “That should probably be a surprise.”
“Yes, absolutely.” Eudora kissed her mother on the cheek. “Thank you, Flora. You’ve been wonderful. And Mr. McMinn, it has been a pleasure to meet you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some letters to write.” She hurried off.
“Isn’t she the lucky one,” Delphinia muttered.
“Now, dear, you’ll have your turn.” Mrs. Lennart offered Flora a shrug and a weak smile. “We can’t have everything, can we? Do give your grandmother my best.”
“I will,” Flora said as she made her goodbyes and then allowed Lucas to lead her away from the table.
“What are you smiling about?” he asked when they had moved a respectable distance away.
“Just thinking of how Winny will react when that girl’s father goes to speak to him about her.”
“Come with me,” he insisted as he placed her hand in the crook of his elbow. When he paused just on the other side of the dining room and nodded toward an empty table with a chess set on it, Flora looked up at him.
“You’re serious?”
He shrugged. “Miss Brimm, we’ve been looking to play chess since the day we met. Are you seriously saying that now we have the chance, you’re going to turn me down?”
“Oh, Mr. McMinn, you have no idea what sort of trouble you would be getting into if you play chess with me,” she said as she let go of his arm, sat down, and moved a white pawn. “I was the Dillingham Ladies Preparatory chess champion for three years running.”
“Is that a challenge?” he asked as he took a seat across from her and moved a black knight.
“I don’t know.” She looked out the window at the moon shining down on the river and then back at her companion. “It’s a lovely night. Maybe I’d prefer going for a stroll on the cabin deck and enjoy the moonlight on the Mississippi.” Flora returned her attention to Mr. McMinn as she slid a white knight forward. “You know, the deck where you were supposed to meet me before we sailed this afternoon.”
His brow rose, as did a wicked grin. “The deck where you kissed me?”
“Where I kissed you?” She lowered her voice. “It was you who kissed me, Mr. McMinn, and don’t you forget it.”
“Oh, I promise, Miss Brimm,” he said softly as he shifted his black rook into place and looked up at her. “I won’t forget.”