Page 19 of Mail-Order Millie (A Mail-Order Mystery #1)

Nineteen

C ome Monday morning, Bram watched Millie scrambled some eggs for their breakfast. She was a decent cook, and for that he was grateful.

He watched her, eyebrows knit, and contemplated everything Quincy told him the other night.

The man was right, he was falling for Millie. In fact, he was falling faster than he’d like and contemplated pulling out of the assignment. But if he did that, there was only Quincy, and back up wasn’t going to come in time. Unless Quincy had already arranged for some.

“Is the toast ready?” Millie asked and spooned eggs onto two plates.

“Yes.” He took the toast out of the oven and brought it to the table. They sat, and after he said a quick blessing, began to eat. “What are your plans today?” he asked, trying to start a conversation.

She looked at the table. He noticed she’d been avoiding eye contact with him all morning.

“I thought I’d take a walk after my chores, and perhaps get a few things we need at Ruggles & Son.”

He stared at her from across the table. “Are you planning on stopping in to see me?”

Her head came up. “I wasn’t planning on it.” Millie’s eyes became downcast again. “Will you even be there?”

“Of course, why wouldn’t I?”

She looked at him again, a hint of suspicion in her eyes. “Because Mr. Kameyer has a particular way of doing things.”

“Ah, yes. That he does. I suppose I can’t say if I’ll be there or not. But if I am, and I’m not with a client, you should stop in and say hello.”

She blinked a few times, and he swore her eyes were misting with tears. “I’ll think about it.”

He gave her a sage nod and finished his eggs and toast. When he was ready to leave, she met him at the front door. Bram looked into her big brown eyes and sighed. “Millie, I…”

She shook her head. “You should get going.”

He stilled. Something was wrong. Yesterday she’d been much the same way. Except during church, but then, people would notice if she gave him the silent treatment there. “If you’re still upset about the ball…”

She shook her head again. “I’m… confused.” Millie looked into his eyes. “And yes, I’m angry.”

“Then let’s talk about it, sweetie.” He ran his hands up and down her arms and felt her stiffen. “Millie, I don’t like seeing you like this.”

She stepped back. “I overheard you talking to someone the other night.” Millie looked him in the eyes again. “Who are you?”

Drat! Bram took a deep breath. How much did she overhear? “I can explain…”

She held up a hand. “I’m… I’m not sure I’m ready to listen. But I do want to know one thing. Are we married?”

He gulped. “Um, well, sort of.”

Her hands went to her hips. “Are we married or not?”

He heaved a sigh. “You’re married to Bill Krantz.”

“But that’s not who you are, is it?”

Bram ran a hand through his hair. “Millie, sweetie…”

“Don’t call me that,” she snapped. “Who are you?”

He took her by the elbow, ignoring her squeak of alarm and her attempt to pull away, and led her into the parlor. He pulled her onto the sofa with him and looked her square in the eyes. “Millie, I work for a special branch of the government. I’m a spy.”

Her eyes went wide, then narrowed on him. “For the president?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact. There’s a white slavery operation we’ve been trying to thwart for years, and they have men operating here. We’re trying to find out who is involved and shut them down.”

She stared at him, wide eyed. “But… you married me!”

He took her by the hands. “Because the real Bill Krantz is a thief, a gambler, and easily bribed. My partner and I were to arrest him, and I was to take his place.”

“So the real Bill Krantz is locked up somewhere?”

“No, honey. He’s dead.”

Her jaw dropped. “You killed him?!”

“No, no, sweetheart.” Bram scooted closer. “He was murdered. Stabbed in the back for cheating a man at cards.”

She shut her eyes tight and shook her head. “No…”

“I’m afraid so. And I understand how upset you must have been thinking I was a gambler. But I’m not. Bill Krantz was.”

She opened her eyes. “Who are you?”

“Bramford Joseph Henry. Spy.”

Millie gaped at him. “I… I… need some air.” She tried to pull out of his grasp, but he didn’t let go.

Bram pulled her close and held her against him. “Listen to me, Millie. What I’m doing can be dangerous. I don’t want you drawing attention to yourself.”

She laughed into his chest. “Attention? You’re a spy! You’ve pulled me into this without telling me and you expect me to do what you want?” She squirmed out of his arms and stood. “You, you…” she pointed at him. “Oh!” She stomped her foot and marched from the room. “You lout!” she called over her shoulder.

Bram sighed in defeat. This was not going the way he wanted. But he couldn’t blame her for being angry.

He stood and followed her into the bedroom. She was taking her dresses out of the armoire and tossing them on the bed. “Millie, what are you doing?”

“What does it look like?! I’m leaving!”

“No, sweetie. That’s not a good idea. You’ll be putting yourself in danger…”

“No!” She glared at him and poked his chest with a finger. “You already did that.” Her jaw trembled. “You…” she swallowed hard. “You…”

Bram pulled her into his arms. “I’m so sorry, honey.”

She struggled against him, trying to free herself. “Let me go, you cad!”

“No.”

“What?!”

Bram’s face softened. “I don’t think I can ever let you go.”

She stared at him with wide eyes. “Wh-what are you saying?”

He held her closer. He didn’t have the time for this conversation. “I have to meet with Quincy.”

“The man you were talking to the other night?”

“Yes, then go to the office. I have a meeting with some of Kameyer’s men later. If my cover is blown, you will be in danger. Do you understand?”

She gaped at him. “And what happens when you’re done with all of this?”

He gave her a heartfelt look. “Our marriage will be annulled, you’ll get this house, and a good sum of money for your trouble.”

Her jaw trembled again. “So that’s it, you pay me off?”

He drew in a shuddering breath. “Yes.”

She shoved him away. “I see. Because I’ll no longer be needed.”

Bram saw the hurt in her eyes. “Millie, it doesn’t have to be that way…”

“Quiet,” she snapped. She looked at the dresses on the bed and hugged herself. “Fine. I’ll play along, then when all this is said and done, I never want to see you again.”

“Millie…” his voice cracked, and he balled his hands into fists at his sides. How was he going to explain his feelings to her now? She’d never believe him. What a mess! “Very well, sweetheart…”

“Don’t call me that.” Her head turned in his direction, but she didn’t look at him.

“I’ll go now. Remember what I said. Be careful. Don’t draw attention to yourself.” Bram left the room, grabbed his hat off the coat rack near the door and put it on. He could hear soft crying coming from the bedroom and knew he was the cause of her tears.

Lord, help me. How am I going to convince her I’m in love?