Page 21 of Mail-Order Millie (A Mail-Order Mystery #1)

Twenty-One

M illie left Ruggles & Son with her purchases and no small amount of information. She headed straight for Bram’s office, only to discover he wasn’t alone. Monty was with him. Didn’t Bram say she shouldn’t come in unless he was alone?

She walked on, and didn’t think Bram saw her. Part of her wanted to interrupt them, the other didn’t want to do anything that might endanger Bram. Now that she knew what he was really doing, she began to see him in a new light. At least he wasn’t the wastrel gambler she feared he was. If he was indeed a spy for the president, that said a lot about him. Not that marrying her wasn’t wrong. It was. She should have been given a choice. Good grief, didn’t these people take into consideration her feelings?

Obviously not.

She hurried home, put her supplies away, then went out the door again. She’d go to the Ruggles’ home and see if she couldn’t call on Verity Hinkle. But first, she picked a few wildflowers growing along the fence in the backyard.

She took them inside, tied a ribbon around them, put some cookies she’d baked yesterday in a small bag, and left the house. She wished she had more to offer, but this was the best she could do.

Millie wanted to speak to Verity and try to get more information before she saw Bram. For all she knew, this Mr. Crafton was no more than an unwanted suitor, and the elderly couples were exaggerating. But if not, then Bram and his partner might want to question Verity themselves and go after this Crafton fellow.

When she reached the Ruggles’ home, she noted the large buggy she’d seen at Ruggles & Son was parked outside. A maid answered the door. “May I help you?”

Millie straightened. “I’m here to see Miss Hinkle.”

“Who’s there?” a woman snapped from behind the maid. She shoved the servant out of the way. “Who are you?”

Millie recognized her as the woman who greeted her and Bram outside at the ball. “Mrs. Hinkle?”

“What of it? Who are you?” She looked Millie up and down. “You were at the ball.”

“Yes, I… heard your daughter Verity wasn’t… feeling well. I came to see if she needed anything.”

“She needs nothing from you,” Mrs. Hinkle snapped. She heaved a sigh. “Besides, she doesn’t want to see anyone right now.”

“Who’s at the door?” came a familiar voice.

Millie smiled at Mrs. Ruggles as she approached the door. “Ma’am, I’m … Mrs. Krantz, and I brought these for Verity.” She held up the sprig of flowers and her bag of cookies.

Mrs. Ruggles smiled. “How kind, won’t you come in?”

“Alma, do you know this woman?” Mrs. Hinkle asked.

“She went through the trouble of stopping by, which is more than I can say for Alice. She hasn’t come by yet, and Verity her sister!” She stepped out of the way so Millie could enter. “I’m afraid Verity doesn’t want any company.”

“Humph!” Mrs. Hinkle huffed. “She won’t even see her own mother.”

“Can’t say I blame her there,” Mrs. Ruggles’ quipped. “After all, it was you and Mr. Hinkle that did this.”

“Can I help it if Thorndyke is a horrible judge of character?” Mrs. Hinkle stormed into the large parlor and paced.

“Don’t mind her, dear. She’s upset,” Mrs. Ruggles said.

Millie smiled and nodded. “I’m sorry there was trouble, and I don’t mean to be nosy, but why is Verity staying here?”

Mrs. Ruggles glanced at the parlor and back, then said in a low voice. “On account she doesn’t want to be around her parents right now. They tried to arrange a marriage for Verity, and the man was quite impatient and tried to take her… well, we’re not sure what happened. At any rate, she didn’t care for him and refused, and now it’s a big mess. She’s not speaking to her parents and…” she glanced into the parlor again. “… I don’t blame her.”

Millie nodded. “Well, I hope she feels better soon, and everyone forgives each other.”

“That’s very kind of you to say, dear.” She looked at the flowers and bag. “May I take those things up to Verity for you?”

“Would you?” She smiled. “And tell her I hope she’s feeling better soon. She was so lovely in her gown at the ball, it was a shame she left early.”

Mrs. Ruggles nodded her agreement. “It was.” She gave Millie a smile. “Now run along dear, and with any luck, Verity will be up and about soon.”

Millie backed to the door. “Thank you for letting me inquire after her.” She opened the door and stepped outside.

“Thank you for stopping by.” She gave Millie a parting smile then closed the door.

Millie faced the front walk. She should go home, wait for Bram, then tell him everything she discovered. When she reached the sidewalk, Millie noticed a man peeking around a tree in a neighbor’s yard across the street. Hmm, was he watching the house? There was only one way to find out.

Millie boldly crossed the street and headed straight for him. She’d done the same thing when Mother sent her to track down Father. His friends often milled about outside the gambling hall, usually because they’d already lost their money, and were waiting on Father for whatever reason.

“Excuse me,” she said politely.

The man was tall, his dark hair thinning. His eyes were just as dark, and he had a thin mustache. Millie took him in, memorizing his features.

“What do you want?” he snapped.

Before she could speak, he arched an eyebrow at her and looked her up and down as if assessing a horse. “Hmmm, well now,” he purred. “What can I do for you?”

Millie forced a smile. She was growing uncomfortable. “Do you have the time?”

He pulled out his pocket watch and flipped it open. “Half past eleven,” he said.

“Oh, dear, I was afraid of that. I’m late!” She lifted her skirt with both hands and hurried off. “Thank you,” she called over one shoulder. He watched her with more than a little interest, and she picked up the pace. After she’d gone more than a block, she slowed, glancing over her shoulder once.

The man was following her. Oh no! What to do? She crossed the street, heading for the only place she knew she’d be safe.

Millie cut through downtown and headed straight for Bram’s office.

Without bothering to look through the front window to see if he was alone, she burst inside, her heart in her throat, and stopped up short.

“Millie,” Bram said and stood. “What are you doing here?” His eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong?” He came around the desk and took her in his arms. “Millie?”

“Th-the man you’re looking for. I think he’s following me!”