Miss Minnie and the Brass Pluggit Read online

  “Who did you contact?” Pierce asked again, reminding her of his unanswered question.

  “Sorry. I was thinking.” She squared her shoulders. “I have an acquaintance. A friend really. Mrs. Felicia Armitage. She’s the widow of a former Metropolitan Police superintendent.”

  “Ah.”

  “Don’t scoff. Felicia has one of the best analytical brains I know and an enormous reservoir of criminal investigation techniques. Her husband was a forward-thinking gentleman who wasn’t afraid to discuss cases with Felicia. Together, they were very effective.” She glared at Pierce.

  “Sorry. That wasn’t meant to be anything more than a simple ah.”

  “Hmm.”

  “Quite.”

  “Anyway…” Minnie returned to her exposition. “Felicia has assisted the Met with some of their inquiries since she became a widow. Her insights are respected amongst the members of the force and they’ll talk to her on occasion, even seeking her out when they’re at a dead end.”

  “That’s…unusual, to say the least.”

  She smiled. “Felicia is an unusual woman. As you’ll see when she arrives. Now.” Minnie looked around. “I should return to my quarters in Yarmouth.”

  Pierce held up his hand. “I have a better notion. You’re clearly involving yourself in this case…these killings. I can’t deny I’d be happy for the assistance. With today’s discovery, this has gone beyond coincidence and I don’t like the direction it’s taking. There is no one local who will take responsibility for an investigation into something on this scale—no Lord Lieutenant or anything like that. We have one chap in Yarmouth who functions as the entire constabulary for the area. Even in Cowes there aren’t more than two or three, and they can’t be spared from their duties there.”

  “I understand.” She looked toward the coastline. “This is a quiet part of the island. Crimes of such a savage nature must be rare. Why waste valuable resources patrolling empty cliffs?”

  “Exactly.”

  “So you don’t mind my doing what some would call meddling?” She smiled.

  “I would welcome your participation and never even think of it as meddling.” He grinned back. “I value my life. And you probably know a dozen ways to kill me should I offend you. Please notice I’m not underestimating your abilities.”

  “Much appreciated.” Her smile grew to a chuckle. “I hate to disappoint you though. I only know of three ways to kill you. Four if you give me a silk shawl.” She stood. “And now I should leave.”

  Pierce stood too. “Stay, Minnie.”

  “What?”

  “Stay here. In the Brass Pluggit. It only makes sense.”

  “I…” She paused, confused by the invitation and not quite sure why.

  “There are four empty guestrooms below us. My quarters are above. You’d be completely private, and there’s also room for your Mrs. Armitage. Her presence would cover the social aspects, I believe?”

  “Well, yes, but…”

  “And you’d be here, with my communications console at your disposal. Here on site, at the scene of the crimes, if you will. What better place to begin an investigation?”

  Absently she tugged her lower lip between her teeth. “I don’t know, Pierce.”

  He stepped nearer. “Minnie, I’d be lying if I said this was a purely academic request. You’re an intelligent and beautiful woman and I’m damned certain you know I have found you appealing on a variety of levels. Not all of them intellectual.”

  She swallowed, lifted her chin and looked him in the eye. “Same here.”

  “Good.” He blinked, perhaps a little surprised at her blunt response. “Good. Very good then.”

  “But I’m here to assist in the matter of these murders.”

  “Of course.”

  She licked her lips. “Not to explore the possibility of any sort of physical dalliance between us.”

  “I understand completely.”

  “That’s not to say I’d be averse to considering the possibility.”

  “Welcome news.”

  “But we should make sure we’re clear on this point.”

  “Absolutely.” He was smiling at her now, his green eyes alight with humor.

  “I’m making an idiot of myself, aren’t I?”

  “Not at all.” The smile grew. “I think we understand each other perfectly.”

  “That’s good then. We have it settled.”

  He let his gaze wander slowly down her body. “Yes, it’s settled, Minnie. We’re going to work together. Closely.”

  Her skin began to heat as his gaze passed over her like a caress.

  “Very closely. So closely you’ll have a difficult time putting anything between us.”

  Her nipples betrayed her by hardening beneath her blouse, and she felt dizzy. Then remembered to breathe.

  “We’ll devote ourselves to this problem. Day and night.” He was very close now. So close she could swear she saw flames dancing behind his moss-bright eyes.

  “Day and night?” Her throat was dry.

  “Especially night. I think better in the darkness. When I can shed the formal trappings and feel the cool breeze on my skin. It seems to clear my mind.”

  “Oh.” She rasped the word, her entire body fighting the urge to throw itself on Pierce and rip those formal trappings off him right then and there. Why didn’t he touch her?

  “Perhaps you’ll join me in the darkness, Minnie. We could…stimulate each other’s thought processes.” His mouth was inches from hers, his breath whispered warmly on her lips and his scent swamped her senses.

  Beyond speech, she simply nodded, her eyelids lowering, craving that kiss she knew had to be scant seconds away.

  “Good. I’ll have Dusk prepare rooms.”

  He spun on his heel and Minnie jerked as if a switch had been thrown, turning off a powerful spell around her. She bit back an oath, clenched her teeth together and then—the humor of the moment struck her and she began to laugh.

  He’d certainly scored a slew of points with his outstandingly different technique. And she found herself looking forward to his next move. Not to mention some stimulating conversations.

  She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so out of control around a man. It was intriguing, arousing and fun. Who would end up seducing whom? Well, time would tell. But she was ready to wager any sum at all that they’d end up sharing a bed before too long.

  And oh my goodness. It would probably be an amazing experience.

  Having agreed, finally, that Minnie would take up temporary residence at the Brass Pluggit, Pierce was content to sit back in the carriage and have Dusk take them to Yarmouth in the old-fashioned way. His whimsy was quite effective and had been a fun experiment. But he didn’t really want to expend the power necessary to transport three adults in it, not to mention whatever Minnie felt she needed to bring back with her.

  Hence the rhythmic movement of the carriage as the horses responded to Dusk’s guidance and carried them all toward the small town. They would separate briefly, Minnie to her carriage on the boat, Pierce to visit Edward and ensure the body was properly attended to. Then he’d go down to the docks, collect her and her bags and they would both return to the Brass Pluggit.

  At least, that was the plan. It had gone smoothly up to the point where Pierce had left Edward’s office, depressed that once again he’d had to approve a casket and leave something to help defray the cost. The parish funds weren’t as flush as some might believe and he could spare it, but it left him feeling saddened that another young life had been carelessly thrown away.

  He found himself wondering if Minnie would understand his melancholy. Of course, being the scientist he was, one look at her carriage was enough to lure him inside, and instead of a quick trip to pick up her personal needs, it turned into two hours of prowling and investigating.

  He was fascinated. “This is really clever, Minnie. Your designer got everything right.”

  “He should have. We wo
rked together—I told him exactly what I needed and he told me exactly what he could do. By the time we were done, I think both of us were pleased.”

  “And you can run on wheels or latch on to any flatbed?”

  “If it has the right set up, yes. You saw the appropriate fixtures on the deck when you came aboard, didn’t you?”

  Pierce, absorbed in a rather clever piece of cabinetry, nodded.

  “Well, I have the same sort of thing on a train car. The only thing I didn’t do was set up an airship for it. That seemed too…over the top?”

  “Maybe.” He tugged on a small lever and smiled as a cabinet door swung open and shelves slid into prominence, filling the space revealed. “Dashed clever indeed.”

  “It’s not self propelled, so your whimsy is probably higher on the achievement scale.” Minnie smiled placatingly.

  “You’re patronizing me.” He lifted an eyebrow at her.

  “Am I? Truly I didn’t mean to.” She blinked. “It may be a habit I’ve picked up over the years.”

  “Speaking of patronizing…” Pierce strolled to the desk where she’d seated herself. “Are you going to file a report to Roger? Will he be chomping at the bit to hear from you?” He grinned. “That was metaphorical of course. I’d never be crass enough to imply that Roger looks a bit like a horse at times.”

  Minnie sputtered. “You must be referring to your childhood friend. I can assure you that any equine similarities have long departed. Voters seldom elect ugly people. Haven’t you noticed?”

  “I try not to notice that politics even exist. It’s a plague, a choking miasma that turns truth into lies and good men into self-aggrandizing idiots.”

  “Gosh.” She chuckled. “Not planning on running for a seat, I take it?”

  He made a sound not unlike a steam engine self-cleaning its exhaust system.

  Minnie held up her hand. “I understand. No need to grunt further.” She opened her personal telegraph box. “But you’re right. I do have to send Roger a message.” She stroked the shining components gently as she fell silent.

  “Well?” Pierce rested a hip on the gleaming wood and watched her.

  “I’m not sure what to tell him.”

  “Tell him your affair has ended.”

  The words were harsh, plain and popped out of Pierce’s mouth before he could stop them. They indicated his deepest wishes, his desire that Minnie be unattached when they returned to his home. But why he’d spoken them aloud, he had absolutely no idea. It was extremely unlike him to reveal his thoughts like that and he found himself hideously embarrassed.

  “I’m…um…so sorry. Good God.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “I can’t honestly say where that came from.”

  Minnie looked down at her desk, but he could’ve sworn he saw her lips twitch. “I understand. I’ve had a moment or two of unexpectedly blunt speech myself.” She looked back up and this time he couldn’t mistake the humor in her expression. “I suppose it’s to be expected of people who hide their feelings most of the time.”

  “Um, quite. Yes.” He cleared his throat. “Well, sorry again for the awkwardness.”

  “Pierce?”

  “Yes?”

  “I’ve already ended my liaison with Roger Lutterson. It was over the moment he asked for a favor, quite some time ago now.”

  “Oh.” Pierce’s collar suddenly seemed a little tighter than it had been a minute before.

  She leaned back in her chair, resting her forearm on the shining surface of her desk, the lace from her sleeve puddling softly, a pale ripple on the highly polished wood. He watched, fascinated by the interplay of visual texture—the white skin of her arm, the pale ivory of the lace and the deep chestnut of the wood. His mind made a quick mental painting. It would have looked sensational framed and mounted above his fireplace at the Brass Pluggit.

  But she was speaking and the brief moment passed.

  “Since you’ve raised the topic I’ll be as blunt with you as you’ve been with me. Roger was a pleasant diversion, but one that probably went on longer than it should have. I…associate on a personal level with men who I find interesting. Who have something more to offer than their…um…physical skills. I like to think of myself as selective and discriminating, although some might refer to it as being damned picky. I can’t say I find that insulting.” She smiled. “Am I, as others infer, scandalous? No. I don’t believe so. You’ll never find a married man in my bed. Nor a young man, nor a woman.”

  Pierce swallowed and wondered if his collar was going to strangle him right then and there.

  “Most of the time, you won’t find anyone there at all, in spite of what you may have heard or read about me. A large portion of the publicity is just that. Publicity. If people know of me, they’re more likely to contribute to any charity I might currently be representing. And if I can use my name to do some good, so be it. People are fascinated by the sex lives of others. Why? I have no idea, but I’ll use what I can to achieve my goals.”

  “What are your goals, Minnie?” Pierce watched the expressive eyes as she considered his question.

  “To do good, as I said. To part some of those filthy rich socialites from a tiny part of their fortunes and change lives.”

  “Is it working?”

  The eyes lit up. “Definitely. Remind me to show you my charity records sometime.”

  “I will. I’d like to see them.” He eased away from her desk, thankful that the awkwardness between them had receded. “But for now perhaps we should return to business?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Damn. I shall have to tell Roger something.” She glanced at him as she began to tap the tiny telegraph key. “Is there a way to describe your research in simple terms? One that a woman might use?”

  “Oh dear.” He grinned. “Roger wasn’t able to appreciate your intellect?”

  “It’s more that I don’t have a high opinion of his. When it comes to scientific concepts, Roger’s about eight years old. So let’s keep it simple. If he passes it on to his associates, which I’m sure he will, then they are free to assume I’m a stupid woman. It all works out quite nicely.”

  “Well, you can describe my work as an investigation into magnetism. Tell him…” Pierce paused, wondering exactly how to simplify the complex. “Tell him I have some theoretical ideas about propulsion systems, but don’t have much to show for them yet.”

  The taps accelerated as Minnie sent the message, then tapped out the closing signal and leaned back. “Done.”

  “You don’t think he’ll feel it necessary to come down here, do you?”

  “God no.” She shook her head. “London, at this time of year, is perfect for him to take care of some details. He can catch up with his Tory cronies, do some visiting, spend the entire summer politicking quietly and in the autumn burst onto the floor of the House of Commons in full flower.”

  “Ah.” Pierce privately questioned why on earth a man would waste time doing that kind of thing. “And this is his pleasure, is it?”

  “Apparently.” Minnie paused as the key began to stutter and beneath the desk a small thin strip of paper unspooled through the slot above it. “Aha.” She read the first few words and smiled. “Felicia’s arriving tomorrow.”

  “I’ll make the arrangements.”

  Minnie rose and shook out her skirts. “Well, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. Shall we return to the Brass Pluggit?”

  He picked up her valise. “Are you sure this is everything?”

  She smirked. “Not every woman needs fourteen suitcases and a steamer trunk.”

  “I’m impressed.” He followed her back out into the sunshine and watched as she exchanged greetings with the captain of the vessel. He was bowing and smiling and nodding—obviously a victim of the Minnie charm.

  The sun was high in the sky now, and the midafternoon heat surprisingly strong. Minnie blew out a breath of air and fanned herself as Pierce, with an apologetic glance, shrugged out of his coat.

  It was probably rathe
r childish, but he made a point of flexing his shirt-covered body as he lifted her valise into the back of the open carriage and then helped her up. He tugged at the shade, lifting it by himself, aware of her scrutiny as he secured the fasteners holding it in place.

  “Ahh. Better.” He sat next to her in the relative cool beneath the canvas. “Open carriages are all well and good, but…”

  For a moment she was silent, her gaze still fixed on his chest and the thin silk shirt covering it.

  Promising himself he’d not repeat his earlier conversational gaffe, Pierce managed to remain silent, simply smiling politely and nodding as Dusk took the seat in front of them and clicked up the horses.

  She was still looking at him as they turned and headed out of Yarmouth toward the Brass Pluggit.

  “Minnie?”

  “Yes?” She blinked.

  “Nothing.” His inner chuckle grew to a full-blown laugh, but he kept it ruthlessly suppressed. He’d given her enough to think about today.

  Tonight he’d see if she’d come to any conclusions.

  Minnie sighed with pleasure as Dusk removed the last of the cups from the small table and offered her a biscuit. “Thank you, Dusk, but no. I’m very content.”

  “Very good, Miss Minnie. Your things are in your room and I’ll have Mrs. Armitage’s ready by the morning. Will you be wanting me to meet her tomorrow?”

  She glanced at Pierce. “I’d like to be there, if possible?”

  Pierce nodded. “Let’s all go, Dusk. There’s room in the carriage. And I need to check with Edward. He was going to examine our unfortunate woman before…” He paused.

  “Is Edward a physician?” Minnie had wondered but not had chance to ask before now.

  “A veterinarian.” Pierce sighed. “We have no true physician in this area as yet. There are several in Cowes who come out this way quite often and until now that’s been adequate. After all, it’s not that long a trip to Cowes for those in need of medical attention. And Edward is very good at our sorts of emergencies. The occasional broken bone or farm accident. You know the sort of thing.”