Nicole blew out an aspirated breath. “Yes, you have a point. I just hope he worries more about searching for evidence than trying to keep an eye on me.” She tilted her head, looking sideways at Angela. “You don’t know how bothersome he can be when he plays the big brother part.”
“Now, now.” Angela patted Nicole’s arm. “You shouldn’t think in such a way. He loves you, and he would give his life for you, just as you would for him. Just be glad you have a brother. I wish mine were still alive.”
Frowning, Nicole shook her head. “I had forgotten he died a few years back.”
“Indeed. I miss him so.”
Sometimes Nicole wished she would think before speaking. She hated to see that sadness on her friend’s face.
“But back to the subject,” Angela continued. “I think it’s a brilliant plan, and I honestly believe Gordon is the right man for the job.”
“All right then, I shall ask him tonight. Will you be coming to supper?”
“Of course. Banks and Cartwright will be there as well. We’ll all be sharing our report.” She winked at Nicole. “And you will have the best report yet, I’m sure.”
“Perhaps,” she said without conviction.
“Look. There is the St. Denis hotel. Let us go inside and see if Mr. Lee’s dinner invitation has arrived yet.”
For the first time today, Nicole had energy in her legs as she practically ran a race with Mrs. Phelps to the hotel...and arrived first. Of course, she allowed the older woman to walk ahead of her toward the front desk.
“Good day,” Mrs. Phelps greeted the clerk. “Did Miss Bastian get any mail today?”
“Let me check.” The older man turned toward the boxes on the wall until he found a letter. “Oh, here it is.” He handed it to Mrs. Phelps.
“Thank you, sir.”
Casually, she turned and started walking back out of the hotel. It was all Nicole could do to keep calm instead of yanking it out of the other woman’s hand. Once they stepped outside, Angela gave it to Nicole.
Her heart hammered so fast that she thought she would faint. Breathing slowly, she calmed herself enough to open the letter.
My dearest Nicole, I hope this letter finds you well. As previously discussed, I will have a dinner party on Thursday of this week, starting at seven o’clock. There has been a slight change of plans, and instead of Mr. Larson and his wife picking you up, Mr. Nickerson and his companion will be your escorts. I look forward to seeing you again. With my deepest regard, Ashton Lee.
His deep, soothing voice rang in her ears as she read, and her body filled with warmth. She really did enjoy feeling this way and sincerely hoped it would continue—as long as they didn’t find him to be the thief.
“What a kind man,” Mrs. Phelps whispered from over Nicole’s shoulder.
She jumped and turned her gaze on the other woman. “Did you read it?”
Angela grinned. “But of course.”
“I truly hope he isn’t the person responsible for these railway robberies,” she muttered more to herself than anything, but Angela heard and nodded.
“I can see how infatuated you are with him, so for your sake, I pray you’re right and that he isn’t involved in any way. But dearie—” she touched Nicole’s shoulder— “please guard your heart, just in case. Feeling the pain of heartache is not something I encourage.”
Nicole frowned and glanced down the street, trying to keep her eyes off the forlorn expression of the other woman. If luck were truly on Nicole’s side, she would never have to feel that kind of pain.
Chapter Ten
Nicole sat waiting in the grand sitting room for Mr. Nickerson and his companion to arrive. She twisted a handkerchief in her white-gloved hands and bounced her legs in anticipation. Every time a couple strolled through the front door of the hotel, she stopped her jittering and watched them closely. The clerk at the front desk was instructed to tell anyone who came in for her that she was in the lobby waiting area. Since she had been out here, three couples had come inside, but none of them asked for her.
It would be better if she knew what Ashton’s friends looked like. Her uncle had pointed them out to her during Lord Reynolds’ masked ball, but because they were wearing masks, she never saw their faces. She knew Glynn wasn’t very tall, but he had wide shoulders, and Steve was tall and slender.
Once the couple turned and walked away, Nicole continued to bounce her legs. She would be tempted to bite her nails, but thankfully, her gloves prevented her from doing that.
“I declare, Miss Bastian,” Mrs. Phelps said, “I don’t believe I have ever seen you this out of sorts before.” She tapped Nicole’s leg. “What has gotten you in such a dither?”
Nicole wished she knew that answer, but ever since she crawled out of bed this morning, she’d had a bad feeling...a feeling that something wasn’t right. Could her feeling be warning her that tonight wouldn’t go as planned? That would be a fate worse than death—especially if she got caught.
