The Pinkerton Matchmaker

Christine Sterling

Marianne Spitzer

THE PINKERTON MATCHMAKER

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are all products of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to persons, organizations, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.

The book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. All rights are reserved with the exceptions of quotes used in reviews. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage system without express written permission from the author.

Scriptures quoted from the King James Holy Bible.

The Pinkerton Matchmaker
©2018 Christine Sterling and Marianne Spitzer

Cover Design by Virginia McKevitt, www.virginiamckevitt.com

Editing by Carolyn Leggo

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS FROM CHRISTINE

I couldn’t have done this without the gifts provided by my Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. I dream of the day we meet, and he looks at me and says, “This is my daughter, with whom I’m well pleased.”

To my husband, Daniel, you inspire me to continue pursuing my dreams. Thank you for your love and support. I love you, sweetheart.

For my beautiful daughters, Rebecca, Nora & Elizabeth. I love you to the moon and back.

To my family – Mummy, Daddy, sister & brother. Thank you for your support on the wild and crazy ride to this point. It has been 48 years in the making but I’ve arrived.

I am so grateful to the authors that have joined us on this journey. It is such a blessing to be working with you. Each one of you is a writing powerhouse and to be in the inner circle has helped me grow as a writer exponentially.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS FROM MARIANNE

There are many people I would like to thank for their help and understanding while I wrote this book, but first and foremost, I want to thank God for all His blessings. Without Him I am nothing.

I also wish to thank my family and friends for their patience and understanding when I disappear into my writing world especially my son, Lance, for his unwavering support.

I am grateful for the authors who are making this series possible and our talented cover artist, Virginia.

Last, but by no means least, I would like to thank my loyal readers who read my books and leave reviews. I couldn’t do this without you. You’re the best.

FOR VIRGINIA

The hardest part of launching a new series is to engage the right people at the right time. This series was just an idea when I (Christine) first saw a cover you had created, I fell in love and knew I had to create a book for that cover.

That book will be crafted … someday!

When I asked if you would take on a full series of covers, pulling together a cohesive branding for a diverse group of authors and personalities, you jumped right in and far exceeded our expectations.

Marianne and I are blessed that you are representing The Pinkerton Matchmaker series by designing covers, graphics and providing insight in all areas.

You are a gifted designer, but more than that, you have become such a wonderful friend and will always be a part of our writing family. We love you.

TABLE of CONTENTS

A Note to Our Readers

The Pinkerton Code

The Denver Tribune Editorials

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Christine Sterling

Marianne Spitzer

A NOTE TO OUR READERS

Even though this book is a work of fiction, the Pinkerton Agents and their exploits are very real.

Allan Pinkerton, a Scottish immigrant, and Edward Rucker, a Chicago attorney, started the North-Western Police Agency in the early 1850s. It later became the Pinkerton Detective Agency.

Established in the U.S. by Allan Pinkerton in 1855, the Pinkerton National Detective Agency was a private security guard and detective agency. Pinkerton agents were hired as both bodyguards and detectives by corporations and individuals. They were active in stopping strikes, illegal operations, guarding train shipments, and searching for Western outlaws such as the James and Younger gangs.

Pinkerton agents were known to be tough yet honest. For the most part, they followed local and state laws. However, as with most situations, a few were known to be ruthless. Local law didn’t always approve of having an agent in town since they could investigate more fully than the sheriff. Going undercover gave the agents greater leeway for investigations but could also lead to corruption and violence.

As the West became more settled, crime increased, and local authorities were at times overwhelmed. It was not uncommon for Pinkerton agents to be hired to track down the worst of these criminals. Not encumbered by state or local boundaries, the agents followed and pursued their quarry where the clues led them.

The Pinkerton Agency was also one of the first companies to hire women. Kate Warne led the way for the women agents that followed her.

As the case load grew, new offices were established around the country, with the main office in Chicago, Illinois.

We created this series with these heroic men and women in mind. These are works of our imagination and no way reflect the true cases or activities that the Pinkerton Agency may have engaged in.

These are our stories of the men and women that braved danger and love to bring their own brand of justice.

THE PINKERTON CODE

Allan Pinkerton's agents were required to comply with a specific code of conduct while working for the Pinkerton Detective Agency.

According to the agency's records, agents were to have no addiction to "drinking, smoking, card playing, low dives or slang".

Additionally, a Pinkerton agent …

Could not accept bribes

May never compromise with criminals

Should willingly partner with local law enforcement

Must refuse divorce cases or those initiating scandal

Would be expected to turn down reward money

Cannot raise fees without client’s prior knowledge

Should keep clients appraised on an on-going basis

THE DENVER TRIBUNE EDITORIALS

Sat. April 22, 1871

Female Agents to join National Detective Agency.

Help Wanted: female agents to join the National Pinkerton Detective Agency

Seven years ago, the National Pinkerton Detective Agency moved into the new office location at 427 Chain Bridge Road, Denver, Colorado Territory. Since then stories have swirled of brave men solving crimes and fighting for justice.

But a new time has evolved, and the agency is now seeking able-bodied women to join the ranks of private investigations.

We need daring women who seek adventure and are of sound mind and body. You will help the criminal elements answer for their crimes and secure safety for their victims.

You will train with an existing agent, and after your first case, you will earn the rank of private detective. Paid training, transportation, uniforms, and accommodations will be provided. You will become a part of a noble profession and pave the way into the future.

This editorial has been placed in newspapers throughout the nation, so the quickest responses are appreciated.

Please send inquiries and a list of skills to Mr. A. Gordon at the above noted address. Interviews will occur on the premises the week of May 16, 1871.

Ed.

CHAPTER 1

April 1871, Denver Colorado

Archie waited for the knife to fly over his head and stick itself in the wardrobe along the wall. Agent Bronson Wauneka sat in the opposite corner of the room, playing with his knife and grinning. His white teeth clashed with the deep color of his skin.

He twirled the tip of the blade on his finger once more before sending it swishing in Archie’s direction. He grunted as the satisfactory thud of the blade hitting the wood sounded in the room.

“You didn’t blink that time, old man.”

“Neeps and haggis, Bronco. How many times have I told you to stop throwing those knives in my office?” Archie growled at the young man, who let out a laugh.

“I lost count,” he chuckled, walking across the room to retrieve the weapon from the wood.

“Look at that,” Archie said. He pointed at the door of the wardrobe which was peppered with small holes and nicks, “I am going to need a new cabinet if you keep this up. Pretty soon we will be using that for firewood.”

“It isn’t that bad,” a lyrical voice interrupted them. “The holes in the wall are much worse.”

Marianne was correct. The wallpaper was torn in several spots, revealing the plaster behind the walls.

It was rare that Bronco missed his target, but when he did, the force he flung the knife would cause significant damage.

Archie learned not to flinch or blink when Bronco was in one of his playful moods. He had no desire to be on the receiving end of the Indian’s blade.

“What do you want, Marianne?” Archie had lost his patience this afternoon and snapping at his secretary didn’t provide any relief. Marianne laughed again and entered further into the room. “Did I tell you to come in?”

“Of course not, but here I am just the same. I needed to make sure that it was safe before entering.” She turned to Bronco, who had taken his seat. “Good evening, Bronson.”

“Ma’am,” he replied, tipping the point of his knife to his forehead. “You look mighty pretty today, Miss Marianne. Tell me, is that a new dress?”

Marianne gave a little twirl, extending her skirt out so it flowed gracefully. “Why, yes. Yes, it is.”

“Out. Right this second. Out.” Archie pointed towards the door, glaring at them both.

Marianne stopped twirling and looked at him. She raised an eyebrow and pursed her lips. He hated it when she looked like that. It meant that she was about to chastise him for one thing or another.

She opened her mouth to say something, but instead, turned back to Bronco. “Pearl made peach pies today. I think they are divvying them out in the kitchen right now. I don’t know where she found the peaches this time of year, but if you want to grab a slice you better hurry.”

Bronco stood, coming over to give Marianne a quick peck on the cheek. “You are a bright light in this sad world, Miss Chapman.” He looked at Archie and laughed again. “I don’t know why anyone hasn’t snatched you up.”

Marianne turned away, a pained expression quickly clouded her features before it was gone. Archie thought for a moment that he may have imagined it.

“That’s it, Bronco.” Archie’s voice was rising, and he started to come out of his chair. “Leave my secretary alone. She isn’t going to become one of your conquests.”

Bronco’s laugh followed him out the door, leaving it open as he left. “Hey, Pearl…,” Archie could hear him call as his boots thudded towards the kitchen.

He turned back to his secretary and grumbled, “Now, what do you want?”

“I came to warn you.”

“Warn me?” It was Archie’s turn to raise an eyebrow.

“Yes. The editorial was printed in the Denver Tribune today. It is only a matter of time before someone finds it.”

Archie raised his hands in front of his mouth, his fingers touching. He tapped one finger against his lips before responding, “And by someone, you mean one of the men?”

Marianne huffed, “Boys, more like it. But, yes. I can think of several that are going to be in here faster than you can say ‘Bob’s your uncle’.”

Archie looked at his secretary without speaking. In times like these she was usually correct.

Marianne had been his secretary since the office opened nearly seven years ago. She showed up on the porch of the large mansion that served as their headquarters, demanding a job. Her brother had been killed in a gunfight and she had nowhere to go.

Archie decided to take a chance on the young woman and offered her a job as a housekeeper. She spent those early days cleaning up after the agents that slept in the dormitory behind the house.

She was cleaning Archie’s office when she suggested several ways to streamline the process for intaking new cases and sending agents out on behalf of the agency. She also took over the greeting of guests, offering them a cup of tea and listening to their stories before they ever reached Archie.

She took meticulous notes and drafted much of Archie’s correspondence before sending it to the Chicago headquarters.

Before he knew it, she had wormed her way into the front of the agency. And into his heart.

Archie immediately dismissed the thought. He viewed her the same as all the other agents. As a friend, extended family, a younger sibling, meticulous employee.

She was a friend to his younger sister, Victoria.

She was indispensable in knowing exactly where the agents were at any given moment.

She knew more about his agents’ lives than he did.

The 13 agents stationed at the Denver office didn’t pay her much mind, and therefore didn’t censor the conversations when she was present. Archie knew she listened intently and could repeat almost anything back verbatim. She was a soul of discretion, though. She didn’t betray confidences unless specifically asked or if she was concerned about the safety or wellbeing of her men, as she called them.

Archie wondered if she included him in that category. She had never given him any indication that she thought of him as anything but an employer.

That is how it will stay, he thought.

He didn’t… couldn’t… wouldn’t see her as a woman. No matter how enticing her lips were.

Archie came out of his thoughts as he realized they were no longer alone. Pearl, the cook Marianne had hired a few months prior, came in bearing a tray with two slices of pie and cups of steaming coffee.

“I thought you should get these before the lads decided to gobble them up. The coffee is fresh. I know you will be working late tonight.” She placed the tray down on the corner of Archie’s desk. “I’m headed out for the evening. Is there anything else you need tonight?”

Marianne picked up one of the cups and gave Pearl a large smile. “No, thank you. We will be finishing up soon. I’ll put the dishes in the kitchen when we are done. Do you have one of the men walking you home?”

Pearl was the one person that didn’t live in the house turned office or the dormitory behind it. She lived across town with her parents and younger sister. Marianne insisted that someone walk her home on evenings she stayed later, as the roads were dark, and Marianne didn’t want to have to worry about her safety.

“Mr. Tanner will be walking me home tonight.” Marianne nodded and watched Pearl leave the office.

Archie looked from Marianne to the pie, then back to Marianne again.

“Why doesn’t anyone think I’m in charge?”

Marianne blew on her coffee before taking a sip. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Just then. Pearl looked to you to be dismissed. Bronco kissed your cheek earlier.”

“Would you like him to have kissed yours instead?”

“That isn’t the point, Marianne. People are not coming to me anymore unless they really need something. Instead, they look to you for guidance.”

“I don’t think it is that, Archibald. They see how busy you are and if I can run some of the interference, why not? Besides, you would be terribly frustrated answering all the questions. Patience isn’t one of your best virtues.”

She put her cup down and picked up the plates of pie, placing one in front of Archie.

“Eat. Pearl went to all that trouble. The pie looks wonderful.”

Archie shoveled a forkful of pie into his mouth and chewed. It really was exquisite. The peaches were sweet with a hint of cinnamon under the flakiest crust he had ever tasted. “I’m glad you hired her,” he said taking another bite of pie.

“I know. We both know I’m no cook, and I doubt Victoria can boil water. So, it made sense to bring in someone to help prepare the meals.” They ate their dessert in a comfortable silence.

“I do have patience.”

“Of course, you do.”

“I have been with the agency for over twenty years.”

“Of course, you have.”

“Where do you think she found peaches this time of the year?”

Marianne halted the fork with her pie on it and looked at him. “I haven’t really thought about it. I guess they are the peaches she canned from last year.”

Archie thoughtfully chewed as he looked at her.

“I want the men to come to me from now on, if there are any questions or concerns about what the agency is doing.”

“Of course.”

“I want you to send the men my way no matter what.”

“No matter what?”

“No matter what.”

“Absolutely. I can do that.”

“Good. It is settled. I’m in charge, I run this agency, not you, Marianne; and I will be handling all the agents’ concerns from this point forward.”

The house shook at the sound of the front door slamming. “Marianne!” a voice boomed through the foyer. “Marianne, I need to speak to you right now!”

Recognizing the voice as belonging to Wyatt McGrath, Archie gave a visible shiver. Wyatt had been with the agency for nearly five years. He stood at over six feet tall, he rarely became angry. Instead, when angered he would go quiet, leaving the target of his emotion on edge, not knowing what the outcome might be.

He sounded mad.

Extremely mad.

Marianne quickly stood, grabbing the tray and headed towards the door.

“Marianne!” The voice reverberated across the hardwood floors.

When she reached the doorway, she turned, raising an eyebrow as she looked at Archie. “I guess this is one of those times when I shall let you handle it. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.”

CHAPTER 2

“What, in the blazes, is this?”

Marianne watched as Wyatt waved the newspaper in the air. “Language, Wyatt. I told you I don’t like language like that being used in the house. Was there something particular in the newspaper you are referring to?”

Wyatt growled, “Don’t play coy with me, Marianne. I’m sure you know exactly what I’m talking about. You know everything that goes on in this office. Why should this be a surprise?”

“I’m sure Archie can handle whatever concerns you have. He is the agent in charge.”

Wyatt hit the table next to the door with the newspaper. “Where is he?”

“In his office. I warned him someone might be coming.” She continued towards the kitchen as Wyatt went to Archie’s office. “And I think the news is wonderful,” she called over her shoulder.

She could hear Wyatt enter Archie’s office and close the door. The voices carried all the way to the kitchen where she put the dishes in the sink.

Trying to delay walking back through the foyer to the stairs leading to her apartment, Marianne decided to quickly wash the dishes and start the kettle.

As she heard the voices rising she felt sorry for leaving her employer to deal with this alone. Sometimes she wondered if Archie really connected with the agents. She knew they took delight in exasperating him to no end.

Even though Archie was a kind and fair employer, Marianne noticed he was a bit addlebrained the first time she met him. Granted, it was while he was still unpacking from the office opening. It didn’t take her long to prove herself a valuable assistant and help him organize the office to a smooth operation.

Hearing the voices rise again, she thought this type of entertainment required a cup of tea.

The voices were still booming from behind the closed door when she took her cup and started the long climb to her living suite. She hit the third step when the front door opened again. She turned to see Maverick Jones and Bronco enter the foyer.

Mav stopped when he heard the noise coming from Archie’s office.

“What’s going on in there?” he asked Marianne.

Marianne shrugged her shoulders. “Perhaps they are discussing the weather?”

“That doesn’t sound like the weather, Marianne.”

“Is that Wyatt?” Bronco asked. “He never yells.”

“Well, he is yelling now.” Marianne took a seat on the top step and had a sip of her tea.

Mav looked at her before hitting Bronco on the arm. “Let’s check it out.”

They disappeared into the room and everything fell silent for a moment before a loud “What?” reverberated through the house. Marianne took another sip of tea and listened to the muffled sounds from behind the door.

She was down to the bottom of her cup when she heard the footsteps behind her. Turning, she saw Archie’s younger sister and the only other woman in the house, Victoria, appear on the landing.

“What the devil is going on? I can hear that racket all the way on the third floor.”

“Language, Victoria,” Marianne chastised, finishing her tea before placing the cup on the step below her. She scooted over to allow Victoria to take a seat next to her. “I think your brother is addressing some of the agents’ concerns.”

“Is that Mav?” Victoria asked, pulling her wrap closer around her.

“Mav. And Wyatt. And Bronco.”

Victoria bit her bottom lip and Marianne lightly rubbed her back. “It is nothing to worry about, Mouse,” Marianne said, calling her the nickname she gave Victoria when she first arrived at the house all those years ago.

Victoria had been a little overwhelmed living right in the middle of the house they made their headquarters at. The number of agents and their differing personalities would make her scurry away when they all assembled in the house at once.

Victoria was only three years younger than Marianne but had already had a lifetime of experiences.

She was uprooted from her home to be dragged halfway across the world to her brother. Both her parents were killed in Scotland and she was sent on the first boat to America to live with Archie.

Unsure what to do with a sister many years his junior, Archie sent her off to be schooled at a prestigious academy on the east coast. She visited the Denver office over her first summer break and that is where Marianne first met the young Scottish miss.

When Victoria returned to school in the fall they continued to build their friendship through letters exchanged on a semi-regular basis.

Marianne looked at her friend. There was nothing mousey about Victoria now. She had grown into a beautiful young lady and spoke her mind often, much to Archie’s mortification. Her hair was a beautiful auburn color and it hung in a single plait down her back.

Marianne often thought that being independent those many years of schooling, gave her a sense of courage that she may not have had if circumstances were different. Marianne was simply glad her friend matured into the lovely young lady sitting next to her.

“I don’t want Mav getting hurt.”

Marianne looked at her friend with a puzzled expression on her face. “What makes you say that? No one is going to hurt anybody. They are just discussing upcoming cases.”

“Well, they are discussing it very loudly.”

“And you are concerned about Mav’s safety… because?”

Victoria blushed and looked away. “No reason. I don’t want any of the agents to get hurt. Besides, he doesn’t see me as anything other than a pest.”

“That’s not true, Mouse. He sees you as Archie’s younger sister and as the beautiful young woman you have become.”

Victoria scoffed. “I don’t believe the last part.”

There was no doubt in Marianne’s mind that Victoria was smitten with the brawny agent. But she knew that it could never grow beyond that.

Giving a slight tug on the braid, she stood from the step. “How about you go back upstairs to the apartment and I’ll make us a fresh pot of tea? I’ll bring it up and we can talk about your future now that you’ve been in Denver for a year.”

Marianne and Victoria shared living quarters on the third floor of the house. They had the entire floor to themselves, apart from one small room that served as a storage area.

The men stayed in a second, smaller house on the far side of the two-acre lot. The pseudo-dormitory could house up to sixteen agents at any one time, and it had all the typical rooms of the main house. However, most of the men chose to work and eat in the main building and only returned to the outbuilding to sleep.

A loud crash came from the office and then all noise ceased. Victoria ran down the stairs towards the door with Marianne right on her heels.

Victoria stopped at the door and pressed her ear against it. Marianne joined her and did the same. She could hear snippets of the conversation coming from behind the door.

Agents. Investigations. Women. Training.

Marianne pressed her ear harder to the door hoping she might be able to pick up more of the conversation.

Suddenly, the door was pulled open and both fell to the floor in front of four pairs of boots.

CHAPTER 3

Marianne fell into the room and Victoria fell on top of her. She couldn’t see anything as her face was planted into the carpet, but she heard laughter come from above her.

Bronson.

“Victoria Mary Gordon, what are you doing down here?”

Victoria grunted. Marianne felt the weight lifted off her as someone picked her up. A hand appeared in front of her face and she gladly took it, lifting herself to a kneeling position on the floor.

She could see Archie and the three agents standing in a circle around them. Archie looked furious, his ruddy complexion turning a darker shade that already clashed with his red hair. Marianne swore if he didn’t calm himself he would turn the color of the beets at the green grocers.

He had a cut on his lip and she could see a bit of blood had stained his shirt. He lifted his fingers to his lip and winced. A few more scrapes peppered his face.

She wanted to kiss that lip, along with each one of those scrapes, and make his pain go away. Her mother always taught her that a kiss made every injury better, and there were many injuries in the Chapman house.

Every single time Marianne or her five brothers were injured, Momma was always there with a bottle of witch hazel and a kiss. However, her momma was talking about scraped knees and elbows. Certainly not the lip of a man who didn’t view her as anything more than a secretary.

Marianne swallowed hard and wiped her hands on her skirt.

“I suppose there is a reasonable explanation for this?” Archie asked.

Marianne lifted her hand, so someone could help her into a standing position. Archie grabbed it and the slight current of electricity moved up her arm.

Archie rarely touched her. In fact, he went out of his way not to.

She pulled her arm back slightly before allowing him to assist her to a standing position. She took a quick glance at the room – Archie’s desk was clear as the papers that were laid on top of it, were now scattered on the floor. A plant was knocked over in the corner, its soil dirtying the chair that Bronson normally sat on when throwing his knife at Archie’s wardrobe. In front of the desk, a chair was toppled over and laid on its side.

She then looked at the agents.

Wyatt had the makings of a bruise on his cheek, and she could tell the anger still simmered underneath the surface. She noticed his knuckles were scraped as he opened and closed his fist.

Bronco was smiling widely, looking totally amused at the sight before him. Everything was a game to him, she wondered if he took anything seriously. Thank goodness his knife was still in the leather sheath on his leg.

And then there was Maverick. He looked directly past her and his gaze moved from amused to smoldering. Marianne turned to the direction of his view and there was Victoria, still sitting on the floor with her robe opened slightly.

Marianne quickly moved in front of her friend to block anything the agents might see. “There will be none of that. You men turn around right this instant.” She waited for them to comply before helping Victoria stand up and adjust her robe. Nothing was seen, but Marianne didn’t want anything to compromise the reputation of the friend she thought of as a sister.

“Marianne,” Archie began. His voice came out with a low warning that he wasn’t pleased at all with catching them eavesdropping. “I’ll ask you once again, and only once. What is your explanation for being at the door?”

“Stop it, Gordon,” Mav spoke up. “The noise probably brought them in.”

Archie raised his eyebrow at Marianne.

“I… I was just…” Marianne clenched her skirt again before wiping her hands on the bodice of her dress. “I was just letting you handle things but then I was concerned when I heard the loud crash.”

Marianne looked up at Archie, hopefully. His eyes were a lovely shade of green with brown flecks. “You were able to handle things, weren’t you?”

Archie sighed. “Yes. The lads were just leaving. I think we have discussed everything we need to. Victoria, I want you to head to your apartment immediately.” He signaled for Victoria to go.

She looked at Marianne. “Remember to bring the tea,” she said before leaving the room. Once she disappeared beyond the landing at the top of the stairs, the agents left without saying another word.

The front door closed with a low click. Marianne turned to make her way out of the office, but Archie’s voice stopped her.

“I’m not done with you, Miss Chapman. You can stay right there.”

Archie heard Marianne murmur a quick “I’ll be right back,” before she scurried out of the room. It was less than a minute before she reappeared with a glass bottle and a linen cloth.

“Sit,” she said, pushing Archie towards his chair. He sat with a hurrmph. “Now, shush and let me clean that busted lip.”

Archie watched as she made herself comfortable on his desk. She sat down on the edge, adjusting her skirt so it wasn’t in the way. Bronson was correct, it was a new dress and she looked lovely in it. The fabric was in a yellow rose chintz and it complemented her coloring.

He was level with her bosom, which was pushing against the confines of her dress. He quickly turned his eyes away before she saw him looking. He moved his gaze to her face. She was in deep thought, as she bit the inside of her cheek. It was a habit Archie noticed she did when something was on her mind.

Her hair was a lovely dark brown that matched her eyes. Her skin was peaches and cream with full berry-colored lips. She had a pert little nose that wrinkled when something bothered her.

Archie considered the rest of her, skimming quickly past her chest and onto her waist. She had a very small waist. He could probably span it with his hands.

Archie knew that Marianne hated some of the contraptions of the day – especially corsets and would prefer to go without one unless she was going out in public.

He learned that little tidbit from his sister when Victoria mentioned wanting to rid herself of the silly apparatus. Archie put a stop to that lickety-split. His sister was a lady and he didn’t want to give the agents any ideas.

Marianne had been out earlier, and Archie wondered if she had taken off the dreaded contraption before this evening. Marianne rocked a little on the desk before picking up the bottle and cloth again. Archie suppressed a groan.

She’s your secretary. She’s just your secretary, he reminded himself.

Marianne poured a bit of the liquid onto the cloth. As she reached out to Archie’s face, he grabbed her wrist.

“What is it?”

“Witch hazel. Nothing more.”

Archie ran his thumb along her wrist. He could feel her heart beat under his administration. He wondered if her heart was beating as fast as his?

The smell of the alcohol mixed with jasmine invaded his senses. He quickly released her wrist and nodded for her to continue. She gently touched the cloth to his lip and pulled it away when he hissed.

“It’s sore,” he said.

“Of course, it is. It will probably swell by tomorrow.” She gently held his chin in her hand as she pressed the cloth back to his lip. She poured some more liquid on the cloth and began to clean the other scrapes on his face. “But not to worry, it doesn’t deter from your boyish charms. I’m sure the ladies will find you even more dashing because of it.”

The words tore through Archie’s heart. There were no ladies clamoring for his affections. He heard what they said, that he was an auld bodach. A crabbit. A grumpy old man. Married to his work and the agency.

He tried courting once and it didn’t work out. His occupation and nature made him suspicious and the lady didn’t appreciate it when he accused her brother of running a bootleg operation, distilling spirits that were causing great illnesses in the county, right under her nose.

Her brother was arrested and subsequently found guilty. She told Archie she never wanted to see him again and last he heard she had run off with a man and was living out towards California.

He never tried again. Even though his attempt was a disaster, the agents were never short of companionship. If they stayed true to the Pinkerton honor code he saw no problem with it.

It would just be nice to have someone to share his innermost thoughts with and to go home to at the end of the day.

Marianne tilted his head, so she could continue her ministrations. Archie relished the feel of her hand holding his chin. She was very warm, and he could feel the heat radiating through the scruff of his beard.

She slightly blew on his forehead and Archie imagined it was the gentlest of kisses. He lifted his head to look deeper into her eyes. The brown pools turned the color of the rich chocolate that he enjoyed as a boy in his homeland. The smell of jasmine was stronger now.

Before he could stop himself he lightly whispered, “Do you?”

Marianne’s lips parted, and he could see her swallow.

“Do I what?” She swallowed once more.

“Find me dashing?”

If he leaned forward just a bit their lips would touch. She parted her lips a fraction more and her eyes opened wide.

Suddenly a cool liquid washed over his pant leg and he realized that Marianne had missed the desk when placing the bottle back down.

The spell was broken as Archie pushed back from the desk to quickly stand. Marianne, surprised by the sudden movement, found herself nose with the carpet once again.

Archie watched as she quickly scrambled up and ran from the room.

CHAPTER 4

She was avoiding him.

Not that he blamed her. He behaved foolishly that night. Dashing, indeed.

Archie recalled watching Marianne run from the room as fast as her feet would carry her. The next morning his desk and office were restored as if nothing had happened.

Marianne brought him his tea and left without a word. She did the same with the post, dropping the letters and returning to her duties without consideration.

She barely spoke two words to him during the noon meal. He even came out of his office to sit down with the agents at the large table to enjoy the repast.

Lunch was strained as the men had been made aware of the editorial in the paper. Several of them took it in stride, others were angry, obstinate even.

It was apparent many of them didn’t approve of women agents. Even Archie had mixed feelings, but this was a call from the main office, so there was little he could do about it.

He saw Marianne bite the inside of her cheek and he wondered what she was thinking. He didn’t get a chance to ask her as the meal came to an end and she returned directly to her desk without another word.

It had been going on for nearly a week. Something was going to have to change quickly.

He couldn’t go on with a secretary that wasn’t speaking to him. Knowing he cared for her more than an employee, he also considered her a friend. And right now, a lost friend. That made him sadder still. He needed to speak to her, and soon.

His opportunity came when she delivered the post before the evening meal. She was flipping through envelopes as she approached his desk.

“It looks like the inquiries are starting to arrive.”

“So soon? The editorial was just published a week ago.”

“But you forget,” Marianne said, laying the letters in front of him. “It was published in the Tribune a week ago, but we sent it to the east coast papers and the surrounding areas in early March. It would make sense that the inquiries from those areas would start sooner.”

“All of those are inquiries?” Archie started at the thick stack of letters. There must have been at least two dozen.

“Yes. All but one – the last envelope looks like an invitation from Judge Hotchkiss.”

Archie opened the first letter and took it out of the envelope. It was printed on handmade paper with elegant penmanship. Archie was a stickler for good penmanship.

“Dear Mr. Gordon. I am responding to the editorial printed in the Parrish newsletter. My name is Claudette LeBas and I would like to offer my skills in multiple languages to your fine establishment. Isn’t this fantastic Marianne? All the way from Louisiana.” He handed her the letter and tore open the next one. “Here is one from Poughkeepsie, New York.”

“Where ever that is,” Marianne laughed.

“They are from all over. Here is one from Mississippi and Richmond, Baltimore and Cincinnati, and even the Wyoming Territory.”

Archie continued to open the letters until they all laid out in the stack before him. “We need to find some way to categorize them.”

“And that is why you have me, Archie.” Marianne took up the letters but before she could do anything with them, Archie grabbed her hand. Her skin felt warm under his touch.

“Perhaps we should do them together?”

“That sounds like a fine idea. Let me get some paper and a pencil.”

“We can start after dinner.”

“I’ll have Pearl make a pot of coffee before Bronco walks her home.”

She slipped her hand out of his and returned the letters to the corner of Archie’s desk. Nodding she turned to leave the room.

“Marianne?” Archie called after her.

Marianne got to the door and turned without a response. Archie adjusted his tie, almost as if he had to loosen it to get the words to come past his throat. “I just want you to know that I see you as an excellent secretary.”

Marianne rested her head on the edge of the door. “I know you do, Archie.”

“And I wouldn’t want to do anything to jeopardize that relationship.”

“I know you wouldn’t.”

“Good. It is settled then, and things can resume as normal.”

“Yes, Archie. Now you better wash up. Dinner will be served soon, and I heard Pearl was making roasted chicken with those potatoes you like.”

She turned and left the room, leaving Archie feeling as though nothing had been resolved.

“I don’t like it one bit, Gordon.”

Archie was having coffee with Judge Hotchkiss at the monthly businessman’s meeting. The judge had brought a copy of the editorial and was using his finger to punch the paper on the table. “I think that women should be at home; they don’t belong in a man’s world.”

“Whether or not I agree with you, George, times are changing. Why my mam had a job back in Invercylde.”

“But you aren’t in Scotland any more. And here women do not work. They should be getting married, raising a family. Not galivanting across the country where they could run into some trouble they might not be able to extricate themselves from.”

“Kate didn’t have any issues.” He was referring of course, to Kate Warne, the agency’s first female detective. “And we have some cases that require a more delicate nature.”

“What kind of cases?”

“You know I can’t discuss agency business with you.”

“How are you going to guarantee the safety of these women when they are out in some God forsaken area?”

Archie turned the cup in his hands, looking into the milky liquid. “They will be training with one of our agents. I’ll assign each woman to a compatible agent and they will learn from the best. And the agent will be there to make sure nothing happens.”

“Agents like Bronco Wauneka? That man is a womanizer…”

“Don’t go there, George. You know my agents adhere to a strict code of conduct.”

“You need a haircut.”

“What?”

“If you are talking about code of conduct, you need to make sure you adhere it.”

Archie fingered his hair. It was longer, curling at the nape of his neck. “I’ve not had time to get it cut.”

“Well make time, my boy. It is important that the image starts from the top down.” George drained his cup, droplets of coffee falling onto his rotund belly. He wiped his mouth and signaled for someone to refill his cup. “Marriage, my boy. These women should be getting married and I have idea that just might ensure that happens.”

“Something like what?”

“Let me tell you what I think.”

“Marriage?” Marianne was dumbstruck. “Judge Hotchkiss actually suggested marriage?”

She was sitting in the office with Archie after dinner. Pearl had made a pot of tea and delivered it before leaving for the evening.

“Yes, he did. Who is walking her home?”

Marianne poured tea into the china cups, adding a drop of milk to Archie’s before handing it to him. She added a sugar cube and milk to hers, stirring until it resembled the color of caramels. “Val Stevens.” She sipped her tea before adding another sugar cube. “What else did he suggest?”

“Nothing really. He did suggest I get a haircut.”

Marianne laughed. “And trim the beard?”

He rubbed his hand along his chin. “What’s wrong with my beard?”

“Nothing. It is just getting a little bushy. The ladies will be arriving soon. You don’t want to scare them away.”

“I can take care of the beard. I have no desire to go to town to take care of my hair.”

“I’ll cut it. I used to cut my brother, Clyde’s hair.” She poured more tea in her cup. “I should do it soon and then again before the interviews.”

Archie nodded. He looked at Marianne for a moment before turning away.

“What?” she asked.

“I’m not sure how I should match up the women to the agents they will marry.”

Marianne choked on her tea. She gave a little cough, putting her cup back on the tray. “You aren’t serious, are you?” Archie didn’t respond. “Oh goodness, you are.”

“The judge had some good points.”

Marianne rose from her chair and started walking in front of Archie’s desk. When she got to the wardrobe she turned and paced back to the door. “I cannot believe any points the Judge has that would make an argument for this.”

“Listen, Marianne. I am responsible for the safety of these women. I’m not happy with taking on a new group of detectives that are at greater risk out in the field.”

Marianne scoffed. “Greater risk from whom? The person who is training them, or the criminals they will be tracking down?”

“Judge Hotchkiss said the same thing.”

She stopped pacing. “He did?”

“Yes. If we encourage these women to marry one of the agents before they go out on a case, they can have an annulment at the end of the case.”

“Who would marry them? I don’t know any man of the cloth that would go along with this crazy scheme.

“I would.”

Marianne looked flabbergasted. “You? You would marry them?”

“Why not? I’m an officer of the law and it falls under my list of duties. I can legally perform and witness marriages.”

“Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”

“It is the only way not to have too many individuals involved when the time comes for them to decide to stay with the marriage, or if an annulment would happen. Judge Hotchkiss happened to suggest that as well.”

Marianne folded her hands and he could see her lips moving in a prayer. She whispered amen, before she started pacing again. “But that is scandalous. We don’t condone divorce or anything that might even resemble that.”

“It would be an annulment, meaning the marriages are in name only. Or, if they decide to stay married, all the better.”

“I don’t know about this, Archie. What happens if you have ten women married to ten agents and all ten ask for an annulment at the end of the case?”

“But what if they fall in love? What if with being in such close proximity they realize they want to protect the woman for the rest of their lives? Don’t look at me like that, Marianne.”

“Have you lost your mind?” Marianne slammed her hand down on the desk. “Are you listening to yourself? This sounds like something I would say and I’m finding it incredulous. You, of all people, don’t believe that about falling in love.”

Archie shrugged his shoulders. “I want to make sure that I do what is needed.”

“But you are removing the choice for the woman to find love on her own. Don’t you think someone should marry for love? To be wooed and cherished for the rest of her life?”

“What about protection, Marianne? Doesn’t every woman want to know that she has a man that can protect her?”

“Of course, but without the other what is the point?”

“Then we have to tip the scales.” He drained his cup and placed it on the tray.

“In what way?”

“I’m not sure. I was still thinking on the best way to proceed.”

“Well, we have letters from the ladies and you will be interviewing them soon. Knowing what I do about the agents, we can probably match up who would have the best chance of success with whom.”

“Like a matchmaker?”

“Exactly. Just like a matchmaker.”

CHAPTER 5

April 25, 1871

Archie and Marianne were going through the stack of letters on his desk when Pearl came in with a pot of tea and two slices of cake on a tray. “This is one of the recipes I'm trying for the wedding,” she said.

She placed a piece of cake in front of both Marianne and Archie. “This one has brandied fruit in it. It reminds me of the cakes from Europe. The other is just lemon with a vanilla buttercream frosting.”

Archie questioned Pearl, “Why are you making a wedding cake?”

Marianne took a bite of the fruit-laced cake, allowing the flavors to explode in her mouth.

“Why wouldn't we do a wedding cake, Archie?” Pearl asked. “It would be only right considering there's going to be a wedding. Unless the wedding is just a matter of ceremony. Marianne said any day a woman gets married is a special occasion and therefore it must be celebrated. Like it or not, we are going to have a wedding dinner and the cake afterwards.”

“The cake is very good, Pearl,” he said. “I just don't understand all the trouble for this.”

Marianne said, “I would love to see that these couples stay together if we can find the right people for them.”

Marianne dismissed Pearl and went back to perusing papers in front of her.

“See, you did it again,” Archie said.

“Did what?”

“You dismissed Pearl. She looks to you for being the person in charge.”

Marianne looked up from her papers, “I didn't realize that,” she said. “I guess it was just a natural reaction. So, I think that the ladies will be arriving in the next couple of days. I want to figure out where we are going to put them. I have secured some rooms at The Hodge House as we cannot have them stay in the dormitories and there certainly is not enough room here at the office.”

“That sounds fine. We need to go through these letters quickly, so we can send telegrams to those we would like to come out and invite them for an interview.”

Wednesday, May 11, 1871

A ring had Marianne running for the door. She opened it and took a step back. There stood a beautiful woman with skin the color of a golden-brown like roasted pecans, a delicate bone structure and full lips. Large, dramatic eyebrows protected hazel eyes and a thick wealth of hair crowned her head and fell in waves past her shoulders. She was a petite woman, even shorter than Marianne, but the air with which she carried herself made Marianne stand a little straighter.

Marianne was astonished when she heard a distinctly West Indies accent say, “Hello.”

“Good afternoon, may I help you?” Marianne inquired of the stunning beauty standing in the doorway.

“I should hope so. My name is Arielle Bradford and I’m here in response to the editorial in the paper. I understand you need female detectives.”

“Yes, we do. Please come in,” Marianne responded. “You can wait in the library while I tell Mr. Gordon you’re here.”

“Hmm, a library. Do you have the latest Edgar Allan Poe book? I so adored The Murders in the Rue Morgue and would love to read another.”

“I believe we do. Please take a seat or feel free to browse the books while you wait.” Marianne left to inform Archie that they had an applicant. 

Marianne returned in a few minutes with a sheet of paper in her hands. “I’m sorry, Miss Bradford, but Mr. Gordon is in a meeting with the agents regarding the upcoming case load. Here are the questions he needs answered for the interview. If you bring it back on Monday, he can meet with you then.”

“But I wanted to apply for the job before anyone else,” Arielle pouted.

“I realize that. We’ve had one other applicant arrive early and I told her the same thing. I believe you and Regina Caulfield will get along famously. You both certainly are ambitious enough. Perhaps you will meet at the interviews. Please come back on the day listed in the paper,” Marianne instructed.

“All right,” Arielle said. “I will be back. I do want to be a Pinkerton detective.”

Marianne closed the door behind the young woman hoping no other ladies came to apply early.

CHAPTER 6

Monday, May 16, 1871

Marianne was completely overwhelmed by the number of women crowded on the porch. In all her days she never imagined the response the editorial would receive.

At the front of the group she recognized the two ladies who showed up the week prior – the lovely West Indies one and who was the other one – Reg? Regina. She was glad they returned.

“Good morning,” she greeted.

“We're here for the interviews,” one of the women said. Marianne noticed most had a paper in their hands. “We were told to arrive here this morning. Are we on time?”

“Right on the hour. If I can take your name as you come in, Pearl will offer you some tea and Mr. Gordon will be with you in a few minutes.”

The women crowded into the library, dining area and foyer. Marianne let the first one in to meet Archie. When she came out she saw several of the agents standing in the doorway between the kitchen and the dining area.

Marianne gave them a look that warned them to be on their best behavior.

“Aren’t you going to make introductions?” Bronco asked. Leave it to him to be one of the first to come see the commotion.

“Ladies,” Marianne said, pointing to the men crowding through the door into the room, “these are Agents Wauneka, Tanner, Allen, and Warren. They are a few of the agents that may train you if you move onto the final round.”

Several of the ladies started to giggle and Marianne caught Broderick rolling his eyes. Bronco made a beeline for a woman dressed regally in a royal blue travelling dress that complemented her tan skin and dark hair. He bowed extravagantly and took her hand, pressing a kiss against it.

“Ma’am,” he said, giving a quick wink before releasing it.

More giggles came from the crowd. The woman looked him square in the eye, “Enchanté, Monsieur.”

Bronco put his hand over his heart and staggered back into the kitchen. “I think I’m in love,” he said to his fellow agents as Broderick rolled his eyes once again.

CHAPTER 7

Friday, May 19, 1871

Archie rubbed his forehead and looked at Marianne after the last of the newest applicants left. “I’m still not sure if this was a good idea. Some of these women are intelligent and a few I wonder about. Besides, the men are acting peculiar with all the females in the house.”

“It will all be over tomorrow, Archie. Just be patient. Have you made your final selections?”

“Yes. There are a few in there that would make excellent agents, but they are very headstrong and I’m not sure they were completely open to listening to what I was saying.”

“Then they wouldn’t make excellent agents.”

“You are most likely correct.”

“An agent needs to think of what is in the client’s best interest, not their own. It can’t always be their way. Look at Bronco, he is what you would call headstrong. But he is always listening and taking everything in. He admits when he is wrong and will be the first to ask for guidance. He’s also the first to express his frustration, but he does back down.”

“I just wish he wouldn’t express it with a knife flying by my head.”

Marianne sighed. “Part of his boyish charms, I guess. Let me look at your list and see if we need to make any adjustments.”

Marianne sipped her tea as she watched Bronco and Claudette stroll around the grounds from her apartment window. Her arm was threaded through his and he held her hand. It was much too comfortable for Marianne’s tastes, but perhaps things were different in the South.

The agent seemed absolutely smitten with the dark-haired beauty from Louisiana and appeared to be on his best behavior. He hadn’t pulled out his knife once since she arrived at the house. Marianne knew it was a matter of time before something would set the man off.

It was still a little cool as spring wasn’t in full effect, but everyone seemed to be enjoying the outdoors and the sunshine warming the ground.

In the far corner of the garden, Charity and Arielle sat together under a tree. Both were reading and every once in a while, one would pause to say something that would make the other laugh. The British lady was such an enigma, Marianne was still trying to figure her out. In all her days, Marianne had never met anyone quite like the lovely colored woman. Charity was unique as well. A first glance she appeared rather bookish, with large glasses covering her face and making her eyes appear larger than they should be. But Archie soon realized she missed nothing. Even if she had no practical experience, she was well versed in book learning and could be an asset in an investigation.

Several of the agents were playing croquet with some of the ladies, their laughter reaching all the way up to Marianne’s open window. Marianne smiled. It appeared that everyone was getting along. She knew that it was only a matter of time before the fragile peace would be shattered.

The ladies that were left were the final selections for matching with the available agents who would be leaving for wherever the cases would take them. The trains were pulling out of Denver tomorrow evening headed west towards San Francisco, south towards New Mexico and even north towards the Wyoming Territory. Tonight, she and Archie would be making the final selections based on his interviews with the ladies and her observations on how they interacted with the men.

She had just finished her tea and placed the cup back on the tray when she heard the door to the apartment open. Looking up she saw Victoria hesitantly walk in, papers in her hand.

“What is it, Mouse? Why aren’t you out playing croquet with the others? You should be happy having all these new companions here for a few days.”

“Oh, I am. It is fascinating to hear all their stories, but…”

Marianne looked at Victoria. She was hardly ever this nervous. “Out with it. You look as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”

Victoria came closer and held out the papers in her hands. “I was wondering if you could help me write a letter.”

“Whatever for?” Marianne took the papers and started to read. She sat down on the sofa, placing her finger on her lips as she read the words in front of her. When she was done, she laid the papers on her lap and looked out the window as she formulated her thoughts. She could still hear the sound of laughter from the game in the yard. “Are you sure, Mouse?”

“I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.”

“Then of course, I’ll help you.”

CHAPTER 8

Saturday, May 20

The main area of the dormitory was crowded. Archie rarely had meetings here, preferring the comfort of the furnishings in the main house. However, he needed to speak to the agents privately, and since the dorm was their private lodging it made the most sense to hold the meeting there.

The dormitory was, in fact, a house on its own. It housed the servants that worked in the main house many years prior. When Archie acquired the property for the new office, he converted the servant’s quarters into the dormitory for the single agents and the house into the main office for the business. The kitchen was functioning, but rarely used. Today, however, Pearl did stop by to make coffee and set out a quick repast of sweet rolls and fruit, so no one would have to go to the main house before mid-afternoon.

Both Marianne and Archie insisted that no one was to venture over before then. The men were more likely to listen to Marianne than me, Archie thought.

“I know each one of us talked privately, but I wanted to meet with you as a group to makes sure everything is covered for later this evening.” He handed out envelopes to each of the agents. “Inside you’ll find your final assignments, two train tickets, your contact information and enough money to cover incidentals. You can bring your partner up to speed on the train. I know some of you, like Wyatt, are staying in town for a few days more so you can do some training here. The grounds and dormitories are yours to use.

“Normally, I assign your cases based on the skills you have and your interests, but this time I needed to look at both your skills and your potential partner’s skills, hence, you might find yourself in new territory.”

“What does that mean?” Warren Rockwell asked. He had been with the agency for over three years and the thought of having to work with a woman didn’t sit well with him at all.

“What it means is you are going to have to learn how to adapt. Just because you know everything there is to know about train robberies doesn’t mean you’ll be headed for one. You may have to spread your wings a little to train your new partner. Anyone have any questions?”

“Yeah, I have one.” Wyatt raised his hand. “You talked about this marriage being for the sake of the case. So, we can get it annulled if we wanna when the case is over. What if she doesn’t want to get it annulled?”

“That is between you and her. But Judge Hotchkiss has assured me that there will be no issue as long as the marriage has not been consummated and both of you have kept to the terms of the agreement.” Wyatt nodded and returned to looking at his papers.

“Do we have any say in who we are assigned to?” Rockwell spoke up again.

Rick Tanner spoke up from the back, “Yeah. I don’t want to be assigned to someone ugly. Have you seen some of the women that have come through the door?”

“Marianne and I…”

“Marianne was involved in assigning us partners?”

“Yes, Marianne observed you with…”

“I should have known she was behind this.”

“Marianne had nothing to do with this. In fact, she was against it. She simply…”

“Where is she?”

“Cease! I am in charge here. Not Marianne. She simply validated what was in the letters, and based on what she knew about you from the many years she has been here, made recommendations. I make the final decisions. Are we clear?”

The only answer he received was a knife whizzing past his head and landing in the wall behind him.

The meeting wasn’t as bad as Archie had feared.  After all, the men had had three weeks to get used to the idea of partnering with a female agent, and two weeks to get used to the idea of marrying one for the sake of the case. At their hearts, Archie knew that these men were gentlemen and would behave as such. Well, he still had his doubts about Bronco. He swore that man was just wild.

He made his way across the yard as he had to speak to the women. Several of them were strolling around the garden quietly chatting with each other.  Two were sitting on the bench reading. What were their names? Oh yes, Arielle, the scholar and Charity, the one that liked to read detective novels. He walked over to them.

“Ladies.” He tipped his hat.

Charity giggled. She looked very young and inexperienced, but Archie knew from interviewing her that she was very sharp and didn’t miss a detail.  “Mr. Gordon. How are you today?”

“Just fine, ma’am. I was wondering if you might do me a favor?”

“Of course.”

“Would you and Miss Bradford gather up all the young women that are remaining and meet Marianne and I in the dining room in the main house?”

Charity giggled again. “Come on, Arielle, let’s go.”

Archie coughed and looked at Marianne who raised an eyebrow signifying that she wasn’t going to offer him support at this moment.

“Uhm, yes. Well, then.” He took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his forehead with it before sticking it back in his pocket. “I guess we should begin. Those that remain are the final selections for the first female agents to secure employment out of the Denver office.” A round of cheers went up through the crowd. “Yes, yes,” he motioned for them to settle down. “As exciting as that is, there are some things that I need to go over with you before you may proceed to the final step.”

He hesitantly looked back to Marianne, who shook her head and motioned for him to continue.

“You know about the provisions the agency will provide. The stipend, a small wardrobe, accommodations, and training. Part of the training involved handling cases that require some, uhm...” Archie rolled back on his heels, “delicacy. And you will be going into territory where a single woman might be in explicit danger. As such, one of the conditions of employment is rather unique.”

Archie looked out at the crowd of eager faces leaning in to hear them. Several leaned forward in anticipation, others bit their lower lip as if sensing something was amiss. If they only knew, he thought.

Best get it done, as the moment of truth arrived.

Archie stammered out the words that had been haunting him the past few weeks since the order came down from headquarters.

There was a stunned silence as Archie looked out at the faces. Suddenly a cry of frantic voices reached his ears, drowning out … were those giggles?

“Goodness, Marianne,” he said, turning to his assistant who stood there watching his discomfort.  “Did that woman just faint?”

CHAPTER 9

Marianne handed Pearl a handkerchief. The cook had outdone herself preparing for the group wedding on such short notice.

Victoria and Marianne decorated the main room with flowers and ribbons the night before. If the ladies thought it was odd, they didn’t say anything.

The large dining room table had been moved to one side of the room so that there was enough space for the couples to take their vows. It was covered in white tablecloths and piled with cold meats, cheeses, and tiny cakes decorated with white sugar icing that Pearl baked the day before.

“Isn’t it so romantic?”

“I am not sure about that. I do have to admit, though, I love a wedding,” Marianne replied.

After Archie’s announcement, several of the candidates grabbed their bags and left immediately. Several of them tried to plead their case, to deaf ears, that they could meet all the requirements without having to go through with any charade. They, too, were promptly dismissed. Very quickly there were just a few remaining women in the library with Archie. Marianne quickly left to make sure everything was ready for the ceremony that was about to happen.

“Oh look,” she pointed, “here comes everyone.”

Archie led the way to the front of the room. Marianne sighed. He was so handsome in his navy suit jacket and pants. His hair was no longer in tufts all over his head as Marianne trimmed it the night before. He held a bible in one hand and notes in the other.

She was surprised to see Judge Hotchkiss present as well. He was determined to see that no man, or woman fell through the cracks. She wasn’t privy to the conversation he had with the agents earlier that morning, but she could tell it must have been as intense as the one he just had with the ladies, as several of the agents took their places with scowls on their faces.

Bronco had no such scowl. He was grinning from ear to ear as he lined up with the other agents. Marianne knew that he must be planning something. She quickly looked at his leg and the knife and sheath were missing. She visibly relaxed knowing that the walls were safe.

The women followed shortly, and Archie began to call out names.

“Wyatt, Diana Gleason will be your partner. Will you step forward and move to this side? Holding of hands is optional.” He waited until the pair had moved to the designated spot before continuing. “Isabelle Wood? Are you here?”

“I am,” a voice said from the back.

Archie nodded. “You and Valentine, please come forward. Next are Jed Green and Lucy Haskell.”

Jed stood a little taller and moved next to Lucy, placing his hand on her elbow. Marianne didn’t know if it was to reassure her or to stop her from running out the door.

“Reese Galway?”

The handsome agent came forward and took his place at the front of the crowd. “Let go on record that I am not happy about this and I don’t believe that this is the best way to move forward. With that, I’m ready to meet my partner.”

“Duly noted, and duly ignored. You are with Wilhelmina Cutler.”

A stunning redhead in a bright purple gown moved to the front of the room and Marianne saw the start of a smile play on her lips. Mina strode confidently to Reese and took his arm, saying, “I’ll try to not make this too painful for you, Galway,” before moving towards the back.  

Archie looked back down at his list, adjusting his glasses before continuing. “Next is Bronco, I mean Bronson.”

“I’m here.”

“Bronson, I’ve put you with Sarah Walters. Please move forward.”

“What?” He reached for his leg and realizing his knife wasn’t there, he glared at Archie instead.

“You cannot put me with this savage. I absolutely will not be tied to someone who is half Indian,” Sarah complained.

“Then you may leave.”

“What?”

“I said you may leave.”

Sarah looked panicked. “Can’t you assign me to someone else? What about him?” she said, pointing to Luke who stepped behind one of the agents in the room.

“You accepted the terms when you walked into the room. Those terms were that you would be matched to the agent that best complements your skills and can provide additional training. You in turn will complement theirs. We assigned you to Agent Wauneka. Since you’ve changed your mind, you are no longer welcomed here. Judge Hotchkiss, can you please show our guest to the door?”

A gasp went up from the women in the room. Even Marianne gasped.

Sarah looked around, turning red-faced as she saw the glares from the other agents and pity from the women. Lifting her skirt, she ran to the front door and disappeared.

Archie looked at the crowd. “Is there anyone else who would like to leave now? Just let Marianne know your name so she can take it down.”

A quiet murmur rose up from the crowd, but no one stepped forward, before a young girl came forward. She was a slip of a thing, Marianne noted. Her long hair was secured in pins, pulling it away from her face and she couldn’t have been more than sixteen.

“Sir? My name is Jacqueline Carroll. I know I’ve taken up much of your time this week, but I realized I don’t think I would be an asset to the agency. Even knowing that there is an out at the end of the investigation, I can’t get married to someone I don’t love. I would like to withdraw now and come back again later, if that is alright?”

Archie nodded. The young girl gave the woman next to her a hug before leaving the room.

“Anyone else?” Archie cleared his throat and waited a minute. “Okay, let’s continue. Where was I? Ah, yes. Bronco.” He looked down at his papers and shuffled them. “Claudette LeBas, please come forward.

An elegant tall woman with skin that looked like she spent time in the sun without a hat, and dark brown hair, strode forward and linked her arm inside Bronco’s and they took their place, standing in front of Marianne and Pearl.

“I hoped it was going to be you,” Bronson said, capturing her hand in his own.”

“Oui, Cher. Me too. But I should tell you that if you try to kiss me without my permission, I’ll slap you so hard you won’t ever want to try it again.”

Marianne giggled, and both turned to look at her. She shrugged her shoulders and turned her attention back to Archie at the front of the room. He had called several others and she saw the couples making their way around the room.

“Maverick Jones? I have you with a … Miss Smith?” Archie looked puzzled. “Marianne, did you recall Miss Smith? I don’t remember her.”

“Uhm, yes, Archie. She was one of the last letters. Well educated, from a college back east. Had been around investigations her entire life. That was the time you asked me to lend a hand reviewing everything. I apologize if you missed it. Oh look, here she is.” Marianne led a figure forward that was drowned in a veil. Mav visibly paled under his tanned skin.

“Hey, Mav,” a voice called from the back. “There is only one reason a woman would cover her face in that much lace.”

A few snickers went up from the agents as Marianne led the lace-clad figure over to Mav. “Shush,” she chastised to the crowd, unsure of who called out to Mav.

“I’d prefer to stand in the back,” Miss Smith said quietly.

“Uhm, Archie...,” Mav began, as the mysterious woman in white slipped her hand in his.

“Not right now, Maverick,” Marianne admonished. “Whatever it is can wait until after the ceremony. She quickly returned to her spot next to Pearl and watched Mav and his soon-to-be bride move to the back.

“Arielle Bradford?”

“Yes, sir?” The petite woman with skin the color of rich pecans stepped forward and wiped her hands on her skirt. 

“You will be with Caleb Smith.”

A dark gentleman standing nearly seven feet tall came and stood next to Arielle, taking her hand in his own. Her hand was dwarfed in his, as he led her to the side next to the refreshment table.

“Warren, I have you with Audrey Hardwick. Stephen, you are with Elizabeth Stone.” Archie cleared his throat. “Seth, you are with Charity. Broderick you will be working with Cecily. And Sam, I have you with Ada. Have I forgotten anyone?”

A woman emerged from the back of the crowd and raised her hand. “Ah Regina. Yes, I remember you. I have you with Luke Tucker.” He gave a quick look around the room. “Where’s Luke? He was here a minute ago.”

Luke appeared from behind the couples he was using as a shield. He coughed slightly and shifted his tie. “Ma’am,” he said, before taking her arm and moving to the back of the couples.”

“Are you done, Gordon? We really need to get to it. The train is leaving in a couple of hours and these folks need to be on it.”

“Yes, Judge. We can begin now.”

“But there are still a few of us back here,” a voice called from the rear of the room.

“Ah, yes.” Archie shifted his weight from one foot to another. “Well, the thing is, right now we don’t have any more agents. I dreadful sorry for the inconvenience. Please leave your name with my Secretary and we will make sure that you each get enough fare to get back home.”

“What if we don’t want to go home?” another cried.

Archie signaled to Marianne to take care of the situation. She quickly led the women to Archie’s office and proceeded to calm them down. The sound of Archie starting the ceremony with a prayer made her want to finish this task as quickly as possible.

She found the stack of papers for each and made notes on the top, promising to send word as soon as additional cases opened. Guiding the women out the front door, she closed it and leaned her back against it, trying to compose herself.

I guess this was harder than I realized, she thought to herself.

Smoothing her hair and then her skirt, she walked back in the room as Archie uttered the final words, “You may now kiss your bride, or shake hands, or whatever it is that you decide to do.”

From her vantage point she could see several of the agents lean in for a kiss. Many of the brides turned their head so the kiss landed on their cheeks. A few shook hands. Luke stood next to his new bride with a stiff expression on his face. Marianne recalled Regina whispering something to him before the ceremony.

Bronco whooped and pulled Claudette into his embrace, planting a shock-worthy kiss on her lips. Marianne turned away, embarrassed at seeing something so intimate. Claudette squirmed and pushed him away, knocking Bronco into the man standing next to them. Both lost their footing and fell into the table Pearl had so carefully arranged with the white cakes.

CHAPTER 10

Marianne looked on in horror as the table came down in a crash and the food slid to the floor. Bronco’s dark hair was littered with sugar icing.

Bronco scowled and grabbed a handful of cake and threw it at Luke, who returned the action, missing his target, hitting Stephen’s new bride in the process. Elizabeth yelped as the cake rolled from her jacket down her skirt and onto her shoes. She shrieked again as Stephen tried to wipe the frosting from the dress, further rubbing it into the fabric.

“Do something,” Elizabeth demanded, as cake flew by her head and hit Stephen on the cheek.

“I’m trying, Beth.” Stephen wiped the frosting from his face and flung it back at Bronco before allowing a growl to emit from his throat and tackling the dark-haired agent to the ground.

It didn’t take but a moment for Bronco to pin the young man beneath him. With a huge grin, he shoved a piece of cake in the young man’s open mouth and laughed.

Wyatt looked at them with a scowl and reached over to pull Bronco up, but his foot slipped on a bit of icing that had fallen on the floor. His arm frantically reaching for something to grab onto, he secured the thing closest to him and succeed in pulling Diana down on top of him.

Miss Smith, or Mrs. Jones, now, started hitting Wyatt with a small reticule, as she tried to pull Diana into a sitting position, but her foot got caught in the ridiculous amount of lace she was dressed in and she only succeed in toppling into the pile of growing bodies.

Maverick grabbed his bride from the pile and flung her over one shoulder before swiftly exiting the room. Marianne could still hear the yells of the woman beneath the veils as Mav carried her down the hallway.

Marianne tried to make her way over to where Archie was standing, but it was no use. She was pushed from one direction to another. The agents, it seemed were busy trying to cover each other with as much food as possible. The brides were attempting to pull the men apart while trying to avoid getting the icing on their clothes. It was a futile effort.

She could see Pearl crying in the corner – her magnificent wedding display in pieces on the ground.

Caleb, the only man with the wherewithal not to be involved in the melee, stood there with his bride Arielle, holding the platter with the ham in his hands. She was holding the plates of cheese. Marianne saw him say something to her and they exited the room through the side door that led to the kitchen.

“Enough,” Archie shouted. His shouts were ignored over the noise in the room. Marianne saw a cake headed for Archie and shouted out a warning, but it was too late. A moment later, Archie stood with cake and frosting clinging to the front of his expensive suit. His face was becoming as red as his hair.

“I said that’s enough!” The men broke apart and stared at Archie.

Bronco pushed himself off the floor and grabbed Claudette again, this time kissing her cheek before leading her out of the room.

“That’s it! Everyone out,” Archie demanded. “You’ll need to clean this mess up before you catch the train. I’m not having you leave it for Pearl or Marianne.”

Everyone looked to Marianne, who shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know what to tell you, but let’s move!” She handed the men a few napkins to clean the cake from their suits and from her look alone, she let them know she was not pleased.

The couples started filing out of the room.

“I need to change,” Claudette said. “Is there a place where I can change into something not covered in icing?”

“Me too,” Charity piped up, a bit of frosting still splattered on her glasses.

Soon they were joined by a chorus of other women requesting to change as well. Marianne pointed over to the foyer, where their travelling bags were lined up.

“Your bags are over there, however, the agency wants to offer travelling dresses for those that may need one. We had them especially made for you. If you follow me to my apartment upstairs, you can wash and change up there.” 

Marianne walked with the women up to the third-floor apartment. There was a display of dresses and capes in various colors – chintzes, ginghams, florals, stripes and solids.

“I tried to pick out fabrics that I thought would complement each one of you. Unfortunately, we were limited by the selection the seamstress had in stock, so hence they are all different, but the same style.” She pulled one of the dresses out and held it up to herself, swaying from side to side, so they could admire the garment. It was a fitted traveling dress with jacket -- simple but elegant.

The dress had a high collar overcoat with loop closures. Lace trim adorned the sleeves and the bottom of the jacket, where it laid right below the waist.

A long skirt flowed in two layers, the top layer securing in a bustle in the back and the bottom just dusting the floor. These were again trimmed in lace or a small sewn ruffle.

Marianne placed the dress back on the rack and pulled out a second one.

She handed it to Charity. “I think this color will really make someone stand up and take notice. We just need to make sure it fits.”

Charity’s eyes twinkled behind her glasses. “Thank you. I don’t think I’ve ever had anything so fine.”

“Now, let’s get some water so everyone can quickly freshen up. If you wish to pick out a dress, I invite you to do so. You may leave your soiled dresses here and I’ll have them washed for when you return. We need to move quickly! Some of you have a train to catch!”

Marianne poured the tea.

Archie had just returned from walking Pearl home. He realized that there weren’t any agents left for the task, so he insisted on escorting her.

“Well, today was interesting.”

“Yes, it was Archie.”

“I cannot believe grown men would engage in such shenanigans.”

“Boys, Archie. They are overgrown boys. Besides, they don’t display that behavior outside the house. I think they just needed to let off a bit of steam.” She blew on her tea before taking a sip.

Caleb and Arielle saved the ham and cheeses, so Pearl packed thick sandwiches, apples and jars of lemonade for each couple. Everything else was a loss. Marianne swore she heard Pearl sniffle as she was preparing the cold meal for the departing couples.

Archie took a sip of his tea and looked at the ceiling. “I am so glad I wasn’t one of the ones getting married today.”

“Why is that?”

“It seems that marriage is a whole lot of trial and error. I’m not sure I need that in my life.”

“Perhaps you haven’t met the right woman?”

“No. I don’t think that is it. I know what type of woman I would want.”

Marianne held her breath. “What type would that be, Archie?”

Archie thought for a minute, before looking at her.

“Someone who is demur, kindhearted, beautiful.” Marianne sat a little straighter in her chair. “Someone who I can confide in and know the words I say wouldn’t be misunderstood. Who knows when to be quiet and when to speak. Who will allow me to pray for and with her and does the same for me. Someone who doesn’t want to usurp my place as head of the household.”

Marianne scoffed, “I don’t know anyone like that. Does such a woman exist?”

“Don’t you, Marianne?” His eyes softened, almost pained as he looked at her. “More the pity then.” He finished his tea and placed the cup back on the tray. “And that m'eudail, is why I’ll remain single. When are the next group of lads due back?”

“In a few days. The house should be quiet until then. I gave Pearl the next few days off as she put so much effort into the wedding dinner today. Shame we couldn’t enjoy it.”

“Good. Good then. I’ll finish up a few things here and tomorrow we can start on the report to send to Chicago.”

“Of course, Archie.” Marianne finished her tea and rose, taking the tray from the corner of the desk. “Good night, Archie.”

“Good night, Marianne.”

She headed towards the door, silently chastising herself.

There was a perfect opportunity for her to tell Archie that she was the woman who fit all those qualities, and she missed the chance. She could be peppering his face with kisses, but instead she was carrying the teapot and cups through an empty house.

“Marianne?”

She quickly turned, hope in her voice. “Yes, Archie?”

“Close my door on the way out, please?

“Anything else?”

“Yes,” he said, turning back to the papers on his desk, “When the lads arrive, remember who is in charge.”

“Of course, Archie. I remember, you are.”

Want to find out what happens to all the agents in The Pinkerton Matchmaker series?

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We hope you have enjoyed the kick off to our brand-new series, The Pinkerton Matchmaker. These are stories of strong women, swoon-worthy men as they solve cases and find love along the way.

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Coming Soon in The Pinkerton Matchmaker Series

Series starts October 19, with new releases weekly

An Agent for Lucy – Amelia Adams

An Agent for Claudette – Christine Sterling

An Agent for Regina – Marianne Spitzer

An Agent for Wilhelmina - Sophie Dawson

An Agent for Audrey - Laura Beers

An Agent for Victoria - Kate Marie Clark

An Agent for Elizabeth - Julia Ridgmont

An Agent for Cecily - Marie Higgins

An Agent for Charity - Patricia PACJAC Carroll

An Agent for Diana - Rebecca Connelly

An Agent for Belle - Nerys Leigh

An Agent for Ada - H.L. Roberts

An Agent for Arielle - Parker J. Cole

Plus, many more books being released in 2019!

About the Authors

CHRISTINE STERLING

Christine Sterling lives in a pre-civil war farm house with her husband, three dogs – Morgan, Brandi and Samson, and about a dozen rescued barn cats. She has been writing since she was eight years when her grandparents gave her a Sears & Roebuck typewriter with a hard-plastic cover for Christmas in 1977.

She spent her teen years crafting stories to include all her friends and then she discovered her true love -- romance when her beloved grandmother, Gigi, brought home a free promotional book from the Second Chance at Love Collection. 

She was hooked and began to write and read every single romance book she could get her hands on. She has since authored and published many short stories, magazine articles, and the occasional novella. She has also ghost-authored and collaborated as a writing coach on many books.

She is passionate about writing, cooking, gardening, teaching others to write and publish their first book. She straddles the line between fiction and non-fiction, not only writing historical and contemporary romances, but personal development books as well.

One of her big goals is to grow a 150lb pumpkin and feature it in the county fair. 

She loves hearing from her fans and will answer every email personally. You can write her at christinesterlingbooks@gmail.com.

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MARIANNE SPITZER

Marianne Spitzer was born and raised in Wisconsin until she spent eight years between Washington state and California before deciding to return to her home state.  She is a mother of two and a grandmother of two.

An avid reader, she grew up on Nancy Drew books and then H.P Lovecraft, Edgard Allan Poe, Agatha Christie, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, among others. She began writing at the age of twelve emulating the books she loved to read.

Her debut novel, Gypsy Spirits was published in 2011 and is the first in a series of three "spirit" books. Since then she has added nine Kellie Conley mysteries to her author list. Deciding to try her hand at cozy mysteries, she released "Heavenly Corners," the first in the Annie Ryan series, before stepping outside the box with her first thriller, Kathryn's Justice.

She has recently started writing western historical romance and her mail order bride books have been greatly received by fans all over the world. When she is not writing, she spends her time reading or watching sunsets. 

See all of Marianne’s available books!

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or visit her website at Marianne Spitzer, Author (https://mariannespitzer.com/)

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Table of Contents

A Note to Our Readers

The Pinkerton Code

The Denver Tribune Editorials

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Christine Sterling

Marianne Spitzer