Read Online The Daring Exploits of a Runaway Heiress by Victoria Alexander - Free Book Online
Authors: Victoria Alexander
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she?”
“Not exactly.” Phineas heaved a resigned sigh. “I was recently contacted by a client I have worked for in the past who wanted to hire me to keep a watch on an unmarried American heiress on her own here in London. Surveillance is one thing, but this was something else altogether. I am not a nursemaid nor do I have any intention of becoming one. However, the lady who approached me has been an excellent client in the past and has recommended my services on more than one occasion.”
Cam grinned. “So you didn’t want to offend her by refusing this commission.”
“And, as I am not an idiot, I didn’t.” Phineas smiled a slow, smug smile. “Nor did I accept it.”
Cam raised a brow.
“My client had no interest in actually knowing the day-today activities of the American, she merely wanted to make certain the woman was kept from harm. I told her I would make a few inquiries to see if I could find someone willing to take the assignment.”
“And?”
“And it might have slipped my mind because, as it happened, she was also charged with arranging for a companion. I told Miss West about it and . . .”
“And you’ve turned Miss West into a lady’s companion?” Cam stared.
“Temporarily. The American is only expected to be in England for a few months. There is no one I know, and certainly no female, in whose hands she would be safer than Miss West’s. She is a woman who can take care of herself.” Phineas shuddered.
“Oh?” There was obviously much Cam didn’t know about his old friend and his new partner.
Phineas ignored him. “It was Miss West’s idea actually, and I did think it was brilliant.”
“Because it removes her from your life?”
“Only briefly, but yes.” Phineas drew a deep breath. “Do you smell that?”
“There was a vague hint of garlic in the hallway when I arrived, which I assumed was coming from another flat.” Cam sniffed. “But no, I don’t smell anything out of the ordinary.”
“That, my friend, is the smell of freedom.” Phineas smirked. “Freedom from female interference.”
Cam retook his seat. “If you find her that unpleasant, I daresay you could sever your association, tell her her services are no longer needed.”
“I didn’t say she was unpleasant. Indeed, there are moments when she’s quite palatable. She is impressively efficient and she does have an excellent mind, you know.”
“Yes, you’ve mentioned that.”
“She has proven to be most beneficial. She has put all my records to rights, posted invoices to clients I had forgotten to bill, and she’s been a surprisingly great help in every case I’ve had since she invaded my life. No.” Phineas shook his head. “She is an asset I would be foolish to discard. However . . .” He smiled in satisfaction. “She began her employment with the American yesterday and I feel as if I am on holiday.”
Cam chuckled. “For now.”
“One doesn’t need to be on holiday permanently. I would think that would be dreadfully dull after a time.”
“Yes, I suppose.”
“But for the moment, I shall revel in my newfound freedom and—” He straightened in his chair and stared at Cam. “That’s it. That’s your idea.”
“A never-ending holiday?”
“Don’t be absurd. I said that would be boring.”
“Then—”
“Sometimes, I don’t know what I see in you.” Phineas rolled his gaze toward the ceiling. “I’m talking about the heiress. It’s perfect for you. And the Messenger will love it. It will practically write itself.”
“I don’t think—”
“Come now, Effington. I can see the title now.” Phineas waved in a grand gesture. “ The Absolutely True Adventures of a Runaway American Heiress in London .”
“That’s rather long.” Cam drew his brows together. “You didn’t say she had run away.”
“That makes it more interesting, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, I suppose it does.”
“However, as far as I know, she hasn’t. Run away, that is.” Phineas
“Not exactly.” Phineas heaved a resigned sigh. “I was recently contacted by a client I have worked for in the past who wanted to hire me to keep a watch on an unmarried American heiress on her own here in London. Surveillance is one thing, but this was something else altogether. I am not a nursemaid nor do I have any intention of becoming one. However, the lady who approached me has been an excellent client in the past and has recommended my services on more than one occasion.”
Cam grinned. “So you didn’t want to offend her by refusing this commission.”
“And, as I am not an idiot, I didn’t.” Phineas smiled a slow, smug smile. “Nor did I accept it.”
Cam raised a brow.
“My client had no interest in actually knowing the day-today activities of the American, she merely wanted to make certain the woman was kept from harm. I told her I would make a few inquiries to see if I could find someone willing to take the assignment.”
“And?”
“And it might have slipped my mind because, as it happened, she was also charged with arranging for a companion. I told Miss West about it and . . .”
“And you’ve turned Miss West into a lady’s companion?” Cam stared.
“Temporarily. The American is only expected to be in England for a few months. There is no one I know, and certainly no female, in whose hands she would be safer than Miss West’s. She is a woman who can take care of herself.” Phineas shuddered.
“Oh?” There was obviously much Cam didn’t know about his old friend and his new partner.
Phineas ignored him. “It was Miss West’s idea actually, and I did think it was brilliant.”
“Because it removes her from your life?”
“Only briefly, but yes.” Phineas drew a deep breath. “Do you smell that?”
“There was a vague hint of garlic in the hallway when I arrived, which I assumed was coming from another flat.” Cam sniffed. “But no, I don’t smell anything out of the ordinary.”
“That, my friend, is the smell of freedom.” Phineas smirked. “Freedom from female interference.”
Cam retook his seat. “If you find her that unpleasant, I daresay you could sever your association, tell her her services are no longer needed.”
“I didn’t say she was unpleasant. Indeed, there are moments when she’s quite palatable. She is impressively efficient and she does have an excellent mind, you know.”
“Yes, you’ve mentioned that.”
“She has proven to be most beneficial. She has put all my records to rights, posted invoices to clients I had forgotten to bill, and she’s been a surprisingly great help in every case I’ve had since she invaded my life. No.” Phineas shook his head. “She is an asset I would be foolish to discard. However . . .” He smiled in satisfaction. “She began her employment with the American yesterday and I feel as if I am on holiday.”
Cam chuckled. “For now.”
“One doesn’t need to be on holiday permanently. I would think that would be dreadfully dull after a time.”
“Yes, I suppose.”
“But for the moment, I shall revel in my newfound freedom and—” He straightened in his chair and stared at Cam. “That’s it. That’s your idea.”
“A never-ending holiday?”
“Don’t be absurd. I said that would be boring.”
“Then—”
“Sometimes, I don’t know what I see in you.” Phineas rolled his gaze toward the ceiling. “I’m talking about the heiress. It’s perfect for you. And the Messenger will love it. It will practically write itself.”
“I don’t think—”
“Come now, Effington. I can see the title now.” Phineas waved in a grand gesture. “ The Absolutely True Adventures of a Runaway American Heiress in London .”
“That’s rather long.” Cam drew his brows together. “You didn’t say she had run away.”
“That makes it more interesting, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, I suppose it does.”
“However, as far as I know, she hasn’t. Run away, that is.” Phineas
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