“You did not see either of the younger ladies.”
The boy shook his head. Yves flipped him a coin. “Do the same tomorrow.”
“Yah, mister.” The child scampered off.
Yves was running out of time. Hervé was growing impatient, and it was time for Yves to show he was as much a Villaret de Joyeuse as his older brothers. He went to his chamber and found his valet. “How well have you got to know the staff?”
The man sniffed. “Quite well. Though I keep my distance.”
“I require a man who can charm women.”
“There is such a one. He is very popular with the fairer sex.”
“Send him to me. I have a job for him.”
“Oui, monsieur.”
Yves poured a glass of the chilled white wine his valet always had on hand for him. What he wouldn’t give for a red wine, but in this climate they went off too quickly, and one could not always imbibe brandy. Less than a quarter hour later, his valet knocked on the door and entered the chamber, followed by a mulatto. “Monsieur. This is Henri.”
Yves studied Henri. Well-built, the young man appeared to be in his early twenties. His skin was the color of café with cream, and his eyes a startling green. Yves knew of any number of high-born ladies in Paris who would be unable to resist taking him to their beds. Yes, he would do very well. “I have need of someone who can seduce a servant for information.”
Instead of bowing and agreeing immediately, Henri said, “For a price.”
The man was insolent, but Yves needed him. “Naturally. Which currency do you prefer?”
“English pounds.”
Of course he would, especially if this Henri thought of leaving St. Thomas. “I shall pay you thirty.”
Henri’s brows rose. It was a great deal of money. “Half now. Half when I bring you the information.”
Bah!That was not what Yves had planned. “Very well.” He snapped his fingers and his valet went to a chest, then brought back a small bag. “Here you are.”
Henri nodded. “Whom do you wish me to seduce and what information shall I provide you?”
Yves described the house and location. “I want to know when my niece is usually alone in a place where she can be abducted. She cannot always be with other people. One of the maids should do. I would say my niece’s dresser, but those women tend to be almost frigid. The position is too good to throw away.”
Only then did Henri bow. “You will have your information, monsieur.”
Frowning, Yves watched the servant leave. He was well-spoken for his position, almost too well-spoken for his situation. He glanced at his valet. “Find out more about him for me.”
“Oui, monsieur.”
It wouldn’t do to have a traitor in their midst.
Henri made his way to his quarters. He wasn’t expected on duty again for another hour, and this assignment would require some thought. He knew Wivenly House well. His uncle Bates was the butler there. Mr. Nathan Wivenly had helped Henri’s family buy his freedom. He spat. Though how much that freedom was worth in any of the Danish islands was debatable. The government and Danish population treated freemen with more distain than they treated slaves.
Whatever the Frenchman wanted with Miss Villaret could not be good, and Henri must find a way to interfere with the man’s plot.
He had almost enough saved up to travel to Tortola and set up his own business. The money the Frenchman offered would give Henri the rest of what he needed and then some, but he would not harm any of the Wivenly family in the process. By the time he visited his uncle tomorrow, Henri would have a plan that would best serve both his purposes, as well as protect the lady.
Nathan awoke to the sound of a chair being dragged over to him. He stretched and took inventory; a little sore, but he didn’t seem the worse for wear. Shortly after he’d eaten that morning, he had fallen asleep. The most imperative thing for him to do now was to regain his strength. The aroma of strong coffee floated on the air, and he opened his eyes.
“Good morning, or afternoon as is the case.” Vincent grinned. “After hearing what you’ve been through, I decided to let you sleep.”
Perhaps now was the time to discover whathadactually occurred. “You probably know more than I.” Nathan propped himself against the pillows, then took the mug Vincent held out to him. “Thank you. What time is it?”
“Almost one.” He waited until Nathan had taken a sip. “Do you really not know how you came to be on the plantation?”
