Simone furrowed her brow. “What of all the innocent people that are in harm’s way?”
The general gave her an understanding look. “If I left now, it would be a great insult to Lord Pendley and we need his help in Parliament to help with funding of the war effort,” he said. “Furthermore, a soldier does not retreat when things look bleak.”
“And if you are killed?” Simone asked.
“I won’t be, if you do your job,” the general responded. “Now run along and ensure this spy does not wreak havoc on the ballroom.”
Simone stared at the general, not quite believing how he could be so calm about what they had just revealed.
The general turned to address the guests that came to speak to him, dismissing them.
While Caleb started to lead Simone away, he whispered, “We need to find Fredrick. Perhaps he can talk some sense into the general.”
Simone’s eyes scanned the crowded ballroom and she felt panic well up inside of her. This was acrush, and if they didn’t stop Victor, hundreds of people could be killed.
Caleb’s calm voice broke through the silence. “We will stop Victor.”
“How?” Simone asked. “We don’t even know where he is.”
She had just spoken her words when her father broke through the crowd and stopped in front of her.
“We need to talk,” her father said in a curt tone. It wasn’t a suggestion, but rather an order. But she expected no different from him.
Simone tilted her chin. “We are talking.”
Her father’s eyes shifted towards Caleb. “Alone.” He held out his hand. “Take a walk with me around the ballroom.”
She glanced down at her father’s hand. He was the enemy.A traitor. A cheat. A monster. But she knew she needed to hear what he had to say. If not, she would regret it.
Caleb stepped in front of her. “Simone isn’t going anywhere with you,” he asserted.
Her father looked bored by Caleb’s declaration. “I daresay that my daughter can protect herself or so I have been told. Am I mistaken?”
Simone knew that they were going to start drawing unwanted attention if she didn’t act fast. And the last thing they needed was to be gossiped about. She came out from behind Caleb and said, “One turn around the ballroom. That is all.”
“Simone…” Caleb started, the concern evident in his voice.
“It will be all right,” Simone assured him as she accepted her father’s hand. “My father wouldn’t be foolish enough to cause a scene in front of all these people.”
Her father didn’t wait for Caleb’s reply before he led her towards the side of the ballroom. “I know what you did,” he growled.
“You will have to be more specific,” she said.
He spared a glance at her. “You broke your mother out of Bedlam.”
She gasped. “Mother is alive?” she asked.
Her father narrowed his eyes. “I am not a simpleton,” he replied. “Juliette told me what you are and what you do.”
Simone kept her face expressionless. “I don’t know what you are talking about.” So much for Juliette’s promise not to tell her father. But she wasn’t surprised. In fact, she expected it.
He stopped and turned her to face him. “You know precisely what I am talking about, and we don’t have time for these games,” he said. “You weren’t supposed to come this evening. You need to leave.”
“If what you are saying is true, you know why I can’t,” Simone stated.
“You will die, then,” her father said.
Simone had so many questions for her father, but she didn’t know quite where to start. Or if he would even be honest with her. There were so many lies between them that trusting him would be nearly impossible. “Why?” she asked.
