“How were you able to get past the blockade of English warships?” Caleb inquired.
Her father interjected, “They were fortunate enough to find a merchant that was willing to make the journey in the cover of darkness.”
“How fortunate,” Caleb muttered.
“It was,” Victor agreed. “We were nervous about making the trip, but we are grateful for the sacrifices of the brave merchant.” He reached for his glass and held it up. “And for your father who encouraged us to go and funded our trip.”
Simone glanced at her father and wondered if he truly believed this utter nonsense. Juliette and Victor were playing the victims, but they were anything but. They were calculating and would toss her father aside the moment he was of no use to them. Or was her father more involved than she realized? She wasn’t sure what his role was in all of this, so until then, she needed to be cautious around him. Around all of them.
Her father released Juliette’s hand and reached for his fork. “It was the least I could do for Juliette.”
Juliette smiled at her father, and it looked genuine. But Simone was not so easily fooled. Juliette didn’t care for him. She couldn’t. She was just using him. But for what purpose?
Victor took a sip of his drink and returned the glass to the table. “How are you enjoying the Season, Simone…” He hesitated. “May I call you Simone? I feel as if we are already family.”
“We are not family, nor will we ever be,” Simone responded.
Her father cleared his throat. “That was uncalled for, andI am disappointed in you for speaking so harshly to our guest.”
“But he isn’t a guest, is he, Father?” Simone asked. “He is the brother of your mistress, who now resides in Mother’s bedchamber.”
Her father’s face went slack. “We discussed this?—”
Simone spoke over him. “No, we did not. There was no discussion. You just told me how it was going to be from now on.”
“Regardless, Juliette and Victor will be living with us for the foreseeable future, and it would be in your best interest to get on board with that,” her father said firmly. “At least until you are wed.”
The way that her father spoke his words grated on Simone’s nerves. And she was tired of her father having any control over her life. She wanted to be in charge of her own destiny. To do so, she would need to marry Caleb.
“About that,” Simone started, “I think you are right. It is time for me to wed.”
Her father’s brow shot up. “It is?”
“Yes, and I have decided that I will be marrying Mr. Bolingbroke,” Simone announced.
Caleb turned in his seat to face her. “You have?” he asked with astonishment on his features.
“Yes, assuming the offer is still on the table,” Simone said.
“It is,” Caleb confirmed.
Simone bobbed her head. “Good. We shall post the banns and be married in three weeks’ time.” She shifted her gaze back towards her father. “Then you won’t need to worry about ‘taking care of me’ any longer.”
Her father studied Caleb for a long moment before saying, “I think this will be an advantageous marriage for both of you.”
“Yes, that is precisely why we are doing this,” Simone said.
A broad smile came to her father’s face as he shoved backhis chair. “This calls for a celebration. I will go get my finest port to celebrate. If you will excuse me,” he said before he walked out of the dining room.
In a hushed voice, Caleb directed his comments towards Juliette and Victor. “Why are you doing this?”
Juliette gave him an innocent look. “Whatever do you mean?”
“Cut the act, Juliette,” Caleb replied. “We don’t have time for that. Lord Hungerton will be returning shortly. I am just wondering why I haven’t arrested you yet.”
“You wouldn’t do anything so foolish or else everything you have worked for will be gone,” Juliette said. “I know all about you. You and Lord Roswell.” A smirk came to her face. “I even know about Lord Chatsworth, the great war hero, turned spy by Wellington.”
Juliette kept her voice low as she continued, “If anything happens to me or Victor, all the newssheets will be informed of your nefarious actions. You and your friends will be ostracized. After all, spying is rather dishonorable, especially for a man of your station.”
