Page 97 of Love and the Shameless Lady

Daisy squeezed his hand, a gesture full of solidarity and trust. He squeezed a thank you in return.

“The older Breton was Antoine’s uncle. Antoine aided and abetted in the original thefts. He was young and ignorant at the time. Later he concluded that stealing from the bourgeois was contrary to his code of honor. He was determined to restore those belongings to their rightful owners. We charged what we judged the previous owners could afford, and divided the proceeds as equal partners.”

“So very reasonable,” Julian said again.

“But of course. Equality was one of the goals of the Revolution, and as such he gloried in it. He truly was mad, in that respect. Liberty and equality mattered more to him than life itself.”

“Particularly someone else’s life,” Daisy said. “Fraternity seems to have fallen by the wayside.”

“Alas, yes.” Philippe sighed. “When he read The Lady’s Ruin, he panicked. I told him not to worry, that no one would connect the book with the thefts. I thought he believed me, but unbeknownst to me, he broke into the publisher’s office, obtained the address, and sent a threatening letter. Meanwhile, we continued with our plan, but once The Lady’s Revenge was published, he sought to kill you. Partly from fear, I believe, but also because he had vowed to do so.”

“And perhaps because my aristocratic heritage meant I deserved to die,” Daisy said.

“Quite possibly,” he said. “As I said, in some respects he was indeed insane.”

“Poor man.” Typical Daisy, still feeling sorry for her would-be murderer.

“The fool! If he’d left well enough alone, he would still be alive, and I would still carry out my plan. But now it is over. My secret has been exposed, and Antoine, who was an accomplished burglar, is now dead.” The marquis spread his hands. “I am now at your mercy. What will you do? Alert the Bow Street Runners? Advise me to flee the country?”

“I would prefer to do neither,” Julian said, “but nor can I allow you to continue with the thefts. I’m not sure the absence of Antoine is enough to stop you.”

“You overrate my abilities,” Philippe murmured. “I shall find another method of enlarging my coffers.” When Daisy bristled at this, he said, “If it is any comfort, my dear Daisy, the collectors we stole from could well afford to lose a few items. Also, if Lord Garrison’s father did indeed purchase something at that auction, I am unaware of it. In any event, I would not steal from a friend.”

“I’m relieved to hear that, but it doesn’t excuse you,” Daisy said. “Do you promise that the new method of enlarging your coffers will be a legal one?”

“Probably,” Philippe said. At her frown, he spread his hands. “I do not know what it is yet, so how can I make you a promise?”

“That is not acceptable.”

“It is better than breaking my word, non? I would of course prefer to find a legal method,” he said with one of his Gallic shrugs. “That is the best I can do, ma chère.” Charming and insouciant, and entirely French.

She narrowed her eyes. “I have another question for you. Why did you tell me Sir Julian is not what he seems?”

He glanced at Julian and back. His rueful expression seemed genuine. “A mistake, I confess. It was a clumsy attempt to make you believe that you had nothing to fear from me, and the easiest way to do that was to divert suspicion to Sir Julian.”

“Oh.” Daisy hesitated.

Would she accept this half-truth? Julian wondered. More to the point, did he want her to?

“Entirely unsuccessful, I’m sure,” the marquis drawled. “I seem to be apologizing a great deal today.”

The French doors from the billiard room burst open, and little Rebecca ran out carrying her pet dog. “Cousin Daisy! Cousin Daisy!”

Daisy turned and smiled at the little girl. “What is it, darling?”

“Virtuoso is hurt, and Mama says to tell you I let the cat out of the bag!”

Which cat and which bag? With so many secrets jostling one another . . .

“Heavens,” Daisy said, crouching beside the girl. “Is she vexed with you?”

“I don’t think so,” Rebecca said, “but Aunt Gloriana is, and Lord Hythwick is very angry.” She pondered. “Virtuoso bit him, but it was his own fault. He stepped on his tail.”

“Poor Virtuoso! That must have hurt dreadfully. I’m sure his lordship tasted frightful, too.”

Rebecca giggled.

“Put him down, darling, so I can take a proper look.”