Page 78 of The Boxing Baroness

“So,” Sin said, looking at Elliot, “do you have any news for us from your friend in Paris?”

“I received a message just before Josephine’s routine. My contact said all the diplomats who’ve been working in the city are rapidly being moved to Brussels or home. He seemed to think the response was overcautious—that Bonaparte would be easily stopped before things got too far.”

“What do you think?” Guy asked.

“Honestly? I just don’t know—but the next few weeks will certainly be critical.”

“Do you think I should tell Marianne that I’ve changed my mind? That she should just go back to England?” Sin asked.

“It would certainly be safer for her. The three of us can still make our way to the meeting place. I’m ready for whatever you decide, Sin.”

Guy nodded. “Me as well.”

“You don’t have to make up your mind right now,” Elliot added. “But sooner, rather than later.”

“Let’s give it a bit more time,” Sin finally said. “I’m not going to drag Marianne into the middle of a war zone to please Dominic. No matter how dire the repercussions.”

* * *

“Look at this!” Barnabas was waiting by the stage door after Marianne finished—and won—her fight.

She paused, sweat rolling down her face and her head aching from an especially hard hit to the temple, and squinted out over the audience. Her uncle had been complaining about the poor sales from the moment they’d arrived in Lille and had become more agitated with each day that passed. Now, on night six, he was downright frantic.

“Barely half the seats are occupied.” Barnabas looked ready to cry. “If this keeps up, we’ll—”

“She needs to put ice on her eye,” the duke said abruptly, setting a large hand on Marianne’s shoulder.

Barnabas’s mouth snapped shut at the other man’s menacing tone.

“Come along,” Staunton murmured to Marianne, the kindness in his voice all the more noticeable in contrast to the frosty tone he’d used with her uncle.

The duke pushed his big body between Marianne and her uncle, nudging Barnabas ungently out of their way.

Marianne allowed him to guide her toward the dressing room that she shared with at least seven other women. “You shouldn’t be so harsh to him,” she chided, even though just speaking made her head pound harder.

Staunton gave an angry laugh as they navigated around Francine Gordon, the magician, who was cradling her rabbit, Henry, and frowning down at the snowy white beast with worry.

“Is Henry still under the weather?” Marianne asked, her question cutting off whatever it was the duke had opened his mouth to say—likely something unpleasant about Barnabas.

Francine looked up from her rabbit, a notch between her huge blue eyes. “He’s even sicker.” Her rosebud mouth puckered into a worried frown. “Do you think Barnabas would mind if—”

“You’ve got the interlude before Blade?” Marianne asked. The interludes were shorter performances between the main acts.

Francine nodded.

“I’m sure either Lizzy or Lu-Lu can fill in for you.” Those were the two jugglers. “Go ahead and take Henry back to the inn and I’ll tell my uncle.”

“Thank you so much, Marianne!” Francine pulled a fancy silk handkerchief from thin air and daubed at her eyes.

Marianne smiled and glanced around, looking for a stagehand. Instead, she saw Guy, who was leaning beside a wall of rigging, chatting up a pretty woman Marianne didn’t recognize.

Marianne raised her hand to summon him, but Sin took her wrist and pulled her arm down. “You go into the dressing room and sit down. I’ll talk to Guy.” He turned to Francine, gesturing to the heavy trunk that served as both a container and prop for her show. “Don’t worry, we’ll take care of your prop case.”

“Oh, thank you, Sin—you’re a love.” Francine stood up on tiptoes and kissed the duke on the cheek. “Say thank you, Henry.” She held up her rabbit, who merely surveyed Staunton through its pink eyes, its nose and mouth twitching.

“Er, you’re both welcome,” Sin said, a charming blush spreading beneath his scruffy red and blond beard.

Once the magician was gone, Sin turned back to her. “What are you doing still standing here?” He waved to Guy without turning away from her. “Go sit down before you fall down.”