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George eyed him circumspectly. There were at least two layers to this conundrum. The man had withheld his suspicions for months following his return from France. If he’d been truly concerned about Melly supporting an uprising, he should have brought it to his attention immediately, allowing the Crown to take charge and place watchful eyes on her. That the fellow was only just now experiencing a patriotic impulse told him that he’d failed to gain her cooperation in some other matter and was now resorting to another means.
George did not like the idea of being used. Still, he had to at least consider the possibility that the man had stumbled upon something. With the French supporting the Stuarts’ claim and Rome watching England’s every move
, he would be a fool not to look into every potential threat.
“Treason is a serious charge.” He pinned Herrington with his gaze. “One which would require significant and irrefutable evidence to substantiate. Until such evidence is produced, I should be quite cautious in whom I spoke with regarding this matter. Much unnecessary damage can occur due to an unfounded rumor. We certainly hope no such gossip causes damage to the countess’s good name.”
“Of course not, Your Majesty,” Herrington replied with haste.
Things are not unfolding according to his plan, George thought, noting his nervous fidgeting. He decided to draw him out a bit further: “We shall investigate your claims—quietly. If she turns out to have aided the rebels, we will deal with her according to the law. If not, and it turns out that only her legitimacy is in question, we expect you to provide adequate evidence to support your claim. In the event you are able to produce it, we should like your recommendation as to how the matter might be resolved.”
Herrington’s eyes brightened. “It might be possible to solve the dilemma with a strategic union,” he ventured. “What she needs is an English husband to provide legitimacy for the next Wilmington heir.”
“Mmm, a sort of restoration of pedigree.” George nodded, humoring him. “And whom would you recommend for such a task?”
Herrington pursed his lips. “The man who weds her will be tied to her for life, bound to her tainted blood and required to watch her at all times lest she act treacherously. I’m loath to suggest that another man sacrifice himself. Thus, I can only offer myself.” He kept his eyes downcast.
“How altruistic of you,” George commented, not buying into the humble martyr act. “But why should you be willing to do such a thing? Was it not you who suggested she might be part of a long-range plan to subvert England’s throne by infiltrating the peerage?”
Herrington paled slightly. “I cannot hide the truth from you, Your Majesty. I must confess that I find her desirable. For all her tainted blood, she is a beautiful woman. I desired her before I discovered her true identity, and it is with great shame that I admit to still desiring her. If I were a man ruled purely by logic and reason, I should be glad to see her stripped of her ill-gotten gains and thrown into gaol. But as a man of flesh and blood, I find myself unable to make such a recommendation. Thus, I propose to become her guardian and sentinel, and to forever relinquish my line’s claim to England’s throne.”
“You would give up your peerage?” George asked, surprised. “Are you immune to corruption, then? Do you not fear she might seek to subvert you with her feminine wiles?”
Herrington squared his shoulders. “I shall never be ruled by a woman, Your Majesty. A wife submits to her husband, and I assure you that as my wife she will know her place and obey me in all things. My vigilance will know neither sleep nor rest.”
“And what of young Miss Stanton?” George countered. “Word has reached me that the two of you are very nearly engaged. And, speaking of engagement, the countess is already engaged to the Duke of Gravina.”
“A farce, Your Majesty!” Herrington scoffed, indignant. “The man has made several offhand comments insinuating that his time in England is drawing to an end. I myself heard him say this very night that he would soon cut his ties to this ‘dismal place’ and return home—likely to deliver information she has given him to aid the Pretender.”
He couldn’t resist. “And how do you explain their engagement if she turns out not to be a spy?”
“If such is the case, then one can only surmise that Gravina has duped the countess and is using her as a means of gathering information. Even if she is not a spy, he most certainly is.”
George searched the duke’s peculiar eyes for a long moment. There was something very disturbing about Herrington’s fascination with Melly. He resolved to get to the bottom of this mystery. “We will take your information and recommendations into consideration. In the meantime, you are not to discuss this matter with anyone.”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” replied Herrington.
George watched as he bowed and departed, noting the man’s thinly veiled excitement. As for Melly, he doubted she was a spy, but if the strange tale of her ancestry was actually verified, it presented a real problem.
The sound of giggling awakened Alessandro. He smiled at the warm weight on his shoulder, turning his head to nuzzle the mass of soft, inky hair. His bedmate stirred at the motion, groaning just as another titter floated on the air.
The laughter had not come from Mélisande.
Cracking open a bleary eye, he saw a maid standing beside the bed, a lamp in her hand. He flinched, causing Mélisande to let out a muffled sound of protest as her head rolled off his shoulder.
“M’lady,” called the servant softly.
“Mmm. What is it?” Mélisande flung an arm over her eyes to block the unwelcome light.
“You gave orders to awaken you at the fifth hour.”
Alessandro, now fully awake, gently shook his fiancée.
Shoving aside the thick, straggling locks of hair obscuring her vision, Mélisande stared at the maid in confusion.
“It’s the fifth hour, m’lady,” the girl repeated. Her gaze was now respectfully aimed at the floor.
“Thank you, Martha. I shall dress myself this morning. You may return in half an hour to arrange my hair. And Martha, understand that you’ll be dismissed at once, should you speak to anyone regarding what you have just seen.”
