AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Bertram took a step closer, his frown deepening. “What are you saying? That Lady Perrin has something to do with this business?”
She sighed, closed her eyes and shook her head regretfully. “I do not know. I do not know anything. This entire situation is confusing.”
Bertram was in total agreement with that assessment. Nothing made sense—Lady Perrin’s escalated interest in him, the determination to kill him…it was all bizarre.
With a sigh, he reached for her hand. “You should not have gone there. Heaven knows what she might have done to you if she knew. You cannot rely on Raphael not to tell her.”
“He promised me that he would not.”
“He is also simple.”
“Simple, yes, but he understands things well enough. He knew what I was doing there. What I was looking for. He knew the men were somehow connected to his sister or whatever she is to him.”
“Are you saying he is only playacting?”
“No. That isn’t it. But he is not withoutallhis wits about him.” She stared earnestly at him, “Whatever is going on, he knows about it, and knows enough not to tell me.”
Bertram frowned. “Youaskedhim?”
“Yes, of course I did.”
Bertram ran a hand through his hair, as he turned away from her, pacing around the room. “You have no idea what kind of danger you’ve put yourself in!”
“What do you mean?”
He whirled around to glare at her. “Have you no understanding of what we’re doing here? You were supposed to act as if you were on their side. If he opens his mouth, that lie will be exposed!” he ran his hands through his hair in annoyance.
“I am nota greenhorn, Your Grace.”
“I understand that but—”
She stepped right up to him, glaring into his eyes. “No! No buts. I have been a spy since I was four-and-ten years old. How long haveyoubeen an officer?”
Bertram sighed, shaking his head as he turned away from her, even as he had to concede that she had a point. “Well, if you are so seasoned in this world, then I would ask that you take more care and do not reveal yourself to those who might be your enemies!”
“You say that when you were the one kissing her in the garden?” she yelled.
“She kissed me!” he flicked his hand as if warding away the words, “In any case, that is neither here nor there. All the intelligence we have so far received leads to Lady Perrin. For now, we will take a step back and regroup.” He stepped forward and reached out a hand to her, laying his palm open.
She looked down at it blinking a few times before raising her own hand slowly and placing her palm against his. He folded his hands over hers and squeezed. She breathed in deep and then breathed out with an audible sigh. “I’ve never felt so…unsure about my future before. It is distressing.”
Bertram nodded. He could well understand the sentiment. He had been raised with certain expectations of how his life would go. A French spy hurtling into it and upending all his ideas of love and fidelity was not something he had ever even thought to expect.
He lifted her hand up and pressed his lips to her knuckles. She watched him, her eyes dark and troubled, her hand squeezing against his.
“For now, can we put this puzzle aside and spend some time doing something more pleasant?”
Immediately her eyes lighted as she grinned skeptically. “Whatever do you mean, Your Grace?”
“Have you ever played any card games?” he asked.
She threw back her head and laughed. “You cannot be serious, Bertie. You wish to play cards withme? What are the stakes?”
Bertram’s lips quirked as did his brow. “Why is playing card games with you amusing?”
“I am a spy. We generally tend to be well versed in keeping our cards close to the vest. It is difficult to win against us.”
Bertram grinned. “Is that your lore then? That spies are difficult to beat in card games?”
