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“And there is a difference between ’must’ and ’can’?”
“There seems to be. People say they do what they must when what they’ve done has hurt someone. People who do what they can are usually helping.”
“A matter of semantics.” He shrugged. “But perhaps you’re right. I made a choice, when I was a young man, and now I mustn’t whine. Perhaps I had other options, but at the time, at that age, I didn’t see them. Given the same circumstances, I would make the same choice again.”
There was no regret in his voice, only a pragmatic acceptance of who and what he was. He didn’t despair over the mistakes he had made; there was no angst, no wrestling with his conscience. He had set his feet on a certain path and never looked back.
She wanted to ask him why he had made the choice he had, but the answer seemed fairly obvious: money. He had needed money, and that was the means he had chosen to get it. The “why” didn’t matter; by his own free will, he had put himself across the line that divided legal from illegal. She couldn’t help liking him, but at the same time she had no qualms about presenting herself to him under false pretenses. Ronsard was an adversary, however friendly and charming he might be.
“My profession aside, I still want an answer to my invitation.”
“A house party.” That was exactly the function to which John had wanted her to get invited, but there was no enthusiasm in her voice. “How large a party?”
That question had him smiling again. “Are you wondering if it would be a party of two, which I would much prefer? I believe there are about a hundred people invited.”
“Then your house must be more than just ’comfortable,’ “she said dryly.
“Perhaps that was an understatement. But there are separate guest quarters that house half that number, so not everyone is staying under the same roof.”
“That is still a large roof.”
“Yes, it is. Don’t hold my roof against me, please.”
She laughed. “I’m sure it’s a very nice roof. Would you mind if I ask who the other guests are?”
His eyes gleamed. “You wouldn’t ask unless you were considering accepting,” he said with satisfaction. “You met many of the same guests at the prime minister’s ball that you’ll meet at my home.”
Many, but not all. Undoubtedly some of his guests were the sort who wouldn’t be invited to government functions. It was a cynical world, when the lawmakers and the lawbreakers mingled together behind the scenes. John would be there, as one of the latter group. She wondered if he would be surprised at any of the other guests, then dismissed the idea. No, he wouldn’t be surprised. He probably knew of them all.
“Please say yes,” he cajoled. “I won’t be in Paris much longer, and your visit may end before I return.”
“Yes,” she said, and sighed. “I’ll probably go home afterward. It would be awkward for me to visit you, then come back to the embassy. I don’t want to do anything that would damage Albert’s career.”
He was silent as they walked along. Perhaps he didn’t like being told associating with him had repercussions for others, but she wasn’t going to sugarcoat anything for him. She had a job to do, and so far her instincts had been on target; so many people sucked up to him, and he was pursued by so many women that the very fact she didn’t made her memorable to him.
“So I won’t see you again after you leave the house party,” he finally said. He gave her a wry smile. “I don’t think we normally travel in the same circles.”
“No,” she said. “We don’t.”
“Then it’s all the more important for you to come. There’s someone I’d like for you to meet.”
“I got the invitation,” she told John the next morning when he called.
“Good. When are you going?”
“Day after tomorrow.”
“I won’t be there until the next day. There’s a fancy-dress party that night, and I’ll probably schedule my arrival during the party.”
“How do you know the schedule? And why in the middle of the party?”
“Everyone’s attention will be splintered, including Ronsard’s. It’s just a small advantage for me, but every detail matters. We don’t know his security arrangements, the floor plan, or his schedule, so we’ll have to play that part by ear. Don’t forget, I’ll be smitten by you the first time I see you, so we’ll have an excuse to be together.”
“I’m turning into a love goddess,” she muttered. “Men are being smitten left and right.”
He laughed quietly. “Maybe you’ve found your niche in life.”
“Smiting men?”
