He glanced back to make sure Jenny, a few steps behind, was out of earshot.
“My dear Eleanor,” he said, sotto voce, “your husband is up to his neck in a Napoleonic plot.No, no, do not gape so.I know of what I speak.I, for my sins, am also involved.Madame Bellaire, of whom I am sure you know, is one of the principals.She is coordinating activities in this country, but the plot spreads throughout the continent, the world even.”
He took in her astonished, incredulous expression.“You do not believe it.You will if you think about it.Your husband has been neglecting you, and even I have to admit he’s not the man to be so crass merely for another woman, any woman.But for a dream, an ideal?”
Eleanor was stunned, but it did seem to provide an explanation for the state of affairs.At the same time it was ridiculous.“Who would want Bonaparte back?”she asked.
“Many people for many reasons, both selfish and idealistic.But not me.I’m sick of the whole business and I plan to betray the plot.I will do so without involving your husband for ten thousand pounds.”
At the figure, Eleanor’s heart almost stopped.It was a fortune.Then she remembered it was her brother making this proposal.There had to be a trick to this.“If I tell Nicholas what you’ve said he would stop you from revealing anything.”
He was not disconcerted.“Perhaps, but I have left documents with friends.Besides, I thought you had always been so patriotically against Napoleon.And would you not like to see your husband free of Madame Bellaire’s web?”
Eleanor resolutely ignored the last part of his speech and concentrated on the plot.“Of course I’m anti-Napoleon.However, I can’t imagine Nicholas supporting that monster and I don’t have ten thousand pounds.”
There was a short pause as he assessed her state of mind.“You do, however, have a remarkable string of pearls.”
Eleanor stared at him in horror.“You want me to steal the pearls?”
“I am sure your husband will consider them of less worth than his life.”
Eleanor knew she would give the pearls, the house, everything, to ensure Nicholas’s safety, but then she ruthlessly called to mind her brother’s lifelong perfidy.
“I won’t do it, Lionel.I’m convinced this is a farrago of nonsense.I’ll speak to you no longer.”
He smiled confidently.“Think it over.I will be here tomorrow at the same time.If you change your mind, Nell, bring the pearls.Strictly payment in advance.If you don’t, you’d best order your widow’s weeds.”
Eleanor gasped under this blow.Numbly she stood and watched as her brother sauntered away.She hated him.He terrified her.She knew Lionel would be willing to send Nicholas to the gallows for a pocketful of silver, never mind a fortune.
As they walked home Jenny was obviously concerned at her distress.“You don’t look well, ma’am.Should you not sit and rest?”
“No, I must go home, Jenny.It is just that my brother upsets me.We always fight.”
Eleanor tried to make her tone light, but she knew Jenny was concerned and would doubtless report this to Nicholas.Then what would happen?After that happy drive she could go to her husband and tell him of her dealings with her brother, but not until she had sorted this latest twist into some kind of sense.
“Well, ma’am,” said the maid, seemingly in tune with her mistress’s thoughts, “if I were you, I’d tell the master.He’d soon send your brother to the right about.”
Eleanor faced the girl.“Jenny, I am fine.And I do not wish this reported back to Mr.Delaney.”
“Yes, ma’am,” said the maid sulkily.
Eleanor wondered if she would be obeyed.
Once home, Eleanor went to her boudoir to think, quite unaware of other activities in the house.
Nicholas was in the study with Tom Holloway, who had slipped in to make his report on Eleanor’s morning walk.
“Well?”asked Nicholas curtly.
“Sir Lionel met with her again.They seemed to argue, but he didn’t look put out.”
“Did she try to get rid of him?”
“Didn’t seem that way to me, Nick.”
Nicholas sighed.“I see.Well, I hope he can’t make too much trouble before tomorrow.Can you get around and tell everyone to meet at Cavanagh’s rooms tonight at nine?Good.”
After Tom Holloway had left Nicholas stood for a moment staring out of the window, one finger tapping idly on the windowsill.Then he rang and sent for Jenny.
