“Well, all her things are here, such as they are.She has never expressed any wish to have any of them.”
“Excellent,” she purred approvingly.“Ask her to come and choose what she wishes to keep.But it must be tomorrow.”
“But I may not see her tomorrow,” he protested.
“You will make sure you do,” said Madame Bellaire gently.“You will find a way.And then,” she added softly, “we will not feel it necessary to interfere in your little plans.”
“My plans?”he squawked, his eyes almost bulging.He took a step toward the door.
“But yes.”She smiled as freely and as insincerely as he was wont to do.“You are a littleennuiewith poor Bonaparte, yes?You think your government would pay a reward for news of this dangerous plot?Well, so too are weennuyent, and we put an end to it all tomorrow.But we must leave in safety.And so you bring Eleanor to me, I arrange all, we go, and then you can tell and receive your reward.There will still be little fish for your government to feast on.There is also this.”
She placed a heavy pouch upon the table.“A thousand guineas for your trouble and for your past services.Handsome pay, is it not, for arranging an advantageous marriage for your sister?”
“I never did understand that,” he mumbled, his eyes fixed on the bag.“I thought you were after Eleanor, Deveril.Did you plan this all along then?”
“A littledivertissement,” said Madame Bellaire with a smile.“Lord Deveril would have enjoyed your sister for a while, but he accepts the vagaries of war.The target, however, was the brother.We did not anticipate enthralling my darling Nicholas by that ploy.That,” she said with a catlike smile, “was an unexpected pleasure.It has proved vastly amusing, but it is time to put it properly to use.You are going to help us, Sir Lionel, are you not?One last time?”
He looked at her beautiful, smiling, ruthless eyes and swallowed.
He nodded dumbly.
Eleanor was preventedfrom spending the whole day grappling with her problem by the arrival in the afternoon of Amy and Peter.Her friend and Lady Middlethorpe were spending a few days in town.
“Goodness, Eleanor,” said Amy irrepressibly.“I believe I can see the baby.”
Peter choked.
“Oh, I shouldn’t say that, I suppose, but one can hardly not see it.Do you feel very excited?I know I would … will,” she added with a blush and a delightful glance at Peter, who was himself a little red.
“Really, Mouse, the things you say.Eleanor, can you stand it if I leave her here for an hour or two?”
“Of course.I’m delighted.I love Amy’s company.”
He put on a stern face.“Aye, everyone does.It’s the devil.A fellow can never get two words with her.Once we’re married I’ll lock her up.”
When he had taken his leave Amy chuckled.“Isn’t he lovely?I have to shake myself every day to believe it’s me he loves.There are so many prettier girls.”
“You are living proof that it’s character that counts.”
“Isn’t it amazing?But are you well?You look a little worn.”
“Oh, it’s the heat,” said Eleanor with an element of truth.“I’m very well for the most part, but to tell you the truth, I think pregnancy is rather tedious.It is all waiting.”
“Is Nicholas not at home?”Amy asked casually.“Men are the limit.Francis has stayed in town.I don’t know why, for everyone is in the country or at Brighton.Since my mother and I are here we thought to have a small dinner tonight, but he says he has an engagement.Mama is most upset and is calling him unfilial.It is most unfair, for he is generally the most filial brother … Well, you know what I mean.”
Eleanor laughed.It was wonderful to have Amy back again.“I do indeed.He is the soul of kindness.”
Amy sighed happily.“No one is as fortunate as I.Do you know, the Duchess of Arran is trying to get him for her youngest daughter?And she is very particular.Mama is all puffed up, though I don’t know if Francis is taken with Lady Anne.I like her, but that is nothing to say to it, I suppose.”
“Is she the pretty, fair girl with the limp?”
“Yes.She’s very sweet, and I think that would suit Francis more than a stormy nature.Lady Anne’s a little shy because of the limp, but I’m sure Francis wouldn’t care for that if he loved her.”
“No, of course not, and Francis would be an excellent husband for a shy girl with such a problem.He’s so kind and thoughtful.”
Amy’s eyes began to sparkle.“Very well then, I shall do a little subtle matchmaking.Do you know,” she said with one of her sudden changes of subject, “I met your brother recently and I didn’t like him at all.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.You have excellent taste.”
