He turned his gaze on Darcy. “Which brings me to the crux of the matter. I know your wife has been training closely with Riquer, so she may not be objective enough to make a judgment. I would like you to think very carefully before you answer.”
Elizabeth shifted uncomfortably. Why did she need to be objective? What crux of the matter did he mean?
“Some people think Ramon de Riquer is still one of Napoleon’s spies. What is your opinion on that? Do you believe he is loyal to the Crown?” The prince’s serious expression stressed the gravity of the question.
Elizabeth felt her blood go cold. Did they think Riquer was a traitor?
Darcy shot Elizabeth a glance. “I know you will not like what I say, Elizabeth, but I must be completely honest. Your Highness, I do not trust Riquer at all.”
It shocked her to the core to hear Darcy express his opinion so openly, and in such a situation. She knew he had never warmed up to Riquer. He had distrusted him ever since Elizabeth was trapped in a cell with the former Imperial Mage. She had come to no harm, but somehow that initial suspicion had lingered, and nothing had changed Darcy’s mind. Initially, she had thought it was fair enough. Riquer had been part of the group of Imperial Mages who had attacked Founders’ Hall and practically destroyed it, after all.
Since hearing his story, however, she understood his reason. He had been compelled to join the Imperial Mages by Napoleon, who had threatened to kill his family if he did not. Why did Darcy dislike Riquer so strongly? Was it because, as Mary had stated, he was jealous? It was Darcy’s judgment that was in question here. How could he go so far as to accuse Riquer of committing treason? On what basis would he do such a terrible thing? Did he want Riquer to hang?
Elizabeth was incensed. Nothing could excuse him throwing out unfounded accusations like that. She had to defend Riquer. But would the Prince Regent care about her answer, or would he just accept Darcy’s opinion?
“I disagree completely, Your Highness. Riquer has done absolutely nothing to suggest he is a traitor. Since he joined the Royal Mages, he has taught several new forms of magic to the apprentices, not just Mirror magic. He has done everything he could to teach me, dedicating hours of his day to my training. Moreover, he has revealed enough information about the Imperial Mages to satisfy those in the government who were worried he could be spying for Napoleon.” She looked at LordMatlock. “And there are people in Barcelona that will vouch for him.”
The Prince Regent considered her. His gaze was shrewd, and Elizabeth met his eye squarely. “Why should I take your opinion over Mr. Darcy’s?”
It was a good question. Hope flared up inside her. “Because I know him better. I had seen nothing in his behavior that is the least suspicious.”
Prinny quirked his eyebrow, his eyes fixed on her. “Are you willing to wager the fate of the Kingdom on it?”
The weight of that responsibility felt crushing. She struggled to breathe. Was she willing to stake the Kingdom on Riquer’s innocence? It was a terrifying decision to make, but officers often faced such choices when going into battle. As a woman, she was normally shielded from such decisions. Now, for once, her opinion could decide someone’s fate. Did Riquer deserve her trust?
“I am,” she said, firmly. Inside, she was quaking, her stomach churning. “I have worked with him closely for several months, and I have seen no evidence of duplicity.”
The Prince Regent looked at Darcy. “Would you like to convince me otherwise?”
Bitterness burned her throat. Riquer’s future rested not on her, but on Darcy. It was his opinion that would count, not hers after all. Riquer’s life depended on it.
“I do not see how we could ever trust someone who was involved in an attack on Founder’s Hall.” Darcy’s words were cold.
The Prince Regent nodded, apparently satisfied. “But you do not have any proof otherwise.”
Darcy hesitated for a fraction of a moment, then sighed. “I do not.”
The prince turned to Matlock. “You have already voiced your opinion to me on prior occasions. We have made our decision. We will send Riquer to France. If we had other alternatives, I might have held back, but any advantage it may give us to have someone inside is welcome, if the Kingdom is on the brink of being invaded. It is a risk well worth taking. If he is an Imperial Agent, this will bring it out into the open.”
Elizabeth felt a tremendous sense of relief. So, this was why the Prince Regent was asking all these questions. It was not about treason at all. It was about sending Riquer to France.
“It is decided, then. You will be Riquer’s contact, obviously.” He looked at Elizabeth. “We will talk about how you will use the relay system to communicate with me. I will rely on you to inform me if you see any suspicious behavior.”
Elizabeth nodded. “If I have any doubts, Your Highness, what would be the best way to inform you?”
A gleam appeared in the Regent’s eye. He clearly enjoyed the idea of subterfuge.
“Send a message with a single word.Compromised. I will understand at once.”
At that, the Prince Regent stood up, forcing them to their feet as well. “Meanwhile, if there is any change, Lord Matlock is your contact. He will know the right channels to use. We will discuss the details of Riquer’s mission and convey them to everyone when the time comes.”
They were dismissed. Elizabeth curtseyed, then walked backwards with her companions towards the door, trying not to stumble over her petticoats. One did not turn one’s back to a monarch.
But as she left, a thought struck her like a blow to the stomach. Her thoughts scurried in a hundred directions as she tried to understand the implications of what had just happened.
What had she done? She had convinced Prinny that Riquer was trustworthy, unaware of the prince’s plans. If Riquer was commanded to return to France as a Royal mage, he could not refuse. He had to obey orders. The question was, what treatment could he expect when he returned to France? Would they believe that he was still loyal to them, or would the French immediately accuse him of being a traitor?
By defending him so strongly, Elizabeth might have single-handedly signed Riquer’s death sentence.
