“It would be my pleasure, Miss Hughes.” He bowed.
She smiled warmly. “Wonderful. Excuse me.” She started for the door.
“Virginia?” Devlin called.
She hesitated and turned. “Yes?” And there was no choice but to meet his unwavering stare.
“There is a ball tomorrow evening at Lord Carew’s London home. I have accepted the invitation.”
Her heart dropped through her entire body, the sensation sickly. “I have nothing to wear!” She wasn’t ready for this, not after the other day at Madame Didier’s, and not now, after the solitude she had been allowed there at his Greenwich home. She could think of nothing worse than to be flaunted openly as his whore.
“Three of your gowns came today, including the silver ball gown.” His jaw flexed with an effort she did not understand.
She tried to smile but nothing happened, nothing at all.
“We’ll leave at seven tomorrow evening,” he said.
“YOU ARE LOOKING WELL,Devlin, as always,” the Earl of Liverpool said.
Devlin nodded and walked into the prime minister’s office, Liverpool informing his clerk that there were to be no interruptions before closing the door behind him. “Tea? Brandy?” he asked.
“No, thank you.”
“Have you enjoyed your stay at your Hampshire estate?” Liverpool gestured at a seat.
Devlin sat, as did the earl. “The interlude was a pleasant one,” he lied. He hoped to never set foot in Hampshire again—unless it was to receive his ransom money.
“I hear you have taken a most fetching mistress, an American,” Liverpool said.
“I have,” Devlin returned, hardly perturbed. “So the gossips are hard at their work.”
“I believe there is a broken heart or two here in town,” Liverpool returned. “Shall we get down to business?”
“Please do.”
“Tom Hughes has been pushing for your transfer to the American theater, Devlin. With Napoleon retreating from Russia, his troops decisively routed, the ones that are left decimated and starving, I approve wholeheartedly of the idea—in spite of that fiasco last spring.”
“I have no conflict with engaging in action against the Americans,” Devlin said, the first wave of excitement washing over him. A good war was just what he needed to get his mind off of Virginia and the odd feelings and notions she aroused. “We’ve suffered some grave losses at sea. Perhaps I can change that.”
“Yes, we have suffered losses that worry me. However, my concern now is twofold. This American woman—does she present a problem for you?”
“How so?”
“Her allegiance to her country may be strong. Your allegiance to her may also be strong. I hardly wish to send you over to battle her countrymen if you are unwilling in any way to do so.”
Devlin’s mouth curved. “My lord,” he said, “my mistress is a rather unique woman, and she is a patriot, but any regard which I hold for her shall not interfere with my duty.”
“I rather expected that would be your answer. Now answer this. I cannot fathom why Hughes is so eager to send you to the north Atlantic. I know the two of you do not get along, but there must be more to this than an ancient dispute over a French actress. Do you have a clue?”
“She was Hungarian,” Devlin said smoothly. Liverpool would know the truth about Virginia’s identity after the Carew ball, anyway, so he said, “Perhaps it is because my mistress is his cousin.”
“I beg your pardon?” Liverpool gasped.
Devlin shrugged. “I have taken up with a very engaging young woman, and I am afraid she is Eastleigh’s niece.”
Liverpool stared, taken aback. “Devlin, have you no honor? That is despicable.”
“I am afraid I have little honor, but I have answered your question.”
