It was a relief to have the waiting over. “What do you need me to do?”
“Ensure that Lord Whitworth and his wife reach England safely,” Rhys said. “You may recall that several months ago, Napoleon attacked Britain and Ambassador Whitworth in a screaming tirade in front of the entire French court.”
“It was quite the scandal,” Cade said. “Whitworth apparently endured it all with great British calm, which surely infuriated the First Consul even more. Is there reason to believe that Napoleon might try to have Whitworth killed before he can leave France?”
“Napoleon’s rage was real, but he is too canny to murder a foreign ambassador.” Rhys frowned. “My fear is that one or more of his courtiers might think that killing Whitworth would be a way of winning favor with his master.”
“Rather like when Henry II raged against Archbishop Thomas Becket and several of his knights went to Canterbury and murdered him in his own cathedral,” Cade observed.
“Exactly, and that’s an outcome we want to avoid. Whitworth is one of Britain’s finest diplomats. He is needed.”
“Do you have evidence that his life is in danger?”
Rhys shook his head. “No, just intuition.”
But Rhys’s intuition was very, very good. “So you want me to go to Paris and very discreetly guard Lord Whitworth and the rest of the delegation until they’re all safely back in England.”
“Yes. Tamsyn will go with you.”
No!Cade’s gaze involuntarily snapped to Tamsyn. She must have sensed his look because she glanced up at him with a sweet, intimate smile. Tam, who was all warmth and light and love.
He felt a wrench in his heart. He could not possibly work with her on a dangerous secret mission. “Why Tam? Better to send Cameron or one of your other agents.”
“It needs to be a woman, and Tamsyn is the best I have.”
Cade frowned. “Is it really necessary to send her into an enemy country that is collapsing into war?”
“She may look like a spun sugar angel, but she’s a first-class agent, intelligent and very skilled. I feel she’s the best choice to go with you.”
“How can you bear to send your daughter into danger?” Cade said, his voice tight.
Rhys caught Cade’s gaze, his eyes bleak. “It’s hell every single time I send any one of my children or other agents into danger. I do it because I must.”
“And we go because duty requires us to do so,” Cade said quietly.
“That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy stopping mayhem, and you do,” Rhys said with a sudden smile. He glanced across the lawn. “I need to talk to Mr. Penrose. You and Tamsyn must leave for France as soon as possible, and I believe that Penrose can arrange a swift ship to take you.” He laid a hand on Cade’s shoulder. “Travel quickly and return home safely.”
“I’ll do my best.” Cade watched as Rhys headed purposefully toward Merryn’s father, thinking of the family Rhys and Gwyn had created, which they called the Tribe of Tremayne. It included three biological children and ten fosters. Cade privately thought it a miracle that all of the Tribe got on so well together, though it was probably not really a miracle but the love and generosity Rhys and Gwyn showed to everyone.
Even though he was looking away, he knew when Tamsyn joined him. He always knew where she was. When she reached his side, she gazed down at the beach as Bran and Merryn turned at the far end to retrace their steps. “This may be the first marriage in the family, but it certainly won’t be the last. I wonder if future spouses will blend so seamlessly into the Tribe of Tremayne as Merryn has.”
He considered her question. “Probably not. She’s powerfully gifted, which must have helped.”
“Do you think any of us will marry people who aren’t gifted?”
“I expect not, since being gifted is so much a part of who we are, and our abilities are often annoying to those who aren’t gifted.” He gave her an amused glance. “Wondering about future brothers- and sisters-in-law seems like the sort of thing a female is more likely to ponder.”
Tamsyn laughed. “I’m sure you’re right. Marriages and matchmaking are important concerns for most females.”
Though Cade doubted that was as true for females who were agents of the Home Office. “Rhys just told me that we need to leave for Paris as soon as possible. I wish he didn’t feel he had to send you into what is about to become enemy territory.”
Tam laughed. “With people like us, saying ‘I have a feeling about this’ shuts down any argument. You’ve said that often enough yourself.”
He had to chuckle. “True, but I’m usually right, aren’t I?”
“Yes, and so is Rhys. And Gwyn. And Bran.” She gave him a cherubic smile. “And so am I, big brother. Remember that time . . . ?”
“No need to mention that unfortunate episode,” he said hastily. “I was young and made a mistake.”
