“Because you think I will ‘trip up’?”
“Exactly.”
The boy smiled. “Truth might be forgotten, truth might be embellished, but the essential truth will remain. My country is rich in resources, which is why Napoleon didn’t ignore us. He demanded we join his Grande Armée when he marched deep into Europe. My father refused to support the upstart, but our people were afraid the little French emperor would bring his war to our land so they revolted against us. Father died when the palace was stormed, while I was secreted out of the country. But I still have many supporters at home, which is why these rebels think their new republic will fail if I remain alive. They are determined to kill me and have tried numerous times when I was on the way to England and even in this country.”
“You know that Napoleon was defeated last year?” Montgomery mentioned.
“Yes, and exiled to Elba, only to escape early this year to take up arms again. I was making arrangements to go home when he took control of France once more.”
“I doubt the new war will last out the year. He simply doesn’t have the support he had when he tried to conquer all of Europe.”
“I agree, and the rebels in Feldland are once again fearful of losing power because your Regent sent them a warning that he expects the monarchy to be restored. It was worded nicely, without threats, but still provided powerful incentive for them to kill me. I think he sent the missive out of desperation. I suppose I overstayed my welcome with him.”
Mentioning something George would likely do without approval from his ministers was a nice touch. He could definitely see why George had issued the warning, not that he gave credit to anything the boy had said so far. He was proud of himself for not laughing. But Charley could be a foreigner. His slight accent suggested he hadn’t been born in England or at least not raised here. And his clothes and manner suggested lofty social status. George had mentioned factions and esteemed bloodlines, after all, oh, and national importance, though Montgomery took that with a grain of salt. No doubt it was merely an embellishment the Regent had added to convince him to do the favor.
Still the threat to the boy’s life could well be true, so he felt a little sorry for him for having to endure such travails at his tender age.
Which had him saying, “Buck up. Even a polite request from England can yield amazing results, so we just need to keep you alive until the new war ends.”
“Then you believe me?”
Montgomery gave the boy a hard look before he answered, “It doesn’t matter if I do or don’t. I was curious and you spun an interesting tale to satisfy my curiosity, but it’s a tale that shouldn’t be mentioned again—to anyone. There’s obviously a good reason why I wasn’t told who you are, Charley. You obviously know what it is, so you shouldn’t have told me that preposterous tale, which is bloody well much worse than the truth could possibly be. A tale like that will not deflect attention from you, it will just enlarge the target on your back.Doyou understand me?”
“You asked,” Charley grumbled.
Montgomery gave the boy a narrow look. “Yes, I did, but what should your answer have been?”
The boy’s cheeks suddenly turned red. “That I’m nobody?”
Montgomery shook his head, waving a hand at Charley’s garb. “Unless we find some rags for you to wear, you’re obviously not a nobody. You should have just used the false identity the Prince gave you.”
“I wasn’t told about any false identity. But one of the servants at Carlton House handed Arlo a note when we left.”
“Who’s Arlo?”
“He’s driving us.”
“Well, I’ll ask him for the new names we’re to use when we stop.”
Charley sighed dramatically. “This effort to safeguard me seems too hastily planned.”
“Possibly, butsecretiveis the operative word and one you need to take to heart, so consider it your motto henceforth. I’ve been charged with taking us to a safe location where neither of us can be found, and that I will do.”
“I was told you were a soldier.”
“I was.”
“And a master duelist.”
“That’s . . . possible.”
“Then you can protect me no matter what?”
“Boy, how do you envision that happening if a dozen ruffians overtake us because you sound off about being someone worth abducting?”
“Are you referring to the men who are after me?”
“No, nor the ones after me. I’m talking about criminals who will see you as a prize.”
