“Of course they won’t. We are not dealing with people of honor or we would not be in this situation,” Michael said.
“Our king hopes it does not get to the point where the spies will be released,” Geraint said.
“How did the women approach these men? Surely they were not invited?” Gabe demanded.
“On the evening concerned, there was a knock on the door. A gentleman stood there. According to the butler who saw him, he was of average height and size,” Geraint said.
“Which tells us nothing,” Gabe said. “And there is no such thing as an average-sized person.”
“Exactly,” Zach said. “They are large, small, tall, thin, or rotund but rarely average-sized.”
“The man said the women were there as requested,” Geraint continued, undeterred by Zach’s words. “When the butler approached Blackhall, he seemed confused, as did the other gentlemen. It appears the women had followed the butler into the room where the men were.”
“The women were persuasive is my guess?” Forrest said.
Geraint nodded. “The men had been drinking steadily through the meeting and so were—”
“Responsive to flattery,” Nathan said in disgust.
“The butler said Blackhall told them to go, but one of the women sat on his lap, and it seems, she was extremely persuasive.”
“Which means what? That they were drunk so therefore their behavior is forgivable?” Zach demanded.
“Or drugged,” Geraint added. “They are powerful men. I would ask you to remember that.”
“My brother is correct in what he says, Geraint. We have been in this very room more times than I could count and heard of these so-called powerful men making stupid mistakes that greatly impact the security of our nation,” Gabe snapped.
Geraint sighed. It was possibly the first time they’d ever heard one from him.
“Presumably all the men present spent time with the prostitutes?” Nathan asked.
“Yes. The women joined them for a night of revelry. The following morning, they were gone and the lords were extremely hazy as to what had happened. But they found their papers had been rifled through, and documentation was missing,” Geraint said.
Zach muttered something unflattering. “And now you want Alexius to find these women presumably?”
Geraint nodded, and he then placed a piece of paper on the table. “These are the details we have.”
Gabe took it.
“What of the man who was with the women?” Forrest asked.
“He did not come inside, and the butler did not see him again.”
“And you want Alexius to get these women or the man or anyone involved before they leave England?”
“Yes. We have men at all points of departure in the United Kingdom,” Geraint said. “There is also something else,” he added.
“Let me guess. The keys to the treasury were left on the table and stolen,” Zach said, which had his brothers snorting.
“We have someone undercover here in London who we believe is getting closer to these women,” Geraint said, ignoring Zach.
“You really believe whoever is involved in this is still in London?” Zach asked.
“We do, as the letter with demands to the king was sent the following day.” Geraint hesitated.
Zach frowned. Geraint was holding something back from them, he was sure of it.
“Well let’s hope that now the men who run this country have been informed to think before they invite strange women into their homes?” Nathan said.
