Mary took the arm Monty held out and let him lead her from her family.
“Your sister has no manners,” he hissed out the side of his mouth, all while his silly smile was in place. “And your mother should not have let you walk off with a man alone.”
“We have servants, but yes, you are probably right. I think she’s given up on my marriage prospects and decided I will be a spinster who will one day look after Phillipa’s children.”
“You will marry. Some idiot will see your worth one day, and if not, we will marry just to get you out of your home. Then we can live a platonic life reading and arguing.”
“We would kill each other.” She loved this man and yet it was the love a sister had for a brother, and Mary knew he felt the same way about her.
He had told her very little about his past other than he had no family or friends, which made her sad. Monty had told her there was no need for sadness, as he was more than happy with his life, and she was his friend, so what more did he need?
“You’re possibly right, but as I won’t wed, it is an option. I have plenty of houses we can go to when sick of each other.”
“I will keep it in mind, and thank you for your kind offer, sir.”
Mary found herself heading toward a tent. Once they’d reached it, Monty raised the flap and nudged her inside. It was empty save some boxes stacked in rows.
“We must find this Julia that Francine spoke of, Monty.”
“I know. I have given the information about her to Geraint, but yes, we must start to look also.”
“And what of Zachariel Deville, Monty? He saw you fighting last night and will be curious about you.” This thought had kept her awake. What did he now suspect about Lord Plunge? Madame Lucienne was safe, as he had no notion who she was.
“And you,” he said.
“But he thinks I’m a Frenchwoman. You, he thinks, are a foppish noble who can fight extremely well.”
“I protest,” he simpered. His expression then changed to the cool, calculating man she knew. He was articulate and could work through a problem faster than anyone.
“Mary, I have thought long and hard about telling you this, but I believe now is the time you should know.”
“Know what?”
“Have you heard about the rings of Alexius?”
“What rings?”
“You know about Alexius, as do I, because that night you pushed your way inside the church I was there. The rest is history, and ever since, you and I have worked together,” Monty said.
“Only because I forced Geraint’s hand.”
“He is no fool. Having a woman capable of going places and speaking to other women was something Alexius needed. You have done much in your short time with us. But he has not told you everything.”
“What things don’t I know?”
“You knock five times on the door, and we four.”
“So, I get sore knuckles, and you do not. That seems unfair,” Mary snapped. “Now what about the rings you speak of.”
“It is only an extra knock, Mary, do not be dramatic. I’m not sure why Geraint has chosen not to share everything about Alexius with you, but I don’t think it is fair.”
“It isn’t, so you must tell me,” she said.
“The pledge is not all there is to Alexius,” he said in a steady voice.
She searched his face, saw that he was serious.
“Wh-what don’t I know?”
