He sighed. “I asked Geraint to inform you, but he said it was not important to you, a woman. Only that you did what was needed.”
That hurt, but Mary was no fool. She knew that this was a man’s world, and why she’d thought Alexius and Geraint would be any different, she had no idea, but she had.
“I have wanted to tell you this before now, but Geraint was quite insistent I don’t, and until now I didn’t think it was important.”
“But it is now?”
He nodded. “I believe so, and the reason is, the Deville brothers are part of Alexius.”
“What?” Shock had the word coming out in a shriek. Luckily the noise outside the tent muffled it.
Monty sighed. “Do you need a lavender water handkerchief?”
“Extremely amusing. Speak, Monty.”
“Listen well, my dear, you are about to get a history lesson that those of us who wear breeches were given when we joined Alexius.”
Mary’s lips thinned, but she did not speak. She knew that while Geraint accepted her and understood her work was important, he would never truly see her as one of them.
“In 1709, the monarchy was under threat, and a council was formed by Anne, Queen of Great Britain. She selected ten of her most powerful nobles. Men she trusted to pledge their allegiance to her and none other. Each was given a ring, the gold band forged from goblets said to be used by William the Conqueror in 1066 when he won the Battle of Hastings and took the throne. The men would protect the ruling monarch, and the council would be known as Alexius.The Defenders.”
“Why are you telling me this now?” Mary asked.
Monty put his hand over her mouth. “Do you want to hear this story?”
Mary nodded.
“Then be quiet.”
She glared at him.
“Over the years, their numbers would grow as members would be enlisted for courageous acts undertaken or loyalty to the throne. Others inherited the position. Brothers, cousins, all united in their quest.”
“The ring,” Mary whispered. “Lord Raine wears one as Father does?”
Monty nodded and then reached into his necktie and pulled out a heavy chain. On the end was a ring. The same as her father’s.
“The band says the pledge, Mary.”
Her brain scrambled to put together the pieces of what he was saying.
“The Deville brothers are part of Alexius?Allthe Deville brothers,” she whispered.
He nodded. “It’s my belief they all are and their cousin, and likely they were there last night seeking the same information we were.”
“Why have you not told me before?”
He shrugged. “It was not something you needed to know until Zachariel Deville appeared in that room.”
“I— That has never happened to you before?” She had not told him about seeing Zach at Lady Louise’s.
“Geraint does not usually send us in the same direction, but sometimes our informants give us information that will have us crossing paths,” Plunge said. “He keeps me away from other nobles due to the fact I am undercover, but I have had a few brushes. Not with the Deville brothers however, until last night.”
“I saw Zachariel Deville at Lady Louise’s when I was searching her desk, Monty.”
He frowned. “Why did you not tell me?”
“I don’t know. I just didn’t.”
