“No, mushrooms.”
“Fungus, then,” I quip, twirling a lock of hair around my finger. “How fitting!”
Mother and Uncle Richard stifle their smiles.
Adam’s lips don’t even twitch.Tough crowd, the spook.
“So, what’s the plan?” I ask. “Sneak in while he’s away?”
Even as I speak, I imagine myself in some sort of spy gear, tiptoeing around a dark castle.
That would be perfect, come to think of it!In this scenario, I won’t have to socialize with Henri, or even be around him. Hisrole as my Key to the Key will consist in clearing the premises so that I can get in, locate the key, and get out.
All the key seekers before my predecessor, Darrel, had ended up emotionally involved with their Key to the Key. Darrel had been convinced the same thing would happen to him. His Key to the Key, Charlotte, is a gem of a woman—smart, competent, beautiful, close to Darrel in age—a perfect match. He spent a lot of time in her company as they searched for the key. They became friends. Darrel appreciated Charlie in every way… except one.
That one way was reserved for Stella, the confused, emotionally abused twenty-two-year-old who’d saved him from her crazy parents’ murderous plans. He’d tried to forget her, to stay away from her. But he failed miserably. Thus, he became the first key seeker to escape the clutches of the prophecy.
If Darrel could do it, then so can I!
By an ironic quirk of fate, Henri was designated as my Key to the Key. But he isn’t the one for me. He isn’t my destiny. He cannot be my destiny. There’s no way I can live with a man I know I can’t trust.
Adam pulls out a tablet and opens a file. “Henri doesn’t travel as much as one would expect. He manages his international affairs by phone and video calls. Besides, the estate has live-in staff.”
“No covert op, then?” I pull a disappointed face.
“No, Gigi, no covert op,” Uncle Richard confirms, looking amused. “We’re going to read the Bellays in.”
“Partially,” Adam adds in haste.
I shoot a pleading look at both. “Isn’t that too risky? Aren’t we supposed to be keeping this whole thing hush-hush?”
Henri can’t be trusted!
“The de Bellays are one of the oldest families in the country,” Mother says. “They are loyal to a fault and dedicated to the Crown.”
The family—yes, but not its youngest son. Loyalty isn’t a genetic trait.
Adam looks up from his tablet. “Your concern is commendable, Your Highness. But rest assured, I have done due diligence on the entire de Bellay clan and cleared them of any suspicion.”
Ugh! Should I tell them the truth?
If I do, I doubt Henri will be read in, not even partially. It would be a safer approach. But my scoop would disgrace him and reflect badly on his family. As much as I resent the man, I can’t bring myself to hurt him like that.
I square my shoulders. “Once they’re in the loop, am I supposed to ask Henri, ‘Hey, mind if I rummage through your château for an old key?’”
“You will go there with our best team of experts who will do the actual rummaging, Your Highness,” Adam clarifies, as earnest as ever.
“I’m going to personally telephone Henri’s parents,” Uncle Richard says. “After that, you, Henri, his parents and Adam will sit down and go over the details. A preparatory meeting for a mission of this import is best held in person,mon enfant. Full cooperation of all parties is key as is mutual trust.”
Before I can blurt a sarcastic comment that I might regret, I change the topic, “What about Kurt?”
“Adam has a clever plan,” Uncle Richard says.
Adam packs away his tablet. “I’ll make all the necessary arrangements and brief you on the details later.”
“All right.” I look from Mother to Uncle Richard to Adam. “I suppose you’ll let me know when we’re going to pay a visit to the de Bellays?”
“Yes, Your Highness. May I suggest you clear your schedule for tomorrow? I’ll confirm as soon as His Most Serene Highness has spoken with Count de Bellay.” He shifts uncomfortably, and for a moment I think he’s going to add something else, but then he doesn’t.
