“She didn’t do it,” Danielle hurried to add. “But the French were prejudiced against her. She was tried and convicted with little evidence. She was shipped back to England, traded for some French prisoner. I expect her family had a hand in that.”
“Where were you?”
“I was left alone.”
“What didn’t your mother’s family take you in?”
“My mother had never told them about me. All I knew was that I had to get to England. To save my mother.”
“And you met Grim?”
“He found me on a smuggler’s ship and offered me a job.”
“He tends to show up at opportune times, doesn’t he?”
“I know he did for me.” She snuggled farther into the bed. “I agreed to work for him in exchange for his helping my mother. He knew I’d be loyal because I’m half English and the French had ruined my family. By the time my mother was released from prison, she’d contracted consumption.”
Cade searched her face. “I’m sorry, Danielle.”
She shook her head to dispel the tears stinging her eyes. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Why is your ship namedThe Elenor?” She winced, prepared to hear him say it was a woman he’d once loved.
“My mother’s name,” he said quietly, nudging her shoulder with the tip of his nose.
“Was it?” she answered in awe.
He nodded again and kissed her shoulder. She tried to ignore the flicker of lust that shot through her. How could she want him again already?
She moved quickly to another question. “Were Daphne and Rafe already married before their wedding last month?”
His bark of laughter filled the room. “Who told you that?”
“Mary mentioned it.”
Cade pushed himself up on one elbow against the pillows. “I’m not certain. I wasn’t there when they made their infamous trip to France.”
“France?”
“Rafe and Daphne performed a mission together. With Grim actually.”
“They did?” Danielle blinked rapidly. “You must tell me all about it.”
Cade kissed her neck. “I’m certain they’ll tell you all the details someday. It was swashbuckling and romantic. They fell in love in France. Only thetondoesn’t know they were together. That part is a secret. Whether they were already married, well, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Mary knows more than I do about my own brother.”
Danielle glanced away. More tears stung her eyes. Daphne and Rafe wouldn’t tell her the story one day. Cade was wrong about that. She would never see them again and if she did, they’d be angry over her duplicity.
“It sounds quite romantic,” she murmured.
Perhaps sensing her sadness, he changed the subject. “So, you’re chasing Baptiste to get the money to take your mother to the sea?”
She shook her head slowly, tracing her finger against the soft sheet. “It’s more complicated than that. I have my own grudge against Lafayette Baptiste.”
“You do?” He raised up on an elbow and searched her face. “So do I.”
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
