“Then plaster his face everywhere,” said the Duchess of Lux. “Bond Street, Russell Street, nail it on the front of every fucking church door. Offer a king’s ransom as a reward. Come Sunday morning, he won’t be able to take a piss without someone recognizing him. He may have half the rookeries, but no man is rich enough to employ all of it.”
Fully on board, Hamish piped in, “Charlotte could make the sketch.” He laid a protective hand on his wife’s belly. “She’s as good as any professional artist. Better.”
The duchess lit up at the praise, always ready to dive into action. “Camille could help fill in the gaps with anything I’ve forgotten. We’d have his likeness down exact.”
Danny smirked, though the only humor present was from the young baby as the girl amused herself grasping at the front of the Duchess of Lux’s gown.
“I don’t doubt your skills, but throw his face on every lamppost from here to Scotland, and he’ll simply find a new one,” Percy said.
Charlotte frowned. “I hate when the enemy is clever.”
The Duchess of Lux agreed. “Much better when a man is awfulandstupid.”
Danny raised the glass Charlotte put in her hand. “Hear, hear.”
Percy huffed. “Why do I feel as if I’ve failed a test in some way?”
“Because you’re awful?” Charlotte offered.
“As complimentary as ever, Your Grace.” Percy looked at Danny. “Should you not defend me?”
Danny glanced at Charlotte and back and feigned innocence. “One doesn’t like to question the insight of a duchess. Shehasknown you longer.”
Percy threw his hands in the air. “They’ve banded together now.”
Hamish chuckled. “Finally realizing you’re no longer head of anything, chap?”
“Not at all.” Percy grinned. “I’m pitying Nic for the fool now that the ladies are prepared for battle. The war is all but won.”
Charlotte gave a gruff sound of approval. “Not so awful after all.”
“Back to the point.” Percy cleared his throat. “I have a plan—”
“But we’re not going to like it,” Hamish finished, walking towards the bar. “I need a drink first before we break any more laws that could land us in the penitentiary.”
“It requires some flexibility and a good bit of violence,” Percy continued.
“I’m in,” Camille said.
The Duke of Lux crossed himself. “Lord have mercy.”
“First we need an instigator.” Percy faced Danny. “When you said your family likes games, who holds the most wins.”
Danny frowned. She’d told him what their ‘games’ consisted of. “Denise.”
“Can she insult under pressure?”
Danny nodded. “With relish.”
“What do insults have to do with anything?” Hamish asked.
Percy rolled his eyes. “I need someone who is infinitely creative at finding ways to needle someone for my plan to work.”
“And who’s Denise?”
“My younger sister,” Danny explained.
“Ah.”
