Page 65 of The Truth Serum
Which meant he was not the originator of the scheme. Just an opportunist wanting to cash in.
And while Nate kept searching for the identity of BC, he’d tarried too long. Madame and Monsieur had returned home early from the theater and caught him red-handed.
Well, not so much red-handed as hand on bared thigh. Because Madame’s maid Frid had been willing to sacrifice her reputation to help the English fight Napoleon. She’d let him in the house and the library so he hadn’t had to break in. And she was there when the master and mistress returned home.
If the couple had just gone to bed, Nate could have snuck out. Unfortunately, Monsieur did not. He went straight for his library which meant Nate had to put Frid on the settee and his hands on her body, all while promising to make it worth her while.
Now he sat on that very same settee, his ribs throbbing while the hypocritical ass Monsieur Joguet lectured him on moral rectitude. Frid had been taken away by Madame, no doubt toreceive her own lecture and wheedling questions about whether Nate was useable in her own games.
Thankfully, he knew Frid would remain stalwart. He’d have to make good on his promise to her. He prayed that Foreign Office would help in that regard. They sometimes covered the cost of bribes, especially since he’d gotten good information tonight. All he needed to do now was sit through Monsieur’s tirade until he could slink away like a common lecher.
Which was when Monsieur surprised him. Believing that Nate hadn’t a feather to fly with, he sent a message to Ras demanding an answer to this terrible situation.
The man must be in desperate straits to be so bold.
So now Ras was further embroiled in Nate’s messy life. And Nate was obliged to once again act the part of a feckless womanizing ass. Lord, he was getting tired of this particular role. Maybe it was time to consider Benedict’s offer. Or maybe he needed to be done with this half in/half out of society situation for a more direct, concrete role anywhere outside of England. Though, given the way his ribs felt right now, he’d rather not have to crawl through ditches or duck through enemy camps to do it.
Nate sat, his thoughts not on whatever Monsieur was saying, when the knocker sounded. Monsieur immediately opened it, his tone quickly changing from pompous to obsequious. Which meant Ras had arrived. A moment later, the library door opened and…
Oh hell. It wasn’t just Ras. He’d brought Kynthea and Becca as well.
He stared at Becca, his mouth slack in shock. She appeared pale but composed. Why the hell was she here?
Anger and embarrassment flooded him, and he shot Ras a furious look. The duke simply shrugged. Apparently, it was hisright as a best friend to bring whatever audience he wanted to Nate’s humiliation. Good God.
Meanwhile, Becca crossed to him. He knew she was scanning him from head to toe, and he did his best to erase any trace of pain in his expression. Yes, he’d been pushing his ribs. Yes, they ached. But he did not require any medical intervention beyond rest.
“Are you hurt?” she asked in a low voice.
“I’m fine. You don’t belong here.”
“Neither do you, but here you are.”
He couldn’t argue that, but he was still angry at her presence. It was humiliating enough without her bearing witness. “Just go. You and Kynthea both. Ras and I can handle it.”
“Hmmm,” she said, as she abruptly poked his hurt ribs.
“Ouch!” he cried, as he flinched away.
“You should be lying down.”
God, how he wished he could. But there were affairs of the nation at stake here.
“Becca, please, just stay out of it.”
She looked at him, her gaze heavy, and then she said the strangest thing. “I was an idiot. I believe you.” She quickly ran her hand over his. “I’m sorry.” Then she turned and backed away, joining Kynthea to stand to the side while Monsieur launched into his performance.
Nate gaped at her. What did she believe? What did she know? There were so many possibilities, not all of them good. But at least she knew something, right? She saw some part of him that was real, maybe?
That shouldn’t make him want to launch across the room to take her into his arms. He was still angry at her for dismissing him yesterday. And yet, the more he stared at her, the more he wanted her.
Until Monsieur cut across his field of vision.
“You ladies should not be here. We men must handle this acthorrible!” He pronounced the last bit in emphatic French.
Ras stepped forward, his tone calm though his gaze seemed troubled. “Just what has occurred here? Does someone need medical attention?”
“No,” Nate said on a groan.
