Page 76 of The Secret of Flirting
Monique shook off the tantalizing thought that he’d kept silent out of concern for her. “He behaved cautiously, as he always does, probably to avoid the risk of being wrong. His future in politics is at stake, apparently.”
“Still, I saw real terror on his face when he spoke of not letting you be murdered. I think he cares more than you know. Perhaps even more thanhewill admit.”
Monique stared down at their joined hands. “Even if he does, it makes no difference. Gregory—” She caught herself. “Lord Fulkham could never marry me. I am one of those actresses beyond the pale whom he spoke of at dinner last night.”
“I don’t know; I think you’re wrong. But if you’re not...” Lady Ursula sighed. “We must find a way to convince him not to expose you.”
“I can’t imagine how. I already offered to share his bed in exchange for his silence.”
“My dear!” Lady Ursula cried, clearly shocked. “I should hope there’s no need to dothat. Unless you reallywantto join with him, of course.”
She avoided Lady Ursula’s penetrating gaze. “I—I wouldn’t mind so much, actually.” Oh, who was she fooling? She would eagerly share his bed, if only to experience the thrill of having been his, even for a short while. “But he refused my offer. He said that bedding me as some sort of... payment for his acquiescence in the masquerade would be akin to rape.”
“Did he? Interesting.” Lady Ursula looked pensive. “It appears that our ruthless Lord Fulkham is actually a gentleman when it comes to women. I suppose I should believe it, given what they say about him.”
“What do they say?”
“That he has no mistress, which is odd for a bachelor. But apparently his position in the foreign office takes precedence over anything else.” She leaned close. “And Mr. Danworth says he’s been looking for a wife to cement his future.”
“Of course he has.” A quick flash of pain hit her heart. If anyone knew about Gregory’s ambition, it was she.
“But that’s mostly idle gossip. You know how rumors start in society.”
Monique knew how they started in the theater, and she doubted that society was much different. But she also knew that a man like Gregory had to have a wife... one who was respectable.
Then something else Lady Ursula had said struck her. She stared at the lady-in-waiting. “Why do you call him ‘ruthless’?”
Lady Ursula shrugged. “The count says he has a reputation for doing whatever it takes to achieve his political goals.” She leaned close to whisper, “I’ve also heard it said that he is unofficially a spymaster.”
Monique gaped at her. “Really?”
“Supposedly he has any number of fellows who do his bidding, seeking out secrets and such.”
Her stomach sank. Gregory had practically said as much the last time he’d confronted her about her identity. And Lord Hartley was one of his spies. Still, he could scarcely have learned anything new about her in Dieppe. She’d already told Gregory everything.
She swallowed. That didn’t mean Lord Hartley couldn’t have uncovered some nasty gossip. There were plenty of untruths about her circulating in Dieppe—about her supposed lovers, about her supposed weakness for drink... all the vile things people said concerning actresses. What if Lord Hartley had encountered that sort of information and Gregory believed it?
A servant entered the room and bowed low. “His lordship would like to speak to you in his study, Princess.”
With her heart in her throat, Monique rose. “Of course.”
Lady Ursula stood as well. “I am not letting you face him alone.”
“Thank you.” The more she knew of Lady Ursula, the more she liked her. And she could use the moral support.
They followed the footman to Gregory’s study, but before they could be ushered inside, the door opened and a man came out. She instantly recognized the burly fellow with dark brown hair and a flirtatious smile.
“Mademoiselle Servais,” he said, bowing. “How good to see you again.”
She nodded stiffly. “Captain Lord Hartley. I hope your trip went well?”
Shuttering his features, he glanced from her to Lady Ursula. “Well enough.”
Monique swallowed. No telling what horrible things he’d dug up in Dieppe.
Gregory appeared in the doorway. “Come in,” he said, his expression tense.
That made her even more nervous.
