Page 57 of The Secret of Flirting
She drew back to stare at him. “How would it come out, when the only ones who know of it are you and I?”
“And Hart and Lady Ursula and the count. Not to mention the princess and whoever else is looking after her in Calais.” He thumbed her lips, so sweetly swollen from the ferocity of their kisses. “I’ve been in politics long enough to realize that secrets known by a number of people don’t stay secret for long.”
That brought a frown to her brow. “Even when those people have a vested interest in staying silent? Except for Lord Hartley, who I assume is underyourcontrol, the others have to keep the secret or lose everything.”
“And what about the assassin? Do you thinkhewill keep quiet? He knows you’re not Aurore. First, he tried to poison Aurore. Then, when the count’s response was to put a substitute in her place, the assassin shot at the substitute. Whoever is bent on not letting Aurore take the throne will resort to revealing the truth about your masquerade, if that’s what it takes for him to get what he wants.”
She pondered that a moment, then brightened. “Not necessarily. If Aurore was poisoned—and we’re still not sure she was—he could have managed that without ever actually seeing her. Besides, the count put her into seclusion in Calais once I stepped in, so this villain could have just assumed the poison didn’t work and still be trying to kill the woman he thinks is Princess Aurore.”
“I suppose that’s possible.” He hardened his tone. “But that only meansyou’rein more danger than we thought. And that the count knew it from the beginning.”
“He didn’t.”
Gregory eyed her closely. “What makes you so sure?”
“I asked him about it. He truly believes that Aurore has cholera and that the shooter was not trying to shoot atme.”
“Then he’s a fool.” The very idea that she was putting her trust in the count, who clearly wasn’t concerned for her welfare, made him want to shake her.
“Perhaps so, but he’s my only hope of making sure Grand-maman is cared for.”
“What about me?” he bit out without thinking.
She gaped at him. “You?Youwant to expose me.”
That stung, even though she was right. “I seek only the truth.”
“Which would destroy me. And Grand-maman.”
He cupped her chin in his hand. “I don’t wish to destroy either of you.”
“Then don’t say anything to my uncle.” When he stiffened, she added in a pleading tone, “Think of it this way. You can’t catch the assassin if you end my masquerade. And you want to catch him, don’t you? Assuming there is one? Because if he’s trying to kill his competitor for the crown, you don’t want him winning, do you?”
That made sense. Either that, or his cock was guiding his brain. Which rarely happened. Except, apparently, aroundher. “Let’s say I allow this travesty to continue until we... find the culprit. That would mean you’d be acting as bait for this monster.”
“Not here. You said I’d be safe at your estate.” She lifted a guileless, trusting gaze that fairly slayed him. “And if I’m not, you’ll protect me. I know you will.”
Fighting the absurd satisfaction that her faith in him brought him, he growled, “Then how am I to catch the bastard, if you stay here safe?”
“You said you had spies. I assume that your men will be looking into what happened at the park. My being here for five days will give them time to find him.”
“And if they don’t? You expect me to further risk your life by bringing you back to London?”
She stared off through the window as if seeking answers in his mother’s design. “I don’t know. Perhaps the soldiers will have scared him off. He might not try again.” She gave a shuddering breath. “All I know is that there’s no future for me in Dieppe if this does not succeed. My great-uncle will make sure of that. He doesn’t want Aurore to lose her chance.”
“That’s something else you haven’t considered. What if she dies in the end?”
Monique shrugged. “Then I will ‘die’ and the masquerade will be over.” She met his gaze. “I have no desire to rule Belgium. I’m only making sure that Aurore can do so.”
“I suspect your uncle would have something to say about that.”
She frowned. “What do you mean?”
“He wants the throne for Chanay. If Aurore dies, I daresay he’ll want you to take her place.”
“Well, I wouldn’t!” she said hotly. “And he can’t make me.”
“He’s making you dothis.”
