Page 104 of Lord Ashley's Beautiful Alibi
“I do like the way you think, my darling.”
*
Though their workin Paris drew to a close, their relationship with Ramsey continued. He came to dinner, he came to visit with Kane, and he performed his assigned work for him. Ram had moved back into his own house not far from them. Kane and she did not ask why. They considered the move illustrative enough of his and Amber’s relationship. Ram spoke rarely of Amber, but Kane and Gus understood that he followed her actions.
Kane feared it was the end of all their time in Paris.
*
May 2, 1803
Paris
One afternoon whenKane returned home from a meeting, he barged into their sitting room and announced that they were leaving for Dover in two days’ time. “The British ambassador and Napoleon are at odds again, We must leave Paris, darling. I trust nothing about what may happen here.”
She sat quietly for a minute and then said, “Have Corsini bring round the carriage. I will see Amber.”
“Gus,” Kane said, “you cannot go in your condition.”
She was near term and very big with child. “I will go. If I can leave Paris in a coach, I can travel in one to say goodbye to my dearest friend.”
Kane sighed but had the butler summon the coach.
An hour later, Gus marched past Amber’smajordom. “Do not tell me no, sir. Show me to your lady.”
The man took her to Amber’s small sitting room.
“What in hell are you doing here?” Amber shot to her feet. “And in your condition?”
Gus blew out a breath. “Allow me your chaise longue, will you, and do be quiet.” She lumbered over to the large pink couch and sat heavily down.
“Water? Tea?”
“Nothing, Amber. I come to tell you we are leaving Paris.”
Amber slowly smiled. “I am thrilled. Good for you.”
“Come away with us.”
Amber’s good humor fell away. “You are heavy with child, and I see the stress has affected your mind too.”
“Don’t be flippant with me, my friend! To the matter. Come away.”
“You know my answer.”
“Why?” Gus set her teeth. “What can you do now?”
“Continue.”
“You will be arrested. Vaillancourt will not allow an operation to continue if France and Britain are at war. Be sensible.”
“He does not know.”
Gus scoffed. “Are you blind? Deaf? What iswrongwith you? Come away.”
“Aunt Cecily does not go.”
“Aunt Cecilynevergoes!” Gus spat. “Not underanythreat. Why willyounot go?”
