Page 92 of Lord Ashley's Beautiful Alibi
“I have had no communication from him. So he must be still in Karlsruhe.”
They embraced.
“Despite the pressure of protecting an independent woman, you look happy, Ram.”
The man hid his emotion with a chuckle. “Let me say the same for you.”
“A bientôt, Ram.”
“A bientôt, my friend.”
*
Gus waited forKane in her sitting room, having a bad time recuperating from the interview. She played Bach.
Kane came to kiss her shoulder.
She paused a moment to enjoy his lips on her skin. “I’m pleased they are back and healthy. But Amber returns to work. That presents so many problems.”
Kane said nothing. This was exactly what he had told Gus long before they left to seek out Luc Bechard in the bathhouse in St. Denis.
“We must learn what Vaillancourt truly intends for Amber.”
Kane let his eyes close. A debate with his wife was nothing he could win.
“I think you and I must return to Society.”
He sat down next to her. For a few bars, he accompanied her.
“I know you don’t want to return, Kane. But on the other hand, we must leave our rooms here sometime. Now is as good as any. We can put our ears to the court rumors and send messages to Amber.”
That was when he stopped playing.
He rose and paced.
Gus stopped attacking the piano too. “Kane, you know if you do not agree to go into Society, I will go by myself.”
“I do agree with your premise. I do not agree that it is wise for your safety.”
“Or yours.”
He said nothing to that.
She came to him, opened the panels of his banyan, and enfolded herself in them. Curling her arms around his waist, she laid her head on his chest.
He held her to him, angry at the world that threatened her very life, torn that he had his own mission to accomplish, and that if they left this cocoon of pleasure, the departure could mark the end of their separate work—and end their lives.
But there was nothing for it. They had to leave. They had to begin. They had to work.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“The Earl ofCastleton arrived in Paris while we were gone,” Gus told Kane as they entered the rented Parisian manse of the British gentleman a week later. Kane and she had accepted Castleton’s invitation to attend his ball because it would be so well attended. Even Josephine hinted she would come. Like Kane’s house, Castleton’s was a huge, old mansion once owned by French aristocrats gone abroad or to their maker.
Cecily led the way into the ballroom, ceasing her complaints about the torrent of rain outside. The lady put a smile on her face as they were announced by the earl’s hired Frenchmajordom.
Gus and Kane had called upon her aunt three days ago with their announcement that they were emerging from their honeymoon and returning to Society. Aunt Cecily was overjoyed.
“Many wish to know if the euphoria lasts. I see you both look healthy. I am pleased.” The way she’d regarded both Kane and her told Gus that indeed her aunt was very happy that they were content with each other.
