Page 50 of Lord Ramsey's Red-Headed Ruin
Ram sat forward, frowning. “You were there?”
“After the two of you left. We talked with Madame Verne and her daughter, Solange. They were helpful. But we met one of Vaillancourt’s men in the town, and he is dead now.”
Ram went stiff with shock. “How?”
Kane inhaled deeply. “My wife has a very special skill with knives. He attacked us, but she got the better of him.”
Ram blew out a breath. “Good that these women have talents. Amber can handle a knife and pistol.”
“To your advantage.”
The hall door opened, and Gus stepped in.
Kane and Ram rose. But her appearance meant Ram could not speak about the weapons going to Sedan and Verdun. She was Amber’s friend, but Ram doubted Amber shared all her secrets with Gus. He had to be prudent here, and was glad he had penned a short note with details about the muskets and cannon going to border towns in the east. He just had to find a way to put it into Kane’s hand before he left.
His friend stepped forward. “My darling, you may remember my friend, Lord Ramsey.”
Gus walked toward Ram and thrust out her hand. She was a lovely young woman with dark hair and bright green-gold eyes. “I do. We are so very happy to see you here, sir. Thank you for coming.”
They shook hands. Gus indicated they should sit down again, her to the settee, the men to their chairs. “You are very welcome. I come with loving regards from Amber.”
Gus breathed deeply. “She is well?”
“She is. So has she always been these past weeks. I like to think it is I who have kept her well, though she would not tell you that.”
“I’m certain,” Gus said with a sympathetic smile. “I hope you will tell me all. We have been very worried about you both. So is our Aunt Cecily. Have you been to see her? Will you? Will Amber?”
“That, I doubt.”
Gus shook her head and frowned. “But…may we tell her?”
“Do not. Amber has her reasons. Not all of them does she share with me.”To my regret.
Gus sighed. “I know. That is her way. But then, she must have approved of your coming here.”
How much did Gus know about what Amber did to weaken the government of the consulate?
Ram chose his words carefully. “She did not want you to worry any longer. She was certain you had. Especially when we learned that the two of you had gone away on a lovers’ escapade. Amber saw through your ruse. She knew you would not go away with any man without excellent reason.”
Gus scoffed. “How good of her.”
“She is a very fine woman.”
Gus smiled. “She is indeed, Lord Ramsey. Now tell us, why are you here tonight?”
“I was just informing Whit that we arrived in Paris only day before yesterday. We are getting settled.”
“In her house in rue Dauphine?” Gus asked.
“No. We are in a small house on the left bank in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.”
She shook her head. “Why? Do you not wish to announce you are in the city?”
Gus knew about Vaillancourt’s interest in Amber. Was she pressing him for more information about Amber’s intentions to return to her espionage? “Exactly.”
“Wise,” said Gus with fear in her eyes. “But then, why return here at all?”
She knew Amber faced danger with Vaillancourt near. Ram would have to test to see how much she knew about Amber’s so-called “work.” “Amber insisted we return because she had lost the threads of her work.”
