Page 72 of Lord Ramsey's Red-Headed Ruin
That was the most frightening night and day she’d experienced. But more days passed and no one was arrested. She told herself it was simply a pause in the terrors.
*
“Does he pressyou to sleep with him?” Ram had ventured to ask her one day as a chilly rain fell upon them at the end of April. She had a large umbrella, but the poor thing was soaked in a few minutes.
They both huddled into their winter coats. The chill of their topic defied any protection.
“He tries to be a gentleman.” She looked away toward the moss growing over the stone markers of those departed. Had they loved like she loved Ram? Had they wanted the one person in this world whom they had to reject, as she did? Had they sorrowed for it?
She hung her head. What was the use of such speculation?
She put her gloved hand to Ram’s jaw. He bore a morning’s growth of dark beard. His hair covered his ears, even longer lately. He’d become careless of his hair and beard. He worried about her nearness to Vaillancourt.
Ram’s gaze, tortured and lost, examined hers. She sought an answer that would not increase his anxiety. “I lead him along on what strings I have. He is…enthralled. God knows why,” she murmured.
“I know why,” Ram whispered.
She raised a hand, denying him and herself the pleasure of his comfort. If he touched her, she would dissolve in a mist of misery. Her agony made her sensitive, teary eyed. Unable to bear the grief in her heart and in his eyes, she twirled away. “Until next week.”
*
The next fewdays, the gossip sheets flooded the Paris streets. Ram’s servants brought them home to him. He could overhearthem talking to each other with their speculations that the Treaty of Amiens drew to a close.
Ram visited with Kane more frequently and learned his friend had ordered hismajordomCorsini to begin to close his house. “I tell you, Ram, get ready. Pack. Hide your passport. Have cash on hand. Your route of departure planned. The gendarmes will come for your servants, too.”
Ram prepared his faithful staff for his disappearance. He also gave them sufficient funds to hide or leave Paris, whatever they wished.
For much of that, Ram had planned long ago. When he and Amber lived in the Neufchateau house in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, he had planned carriages, routes, changes, and even set aside great sums of cash. Now he checked his previous contacts, but not all were at his disposal. He would have to make new contacts. And, like that day months ago, he would not leave Paris without Amber.
She did not know that. He would not tell her. The argument she would give him would be outrageous.
But she would not win this time.
Chapter Twenty-One
May 2, 1803
380 rue Saint-Honoré
Paris
Amber had nocallers. Ever. She never invited anyone, either—and she preferred it that way. With what she contemplated doing, becoming closer to Vaillancourt, she figured she was not fit company for anyone. Not these past few days, certainly. She would go to Vaillancourt to live in his house, be in his bed, rummage through his life, upset his order. She had to. She’d found nothing lately. Nothing.
Now she longed only for the company of Ram. Only for his embrace, his smile, his acceptance. She felt ill with the longing for him and her fright of Vaillancourt.
So it was a shock when she heard Gus at her front door, raising a ruckus and running past hermajordomand up into her salon.
“What in hell are you doing here?” Amber shot to her feet. Dizzy at her rise, she was shocked to see her friend after so many months so heavily pregnant, and angry too. Had Ram perceived she was moving into Vaillancourt’s house? Had he told Gus and Ashley?No, please no.“And in your condition, too?”
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 plunked down with great relief.
She was very great with this child. Amber feared for her health. “Water? Tea?”
“Nothing, Amber.” Gus was curt, feral almost. “I come to tell you we are leaving Paris.”
Amber smiled. She had expected it. “I am thrilled. Good for you.”
Gus peered at her, her lips thin with determination. “Come away with us.”
