Page 65 of The Agent and the Outlaw
Because I am an outlaw, you are a monster, and I am in love with you.Before I could answer, there was a soft knock at her door. I made to get up out of bed, but Charlotte put her hand on my chest.
“Stay,” she instructed. “My servants are used to anunusualhousehold. You need the rest and they’ll have brought us breakfast.”
I was embarrassed and uncomfortable, but I did as she asked. She bade her butler enter, and sure enough, he came in with a large tray covered with food.
“Good morning, my lady,” he said. “I have your messages from yesterday.”
“Merci,Charles,” she said, reaching for the tray. “Ooh, poached eggs and asparagus!”
“And I’m afraid there is a gentleman here to see you,” he continued, obviously anxious. “He has refused to come back at another time and prefers to wait.”
I was instantly on edge. “Who?” I demanded.
To his credit, Charles didn’t miss a beat.
“There is aGénéral de Vauxhere to see you, my lady.”
Blood drained from my face and my stomach twisted. I launched myself out of bed, scrambling for my breeches.
“I’m going to kill him!” I growled. “Why is he here, Charlotte?”
“I’ve no idea,” she said with a shrug.
“He must be after you for the deaths of thebêtes.Or perhaps he suspects you’ll lead him to me. Christ, once again, I’ve put you in grave danger!” I shoved one leg into my ripped breeches and frowned down at them. “I knew things would only get worse. I’m like an ill omen for you, Charlotte. I just didn’t think he’d bring you into this… How dare he show up at your doorstep!”
Charlotte cocked a brow at my tirade and nodded to the butler. “Charles, would you mind finding some clothes for the lieutenant? And please informGénéral de Vauxthat I’ll be down shortly. He may wait in the yellow drawing room.” She swiped a piece of toast through egg yolk and popped it into her mouth in an unconcerned manner.
“You can’t be serious,” I said. “You can’t receive him, Charlotte. He’s incredibly dangerous and I’m certain he’s not here for a social call.”
She dabbed at her mouth with a napkin and uncovered a second dish on the breakfast tray—a plate heaped with raw meat. She began to tuck in unapologetically, as if she hadn’t heard me in the first place.
“Charlotte,” I warned.
“Antoine, do have some breakfast. You’re clearly in need of rest and nourishment. The hollows in your cheeks and under your eyes look positively cadaverous.” She pushed a plate across the bed toward me. “And please sit down. Charles will find you some clothes, but I’m afraid the rest of my staff may be somewhat alarmed by a naked man running through my household, despite my more liberal leanings.”
My temper flared. “I don’t feel like you truly appreciate the severity of the situation, Charlotte.”
“Why do you say that?”
“You’re calmly eating breakfast! And you’re about to go meet with my father as if he isn’t a traitor and the reason my family has been destroyed! I’m serious, Charlotte, I’m going to kill him.”Where are my short swords? And my pistols?
She finished eating and stood, and it took me a moment to refocus after watching the sheets fall from her beautiful body. She pulled on a long silk robe and crossed to her dressing table, where she sat and started to comb through her glossy brown locks. Her eyes met mine in the mirror, and for a moment, the ever-present humor faded from her face.
“I’m going to meet him, Antoine, and I’m going to find out what he wants. My guess is he’s here to try and get information from me about you—assuming he doesn’t already know you’re here. Have you considered the possibility that as long as you’ve been watching him, he’s also had someone watching you?”
“I have.”I haven’t.
“Please, Antoine. Trust me this once. When he leaves, I’ll come back and we’ll talk,d’accord?”
“Absolutely not. Youcannotmeet with him. He’s dangerous, Charlotte, and cunning, and—quite frankly—evil. I don’t want you to have anything to do with him.”
She sighed and turned around. “Do you trust me?”
I blinked.
She winced slightly. “I know I haven’t given you a very good reason to, and I understand your hesitation, given your past and my presenthobby, but if you could set those things aside and look into your heart.”
I pursed my lips. “What are you asking of me?”
