Page 76 of The Assassin and the Libertine
“Au revoir, chérie,”he called after me.
I blew him one final kiss and left his bedchamber. Unsurprisingly, his butler, Robert, waited for me in the hallway. Despite being human, I would have sworn the loyal servant possessed supernatural abilities, as well. He seemed to have a sixth sense for anticipating the needs of his master.
“Your Grace,” he bowed, handing me my thick fur-lined cloak and muff.
“Merci,Robert,” I said. “Do you happen to know what time it is?”
“Just after seven o’clock.”
He led me through the winding hallways in the below-ground apartments—a recent addition to Étienne’s family château. Entering the main foyer at the top of the stairs, I saw the golden light of sunrise spilling across the marble floor.
“Do be careful on the steps,” Robert said. “Last night’s snow has frozen over, and everything is quite icy this morning.”
“I will. Thank you, Robert.”
I bundled up and braced myself for the cold of late December. Leaving the warmth of Étienne’s château was as dreary as leaving his embrace. I picked my way through thepiles of snow and patches of ice toward my waiting carriage and was grateful for the small warming pan the driver had tucked between the blankets on the seat. This winter seemed harsher than any in my memory, as though nature itself was fighting against the people of France—not hard to imagine, given the rampant spread of the blood plague turning common folk into vampires. Étienne and I had seen the truth of it a few months prior during a murder investigation that had brought us together in fierce—and what would soon be eternal—love.
The carriage pulled up to my estate, and I hurried inside, immediately calling for a pot of hot coffee and sizable breakfast to be sent up to the library, where I preferred to work during the day. Being engaged to Étienne meant he fed on me exclusively, and as happy as I was to feel that connection with him, it left me absolutely ravenous after our evenings together.
“Oh,thereyou are! It’s about time you got back. I’ve been reading through this latest intelligence report andmon Dieu,it’s an absolute scorcher. I mean, it was a stroke of genius to recruit several of the women from theMaison des Nymphesas intelligence agents forLes Dames Dangereuses, but this report reads like an erotic novel, and I have a hard time believing the other members of The Order will appreciate it as much as I do.”
Charlotte, Comtesse de Brionne, bustled over to me with a sheaf of papers in her hand. The glossy brown curls that bounced around her face were much like her demeanor: exceptionally vivacious and impossible to tame. Not only was she the most brilliant and capable agent, but as my cousin, she was also the only other member of the Order who I trusted without reservation.
“Charlotte, how long have you been working? Were you at this all night?”
“All night? What time is it?”
She blinked at me and whirled around, only just noticing the morning sunlight streaming in the library windows.
“Merde,”she swore. “I only meant to stay until midnight. It’s entirely your fault for staying out and enjoying endless hours of passionate lovemaking while I stay here and toil like some sort of…toiler.”
I laughed. “The report will have to wait. I’ve got to finish preparing for the Christmas Everéveillon,and I’ve been summoned before The Order later this evening. As has Étienne,” I added. I fidgeted with diamond and amethyst choker at my throat—a gift from him that I treasured above all my other jewels.
“You’re nervous,” Charlotte said, studying me. “Why? Do you think the Order has changed their minds about him? They can hardly go after him now—not with his recent efforts and the commendation of the king.”
“No. I don’t know. I don’t think it will bebadnews, exactly. It’s just…with The Order, it’s nevergoodnews, either.”
“True.Dieu, Daphne, you don’t think it has something to do with your party, do you? Surely, they won’t make you cancel it, will they? I mean, I know you invited Étienne’s sisters, but they’re not even coming. And everyone knows that a scandalous guest list always makes for the most interesting dinner party.”
“I don’t know, Charlotte. I suppose we’ll have to wait and see. I’m sure you’re right. Everything will be fine,” I replied, with a lot more confidence than I felt.
Later that evening,I stood in front of the mirror, considering my outfit. It had taken me ages to decide what to wear in front of The Order, but I was satisfied with my choice. The gown of deep purple velvet was thick enough to keep me warm in the snowy December night, simple enough to be practical in case there were anyphysicaldemands, but luxurious enough to convey a sense of power in the instance I needed to exert influence on Étienne’s behalf. It was understated, elegant, and dangerous in its message—do not cross me.
My lady’s maid, Eve, finished pinning my hair in an extravagantcoiffurepowdered with silver and decked with pearls. Lastly, I fastened a simple black domino mask over my face. As the first woman member of The Order and the leader of the faction of female agents—the DD—the mask was a mere formality. Everyone inside knew who I was, though the disguise would grant me a modicum of anonymity from any other aristocrats who chanced upon me sneaking through Paris to the underground tunnels beneath the city.
I had just made my way downstairs when Étienne arrived, clad in slate-colored silk and looking like the devil himself come to tempt me. He grinned wolfishly as I approached.
“You look as dangerous as you do delicious,” he said with a quick kiss. “Shall we, Duchesse?”
I nodded, ignoring the flutter of nerves in my stomach.
“After you,chéri.”
CHAPTER TWO
ÉTIENNE
December 23, 1765
