LeCompte looked grim. “Whether it would be on the czar’s order or at the hand of a zealot trying to curry favor, I couldn’t hazard a guess. But dead is dead.”
“I don’t agree,” Robert interjected. The others turned to stare at him. “Based on what Ambassador Revnik said, I believe Antonia has the czar’s protection.”
LeCompte raised one eyebrow. “What makes you think that?”
“I confronted Revnik about his attempt to kidnap me off the street. He said he meant me no harm, but merely wanted to ask me about a woman in a silver dress who’d attended the ball. He seemed quite concerned about her safety.”
“Someone must have recognized me.”
“Remember, Revnik said you were too important.”
“Do you think that means Ambassador Revnik knows I’m related to Czar Nicholas?”
Robert shook his head. “Probably not. It’s more likely that he assumes the czar is interested in your well-being because your grandfather was a respected artist. I doubt Revnik would have been so careless with the diplomatic pouch if he’d realized what it contained.” He glanced at the innocuous-looking book that had caused him so much trouble. “It’s highly unlikely the ambassador would direct his men to cause you any real harm, but given how urgently the Russian government wants to recover that book, Revnik might resort to more desperate measures to recover it from you. I don’t believe your life is in danger, but still, you need to be cautious.”
LeCompte lifted his hand. “Don’t forget that when the first thief stole the book from the church, he killed Father Sergey’s wife.”
“Father Sergey identified my uncle as the man who tried to bribe him to destroy the record of my parents’ wedding. I’m certain he’s the one who murdered Father Sergey’s wife and set fire to the church.”
“Could he have sent men to kidnap you?” LeCompte asked. “Perhaps he hoped to use you to blackmail the czar.”
“My uncle is an opportunistic man. If he knew the czar’s secret, I’m certain he would have resorted to blackmail by now. No,” she said, shaking her head, “if he’d known what that book contained, he never would have left it sitting on a shelf in his library.”
“I doubt your uncle has much interest in you at this point,” Catherine said. “After all, he believes he’s already vanquished you and stolen your inheritance. It would appear that the czar doesn’t want you harmed either, so that leaves Revnik as your biggest threat.” She looked at the other two men. “What do you think? Is there anything we can do to convince the ambassador to leave her alone?”
Robert shook his head. “I don’t think he’ll stop until he has the church register. For all we know, there could be other people searching for it as well.” The thought of more people targeting Antonia chilled him.
Catherine frowned. “The simplest way to keep Antonia safe is to show Revnik we’ve handed over the book to the crown.”
“No,” Antonia said with a swipe of her hand. “This is my decision, and I refuse to relinquish it until I’ve used it to prove my parents were legally married.” The stern look she shot Catherine should have made her wilt, but she merely smiled.
“Hear me out. I wasn’t suggesting we should actually turn it over, but what if convince the Russians that we’ve done so?” Catherine raised one eyebrow. “Wouldn’t that fool them into leaving you alone?”
Antonia’s raised her chin and cocked her head to one side. “You know, I think that might just work.” She gave Catherine an appraising gaze. “My, but you have a devious mind.”
“You don’t know the half of it,” Robert said, thinking of the way she’d duped him about her dual identity.
Catherine shot him a quelling look.
LeCompte’s knowing smile left Robert wondering if he might already have discovered Catherine’s alter ego as Alexander Gray.
Robert glanced at Antonia, and her expression momentarily transfixed him. She looked strong— resolute. He could only stare at her. It was obvious from the determined set of her jaw and the fire in her eyes that she’d stop at nothing to succeed.
She was beautiful like this— like Athena, goddess of wisdom and warfare. He briefly imagined her wearing a Grecian gown with her hair streaming down her back as she raised her sword of justice to smite her oppressors. And an instant later he imagined her naked in his bed, with the fire in her eyes turning to passion as she focused all her energy on him.
Robert inhaled sharply and closed his eyes to banish the image. He needed to concentrate. He needed to come up with a speedy path through this maze— a way to recover Antonia’s inheritance while still keeping her safe.
With a start, he realized that this was new territory for him. He cared what would happen to her. Antonia had become more important to him than his need to remain uninvolved in other people’s affairs. Antonia was changing him. Was it her passion to seek justice and her conviction that she would succeed? All Robert knew was that he wanted to help her in any way he could.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
One who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.
- Niccolo Machiavelli
On the ride back to Woolsy House, Antonia caught glimpses of Robert riding escort. Sometimes his horse walked alongside their carriage, but when the streets became narrow, he was forced to fall behind them, out of sight.
Since no one had identified her in her disguise as a man when they’d left on their outing, her disguise should continue to hold.
Even so, she wouldn’t risk letting anyone steal the book.
That was why Catherine now carried it.
Catherine clutched her reticule as though her life depended upon it, but it was Antonia’s future she clung to. Having Catherine take possession of the tome might well have been the wisest decision in their current situation, but that didn’t make the choice any easier for Antonia. Not only did she regret the need to put the other woman at risk, she also hated relinquishing control to anyone. She’d learned that if she wanted something done right, she needed to do it herself, but this situation was different.
If she wanted the book to be safe, she’d need to rely on others.
Antonia remained tense during the entire journey. It was only after they stepped over the threshold and Robert quickly closed the door to block the cold wind that she finally relaxed.
Frederick must have been listening for them because he came hurrying down the staircase. “Did you get the book?” he asked before he’d even reached the bottom step.
“We did,” Antonia said, as Catherine pulled it from her reticule.
“You’ll be astounded when you learn why the Russians want it,” Robert added.
“You read it?” Frederick asked.
“LeCompte filled us in,” Antonia said.
“My grasp of the Russian language was sufficient for me to verify his story when I read the pertinent sections of the church register,” Robert said.
Catherine glanced at Antonia for permission before handing the book to Frederick.
She nodded.
He took it and then led the group into the nearby drawing room. Frederick claimed a spot on the sofa next to Antonia, and Catherine sat in a nearby chair. Robert circled behind the sofa and peered at the book over Frederick’s shoulder.
Robert directed his brother to the pertinent pages as he explained Antonia’s relationship to the current Czar of Russia.
Frederick’s eyes widened with shock, but as he examined the church register, his expression turned to one of bemusement.
“No wonder the Queen wants this,” he said.
“It’s dangerous information.” Robert strode across the room as he gestured toward a landmass depicted on a map on the wall. “It would provide the Queen with the leverage she needs to force Czar Nicholas to pull his troops from the Crimean Peninsula.” He stood examining the map.
“I imagine that’s her intent,” Frederick said, “but there’s more at risk here. The czar won’t readily bow to Queen Victoria’s man
ipulations. He’s determined to take Crimea. This tale of a supplanted monarch is an outlandish one— but it has the ring of truth.” He tugged at his earlobe. “Some will be convinced the British fabricated the entire story. If Queen Victoria decides to use this information to her advantage, she’ll have to be careful. If we accidentally trigger a Russian civil war, the resulting chaos could be even worse for Britain and the rest of the world than a war over the Crimean Peninsula.” He closed the small book and gripped it with both hands as he stared at it pensively. Finally he met Antonia’s stare. “Does this change anything for you?”
She shook her head. “I mean to follow through with our original plan,” she said. “First we need to enlist Lord Tidmore’s help. If he agrees, I’m hopeful he’ll be able to resolve everything within a few days.”
Frederick nodded. “While you were out, I sent a man to locate him and schedule a meeting. Unfortunately, he wasn’t in court or at the courthouse. He’s dealing with an emergency at home. No one knows when he plans to return.”
Catherine’s face turned pale. “Oh, my. It must be due to Imogen’s disappearance.”
“That would make sense,” Robert said.
“We need to contact him immediately.” Catherine rose to her feet and began pacing the room, so Frederick stood to join the other gentlemen where they’d gathered in front of the map. He handed the book to Antonia as he passed her.
“He’s probably at home,” Antonia said.
“Or out searching for Imogene,” Catherine added.
“We should go there straightaway,” Robert said, leaving the others and moving to join Antonia. “You and I should go together. You’ll need to change. It would be best for you to look a bit more—”
She glanced down at her trousers and then grinned. “Like a woman?” Antonia raised one eyebrow. “I can be ready to leave in fifteen minutes.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Children begin by loving their parents; after a time they judge them; rarely, if ever, do they forgive them.
- Oscar Wilde
“Time’s working against us,” Robert said. “I’d like to divide up the tasks among us.” He turned to his butler. “Can you inform Turner that I have another job for him? Send him to Maidenhead to fetch Antonia’s barrister.” He glanced at Antonia. “What’s the man’s name?”
“Montlake. Devin Montlake. He’s familiar with my case. I trust him completely.”
Robert continued giving instructions. “Have Turner stop by to pick up my letter when he’s ready to leave. This is urgent. He’s to bring Mr. Montlake back with him today. As quickly as possible.”
“Yes, sir,” Landon said, and left the room.
Robert glanced at Antonia. He couldn’t stare at her for long. He found the way her men’s garb displayed her limbs to be quite distracting. “I’d like you to accompany me to Lord Tidmore’s. You can inform him his daughter is well and that Lady Catherine discovered her identity earlier today.”
“Why me? I’ve never met the girl.”
“Tidmore has a reputation as being tough as a piece of dried leather, but I think this good news will help soften him up. I’d prefer it come from you.”
Frederick stood. He wore a faint smirk that told Robert he’d noticed the way Antonia’s clothing affected him. “Daniel and I can create a distraction just before you and Antonia leave.” Frederick draped his arm over Daniel’s shoulders. “Let’s put our heads together and come up with a plan to draw away anyone who might be watching the house.”
Daniel thumped his hand against Frederick’s back in a rough but friendly gesture. “I think we can manage that. What if we make it appear we’re taking something to the Foreign Office? We could carry something about the size of a church register.”
Frederick’s eyebrows rose. “That should do it.” He gave a decisive nod. “Once we mount our horses, we’ll go tearing off. We have to create a spectacle so any spies will give chase. We can separate and then rendezvous along Hay’s Mews near Berkeley Square. By then, we should have lost them.”
“Be careful,” Catherine said.
“Aren’t I always?” Daniel bent down to kiss her on the cheek.
Catherine made a noncommittal noise and turned her head so their lips met. “As long as you come home to me in one piece, that’s all that matters.”
“That I can promise,” Daniel said. He and Frederick hurried from the room.
Catherine watched her husband leave, a faint smile on her face. When she turned her attention back to Robert, she flushed slightly when she realized he’d been watching her. “I’ll return home to ensure that Miss Tidmore remains there until her parents collect her.” She rubbed the edge of her thumb against her lower lip. “Perhaps a fencing lesson,” she murmured. “That should hold her attention.”
“But your husband won’t be there to teach her,” Antonia pointed out. “He’ll be with Frederick.”
Catherine went still for a moment and then nodded. “Of course. What was I thinking? I’ll have to find some other way to keep her engaged.”
§
When Robert came downstairs a short time later, he found Antonia waiting for him, ready to depart.
“Daniel and Frederick just left,” she informed him. “They should be on the stage. You should have seen them. They even managed to drop the box that supposedly contained the church register. As soon as they went tearing down the road, three horsemen gave chase.”
Robert shook his head. “That’s why Frederick’s the one who’s a spy, not me. He loves this sort of challenge.”
As they donned their coats, the front door chimed. Landon opened it and ushered Lady Harrington into the house.
“What a pleasant surprise,” Robert said. “I’m sorry I can’t stay, but Miss Winter and I have an engagement.”
“Well, fiddlesticks. I’d hoped to visit with you, too.” She glanced at Miss Winter, and Robert realized he’d need to introduce them.
“Lady Harrington, I’d like to introduce you to Antonia Winter.”
Antonia made a low curtsy.
“I recognize you from Anne Blake. You’re quite talented.”
“Thank you, my lady. That’s very kind of you.”
“Not kind. Honest.” She turned her attention back to Robert. “How is Frederick today— or more specifically, how is his hand?”
“He’s doing his best to ignore the pain. I believe he’s out of supplies for the poultice.”
“That’s why I’m here.” She lifted the small basket she carried. “I brought more leaves.”
“He’ll be relieved.” He pulled a pocket watch and glanced at it. “He left to run a quick errand, but he should be back shortly. I hope you’ll forgive us, but we have a pressing matter to deal with.”
“By all means.”
He turned to Landon. “Can you please show Lady Harrington to the drawing room and ask Frederick to join her there as soon as he returns?”
§
A short time later, Robert and Antonia arrived at Lord Tidmore’s house. He could tell she was apprehensive, so he placed his hand on the small of her back as he walked with her to the front door. “Nervous?”
“A bit. What if he refuses to hear my case?”
“Then we’ll look for a new solution.” He paused before ringing the front bell and turned to face her. A stray strand of her hair fluttered in the breeze, and he tucked it behind her ear. “Tidmore is called a tyrant for good reason. He’s a stickler when it comes to justice— something you’ve been sorely lacking this past year. I’m certain he’ll want to hear your case if he’s able.”
She gave a sharp nod and then twisted the front door bell.
When the door swung open, Robert handed both his and Antonia’s calling cards to the butler.
“I’m sorry, but Lord Tidmore isn’t accepting callers today. I’ll inform him of your visit, and he’ll contact you at his earliest convenience.”
Robert opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Antonia said, “Can you
tell him we have news of his daughter?”
The butler’s eyes bulged. “Come in, come in.” He closed the door behind them. “Don’t move,” he commanded, and scurried from the foyer.
“It’s too bad I wasn’t able to tell Lord Tidmore in person,” Antonia said, “but I don’t think he’d have seen us otherwise.”
A shout of surprise came from the adjoining room, and then Lord Tidmore came storming through a nearby door. Antonia inched closer to Robert, and he put his arm around her waist.
“You have news of my daughter?” Tidmore’s words weren’t a question. They were a demand. His thick gray hair was mussed as though he’d repeatedly dragged his fingers through it.
“We do,” Antonia said. “I want to assure you she’s safe. We would have brought her here, but we were afraid she might run away from us.”
“I only met her today,” Robert added, “but your daughter strikes me as being very strong-willed. Not the type who would willingly entrust herself to a stranger’s care.”
“I can tell you’ve met her.” Lord Tidmore’s shoulders sagged with relief. Then he glanced around at their surroundings. “Let’s not stand in the foyer. Come in here.” He waved his arm and ushered them into a nearby drawing room.
As they walked into the elegant room, Lord Tidmore glanced down at the calling cards he still clutched in his hand. “Wentworth. I remember you from school. You and that Huntley fellow were always together.”
“As a matter of fact, I came across your daughter lurking in the shrubs outside Lord Huntley’s home.”
“What the devil?” Tidmore’s thick eyebrows rose up and disappeared beneath his mop of hair. “What was she doing there?”
“Apparently she’d heard some tale about fencing lessons and decided to find out if it was true.” Robert didn’t want to lie to the man, but this was as close to the truth as he was willing to tread.
“That’s right. Huntley teaches lessons. I remember hearing something about that. But what made Imogen think she could sneak off that way?”
Once Upon a Spy: A Secrets and Seduction Book Page 28
