The Secret to a Spy’s Heart
Book 4 of Romancing Intrigue
By: Laura Shipley
Copyright © 2021 Laura Shipley
ISBN: 978-0-9997798-5-9
All right reserved
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental
Cover design by Lisa Messegee, “The Write Designer”
First printing edition 2021
Contents
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
EPILOGUE
CHAPTER 1
France, 1855
The guest’s chatter grated on Louis’s nerves. He wondered, again, how he made it through these insufferable gatherings. The house party was scheduled for a week, but Louis planned to stay only a few days. He prayed it was enough time to uncover the information he required.
Louis de Coligny worked undercover with the French government. France, currently embroiled in a war on the Crimean Peninsula, was allied with England and other countries against Russia. Since Louis was not in the military, he used his talents to help on the home front. He worked for the Ministry of Defense, in an unofficial capacity, and aided in rooting out the enemy on French soil.
Louis grabbed a glass of champagne from the tray carried by a passing footman. Monsieur Laurent, the host of the party, approached him.
“Well, Louis, are your rooms to your liking?”
“Funny, Laurent. You were never one for small talk.” Louis sipped the cold beverage.
“What do you want me to say? How is the spy business?” His friend’s voice had a small hitch at the end. Laurent lifted his glass, and Louis noticed the slight shake in his hand.
Louis chuckled. “Calm yourself, my friend. Everything will be well. You and I are the only ones who know why I am really here.” The champagne glided down his throat.
Monsieur Laurent was an acquaintance and had obliged to help unearth any potential traitors. Louis had a list of suspects and planned to observe them over the next few days. With any luck, the Ministry would get a lead on who was behind the illegal trades occurring over the last several years in France.
“How many people are here from the list I sent you?” Louis inquired.
“Three. Dubois, Bisset, and Fabron.”
It was a start. Laurent had granted him the run of the estate so Louis could easily gather information. Of the three men Laurent had mentioned, Louis’s primary target was Monsieur Bisset. The merchant’s luck had changed recently. His shop had been on the brink of bankruptcy, so Bisset’s tale went, when he had been saved by an inheritance from a previously unknown relative. Now his hands were in politics and local business.
War raged on the continent and with it came smugglers, conspirators and men willing to sell their souls to the highest bidder. Over the last few years, one person stood at the forefront of the smuggling trade: Le Renard, the Fox. The man was crafty, the cleverest foe Louis had dealt with in his career. The Fox had single-handedly combined most of the smaller gangs in Paris under one umbrella and using that manpower, controlled all the illegal imports and exports from France. Within the last year, it appeared he had expanded into England. With the Fox’s reach spreading further, it was imperative to discover the man’s identity before he tipped the scales of the war in favor of their enemy, Russia.
A man with such power could not have achieved so much alone. There were too many cogs in the wheel for one person to operate single-handedly. Given the size of the operation, Louis suspected the Fox had inside informants in the French government. Louis’s job at the party was to surmise if any politicians or other officials present were part of the Fox’s network. After weeks of poring over charts of the Fox’s heists, ships used, routes, merchandise, and other information, Louis had shortened the list of suspects.
Bisset would be his top priority. The other two men, even if they were involved in the Fox’s business, were not profiting as much as Bisset. Besides, Louis knew Bisset could never handle illegal trading on his own. The man had run his business to the ground, so someone was keeping him afloat now.
Louis spotted the man’s portly figure across the room, speaking to the undersecretary to the minister of finance. Next to Bisset stood a woman Louis had never seen. Although her features showed her younger age, her face exhibited signs of a hidden maturity. Instead of being bored with the conversation between the gentlemen, she appeared to be listening intently.
What would an attractive woman want with an old dotard like Bisset? The first answer which sprang to mind was the most obvious, but Bisset did not strike him as the type to have a mistress. Certainly not one half his age. Louis’s instincts told him to be wary.
The guests split up. Some went to their rooms to rest prior to the evening’s festivities while others continued to enjoy the champagne. Louis noted the mystery woman had left the room. Bisset remained to chat with other guests. For the next hour, Louis mingled before changing for dinner.
Dinner that evening was long and drawn out. Louis feared the trail of food would never end. Finally, the ladies excused themselves to the parlor while the men mulled over their port and cigars. Louis took the opportunity to speak with Bisset, carrying the port decanter with him as he approached the businessman and offered to fill his glass.
“It is quite a party, is it not Monsieur Bisset?” Louis used his most charming tone.
His companion took a sip of the liquor. “It is a fine turnout, Monsieur de Coligny. I must admit it has been some time since I have been to such a fine home.”
“Then I shall have to invite you to my estate in Alsace. It is twice the size, and the food is much better.”
The men laughed at the friendly jab at Monsieur Laurent. With his money and noble lineage, Louis had every door in France opened to him. It was an advantage he used to gain access to those in power who might abuse their privilege to further their own gains. From experience, Louis found that men who had money and power tended to want more, and in a time of war, those men could be dangerous. It was the very reason Louis found himself at his present destination.
“Business has been good to you, monsieur?” Louis had to be careful how he broached the subject of the man’s newfound wealth. Hopefully, Bisset would be won over by a few choice words, and the alcohol would help loosen his tongue.
“It has been, thank you, monsieur. After I came into my inheritance, I had assistance from a friend who helped me invest wisely. Granted a reprieve, I promised myself I would not make the same mistakes with my business ventures this time around.”
Louis’s interest was piqued. “He must be a very good friend indeed, for I have seen the fruits of those investments. I am a little envious. I have never been able to make a profit so quickly. P
erhaps you can introduce me to your friend some time, and he might assist me as well.”
Bisset paused from taking another sip of his drink, suddenly uncomfortable with the conversation. “Well, I would have to see. He is a busy man.”
“Certainly not for someone such as me?” Louis stated. “I thought men of business were always hungry for money.”
“My friend is very particular about whom he advises. You understand, I am sure.”
“Surely a good word from you would help with my introduction.”
Bisset fidgeted with his glass and a slight sheen of perspiration formed on the man’s brow. I’m on to something, Louis thought.
Just as he was about to press further, the men rose to join the ladies. Bisset approached the young woman Louis had seen him with earlier in the day. The couple conversed with other guests. Were they talking of legal or illegal transactions, Louis wondered? Bisset had been nervous at the mention of his mystery advisor. He would have to tread lightly, or else he might scare away his prey.
An hour later, Louis lounged on a chair, content to watch those around him. His mind wandered and only at the last minute registered Bisset’s mystery woman had taken a seat beside him. The lady looked to be in her late twenties. She wore an emerald gown which complemented both the jade coloring of her eyes and her auburn hair, styled in the latest fashion.
Louis sat up straighter as he took in the lady’s appearance. The fabric of the gown was of a high quality, as were her slippers. Perhaps she was Bisset’s mistress. Some girls would do anything to get away from a life of poverty and despair. When his gaze rested on her face again, he noticed her neutral expression. There was no spark in her eyes, no smile curling at the corner on her lips. She seemed to study him as well. A moment of mutual scrutiny passed between them. Perhaps the week would be interesting after all.
Suddenly, the lady’s demeanor changed. A friendly grin crossed her face, and she batted her eyelashes coyly. “Pardon me for being so forward, monsieur, but I wanted to introduce myself. I saw you speaking to my uncle earlier, so you must already be acquainted with him.”
The words caught Louis off guard. “I beg your pardon. Your uncle?”
“Yes. Monsieur Bisset is my mother’s brother. Uncle was kind enough to bring me along to this wonderful party. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Colette Durand.”
Remembering his manners, Louis spoke. “Louis de Coligny. It is a pleasure to meet you, mademoiselle.” A small voice in his head told him to stay vigilant. He had a nagging suspicion Bisset’s “niece” was not who she claimed to be. “How are you enjoying yourself so far? Do you have much occasion for parties where you live?”
“I am enjoying myself very much. I live in the southern part of France. My town is small, so I have never attended anything so grand.”
“Well, I hope you make the most of it.”
“Thank you, monsieur. I will. One of the ladies told me tomorrow we will have a picnic at some old ruins on the property. Do you think it will be haunted? I hope not. I think I would die of fright if I saw a ghost.” For emphasis, she put a hand to her chest.
Louis gave a reassuring smile. “Fear not, mademoiselle. We gentlemen will make sure you and the other ladies are safe.”
She let out an over exaggerated sigh of relief and thanked him. Louis wondered if this charade worked on other men. The entire exchange felt forced, false. Was the lady testing him? More questions arose about Mademoiselle Durand. Why had she specifically singled him out? Had Bisset mentioned their earlier conversation? Whatever the reasons, they would have to wait since Laurent approached and asked Louis to join in a game of cards.
The following afternoon, the guests who were attending the picnic assembled in the main hall. The ladies had on their outdoor finery, with sturdy walking boots and hats to protect their delicate skin from the sun. The men looked dapper in their brightly colored jackets, some with a plaid vest underneath for added panache, hats in hand.
Louis was one of the last to join the group. As they loaded into the open carriages awaiting them, he noted the overcast sky—no real threat of rain, but the perfect setting for a picnic among the ruins, adding to the mysterious atmosphere. He had also noticed that Mademoiselle Durand was in one of the front carriages.
The drive was not long since the ruins were on Laurent’s estate. They passed by pastures of cattle, lazily grazing, unaware of their presence. Wildflowers dotted the landscape and fields abounded with lavender. Laurent was one of the top producers of the scented flower used for varying female toiletries and herbal preparations.
At last, they came to their destination. The castle where they were dining had been built three hundred years prior by an ancestor of Laurent’s but had succumbed to a fire more than a century ago. Rather than re-build the house, the owner at the time had simply started over, constructing the present structure which Laurent called home.
When they arrived, the servants had already set out blankets and chairs for the guests. A table was set with food and drinks for everyone to nibble at their leisure. Louis helped the ladies dismount the carriages.
He was assisting one young lady when she slipped and fell into his arms. “Oh, my apologies, Monsieur. I am so clumsy.” The lady gave him a coquettish grin and held onto him a few seconds too long.
Louis knew when a woman was flirting with him. The current lady in question was Adele Monet. He knew the girl’s father. Monsieur Monet owned one of the largest publishing companies in France. The Monet’s hoped to make an advantageous marriage for their daughter with their money, and it seemed young Adele had set her eyes on Louis. Well, she would be sorely disappointed. Louis had not been interested in a relationship since his late wife Michelle’s death. Besides, he had more important matters to attend to.
Unfortunately, Bisset had chosen not to attend the picnic, making the excuse of his rheumatism causing him pain. Louis would have to take the opportunity to speak to some of the other gentlemen on his list. The group separated, with some people going off to explore right away while others stayed to mingle. Louis joined in light conversation before settling down to eat.
The meal was pleasant. From his vantage point on a blanket, Louis observed the interactions of the other guests. Bisset’s niece, Mademoiselle Durand, had just finished filling her plate and turned to find a place to eat. Their eyes met, and she walked toward him.
“May I join you?”
“I would be honored.”
She sat down next to him. They ate in silence for a few minutes. It gave Louis time to examine her again. Her hair was her most attractive feature. Louis had never seen such a shade, light auburn with streaks of deeper red and gold scattered throughout. She complimented her features with a sapphire blue ensemble. The skirt was plain with no adornments, fitting for the outdoors. Her jacket buttoned in the front with long open sleeves that showed her white shirt underneath. The bonnet she wore was also simple and functional, with no large flowers or decorations to detract from her understated beauty. She was quite lovely, Louis thought. It was a pity his suspicions of her and Bisset had to come into the equation.
“Are you enjoying the outing so far, Mademoiselle Durand?”
“Yes, thank you. I just hope the weather holds up. Those clouds do not look promising.”
“The servants will keep a sharp eye out. Are you going to explore the ruins? Perhaps see a ghost?”
Colette smirked at his remark. “And will you be there to protect me, sir? I may get a sudden case of the vapors.” She was flirting with him. How intriguing.
“Fear not, Mademoiselle. I know I—or any gentlemen here—would happily accompany you into the most haunted of places.” He quirked any eyebrow and smiled.
She did not answer but averted her eyes. Colette focused on her meal. He had to get her talking again.
“I heard that Monsieur Bisset was not up to the outing today. I hope all is well.”
Colette whipped her head up at the sound of his voice. “Oh, yes. He is
feeling under the weather.”
“I hope it is nothing too serious. I did enjoy conversing with him last night and was looking forward to speaking with him again.”
“It is his stomach. He believes the food last night did not sit well with him. I am sure he will be feeling better once he rests.”
Louis’s pulse pounded. He had caught her in a lie. Her story did not match with the one he had been given earlier in the day regarding Bisset’s condition. Now his instincts were on high alert. He could not let her think that he suspected anything.
He put on his most charismatic smile. “Well, since your uncle is not here, I would take it as an honor to personally make sure you have an enjoyable afternoon, Mademoiselle Durand.”
The lady’s cheeks blushed scarlet. Either she was not immune to his charms or she was a damned good actress. “Thank you, monsieur. From what other ladies have said, I will be in excellent hands.” She emphasized the last word.
Louis chuckled. “So, they are already spreading rumors about me.”
“Are they rumors?” She arched an eyebrow.
“I suppose you will have to wait and find out, ma cherie.” He took her hand and placed a small kiss on her fingers. She had failed to bring gloves, a sign that she was not from the upper class. No proper lady would go outside without her gloves. But the mistake allowed him to feel her soft skin. A hint of her perfume traveled to his nose. When he looked up, her mouth was slightly opened, and she was breathing deeply. Had she truly been so affected by a mere kiss?
He was about to speak when Adele Monet took a seat beside them. “Monsieur de Coligny, would you escort me to the ruins? I would so enjoy a nice walk. Who knows, we might uncover ancient Laurent family secrets or disturb a ghost lurking in the shadows.” She huddled close to him, but her actions were lost on Louis who was still gazing at Mademoiselle Durand.
“I think that is a wonderful idea,” Colette exclaimed. “I have always wanted to see a real ghost.”
Her voice broke the spell cast upon Louis by Mademoiselle Durand’s ungloved hands. He recovered himself and spoke to them both. “Yes, that sounds like a capital idea. Let us see who else wants to join the expedition.”
The Secret to a Spy’s Heart: A Steamy Victorian Historical Spy Series (Romancing Intrigue Book 4) Page 1
