The Secret to a Spy’s Heart: A Steamy Victorian Historical Spy Series (Romancing Intrigue Book 4)

by Laura Shipley

  She crossed her arms. “You said one question, not several. It is getting late, and I must go.”

  Colette turned to leave, but Louis stopped her. For a split-second Louis saw something in her expression, as if she implored him to let her go.

  “Please monsieur, I need to leave. While I am sure you are not alone at this party, I, too, may have been accompanied and will be missed if I’m not back soon.”

  “How do I get in contact with you once I have the requested reports?”

  “You will receive another message, like you did regarding this meeting. It will give you instructions. For now, I must go.”

  Louis released his hold. She walked out the door and into the night. Louis was certain there was more going here on than what appeared on the surface. She had to be working for the Fox. Colette had been at Laurent’s house, then had left the day after Galle had delivered documents to Bisset. Two days later, shipments had been stolen from Marseille—cargo that matched the information Galle had stolen. Now Galle had been contacted again about sensitive government information. No other person would go to such lengths except the Fox. While he did not doubt that Colette worked for the Fox, what he wondered about was her loyalty. Was there a way of persuading her to help him apprehend the Fox? Could her loyalty be bought? Sometimes one chink in the armor was all it took.

  An idea formed, and he raced to the garden door where he knew one of his men would be stationed. Louis gave orders for three of his agents to follow Colette and see where she went, then report back to him. He needed to know if she had a weakness, something he could use as leverage against her. Although he felt like a cad for doing such a dastardly ploy, desperate times called for desperate measures.

  CHAPTER 6

  After meeting Louis, Colette returned to the ballroom. She could not leave directly, as it might look suspicious. Colette had lied when she had told Louis she might have accomplices at the party. She had said it hoping he would not follow her. If he believed there were others watching, he might keep his distance. It appeared to have worked.

  Colette stayed for another ten minutes before calling for a carriage to take her home. A few streets before her address, she had the carriage drop her off as a precaution in case someone had followed her. When she arrived home, it was late, and the children were asleep.

  After checking on them, Colette sank into a chair, her heart rate started to return to normal after a few minutes. Tonight had not gone as planned. It had been a complete shock to encounter the handsome gentleman from Monsieur Laurent’s in the greenhouse. His revelation that he was Galle did not feel right, and Colette had learned years ago to listen to her instincts. She had to be careful. The longer she was in this game, the higher the risks.

  The warmth from the fire lulled her into a light slumber. When she awoke, she was not sure how much time had passed. By the look of the fire, it had been at least an hour. Colette went over to bank the fire for the night when a knock on the door startled her.

  It was not a loud knock, but she heard it just the same. The person outside knocked again. Colette approached the door but picked up her dagger before easing the lock open. She glanced outside and saw Louis starring back at her. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end; something was definitely not right.

  “How did you find me?” Colette made sure he saw the dagger in her hand.

  “I have my ways. May I come in?”

  “You may not. It is late, and I am tired. Now if you will excuse me, monsieur.”

  Colette tried to close the door, but Louis stopped it with his foot. She glanced down to see what had jammed the door. When her head came up, she glared at Louis. Her body tensed, ready to strike. She tried pushing again, but his large frame blocked the door.

  There had to be a way to get him to leave. Colette remembered the dagger in her hand and took a swipe at his midsection. Louis jumped out of reach. A second later he was in the house with his hand around her wrist. A moment of panic raced through Colette. There was nothing she could do. She dropped the knife and heard it clang on the floor.

  Louis released his grip, then casually picked up the dagger and placed it on the table. He took a seat by the fire as if he were in his own home.

  Colette wanted to murder the bastard. How dare he barge into her home at this time of night. In all her years of thieving, no one had dared try to force their way into her home—those who knew where she lived, that is. The first chance she had, she would run him through.

  He must have seen the murderous expression on her face, but he did nothing except motion for her to sit. She did not move. “If you are looking for the best opportunity to sink that blade into my back, I must warn you. Several of my men are stationed outside, surrounding this house, so I would not encourage that course of action.”

  Some of the fight left her after hearing the statement. They are surrounding the house. Things had taken a turn for the worse, and now she was a prisoner of sorts in her own home. What had she gotten herself into? With nothing left to do, she sat.

  Louis leaned forward. “That’s better. Now Colette, I know you must be wondering what is happening right now. If you will let me explain, I am sure we can come to an understanding and work together.”

  “What do you want?”

  “I do, in fact, work for the Ministry of Defense, and to show some good faith, I will tell you my actual name is as I told you at Laurent’s: Louis de Coligny.”

  “How did you find me?”

  He grinned. “It was not you personally I was seeking. You just fell into my lap, shall we say?”

  There was a mischievous glint in his eyes. Colette crossed her arms. “Go on.”

  “I have the real Monsieur Galle in my custody. He is under arrest but was most helpful in playing his part to arrange tonight’s meeting. He has volunteered to help us with an ongoing investigation.”

  “Investigation?”

  “Yes; I’m sure in your line of work you have heard of an individual called Le Renard.”

  Her expression remained blank, but Colette feared he would hear the pounding of her heart. How much did he know? If they had discovered Galle selling information, what else did the Ministry know?

  “I may have heard the name once or twice. I do not pay much attention.”

  Louis pursed his lips. “Now, that I highly doubt. You seem a very competent woman; do not play me for a fool. You work for him.”

  Careful what you say, Colette warned herself. If he thought for a moment she was associated with the Fox, all her years of work would be for nothing. She would never get her revenge. Perhaps she could appease Louis. “The man I work for is named Jacques, and I will gladly take you to him.” Would he take the bait?

  Just as Louis was about to respond, Colette heard a noise. The children stood on the steps, and they all appeared anxious. Danielle held Etienne’s hand.

  “Colette, we heard voices and came down,” Antoine said.

  She ran over to them. “It’s all right. This is Louis. He is a friend.”

  “I have never seen him before,” said Etienne with a yawn.

  “Well, I have a lot of friends you have not met.” Colette tried to soothe their suspicions. “Now, I want you all to go back up to bed.”

  “Will you tuck me in?” Etienne made the request innocently.

  Colette turned to Louis who gave a nod of his head. She herded the children back upstairs to bed. After wishing them all good night, she hesitantly returned to the kitchen.

  **********

  Children. Not exactly what Louis had expected. This complicated the situation a bit. He did not like surprises. By the ages of the children, they most likely were not Colette’s. Perhaps they were her siblings. Either way, he had to make sure they did not upset his plans. As Louis ran through a list of possibilities, Colette came back down the steps.

  Her mouth was set in a straight line. She seemed hesitant about going far from the stairs, as if guarding access to the children. He had to reassure her he
meant no harm. With the type of work she was in, Louis was sure she would not trust him no matter what he said.

  He took the blade she had used against him and put it on the far end of the table, away from him. Louis nodded to the chair nearest to the dagger. Colette still paused. “Please, sit. I give you my word that I will do the children no harm.”

  “The word of a liar is not worth much, in my opinion.”

  “Very well.” It was time to be frank. “I will tell you the truth, for what it’s worth. I hope you will believe me. My sole purpose is to bring the Fox and his entire network to justice, and I need your help.”

  “Why me?”

  “Call it fate, divine intervention, whatever you will, but it seems we have been thrown together.” He leaned forward in his chair. “You are the closest I have come to him so far. If you help me, I can promise you and the children safety and immunity. No charges will be brought against you.”

  At the mention of the children, Colette stiffened. It appeared he had discovered the chink in her armor. If he had to, Louis would use that weakness to his advantage. He would not allow one woman to stand in his way.

  “I do not know who he is. I have never met him. As I already said, I report to a man named Jacques, and he gives me my orders.”

  “That is a start, at least. How high up are you in his league of mercenaries?”

  She stuck her chin out. “I am one of his most trusted agents. That is why I was given this assignment.”

  Louis stood and paced around the room. “We need to come up with a plan for how to introduce me into your circle of thieves.” He stopped and focused his stare at Colette. “You will report back to Jacques and tell him that Galle introduced us at the party tonight.”

  Colette stepped forward. “Why would I do that?” Her brows came together in question.

  “Because with my prominent position in society and my title, I could be a valuable asset. No doors are closed to me, I am welcomed everywhere. I can gain access to more supporters with more money. Tell Jacques that I wish to prove my value to the Fox. I will do what I must to ingratiate myself into his organization.”

  “I don’t know if they will believe me.”

  He placed his hands on her shoulders. “It will work because we will give them something to prove that I am telling the truth.”

  “What?”

  Her large, round eyes gazed at him, and for a moment, Louis was speechless. It was not often that he was at a loss for words. For the first time, he could really study her features. Her skin was like smooth porcelain with a touch of freckles across her nose, showing that the sun was not foreign to her. The fullness of her luscious lips called to him, tempting him to kiss them.

  This was madness. The last thing he should be thinking about was kissing the woman. She was a thief and a traitor, and here he was imagining what her hair would feel like if he were to run his fingers through it.

  Louis shook his head to clear out the lustful thoughts that had taken over and came back to the matter at hand. “We will give the Fox the information he asked for from the ledgers. It will show that we are both loyal. Do you think it will work?”

  Colette stepped away from his hold. Louis was risking a lot by trusting her, but his gut told him she would help. He prayed he was right.

  At last, she spoke. “What if I do not agree to your plan?”

  It was not the response Louis expected. “If you do not assist me, I will have no choice but to take you and the children into custody. I cannot have you running back to your boss and telling him of my plans, now, can I?”

  At the mention of the children coming to harm, Colette’s eyes turned cold, and her jaw set in firm line.

  “I will give you until tomorrow to think things over. This is my address.” He handed her his card. “Come by at eleven, and we will discuss this further.”

  He went to the door but paused before opening it. “I will have some of my men posted around your house for the night. In case you have any thought of running away.”

  “Thank you for the information, monsieur. I will consider the offer carefully.”

  Louis tipped his head and left. Henri was waiting outside along with four of Louis’s agents.

  “I want this house guarded at all times. No one is to enter or leave. The young lady has an appointment with me at eleven tomorrow. That is the only time you are to allow her to leave. Do I make myself clear?” All four of agents nodded. “I will arrange for relief at dawn. Henri, come with me.”

  His friend complied, and they left in Louis’s waiting carriage. Once inside, Louis told Henri of his conversation with Colette and his plan.

  “Do you think it wise to tell her so much? What if she double-crosses you?” Henri asked.

  “Believe me, I thought about that, which is why I need to find a way to leverage the children against her.”

  “How?”

  “I am not sure yet. Come by the house tomorrow afternoon. By then, I will have the lady’s answer. Make sure the guards are relieved.”

  “It will all be done.”

  The carriage dropped Henri off at his home then rolled toward Louis’s abode. The events of the last hour replayed in his mind. Could he have done anything differently? No, it was best to not beat around the bush. He’d had enough interaction with other criminals in the past to know being direct was usually the best approach. She would show up in the morning, he was sure of it. The children were the best hand he had to play. As long as he had control of their fate, Colette would play his game.

  Hopefully, this time things would work out better. He thought back to his time with Michelle before they had wed. They had worked together before she had left her old life behind for good. It seemed a lifetime ago. He prayed he was not making a mistake by working with Colette. Having a partner could be a blessing and a curse.

  CHAPTER 7

  Colette roamed the room like a caged animal. Her worst fear had come true—someone had discovered her and the children. Now, she had to work with Louis or face going to prison. She would not let anything happen to her family. Her legs grew weak, and she sunk into the nearest chair. It was times such as these that she wished Elle were around. She would have been a great confidant and could have given her opinion on the situation. Alas, Colette was alone, with no one to lean on but herself.

  Perhaps it would not be so bad. Was it not her goal to avenge Elle and everyone else who had suffered by the Fox’s hand? She would get her revenge in the end, as long as she could make the final blow. There would be no trial or imprisonment for the Fox. His would be a swift death if she had a hand in bringing it to pass. She would accept Louis’s offer and use their partnership to her advantage. Her mind made up, she trekked up the stairs to change and sleep through what little of the night was left.

  The next morning, at the appointed time, she arrived at Louis’s home. The house was situated in the finest neighborhood in Paris on the Rue de la Paix. She had worked at one or two of the neighboring houses, and she hoped no one would recognize her, though it was unlikely anyone in the upper class would have taken notice of one of their invisible servants. Besides, she had always changed her appearance from one house to the next. She approached Louis’s door and knocked.

  The butler led her into a spacious parlor. Colette took a few moments to examine the room. It was painted in a cream color, so the eye was drawn to the beautiful artwork on display. Most of the pieces were landscapes and watercolors. The furniture was upholstered in rich fabrics, all in varying shades of green and brown, and built from rich mahogany wood that stood in contrast to the delicate paintings. A large sideboard stood in the far corner and various chairs and a settee were scattered strategically around the room.

  The sound of footsteps in the hall caught Colette’s attention. She turned in time to see Louis enter. In the morning light she noticed that his hair was not the straw-color blond she had first thought, but a much lighter shade, almost silver. What struck her the most were his eyes. They were
dark, nearly black, but when he smiled, the harshness of his gaze relaxed. His lips were full, but there were lines around his mouth and eyes. This was a man who had already been through much to show signs of age and worry. Colette wondered what had happened in his past.

  Louis must have noticed her inspection of him and did not seem to mind. A large grin crossed his face. She quickly averted her stare. He laughed. “I am glad you came.”

  She gave him her full attention. “You gave me little choice. The alternative was not much to my liking.”

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “I must apologize for being so rude. I would truly never do anything to harm a child.”

  So, he had a soft spot, at least for the children. It pleased her to hear that. “I will help you under one condition.”

  “Proceed.”

  “I want the children safely out of the way. If we are going to work together, I may be away from them for long spells. I want to know they will not be harmed, by you or anyone else.”

  Louis conceded with a nod. “Very well. I will have them taken to an estate where they will be looked after.”

  “Will I be privy to that location?”

  “It would be better if you are not, in case something happens.”

  Colette would not stand for it. “You listen to me, Monsieur de Coligny. Those children are my responsibility, and I will not have them whisked away to some unknown location. I demand to know where they will be safeguarded. I am the only family they have.”

  Louis’s expression softened. “How did you come by your little family?” He motioned to the settee, and she took a seat. A tea tray sat on the nearby table. Colette had not noticed it when she entered. There were tiny delicacies and baked confections that made her mouth water. Oh, well, she thought. If she had to work with the insufferable man, she might as well enjoy the food.

  She poured tea for herself and Louis, then took a plate and filled it with some small cakes. Colette glanced up at Louis. The gentleman took a seat across from her as she handed him a cup and saucer.