Chapter Seventeen
At about half past three in the afternoon, Talleyrand arrived at the hotel. He wore an elderly fur-lined cloak, which effectively covered his habitual elegance of dress, and he was accompanied not by Captain Alban but by a man Louis recognized as Alban’s surgeon.
Louis gave him time to cross the foyer and walk up to Castlereagh’s rooms on the first floor. Then he rose and donned his coat, still somewhat gingerly, for although his wound had not reopened, it was somewhat tender again after his exertions of the previous night. He tucked a sheathed dagger into the top of his pantaloons, and into the other side, he placed the bulky, stolen pistol. He hoped fervently he would not have to use the latter, since he suspected it fired wide and was as likely to blow his own head off as anyone else’s. Like Talleyrand, he threw a winter cloak around his shoulders to hide the state of his dress.
As he left his room and walked downstairs, he noticed a difference in the hotel. Large men lounged in slightly ill-fitting gentlemen’s clothes on the first-floor landings and near the front door of the hotel. They were Captain Alban’s men. And Alban himself lounged on one of the foyer sofas with the lady he had landed in Blackhaven more than a week ago.
This could have proved difficult, for it was possible Alban would have a better memory for prisoners than his men did. However, Louis was fortunate enough to spy Mrs. Winslow entering the hotel and hurried to greet her. She seemed delighted to see him, but then spotted Alban’s wife—the duke’s daughter—and abandoned him with unflattering haste. Louis, with the seal of her acquaintanceship passed out of the hotel, if not unnoticed, then at least not recognized.
Another of Alban’s men stood chatting to the doorman outside the hotel. Louis strolled past them and round to the back of the hotel where the stable and coach house stood. Alban’s men were also guarding the kitchen entrance, but no one paid Louis much attention as he entered the stable. They might, of course, notice if he didn’t come out again, but he doubted they would waste time trying to discover him and leave the back door unguarded.
As he had expected, the trap door in the empty stall was un-fastened. Louis lifted it as quietly as he could, climbed down the steps far enough to replace the trap door, and then listened in the darkness.
There was no one in the immediate vicinity. The stairs and the passage were black and he had to feel his way along them, which made it difficult to move as silently as he would have wished. But at least no light meant he was alone, that Gosselin had not yet entered the passage. If, indeed, he knew of the secret entrance and meant to come this way. If he didn’t—which Louis thought unlikely—then Louis could still observe what occurred inside the room and act accordingly.
However, when he reached the top of the second lot of stone steps and turned into the final length of the passage, the faintest glow reached him from the far end. A few warier steps confirmed it. A moving flame, a hand-held candle. Gosselin was already there.
Louis flexed his fingers. He thought of Marguerite and her child, of Dupré and Sanchez and all the others wiped out solely for this man’s ambitions…but anger was not the path to a clear head. His first duty was to preserve the men in the room beyond. At least until he knew the purpose of their meeting.
And yes, Gosselin had come to kill. As Louis crept closer, he could make out the two pistols in his enemy’s belt. He was dressed like a rough seaman and was peering through the peephole. The candle was set now on the flat stone table beside the secret door, a spare one lying beside it. Gosselin had, apparently, thought of everything.
Except that Louis would find him.
Gosselin was so intent upon his spying that Louis actually began to believe he could reach Gosselin and strangle him, before he even knew Louis was there. But inevitably, Louis’s luck ran out. His foot crunched on loose gravel, only very slightly and he paused at once, but it was enough.
Gosselin jerked around, staring. The candle flame flickered at his movement, its faint light quivering across his white, wide-eyed face.
“You,” he uttered in hoarse astonishment. “My God, are you everywhere? Do you know everything?”
Louis smiled unpleasantly. “Yes.” And he leapt forward before Gosselin could recover his wits.
Gosselin panicked. Perhaps he knew he could not win any fight with Louis. Perhaps he was simply running away by the only route possible or meant to finish his task before Louis had the chance to stop him. Whatever his reason, he lunged at the door lever and all but fell into the dazzling light of the room beyond. The door crashed back on its hinges, presumably startling everyone.
When Louis ran in, the occupants of the room were leaping to their feet. Four men stood around the table in the middle of the room, which was already full of papers, pens, and ink bottles. There was also wine and a tea tray, still gripped by a hotel maid who, terrifyingly, bore an uncanny resemblance to Anna Gaunt. But he couldn’t think of that.
Gosselin had his pistol pointed directly at Talleyrand’s haughty head, and at the range of barely two yards, was unlikely to miss. It did not comfort Louis to understand Gosselin’s plot at last. He meant to kill Talleyrand and blame British treachery, thus both disgracing the one-time foreign minister whom Napoleon wanted back and encouraging enough ill-feeling to continue the war.
And the knowledge of death flickered in Talleyrand’s clever eyes as Louis flew at Gosselin, bringing him down in a flying tackle.
The pistol exploded as it fell to the floor. Talleyrand still stood, but the instant Louis took to check gave Gosselin his opportunity. Elbowing Louis in the face, he rolled free, and from the floor, aimed at Lord Castlereagh who was already lunging toward him.
This would be the alternative plan. It worked just as well if Castlereagh died instead of Talleyrand. The prince was still disgraced and the British, incensed by Castlereagh’s assassination, would almost certainly refuse to make peace.
Even in that moment, it disgusted Louis. Did the fools really imagine that Napoleon could recover enough to save them any power?
Dagger in hand, he was about to throw himself at Gosselin once more, when Anna leapt in front of Castlereagh, spreading her arms in instinctive protection. Terror closed Louis’s throat. Everything, everyone in the room seemed to slow down. Men burst into the room from the passage, but Louis paid them no attention. He found himself praying that Gosselin would turn his pistol back on Talleyrand.
He didn’t. He recognized Anna, and actually smiled as he began to squeeze the trigger.
He was still smiling when Louis’s dagger took him in the throat. Thrown with the deadly accuracy of long practice, without thought or planning, it killed him instantly.
The gun did not go off.
“My dear girl,” Castlereagh said, appalled, staring at Anna as he moved her aside. She didn’t seem to notice. Her gaze was locked with Louis’s.
Stumbling to his feet, he strode to her and pulled her roughly into his arms. If she hadn’t protected Castlereagh and given Gosselin that instant’s pause to imagine his own petty revenge, no doubt Castlereagh would have been dead.
Questions were being hurled around the room. “Who in God’s name was that?”
“How did he get in here?”
“Sir, are you hurt?”
“What in hell happened here?”
“Are you well?”
“Is this man one of yours?”
Louis heard the words in a cacophony of pointless sound. In that instant, the only thing he cared about was the vital, brave woman he all but crushed in his arms. And she did not shrink. She melted.
“As I live and breathe,” said a soft voice in French, “I believe I look upon Colonel Delon. So, this is where you have been hiding.”
Talleyrand.
Releasing Anna, Louis turned slowly to face him, and bowed. “Sir.”
“I heard that you were a prisoner of the British. Who did not know what they had.”
“I escaped.”
“You are the escaped prisoner?” That was Captain Alban, a pistol in his hand, staring at him hard. “By God, you are. I brought you in The Albatross. Then who the devil is this?”
Castlereagh stepped forward to look. “The man who attempted to kill both Monsieur de Talleyrand and myself.”
“His name is Gosselin,” Louis said. “A rogue French spy, representing neither the Emperor nor Monsieur de Talleyrand.”
“And who, exactly,” Alban asked, “do you represent?”
Louis smiled cynically. No one.
But before he could speak aloud, Talleyrand said, “Me. He represents me and my aim of peace in Europe.”
Louis met his gaze. He could not deny that his heart beat faster at this first claim that his country needed him. He understood at once that Talleyrand was giving him his escape from Britain, from being returned to prison. As Talleyrand’s man, he would be allowed to leave with him.
“I believe we all have cause to be grateful to this gentleman,” Castlereagh said. “Colonel…Delon is it? And to this girl who would have died preserving my worthless life.”
“Hardly worthless, sir!” Anna objected, causing Castlereagh’s eyes to widen at her cultured speech.
He frowned. “Do I know you, madam?”
An interruption came from the passage door where one of Alban’s men had dragged another inside before slamming the door firmly. “My lord, this gentleman claims to be one of yours.”
“Harcourt, my lord,” Henry said, shaking off his escort. “I came to warn you then I heard the gun shot…” His gaze fell on Anna, and then on Louis, and he swallowed convulsively.
Castlereagh’s frown deepened. “You knew of this plot?”
“I only suspected,” Henry said hurriedly, “but when I tried to see you in London, I heard you had posted up here. I followed you.” He looked directly at Anna.
*
Anna was afraid suddenly that he was about to pretend she was Christianne. Which, considering her recent open embracing of Louis, would be somewhat humiliating for both Christianne and Henry. She remembered that she had meant to prosper through Henry’s success and had no objection to helping this along.
“I was here already, to reconnoiter, as it were,” Anna said smoothly. “I am Mr. Harcourt’s sister-in-law. Though I confess my impulse to swap clothes with the hotel maid would not have met with his approval. I could think of no other way to get in here and be sure everyone was safe.”
“The passage was meant to ensure our safety,” Castlereagh said ruefully. “We never thought of being attacked through it. My apologies, Monsieur.”
Talleyrand poked the fallen man with his toe. “None necessary, milord, or I shall feel compelled to apologize on behalf of my country for this filth. Perhaps he could be removed and then we might continue our conversation. I know we are both pressed for time.”
“Use the passage,” Louis murmured as Alban gestured his men to remove the body. “It comes out in the stables.”
“Harcourt,” Castlereagh said, “you had better stay. I don’t want you believing there is anything remotely treasonous about this secret meeting.”
Henry tried not to preen, but he clearly knew, as Anna did, that this could only be good for him.
Castlereagh said urgently, “I believe we may thank everyone else later, in a more appropriate fashion. For now, please, clear the room. Alban, will the gun shot not have brought the Watch and who knows else?”
“Probably not,” Alban said calmly, as everyone began to leave via the secret door and the passage door. “It wouldn’t be the first shot they’ve heard in the hotel. Lord Daxton has stayed here. And him?” Alban indicated Louis.
“I would like him to stay,” Talleyrand said.
Castlereagh inclined his head. He glanced at Alban. “I believe your escaped prisoner may never be recaptured.”
Alban gave a sardonic twist of the lips and held the door open for Anna. At the last moment, she glanced back over her shoulder and met Louis’s gaze. Her heart ached with gladness and pain. He had Talleyrand’s protection now. He could go home, vindicated, welcomed, useful. And she…
“You are Tamar’s sister,” Alban said, falling into step beside her. “He is downstairs in the foyer with my wife.”
“Then if you allow me to exchange clothes once more with my accomplice, I shall be happy to renew my acquaintance with her.”
Anna paused outside the room where she had left the maid. “I need to see him again,” she said with difficulty.
Alban’s hard eyes searched hers, his expression inscrutable though hardly encouraging. “Wait with Bella,” he said shortly and walked away.
The little maid, who looked rather good in Anna’s clothes, trembled with anxiety. “Did someone shoot at you, Miss?” she demanded. “Did you shoot them? Oh, Miss, am I in trouble?”
“Of course not,” Anna soothed, letting the maid loosen her fastenings. “No one was shot. A pistol was fired by accident. Sort of. And no one knows anything about you. If you have been missed below, just tell them you were held up by all the important people along the hall.”
Five minutes later, back in her widow’s weeds and discreetly veiled, she descended to the foyer, where all appeared to be as calm as Alban had foreseen. Tamar sat on one of the sofas, beside Lady Arabella, with whom he seemed very taken. In fact, while he talked he scribbled with a pencil on a piece of folded paper in his lap. As she drew nearer, Anna saw that it was Arabella’s profile. She had an interesting as well as pretty face, Anna allowed. She could see why her brother liked it.
Tamar glanced up and saw her. He almost looked straight through her before he frowned, peering closer. “Anna? What the…?”
“Do be quiet,” Anna said, nodding civilly to Arabella. “My lady. Your husband has asked me to wait with you. So Tamar might go home.”
“Might I?” Tamar said. “What has been going on? Where’s Henry?”
“In an important meeting,” Anna said. “You might want to ask him about Mrs. Elphinstone and decide whether or not to keep her with you.”
Tamar regarded her with fascination. “Might I?”
“Well, Serena and Lady Braithwaite might.”
He let that go. “And the shot we heard?”
“Nothing. No one is hurt.” Apart from the man who lay dead, who was responsible for this mess and so much more cruelty.
“And you?” he asked quietly.
“I am perfectly fine,” she replied with impatience.
“Serena, and even Christianne, were convinced you’d run off with Lewis.”
“I didn’t.”
“So I see. But he does live here. Anna, are you in a pickle?”
Without warning, the concern of the brother who had always looked after her, who had killed for her, brought a lump to her throat that she could not swallow.
“A little,” she whispered. “But I shall come about.”
He didn’t take her hand. She couldn’t have borne that much sympathy. Her time with Louis was almost ended and she felt she would die.
“Shall we go back to the castle?” he said. “Lady Bella can come with us.”
Anna pulled herself together. “No. Lady Bella and I shall wait here. You should go, though. Set Christianne’s mind at rest.” She smiled with difficulty. “And Serena’s. You are lucky to have her, Rupert.”
“I know.” He stood, presenting his drawing to Arabella with no more than a grin. “Then I’ll leave Henry to bring you back.”
As he was about to go, something propelled Anna to her feet. For the first time since she was a child, she threw her arms around her brother’s neck, and kissed his cheek through the veil.
“Thank you, Rupert,” she whispered. She meant for everything. She had never said it before, and suddenly it was vitally important that he knew.
Although he must have been stunned, he hugged her back briefly. Since he didn’t know what troubled her, he didn’t speak, for which she was grateful. He merely grinned to lift her spirits and sauntered out of the hotel.
Darkness had closed in since Anna had arrived here. It seemed a lifetime ago.
She became aware of Lady Arabella’s regard. “I saw your husband upstairs,” she offered. “He is well. So is your…guest.”
“You know who he is,” Arabella guessed.
“And I know your husband brought him.”
“And will take him away again. It is in our country’s interests. And Europe’s.”
Anna raised one eyebrow. “Does Captain Alban think so?”
“I think so,” Arabella said vaguely. “Women do…don’t they?”
“Think?” Anna said in some surprise. “Of course.”
“And act, if necessary,” Bella added.
“Are you accusing me of something?” Anna asked, faintly amused.
Bella looked surprised. “Only of acting as necessary, for good. Alban would not otherwise have sent you to me.”
Anna regarded her with interest. It seemed the time would pass bearably after all, until she could see Louis again. Then, she would need all her strength.
*
It was not Captain Alban but a gentleman Bella addressed as “Doctor”, who escorted them from the hotel to the harbor, where a boat, manned by several rowers, awaited them.
When Anna hesitated, the doctor said, “The others will come in another boat. On The Albatross, one may speak with greater privacy. You will be brought safely back to shore and escorted home with every propriety.”
“Propriety,” Anna repeated and laughed. With a sailor’s aid, she stepped into the bobbing boat, and sat on the bench beside Lady Bella.
There was something soothing about the rhythmic splash of the oars. Even in the bitter cold, the glow of the lanterns seemed to hold them in a bubble of safety, in a place between joy and grief. She could pretend happiness was still possible. And who knew? Perhaps it was. Whatever happened, she was happy for Louis.
The journey to the ship was quicker than she expected. Before long, she was climbing aboard the famous Albatross.
“Is the captain aboard?” Bella asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” came the immediate response. “And he’s asked that I take Lady Anna to the second cabin.”
Bella accompanied her, leading the way below decks, out of the biting wind. Anna swayed, holding on to the walls as the ship rolled. Bella knocked and opened a door on a decent-sized cabin that boasted a decent sized bunk with velvet curtains, and a desk which was spotlessly clear apart from several pens and a neat pile of blank paper. In front of it, stood Captain Alban, whose harsh face softened almost imperceptibly when his wife walked in.
Anna followed her in time to see Louis striding from the sloping window. His eyes looked restless, almost turbulent, although the gleam of longing in them thrilled her. Without hesitation, she went to him, giving him both her hands, which he kissed, one after the other.
Alban said, “I promised them a few minutes.” Taking Bella’s hand, he strode toward the door. “Be warned,” he added over his shoulder. “Himself will be back at any moment.”
“Himself?” Anna asked bewildered, as the door closed behind the couple.
“His name for Talleyrand,” Louis said, taking her face between his hands. His eyes seemed to devour her. “God, Anna, I don’t know if I am more proud or terrified by what you did.”
“Or I by what you did,” she retorted.
A hiss of laughter escaped him as he pressed his cheek to hers.
“Were we right to save them?” she blurted. “What did they talk about?”
“The future. What to do after the war is ended. How to keep a balance in Europe to prevent future wars. Which means not annihilating France in her defeat. There were no specifics, only principles and an agreement to negotiate in the future—whatever that future holds. I believe we were right.”
She tangled her fingers in his hair. “Then you can go home? Is Talleyrand enough protection for you?”
“Perhaps. The Emperor wants him back in his government, but I’m not sure he will go. I think he sees the writing on the wall.”
“As you do.”
“In the short term, he wants me to go to Basel where Prince Metternich and other allied rulers and ministers are meeting, to see what I can learn.”
She clung to him. “I am glad,” she whispered.
“As soon as there is peace, as soon as I can come to you, I will.”
“I know.” She closed her eyes, lifting her face for his kiss. She wasn’t sure how she could bear the parting, but she would. Because one day, in six months or a year, or maybe two, they would be together.
“Will you wait for me?” he asked fiercely against her lips.
“You know I will.”
He kissed her again.
The door opened quietly, causing them to move reluctantly apart.
Talleyrand spoke in cynical English. “Bless you, my children.”
As though struck, Louis stared at him.
But Talleyrand addressed Anna. “Colonel Delon has told me of your part in all of this. You are an exceptional young lady and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
“There is no need. I would have taken the colonel’s secrets if I could.”
Talleyrand did not look remotely offended. He smiled faintly and limped across the room to sit by the desk. “You will excuse an old man his lack of courtesy.”
“You are not old by any definition,” she said frankly.
“I still have a few things to do. While you…are most unusual for an English noblewoman. I mean that as a compliment, without intending any insult to other English ladies. You are well suited to Delon. I only wish you were French.”
Anna blinked.
Louis let out a breath of laughter. “When there is peace, that will not matter,” he pointed out. “Sir…you were ordained a priest. Will you marry us now?”
Deprived of breath, Anna stared at him.
So did Talleyrand. The prince’s lips curled. “My dear Delon, supposing I even remembered how, I doubt my officiation would be considered legal in this country.”
Louis met Anna’s gaze. Her breath rushed back with a surge of yearning so powerful she swayed. Or perhaps it was the rolling of the ship. She grabbed Louis’s arm for support.
“It would be legal to us,” she said clearly. “Binding to us. If we are to part for months or years, give us this.”
The tender, joyous smile that broke across Louis’s face was all the reward she wanted. Almost.
Talleyrand laughed and shrugged. “I’ll do it. Fetch in Captain Alban and his lady, and I’ll perform the ceremony before God if not the law.”