The Price of Pleasure (24 page)

“Thank you for seeing to my swift escape,” Fleur said. “I am happy to be back in my homeland.”

“I’m sorry about your husband, my lady. However, your service to the Crown is very much appreciated. Three of our men would have perished if not for you, Hunthurst among them. You have our heartfelt gratitude.”

He pressed an envelope into her hand. “We realize that you no longer have your husband or his fortune to rely upon, so as a small gesture of our appreciation, please accept a draft in the amount of five thousand pounds, drawn on the Bank of England.”

Fleur tried to hand the envelope back to Porter. “I never expected a reward for serving my country.”

“Nevertheless, you shall have one. What are your plans, my dear?”

“I’ve written to my Aunt Charlotte and will post the letter after I leave here. Lisette and I hope to join her in the country soon.”

Porter appeared startled. “Would that be Lady Charlotte Greenwood?”

Fleur broke into a smile. “Why, yes. Do you know her?”

The look of pity Porter gave Fleur set her heart to pounding. Had something happened to Aunt Charlotte?

“I’ve known your aunt for many years. I learned about you from her. Your letters to her were delivered to me, then sent on by special messenger. Please sit down, my dear. I hate to be the bearer of bad news.”

A dark dread settled in Fleur’s chest. She sank into a chair. “What is it? Has something happened to Aunt Charlotte?”

“The last letter I sent on to your aunt was returned. Your aunt died suddenly in her sleep several weeks ago. My man spoke with her doctor and confirmed that Charlotte died of heart failure.

“Her will was read after her death. She left her house and estate to you. Unfortunately, there was little money left in her estate. I believe she lived on a small portion left to her by her father.”

Reed reached for Fleur’s hand, giving it a little squeeze. Fleur’s voice broke on a sob. “Aunt Charlotte was my only living relative. She raised me. I cannot believe she is gone.”

“I’m sorry to impart such sad news,” Porter said. “Do you still plan to retire in the country?”

Fleur pulled herself together. She was truly on her own now. Thank God for Lisette. “I’m not sure what I’ll do, unless . . . I’d like to keep busy. Do you by chance have another assignment for me?”

“As a matter of fact . . . ”

“No!” Reed protested. “Fleur has done enough. Endangering her life again is out of the question.”

Fleur ignored his outburst. “You were saying, Lord Porter? How can I be of use to you?”

“Fleur,” Reed warned.

“Hear me out, Hunthurst,” Porter said. “I’ve been trying to infiltrate the colony of émigrés with little success. My office has been actively seeking the man who betrayed you. The information we’ve gathered so far indicates that an émigré might be involved.”

He directed his gaze at Fleur. “As the former wife of a French count, Lady Fontaine would be accepted by the émigrés.

“Where is this leading, Porter?” Reed growled.

“I need someone to attend salons and gatherings held for the émigrés, and it must be someone they will trust and open up to. All I ask is that Lady Fontaine ingratiate herself to those Frenchmen now living in London and listen to what they say. One of them may be a French spy.”

“No,” Reed said before Fleur could form an answer.

“It’s not your decision, Reed,” Fleur reminded him.

“So you’ll do it?” Porter said excitedly. “We’ve been waiting for just this kind of opportunity.”

“I’m sorry, Porter, but Fleur won’t be available for any more cloak-and-dagger assignments. Since I was the one betrayed, I’ll find the traitor for you.”

Porter glared at Reed. “It won’t be that easy.”

“I feel strongly that the man who betrayed me is not an émigré,” Reed asserted. “I’m convinced you’ll find the man in our own ranks.”

“I’ll do it,” Fleur said. “What do I have to lose?”

“Your life, for one thing,” Reed bit out.

“I have no husband, no children, no one but Lisette will be affected by what I do.”

Reed felt as if a hand had reached into his chest and squeezed his heart. Did Fleur care so little for her own life? Did she consider him no one? She was wrong. Dead wrong. He cared deeply about her. He couldn’t bear it if something happened to her.

“Is there any way I can change your mind?” Reed asked. “You’re young yet. You haven’t even begun to live. Why place yourself in harm’s way again?”

“This assignment is tame compared to what I did in France,” Fleur replied. “I won’t be in any danger.” She turned to Porter. “I’ll do it, my lord.”

“You are a true patriot, my lady. I’ll see that you receive invitations to functions that émigrés are likely to attend. Where can I contact you?”

“Lady Fontaine will be staying at Hunthurst mansion on Park Avenue,” Reed said. “My sister-in-law and her sister are in residence now. I planned to move my entire household to the mansion soon anyway. There’s no sense in keeping bachelor quarters when the mansion is roomier and more comfortable. There are sufficient chaperones in residence to protect Fleur’s reputation.”

“Reed, I cannot!” Fleur declared.

“You most certainly can. We’ll spread the word that you and Helen are old friends, and that she invited you to live with her until you decide where to relocate. I intend to protect you, Fleur, and having you nearby is the only way I can do it.”

“What will your sister-in-law think? I hardly suppose she’ll welcome strangers in her home.”

“Helen and Violet live at the mansion because I allow it. I can assure you they won’t object.”

Porter nodded his approval. “It’s settled then. I’ll have your invitations sent to Park Avenue. Keep in touch, Lady Fontaine. I have high hopes that you can learn something to help our investigation.”

They took their leave. Reed handed Fleur into the carriage, spoke a moment to the coachman and climbed in beside her.

“You know I can’t live in your home, Reed. Whatever made you suggest such a thing?”

“It’s the sensible thing to do. The story about you and Helen being childhood friends will fly. And my moving into the mansion is perfectly reasonable. Everyone will think well of me for sheltering two émigrés in my home.”

Fleur heaved an exasperated sigh. “Do you always get your way?”

“Always, when it comes to something I want.”

“Where are we going?”

“To my mansion on Park Avenue. The sooner we inform Helen and Violet of the imminent arrival of my special guests, the better.”

The carriage pulled up in front of a spacious mansion barely visible behind high walls. Fleur began to fidget as Reed handed her down from the carriage. Before turmoil had erupted in France, she had lived in palatial comfort at the ancestral Fontaine chateau, but that seemed like a lifetime ago. This pretentious home was a far cry from Lisette’s modest cottage. Reed must be enormously rich.

Reed opened the gate and ushered her inside. The three-story edifice loomed huge and imposing before her. They ascended the steps, passed between two enormous columns and arrived at the carved double doors flanked by glass panels. The door opened before Reed lifted the brass knocker.

A silver-haired butler wearing formal black livery bowed as Reed ushered Fleur inside. Fleur gazed with awe at the elegant entry hall that rose three stories high, its centerpiece a wide spiral staircase winding upward.

“Is my sister-in-law in, Hughes?” Reed asked.

“The ladies are in the drawing room, my lord. Shall I announce you?”

“Don’t bother, Hughes. I’ll announce myself.” Grasping Fleur’s elbow, he took three steps, then turned once again to the butler. “By the way, Hughes, I’ll be moving into the mansion and bringing most of my staff with me. Please ask the housekeeper to have the master suite and two bedchambers prepared for two female house guests.”

Though Hughes’s expression remained unchanged, his blue eyes revealed a lively curiosity. “May I be the first to welcome you home?”

“Thank you, Hughes.”

With his hand now resting in the middle of Fleur’s back, Reed guided her into the drawing room, where two women were taking tea. She recognized them as Lady Helen and her sister, whom she’d met at Madame Henrietta’s.

“Good day, ladies,” Reed greeted them.

“Reed!” Violet cried, rising. “How splendid to see you again.”

“I’m glad you’re here, Reed,” Helen said with several degrees less excitement than her sister. “I’m eager to discuss my financial situation.”

“I believe you both know Lady Fontaine,” Reed replied after acknowledging both ladies.

“We’ve met,” Helen said coolly. “Why did you bring her here? Our discussion should be conducted in private.”

“Really, Reed,” Violet chided, “what
were
you thinking? This is a family affair; Lady Fleur has no business intruding.”

“Perhaps I should leave,” Fleur said, thoroughly embarrassed.

“You’re staying,” Reed replied, sending Violet a disparaging look. “Would you please pour tea for us, Helen?” He seated Fleur on a sofa and sank down beside her.

Helen hesitated, then did as Reed asked. Fleur accepted a cup along with a cold look, and sipped her tea gratefully. She had a feeling this meeting was not going to go well.

“I have something to impart to both of you,” Reed began, setting his empty cup on the tea cart. “Fleur and her companion will be moving into the mansion tomorrow.”

Helen’s cup rattled in her saucer. “What? Are you mad?”

“Not at all,” Reed said calmly. “Furthermore, I plan to move from my bachelor quarters to the mansion and to bring my staff with me.”

“I won’t allow her to move in here!” Helen protested.

“You won’t allow it?” Reed said with deadly calm. “Might I remind you that this is my home, and that you and your sister are living here at my sufferance and expense?”

“I can understand why you would want to move into the mansion,” Violet said, “but moving your mistress here is out of the question. Think of our reputation.”

Wringing her hands, Fleur said, “Please, Reed, I told you this wouldn’t work.”

Reed’s expression brooked no argument. “It will work if I say it will.” He turned a scorching look on Helen and her sister. “Fleur is not—I repeat, not—my mistress. She has nowhere to go and might be in danger. I am keeping her close for a purpose.”

“Indeed,” Violet snorted. “I’m well aware of that purpose.”

“That’s enough, Violet! I won’t countenance insults to Fleur’s character.”

“What are you involved in now, Reed?” Helen asked. “I thought you were finished with all that secretive business. I don’t know what happened to you when you disappeared, but you’ve changed.”

“What happened is none of your concern. I understand you need extra funds to supplement your portion. I will be happy to oblige if you accept Fleur and her companion without complaint. And that means being kind to them.”

Helen’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “How will you explain her presence in our home? I simply cannot tell my friends that she is here because you wish her to live with us. Our reputation is at stake.” She sent Fleur a withering glance. “How do we know she is whom she claims to be? For all we know she could be a whore from the streets of Paris.”

Fleur drew back as if struck. “How dare you! My late husband was Count Pierre Fontaine. His family is among the oldest and most prestigious in France. I come from good English stock. My father was a baron.”

“So you say,” Violet huffed.

“One more word out of either of you and I will insist that you remove yourselves from my home. The dowager house is being prepared for Helen’s return as we speak, and Violet can return to her father’s protection.”

“You wouldn’t,” Helen gasped.

“Indeed I would. Now, if we’re agreed, here is the story you will tell your friends. Fleur and Helen are childhood friends. They attended finishing school together before Fleur’s marriage to a French count. She recently escaped the turmoil in France and is at loose ends. Since her husband and family are dead, you invited her to move into the mansion until she can make other arrangements. It’s simple, really, and not at all far-fetched.”

Violet greeted his words with a sneer. “Will you and Lady Fleur be sharing a bedchamber?”

“Absolutely not!” Fleur asserted indignantly. “This wasn’t my idea. I was against moving here from the beginning. Reed thinks it’s necessary, even though I don’t agree.”

“It is necessary,” Reed growled. “Fleur saved my life. She’s the reason I am standing before you. I owe her whatever protection I can offer. Do you understand? I’ll hear no more mean-spirited remarks about Fleur and her companion. As for you, Helen, I’ll provide you with an extra two hundred pounds a month while Fleur is living with us, even though my brother was quite generous with you in his will. I suggest that you spend less money on gowns and fripperies and limit your losses at the gambling tables.

“And you, Violet, I checked your circumstances and found you are in not in need of funds. Your allowance from your father is generous to a fault.”

“Indeed,” Violet purred, batting her eyes at Reed. “I’ll bring a generous dowry with me when I wed, just as Helen did when she wed your brother.”