At first, she was meant to be what she was, his daughter. He played the part of a wealthy French businessman and a financial supporter of Napoleon’s Grand Armée. Her French is flawless and she pulled it off. I was his nephew and business partner. Eventually, we worked our way into Napoleon’s court.” He paused as Hendrick appeared with the wine. He was followed by another servant carrying a tray of fruit, cheeses and pastries.
“Is there anything else you require, Your Grace?” He asked once everything was arranged on the sideboard. Mirabelle shook her head as she plucked a berry off the tray.
“This is lovely, thank you!” With that, Hendrick bowed and left the room. She looked over her shoulder at Gilles as she began filling a plate. “How did she become an assassin? I can't imagine a father encouraging that.” She returned to her seat and crossed her legs, setting her plate in her lap, ready to be entertained. Lucien rose and began pouring wine and passing glasses around.
“Again, Aldous didn't have much of a choice. He and I had snuck into a certain Vicomte’s chateau and were trying to break into his study when we were discovered. We were outnumbered and had no choice but to shoot our way out. Aldous took a bullet to the arm and was unable to reload. I was backed into a corner and had a gun pointed at my chest. Just as the fellow was about to pull the trigger, our shadow burst into the room and shot him and another man. Giselle killed two more men on the way out. Once we were safely away, she revealed that she had gone through the study window and found the letters we were after. With Aldous recovering from his wound, we couldn't refuse her help. She was so efficient and effective and there was no way she'd let us leave her behind once Aldous recovered. Giselle could do anything. All we had to do was point her at someone or tell her to get something.”
“She saved your life!” Mirabelle whispered. If Giselle had been in the room she would have hugged her out of relief and gratitude.
“I lost count of how many times she saved my life.” Gilles said softly. “Aldous fell ill and we lost him to a fever. At first, we didn't know how to go on. For days we just existed, in silence. Finally, Giselle said we had to get back to work. She was unstoppable, she couldn't rest. It was as if she purged her grief through violence.” Alastair's head snapped up and his gaze narrowed.
“I'm certain you saved my life just as many times.” Everyone turned toward the door to find Giselle leaning against the wall. Her eyes were damp and her smile was weak. Mirabelle couldn't help but envy the soft blue day dress she wore. The neckline was more daring and the waist higher than the current English style. It suited her alluring, petite figure. She was a perfect example of a pocket Venus. Giselle was sleek and looked soft and gentle, she reminded Mirabelle very much of a kitten. She walked toward them and took the glass Lucien offered and sat in the chair next to Gilles’. “And you make me sound like a monster. I never minded killing if it was for a good purpose. If I was protecting someone I loved or I knew that it would save British lives, it had to be done.” She shrugged as she sipped her wine. “I don't think I would be able to sleep at night if I murdered an innocent.” Lucien and Alastair exchanged glances.
“How did the two of you become separated?” Alastair asked. Giselle looked at Gilles and he nodded.
“Giselle, I should make Alastair and Lucien known to you.” Her brows pulled together as he gestured to Alastair. “I believe you know him as The Chess Master.” Her gaze flicked to Alastair as she gasped and he dipped his head. “You will have heard Lucien referred to as Adonis.” He smiled as he bowed his head. Mirabelle rolled her eyes.
“Oh, you can't be serious! Why would you have encouraged him?” She asked incredulously.
“Well, if one looks like a thing and behaves like it, one must therefor be it.” Lucien teased. She swatted him and turned her attention back to Alastair. Gilles snorted.
“How could you direct everyone and how could you all know of each other but not know who each person was?” She asked. Alastair sat back.
“The fact that I worked at the War Office is not a secret, Mirabelle. If it had become known that I was controlling numerous operatives, I would have become a target. I could have been tortured for information. The fewer names I knew, the better.” His voice was flat, unconcerned. Mirabelle felt her pulse gallop at the idea that he could have been in such danger. Gilles nodded.
“Mirabelle was not employed by the war office but she can be trusted and there is nothing that you told me earlier that would put her in danger. I think Alastair should know everything.”
Alastair focused on Giselle. She nodded, kicked off her shoes, tucked her feet under her and settled into her seat. Mirabelle felt herself lean forward knowing that whatever was about to come next, was going to be riveting.
“Where shall I begin?” She looked at Alastair.
“The night you and Gilles became separated. What led to you getting shot?” His voice was hard. She sighed and smiled wryly.
“I admit, I never should have gone. I was nearly delirious with fever and it was miserably cold and wet. But agents weren't making it back to England from France and we were close to finding the person responsible.” Alastair’s posture became alert and tense.
“The last traitor.” He whispered. Giselle’s head tilted in question, he shook his head and gestured for her to continue.
“We had a promising lead but Gilles had been summoned to Lille. He was already set to call the meeting off because of how high my fever was and we had argued before the letter came. He ordered me to stay but I left almost as soon as he was out the door.” She paused for a moment. Gilles had become tense, resting his elbows on his knees as he shook his head. “I knew I was in trouble as soon as I reached the beach at Calais. I could barely stay on my mount but it was too late by then. Our contact was approaching. I recognized him, it was Marcel LeVan. He didn't know me and was surprised to be meeting a woman. I led him to believe I was a mistress of an English spy and that he had sent me in his place. I made every mistake possible, I'm sure he would have been shocked if he knew who I really was. He shot me in the back and left me on the beach.” Gilles cursed and his head fell. Giselle's expression became soft, she looked as if she wanted to comfort him. Alastair’s eyes became dark as he stared at her.
“Gilles said you were gone by the time he reached the beach. Where did you go?” He asked. For a moment, Giselle looked as if she wasn't with them. She shivered and shook her head as if she was trying to forget.
“I heard a horse in the distance and was afraid LeVan was coming back to make sure I was dead. I tied my shawl tight around my chest and crawled into the tide and let the water take me.” Lucien gasped as she paused and took a long drink of her wine. Gilles stood and began pacing. Mirabelle could feel anger and pain rolling off of him. Alastair sat back and shook his head.
“That time of year, the North Sea would have been…” Giselle laughed, cutting him off.
“Bloody, painfully cold. The current was fast, it swept me away quickly. If I had truly been breathing, I probably would have drowned. I did eventually lose consciousness. You can't imagine my surprise when I woke up a few days later. A fisherman had found me washed up upon the shore. He and his wife cared for me. It took me weeks to recover from the fever and the bullet wound.” Mirabelle was confused.
“Weeks? Why didn't you go back to Gilles immediately, why did it take two years?” She asked. Giselle shook her head.
“I couldn't risk exposing him. If I turned up and LeVan or anyone else that knew of my death saw us together, they might suspect that Gilles wasn't who he said he was. I didn't know that he witnessed what had happened. I thought he would assume that my identity had been discovered and we would part ways until it was safe for me to find him.” She looked at him, her eyes full of apology. Alastair nodded, apparently approving of her decision.
“What did you do after you recovered?” Alastair asked.
“First, I repaid the fisherman and his wife. They had been terribly poor and had sacrificed much to care
for me. They are living comfortably now. Then, I tracked down LeVan. Once I found him, I spent three days killing him. I can give you the name of every British agent he and his master killed.” She offered. Alastair’s eyes widened and Lucien swore.
“Did he tell you why they did it?” Lucien asked angrily. Giselle’s face twisted in disgust as she nodded.
“They had made a fortune providing transport to agents from both sides across the Channel during the war though they were both initially agents for our War Office. Apparently, it became more profitable if the operatives they were hired to take back to England never made it.”
“Did LeVan give you a name?” Alastair’s voice was hard and flat.
“No. He said the War Office never gave him a name for the man that owned the ship and sent his orders. They met three times but he was disguised, he was very careful. He said that the crew of the ship referred to him as ‘his lordship’. LeVan said the ship and all of the crew disappeared. I think he killed them all to tie up any loose ends.” Giselle’s implication that the traitor was a titled gentleman of the ton hung in the air until Lucien cursed. He slouched in his chair as he rubbed his face with his hands. Alastair's head tilted as he considered Lucien's reaction. Gilles nodded. Lucien stood and went to the sideboard and poured a scotch.
“It’s going to take some very solid proof for the House of Lords to even consider trying a peer of the realm.” He turned and leaned against the sideboard. Giselle laughed.
“I am not concerned with a trial, Lucien.” She returned. He sighed as he raked his hand through his hair.
“You're still going to need solid proof, Giselle. You can't kill a nobleman and get away with it without good cause.”
“You don't think so?” She stood and stretched before going to the sideboard to fill a plate.
“Well, you might. Louis or Ferdinand would most likely intercede on your behalf but you'd be forced to leave England, you wouldn't be able to return.” Mirabelle knew he realized that he'd all but dared her to play her hand. She shrugged as she sat next to Mirabelle and bit into an apple slice. She chewed it and everyone waited for her response.
“I have no intentions of ever returning to London. Once I have resolved this business with this last traitor, as Alastair calls him, I intended to leave. I hadn't really made any plans beyond that. I have my parents home in the country but other than that, I have nowhere else to go. I could live in any other country just as easily. I speak many languages fluently.” Gilles became furious and crossed the room until he was towering over her and Mirabelle.
“You have nowhere else to go? Did you think you could just return from the dead, kill a man and then disappear again? I mourned you for more than two years and you were going to leave without giving any thought to how I'd feel about that?” His voice was deep with emotion as he stared down at her. Alastair was watching Giselle closely. She blinked several times as she bit her lip.
“I'm sorry.” She said softly. “I’ve been alone for so long, I'm not used to planning around anyone else. And you have a new life, I didn't want to interfere.” Gilles sighed as he squatted in front of her.
“We're family, Giselle. It would hurt me greatly to lose you again. You don't have to stay in London if you don't want to. But please, stay in England. You can live at Longwood with Elise and I. She has an estate close by that she's never going to live in, you're welcome to it if you'd like. You're one of the wealthiest women in Europe, you can live anywhere you like in England. Please, stay. I need to know that you're close and that you're alright.” His eyes pleaded. Giselle softened and leaned forward to kiss his forehead.
“Very well. I'll stay.” She smiled as Gilles nodded and rose. Mirabelle noticed that Alastair relaxed as well. “I will do this the right way and find enough proof and then we will consider what to do with this traitor. I think that Lucien would like him to have a trial.” She smiled up at him. He nodded. “I already have some evidence. I found letters from our traitor to LeVan. He doesn't include his name, obviously, but the writing might be distinctive and he uses an usual seal.” All three men became alert.
“You didn't mention these letters earlier.” Gilles’ voice was low and tight. Giselle grimaced.
“Sorry, it slipped my mind while we were arguing.” She apologized. Gilles nodded stiffly.
“Could you get them?” He asked. She smiled and hurried from the room. A few minutes later Giselle skipped back in and handed Gilles, Alastair and Lucien two letters each and they began to examine them. As soon as Alastair looked at the letters in his hands he gasped and shut his eyes. His head twitched from side to side and his eyes flickered beneath their lids. Mirabelle knew he was looking for something in his memory, trying to pick out something particular from the vast library within his mind. Like her, Gilles and Lucien waited quietly, eager to see what he found. After a few more moments he cursed beneath his breath, shaking his head as he opened his eyes.
“I’ve seen this seal somewhere. I can picture it in someone’s hand but it’s not clear enough. Perhaps I’ll be able to place it once we have names of possible suspects.”
“Once I have names to investigate, it should be easy to search their homes for any corresponding letters or documents with the same seal.” Giselle said as she dropped onto the couch. Alastair looked up.
“You can't believe that you’ll be doing this alone.” He stood and went to the sideboard to trade his wine for scotch.
“I had hoped that Gilles might introduce me to the ton so that I might look for this traitor and get close to him. I don't want to implicate or put anyone else in danger.” She looked to Gilles and he opened his mouth to say something but Alastair cut him off.
“I'll be with you.” He crossed his arms as he waited for her to protest. Mirabelle almost gasped. She had a plan. It was just too perfect, really. She had to wait for the right moment. Giselle started shaking her head.
“No. I won’t put you in danger. I don't plan on restricting myself to ballrooms and parlors.” Gilles and Lucien doubled over laughing, Giselle looked confused.
“I'm certain I can handle myself.” Alastair said flatly. Gilles walked to him and put his arm around his shoulder.
“I assure you, Alastair is far more comfortable in the slums and docks among criminals than he is in a ballroom and he isn't afraid of a little violence.” Gilles said before delivering a playful blow to Alastair's stomach. He shook him off. Lucien chuckled.
“He’ll gladly blow a man’s brains out. In fact, he did not too long ago.” Once again, Mirabelle felt her skin prickle. It was as if they were talking about someone she didn't know. Giselle was staring at Alastair, Mirabelle was sure she wasn't imagining the intrigue she saw in her eyes.
“He may be a genius at deciphering documents and planning strategy but he's never been good at sitting back and letting everyone else do all the work.” Lucien added. Mirabelle felt like she was going to explode, waiting for the opportunity to set her plan in motion.
“Very well.” Giselle conceded. “Gilles and Alastair can introduce me to the ton.” Finally! Mirabelle thought.
“Gilles can't go about with you! It will have to be Alastair most of the time. We could come to Town in a few weeks but you'll have to make do with Alastair for most events.” He became very still and he let his head fall to the side and she knew he was already one step ahead of her, weighing outcomes. Gilles winked at her. Giselle missed it. She looked at Mirabelle, waiting for an explanation. “Gilles and Elise rarely attend ton events. No one told you?” Giselle shook her head and looked at Gilles. His smile softened as he thought of Elise.
“Elise is blind. It's too difficult for her to go places she isn't familiar with. Aside from the opera, a ball and a few musicales at Clerendon House, she doesn't go about. I attend events on occasion but I generally stay home.” Giselle was stunned.
“I'm so sorry! I didn't know. Of course, you must stay with her, I wouldn’t want to take you away.” She whispered.
“Elis
e is quite clever and strong, there's no need to feel sorry for her. I think you'll be very impressed.” Alastair said as he took the seat opposite Giselle. “I will go about with you. The ton won't care who introduces you, from all I've heard.” This is too easy! Thought Mirabelle.
“You’ll have to court her, Alastair.” All eyes turned to her. Giselle's mouth fell open just before she shook her head frantically. Mirabelle faced her. “It's the only way it will work, hear me out. Alastair has shunned society his entire life. If he suddenly starts showing up at balls with you, they will assume he is interested. But if he isn't obvious about courting you, you'll risk a scandal if you're seen to be spending too much time together. Also! If he is very assertive in his courtship and you appear to welcome his attentions, it will cut the pack. You're going to be mobbed by suitors but only the most determined will persist if the ton thinks you're engaged.” Mirabelle took a deep breath and sat back. Giselle was still shaking her head.
“But one of us will eventually have to cry off. For the sake of his honor, it will have to be me. It would still expose him to gossip and I wouldn't want to effect his future chances with another young lady.” Again, Lucien and Gilles laughed. Alastair shook his head and waited for them to subside.
“As I have never been interested in the society’s opinion of me and will not be seeking a bride within the ton, it is of no consideration. If it is assumed that an announcement is imminent, I will be able to remain close to you and shield you from some unwanted attention.” He rose and looked around the room. “I'll leave you all to discuss my expected level of discomfort, I'll see you at dinner.” He strode from the room. Mirabelle looked at Lucien and Gilles and felt her lips quiver. Giselle looked at the three of them and frowned. The room erupted with laughter. Mirabelle laughed until her stomach ached. When she finally caught her breath she sighed.
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