“The butler was in the hallway.” Her words were just a breath. Alastair nodded as he pulled her gun from the back of his breeches. He handed it to her and pressed his hand to her back gently to signal for them to move.
They were in a small sitting room that took only a few moments to search. Giselle carefully checked the hallway and signaled for Alastair to follow her. He could see the ballroom to their right and the main hall at the other end. They crept along the wall until they reached the hall. Giselle’s eyes swept up the stairs and he nodded. He followed her and they swiftly made their way to the third floor and split up. She took the wing to the right and he went to the left. Alastair met her at the stairs approximately fifteen minutes later. She shook her head and pointed down the stairs. He nodded and they carefully descended and parted ways again.
Alastair found Weering’s rooms. He had a scare when he peeked into his dressing room and found the valet asleep. His eyes scanned the room quickly before he shut the door. Giselle met him at the bedroom door and they both searched silently before slipping back into the hallway. He pulled her to him before they reached the stairs.
“Stay away from the kitchen. The housekeeper will be there, probably the butler too. If we don’t find anything in the library, we leave.” His voice was barely audible but Giselle nodded before she turned the corner and moved silently down the stairs. At the bottom, she darted across the hall and pressed herself to the wall next to the library door and waited for Alastair. Once he was next to her, she reached for the door handle and carefully pushed it open.
“Oh, hello!” Giselle’s voice was soft and playful. Alastair tensed and saw that the hand behind her back was gesturing for him to move away, to hide. He dashed into the alcove under the stairs and watched as she backed away from the library. She appeared relaxed and her smile was teasing as two large footmen advanced toward her. Alastair smelled brandy.
“What are you doing in here?” One asked as he drew his pistol. The other nodded drunkenly as he pulled his.
“I think I’m in the wrong home.” Giselle said silkily as she continued to back her way through the hall toward the ballroom.
“I don’t like it Smith.” The first footman said. “Look at how she's dressed. Like she's been sneaking about.” He said as he leered.
“His lordship won’t like it. Maybe we can have a little fun with her until he gets back.” Number two chuckled. Giselle smiled.
“Oh, we’ll have fun.” She whispered before she turned and ran for the ballroom.
“You! Stop or we’ll shoot!” The first footman warned as they took off after her. Alastair strode quickly after them. He was confidant that they would shoot, but Giselle was small and fast and they wouldn’t be able aim while running. As soon as he turned into the ballroom he flinched as the second footman fired his pistol. The loud crack echoed and Alastair felt a sharp pain in his head as his ears rang. He shook his head as plaster exploded across the room. The clod had hit an ornamental pillar. Giselle laughed as she turned and jumped backwards. Her hands gripped her sides as she landed and they slid up her body swiftly as she glided on her back across the highly polished floor. Her hands shot forward and Alastair saw a glint of metal just before the footmen jerked and collapsed. He looked down and saw that each had a blade protruding from their chests.
“Well done.” He said dryly as she got to her feet. Alastair heard a sound in the hall. “We need to get out of here.” Giselle’s nod was cut short and her eyes focused behind him.
He turned and groaned as he watched the butler lumbering toward him. The man was easily twice Alastair’s weight and he was built like a brick wall. He braced his feet as he started assessing the man for weaknesses. Alastair grimaced as he looked up. The butler towered over him and his hands looked like anvils. Jesus. This is going to hurt like hell but I think I can take him. He raised his fists.
“For God’s sake, Alastair! Get down!” Giselle hissed. Alastair dropped to his feet and a second sharp crack bounced around the room. He grabbed his ears and swore as lightning tore through his head. When he looked back, the butler was on the ground. His eyes were wide as they stared at the ceiling and a large hole gaped in the middle of his forehead. Alastair scowled at Giselle.
“I could have handled him.” He argued. She shook her head as she rushed across the room and grabbed his sleeve.
“I’m sure you could have but I didn’t want to see you beat to a pulp in the process. And we don’t have time.” She announced as she jogged through the hall and back into the sitting room they started in. Giselle pushed to door open and gestured for Alastair to follow her out.
He ran to the garden wall and once again managed to barely catch the top of it. He swung a leg over and found Giselle waiting. He reached down to help her up. She smiled teasingly before she took a few steps back and ran at the wall. Her foot caught on a brick and she jumped. Her hands braced on top of the wall and she pushed off as she pulled her legs up and over and she landed in a crouch on the other side. Alastair swore silently as he dropped down next to her. She shrugged before she took off running.
By the time they slipped back into Spencer Place, Alastair was at the end of his patience. The only thing he’d gained from the evening was a splitting headache and watching Giselle had probably taken years off of his life. They found Gilles waiting in his study.
“Well? Did you find anything?” He asked as he went to the sideboard and started pouring drinks. Giselle twisted her face as she dropped onto the sofa. She stretched along the seat and flung her legs over the arm and started kicking back and forth lazily.
“No.” She sighed. “There was nothing there and we ran into a little trouble.” Giselle reached for the snifter and raised her head to take a sip. Gilles raised an eyebrow.
“Nothing too serious, I hope.” He asked as he handed Alastair a brandy and took a seat across from Giselle. Alastair could only blink. He was still in shock and they were behaving as if she was telling him about their recent walk in the park. He drained his glass in one long gulp and set it down. Giselle snorted.
“I came upon some footmen and they fired at me. I had to kill them and Weering’s butler.” She yawned before she took another drink. Gilles shook his head softly and smiled.
“I suppose that was to be expected. As long as no one saw you.” He grimaced as he looked at his drink. “Weering would be an idiot not to run.” Gilles sighed and took a long swallow. Alastair felt his temper snap.
“Are the two of you serious right now?” Alastair yelled. Both heads snapped up and they stared in confusion. He rubbed his hand across his mouth roughly as he tried to regain his composure. Giselle sat up slowly and her brow rose. Alastair threw his hands up before he pointed at her. “She… What she did tonight was unacceptable! How could you let her do that?” Alastair started pacing as his hands pushed through his hair. “She was like a lunatic squirrel-cannonball-cat monster, Gilles! She could have died at least half a dozen times and I just had to watch!” He turned back to the sideboard and found that his hands were shaking. He wasn’t going to try and analyze why. He heard Gilles chuckle.
“You let me know when you find a way to stop her.” He said softly. Alastair turned and saw that Giselle had her arms crossed over her chest and she looked mutinous. “She’s rather effective though.” Gilles offered and she smiled at him. Alastair gasped.
“Effective?” He laughed in exasperation. “This can’t happen again! Aside from the fact that it would kill me, she has no fear. We can’t risk her breaking her neck or killing herself in the middle of Mayfair. And she kills anyone that gets in her way!” Alastair clenched his fist and took a deep breath. His voice was starting to get too loud again. Giselle stood and stared at him.
“I’m sorry that you don’t approve of my methods, Alastair. Perhaps we just won’t go together next time.” Her posture became defiant and he felt his temper start to boil again. He stretched his neck and narrowed his eyes at her.
“Next time?” Alastair
shook his head. He wanted to forbid her but he knew that wouldn’t work. He swung to Gilles. “I estimate that we have two, maybe three days before Weering leaves. He’ll want to take as much as he can with him.” He finished his brandy and set the snifter down. “I won’t be at breakfast tomorrow, I have work to do and I don't think I’ll be done by tomorrow evening. Take Giselle to Harlow’s for me, please.” Alastair waited for Gilles to agree before he turned and swept from the room.
Once outside, he turned and saw Giselle watching him from the window. Alastair looked up at his driver and gave him the War Office as his destination and got into the carriage without looking back.
Chapter 55
“Is he ashamed of me?” Giselle whispered as she watched Alastair’s carriage disappear around the corner. Gilles sighed and she felt his hand squeeze her shoulder.
“No. He’s scared.” He said softly. She frowned as she turned.
“Why?” She slouched as she drifted to the sofa and collapsed back upon it. Gilles sat next to her.
“I’ve forgotten what it’s like to watch you work and I had years to get used to it. I don’t think I’d take it very well if it were Elise fighting with men and climbing buildings like a squirrel.” His eyes searched hers for understanding. Her brows pulled together, she didn’t get it. He sighed as he placed his hand on hers. “He loves you. For Alastair, that means he’s supposed to protect you. He’s always protected us all. With the family, he’s always had something in place, a procedure. He doesn’t know how to protect you.”
Giselle could only nod her head. She understood how vulnerable it felt to love someone and how afraid she was to see them hurt. She also knew that she would do anything to protect Alastair. She bit her lip as she thought back on the evening. It might have been a shock to see her jumping from buildings. Perhaps she should apologize again, and not sarcastically next time. Giselle felt her shoulders sag. Being in love and an adult really isn’t that much fun. She decided as she rose.
“I’m going to bed.” She kissed Gilles on the cheek and sulked from the room. It didn't help that she heard him laugh softly.
The next day had been the longest Giselle could remember. True to his word, Alastair missed breakfast. She spent the day jumping every time the bell rang and she was never far from a window. When he didn’t appear to escort her to the Harlow Ball she tried to cry off but Gilles reminded her that they still had work to do. Weering probably wouldn’t be attending any balls but they needed to see if there was any gossip about the break-in.
The ton was in shock and of course appalled that the house of a peer had been violated and that three members of the staff could be so brutally killed. And in Mayfair, of all places! Gilles and Giselle could only nod and parrot their outrage. Otherwise, the evening had been uneventful. She had persuaded Gilles to instruct the driver to pass by Burton Place and her heart sank when she saw that it was dark. Where is he? Giselle whined silently.
It had taken her hours to fall asleep. She missed Alastair more than she would have expected. They had only been apart for a day and she felt restless and lonely. Her heart sank as she wondered if a day away from him had been this difficult, what would happen if she had to spend her life without him?
When Giselle woke the following morning, she rushed to get ready and hurried downstairs to breakfast. She couldn't stop the smile that filled her face when she saw Alastair sitting at the table, reading a news sheet. She was the second to arrive and he stood when she entered. Giselle rushed to him and he reached for her.
“I’m so sorry!” She whispered as she looked up at him. Alastair smiled softly as his hand cradled her cheek.
“You have nothing to be sorry for. I love chaos.” He teased and she rose on her toes as his lips lowered to hers. Giselle felt warmth spreading in her chest as his lips brushed hers. She opened her mouth on a sigh and froze when she heard a throat clearing behind her.
“Some people use this room for eating.” Gilles announced loudly. Alastair glared over Giselle’s shoulder before he looked back down at her and winked. She felt it in her stomach.
“I missed you.” Alastair whispered. Her smile felt wobbly as she looked longingly at his lips.
“I missed you too.” Giselle said softly. Gilles groaned and his shoulder connected with Alastair’s as he pushed by on his way to the sideboard.
“Wonderful. You missed each other. If you want to spend the morning flirting and kissing, get married and get your own damned dining room. Otherwise, eat breakfast.” Gilles commanded as he started filling his plate.
Alastair looked at Giselle pointedly and she shook her head in warning. He frowned as he stepped back and turned to make his plate. Giselle looked at the door and considered claiming a headache but she was so hungry she was sure she could eat all the food on the sideboard and the platters it was served on. She steeled herself as she joined them and heaped food onto her plate.
Chapter 56
“I have a gift for you.” Alastair whispered in Giselle’s ear as he lifted her cloak from her shoulders. They had just returned from a musicale and Maman was making her way up the stairs for the night. They were back hours earlier than usual and Giselle had planned to change and run to Burton Place as soon as Alastair departed. With the evening traffic, she was betting that she’d get there before his carriage could make it’s way home.
“Can’t it wait? We could be spending this extra time in your bed.” Giselle whispered as she leaned close. She felt Alastair’s body become taut and his hand squeezed her waist. Her eyes met his and she knew he was considering. They blinked and he shook his head.
“This first.” He said as he stepped back and pulled her toward the library. She pushed her lip out as she followed.
Alastair opened the door and guided her through, his hand pressed just above her bottom. She looked over her shoulder at him and felt herself become heavy and warm between her thighs as her eyes met his. When she turned and let her eyes sweep through the library she saw a large hat box on the table. There was a large violet bow on top and a card with her name on it. She raised a brow at him and he gestured toward it. Giselle crossed the room and picked up the card.
The end is the beginning.
She looked up in confusion. Alastair smiled enigmatically and nodded at the box.
“Open it.” He said softly. She lifted the lid and set it on the table.
Giselle’s stared for a moment before she reached in. She lifted the first folder and opened it. There were reports, letters, maps… She recognized dates, names and places. She set the first folder down and flipped through the second, the third and then the fourth. Most of the documents in the fourth folder preceded her escape to France by as much as twelve years at the earliest. She looked up at Alastair.
“What is all of this? I know that most of these are me, but this last folder?” Giselle asked as she looked back down at the folders spread in front of her. Alastair opened the first folder and pointed at the document on top.
“This was two days before you were shot by LeVan.” His jaw twitched as he closed the folder. He opened the fourth folder and pulled the last document. “This is the first report that Aldous submitted to the War Office.” He watched her face as she took the sheet from his hand. Giselle’s vision swam as she stared at her father’s handwriting. “This is everything. I went all the way back to Aldous so that there isn’t even proof that you were the daughter of a spy.” Alastair hooked his finger under her chin and raised it. “I’m in awe of everything you’ve done. I’m so proud and it doesn’t seem fair that I was knighted and no one can know what’s in these folders.” Giselle felt as if the breath had been knocked out of her. Her hands trembled and she blinked to clear her vision as she rose on her toes and pressed her lips to his.
“Thank you.” She whispered. Alastair nodded as he caressed her cheek.
“I couldn’t bring myself to destroy all of this. You have to do it. I know you think your name and past are a burden but I don't want to be the one t
o erase you.” He stepped aside and gestured toward the fireplace.
Giselle didn’t hesitate. She took the first folder and fell to her knees in front of the flames and started feeding them pages and maps. She was hypnotized as she watched each piece of paper glow, shrink and curl before it turned to ash and melted into the fire. When the first folder was empty, Giselle held up her hand so Alastair could pass her the next and continued until the fourth folder was empty.
She felt lighter, cleansed as she stood. She turned to Alastair and reached for him. He pulled her into his arms and she sighed in relief as she pressed her face to his chest. He stroked her back and hair for several minutes before he stepped back, took her face in his hands and kissed her gently.
“I need to leave.” The words were warm against her lips. Giselle’s eyes snapped to the clock and she quickly counted the hours until she needed to be in her bed. She smiled mischievously.
“I’ll race you to Burton Place.” She whispered as she pressed herself against him. Alastair smiled as his hand slid around her waist and then squeezed her bottom. He lowered his lips to her ear and let his breath make her shiver.
“Go.” He said and he released her and swept from the room. Giselle giggled as she grabbed her skirts and ran from the library.
Chapter 57
The clarity was sublime. Alastair smiled as he let his heavy eyes close. Giselle’s body was soft and draped over his. His heartbeat was starting to match the soft huff of her breath against his neck and his body was relaxed. His mind was miraculously still and blank. He couldn’t remember the last time it had been so placid. The only thing Alastair was aware of was the feel of Giselle’s body and the taste of her in his mouth. His body was sated and pleasantly numb.
Just as he felt the his consciousness succumb he saw the chimera seal. The vision from his memory flashed and he knew who it was. His eyes snapped open and he became tense.
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