Nicole did not have the opportunity to speak to the Viscount about her encounter with Beauchamp until much later. By then she was quite composed and related the surprising turn of events in a detached manner. She would have to go to that meeting.
“Impossible!” he stormed. “Other arrangements must be made.”
“But what can they be, Val?”
“I don’t know yet, but I am going to see Chaldoner about it right now.”
Calling for his groom to saddle his horse, Valentin hurried from the house. Nicole’s spirits revived immeasurably. That was not the reaction of an indifferent man. She waited impatiently for his return, peering out of the window every time a horse passed by. But the hours dragged on interminably, and still he did not come. Just when she had given up hope and was about to retire, she heard his horse’s hoofbeats on the cobblestones. Racing to the door to meet him, Nicole was immediately subdued by his appearance. Frowning moodily, he mumbled a greeting. Then taking her arm, he led her into the library.
Nicole waited quietly while he poured himself a brandy; however, she already knew what he was about to say.
“Nicole,” he broke the stillness that surrounded them.
“You want me to go with Phillippe?” She placed her hands to her breast to quiet the tumult of emotions which cried within her, Not enough! He does not care enough!
He nodded abjectly and took hold of her hands. “There seems to be no feasible alternative. I have been over it a dozen times with both the Duke and Chaldoner.” He knelt beside her chair. “But nothing can go wrong. I will be there along with Perry and Danforth. That was definitely decided. Then no one else need know about this.”
She withdrew her hands from his tight grasp.
“Nicole, if you do not want to do it, I will understand.”
“Will you?” She looked at him blankly.
“Whatever you say,” he encouraged. “I will tell Chaldoner and the Duke to go to the devil.”
“Do you want me to go?” she asked matter-of-factly.
He rose and walked to the fireplace before answering. “It is your decision.”
“I see.” She stiffened. “Very well, then I will go. I suppose it doesn’t matter anyhow.”
“What do you mean it doesn’t matter?” he asked gripping the stem of his glass until his knuckles showed white.
Shrugging her shoulders, she replied, “Let’s not discuss it further. I said I will do it.” Nicole rose from the chair.
“Nicole!” Valentin reached out for her, but she shied away.
“I am very tired. If you don’t mind, I will bid you goodnight.”
“Nicole.” Again he tried to embrace her,
“Please, Valentin, don’t!” His arms dropped in defeat, and he watched her cross the room and close the door quietly behind her.
“Damn it!” he swore out loud. If only she had refused. But he could not do it for her. Wellington had extracted a promise from him when he saw his reluctance to comply with the scheme. “State the facts simply. Then let her decide. I do not need to remind you how vital her decision may be to this entire campaign.” The Duke had been clever, playing on the Viscount’s loyalty to England. And now he was trapped. He continued to pace back and forth for several more minutes until he released the tension by smashing the crystal brandy glass on the hearth.
Chapter XVII
Pale but composed, Nicole reached the library where the Viscount, Gordon Danforth and Perry Harcourt waited for her the night the assignation with Beauchamp was to take place. Raised voices within the room stopped her from entering.
“I don’t give a damn!” Valentin swore, “I cannot let Nicole do it.”
“Val, you have no choice,” Danforth adjured. “You gave the Duke your word.”
“I will not jeopardize the life of the woman I love!” he said angrily.
Nicole grasped the nearest hall chair for support. Sinking into it, she repeated the words,‘the woman I love.’ He loves me! she whispered incredulously. A wild elation seized her, and jumping to her feet, she rushed toward the library entrance only to be arrested again by the ensuing conversation.
“The Harcourts have always lived on the brink of scandal. What is one more? Right, Perry?”
“I am with you, Val!” Perry agreed.
But Danforth denounced them. “And honor? Would Nicole wish you to sacrifice that?”
“She will not know. Besides, I will think of another way to make that despicable cousin of hers give us the information we want.”
“How?” Danforth insisted.
“Yes, Val, how?” Perry reiterated Danforth’s question.
“I do not know yet,” Valentin answered impatiently.
Nicole retraced her steps, deep in thought. What was she to do? Valentin would never listen to her once his mind was made up. She had to do something. There was only one thing she could do.
Snatching a piece of paper and a pen from the escritoire in her room, she scribbled a note to Beauchamp stating that he was to meet her a half hour earlier than planned. Quickly sending it off with a servant, she sat down to write a much more difficult note to her husband. There was so much to say, and it could not be written. Not now! Next she sought out Madame Lafitte and enlisted her aid. Shortly thereafter she left the house by a side entrance and walked to the street corner where she would meet Phillippe.
As soon as Nicole was out of the house, Madame Lafitte presented herself to the Viscount, handing him his wife’s note. Recognizing the handwriting, Valentin quickly tore open the envelope, a premonition of fear seizing him. He read of the changes his wife had made in the plan and groaned, “My God,” as he handed the note to Danforth. Then rounding on Madame Lafitte, he noticed she was clutching a small box. “What is that?” he demanded savagely, tearing the box from her trembling hands.
“Not now, my lord, it is only to be opened if…” Her voice trailed off.
Ignoring her protest, he opened it. The moment he discovered the glittering stick-pin he realized its significance. That day at Uncle Maurice’s chateau! With mounting dread he read the attached note:
Forgive me for disobeying your wishes once again, my darling, but there truly was no other way. I have always loved you. Your adoring wife, Nicole.
Reflecting momentarily, his eyes glittered as brilliantly as the sapphire he held. Then purposefully he hastened from the room with Danforth and Perry behind him. He could not lose her now!
The Viscount’s quick pursuit of his wife soon brought them within range of Beauchamp’s curricle which they were shadowing at a discreet distance as it headed toward the outskirts of Brussels. In town Beauchamp might not notice them, but once they reached the country roads there was little likelihood of remaining hidden.
Sitting beside her cousin, Nicole realized that danger as she tried to parry his questions about her departure.
“Since the Duke’s schedule for the coming week caused your hasty departure, let me relieve you of it.”
“No… not until I have seen your superior.”
“Peste! Do you think I ever had any intentions of letting you meet my superior?”
“But you promised!”
He laughed maliciously. “You believed I would trust you?”
“Why… why should you not trust me?” Nicole tried to sound defiant although her voice began to shake. “Have I not given you the information you desired?”
“So it seemed at first. Your fear of your husband discovering those letters, it was genuine enough. That is why your later story, it had to be a fabrication.”
“But I told you why… I changed my mind…”
“Then why were you still so desperate to get your hands on those letters? Naturellement, I had to ask myself that question. And, of course, the reason, it was quite obvious. You see, chère cousine, I always believed that you loved the Viscount. But me, I did not calculate his devotion to you. So, I look again at the situation. The Viscount, was he helping you to keep me informed—est-ce possible
he too was a spy? That is very doubtful; therefore, I find it nécessaire to do some investigating. It was not too difficult to discover that the Duke, Chaldoner and your husband confer secretly. Tut, tut, ma chère, such a complex game you play. You expect me to be so gullible, eh?” His bantering tone changed suddenly to one of malice. “Traitresse! I should dispose of you here and now!” He flicked the reins, and the horses moved ahead quickly.
“You would never get away with it.” Her voice quaked.
“Why? Because your husband follows us?” he scorned.
She gasped, and he laughed once more assuming his bantering tone. “Ah yes, I know that, too. It is as I planned. Why else do you think I insisted you come tonight?” At her puzzled frown he explained. “To ensure my escape.”
“Your escape?”
“Mais oui. The Viscount will not endanger your life. So I am assured safe conduct through the lines. And my superior, he remains secret.”
“If you suspected, why did you wait until tonight to escape?”
“Because there was always the chance that I am wrong. Ah Nicole, if you had been fidèle, what my friends and I would have accomplished.”
“What would you have accomplished?” she prodded.
He laughed contemptuously. “You still think to lure me? But no difference. It is too late. Our plan will no longer be possible. It could have worked but for you.” Again the light mood was overshadowed by hatred.
“What would have worked, Phillippe?” she pressed for that piece of intelligence. “If it is all for naught…”
“It was a truly magnificent scheme… to kidnap the Duke of Wellington. Then the emperor would have marched through Brussels perhaps without a shot being fired. Maintenant, the battle will come. And the loss of many French lives with it. All because of you and your lover! So we will put an end to this charade and attract the attention of our gallant escort, n’est-ce pas?”
Abruptly halting the curricle, he seized Nicole, and before she realized what he intended, he gave her two resounding slaps across the face making her cry out involuntarily.
Valentin heard his wife scream and spurred his horse forward.
“That is far enough, monsieur!”
The Viscount drew rein as he eyed the gun pointed at Nicole’s head. “Hold up!” he called to Perry and Danforth who were directly behind him.
“Bien. Now that I have your attention, gentlemen,” Beauchamp purred, “we will come to terms, n’est-ce pas?”
“That depends.” Valentin shrugged, assuming an indifference he was far from feeling.
Beauchamp was scornful. “Do not play with me, Colonel, unless you wish to see this pretty piece of womanhood drenched in her own blood.”
Valentin’s face paled.
“So, this baggage,” Beauchamp nudged Nicole with the pistol, “does matter, eh? Very well, you will now oblige me, gentlemen, by dismounting.”
“Do as he says,” Valentin ordered as the others hesitated.
“Remain mounted, Colonel. You, I will need.” Beauchamp smiled confidently. “You ride with your wife and me to the frontier. And once I am safely through the lines, I shall set her free to return with you. Try to stop me and I kill her without the slightest hesitation. Comprenez-vous? Get out!” He thrust Nicole from the curricle. “Out of my way!” he demanded of Perry and Danforth as he edged himself and Nicole toward the horses.
In a daze she allowed herself to be pushed in the direction of the pawing animals. Danforth and Perry backed away in the face of the waving weapon while Valentin sat motionless waiting for an opening. With a shove from Beauchamp, Nicole stumbled against a horse that reared and snorted, diverting her cousin’s attention long enough for Valentin to spring from his saddle and knock the pistol from Beauchamp’s hand as it went off. The startled horses leaped and plunged entrapping Nicole, Phillippe and Valentin among them. Perry and Danforth raced to the horses attempting to control the frightened animals while the Viscount battled Beauchamp in their midst. Nicole tried to scramble out of the way of the brawling men and thrashing horses only to be struck in the back and sent sprawling head first on’ to the ground. She was knocked senseless.
“Nicole?” She heard her name called from what seemed a long distance.
“She is opening her eyes,” Perry’s voice drifted above her.
“Sweetheart.” A soft brush of lips touched her cheek.
“Val?” she murmured hazily.
“It’s all right, darling.” Valentin smiled down at her. “Can you stand?”
“I think so. I don’t know which is throbbing more—my head or my back.” She placed her hand to her head as Valentin helped her to her feet. She swayed against him, and he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the curricle.
“What happened?” she asked as he placed her on the seat and climbed in beside her.
“The horse caught you…”
“Phillippe?” She interrupted him.
“Nothing to worry about on that account. Gordon’s got him neatly tied up. He and Perry will deliver him to headquarters while I get you home.” He flicked the reins, and the others followed.
Suddenly she burst into tears burying her face in his shoulder. “I failed,” she cried.
“No, you did not.” Valentin soothed, holding her against him. “Listen, Nicole, Beauchamp will talk. We will find out who is behind this spy ring.”
“But they will get away by then.”
“The important thing is that the ring will be destroyed, and Beauchamp will tell us why they wanted Wellington’s schedule.”
She sat up and gave him a watery but triumphant smile. “I know why, Val. They were going to kidnap the Duke.”
“Good God! Gordon, did you hear that?” he shouted. “Nicole, you will be a heroine once the Duke hears of this.”
“But my letters! Oh Val.” Dejectedly she sank against him, her head aching with the effort to speak.
“Here, my dear, I think this is what you were worried about.”
“The letters!” she shrieked. “Where did you find them?”
“On Beauchamp.”
“I am free, Val!” She kissed him impulsively. Then she fell limply against him mumbling, “Oh my head.” And fainted.
When Nicole awoke, candles flickered on a nearby table, and Valentin sat on the edge of the bed. At her bewildered expression he chuckled softly. “That is right. You are home in your own bed.” He touched her chin lightly with his knuckles. “You gave me quite, a scare, passing out on me like that, but Madame Lafitte assured me you would be all right.”
She sat up. “I am.” Then placing her hand in his, she asked, “Is it really all over?”
“It is, my darling wife, all over.” He bent to gently kiss her soft lips.
Clinging to him, silent tears slipped down Nicole’s cheeks. “Forgive me, Valentin, forgive me. I love you so much,” she whispered brokenly.
“Don’t cry, my darling. Please don’t.” He held her tightly against him until the stiffness flowed out of her, and she relaxed in his arms. “Nicole, it is you who must forgive me for being such a blind idiot.” He held her even tighter.
“Oh no, no, Val. It was all my fault. I was so full of imagined hurts that I could not see or think straight. I was letting my mother’s past destroy my life.”
“I did much the same thing. When I thought you did not love me, my pride took over with a vengeance. That is why I left you in Paris.”
“And I thought you did not care for me,” she murmured.
“I love you, my darling,” he whispered kissing her trembling lips.
“And I have loved you ever since I can remember.”
“Nicole,” he whispered huskily tightening his grip on her. His lips held hers with deepening desire. The driving hunger of his love for her so long held in check could finally be given full rein. All his restraint gone, he gave vent to a torrent of raging passion which could not be denied. Carried along by his consuming desire, Nicole trembled under the demands of his
questing hands and caressing lips. Against Valentin’s taut frame and burning heat her own body flamed and ached with mounting desire for his possession of her. It came in a crescendo of surging ecstasy and consuming fire. Valentin looked into her loving eyes, and she saw the same triumphant expression upon his face that once used to disturb her. No doubts about it could plague her now, for it was the fulfillment of love’s dream she saw. “I love you.” They spoke the words simultaneously, and cradled in his arms she slept peacefully.
A light kiss on her lips awoke Nicole. Languidly she stirred beneath the sheet and opened her eyes to see her husband grinning down at her. “Hey, sleepy head, I am off to headquarters.”
“Val, must you rush off?” she cried encircling her arms about his neck.
“Yes, I must.” He gave her a quick kiss. “Do you know, I have already breakfasted and seen Perry. I thought you might be interested in what took place after Perry and Danforth took Beauchamp to headquarters last night. But if you are not…” He smiled mischievously and began to remove her arms from his neck.
“Valentin!” she screeched. “You would not dare to leave me in suspense!”
“Oh, would I not?” He grinned playfully and started across the room.
“Val!” She jumped from the bed heedless of her undressed state and flew into his arms. “Do not tease me.”
“Tease you, madame? I think it is you who teases me shamelessly,” he said stroking her curves and kissing her lips. “Egad, Nicole, get something on before I forget myself.”
She snuggled next to him. “I will, my lord,” she smiled provocatively up at him, “if you promise to tell me about Phillippe.”
“Why you little minx.” He laughed and lifted her into his arms. Then throwing her onto the bed, he claimed, “I think, madame wife, you need a further lesson in heeding the advice of your husband.”
“I… I was only joking, Valentin,” Nicole responded somewhat flustered as she became aware of his intention.
“Well, I am not,” he smiled arrogantly stripping himself of his clothing and coming to her. “I do not intend to resist the temptations of your lovely body ever again.”
Sweet Bravado Page 23