by Queen, Nyna
“Actually, I’m his niece.” Bonny sounded a little strangled.
Roukewood inclined his head. “Well, in that case, I commend your uncle’s accomplishments. He is a most renowned man in the upper circles. I’ve only had two brief encounters with him so far, but I am hoping to strengthen that relationship in the future.” He made a sweeping motion with his hand, encompassing the gallery. “The exhibition is truly inspiring.”
Bonny’s cheeks turned as red as autumn apples.
“Inspiring, indeed, my lord,” Alex agreed. “The only sad thing is that these events take place on such rare occasions. I’m afraid where I live it is very difficult to find a good art exhibition. Or art exhibitions at all. Country life.” Alex let out a soft sigh. “It’s a real shame. Art can be so”—she cast a small sideglance at the painting of the kissing couple—“stimulating.”
Roukewood’s gaze flickered from her to the painting and back, coming to rest on her cleavage just a little too long to be considered accidental. The same hungry spark which Alex had seen after he’d watched her dancing with Darken ignited in his eyes. The look of a predator sighting prey. So the idea of seducing her still appealed to him. Good.
Alex returned his gaze point blank, acknowledging his lapse rather than averting her eyes, and lifted one eyebrow a quarter of an inch.
A small, delighted grin tugged at the senator’s mouth. He definitely enjoyed her boldness.
His eyes wandered back to the picture and she could all but see the thoughts flashing through his mind. Well, if the bastard really thought her panties got wet over a piece of canvas with dabs of paint on it, he deserved everything she had coming for him.
Pretending to be studying the painting, Alex furtively glanced at Roukewood from the side, who, on his part, did his best to appear occupied with the painting while secretly pondering her.
He was contemplating it, she could see it in his eyes. But he wasn’t completely sold yet.
Come on, she prayed silently, you want it, Roukie, you know you do.
According to Hector’s newest intel, which he'd shared with her on the way from Helton Manor to the townhouse, the dinner party Roukewood would be hosting at his estate in two days’ time from now, consisted of half a dozen highly influential politicians from different Southern Provinces—all of which were well-known for their art affinity. One of the senator’s maids had let it slip to the butler’s contact that the private gallery at his estate had been spruced up and specially rearranged for the occasion. No doubt Roukewood’s way of planning to impress his royal guests and smarm them into favoring him in the coming election. What better way to win over a couple of voters than having a cultivated dinner and musing over famous paintings with likeminded souls?
Alex and Bonny would make quite an interesting addition to the gathering. Granted, they didn’t exactly fit in neatly. Despite her obvious art expertise and attractive family connection, Bonny wasn’t part of the royal elite, and it took only two minutes in her presence to be able to tell that she wasn't used to being around the high society. Her awed giggling might make her an awkward dinner companion, especially one that covered a political court dance.
And Alex herself didn’t have many credentials to commend her either, except for stirring Roukewood’s libido and being the new debutante from the Summerball everybody was so viciously gossiping about. She supposed, being Stephane’s protégé made her a double edged sword. For one thing, Roukewood could hardly start criticizing Stephane in front of her without risking her giving her backing to her benefactor and making the senator look foolish for inviting her. Plus, he would have to expect that she might report everything back to Stephane, so he would have to be very careful with what he let out in front of her.
On the other hand, if he could show his elevated guests that even Stephane’s very own protégé was smitten with him…
A chance to pluck her rose was one thing, but an opportunity to damage Stephane’s image by using her? That might just make the risk worth his while.
Bonny was showering Roukewood, who seemed genuinely impressed by her knowledge, with astute details about Rapture while Alex thought hard. Somehow she had to make him believe that he would be able to manipulate her against Stephane. But how? She racked her brain, knowing that she wouldn’t have long before Roukewood would move on and she might have squandered her opportunity.
Think, sugar, think, think, think.
When Bonny had to pause for air, Alex reverted Roukewood’s attention back to her with a heavy sigh, wistfully eying the painting. “I asked Lord Dubois-Léclaire if he could take me to the Royal Palace one more time during my remaining stay in Lancaster,” she said in a slightly doleful tone of voice. “I must admit, I was so excited during the Summerball, I barely had any time to inspect all those magnificent paintings exhibited there. Unfortunately, his lordship is too busy at the moment, especially now that his brother had to return to the Order…”
She paused for a second, hoping he bought her innocent act about Darken’s whereabouts. When he didn’t give any indication of suspicion, she lowered her voice a little. “His daughter told me that he lost the support of Senator Gwydon and Senator Beltan-Debussy and now the election must be the primary focus of the entire family.” She bit her lip and added quickly, “Please, don’t get me wrong. I don’t mean to be ungrateful. Lord Dubois-Léclaire has been more than generous these past weeks.” She said it just right, slipping only the merest hint of dutifulness into her words. “I just wish I could have seen it again before I return to Bouldershore. I have no idea when I will find the time and chance to travel again. But of course, I understand that his political career is more important than the entertainment of a simple houseguest.”
She squinted at Roukewood with bated breath. Too blatant? Blurting out Stephane’s political secrets should be earning her some credibility points, but if she’d been too obvious…
Turning his back on the painting, the senator faced her with a benign smile, and Alex knew she had him.
He cleared his throat. “As it happens, I will be hosting a little soirée at my mansion this very weekend—nothing big, just a few select guests—and I was planning to provide a tour of my private art gallery as part of the evening entertainment. I do not wish to sound immodest, but I pride myself on having a rather impressive collection. Of course, it is not the Royal Palace, but I would be most delighted if you cared to attend, Lady de Nuy. After all, who would I be to deny a lady a chance to indulge in the arts. And if I remember correctly, you still owe me the pleasure of your company for a dinner, milady.”
Oh yes, and if she ended up being his desert, he probably wouldn’t be that upset either. Or if he could milk her for intel on Stephane…
“You, too, Lady Wintering," Rouekwood added with a gracious bow in Bonny’s direction. “I’m sure someone as versed as you will find my selection most enjoyable. And perhaps there is even a piece or two you might find of particular interest to recommend to your uncle for future appraisal. I won’t take no for an answer.”
Alex touched her décolleté and graced him with her biggest smile, doing her best to sound smitten with surprise. “Milord, I don’t know what to say. That sounds wonderful. We would be absolutely delighted to attend, wouldn’t we, Bonny?”
“Delighted,” Bonny echoed, appearing nearly catatonic with joy.
A satisfied little smile played around Roukewood’s lips, no doubt thinking that he had just manipulated them instead of the other way around.
“Splendid,” he said. “I’ll have invitations sent to you by tomorrow. And please, ladies, the name is Cassius.”
One of Roukewood’s bodyguards cleared his throat and demonstratively pointed at his wrist.
Roukewood gave them an apologetic smile. “Alas, the time. As much as I’d love to further discuss the artistic merits of these masterpieces with you, I’m afraid I still have a few things to attend to before the auction begins. I trust I’ll see you there?”
“Of course.”
Alex held out her hand. He kissed her fingers, then Bonnie’s, and tipped his head. “Ladies. I take my leave.”
They watched him march away with his entourage in tow. Bonny was clutching her chest, looking as though she were about to have a happy heart attack. She swerved to Alex and grabbed her arm with a squeal.
“Lord Roukewood’s private gallery! I always wanted to see it, like—forever!”
She started jumping up and down in place and Alex wondered if she should call for a doctor.
“They say he has the only existing memora of Prima Luchesa in there. And an authentic Pompide. Great Mother, Uncle Ramier will flip when he hears this. Just how do you do that, Lexy? The men are at your feet.”
Alex bit the inside of her cheek. Without Bonny’s show of expertise, she wouldn’t have had a prayer at convincing Roukewood that she was a true art enthusiast and worthy of an invitation to his little dinner show. She felt a little bad for using Bonny this way, but at least the other girl got something out of it, too.
Bonny shot another glance at the corner where Roukewood had vanished. “Cassius,” she giggled and fanned her face. “He’s such a gentleman, no?”
“He is,” Alex agreed softly. “He truly is.” A murdering, blood sucking, corrupt gentleman. And she couldn’t wait to show the world his true colors.
She didn’t doubt that Roukewood had swallowed her bait hook, line, and sinker, but unfortunately that didn’t mean she would be able to make the catch. This had been the easiest part of the plan. It would only get harder from here.
Bonny finally seemed to remember where they were and calmed herself a little. “Oh, but I wasn’t finished with this painting yet.”
Alex groaned inwardly but obediently reverted her attention to the painting. After all Bonny had just done for her—knowingly or not—she owed her that much.
“Now,” Bonny said happily. “Rapture was completed in…”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
ALEX reached for the townhouse’s front door.
“Alex, wait!”
She swiveled in place to find two pairs of honey-brown eyes peering down at her from the upper landing—Max and Josy leaning on the banister. Before she had a chance to say anything, they pounded down the stairs in a tumble of slippered feet.
“We must speak with you,” Josy gasped as soon as they’d reached the bottom of the stairs, glancing around nervously.
Alex shifted her stance, switching her bag to her other shoulder. “Can’t it wait until I’m back? I’m in a bit of a hurry right now…”
“No, it can’t,” Josy interrupted quickly and wetted her bottom lip with her tongue, eyes darting around again.
“It’s important,” Max added, tugging on the collar of his shirt for emphasis.
Important, huh?
Alex hesitated. She threw a glance at the big mantle clock at the other side of the hall. She really needed to get going, but the way the kids stood, especially Josy—determined, with one foot forward and her chin slightly raised—told her she wouldn’t get away without some serious drama. Sweet Jester, hadn’t she had more than enough drama for one week already?
What was confusing, though, was the cloying scent of nerves Alex tasted in the air around the kids. It wound around them, thick and full-bodied, teasing her sensory threads. An enticing flavor for a predator, like the scent of two rabbit kittens who had crawled out of their den for the first time, watching the world from big button eyes, aware that the fox was stalking the area. Not quite fear but something close enough, tinged with the merest hint of excitement. It gave her the feeling that she wouldn’t like whatever waited at the end of this conversation.
On the other hand, she hadn’t had much chance to speak to either of them since the Flora Canis Rae, had barely seen them at all. Something that wasn’t likely to change in the coming days. If they had something important on their minds, now was probably the last opportunity before…
Alex blew out a breath. “Alright. But make it quick.”
A small flicker of relief washed over Josy’s features, adding to the apprehensive flutter in Alex’s gut.
She had expected them to simply say what they had to say, but instead the children grabbed her hands and ushered her away from the entrance hall, down one of the light-flooded corridors and through a small, plain door at its end. They ended up in a tiny chamber which Alex hadn’t entered before, filled to the brim with cleansing agents, brushes, brooms… A broom cupboard! They were hiding inside a broom cupboard! Alex lifted a slightly amused eyebrow. Now what?
Josy closed the door behind them and pressed against it as though to keep Alex from escaping. A fine guard she made in her ivory house dress with its tiny pink flower stitchings on the bodice. A chocolate-brown curl had come loose from her wavy braid and was bouncing at her forehead. She looked quite ridiculous between all those cleaning supplies, like a princess that had gotten lost in her own castle, but there was a determination in the straightness of her spine that made Alex wary.
Alex braced one hand on her hip, leaning against one of the shelves. “So, what’s so important that it cannot wait?”
The kids exchanged a small, fleeting glance, the way they usually did when they were about to whack you over the head with their next words. The swept stone floor underneath Alex’s feet suddenly felt a lot less solid than a moment ago.
Josy smoothed down her dress with quiet dignity and opened her mouth, looking as if she were planning to say something highly elaborate, yet in the end the words just blurted right out of her. “We want to help.”
Alex blinked. “Help? With what?”
“With the rescue mission, of course,” Max told her in an isn’t-that-obvious kind of tone.
The—?
Alex closed her eyes as understanding slowly dawned on her.
Of course this was about the ‘rescue mission’. What else could it be about?
She gritted her teeth to contain a string of swearwords which otherwise would no doubt be repeated within Heloise’s hearing range.
There had been a ferocious debate about it, but in the end it had been agreed that the children needed to be told about the plan. They couldn’t lie, there was a non-negligible risk that they would fail, and then the entire Dubois family would face disgrace, and worse. Max and Josy deserved to know the stakes and they deserved to know why they were doing it. Even Edalyne, always so careful to keep them out of everything, had admitted that it would be cruel to leave the kids in the dark in this particular case. Considering what their plan entailed, it would be hard enough for them to face it knowing what was going to happen.
As far as Alex was aware, Stephane and Edalyne had taken Max and Josy aside while she had been at the art gallery with Bonny the day before and informed them in broad strokes about the plan, although when their crude scheme had turned into something as bombastic as a ‘rescue mission’, Alex had no idea. Max’s creativity, no doubt.
Alex had secretly wondered how the kids would take it, slightly anxious about the talk that was sure to follow. It was her idea after all.
She had expected them to corner her eventually. But she hadn’t expected this. They hadn’t come to her to tell her that her idea was mental and to beg her to talk their parents out of it, noooo, they wanted to take part in this insanity! Why wasn’t that at all surprising? Bloody, insane family!
“Mom and Dad would never allow it,” Josy added ruefully.
So they came to her. Alex didn’t know if she should be flattered or angry.
She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “And you think ambushing me will change their minds?”
Max made a small, shocked noise. Josy turned pale. “You won’t tattle, will you?”
“Tell me one good reason why I shouldn’t.”
“We are part of this family, too!” Josy said emphatically, wringing her delicate hands so tightly that her knuckles shone stark white through her already pale skin. “Darken is our uncle. How is it fair that everybody has a part to play
and is risking their lives, while the two of us are asked to sit around and do nothing?”
Alex appraised the indignant note in her voice as much as the fierce one.
“We wish to contribute,” Josy finished.
And how elaborately she phrased it too.
Why me? Alex clenched her teeth. Why couldn’t they just contribute their good wishes and be done with it? The rest of them could certainly need them.
Alex rubbed her temples. “Look, I understand. Believe me, I do. And ‘rescue mission’ sounds all grand and adventurous, but this isn’t a game or a test or anything. This is the real shit, and it’s highly dangerous. The people we’re dealing with have murdered countless of innocents. They are scrupulous, and they won’t hesitate to hurt you just because you are children. I’m sorry to say this, but I’m afraid your parents are right to keep you out of this.”
Of course, they didn’t let it go at that.
“We can help,” Max insisted stubbornly, bobbing his brown cap of hair with an almost angry expression. “We’re not babies!”
No, not babies. But definitely not mature enough to understand the gravity of the situation, either. Which Max’s reaction showed very clearly.
“Sugar, this has nothing to do with you being babies.”
“Then with what?” he retorted madly.
Ahhh, children! If she ever again fancied the idea of having some of her own, Alex seriously hoped someone would remind her of this very moment.
“We helped before.” Josy’s words were quiet, yet they hung between the walls, impossible to be ignored.
“When you were dying outside the Pacified Zone after that man stabbed you in the belly,” the girl said softly. “Maxwell teleported us to Helton Manor, and I healed you. You would have died without our help.” Her eyes bored into Alex’s, daring her to deny it.
Now there was a point. It was true, of course. Alex owed both of them her life. Yet she’d be doomed if she repaid them by endangering theirs when there was absolutely no need for it.