The Secret to a Spy’s Heart: A Steamy Victorian Historical Spy Series (Romancing Intrigue Book 4)

by Laura Shipley

  “Here it is, from the man himself.”

  Colette took the letter and tucked it in her reticule.

  “Aren’t you going to read it?”

  She gave him a steeled look. “I will read it in private, thank you. Now, if there is nothing more, I will take my leave.” Colette opened the door. Before exiting she said over her shoulder, “I will contact you when I am ready to give my full report to the Fox.” She didn’t wait for a response before closing the door.

  Once down a block she leaned against a building and took in deep gulps of air. If Jacques had caught her snooping, she would have been done for. Thank goodness the man stomped like an ogre when he walked. After her head cleared, she hurried back to Louis’s house. It was almost five by the time she crossed the threshold.

  Louis waited for her in his study. The second she entered he ran over to her. Not caring what he might think, she kissed him. Right now, she needed something to calm her, and Louis’s lips were the answer.

  “Is everything all right?” He cupped her neck.

  “I went to see Jacques.”

  “I figured as much when I was told you had left. Did everything go as planned?”

  “Better, I would say.” Colette walked over and poured a drink. “I relayed the information, as we discussed. I told Jacques I would pen a letter that I would personally deliver to the Fox, outlining all the details.”

  “So he took the bait.”

  She nodded her head. “Plus, I received this.” She pulled the letter out of her reticule. “I haven’t read it yet.”

  Louis led her over to a chair. “Read it.”

  Colette broke the seal and read the contents out loud. The Fox wanted them to go south near Lyon to meet fellow supporters who would deliver a large sum of money for the cause. She and Louis would be his envoys and collect the money. Once they returned to Paris, they would be given further instructions. They would have to leave in the next two days to make it to Lyons on time.

  “There’s more,” she said before Louis could speak. “When Jacques left the room, I saw a map on his desk. Two maps, actually, one of England and one of London, each with areas marked.”

  “Do you know what they mean?”

  “No, but I also saw a letter. It mentioned meeting some Americans in London who would pick up cargo and munitions from suppliers in London. I thought the Americans were our allies.”

  He frowned. “Just like anywhere, there are those who only care about profit. When did it say these meetings or deliveries would take place?”

  “Next week.”

  “Did the letter say anything else?”

  Colette tried to remember. She closed her eyes, searching for anything else. An image of the letter swirled in her head and slowly came into focus. “Yes, it said, 'I will see to the final transaction personally.’”

  “Do you think it’s the Fox?”

  “It has to be. In all the years I have known Jacques, he has never left Paris. Said there is no place better. It has to be the Fox, but I cannot be positive.”

  “But why would Jacques have the letter on his desk?” Louis asked.

  “The letter was addressed to Jacques. He must be assisting in some way.”

  Louis sprang to his feet. “We have to assume it’s the Fox.”

  “What are we going to do?” It was impossible to be in two places at once. “How can we go to both Lyon and London?”

  “You are right. We are going to London. I will have my agents go to Lyon, find the traitors, and arrest them. That will take care of one problem. You and I will set off for London tomorrow, but no one must know. The walls are closing in, and I don’t want to give away our advantage.”

  They were nearing the end of their time together. Once the Fox was captured, she could live a normal life. What type of life that would be was another matter. Would it involve Louis? Now was not the time to daydream. They had a lot to do before leaving tomorrow.

  “Louis, how will we know where he will be? We won’t have any resources or support when we get to London.”

  He went up to Colette and looked her directly in the eyes. “That is where you are wrong, my darling. Remember, I have friends who are spies for the English government. Do not worry, we will have more than enough help. Now come, we need to get a map of London and have you mark those locations while they are still fresh in your head.”

  They spent the evening packing and planning. They would leave the following morning. While Colette did not question Louis’s friends or the assistance they would get on British soil, she could not shake the feeling of unease that troubled her.

  ******

  Louis wrote a letter to General Lochte stating he would be absent for a time. He did not mention for what purpose. At this point, there was no telling who he could trust, so he resolved to share as little information as possible. As his association with the Ministry was informal, Louis could come and go as he pleased.

  Next, he sent a message to his friend, Phillip Crestwood, in London, explaining the situation. He sent the letter on one of his cargo ships, scheduled to leave that evening for England. Hopefully, the missive would reach his friend ahead of their arrival. Louis also penned a set of instructions for Henri and gave the same story for leaving as the one he had written to the General. The final correspondence went to André, letting him know he would be away for a brief time. Louis did not want his godfather to worry.

  That done, he checked that his trunk was packed before settling in for the night. They would have to awaken early to make it to the ship and catch the tide.

  Louis and Colette were heading to their separate rooms when he caught her arm. “Will you stay with me tonight? I ask for nothing more. I just want you with me.” Their time together was growing short, and he wanted to enjoy every second with her.

  “Let me make sure all my things are ready, then I will join you shortly.” Colette leaned up and kissed his lips before going into her own chamber.

  The taste of her was permanently embedded on his lips and his heart. The thought of Colette leaving made his chest heavy. Those feelings would have to wait. London would be the last stand. He had a feeling it would not be easy. Luckily, he would have the support of his friends.

  Louis went into his room, changed, then waited for Colette. A half hour later, a light knock sounded on the door. He answered and was happily greeted by Colette’s ravishing smile. Without a word, she entered. They climbed into bed. Louis slid his arm around Colette, cradling her head on his chest. It was his favorite position to settle into after they made love.

  “It will be an early start in the morning,” he said against her hair.

  “I know. It's probably best we get some sleep.”

  “Yes, who knows what the next few days might bring. We need to get all the rest we can.”

  Colette turned her head up to meet his gaze. “Good night, Louis.”

  He leaned in and took her lips, gently, reverently. “Sleep well, dear Colette.”

  The time to rise came too soon. Louis’s valet woke him with a gentle shake. The motion also roused Colette, who was still nestled in his arms. The valet left to give the couple a few minutes of privacy before Colette went to her chamber to prepare for the journey.

  Within the hour, they were in the carriage and driving toward the docks. Louis had made sure his fastest ship would be waiting for them. The vessel carried mostly cargo, so there would be no other passengers. They traveled down the Seine to his clipper ship waiting at La Havre. The crossing only took a few hours with the wind in their favor. They docked in London, and a carriage took them to Phillip Crestwood’s home.

  Colette and Louis were shown into a warmly lit parlor. Phillip and his wife, Charlotte, greeted them. Louis made the introductions all around.

  “The rest of the group will be here later tonight,” Phillip informed them.

  “Who is coming?” Louis asked.

  “Ethan, Hugh, and my brother-in-law, Andrew. He has assisted us in the past and kno
ws Sir Darnley, so I trust him with my life. Sir Darnley will be here as well.”

  They were shown to their rooms so they could rest before dinner. The others would arrive after the meal. Louis knew it would be a long night. There was a lot to discuss and many plans to be made.

  That evening the company gathered in the library, a map of London spread out in front of them. Louis marked the areas Colette had shown him. He explained about the Fox and the situation in Paris. The men studied the map.

  “I have regular business at these locations.” Andrew Claridge, the Duke of Claremont pointed to two spots on the map. “I will make inquires and have my men watch for any Americans. Thankfully, they stick out like a sore thumb. I know the port master. He may be able to help.”’

  “Good. What about the other points? Some of them are in town,” Louis noted.

  “Let me take care of that,” Hugh Fitzsimmons, the Duke of Carlisle answered. “Some of them are around the clubs. I will have my guards on alert for any foreigners. The ports near Southampton and Portsmouth are a day’s ride from here.”

  “I can handle those,” stated Sir Darnley. “I have operatives ready to leave at a moment's notice.”

  Ethan came forward. “Why would a French criminal and American traitors pick London, of all places? There must be something we are missing.” The others agreed. “I know some munition factory owners. I will make some inquiries and see what comes up. They are always looking for new investors. There has to be a middleman in or around the city. It is the only logical explanation.”

  “What should I do?” Louis asked.

  “I think it best if you stay here, out of notice.” Sir Darnley spoke up. “Phillip will round up the troops. Once we are more certain of where this meeting will take place, we can move.”

  “So you expect me to sit here and do nothing?” Louis jumped up from his chair. “This is my mission, my life’s work. I don’t intend to sit by and let the Fox be captured without me there to witness it.” He would be damned if he would let his friends take all the risk. Besides, he needed to see the job through to the end.

  Colette walked over to Louis. He slid his arm around her waist, anchoring her body to his.

  “I have been working on this for too long not to be there.”

  Sir Darnley sighed. “Very well, we will see what can be done. But in the meantime, you need to keep a low profile. What if someone recognizes you or Miss Dubois? What if this Fox character knows what you look like? We cannot risk it.”

  “I know,” he said and lowered his head. A loud sigh escaped. “I appreciate all the help you are giving us. All I ask is that I be present when he is taken into custody.”

  “What about me?” Colette’s eyes narrowed. “You know it’s just as important for me to witness his capture.”

  Louis did not want to have this discussion in front of his friends, but it seemed inevitable. “Colette, we already discussed this. I will not put you in danger. We do not know what we are up against. I refuse to put your life in jeopardy.”

  “You know how important this is to me. I need to see him.”

  “Once he is captured, you will have time to speak with him. Until then, you will stay here.”

  “When were you going to tell me this plan of yours? Never?” Her nostrils flared as she glared at him. “This was your intention all the time, wasn’t it? To shut me out and deny me my vengeance. You lied to me.” She backed away from him.

  “No, Colette. My plan has been to keep you safe. Don’t you understand? Revenge will not change things. It won’t bring Michelle back to us.” He reached for her, but she stepped away. “I will not allow you to have that black stain upon your soul.”

  “But it is fine for you?” Her voice broke, her grip on her emotions slipping.

  Louis lowered his voice. “I already have so many. What’s one more?”

  “My life has not been sinless either. You know that Louis.”

  “I know, but I won’t let you do something you may one day regret. I’m sorry. Besides, you might jeopardize the mission by putting your own selfish grudge above everyone’s safety.”

  The words cut her to the quick. Colette winced and took another step back before pivoting to leave the room in a flurry of skirts. He knew the words stung, but he meant it. If she was there when they took the Fox down, her thirst for revenge might get the better of her.

  “Well, that was entertaining,” Hugh said. “From the looks of it, it appears you have been mixing business with pleasure.”

  Louis cast his friend a scowl that would have made a lesser man cower.

  Hugh simply laughed. “I know how it is to love a headstrong woman, my friend.”

  “Who said I loved her?”

  Phillip grunted with amusement. “We would have to be blind not to notice the way you have been watching her all night. Even Charlotte noticed at dinner. What was all that about Michelle? Did she know your wife?”

  “It’s a bit of a story.”

  “We have some time,” Ethan responded, putting a glass of brandy in Louis’s hand. “You have helped all of us at one time or another, Louis. We are here for you, old chap.”

  Peering around the room, he saw the looks of sincerity on every face. Even Sir Darnley gave a small nod. He was with his closest friends. If anyone could help with his dilemma, it was them. So, he took a fortifying sip of the alcohol before telling his tale.

  CHAPTER 24

  The nerve of that man, Colette raged as she stomped to her room. All this time Louis had hidden the fact that he had never intended to allow her a chance to take her revenge. The one thing that had kept her going all these years was the knowledge that she would see her enemy’s life end. To know that neither she nor anyone else would have to live in fear any longer. Now Louis wanted to take that away from her.

  She had worked just as long and hard as Louis had to get to this point. In fact, her life was in danger more than his. Louis could return to his life of leisure as a gentleman, but Colette had nothing else. She had never planned for a future, fearing her life could end just as quickly as Elle’s.

  A soft knock sounded at the door.

  “Yes,” she said. Charlotte, Phillip’s wife, peeked her head in.

  “May I come in?”

  Colette sighed. At least it was not Louis. She was in no mood to speak to him given her present foul temperament. She motioned with her hand for her hostess to enter.

  “I could not help but overhear you coming up the stairs.”

  “I’m terribly sorry. Louis said some things that upset me. Please don’t mind me.”

  Charlotte sat on the edge of the bed. “Is it something you would like to talk about? Perhaps get a woman’s perspective?”

  It had been so long since she had enjoyed the confidence of another woman. Danielle was too young to take on the burdens of womanhood. It would be nice to talk to someone her own age. With a smile, she sat next to Charlotte.

  “I know Louis told everyone my connection with the Fox. But I believe the villain killed a friend of mine,” she took a deep breath, “who also happened to be Louis’s wife, Michelle.”

  She waited for a reaction from Charlotte, but she just sat, waiting for Colette to continue.

  “Neither of us knew until about two weeks ago. We are after the same man for the same purpose: revenge. The common goal has made it easier for us to work together. However, in the meantime, things have happened . . .” Colette was too embarrassed to say the words.

  Charlotte patted her arm. “I’m pretty sure I know what you mean. If it makes you feel any better, Phillip and I did not meet under the best of circumstances either, but we ended up falling in love.”

  “Louis told me a bit of your story. Only the part where the two of you came to Alsace. How did you meet Phillip initially?”

  Charlotte’s blue eyes sparkled with laughter. “I swear what I say is true. If you do not believe me, ask Phillip yourself.”

  A puzzled expression crossed Colette’s face.
“Go on.”

  “My cousin had stolen sensitive material from the Russians. Before he could get away, he was shot, so he gave me the information. I met up with a British spy who escorted me halfway across the continent.”

  “Phillip.”

  Charlotte smiled. “We were both hard-headed at first. We ruffled each other's feathers, but in the end, we discovered we loved each other. It took me almost losing him to find that out. I don’t want you to go through that, Colette.”

  Colette stood, Charlotte’s hand slipping from her grasp. “I never said I was in love with him.”

  “You do not have to. It’s written on your face. The way the two of you sneak glances at each other when you think no one is looking. I know you are angry at Louis, but I think you are also scared.”

  She pivoted to look at the other woman. “I am not scared.”

  “Yes, you are. You are scared of falling in love, and that he will not love you like he loved Michelle. I have seen her portrait at the house.”

  That picture would haunt Colette forever. It was the way she would always picture Elle: surrounded by beauty, dressed in fine clothes, and living a happy life. But it had all been for naught. The Fox had taken it away.

  “I do not think you have to fear a ghost. Anyone can see Louis adores you.”

  There was nothing to say. Colette hung her head, shoulders sagging. Everything Charlotte had said was true. Her life had been so much about revenge for the last few years that she knew little else. What would it feel like to be free? It was both exhilarating and frightening to think about. All she knew was that she wanted Louis with her, no matter what.

  “I can’t think about the future now, not until our work here is finished.” She said it with finality. She could worry about her relationship with Louis later. “Thank you, Charlotte. You were right—talking to another woman has helped.”

  Charlotte wrapped Colette in a sisterly hug. “I hope we will be friends. In the future, you will be welcome here whenever you wish.”