His Counterfeit Condesa (Historical Romance) Read Free Page B

up.
    ‘Ah, Colonel Albermarle.’ As the Colonel came to attention, Ward rose from his seat and bowed to Sabrina. ‘Miss Huntley.’
    Sabrina returned the greeting and accepted the offer of a chair. For a moment there was silence and she saw the General exchange glances with Forbes. Then he drew a deep breath.
    ‘We have requested your presence today in order to put forward a proposition, Miss Huntley.’
    ‘A proposition, sir?’
    ‘Yes. One of the carrier pigeons recently returned bearing a coded message. In essence, the Spanish agent who sent it has obtained vital military documentsconcerning French troop movements. However, his responsibilities in Madrid make it impossible for him to deliver the information to us. Like everyone else in senior government positions he is watched, and cannot afford to do anything that might appear unusual. That means someone must go and collect the information from him.’
    Sabrina’s brow wrinkled for a moment. ‘But surely it would be equally suspicious, sir, if he were suddenly visited by a total stranger.’
    ‘Ordinarily it would. However, the gentleman’s wife is celebrating her birthday next week and he is holding a ball at his mansion near Aranjuez to mark the occasion. It is to be a lavish affair. Everyone who is anyone will be there. It will also provide a perfect opportunity to get hold of the information he has obtained.’
    She nodded slowly. ‘I can see that, but I confess to being at a loss as to my role in all this.’
    ‘Our agent is to impersonate this gentleman’s cousin, the Conde de Ordoñez y Casal. The real one lives on his estate in Extremadura. Apparently he prefers the pleasures of country life to those of the city and almost never goes there.’
    ‘But isn’t there a chance someone will know him and spot the deception?’
    ‘It’s an outside chance but one we have to take,’ the General replied.
    ‘I still don’t understand how all this involves me.’
    ‘The Conde de Ordoñez is a married man. As such, his wife would certainly attend the ball with him. Our agent must therefore be so accompanied.’ Ward glanced at Forbes who nodded. ‘My informants tell me that Ordoñez’s wife is French and blonde. As I am sure you will appreciate, ma’am, there are not many blonde-hairedwomen hereabouts, and even fewer who speak fluent French as well as their native tongue. Your skill in both languages is well known to us.’ He paused. ‘And you have helped us before.’
    ‘You want me to pose as the Conde’s wife?’
    ‘Just so.’
    Beside her Colonel Albermarle gave an exclamation of astonishment and disgust.
    ‘The whole thing is highly improper, sir, and I would in no way sanction it,’ he said. ‘Besides, which, it would be unthinkable to put my goddaughter in such a dangerous situation.’
    The General regarded him with a cool and level stare. ‘I have not said all.’
    ‘You mean there’s more to this confounded business, sir?’
    ‘Yes. We are not expecting Miss Huntley to take such a risk without offering something in return.’
    Ward paused and glanced at his companion. Forbes smiled.
    ‘Your father is unfortunately confined in prison in France,’ he said. ‘Negotiations are underway for the release of certain English military personnel in exchange for high-ranking French officers currently in our hands. If you agree to help us we’ll make your father’s release part of those negotiations.’
    Sabrina swallowed hard as she tried to marshal her thoughts. ‘If I were to agree, what guarantee would there be that my father would be released?’
    ‘We would ensure the man we offered in exchange was of sufficient importance that the French would be most unlikely to refuse.’
    ‘How soon would my father be free?’
    ‘In a matter of weeks.’
    A matter of weeks! Her heart thumped in her breast. Her father need not die in a foreign prison after all. They would be reunited at last. Surely that was worth any risk, wasn’t it? She bit