Petals in the Storm Read Free

an amused glance. "You certainly play your cards close to your chest, not even letting Rafe or me know about each other. I'm surprised that you're talking to both of us now. Have we suddenly become more trustworthy?"
    Even though he knew he was being baited, Lucien bristled. "In my business, it's merely good policy not to tell anyone more than they need to know. I'm bending that particular rule tonight because you might now something that could help Rafe."
    "I gather that the lady in question is one of your agents," Rafe said. "What kind of trouble is she causing?"
    Lucien hesitated, considering the best place to start. "I assume that you've been following the peace conference in Paris ."
    "Yes, though not closely. Weren't most of the issues settled at the Congress in Vienna ?"
    "Yes and no. A year ago the Allies were willing to blame the wars on Napoleon's ambition, so the Vienna settlement was fairly moderate." Lucien pulled the cigar from his mouth and eyed its glowing tip with disfavor. "Everything would have been fine if Napoleon had stayed in exile, but his return to France and the battle at Waterloo put the cat among the diplomatic pigeons. Because a large part of the French population supported the emperor, most of the Allies are now out for blood. France will be treated far more harshly than she was before Napoleon's Hundred Days."
    "That's common knowledge." Rafe flicked the ash from his cigar. "Where do I come in?"
    "There's a tremendous undercover struggle for influence in these months until the new treaties are settled," Lucien said. "It wouldn't take much to upset the negotiations, perhaps to the point of war. Information is critical. Unfortunately, my agent, Maggie, whose work has been invaluable, wants to retire and leave Paris as soon as possible, before the conference is finished."
    "Offer her more money."
    "We have. She's not interested. I hope that you can persuade her to change her mind and stay at least until the conference is over."
    "Ah, we're back to kissing," Rafe said with an amused gleam in his eyes. "I gather that you want me to sacrifice my honor on the altar of British interests."
    Lucien said dryly, "I'm sure that you have other means of persuasion. You are a duke, after all—she may be flattered that we're sending you to France to talk to her. Or perhaps you can appeal to her patriotism."
    Rafe's brow furrowed. "While I'm flattered at your opinion of my charm, wouldn't it be simpler to have one of your diplomatic people who is already in Paris deal with the woman?"
    "Unfortunately, there is reason to believe that a member of the delegation is ... unreliable. Secret information has been getting out of the British embassy, and it has caused problems." Lucien scowled. "Maybe I'm seeing shadows where none exist and there is no traitor, merely carelessness. But this business is too vital to risk working through unsafe channels."
    "I'm getting the sense that you're worried about something more than the normal diplomatic wrangling," Rafe said.
    "Am I that obvious?" Lucien said wryly. "You're quite right—I've been getting disturbing reports that suggest a plot to disrupt the peace negotiations, possibly end them altogether."
    Rafe rolled his cigar between his thumb and forefinger as he tried to think of a single deed so disruptive that the Allies would be thrown into chaos. "Is it an assassination plot? All the Allied sovereigns except the British Prince Regent are in Paris , along with Europe 's leading diplomats. Killing any of them could be disastrous."
    Lucien exhaled a smoke ring that formed an improbable halo above his blond head. "Exactly. I hope to God that I'm wrong, but my sixth sense says that serious trouble is brewing."
    "Who is the assassin, and who is the target?"
    "If I knew that, I wouldn't need to be talking to you tow," Lucien said gloomily. "I've only heard hints, gleaned from half a dozen sources. There are too many hostile factions, and too many possible targets. That's why