His Counterfeit Condesa. Joanna Fulford
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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-haired women 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 her lip, unable to ignore the ramifications of her decision. If she agreed she might be putting her life on the line; would be reliant on the help and cooperation of a complete stranger. She did not think that Ward and Forbes would have chosen anyone but the best for this task; they couldn’t afford to. All the same, this man’s first care was to see that those plans got back to Wellington. If it came to a choice between that and her safety it didn’t take a savant to work out which would come first. She would be expendable. The intelligence service needed those plans and its agents were prepared to go to considerable lengths to get them. That also included the ruthless exploitation of her emotions. Her father was of no real monument to them. Had it been otherwise they would have negotiated his release already. The knowledge caused the first faint stirrings of anger. It was an emotion she couldn’t afford. Forcing it down she met the General’s gaze with apparent composure.
‘May I have some time to reflect?’
‘Time is of the essence. The ball is eleven days hence. The journey will take nine. I need an answer today.’
Her godfather laid a gentle hand on her arm. ‘You don’t have to do this, my dear. Your father would never ask it of you. I know how much he means to you and I care for him, too, but as your guardian I urge you to think most carefully.’
‘I cannot leave him to die in prison, sir.’
‘Consider, Sabrina. You know nothing about this man they would have you accompany.’
‘I assure you, sir, that the gentleman is of good family,’ Ward replied. ‘He is the younger son of the Earl of Ellingham and is currently carving out a distinguished career for himself as a member of Wellington’s intelligence staff.’ He paused. ‘His background might be considered among the best in England. Good enough, one would think, to be a fit companion for your goddaughter.’
Seeing Ward’s haughty expression, Albermarle reddened. ‘My goddaughter is also of good family, General. John Huntley has no reason to be ashamed of his connections.’
‘I never meant to imply any such thing, Colonel.’
Recognising the signs of impending wrath on her godfather’s face Sabrina interjected quickly. ‘I am sure you did not, sir.’
Albermarle threw her a swift glance and held his temper. ‘Connections are all very well,’ he went on, ‘but what is the man’s character?’
‘I have never heard anything to his detriment. On the contrary, he has shown himself to be capable and resourceful in the undertaking of his duties.’
‘I am quite sure of that or you would never have chosen him. What concerns me is his moral character. After all, my goddaughter will be alone in his company for weeks. Her reputation…’
‘Will be untarnished,’ said Ward. ‘The proprieties will be observed, sir. Miss Huntley will take her maid, as befits a lady of rank, and our agent will be accompanied by some of his men, in the guise of servants.’ He paused. ‘It goes without saying that arrangements for accommodation will be quite separate.’
‘My goddaughter will have more than just her maid for protection. If she goes at all I insist upon Ramon and Luis attending her as well.’
Forbes raised a quizzical eyebrow. ‘Ramon and Luis?’
‘Partisans, I believe,’ said Ward.
‘Two of my father’s most trusted companions, sir,’ Sabrina explained. ‘They have guided him on numerous expeditions and have accompanied me on every mission I’ve been on. They are most able men.’
Forbes and Ward exchanged another glance. Then the latter nodded.
‘Agreed.’
However, Albermarle wasn’t finished. ‘Apart from the dubious nature of this proposal, Aranjuez is deep in the heart of enemy territory,’ he said. ‘If anything were to go wrong there would be no possibility of outside help. The consequences mean death or imprisonment.’
‘That’s true,’ said the General. ‘It is a risk, albeit a calculated one.’
‘In my view the whole thing is utter madness, but the final decision is not mine.’
Ward turned to Sabrina. ‘Then may we know your mind, madam, or do you wish a little more time to consider?’
Sabrina knew that time would make no difference in this case. The choice was made as soon as he had talked of her father’s freedom.
‘I’ll do it.’
There came a muffled exclamation from Albermarle, but he said nothing.
Ward smiled. ‘Good. It’s a brave decision, Miss Huntley. Believe me, we are most grateful.’
‘Does your agent know about all this?’ she asked.
‘Yes, he was briefed earlier.’
‘What did you offer him?’
For a second he seemed taken aback, as much by the dryness of her tone as by the directness of the question, but he recovered quickly. ‘Promotion to Lieutenant Colonel.’
‘I see.’ An ambitious man, she thought. That knowledge wasn’t particularly reassuring. ‘When do I meet him?’
‘At once,’ replied Ward. He glanced at Forbes. ‘Tell him to come in.’
Sabrina closed her eyes for a moment, willing herself to calm. She must do this thing. There was no other choice. Her father’s liberty was all that mattered. She heard the Major’s footsteps cross the floor and then the sound of the door opening. He spoke briefly to someone outside. Two sets of footsteps returned. She clasped her hands in her lap to keep them still and forced herself to look up. Then her heart leapt towards her throat and she found herself staring into the