A Fatal Waltz Read Online Free PDF

one another.” There was a hint of amusement in his voice, but then he grew serious. “I’ll need at least half an hour, after dinner. I’ll watch for you to engage him, and once it appears he’s ensnared, I’ll leave the room. Understand?”
    I nodded.
    “I’m beginning to trust you,” he said.
    “You would ask for my assistance without trusting me?”
    “In my line of work, one is sometimes forced to make do with unfortunate circumstances. I’m sure your fiancé could enlighten you further.” He pushed his hands deep into his jacket pockets. “But I have to ask that you not tell him what we’re planning. Not quite yet.”
    “Why not?” I asked.
    “Secrecy is essential. Telling one person, even someone you trust implicitly, can lead to unimagined troubles.”
    “But—” I hesitated.
    “He’ll know everything soon enough. I’m going to show him the papers in the morning. In fact”—he looked at me, a calculated smile on his weathered face—“why don’t you join us? I believe this will not be the last time we can be of use to one another. Come to the library after breakfast.”
    “I look forward to it.” I stood in front of him, awkward, feeling as if we ought to do something to acknowledge our agreement. I held out my hand in the manner of a gentleman, assuming he would shake it. Instead, he raised it to his lips.
    “Very good, Lady Ashton. Until then, we shall not speak any further on the subject. Come now. Pretend we’ve been discussing antiquities.”
    We left the room, closing the door firmly behind us, and headed back towards the morning room, running into Colin, who was walking across the main hall as we crossed it.
    “There you are, Emily,” he said, taking my arm. “I’ve been looking for you.”
    “Your fiancée has a staggering knowledge of red figure vase painting,” Mr. Harrison said, relinquishing my arm to my fiancé. This comment took me aback. How did he know I had a particular interest in Greek vases? It was no secret, certainly, but it struck me as odd that he’d picked up on it. Especially the red figure painting.
    “How did you—” I stopped as Mr. Harrison turned and without a word walked away from us, disappearing down the corridor.
    “Good of him to leave us alone.” Colin stepped closer to me and touched my face. “Not that I wouldn’t stand, rapt, for hours listening to you rhapsodize about ancient art. But aside from our inspiring encounter on the balcony, I’ve hardly seen you since you arrived.”
    “The countess seems to depend upon you for amusement.”
    “Apologies.” He twined his fingers through mine. “I’ve known her for some time.”
    “So I’ve gathered. Lord Fortescue couldn’t wait to let me know.”
    “He’s a beast. I’m sorry. I would have rather told you myself.”
    “Told me what, precisely? He was a bit vague on details.”
    “Kristiana and I were…close…for some time, but that ended the moment I knew I loved you.” His eyes held mine. “I wrote to her the night I escorted you back to the Meurice from Café Anglais in Paris last year. We talked on the Pont Neuf. Do you remember?”
    “Very well,” I said. “Although it was our subsequent encounter on the Pont Neuf that made more of an impression on me.”
    “I shouldn’t have kissed you then.”
    “I’m glad you did.” I should have been content standing there with him, but thoughts of the countess wouldn’t stop tugging at me. “I never thought you were the sort to fall for a married woman.”
    “She wasn’t married when we met.”
    “And after she was married?”
    “Emily, I’m not going to impugn her reputation, even to you. It wouldn’t be right. There’s nothing between us any longer, and that is all that matters.” Part of me admired his principles; the other part was rather too eager to hear anything that would portray the countess in a less-than-flattering light. “That’s quite a wicked smile. I’m afraid to ask what you’re