My Surrender Read Online Free PDF Page B

your vow to do whatever I ask by marrying me just to see you squirm, I won’t.
    “I only listen, Dand. And carry what information I gather to those who can best utilize it.”
    “Oh-ho.” Dand sucked in a low whistle of comprehension. “Not simply Father Tarkin anymore but now ‘those who can best utilize it.’ You aren’t working for someone besides the abbot, are you?”
    She’d known she would have to tell him sooner or later. “Yes,” she said. “You’ve said so yourself many times, ‘war makes strange bedfellows.’ The Church and the British government’s motives might not be the same, but their goals are.”
    His lip twitched at one corner. “How did he talk you into serving two masters, Charlotte? Or was there little talking involved?” His gaze grew flat and cold. “Who is he?”
    Charlotte frowned. “Who is who?”
    “The English government agent you are feeding.” Dand’s ready smile grew thinner, sharper, a little wolfish.
    “It isn’t a ‘he,’ it is a ‘she.’ ” Charlotte plunged ahead. “Ginny Mulgrew.”
    There was no reason he should recognize her name; he wasn’t often in London and then only for a few days—though lately his appearances had been more frequent and of longer durations. Was it…a woman who drew him to London so oft of late? She ignored the little pinpricks of anger the thought occasioned.
    She was being ridiculous. He had never talked of any woman, in any manner. Certainly he had never indicated he had feelings for a woman. Though, she realized, it was unlikely he would have confided in her if he had.
    She waited. The hardness slowly dissipated from his expression. His gaze narrowed thoughtfully. “I see. And how did you meet Miss Mulgrew?”
    “Mrs. Mulgrew. Her husband is a baronet but they are estranged and have been for years.”
    “And how did you meet Mrs. Mulgrew?”
    “I had heard from a mutual acquaintance that she was making inquiries about a person whom I also considered of interest. I asked that this person introduce us.” The simple explanation neglected to inform him how close she’d come to social suicide with that request. Because Ginny Mulgrew was a courtesan. No need for Dand to know that, however.
    “Mrs. Mulgrew has been extremely helpful. She is as committed as you or I to Napoleon’s downfall.”
    “Brava,” Dand said, but clearly his thoughts had slipped elsewhere. “I commend the lady’s patriotism. It had just better not interfere with my goal.”
    “Goal?” The simple word alerted her. “You aren’t here to relay a message, are you? You’re here with some more important purpose.”
    He did not deny it.
    “Tell me. I may be able to help.”
    Dand raked his hand through his hair and nodded. “A letter has been stolen. Its contents could destroy a proposed alliance that might see an end to Napoleon’s military expansion on the Continent.”
    “A letter?” Charlotte repeated, all else forgotten. “A letter in a specially sealed cylinder stolen from Paris?”
    “Yes.” His hand fell to his side. “How did you know?”
    “Because it is here. Or rather the man who says he has possession of it is here, in London.”
    Dand was across the room in five great strides, grabbing her arm and pulling her toward the settee. He pushed her down and sat beside her. “Tell me everything,” he demanded. “Who is this man?”
    “Comte Maurice St. Lyon, a French loyalist, or so he claims. He has been living in England for several years. He is enormously wealthy, a connoisseur, and an art collector. Though no one seems to know the source of his wealth, he is extremely well connected.
    “We know he has contacted several foreign dignitaries, as well as people without official rank or title but who nonetheless hold enormous power, hinting that he is in possession of a sealed letter that was detoured from an ‘interesting’ destination. He has invited them to his castle where, three weeks hence, they will have the opportunity to