Intriguing Lady by Leonora Blythe Read Free Book Online Page B

it?” he continued smoothly, oblivious to the look of horror on her face. “I met you yesterday in Le Cateau.”
    Roberta nodded in a dreamlike fashion and wondered how he had discovered her name. She wanted to pinch herself to make certain she was awake and not suffering some terrible nightmare. But the awful reality of her situation was borne swiftly home when she felt him grip her elbow. His fingers were like a steel trap, and she suddenly felt as vulnerable as any caught animal.
    “Would you care for a stroll, perhaps?” he asked. “You might take a chill if you just stand in this cold wind. After your recent illness, I think that would not be advised.”
    “No—no, thank you, Monsieur le Comte. I—I have been away from my cabin too long as it is. Ashley and Papa will be worried.” She tried to pull her arm free, but his grasp was relentless.
    “Ah, yes! Your papa. How is he? I trust he has weathered the journey well.”
    Roberta shivered involuntarily at his menacing tone. “Amazingly well,” she replied with as much indifference as she could muster. “Though he did work himself up into a rage when we were stopped by some soldiers.” She broke off and gave a shrill laugh. “But, how silly of me. You must have heard about that, and about my ailment, from the young man who questioned us. Do you happen to know if they found the person they were seeking?”
    The comte appeared to weigh the seeming innocence of her question. Then, evidently deciding that it was genuine, he laughed. “You are extremely quick-witted, mademoiselle,” he said admiringly. “I did, indeed, hear of your recent sojourn in Switzerland from the young man. But, to answer your question, no, the person we are looking for has not yet been apprehended.”
    “He must have committed a terrible crime, for the army to be involved in the search. In England, the army would only be called into service for such a search if the fugitive had committed a crime of high treason.”
    “Ah! I see your meaning. It is the same in France. The man we are looking for is a traitor. A spy!”
    “No!” Roberta exclaimed, and struggled to hide the amusement she felt at such an outrageous claim. “Really! How simply terrifying. I hope you catch up with him. I can’t bear to think that such men get away.”
    “He won’t,” the comte assured her. “Our net is widespread, and he won’t slip through it.”
    The confidence with which he spoke caused a feeling of apprehension to well up inside her. Suddenly she realized he had spoken the truth about his reasons for hunting Sir Nicholas. She inhaled deeply to steady her nerves and tried to grasp the import of what she had just learned. But her mind refused to function. She felt only an overwhelming desire to rid herself of the comte’s presence and to warn Sir Nicholas.
    “I hope my careless revelations have not alarmed you, Mademoiselle Rushforth,” the comte said in the face of her continuing silence. “I will personally insure that you are not harmed.”
    “You—you mean he is on this boat?” Roberta asked, acting the part of a frightened lady without difficulty. She was frightened, not for herself, but for Sir Nicholas.
    “So I have been informed. That is why I am confident we will succeed in capturing him. If it is true that he is here, he is trapped.” He laughed again, revealing several black teeth and finally relinquishing his grasp on her arm. “Allow me to escort you back to your cabin, Mademoiselle Rushforth. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you.”
    “Thank you,” Roberta murmured faintly. “You’re very kind, but I don’t think it necessary. I don’t think Ashley would approve if she knew I had been talking to a stranger.”
    “Hardly a stranger,” he replied in a caressing voice. “After all, we have met before.”
    “But—but we were not introduced,” Roberta responded quickly. She could feel the small hairs at her nape rising as he stepped closer and