Page 33 of The Truth Serum (My Lady’s Potions #2)

“And you think he and my brother are the same. That Fletcher would betray his country for coin.”

Nate twisted awkwardly in his seat. Becca had just made a leap that he couldn’t argue. But neither could he agree with it…yet.

“The baron wants money because he likes being rich. He likes the attention it gives him. And he likes the idea of your dowry, especially your dower property. It is right next to the water, isn’t it? With a cave that’s perfect for smuggling.”

Becca swallowed. “Two or three of them have been used for just that purpose in years past.” She took a breath. “So that explains the baron’s interest in me. And Fletcher wants to trade me for power and respect. He wants the baron to support his bid for a seat in the House of Commons.”

Ras snorted. “What power comes from the House of Commons?”

“There’s power there,” Nate countered. “Especially if it comes with money. Fletcher and the baron could be a powerful alliance.” At least Lord Benedict thought so.

Kynthea cleared her throat. “So you’re trying to stop the sale of guns to France.”

“Yes.”

Ras folded his arms. “And I will block Fletcher’s bid for a political seat.”

Becca winced at that, but she didn’t object. It took Kynthea to voice the next obvious question.

“But why does Rebecca have to pretend with the baron?”

“We need to learn the date the exchange will happen—the money for the guns.” Nate looked to Ras. “Did you get it?”

“Yes. Next Tuesday.”

“Good. I think I can find the location of the exchange.”

Ras’s brows rose. “Really? How?”

Nate grinned. “I was a waterman, and they know everything about what moves on the Thames. If I know when, I’ll find out where.”

“And you’ll catch them?” Kynthea asked.

It was better than that. Cleaner, assuming his information was correct. “I’ll catch the Frenchmen early, before they make the exchange. And then I will impersonate them—”

“And catch the traitorous Englishmen.”

“Yes.” It was easier to confront each party individually. There was too much risk and it would be too chaotic to do it all at once.

“But that still doesn’t explain what Rebecca has to do with the baron,” Kynthea pressed.

“The baron knows my face. I’ll wear some kind of disguise, but it might not be enough. So he has to be busy. He has to send his second in command.”

“But Monsieur Joguet knows you, too.”

Ras spoke up then. “Monsieur isn’t part of the operation yet. He spoke of larger shipments, bigger supplies that have to be purchased then smuggled out—”

“Through my dower property,” Becca said. She lifted her chin. “If I keep the baron busy that night, who will he send instead?”

“His half-brother, most likely,” Nate said. “I’m not sure. I just have to keep the baron away while we catch his accomplice. And once we have him, we’ll be able to implicate the baron.”

Kynthea still didn’t see the sense in it. “But anyone could distract the baron. He will attend parties. He enjoys the social rounds.”

“He can’t,” Becca answered, catching on faster than her friend. “He’s a pariah right now. No one will accept him back into society, not unless I entertain his suit. If I show him all is forgiven, if he thinks I will accept him, then he will come.”

Nate nodded. “He wants your dower property, and for that he has to marry you.” He waited while she absorbed everything he’d said.

Kynthea still looked confused. Ras was angry, but completely on board with the plan.

But it all hinged on Becca, and she was clearly thinking the whole situation through, silently examining it from all different angles.

In this, she reminded him of Lord Benedict. Silently considering all the options before making the right decision.

“So I am the baron’s way back into society. He’ll come to the ball, and then what? Do I get him to talk somehow?”

God, no! “That would be too dangerous. Can you let people know that you’ll dance with him at the Penrose ball? That’s next Tuesday. I can get him an invitation, especially if you indicate that you’d be open to forgiving him.”

She nodded slowly. “And after that?”

He shrugged. “Then you charm him. You dance with him and talk with him. But do not under any circumstances go outside with him. You must stay inside the ballroom, where there are lots of people.” He glanced at Ras and Kynthea. “I will count on you to make sure she’s safe.”

“Of course—” Kynthea said, but she was interrupted by Ras.

“Absolutely not. If you are risking your life impersonating French smugglers, I shall be there to help you. I’m a good man in a fight, if you recall.”

“That was when we were twelve,” Nate said. “I have everything in hand.” That was a lie, but he would not risk his friend.

Ras shook his head. “It’s too dangerous.”

Nate felt a rush of gratitude for this man. A duke who would risk his own life just on Nate’s word. “Thank you,” he whispered. “But no. You are not trained.”

He refused to budge on this point, and eventually Ras was made to see reason. But of course, everything hinged upon Becca. He strongly believed the baron would refuse any other lure, so it had to be her.

She’d been noticeably silent while he argued with Ras. And her body had gone so still, she looked as if she’d been turned to stone. So when bit by bit all three of them turned to her, she looked away, the confusion and anxiety stark on her face.

“I cannot understand how this is real,” she said. Then her gaze slowly lifted to his. “But if any of it could be, it would be you. I see that now. You were never going to be a quiet man of the land like Henry. Always, you had to be spectacular.”

His lips curved in a slight smile. “You’d be surprised how wearisome ‘spectacular’ can be. I am only trying to serve my country.”

“And I can do no less?” she challenged.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I know,” she said. “I’m just afraid.”

“Of what?”

“Of another disaster.”

He knew what she meant. The last time he had drawn her into something, her father had died from the shock of discovering them.

This wasn’t the same thing, of course. That had been youthful indiscretion.

This was something entirely different. But he could read the fear on her face, and the memory of her father’s heart attack was stark in both their memories.

“I am not a boy anymore,” he said as he reached for her cold hands. “And you are not a green girl. I am only asking you to dance with a man who wants to marry you.”

“A man who is a traitor to England.”

True.

“But I’ve already sworn to Fletcher that I won’t consider him.”

“If you don’t want to do this Becca, I’ll find another way.”

“Oh stop!” she huffed as he pulled her hands away from him. “You know I will. I have never refused one of your schemes before. I just have to work myself into believing you.”

That hurt. Did she think he’d made all this up? That he was a man of elaborate fantasies?

“What can I say to convince you of the truth?”

She looked to Ras. “You believe him?”

The duke’s answer came swiftly. “Absolutely. I’ve suspected something for a while, but when Lord Benedict visited his sickroom, I was sure.” He shrugged. “I also listened at the door, so that helped.”

She nodded. “Very well.” Her tone was decisive, and Nate knew she wouldn’t waver from that decision. “But I must ask something from you in return.”

“Anything,” he answered.

“After this is done, you must help me escape my family.”

She was looking at Nate, but Kynthea was the one who spoke first.

“Escape? And do what?”

Becca smiled. “Whatever I want.” Her gaze locked with Nate’s. “You must help me get my dowry—the money and the property. I can sell the land for more money, and then I will live by myself as far away from Fletcher as it is possible to get.”

“By yourself?” Nate asked. He wanted her far away from Fletcher, too. But without anyone? “Won’t you be lonely?”

“Never.”

Whether true or not, she believed it. And her vehemence told him clearer than anything that she needed to be free. Of everyone and everything.

“Done,” Nate said. And for him, it was as firm a commitment as a vow before God. Even if it meant he never saw her again.