Free Fates for Apate by Sue London Page B

here. I don't care who sponsored you." His voice became low and deadly. "Don't you dare talk to Hardenberg or Metternich about this or about the letter."
    Casimir was glad that one of the first things he had learned in life was how to lie convincingly. How to act calm and assured when he felt far from it. "Otto, I don't know what letter you're talking about. And I certainly haven't shared any of our correspondence with the British. However, if you want me to leave the delegation, I'll respect that."
    "Where is my letter?"
    "Have Hans secure all the correspondence on my desk, I won't even touch it. You can have him search my quarters as well. I have nothing to hide."
    Anyone observing their conversation would have assumed it to be between a paranoid official and his perplexed but conciliatory underling. But while Casimir stood, seeming polite and attentive with his hand clasped behind his back, his mind was also churning with everything that he needed to do. The truth was that he had volumes of correspondence in his quarters, from every nation represented at the Congress, no matter how large or small. He had spent months purloining anything that he thought could help Poland. Other items had been given to him by helpful friends and acquaintances. It's not like he had it all piled up in the center of his bed, but a sufficiently clever man could find the hiding places where information was squirreled away. 
    What bothered him most of all, though, was that Gina was likely in danger. Otto's reaction made him think that these dealings were not sanctioned by either the Prussian or British governments. Therefore, having it revealed to Britain could be an embarrassment for Prussia. Something that Otto didn't want to be caught in the middle of. That he might be willing to kill to conceal.
    Otto finally spoke. "Just get out. Don't touch your desk. And I want to hear you are leaving Vienna by morning."
    Casimir nodded. "As you wish, sir."
    Once in the hallway, Casimir found Hans again.
    "I thought we were friends," he hissed to the Prussian officer.
    Hans looks confused. "We are friends."
    "Then give me one hour before you come to search my quarters."
    "Why am I searching your quarters?"
    "Otto thinks I have his letter."
    "Do you?"
    "No, I don't."
    "Then why do you need an hour?"
    "If I make it through this, I'll explain it to you sometime."
    Hans held out his hand to shake. "Good luck."
    "Why-?"
    "You're leaving."
    "How do you know that?"
    "Because I know things. That's why you like me."
    "Watch your back with Otto."
    Hans gave a half smile. "Someone should warn him to watch his back with me."
    "Good luck to you, too. I hope to see you again."
    "Of course you will. So you can explain that hour."
    Casimir made his way to his quarters hastily.
    "Wladek!"     
    The young man emerged from his room. "Yes, Casimir?"
    "Thank God you're here." He took hold of Wladek's shoulders. "I have to go. Now. I'll take the documents with me, but I'll be on horseback and can take little else. As for the rest of my things, sell what you can and take the rest back home."
    "I'll go with you."
    "No, Wladek, you've done enough. Go home to Jadzia. I'm sure your wife misses you." 
    "Where are you going?"
    Casimir frowned. "London, I think. I at least have to warn her."
    "Your Mrs. Appleton?"
    "That's the best part, Wladek," he said with a smile, while opening up a satchel. "I found out last night that she's not actually married. She's Miss… Hmm, you know, I didn't think to ask. But she's not married."
    Wladek nodded thoughtfully while helping to pile documents into the bottom of the satchel. "That changes things. Your mother won't be happy."
    "Yes, well, few things make my mother happy anymore."
    "Forgive me,  książę , but that's not true."
    "I correct myself, there's nothing that I can do that will make my mother happy. So I don't see the point in worrying about it."
    "She has suffered a great loss. You should have more sympathy for her."
    "I have