Free Napoleon's Woman by Samantha Saxon Page A

avoided. The prime minister would like a report on your progress in identifying our traitor. Perceval was not pleased with the loss of The Minerva . As you know, the supplies she was carrying were sorely needed on the peninsula."
    "Yes, Your Grace. I am well aware of the urgency of the situation." The old man nodded then continued, "We know that the traitor is going by the name of Lion. He has sold information to the French, information that cost us dearly at Corunna and Saragossa. My assistant, Lord Cunningham, has recently intercepted a missive with the Lion’s seal. The information contained in the document was only available to five men holding sensitive committee positions within Whitehall. Lords Reynolds, Cantor, Elkin, Ferrell and Hambury."
    "A peer?" Gilbert could not hide his shock.
    "Yes, Your Grace."
    "How do you intend to prove which of these men is a traitor?"
    The old man stared and then smiled politely. "You may assure the prime minister that the matter is being addressed."
    Gilbert smiled, knowing that he would get no more details of the operation. "Excellent. Now, if I may impose on you concerning another matter?"
    "Certainly, Your Grace."
    "The Earl of Wessex has just informed me of the presence of a French intelligence officer on British soil."
    The man’s left brow lifted with skepticism and a touch of conceit. "Indeed? An operative that I am unaware of?"
    "Lady Rivenhall, blonde, blue green eyes, five foot six, twenty or so years of age? The lady was searching Lord Reynolds’s bedchamber when she was discovered by Wessex."
    The man showed no emotion. "How did Wessex happen to find her in Lord Reynolds’s bedchamber?"
    "He recognized her in the ballroom and followed her upstairs."
    "How did he recognize her?" The old man inquired evenly.
    "Do you recall his escape after having been captured at Albuera? Lady Rivenhall was the woman from whose troops he escaped."
    The duke waited patiently, knowing the old man would speak when ready. Gilbert lifted his scotch to his lips and lingered several more minutes before the old man decided to talk.
    "If you will forgive me, Your Grace, but your brother-in-law was injured at Albuera, was he not?"
    "Yes, he suffered many injuries at Albuera."
    "But the most severe was a blow to the head?"
    "Yes, however--"
    "Often times," the old man ignored him. "War affects men…afterward."
    "Are you suggesting, sir, that my brother-in-law is delusional."
    "Of course not, Your Grace, merely mistaken. You see, Lady Rivenhall has already been thoroughly investigated by my office, as her mother was a French noblewoman."
    "And the results of your investigation."
    "Lady Rivenhall is exactly what she seems, an English Lady displaced, like so many others, by the French revolution."
    Gilbert took air into his lungs as he tried to take the information into his mind. "But Wessex was quite certain--"
    "Your brother-in-law was mistaken, Your Grace." The old man met his eye before saying, "Lady Rivenhall has been in London for well over a year. It could not have been she who interrogated the Earl of Wessex on the peninsula. I am sorry."
    Gilbert sat back, dazed. He stared into his glass and was surprised when the old man’s voice, which had been so grave mere moments before, now became buoyant.
    "And the twins? I believe they are nearing one year, are they not?"
    The duke glanced up in time to nod at Lord Ferth as he passed. "Yes, the dowager duchess intends to invite the entire ton to the celebration; however, my wife is standing firm in favor of a small gathering."
    "Quite sensible," the old man said, but Gilbert scarcely heard him, so troubled was he by the information he had just been given and now must conceal from his wife.

Chapter Nine
     
    Saturday evening finally arrived.
    Not that Aidan wanted to meet Sarah’s selection for bride, but he had arranged to speak with Glenbroke after they dined.
    He bounded up the stairs of his sister’s home looking every inch the English