on the opposite side but was caught from behind and pulled back into the coach. Something went over her mouth, her lungs burned, and everything went dark.
***
“Wake up!”
Genie awoke in a dark place with a damp chill to the air. She lifted her head slowly, only to find she was tied to a chair. Around her was blackness, a single lantern on a table the only light.
“Where is it?” demanded Blakely. “Where is the code? I told you to bring me the letter with the red seal in the duke’s safe!”
Genie tested her bounds, but she was tied securely. “You are the Candyman, the moneylender!”
“And you are too smart for your own good.”
“But why? Why wear a disguise and pretend to be a moneylender. What kind of a gentleman are you?”
Blakely smiled. “I am no gentleman at all.”
“What do you mean? I was assured Mr. Blakely owns a respectable estate in the country.”
“He does, or shall I say did. But I am not Mr. Blakely.”
Genie shuddered from the chill creeping through her. “But you… who are you?”
“I have been known by many names. I would say I was at your service, but we both know it would be a lie. All you need to know is that I am devoted to seeing my homeland thrive under the rule of Napoleon and have no scruples when it comes to achieving my goal.” He smiled, but his eyes were cold.
“I don’t understand.”
“No, of course not. But what you think is of little value and no importance.”
“You are French?”
“But of course.”
French? How could she not know? “But your accent. You sound the English gentleman.”
“I am the bastard son of the Duc de Vermette. He was well pleased with me, raised me to the pomp and privilege of the duke’s son, until he remarried and she gave him an heir. She wanted to secure the power and fortune for her own brat, so I was packed off to an English boarding school when I was eight years old.”
“So you have lived in England?”
A cruel glint flashed in his eyes. “I returned to my homeland in time to report my father to the tribunal. I was there when he, his wife, and their nasty son all met their fate courtesy of Madame Guillotine.”
Genie’s pulse raced and she tried to wrench her hands free. He was a monster.
“See how it all worked out for the good? It taught me to value what is truly important in life—money.”
“What is it you want?” whispered Genie.
“Simple. I want the code to find the spies—the letter with the red seal. Marchford has it. I want it. I have been offered a sum of money vast enough to turn the most loyal of hearts. Which, of course, mine never was.”
Blakely pulled a knife from his boot and placed it on the table. “If I am willing to put my own father’s head in the guillotine, just think of what I might do to you. You will tell me what I want to know. Where is the letter with the red seal?”
Genie swallowed hard. She feared she might get caught in her deception, but she had never imagined a scenario such as this. She needed to think fast. He thought her foolish so she could use that. “I went to the duke’s study and opened the safe, just as you told me to. There was only one letter with a red seal. Is this not the red seal you were looking for?”
Blakely shoved the blank paper before her. “It is blank! How do you explain it?”
“I… I did not open the seal.”
“Dammit!” Blakely cursed as he paced back and forth. “I’ve been tricked. It was all a farce. The duke, it is his fault!”
Genie sincerely prayed he would continue to direct his anger toward the duke and away from her.
“I have done everything you asked of me. Please, let me go!” Genie’s voice sounded higher, louder than normal. Fear was making her bold, even as she began to succumb to panic.
“You have seen too much.”
“They will be looking for me.”
“People saw you leave in a coach with Mr. Blakely. I will circulate a rumor that you and Mr. Blakely resolved their differences and eloped.”
“I would never!” cried Genie, forgetting for a moment her actual actions of last night were considerably worse. Had it only been last night? It seemed ages ago that she was held in the strong arms of Grant. The thought brought tears to her eyes.
“Do not cry. I cannot