“Surely an attempt by Éléonore to flush him out. Simon, you take too much upon yourself with this. I trust him, and I will entertain no more conversation on the subject. Meet at rendezvous point four at the break of dawn.” She couldn’t think about how her emotions undoubtedly clouded her opinion of Matteo, nor could she bear to consider him anything other than lovely and heroic.

Footsteps sounded in the hallway, and the door slowly cracked open. The curtains closed around Simon and Scarlet as voices entered the library.

The Comtesse de Molier said, “I cannot think why she would come here. Are we at risk? What if she ships us back to France?”

The comte replied, “Now, my dear. Surely she has no power here.”

“She will find a way. Éléonore is such a force in France.”

“But here, she is nothing. Perhaps her presence will be indulged by the prince, perhaps not. But her words and her threats mean nothing to us.”

Scarlet looked into Simon’s face, trying not to disturb the curtains. She suspected she understood the motivation for the unprecedented visit. And her heart felt uneasy at her own sudden imminent departure, leaving Matteo to Éléonore’s clutches.

Chapter Nine

Scarlet and Matteo sat quietly in the carriage as they rumbled through the streets toward the Cavendish estate. He tried to review all the people he had met, memorizing faces and names, hoping to fit himself tightly into their society to garner support for his homeland, but his thoughts continued to jar to a stop as Éléonore’s impending presence interrupted in his mind. Why was she coming here? He feared he knew the answer.

“The prince would like to see us tomorrow morning. This is such great news, as he expressly mentioned that he wants to discuss the problems in France.”

Clearing his throat, Matteo said, “I am pleased to hear it. After spending so many hours with the man, I was beginning to wonder if he has a sensible thought in his head.”

Scarlet smiled gently. “And my head? Were you worried about the thoughts in my head as well?” Her eyes widened, and he felt drawn to her open vulnerability.

He moved to her side of the carriage and took her hand in his. “I have nothing but pleasant feelings about the thoughts in your head, be they about fashion or social engagements or filled with nonsensical poetry. I find I want to intimately know every little thought.”

Her eyes misted over. “You are too kind, Matteo. It is so refreshing to hear you say such things. More and more, you are my breath of fresh air and my sunny day.”