“Then why, when something threatens both, do you keep your plans from me?”

There was a headache drumming behind Armand’s temple. He closed his eyes a moment, but didn’t lift a hand to soothe it. “Two years ago, Lady Hannah Rothchild was chosen out of a half dozen highly qualified operatives to infiltrate and destroy Deboque’s organization. We were aware, as she was, of the risks involved, and the time and skill it would take to succeed.”

“Why her?” Bennett found he didn’t want to think beyond that for a moment. It was an answer he had to have before he could deal with the others.

“Reeve felt Hannah’s talents were uniquely suited to the operation. She’s been with the ISS for ten years.”

“Ten years?” Bennett roamed the room again as he tried to take it in. “How is that possible? She’s so young.”

“She’s second generation,” Armand said mildly. “Her father trained her himself while she was still in school. Lord Rothchild, though semiretired now, is one of the most valued agents in the ISS. He had some part in Reeve’s early training, which was another reason Reeve leaned toward Hannah for this assignment.”

“Ten years,” Bennett repeated. How many women had she been? How many lies had she told?

“Apparently she had a natural aptitude for this kind of work.” He saw his son’s jaw set, but went on. “After reading Reeve’s report on her, I had to agree that she was best suited for what we had in mind.”

“Deboque often uses women,” Bennett murmured.

“He feels they can be more cunning, even more cruel, than men.” Armand remembered Janet Smithers and the bullet that had been dug out of his son’s flesh. “His preference runs to a certain type, quiet, well-bred, spotless pedigrees.”

“Hannah.”

“Yes. It was those qualities in her which weighed the decision in her favor. With the cooperation of the ISS a deep background was created for her. The credentials she was given made it possible for her to slip into Deboque’s company. In two years, she’s moved from messenger to the top of the organization.”

“The top?” The fear started then, like something foul in the back of his throat. “What do you mean?”

“She’s met with Deboque himself, and by managing to discredit one of his top men, is now filling that position herself. Reeve explained to you that as far as Deboque knows, she’s here at the palace as his instrument.”

Bitterness was more palatable than fear. He concentrated on it. “She plays the game very well.”

“An agent in her position plays the game well or loses her life. You know firsthand that Deboque doesn’t hesitate to kill. Her name and the operation itself were kept in strictest confidence not to protect you or the rest of the family, Bennett, but to protect her.”