A Daring Passion

She paused in astonishment at his words. “But why? You said they were worth a fortune.”

“And so they are, but not if the person buying them believes them to be stolen.” His smile was mocking. “There are few who would believe that the son of a Portuguese fisherman would have claim to such valuable property.”

“Oh.” Raine lifted a hand to her heart, stark regret flaring through her. Lud, but there were moments when she truly was stupid. She would never do anything to hurt this man. Not even if it meant assisting Philippe. “I never thought…I am sorry, Carlos.”

He gave a shake of his head, his expression revealing that he had no desire to speak of the hours he spent attempting to sell the jewels.

“It does not matter, I have managed to acquire what you need.”

“A good thing.” She reached into her sleeve to pull out the crumpled note she had read a dozen times while she waited for Carlos’s return. “A boy brought this to the door just after luncheon.”

Smoothing the torn piece of vellum, Carlos swiftly read through the short note. It said nothing more than that Raine was to come alone to meet Seurat in the cemetery of Pere-Lachaise at half past nine. And to bring the money she had promised.

Carlos lifted his head, his expression grim. “The cemetery is not far, but we do not have much time.”

“We?” Raine gave a wild shake of her head. “No, Carlos, you cannot go. If Seurat catches a glimpse of you he is certain to bolt.”

Carlos reached out to grasp her shoulders in a tight grip, his eyes smoldering with an unreadable emotion. “I will remain out of sight, but do not think for a moment that I will allow you to go to this meeting without me. For all we know it could be a trap.”

Raine swallowed her sigh. It would be pleasant to just once have a man who did not feel the compulsion to give her commands.

“That is ridiculous.” She met his gaze squarely. “If Seurat desired to hurt me he could have done so while he had me in his rooms. All he desires is the ability to live his life with a bit of dignity.”

“He is a madman.” He gave her a slight shake. “Who can say what he might take it in his mind to do?”

“Carlos…”

“No,” he growled in warning. “Either I go or I will lock you in your rooms and reveal all to Philippe when he returns. There will be no debate on this.”

Raine rolled her eyes, not doubting for a moment he would lock her away. Carlos had agreed to assist her, but it would be by his rules.

“Very well, but you must not allow Seurat to catch sight of you.” With her own command delivered Raine turned and gathered the cloak she had left on a nearby chair. “We must go. If I am late there is no telling what Seurat might do.”

She was busily tugging the cloak around her shoulders when Carlos cupped her chin in his hand and forced her to meet his searching gaze.

“You are certain of this, anjo?”

She blinked in puzzlement. “Certain of what?”

His expression was oddly somber as he studied her upturned countenance. “If you meet with Seurat, if you offer him the money necessary to make his escape from Paris, Philippe might never forgive you.”

Raine was star

tled by the sharp, wrenching pain that twisted her heart. Had she not already accepted her plan would bring an end to her fleeting relationship with Philippe? What did it matter if he walked away with indifference or disgust?

Strangely she realized it did matter. The thought that Philippe might recall their time together with anger rather than fondness made her feel as if a black cloud had settled upon her soul.

Which was absurd, she sternly chided her flare of despondency. What did it matter if Philippe cursed her from dawn to dusk? When he returned to Madeira she would never set eyes upon him again.

She was doing what was right. She could not hesitate out of some foolish fear that Philippe might not appreciate her efforts to assist him. Someday, if there were any justice in the world, he would accept that this was the best solution for everyone involved.

“My decision is made, Carlos,” she said, relieved when her voice did not quaver. “I will see it through.”

She thought she heard him sigh before he squared his shoulders with determination.

“So be it, Raine.” A faint smile touched his lips. “We shall go to the devil together.”

THE DAY WAS A LONG and frustrating one for Philippe. Despite the numerous boys that continued to haunt the streets, there had been no sightings of Seurat. And Philippe’s own discreet searches of the various buildings had provided nothing more than suspicious glances and a handful of threats to call for the guards.