chance to change world history!”
Well, I’d heard this kind of talk before, and what did I have to show for it? I’d run around Egypt and Jerusalem on the hinge of history and ended up bruised, singed, and heartbroken. “I’m not much for affecting history, I’m afraid. It’s hard, dirty work, quite tiring, with very little recompense, I’ve found.”
“And we’ll discover something worth more than an emperor’scrown.” He looked at me with the crafty expertise of a mule salesman.
That stopped me, shameless mercenary that I am. “Worth more? As in money?”
“You’re a gambler, Ethan Gage. Wouldn’t you like to be rich?”
This Bloodhammer, who had the gleam of a Pizarro eyeing a roomful of Inca gold, was suddenly more interesting. I coughed to clear my throat. “My primary interest is the advancement of knowledge. I am a man of science, after all. Yet if there is reward to be had, I’m not opposed to compensation. As my mentor Franklin said, “Rather go to bed without dinner than to rise in debt.”
“You didn’t have dinner?”
“I’m chronically in debt. Just what is this treasure, Magnus?”
“I can only confide in a place less public than this.” He surveyed the assembly, now drifting back inside and preparing to go home, the way Bonaparte took in a battlefield. “Soon they will scatter, and we will be at risk again from the foul brigands who accosted you. Our first challenge is to make it out of Mortefontaine alive.”
W HEN YOU’RE WATCHFUL, EVERY STRANGER SEEMS TO BE watching. What had seemed an hour before to be an assembly of friends now looked ominous and menacing. With so many soldiers about, my assailants could most easily have infiltrated by being invited guests—but if so, which ones were they? I hadn’t gotten a proper view in the dark. Gaiety still reigned, inebriation was almost universal, laughter and wit were loud, and the only person who looked out of place was the one proposing to be my companion, Magnus Bloodhammer. Wouldn’t Danes be blond? I looked at every light-haired male with suspicion, but none even noticed my scrutiny.
Perhaps they were lurking by the gate. My hired coach wouldn’t be hard to spot and follow, once I climbed in, and in the dark forest between the château and Paris I’d be easy prey. I could ask Bonapartefor escort, but then I’d have to explain about Magnus, treasure, and his married sister. Better to steal off discreetly. I was considering how when a small hand pulled my arm.
“Come,” Pauline whispered. “There’s time for another round in a boudoir upstairs!”
By Cupid’s arrow, the randy girl didn’t discourage easily, did she? I’m dragged off, half-cooked, have to boat myself back to the party with my hair on fire, and she behaves like all we’ve had is a lover’s recess. I couldn’t imagine what a full night with the minx would be like. Actually, I could imagine, and it was intimidating.
“I’m afraid I have to leave.” Then inspiration struck. “Say, could I share your carriage? I’m trying to avoid those men who interrupted us.”
Her eyes sparkled. “Such delightful temptation! But if you were seen by my brother or his officers, word could get back to my husband.” She cast her eyes down, as if demure. “I do have my reputation.”
Indeed she did. “I could disguise myself as a footman. Do you have one my size I could trade clothes with? It would be a great favor to have him draw those rascals off. He could have my coat as payment.”
Now she looked impish. “And how might you repay me , monsieur?”
I bowed. “By discussing the customs of a Cairo harem I once visited.” No need to tell her it had been more discouraging than a cold tub in an unheated woodshed.
“I do adore geography.”
“There are all kinds of places we could explore,” I encouraged. “Say, I have a friend…”
“Monsieur!” Her eyes widened. “Ménage à trois?”
“Who would be happy to ride outside beside the
Well, I’d heard this kind of talk before, and what did I have to show for it? I’d run around Egypt and Jerusalem on the hinge of history and ended up bruised, singed, and heartbroken. “I’m not much for affecting history, I’m afraid. It’s hard, dirty work, quite tiring, with very little recompense, I’ve found.”
“And we’ll discover something worth more than an emperor’scrown.” He looked at me with the crafty expertise of a mule salesman.
That stopped me, shameless mercenary that I am. “Worth more? As in money?”
“You’re a gambler, Ethan Gage. Wouldn’t you like to be rich?”
This Bloodhammer, who had the gleam of a Pizarro eyeing a roomful of Inca gold, was suddenly more interesting. I coughed to clear my throat. “My primary interest is the advancement of knowledge. I am a man of science, after all. Yet if there is reward to be had, I’m not opposed to compensation. As my mentor Franklin said, “Rather go to bed without dinner than to rise in debt.”
“You didn’t have dinner?”
“I’m chronically in debt. Just what is this treasure, Magnus?”
“I can only confide in a place less public than this.” He surveyed the assembly, now drifting back inside and preparing to go home, the way Bonaparte took in a battlefield. “Soon they will scatter, and we will be at risk again from the foul brigands who accosted you. Our first challenge is to make it out of Mortefontaine alive.”
W HEN YOU’RE WATCHFUL, EVERY STRANGER SEEMS TO BE watching. What had seemed an hour before to be an assembly of friends now looked ominous and menacing. With so many soldiers about, my assailants could most easily have infiltrated by being invited guests—but if so, which ones were they? I hadn’t gotten a proper view in the dark. Gaiety still reigned, inebriation was almost universal, laughter and wit were loud, and the only person who looked out of place was the one proposing to be my companion, Magnus Bloodhammer. Wouldn’t Danes be blond? I looked at every light-haired male with suspicion, but none even noticed my scrutiny.
Perhaps they were lurking by the gate. My hired coach wouldn’t be hard to spot and follow, once I climbed in, and in the dark forest between the château and Paris I’d be easy prey. I could ask Bonapartefor escort, but then I’d have to explain about Magnus, treasure, and his married sister. Better to steal off discreetly. I was considering how when a small hand pulled my arm.
“Come,” Pauline whispered. “There’s time for another round in a boudoir upstairs!”
By Cupid’s arrow, the randy girl didn’t discourage easily, did she? I’m dragged off, half-cooked, have to boat myself back to the party with my hair on fire, and she behaves like all we’ve had is a lover’s recess. I couldn’t imagine what a full night with the minx would be like. Actually, I could imagine, and it was intimidating.
“I’m afraid I have to leave.” Then inspiration struck. “Say, could I share your carriage? I’m trying to avoid those men who interrupted us.”
Her eyes sparkled. “Such delightful temptation! But if you were seen by my brother or his officers, word could get back to my husband.” She cast her eyes down, as if demure. “I do have my reputation.”
Indeed she did. “I could disguise myself as a footman. Do you have one my size I could trade clothes with? It would be a great favor to have him draw those rascals off. He could have my coat as payment.”
Now she looked impish. “And how might you repay me , monsieur?”
I bowed. “By discussing the customs of a Cairo harem I once visited.” No need to tell her it had been more discouraging than a cold tub in an unheated woodshed.
“I do adore geography.”
“There are all kinds of places we could explore,” I encouraged. “Say, I have a friend…”
“Monsieur!” Her eyes widened. “Ménage à trois?”
“Who would be happy to ride outside beside the
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