Chapter 20

Simone sat across from her companion as she waited for the coach to come to a stop in front of Lord Pendley's townhouse. Mrs. Fernsby was proving to be a hindrance, which was something she didn't have time for.

She had to find Victor and stop him before he killed anyone. But that was only the beginning. The next step was ensuring that her father and Juliette were arrested. It sounded simple enough, but she knew she needed all her wits about her to complete this assignment.

The coach came to a stop and it dipped to the side as a footman exited his perch. Once the door was opened, Simone accepted the footman's hand and stepped onto the pavement. She took a moment to adjust her long white gloves and smooth down her gold ballgown.

Caleb approached her and bowed. "Miss Delacourt," he greeted. "You look like a vision of perfection this evening."

Knowing what was expected of her, she curtsied. "Thank you, Mr. Bolingbroke," she said. "That is most kind of you."

"May I escort you inside?" he asked, extending his arm.

"Yes, thank you," Simone replied.

As she accepted his arm, Caleb shifted his gaze towards Mrs. Fernsby. "I shall see to Miss Delacourt this evening." His tone was firm, unwavering.

Looking unsure, Mrs. Fernsby replied, "Lord Hungerton has tasked me to watch over Miss Delacourt."

"Yes, but she is my fiancée now and I am responsible for her welfare," Caleb stated. "You may return home for the evening."

Mrs. Fernby pursed her lips before saying, "I believe I shall wait in the ballroom for my charge so I can at least escort her home."

"Very well." Caleb started to lead her away from her companion as he said in a hushed voice, "There is no sign of Victor."

"Where could he be?" Simone asked.

Caleb shrugged one shoulder. "I don't know, but we will find him," he said. "But your father and Juliette are here."

"I suspected as much, but why did they come, knowing that we were on to them?" Simone asked.

"I suppose to see Victor's handiwork," Caleb suggested.

Simone frowned. "Something isn't right, but I am not sure what it is," she admitted. "Regardless, we need to convince General Merrell and the other lords to leave the ball at once. It isn't safe for them here."

They arrived in the entry hall of the grand townhouse and bypassed the receiving line. Once they arrived in the ballroom, Simone went on her tiptoes and her eyes roamed over the hall, trying to decide their next course of action.

Caleb pointed towards the rear of the ballroom. "I see General Merrell. Let's start with him," he said before he started leading her through the crowds of people.

Simone's gaze fell upon the tall general, resplendent in his military uniform. Contrary to her expectations, he appeared younger, though his dark hair bore distinguished streaks of white. His very presence exuded authority, casting an imposing aura that commanded attention.

"How do you want to handle this?" Caleb asked.

"We tell him the truth, all of it," Simone replied.

Caleb lifted his brow. "Are you sure?"

Simone nodded. "It is the only way," she said, squaring her shoulders. She didn't want to admit that she was an agent of the Crown, but time was of the essence.

The general's eyes watched her as she approached him. They were kind, but they had an alertness about them.

Simone came to a stop in front of him and decided to dispense with the pleasantries. "You need to leave the ball at once. Your life is in danger," she said.

He smiled. "My dear, my life is always in danger," he remarked.

Caleb spoke up. "It would be best if we introduced ourselves," he said. "My name is Mr. Bolingbroke." He patted Simone's hand. "And this is Miss Delacourt, my fiancée."

The general bowed. "Miss Delacourt, a pleasure," he said. "Now, why do you think my life is in danger?"

This was it. It was time to reveal the truth and hope that he had enough sense to believe her. "We have reason to suspect that a French spy is going to release grenades in the ballroom to kill you and the members of the House of Lords," she revealed.

Growing serious, the general asked, "How did you come by this information?"

She held his gaze. "I am an agent of the Crown."

The general didn't look surprised by her admission. "I see," he said. "And I must assume that Mr. Bolingbroke is a spy, as well."

"I am," Caleb confirmed. "If you don't leave, hundreds of people could be killed, including you."

With a glance at his guards that were standing a few feet back, the general said, "I understand your concern, but if I retreated every time someone threatened my life, I would never have accomplished all that I have."

Simone furrowed her brow. "What of all the innocent people that are in harm's way?"

The general gave her an understanding look. "If I left now, it would be a great insult to Lord Pendley and we need his help in Parliament to help with funding of the war effort," he said. "Furthermore, a soldier does not retreat when things look bleak."

"And if you are killed?" Simone asked.

"I won't be, if you do your job," the general responded. "Now run along and ensure this spy does not wreak havoc on the ballroom."

Simone stared at the general, not quite believing how he could be so calm about what they had just revealed.

The general turned to address the guests that came to speak to him, dismissing them.

While Caleb started to lead Simone away, he whispered, "We need to find Fredrick. Perhaps he can talk some sense into the general."

Simone's eyes scanned the crowded ballroom and she felt panic well up inside of her. This was a crush, and if they didn't stop Victor, hundreds of people could be killed.

Caleb's calm voice broke through the silence. "We will stop Victor."

"How?" Simone asked. "We don't even know where he is."

She had just spoken her words when her father broke through the crowd and stopped in front of her.

"We need to talk," her father said in a curt tone. It wasn't a suggestion, but rather an order. But she expected no different from him.

Simone tilted her chin. "We are talking."

Her father's eyes shifted towards Caleb. "Alone." He held out his hand. "Take a walk with me around the ballroom."

She glanced down at her father's hand. He was the enemy. A traitor. A cheat. A monster. But she knew she needed to hear what he had to say. If not, she would regret it.

Caleb stepped in front of her. "Simone isn't going anywhere with you," he asserted.

Her father looked bored by Caleb's declaration. "I daresay that my daughter can protect herself or so I have been told. Am I mistaken?"

Simone knew that they were going to start drawing unwanted attention if she didn't act fast. And the last thing they needed was to be gossiped about. She came out from behind Caleb and said, "One turn around the ballroom. That is all."

"Simone…" Caleb started, the concern evident in his voice.

"It will be all right," Simone assured him as she accepted her father's hand. "My father wouldn't be foolish enough to cause a scene in front of all these people."

Her father didn't wait for Caleb's reply before he led her towards the side of the ballroom. "I know what you did," he growled.

"You will have to be more specific," she said.

He spared a glance at her. "You broke your mother out of Bedlam."

She gasped. "Mother is alive?" she asked.

Her father narrowed his eyes. "I am not a simpleton," he replied. "Juliette told me what you are and what you do."

Simone kept her face expressionless. "I don't know what you are talking about." So much for Juliette's promise not to tell her father. But she wasn't surprised. In fact, she expected it.

He stopped and turned her to face him. "You know precisely what I am talking about, and we don't have time for these games," he said. "You weren't supposed to come this evening. You need to leave."

"If what you are saying is true, you know why I can't," Simone stated.

"You will die, then," her father said.

Simone had so many questions for her father, but she didn't know quite where to start. Or if he would even be honest with her. There were so many lies between them that trusting him would be nearly impossible. "Why?" she asked.

Her father's jaw clenched. "Why, what?"

"Where should I start?" she asked. "You betrayed your country, treated Mother terribly, and tried to cheat me out of my inheritance."

His eyes flashed with surprise. "You know about your inheritance?"

"I have for many days now," Simone replied.

"I must assume you are the reason why the contract went missing," her father said dryly.

Simone took a step closer to him, not cowed by the angry expression on his face. "The missing contract is the least of your concerns. It is only a matter of time until you are arrested and get the comeuppance that you deserve."

Her father smirked. "I will get what I deserve, but it will not be from a prison cell."

She held her hands up. "Look around you," she said. "I have no doubt that agents are just waiting for you to leave so they can arrest you."

"You make it seem like I don't already know that," he said. "I have been doing this for far longer than you."

"Where is Juliette?"

With an amused look, he replied, "She is around. Although, she has rather enjoyed this cat and mouse game with you."

"It isn't a game, Father," Simone declared. "People could get killed, innocent people."

The humor left his expression and his eyes grew hard. "Then they shouldn't be following a tyrant blindly."

"Are you speaking of King George or Napoleon?"

Her father scoffed. "King George is mad, and his son is no better," he said. "Napoleon is a visionary, a true ruler."

"Who is the mad one now?" Simone asked.

Her father reached out and grabbed her arm. "Regardless, you have no business being here. Go home, where it is safe."

"I will not," Simone said, yanking her arm back. "I am curious as to why the sudden concern for my well-being."

"No matter what happens, you are still my daughter."

Simone could hear the faint sincerity in his voice, but she was not about to back down. She had a job to do and she refused to leave these people to their fate. "I'm sorry, but I can't in good conscience let you hurt these people."

Her father looked displeased by her remark. "Forget these people. Think of yourself. Don't you want to live another day?"

She stared up at him, disbelief on her features. "Do you not care about anyone but yourself?"

"I care about you," her father replied.

"You have a funny way of showing it, considering you tried to steal my inheritance from me," she challenged.

"Yes, but only because I needed that money," he stated. "Besides, you are a woman. You didn't need that money since you are marrying Mr. Bolingbroke."

Simone blinked. "That is your excuse."

"You seem to forget that I don't answer to you."

"It was my money to do what I wanted with, and that includes keeping the Earlshall estate," Simone responded.

Her father scoffed. "What are you going to do with a castle? Think, Simone. You don't have the mind for estate management."

With a shake of her head, Simone muttered, "You are a terrible father."

"Just go, Simone," her father said, a hint of pleading in his voice. "I can't do what I need to do and worry about you."

She took a step back. "I'm sorry, Father. I will stop you, and then I will ensure you are arrested and pay for your crimes."

"You can't stop this."

"I daresay that you are underestimating me. You always have," Simone said.

Her father put his hand out but dropped it to his side with a sigh. "Then this is a goodbye," he responded before he spun on his heel, disappearing into the crowd of people.

Simone remained rooted in her spot until she heard Caleb's voice coming from behind her. "What did your father want?"

"To say goodbye," Simone shared, turning to face him. "We have to stop him. My father isn't going to stop until everyone is dead."

Caleb's eyes grew determined. "Leave your father to the other agents. They will no doubt arrest him the moment he leaves the ballroom. But we must find Victor, and quickly. I have searched the ballroom, but I have seen no sign of him. Let's go search the gardens."

"I thought Kendrick already sent agents to do so."

"He did, but they might have missed something," Caleb replied.

Simone bobbed her head. "I think that is a brilliant idea."

Caleb knew of the precariousness of the situation they were facing. If they didn't stop Victor in time, the consequences would be dire.

He glanced at Simone and saw that her jaw was set in determination. He had meant what he had said earlier about her being brave. She was the bravest person that he knew. What she had experienced these past few days would have brought most people to their knees, but not Simone. She stood taller, grew more steadfast.

He was grateful to have Simone as his partner.

Simone's eyes roamed over the gardens as they stood on the veranda. "I don't see Victor, or Juliette, for that matter."

"They have to be out here," Caleb said. "No doubt they are hiding until they release the grenades."

"Perhaps we should go down a path," Simone suggested.

Caleb looked at the many paths in the gardens and asked, "Which one?"

As Simone looked thoughtful, a rustling of bushes came from down the far path, the one that was shrouded in shadows. "I think it is fairly obvious."

"It is no doubt a trap," Caleb said.

"What choice do we have?" Simone asked. "If Juliette or Victor are trying to contact us, we have to go see what they want."

Caleb glanced over his shoulder at the ballroom, knowing his friends were somewhere inside. Surely they would notice his absence if he left the veranda. But Simone was right. They had to investigate the noise, knowing what they knew.

Simone headed down the path without a hint of hesitation. Caleb followed closely behind, his pistol in hand, and his eyes alert. He had an uneasy feeling about this. It was just too convenient that they heard that noise when they did.

As they approached the bush, Juliette stepped out onto the path, holding a pistol in her hand, a smug smile on her lips. "I see that you got my message."

"We did," Simone said, coming to a stop. "What is it that you want?"

"For starters, I want Mr. Bolingbroke to put his pistol on the ground and for you to remove your dagger from the folds of your gown," Juliette replied.

Caleb brought his pistol up, pointing it at Juliette. "I do not think so," he responded. "You drop your weapon."

Juliette turned the pistol towards Simone. "I know you would rather shoot me than talk but would you really risk Simone's life?"

Uncertainty pierced his very soul as he shifted his gaze towards Simone, who looked upon him with fierce determination. He had seen that look before. Simone had a plan and he needed to trust her. He crouched down and tossed his pistol onto the path as Simone did the same with her dagger.

Juliette gestured with her pistol towards a cluster of trees just off the path. "Now I would prefer to have this conversation in private," she said. "Go on."

Caleb placed his hand on the small of Simone's back and led her into the trees. "What is the plan?" he whispered.

"Trust me," she responded.

Juliette's voice came from behind them. "That is far enough," she said. "We can't go too far into the trees or we won't be able to hear the music."

Simone lifted her brow as she turned around to face the French spy. "You have lost, Juliette. Agents are looking for you at this very moment to arrest you and your brother."

With a chuckle, Juliette said, "I took care of those agents that were searching the gardens. I must admit that I was not impressed at how easily I snuck up on them."

"When is the killing going to stop?" Simone asked.

"I don't know, but I will admit it is not as thrilling as my first kill was." Juliette cocked her head at Simone. "You have killed before, haven't you?"

Simone shifted in her stance. "I have not. I have never seen the need."

Juliette looked amused. "A spy that does not kill," she mocked. "How intriguing. Although, I bet your father will be relieved to hear you say that."

"I thought you had no intention of telling my father that I was a spy," Simone said.

"About that, yes, I lied. I do that sort of thing, you know?" Juliette mocked. "I will admit that your father took the news rather hard that you were spying for England. He had halfway hoped that we could turn you into a spy for France."

Lord Hungerton stepped out from the shadows and came to stand next to Juliette. "Leave Simone alone," he ordered.

"I'm afraid we can't do that, not anymore," Juliette said. "We need them out of the way when Victor releases the grenades or we can just kill them now and be done with it."

"If you discharge a pistol now, it will draw unwanted attention and people will come to investigate," Lord Hungerton mused.

"Good point. We will just kill them when the grenades go off," Juliette said. "Then we will make our escape."

Caleb offered them a curious look. "Where will you go?" he asked. "Every agent in England will be looking for you. You will never be free."

"It is a good thing we are returning to France," Juliette replied. "We have already chartered our ride home and the ship will depart once we arrive this evening."

Simone shifted her gaze towards her father. "You are leaving England?" she asked.

"There is nothing left for me here," Lord Hungerton responded. "Napoleon has offered me a French title in exchange for what we are doing here tonight. I will be a vicomte. That is where your inheritance would have come in handy, but Juliette and I will have to make do with what he has graciously promised to bestow upon us."

Juliette beamed. "Napoleon has offered us a fortune for what we have had to sacrifice."

Lord Hungerton held his hands up. "Anyone of importance is at the ball this evening, including most of the members of the House of Lords and the Prime Minister. By killing so many influential people, it would cause mass chaos amongst all levels of our government. England would become vulnerable to outside threats, something which Napoleon intends to take advantage of."

"You would betray your own country for a new title and some money?" Caleb asked in disbelief.

Lord Hungerton's eyes grew hard. "What has my country done for me? I will tell you. Nothing. England has done nothing for me but tax me relentlessly. And why? So our Prince Regent can carry on with his mistress and spend money he doesn't have?"

Simone's eyes seemed to plead with her father. "You don't have to do this. You can do the right thing and walk away."

"If I walk away, I have nothing to show for it," Lord Hungerton stated. "No, I am in too deep to even entertain such a ludicrous idea."

Victor stepped out of the trees and stood next to his sister, holding a grenade in his hand. He had a belt tube around his waist, no doubt holding the match for lighting the fuse. "I am ready to release the grenades."

Juliette looked at her brother with pride. "Victor is one of the most celebrated grenadiers in all of France," she revealed. "When I heard of our next assignment, I knew we had to bring Victor in to help us, despite the risks."

"You have this all planned out, don't you?" Caleb asked.

"We do, especially since we have been working up to this bombing for years," Juliette said. "We have participated in many bombings all over England."

Simone glanced between her father and Juliette. "Is that why you hid my mother in Bedlam because she overheard your plans for one of the bombings?"

Juliette scoffed. "I wanted to kill your mother, but your father refused to do that. So I came up with the idea of tucking her away in Bedlam. Even if she did tell people about our plan, no one would believe her."

Simone's eyes burned with fury. "Do you even have any remorse for what you have done?"

"Why would I?" Juliette asked. "We are at war with your country, or did you forget that? I do what I must to live another day."

"You will pay for what you did to my mother, what you both did!" Simone declared.

Juliette grinned. "What are you going to do?" she asked. "The only reason you are still alive is because we haven't released the grenades."

The music in the ballroom started up again, indicating a set was about to begin.

In a commanding voice, Lord Hungerton ordered, "Release the grenades."

"No! Stop! You can't do that!" Caleb exclaimed. "Just think of what you are doing. All the people that you are going to kill."

Victor held up the grenade. "It will be so easy to release this one in the ballroom. It will roll right by people's feet and they won't be the wiser. Then when it explodes, during the chaos of the aftermath, I will release another one. And another one."

Simone took a step forward. "I won't let you do that."

Juliette cocked her pistol, causing Simone to come to an abrupt stop. "I should have known you would be difficult about all of this."

"Once all the explosions have gone off, we will depart for the ship, and leave this despicable country behind," Victor shared.

Lord Hungerton met Victor's gaze. "Go. Now."

Victor tipped his head before he disappeared back into the trees.

Turning towards Simone, Lord Hungerton said, "It isn't too late for you. You can join us on our journey to France."

"She can?" Juliette asked, a stunned look on her features.

"Yes. She is, after all, my daughter," Lord Hungerton replied.

Juliette frowned. "I gave you my word that I wouldn't hurt her, assuming she didn't get in our way. But she is the enemy, or did you forget that?"

Lord Hungerton didn't acknowledge Juliette's remark as he asked Simone, "Will you come with me?"

Simone visibly stiffened. "How could you ask me such a thing?" she questioned. "Do you even know me at all?"

Disappointment showed on Lord Hungerton's features. "Very well, then. If you want to die, I won't stop you."

The sound of an explosion could be heard in the distance, and it was followed by an eerie silence.

Juliette's eyes lit up. "That was the first one. Now we wait for the second explosion."

Caleb had never felt such raw emotion as he was feeling right now. He couldn't even imagine the destruction that the grenade had caused and how many people had died. And he and Simone were helpless to stop it.

As they waited for the second explosion, Juliette asked, "Shall we kill them now?"

"There is no reason to stop the inevitable," Lord Hungerton replied.

Caleb stepped in front of Simone. "You are going to have to kill me first," he stated.

Juliette pointed her pistol at him. "My pleasure," she said.

While he braced for being shot, Simone stepped out from behind him and released a dagger, which embedded itself in Juliette's chest.

Juliette dropped her pistol and pulled out the dagger. "What have you done, you stupid chit?" she asked, her voice breathless. She took a few raspy breaths before she collapsed onto the ground.

Lord Hungerton retrieved a pistol and brought it up. "How could you?" he demanded.

Simone held her father's gaze. "I wasn't about to let Juliette kill Caleb," she replied. "Are you going to kill me- your own daughter?"

"Yes," Lord Hungerton said, tightening his hold on the pistol. "You left me with little choice."

In a swift motion, Caleb reached down and retrieved the muff pistol from his right boot. He brought it up, pointing it at Lord Hungerton. "Put your pistol down or I will have no choice but to shoot you."

"You are bluffing."

Caleb clenched his jaw. "I am many things, but bluffing is not one of them. If your finger so much as twitches on that trigger, I will kill you."

Doubt crept into Lord Hungerton's eyes. "This is not how it is supposed to end. I am supposed to be a vicomte."

"Your greed and ambition have ruined this family, Father," Simone declared. "You don't need to die today."

"But for how long?" Lord Hungerton asked. "We both know that I don't have long."

"That is your doing," Simone asserted. "You only have yourself to blame."

Lord Hungerton's eyes narrowed to slits. "You impertinent girl. You think you are better than me?"

"No, I have never thought that," Simone said with a shake of her head. "But I do think you need to pay for what you have done."

Caleb saw Lord Hungerton grow tense at Simone's words and he knew he needed to end this. He wouldn't risk Simone getting shot. Cocking his pistol, he fired, aiming at Lord Hungerton's hand that gripped the pistol.

Lord Hungerton dropped the pistol and cradled his right hand. "You shot me!" he exclaimed.

Approaching Lord Hungerton, Caleb crouched down to retrieve the pistol. "It is over," he declared, walking back over to Simone.

With a ruthless laugh, Lord Hungerton insisted, "This isn't over. The second grenade will go off any minute, killing more people. You have stopped nothing."

Fredrick's voice echoed from behind Lord Hungerton. "You are wrong," he stated, emerging from the trees.

A moment later, Roswell and Greydon came to stand next to Fredrick, all pointing pistols at Lord Hungerton.

Lord Hungerton's eyes grew frantic. "What are you doing here?" he asked. "You should all be dead."

Roswell grinned at his brother. "Do you want to tell him or should I?"

"You do the honors," Fredrick replied.

Roswell stepped forward. "We located Victor before he released the grenade and we set it off in a secluded part of the gardens. So you see, no one died."

"Except for Victor," Greydon interjected. "And, apparently, Juliette."

Simone took a step towards her father and Caleb placed his hand on her sleeve to stop her. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

"It is all right," Simone assured him.

Lord Hungerton watched her as she came closer. "Do you want to gloat?" he half-asked, half-demanded.

"No, I want you to know that I will not think of you after today, but I am sure you will think of me every moment until you die," Simone said, coming to a stop in front of him. "You have no power over me or Mother anymore. We have won. You have lost. And now you will finally receive the comeuppance you so desperately deserve."

With defiance in his eyes, Lord Hungerton held Simone's gaze, remaining silent.

Fredrick grabbed Lord Hungerton's arm. "Do you even want to say goodbye?" he asked.

"I already said my goodbyes earlier," Lord Hungerton responded, showing no hint of remorse for what he had done.

While Fredrick and Roswell led Lord Hungerton away, Caleb watched Simone as her eyes remained on her father's retreating figure, her expression giving nothing away.