years since I lived in London and played any part in society. I’m out of practice and I’m sure many customs have changed since I was last here. Now I need to establish myself as a man-about-town, if you like. I need to set up a household, a base of operations. I need someone well-placed in society to help me move naturallyand easily in the right circles and to make sure I don’t inadvertently break any unspoken rules. I need someone who knows how to talk to the right people, to ask the right questions, to listen to the right conversations, all the while providing me with an unexceptionable social front for my own activities.”
Slowly Aurelia turned to face him, her hand still clutching the fabric of the curtain, almost as if were a lifeline to the reality she understood. “And you think I would be willing to do that?”
“I’m suggesting a business proposition.” He rose from the table. He crossed to the fireplace and leaned one arm along the mantel, one foot propped on the fender. His tone was now brisk and businesslike. “The government paid Frederick well for his activities, but, of course, he was in no position to claim his earnings while he was abroad. That back pay should be paid to you. And there is also some prize money from the capture of two French ships while he was still serving in the navy. It’s a not inconsiderable sum, but the government is willing to offer you rather more than that if you would be willing to work for them for a very limited period of time. It would be paid into a private account at Hoare’s Bank at regular intervals.” He watched her expression carefully.
Aurelia tried to make sense of this. There seemed to be too many strands to untangle. “You’ll have to be more specific about what I would do,” she said finally, releasing her tight grip on the curtain. She folded herarms across her breasts, absently caressing her elbows, a deep frown creasing her brow.
“Very well. We would start by seeming to develop an understanding, a certain romantic interest in each other, which would make it natural for us to be in each other’s company. I would escort you to various social engagements that I might otherwise not be invited to, and you would introduce me to certain people that I might not otherwise meet.”
“That doesn’t sound particularly arduous,” Aurelia said slowly. “Hardly sufficient to earn a lifetime’s pension.”
“You would also be acting as my eyes and ears in certain situations. I would tell you what information I was after and you would endeavor to acquire it.”
“So, in plain terms, spying.”
“No more than many women have done, and many still do.” The fire spurted and a glowing coal fell onto the hearth. Swiftly he stamped it out before continuing. “There are women engaged in this gentle form of espionage in all the courts of Europe, my dear. Women tend to be better placed than men to hear some kind of whispers, the kind that can be vital to the success of a mission.”
And women who worked on the front lines, too, she reflected, thinking again of Frederick’s letter. He’d said his life had been saved by such women on many occasions. And only yesterday she and Cornelia had wondered if they were doing enough to help the war effort. If, by helping the colonel in this simple enough fashion, she helped save even one life, shouldn’t she agree to it? It would not disrupt her way of life particularly, except for the need to keep it secret. But as she already had to carry the truth of Frederick’s death to her grave, this would merely be a part of the same secret. If Harry had asked her for her help, she would have agreed without a second thought. But Harry was a very different prospect from Greville Falconer.
“A romantic interest?” she queried, looking directly across at him. “And where would that lead?”
“Maybe to an engagement in a few weeks,” he said, returning her steady gaze. “It would smooth the path, give us an
Slowly Aurelia turned to face him, her hand still clutching the fabric of the curtain, almost as if were a lifeline to the reality she understood. “And you think I would be willing to do that?”
“I’m suggesting a business proposition.” He rose from the table. He crossed to the fireplace and leaned one arm along the mantel, one foot propped on the fender. His tone was now brisk and businesslike. “The government paid Frederick well for his activities, but, of course, he was in no position to claim his earnings while he was abroad. That back pay should be paid to you. And there is also some prize money from the capture of two French ships while he was still serving in the navy. It’s a not inconsiderable sum, but the government is willing to offer you rather more than that if you would be willing to work for them for a very limited period of time. It would be paid into a private account at Hoare’s Bank at regular intervals.” He watched her expression carefully.
Aurelia tried to make sense of this. There seemed to be too many strands to untangle. “You’ll have to be more specific about what I would do,” she said finally, releasing her tight grip on the curtain. She folded herarms across her breasts, absently caressing her elbows, a deep frown creasing her brow.
“Very well. We would start by seeming to develop an understanding, a certain romantic interest in each other, which would make it natural for us to be in each other’s company. I would escort you to various social engagements that I might otherwise not be invited to, and you would introduce me to certain people that I might not otherwise meet.”
“That doesn’t sound particularly arduous,” Aurelia said slowly. “Hardly sufficient to earn a lifetime’s pension.”
“You would also be acting as my eyes and ears in certain situations. I would tell you what information I was after and you would endeavor to acquire it.”
“So, in plain terms, spying.”
“No more than many women have done, and many still do.” The fire spurted and a glowing coal fell onto the hearth. Swiftly he stamped it out before continuing. “There are women engaged in this gentle form of espionage in all the courts of Europe, my dear. Women tend to be better placed than men to hear some kind of whispers, the kind that can be vital to the success of a mission.”
And women who worked on the front lines, too, she reflected, thinking again of Frederick’s letter. He’d said his life had been saved by such women on many occasions. And only yesterday she and Cornelia had wondered if they were doing enough to help the war effort. If, by helping the colonel in this simple enough fashion, she helped save even one life, shouldn’t she agree to it? It would not disrupt her way of life particularly, except for the need to keep it secret. But as she already had to carry the truth of Frederick’s death to her grave, this would merely be a part of the same secret. If Harry had asked her for her help, she would have agreed without a second thought. But Harry was a very different prospect from Greville Falconer.
“A romantic interest?” she queried, looking directly across at him. “And where would that lead?”
“Maybe to an engagement in a few weeks,” he said, returning her steady gaze. “It would smooth the path, give us an
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