Dark Rider by Iris Johansen Page A

could have told David. They were close friends.”
    “What difference does it make now? It’s all in the past.”
    “Not to me.” He looked back at the cottage. “Not to him.”
    “Then you should forget about Cambre and worry only about hiding from Danemount.”
    “I’m weary of hiding.” He turned to face her. “And I’m weary of making you hide. You should be back in Paris going to balls, surrounded by young men courting you.”
    “I’m not hiding. I love it here. I wouldn’t know what to do at a ball.”
    “Exactly.” He touched her cheek.
“Pauvre petite
, I fear I’ve done you a great disservice. Clara is right, this is no life for you.”
    Why was he talking about balls when there was so much else at stake? “Go to Maui,” she said desperately. “There’s no need for you to find this Cambre.”
    “There’s every need. It may save my life. If Cambre did use me for his own ends, I’ll have no compunction about surrendering him to Danemount.” He added beneath his breath, “Though God knows if one life will be enough for him after what happened at Danjuet.”
    “What are you talking about? Danjuet?”
    He shook his head. “There is no time. I must go. The Captain will sail without me.”
    “Wait!” She grabbed his arm. “What can you do even if you do find Cambre?”
    “I told you, bring him to Danemount.”
    “Are you mad? He’s not going to come meekly to be murdered by the Englishman.” She shivered as she remembered Cambre’s cold reptilian eyes. “He’ll try to hurt you.”
    “Maybe. Or perhaps he’s weary of hiding too.” He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. “Keep well, Cassandra. Watch over Lani.”
    “If you’re going, I’m going with you.”
    “To protect me from Raoul?” He shook his head. “Not this time.”
    “But you’ll
need
me.”
    “It’s too dangerous. Raoul was always clever. I didn’t realize how clever. I’ve no doubt he’ll have gained back all his influence under Napoleon’s regime.”
    “All the more reason for me to go.” She turned back toward the cottage. “Wait for me here. I’ll just go tell Lani that—”
    “No, Cassandra.” His tone was frighteningly final.
    “If you leave me here, I’ll just follow you to the ship,” she called after him.
    “Then I’ll tell the Captain you’re not to be permitted on board.” He started down the road. The smile he gave her over his shoulder lit his face with sweetness. “Don’t be so concerned,
ma chou
. Nothing will happen to me. I’ll be back almost before you realize I’m gone.”
    “Papa!”
    He did not look back again.
    Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, she watched him walk away from her. Why would he not listen? She had never seen him this resolute. She had always been able to sway him on matters of importance, and yet in this question, which might mean life and death, he stood firm. Should she follow him to the ship? No, it would be a waste of time.
    But she could not just let him go alone to face that snake. Her father was a dreamer, and dreamers could be easily fooled. The hunter could well become the hunted.
    When he was out of sight, she moved heavily up the path toward the cottage. She could not let him go into danger alone, but she could not see her way clear to stop it. She would have to think about it. In the meantime she must make sure Danemount did not interfere with her father’s departure. Cambre was adistant threat; the Englishman was the immediate danger.
    Lani was sitting on the veranda and rose to her feet when she saw Cassie. “What’s wrong? Why are you here?”
    “I met Papa on the path.” She glanced worriedly at the Englishmen. Lani had tucked quilts over them and placed pillows beneath their heads. They did not look ill, only peacefully asleep. “Are they all right? The laudanum wasn’t—”
    “It was not too much,” Lani assured her. “Their sleep is very light. I was even worried they would wake before you got back and