Hostage to Love: A Georgian Adventure Romance by Maggi Andersen

Author:Maggi Andersen [Andersen, Maggi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

“Traitor!”

Verity didn’t answer. She took Henrietta’s arm and led her away down the street.

Outraged, Henrietta pulled away. She stood on the wet cobbled street the sound of her heartbeat thrashing in her ears and stared at the actress. Danton had sent Verity to London to meet her father. For what reason? To bring him to Paris? Was Verity’s interest in this affair merely to suit her own ends? Henrietta had placed her trust in this traitorous deceiver. A dreadful sinking feeling settled in her stomach. She was afraid she’d be sick.

Her fingers coiled into her palms. She wanted to slap Verity, but held back aware of the curious looks from those walking past. “You work for Danton,” she hissed as she backed away.

Verity drew her off the street as a carriage rattled past. “We will talk, Henrietta, but not here.”

Henrietta shrugged her off. “How can I believe anything you say?”

Verity blinked as rain began to fall. “You have no choice,” she said, in an edgy tone.

Henrietta put her hands on her hips. “Don’t I? I can go to the British authorities, or throw myself on the mercy of the National Assembly.”

“Try that and you’ll end up in prison. The British consul has withdrawn from Paris.” She shook her head. “I have an idea of how to rescue your father. Are you with me or not?”

Henrietta angrily swiped her eyes flooding with rain and tears. “I’ll stay, because you are my only hope of rescuing him. If that is truly your intention. But I will be watching your every move.”

“Why else would I be putting myself though all this?” Verity asked. “I might be enjoying a coffee with friends instead of standing here arguing with you in the rain. Come away, before we are completely soaked.”

Numb, Henrietta stumbled after her. Why did Verity care that her father was imprisoned in Paris? She could walk away having done what Danton asked of her. Why did Verity agree to it in the first place? Could Henrietta believe anything she said?

There was nothing to do but follow Verity’s lead. Once the plan to free him from this prison succeeded, not only would she never trust the Frenchwoman again, she would work against her.

Verity’s was searching for a fiacre. “I have little confidence the man will keep his word and treat them well.” Verity said. “We must come back tonight.”

Finally, an empty fiacre rattled down the avenue. Once settled inside, Verity turned to her. “I am not responsible for your father’s plight, but it’s true, Danton did send me to London. He has had my father thrown into prison but promised to release him if I obeyed his order.” She spoke with passionate urgency, but Henrietta didn’t feel inclined to believe her. She eyed the Frenchwoman as if she was confronted by a snake. “Oh? Where is your father?”

Verity’s face crumbled. She sucked in air. “In the Conciergerie dungeons, which is part of the Palais de Justice. Prisoners there await the guillotine. I am not allowed to see him, and I can’t find out if he still lives.

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