“I don’t care about responsibility! What are you going—”
Lucia looked at him sharply, and he broke off. Whatever had passed between them, Lucia obviously had some influence with her brother. It was not too hard to see the path of John Dashing’s thoughts, and Alex actually wondered why Lucia had stopped him, and what he would have said if the question had been asked.
There was a tense silence while Alex contemplated this.
“Perhaps we should discuss plans to escape,” Lucia suggested.
“Yes.”
She was much more composed now. It never failed to amaze him how strong she was. Any other woman of his acquaintance would have crumbled under the disapproval she must be facing from her brother, but not Lucia. She made her own rules.
“Dewhurst is in Calais, arranging passage to England. We meet him in two days. Are you strong enough to travel?” Alex looked at John.
“But I cannot go back to England,” John replied coolly, scanning the room warily until his gaze rested on Camille. There was recognition there and a little suspicion. Alex turned to look at Camille himself, but her face appeared impassive. Quietly John continued, “I was shot obtaining valuable information detailing Bonaparte’s plan to invade England. It must go to Admiral Nelson immediately.”
“Invade England?” Lucia looked astounded. “Surely that talk has all been rumors.”
“I’m afraid not,” Alex said leaning his shoulder against the closed door, arms crossed. “In March I obtained information stating that Admiral Villenueve, the commander of the Toulon fleet, was ordered by Bonaparte to escape the British blockade at Toulon. All I knew then was that an invasion of England was planned. I brought the information to Pitt, but I wanted to take it to Admiral Nelson as well. I was prevented because it was thought that I had been identified. Apparently that rumor was true.
“Dashing here was sent in my place. Did you reach Nelson?”
“I gave him the information when I found him in Gibraltar. He knew that Villenueve had sailed but was not sure of his destination. He suspected the West Indies and sailed after Villenueve immediately. A few days later in Paris I received more significant information from one of your sources, Selbourne. Villenueve was told to sail for the West Indies in order to deceive Nelson and the British fleet. With Nelson chasing after Villenueve, the British will be unprepared for what Bonaparte has planned. Villenueve is to double back to Europe and combine the French and Spanish fleets in order to sail up the Channel and invade England. Nelson will be too late. There will be no one to protect Britain from invasion.”
“But how will the invasion be accomplished with only the fleet?” Camille asked. “Bonaparte will need ground forces.”
John hesitated, studying Camille once again. He seemed to wrestle with something, then answered. “Bonaparte has ninety thousand men assembled in Boulogne.”
Lucia gasped. She had no idea Bonaparte had amassed so many soldiers. How could England defend herself against such an enormous invasion without the help of Nelson and the navy?
There was silence as each considered the huge force at Bonaparte’s disposal and England’s fate if Bonaparte’s plan succeeded. England was in the hands of Admiral Nelson, and he, unfortunately, appeared to be falling for Napoleon’s ruse.
“Someone must get to Nelson and warn him,” Lucia murmured.
“He is extremely intelligent. He will probably ascertain the truth for himself,” Camille commented.
“I also have information on the French and Spanish fleets that could prove invaluable to the admiral,” John added. “Bonaparte’s plan takes no account of the poor condition of the French fleet. The information I have may help Admiral Nelson know how best to strike. It was my intention to go to him myself but I was identified somehow and shot here in Paris.” He glanced at Camille again. “Thankfully, I escaped and made it to the good doctor’s.”
“Who identified you?” Alex asked. “Camille intercepted your message. It had fallen into the hands of the French.”
“The French?” John asked in some confusion. “How? I sent it by . . .” He paused and reconsidered.
“Could it have been De´charne´?” Alex asked.
“No,” John answered. “It’s one of ours. I was betrayed.”
“What happened?” Camille asked.
“I went to meet one of my contacts. The meeting had been arranged hastily that day. When I arrived, I found the man dead. Before I could even think what to do, I was shot from behind. I was left for dead. Somehow, I don’t remember particulars, I made it here.”
“And you have no idea who your assailant was?”
“No,” John admitted. “I never saw his face, so it could be anyone. We have to find the man and deal with him.”
“Leave that to me,” Alex said ominously. “We’ll get the information to Nelson, but you are in no condition to do so. Go back to England and confide all you know to Pitt and the king. They may need to prepare for invasion.”
“I would have gone sooner, but I have been confined here, too weak these last days to even cross the room.”
“We don’t have any time to lose,” Alex informed them. “I’ll need to make arrangements for a carriage to Calais. I don’t think you’re well enough to ride yet, Dashing. We’ll return after dark and collect you. Until then, rest.”
