That question was far too close to the truth for Christian’s liking. ‘Stop enjoying yourself at my expense, Marcus, and tell me—is Julianna well?’ He was fully aware this was the easiest way in which to divert Marcus; the other man enjoyed nothing more than talking of the wife he adored.
‘Very.’ Marcus instantly beamed.
‘My sister is enceinte, Lisette.’ Christian included her in the conversation as she looked at them both curiously.
‘Mon félicitations, monsieur,’ she offered warmly.
‘Merci, madamoiselle. You really must do something about this only speaking French, Christian.’ Marcus frowned. ‘It will not go down well in some quarters.’
‘I intend to do so.’ In truth, it seemed that Lisette had already acquired a smattering of English; several of the names she had called him earlier—in heavily accented English—were worthy of a dockside sailor. Which, no doubt, was exactly from whom she had heard them!
‘The two of you seemed to be having...some sort of disagreement when I arrived?’ Marcus glanced at him questioningly.
‘A difference of opinion, that is all,’ Christian dismissed.
Marcus’s brows rose. ‘Sounded a bit more than that to me, old chap.’
‘Well, no doubt as a married man you would know more about such differences of opinion than I!’ Christian came back tersely.
‘Not so, Christian. Julianna and I rarely, if ever, differ in opinion,’ the other man dismissed loftily.
‘That is because Julianna thinks you are a conceited ass and you know that you are!’
‘Something like that.’ Marcus grinned unabashedly before sobering. ‘You realise Maystone will have to be informed of both your return and your injury.’
‘But not immediately.’ He would much prefer it if he was not at a disadvantage, caused by his wound, when he spoke with the older man.
Marcus shrugged. ‘Not sure how that’s going to be possible, Christian. We were not the only ones awaiting word of your return, and the moment he learned you had sent for your carriage, Maystone dispatched me here to meet you and accompany you back to London. He wishes you to report to him immediately as to your findings.’
Christian deeply regretted having sent for his carriage at all, if that was
the case. ‘That is obviously not possible in my present condition.’ He grimaced.
‘Obviously.’ His friend nodded. ‘What do you want me to tell Maystone when I return to London later today?’
Christian felt no surprise at hearing Marcus intended to return to the capital today, with or without him. Previously a profligate rake, Marcus was now totally devoted to Julianna and the baby they were expecting; no doubt he could not bear the thought of being separated from her, even for a single night. It pleased Christian that his sister and his friend had found such happiness together.
At the same time it in no way helped him to find a solution to this present dilemma. ‘You could always tell Maystone I have not arrived as yet?’
The other man grimaced. ‘In which case, he will have expected me to linger in Portsmouth until you do.’
Damnation.
‘Perhaps, Your Grace,’ Lisette was the one to put in softly, ‘you might tell this gentleman, of whom you both speak so respectfully, the truth? That Christian was injured whilst involved in the work for which the gentleman named Maystone no doubt sent him to Paris?’
Both men turned to look at her in astonishment. Rightly so; it might have been rude of them to do so, but their conversation had all taken place in English.
Lisette steadily returned their shocked gazes. ‘I said I did not speak English, Your Grace, not that I did not understand it.’
Hell and damnation!
Christian had been under the misapprehension all this time that Lisette did not understand any conversation spoken in English. To now learn that she had knowledge of the language made him question any and all of those conversations unguardedly spoken in front of her.
Could it be that she was indeed a spy for her mother, Helene Rousseau?
Until a few moments ago Christian would have staked his life on that not being the case. The revelation that Lisette understood English, even if she did not speak it, meant he was now less certain. A lot less certain. Especially as he and Marcus had not exactly been discreet in their own conversation.
Christian felt sick at the very thought of travelling to London today. But did he really have a choice? Marcus would return to London today regardless, and with Christian unable to move from his bed, Lisette would then be free to roam Portsmouth. With the idea of making contact with one of her mother’s cohorts? Christian knew that he could no longer trust his own judgement in regard to Lisette.