[i] “Oh. You really planned a trip for us? Did you organize it, or did your father?”[/i]

“Of course I did!” He answered in a matter of fact manner. He did plan and worked out reservations for the two of them. It was supposed to be a short five-day trip to the capital of France, where he was going to exchange information with his counterparts while. However, as the day went on, it was getting clearer to Nick that he was not going to France. 

[i]“All the same, I appreciate such a luxurious trip but I would much rather just go home. You really don’t seem like the traveling type with your business. I have plenty to do myself such as arrange all my belongings, work on the landscaping.”[/i]

Nick opened his mouth to protest – because a good husband would want to spend the first few days alone with his new wife – nevertheless Claire continued talking. She offered to be their scapegoat, to pretend to be ill, but then she noticed his complexion and commented on it. “I’m quite well, thank you for asking. Paleness is in fashion this season, or so I heard,” he assured her, though he hadn’t touched any of the food on his plate and he was leaning heavily on the cushioned backrest of his chair. 

After Claire left with her maidservant, Nick was immediately approached by Timothy. The tall Frenchman crouched from the back of Nick’s chair and whispered, “Nicholas, you are most certainly not looking well. Mr. Bennett is worried.”

“As I am,” Nick whispered back. “I’m afraid I have underestimated the damage of the injury,” he admitted then pushed his frock coat a few inches, just enough for Timothy to see a blotch darkening the material of his friend’s lower left side of the waistcoat. “How is everything going?”

“Hell and damnation! The four of us is here. I was with Jonas earlier, he has engaged his target. Will you stop worrying about our mission?” He looked around at the colorful crowd enjoying themselves at breakfast. Only a few of these people were personally acquainted with Nick and although breakfasts after the wedding were supposed to honor the bride and the groom, it was a generally accepted fact that such gatherings were attended by the upper class as an excuse to socialize. It didn’t matter who the couple were, what mattered was how grand the event. “Will you be able to walk? Let us get you in the carriage. I will ask for your wife as soon as she is done changing. Looks like Paris will have to be cancelled for now.” 

Timothy did hand signal for Lawrence Bennett who looked happily conversing with a minor lord. Upon seeing Tim’s signal, the older gentleman excused himself and searched for Lord Abbott.

*************

Mr. Bennett’s news brought a mixture of disappointment and concern to Lord Abbott. He watched his new son-in-law together with his father and cousin as they exited the ballroom discretely, avoiding as much conversation as they could. Nicholas was still popular among the women even though this was his marriage that they attended. The blue-eyed gentleman managed to walk upright, though with obvious difficulty which Lord Abbott failed to notice that morning. 

Nick’s father explained that his son earned a bullet to his abdominal area the day before the wedding. Apparently, their personal carriage was robbed and Nick was shot as he fought back against the group who attacked them. They did not really want to disclose the event to the public, fearing that it might cause doubt as to the capabilities of the Rochfords to safeguard their assets. 

Then finally he saw his daughter enter the ballroom again now wearing a dress that was in the height fo fashion. She was speaking with two of their guests, but his daughter didn’t appear to be genuinely happy that these people were talking to her. He approached her, but before him, a servant stepped up beside her and passed her a note with instructions to meet with urgency with her contact at nightfall in Belgrave Square. Also on the note was the emphasis not to get out of London in the next few weeks.

“This is from one of the guests,” informed the servant as he held up the folded piece of paper to Claire. 

“Claire, will you speak with me for a moment,” The duke requested, ignoring the servant. “My apologies, my lord and lady.”

When they were a safe distance away, he informed her of the condition of her husband and that he was waiting in their carriage.