She glanced around the room. The entire chamber was decorated in ice-blue and ivory and shades of beige, the furniture finely crafted and elegant-but there was little color or warmth. "I don't like it. I don't like him. "

He didn't seem to hear her; his gaze was fixed on the sky. "It's beginning to get light. Dawn is different here in Paris, paler, more delicate. All the colors are less vibrant here. Raoul's garden is lovely, but I miss our orchids and ginger blossoms."

"Then let's go back," she said eagerly. "Let's leave this place right now."

"I can't leave." His eyes never left the garden. "I have something to do here."

"You can't kill Jared. I won't let you." She crossed the room to stand beside him. "I know you're afraid of him, but I won't have him murdered."

"Mon dieu, I haven't heard such emotion in your voice since the night the king said he was going to have Kapu killed."

"Look at me." Her hand grasped his arm. "You can't do this. Can't you see Cambre is only using you? You're not like him. You're no murderer."

"But I am." His tone was sad. "I had a long time to think when I was on that American ship. All these years I tried to tell myself that I wasn't guilty because those deaths were out of my control, but it was a lie. I did kill them."

She stared at him in horror. "You couldn't have betrayed them. Jared said that his father called on you because you helped another family of aristocrats to escape."

"That was before I caught the fever. You don't know what it was like. It was… intoxicating. Every man had a revolutionary cockade in his hat and a story to tell. We sat in taverns and toasted the free republic and Marat and Danton. We sketched our heroes and sang the Marseilles. Then one night Raoul came along and told me how I could help the republic as a true patriot should. The Committee of Public Safety had discovered I'd helped a family of aristos to escape, but I was to be forgiven. I had only to prove my loyalty by notifying them in case I was asked to help again." He smiled sadly. "I had a wife and child; it seemed the right thing to do. Raoul was very persuasive. He promised me that any aristocrats I told him about would have a fair trial, and if they were found innocent of acting against the republic, they would only be stripped of their estates."

She stared at him incredulously. "And you believed him?"

He said simply, "I was young and I had the fever."

"But it wasn't only the Compte and his wife who were sent to the guillotine. Jared's father was murdered by Cambre's men."

"Raoul told me he had sent Jared, his father, and the Compte's baby daughter to their ship under escort. Unfortunately, they were attacked by bandits on the road and Jared's father was killed." At last he turned to look at her. "I know, I should have questioned the tale, but it was more comfortable not to. We both know I've always had a fondness for the easy way."

She felt sick. She had desperately wanted to believe Jared had been mistaken. Yet there was no surprise; somewhere deep within her she must have known this was a possibility.

"I hoped I'd never have to see you look at me like that," he said wistfully. "Don't hate me, Cassie."

Not bad, only weak and willing to blind himself to the terrible harm he was doing. "I don't hate you." She went into his arms and laid her head on his chest. No matter what he had done those many years ago, he was her father. The loving memories Lani and she had resurrected only hours before had made that clear to her. "I couldn't ever hate you."

His arms tightened around her for an instant before he released her and pushed her away. He smiled. "I do appreciate the gesture of affection, but I can't bear another minute of that terrible odor. I must see why the servants haven't arrived with that tub." He started across the room. "And when I return, we'll have to think of a good reason for your knowing about my supposed demise. We mustn't have Raoul believing you're a traitor." When he reached the door, he stopped and looked back over his shoulder. "Did you come to Paris with Danemount?"

"No, I came with Lani."

"Then would you care to tell me how you knew?"

She bit her lower lip. What could she say? Could she tell him of those nights on the Josephine! Could she tell him lust had become love for his enemy? "I can't let you kill him."

He studied her expression. "Ah, so that's the way of it. Fate does paint strange patterns for us poor mortals. Cambre may be more fortunate than he believes. If Danemount has an equal affection for you, he may have bait for the trap."

Panic soared through her. "He won't follow me. He doesn't know I'm here. Besides, he cares nothing for me."

"Impossible." He smiled gently. "You're a rare and lovely woman, Cassie. A man would be a fool not to love you, and Danemount isn't a fool."

"Papa, don't try to use me," she whispered. "I couldn't stand it."

"But you said you could never hate me, Cassie." He opened the door. "Ah, here's your tub and water." He stepped aside to allow the column of servants to enter. "Do hurry, dear. Raoul's an impatient man."

A thunderous knock snatched Jared from sleep.

"Let me in, Your Grace."

Guillaume, Jared identified drowsily. What the devil was he-

Guillaume had been guarding Cassie's pension! He leaped from the bed and jerked the door open. "What is it? What hap-"

"We have a problem." Lani pushed past Guillaume and entered the room. "Where is Bradford?"

"In the next room." His gaze searched beyond her. "You're alone. Where is she?"

Guillaume said quickly, "I'm sorry to bring her here, Your Grace. I was standing across the street watching the pension, and she marched up to me and demanded to see you."

He motioned impatiently, his gaze fastened on Lani. "Is Cassie back at the pension?"

"No."

"Where is she?"

"I swear she didn't go past me." Guillaume scowled. "Who would think a lady would go jumping from windows and trekking in garbage? It's not my fault. You told me to protect her from Cambre, and that's what I did."

Jared muttered a curse and swung back to Lani. "What the devil is he mumbling about?"

"Perhaps the lady could wait outside while you dress, Your Grace," Guillaume mumbled uncomfortably.

"I've seen naked men before," Lani said curtly. "But put your clothes on, we may have little time. I have a carriage waiting outside. I don't know how long she's been gone."

"Go wake Bradford, Guillaume. Tell him to dress." Jared snatched up his shirt and thrust his arms into it. "Where did she go?"

"Where do you think she went?" Lani sat down at a small table. "I blame myself. I should have known this would happen when she had time to think."

"Cambre," Jared said. Christ, she had gone to Cambre. "He'll kill her."

"She has a dagger."

He pulled on his boots with shaking hands. "Why didn't she wait? Why didn't she let me do it? She knew I planned on killing him."

"You think she wished to murder Cambre before you had the opportunity." She shook her head. "Cassie is capable of vengeance, but not assassination." Her hands clenched on the arms of the chair. "Hurry."

"I'm moving as fast as I can." He jerked on his coat. "Then why did she go to him?"

"Guilt. She hopes to absolve herself."

"You're talking nonsense." He opened his portmanteau and pulled out his pistol. "She did nothing."

"She thinks she did." Her gaze met his across the room. "She believes she loves the man who may have killed her father."

He froze. "What?"

"And she's hoping Cambre will convince her you didn't kill Charles." She smiled grimly. "But he may murder her before she has the opportunity to question him."

"What is it, Jared?" Bradford said as he strode into the room followed by Guillaume. He was fully dressed but his hair was still tousled. "Lani?"