donning a smart primrose-yellow gown. Her hair was neatly arranged beneath a pretty straw bonnet. Having surveyed her reflection in the glass with a critical eye she decided the outfit would pass muster. She and Colonel Albermarle presented themselves at the appointed time. Knowing the army as she did, Sabrina had expected a lengthy wait, but to her surprise they were shown straight in.
General Ward was seated behind the desk at the far end of a large room, and Major Forbes was standing beside him. Both men were poring over a map. As they entered Ward looked up.
‘Ah, Colonel Albermarle.’ As the Colonel came to attention, Ward rose from his seat and bowed to Sabrina. ‘Miss Huntley.’
Sabrina returned the greeting and accepted the offer of a chair. For a moment there was silence and she saw the General exchange glances with Forbes. Then he drew a deep breath.
‘We have requested your presence today in order to put forward a proposition, Miss Huntley.’
‘A proposition, sir?’
‘Yes. One of the carrier pigeons recently returned bearing a coded message. In essence, the Spanish agent who sent it has obtained vital military documents concerning French troop movements. However, his responsibilities in Madrid make it impossible for him to deliver the information to us. Like everyone else in senior government positions he is watched, and cannot afford to do anything that might appear unusual. That means someone must go and collect the information from him.’
Sabrina’s brow wrinkled for a moment. ‘But surely it would be equally suspicious, sir, if he were suddenly visited by a total stranger.’
‘Ordinarily it would. However, the gentleman’s wife is celebrating her birthday next week and he is holding a ball at his mansion near Aranjuez to mark the occasion. It is to be a lavish affair. Everyone who is anyone will be there. It will also provide a perfect opportunity to get hold of the information he has obtained.’
She nodded slowly. ‘I can see that, but I confess to being at a loss as to my role in all this.’
‘Our agent is to impersonate this gentleman’s cousin, the Conde de Ordoñez y Casal. The real one lives on his estate in Extremadura. Apparently he prefers the pleasures of country life to those of the city and almost never goes there.’
‘But isn’t there a chance someone will know him and spot the deception?’
‘It’s an outside chance but one we have to take,’ the General replied.
‘I still don’t understand how all this involves me.’
‘The Conde de Ordoñez is a married man. As such, his wife would certainly attend the ball with him. Our agent must therefore be so accompanied.’ Ward glanced at Forbes who nodded. ‘My informants tell me that Ordoñez’s wife is French and blonde. As I am sure you will appreciate, ma’am, there are not many blonde-haired women hereabouts, and even fewer who speak fluent French as well as their native tongue. Your skill in both languages is well known to us.’ He paused. ‘And you have helped us before.’
‘You want me to pose as the Conde’s wife?’
‘Just so.’
Beside her Colonel Albermarle gave an exclamation of astonishment and disgust.
‘The whole thing is highly improper, sir, and I would in no way sanction it,’ he said. ‘Besides, which, it would be unthinkable to put my goddaughter in such a dangerous situation.’
The General regarded him with a cool and level stare. ‘I have not said all.’
‘You mean there’s more to this confounded business, sir?’
‘Yes. We are not expecting Miss Huntley to take such a risk without offering something in return.’
Ward paused and glanced at his companion. Forbes smiled.
‘Your father is unfortunately confined in prison in France,’ he said. ‘Negotiations are underway for the release of certain English military personnel in exchange for high-ranking French officers currently in our hands. If you agree to help us we’ll make your father’s release part of those negotiations.’
Sabrina swallowed hard as she tried to marshal her thoughts. ‘If I were to agree, what guarantee would there be that my father would be released?’
‘We would ensure the man we offered in exchange was of sufficient importance that the French would be most unlikely to refuse.’
‘How soon would my father be free?’
‘In a matter of weeks.’
A matter of weeks! Her heart thumped in her breast. Her father need not die in a foreign prison after all. They would be reunited at last. Surely that was worth any risk, wasn’t it? She bit her lip, unable to ignore the ramifications of her decision. If she agreed she might be putting her life on the line; would be reliant on the help and cooperation of a complete stranger. She did not think that Ward and Forbes would have chosen anyone but the best for this task; they couldn’t afford to. All the same, this man’s first care was to see that those plans got back to Wellington. If it came to a choice between that and her safety it didn’t take a savant to work out which would come first. She would be expendable. The intelligence service needed those plans and its agents were prepared to go to considerable lengths to get them. That also included the ruthless exploitation of her emotions. Her father was of no real monument to them. Had it been otherwise they would have negotiated his release already. The knowledge caused the first faint stirrings of anger. It was an emotion she couldn’t afford. Forcing it down she met the General’s gaze with apparent composure.
‘May I have some time to reflect?’
‘Time is of the essence. The ball is eleven days hence. The journey will take nine. I need an answer today.’
Her godfather laid a gentle hand on her arm. ‘You don’t have to do this, my dear. Your father would never ask it of you. I know how much he means to you and I care for him, too, but as your guardian I urge you to think most carefully.’
‘I cannot leave him to die in prison, sir.’
‘Consider, Sabrina. You know nothing about this man they would have you accompany.’
‘I assure you, sir, that the gentleman is of good family,’ Ward replied. ‘He is the younger son of the Earl of Ellingham and is currently carving out a distinguished career for himself as a member of Wellington’s intelligence staff.’ He paused. ‘His background might be considered among the best in England. Good enough, one would think, to be a fit companion for your goddaughter.’
Seeing Ward’s haughty expression, Albermarle reddened. ‘My goddaughter is also of good family, General. John Huntley has no reason to be ashamed of his connections.’
‘I never meant to imply any such thing, Colonel.’
Recognising the signs of impending wrath on her godfather’s face Sabrina interjected quickly. ‘I am sure you did not, sir.’
Albermarle threw her a swift glance and held his temper. ‘Connections are all very well,’ he went on, ‘but what is the man’s character?’
‘I have never heard anything to his detriment.
