Page 74 of The Truth Serum
“What do you need from us?” Ras asked.
He looked to his best friend. “I believe that the baron is shipping English rifles to Napoleon.”
“Bastard!” Ras exclaimed. Then he looked to Nate. “Monsieur Joguet didn’t tell me about rifles. He said it was food and simple, healthful things that the French needed. That they would pay handsomely for.”
“If Baron Corbis is involved, he’s running guns. He’s on the Board of Ordinance—”
“He’s the damned Storekeeper of the Ordinance!” Ras spat.
Nate nodded. “And he has a half-brother who is a soldier stationed there. Between the two of them, it could be done easily.” That had taken him the most time to discover. Fortunately, the baron’s nanny was a talkative sort who had no great love for her employer. She did adore the little girl though, and Nate had resolved to make sure she and the child remained safe.
“But he’s a military man!” Kynthea exclaimed. “Why would he do that?”
“Money,” Ras explained as he dropped back against the settee cushions. “Our rifles are better than any other variety. It’s a key advantage for England.”
Nate agreed. “Napoleon would pay well to outfit a small force with them.”
Becca, however, could not believe it. “The baron does not support Napoleon. The things he said about ‘that idiot Corsican’…” Her tone implied she was mimicking the baron’s words. “I don’t believe it.”
“Neither do I,” said Nate. “The baron believes in money, pure and simple. He would sell his own mother if he got a good price.”
Ras made a disgusted noise. “That’s what Monsieur kept saying. That there is profit in war for smart men.”
“Fletcher has said that, too,” Becca whispered, her face pale. “He admires the baron.” Her voice shifted to echo her brother’s tones. “The man knows how to make money.”
Kynthea shook her head. “But that the problem. He has plenty of money. There’s no need to betray his country for coin.”
“No need,” Nate agreed. “Except—”
“Greed,” Becca said. “They are greedy men, pure and simple.”
“Yes.”
“And you think he and my brother are the same. That Fletcher would betray his country for coin.”
Nate twisted awkwardly in his seat. Becca had just made a leap that he couldn’t argue. But neither could he agree with it…yet.
“The baron wants money because he likes being rich. He likes the attention it gives him. And he likes the idea of your dowry, especially your dower property. It is right next to the water, isn’t it? With a cave that’s perfect for smuggling.”
Becca swallowed. “Two or three of them have been used for just that purpose in years past.” She took a breath. “So that explains the baron’s interest in me. And Fletcher wants to trade me for power and respect. He wants the baron to support his bid for a seat in the House of Commons.”
Ras snorted. “What power comes from the House of Commons?”
“There’s power there,” Nate countered. “Especially if it comes with money. Fletcher and the baron could be a powerful alliance.” At least Lord Benedict thought so.
Kynthea cleared her throat. “So you’re trying to stop the sale of guns to France.”
“Yes.”
Ras folded his arms. “And I will block Fletcher’s bid for a political seat.”
Becca winced at that, but she didn’t object. It took Kynthea to voice the next obvious question.
“But why does Rebecca have to pretend with the baron?”
“We need to learn the date the exchange will happen—the money for the guns.” Nate looked to Ras. “Did you get it?”
“Yes. Next Tuesday.”
