inside.
She placed her hand on his shoulder. “I will take care of it.”
Her brother stared up at her. “How?”
“What documents does Sommet have?”
“Letters. Letters to a friend where I explain my plans to reveal the identity of those spies.” He fidgeted side to side.
Juliana frowned. “But how can he release those documents without revealing his part in all of this?”
“I never mentioned him.” He scrubbed his face. “I may have wanted my friend to think it was all my plan.”
“Do you have any proof that Sommet was the one who gave you the names?”
Perhaps she could convince Sommet that he was endangering himself with those letters.
“No. He always insisted on meeting in person. Nothing is in writing.”
Blast. But perhaps if she went to Prinny on her knees and explained about her imbecilic younger brother—
Gregory cleared his throat. “While in my cups, I may have also written a letter demanding we kill the prince regent for sponsoring the Trio.”
Juliana sucked in a breath. “That is treason.” He truly would hang. She collapsed on the edge of her bed.
“Juliana?” Gregory asked.
She had to take three breaths before she could answer. “Where are these letters?”
Gregory shook his head. “At his country estate, or so he claims. I’m supposed to declare the challenge at his house party next week.”
“You know the challenge is a formality. If you contest the throne, it will go to you.”
Gregory swallowed. “I know.”
That explained the rather impressive list of royals and British noblemen that had been invited to the duke’s house party. There would be no going back after Gregory acted.
“If I do as he says, he’ll give me the papers afterward.”
Yes, and she was a dairy maid.
“Surely there’s someone we can tell . . .” Her words faded. Who? Sommet was one of the most powerful dukes in the country. And how could she tell anyone without explaining Gregory’s part in it all? “We will go to the house party.”
Gregory blinked. “You aren’t going to cede the crown—”
She cut him off with a glare. “Of course not. I’m going to get the letters back so he can no longer control you.”
“How? He won’t listen to threats. You aren’t— You aren’t going to sleep with—”
She smacked him alongside his head. “I’m going to steal the letters back.”
Gregory threw back his head and chortled. “You couldn’t even get past Cook to steal a tart—” He quieted. “You’re serious. Juliana, that is insane. You will be caught, and Sommet is not a man to cross.”
“I will get them back. I swear it. And have I ever broken a promise?” She fixed a stare on her brother when he would have spoken. “Ever?”
Slowly, he shook his head.
“You will accept the duke’s invitation on behalf of the royal family of Lenoria and tell him you agree to his plan. You will let him think he has won.”
A crease crossed Gregory’s forehead. “It might be dangerous. How do you intend to—”
But Juliana already had a plan formulating in her mind.
It would either work—or get her killed.
Chapter Five
T he thing Ian liked about Madeline Huntford was that she always set a good table for breakfast. None of this porridge and coddled egg nonsense. No, Maddie always had the best. Bacon, sausage, cheese, jellies.
She bounced a gurgling baby girl on her knee. Even though the little girl wasn’t quite a year old, she already promised to be a raving beauty like her mother. Raven ringlets and jade green eyes. “Pay no attention to how much Uncle Ian eats, Susie. Someday he will keel over from the amount of food he shovels into his gut.”
He eyed her nearly full plate. “You’re one to talk.”
Maddie grinned. “I’m still eating for two.” Her smile faded. “You have funds, do you not? I thought Clayton—”
“I’m fine. Clayton’s investments have left me with more money than I could ever spend. I’m just hungry.” He was always hungry. He