"That's common knowledge." Rafe flicked the ash from his cigar. "Where do I come in?"

"There's a tremendous undercover struggle for influence in these months until the new treaties are settled," Lucien said. "It wouldn't take much to upset the negotiations, perhaps to the point of war. Information is critical. Unfortunately, my agent, Maggie, whose work has been invaluable, wants to retire and leave Paris as soon as possible, before the conference is finished."

"Offer her more money."

"We have. She's not interested. I hope that you can persuade her to change her mind and stay at least until the conference is over."

"Ah, we're back to kissing," Rafe said with an amused gleam in his eyes. "I gather that you want me to sacrifice my honor on the altar of British interests."

Lucien said dryly, "I'm sure that you have other means of persuasion. You are a duke, after all-she may be flattered that we're sending you to France to talk to her. Or perhaps you can appeal to her patriotism."

Rafe's brow furrowed. "While I'm flattered at your opinion of my charm, wouldn't it be simpler to have one of your diplomatic people who is already in Paris deal with the woman?"

"Unfortunately, there is reason to believe that a member of the delegation is… unreliable. Secret information has been getting out of the British embassy, and it has caused problems." Lucien scowled. "Maybe I'm seeing shadows where none exist and there is no traitor, merely carelessness. But this business is too vital to risk working through unsafe channels."

"I'm getting the sense that you're worried about something more than the normal diplomatic wrangling," Rafe said.

"Am I that obvious?" Lucien said wryly. "You're quite right-I've been getting disturbing reports that suggest a plot to disrupt the peace negotiations, possibly end them altogether."

Rafe rolled his cigar between his thumb and forefinger as he tried to think of a single deed so disruptive that the Allies would be thrown into chaos. "Is it an assassination plot? All the Allied sovereigns except the British Prince Regent are in Paris, along with Europe's leading diplomats. Killing any of them could be disastrous."