Jacques set the tray down on the bedside table and joined Ben. Both men looked over the receipt again, mirroring the other’s surprise.
“Monsieur Arsene Lupin.” Ben nearly laughed outright. “The owner of one ‘Gentleman’s Adventure Club.’”
Jacques sounded as shocked as Ben felt. “How did you know that, Madame?”
Ben looked up, curious to know her answer as well. She looked between the both of them and shrugged, a cup of tea already in hand. “Edgar lent me a book. He said it was his favorite collection of stories.”
“So, if I am to understand this correctly, my father used the name of a fictional seller to con your uncle and your cousin’s fiancé out of money?”
“It appears so,” Remi said, sipping her tea.
“I almost can’t believe it.” Ben shared a look with Jacques, who was rendered speechless.
“Look at the date.” Remi returned to her chair opposite Ben. “It was marked a couple of weeks before the wedding.”
“Is there some significance to that?” Ben asked.
“There might be,” she said, staring into the cup balanced on her lap. “I learned something interesting today. My uncle was in Paris last September; my engagement was announced after he returned home.”
“Strange.”
“I suspect he met with my father.”
Ben’s eyes widened. “Are you certain?”
“It’s mostly speculation on my part, and that’s only because Elise told me he’d made the trip.” Remi grimaced. “She said that Guillaume accompanied him and they went to a bordello somewhere deep in the city. I suppose he didn’t want anyone to know who they were—and if he was meeting my father, they would need to find someplace far away from anyone who might notice him.”
“A bordello?” Ben looked shocked.
“There’s only one place I can think of,” Jacques said as he took up a spot beside the mantle. “It has a reputation for dealing with shady folks. They take money to keep big secrets.”
Ben knew exactly which bordello; he’d only ever gone there one time. “I know the place. The Madame that runs the business is a ruthless money-hound.”
Remi eyed Ben curiously.
“Worry not,” he said quickly. “I went once, and they robbed me blind. I never went back.”
“I’m sure you learned an invaluable lesson.”
By the fire, Jacques coughed to cover his laughter.
Ben wished she was right; unfortunately, he’d learned only to avoid the place. He found better establishments that were worthwhile with women who didn’t look at him like a meal. But the bordellos were in Paris, and he was on an island with Remi again. He was content to quit his habit. In the past, those women had brought him the comfort and companionship he so badly longed for. Remi’s presence in his life softened that ache.
“It’s been a long day.” Ben leaned forward in his chair and covered his face. “I could use a bath.”
“I’ll find Sylvie,” Jacques said, already moving toward the door.
“I’m sorry for your burdens.” Remi reached a hand out to touch his arm.
“They were yours first.” He smiled meekly, moving his hands to his chin. “That was brilliant of you, though. I never would have known otherwise.”
“Thank you.” Remi’s cheeks sparked bright pink. “Part of me wonders if he gave me the book on purpose.”
“Perhaps,” Ben stretched and then stood. “To think that he would do something as risky as forging a sale for that large a sum.”
“There must be a reason for it.”
“Yes, but why?” Ben grasped the back of his neck, massaging the tender muscles. “And where did the money go?”
“There are more questions than answers, aren’t there?”
Ben met Remi’s green-blue eyes. She was tangled up in more than she realized, and it was all thanks to her uncle. “You asked earlier if I saw Lamotte, but I did not tell you why.”
She arched a brow, waiting for him to continue.
“He has a private ledger.” Ben remembered how thick it was, and it made him all the more anxious to get his hands on it. “A large file full of papers and possibly documents about this sham of a sale he set up. I’m certain there’s more to it, but he would not release it to me without you.”
“And you think we need it.”
He nodded. “Without it, we are left to the wolves.”
“I trust your judgment.”
A moment later, Sylvie knocked and announced that Ben’s bath was drawn. She collected the untouched tray and Remi’s cup before excusing herself. She appeared ragged and seemed to be growing worse every day. Ben and Remi shared a sympathetic look as Sylvie left them.
He ran a hand along Remi’s cheek lightly, watching her eyes as they darted across his face. What is she looking for? He wondered. Or rather, what does she see in me?
“Stay here,” he said gently. “Rest as much as you can.”
