Читать книгу Miranda - Susan Wiggs, Susan Wiggs - Страница 6
ОглавлениеLondon
June 1814
The writing paper held the scent of violets, and that was the first clue.
The difficult cipher, based on a momentous day in the life of Napoleon Bonaparte, became clear after study. The key was not his birthday, after all, but an event far more significant: the date the defeated emperor went into exile on the Isle of Elba—4 May 1814. And that was the second clue.
The Allies believed the wars were finally over. At last a Bourbon king again sat upon the throne of France. Bonaparte would never return to seize power.
But the sender of the message disagreed.
M——
The hour of glory approaches. The crowned despots of Europe and their butchering battle commanders will all arrive in England before the end of summer.
They believe they have come to celebrate a lasting peace. Only you and I know their true destiny.
The final solution lies within our grasp, thanks to Miranda Stonecypher. Once we learn her secret, she must die. Else half the men of England will be after Miranda.
La Couleuvre
The hand holding the message clenched into a fist, crumpled the perfumed paper and hurled it into the hearth fire.
