Gus put a comforting arm around her shoulder. “He was lucid, worried about you. But let’s not argue about the details. Whoever set the flame to the gunpowder doesn’t really matter. The west wing of the château is in ruins. The roof completely gone. The servants had led most of the animals away by the time I reached the courtyard. As for the house, it was too dangerous to go inside.”
She picked up her cooling cup of coffee and took a long sip. Her family home was destroyed, Armand dead. And she had unwittingly sought revenge against someone who hadn’t started the fire. The first two facts she knew to be true, the last she wasn’t so sure.
Then again. If Vincent hadn’t brought the flame into the house . . .
Even if Vincent hadn’t actually lit the fuse, he had been the cause of it all. The blame still lay squarely at his feet.
“Evangeline?”
While she was grateful that Gus was here, that he hadn’t been dragged into the fight with Vincent, his presence now created a number of problems.
If I could just convince him to go home to England, I might be able to simply disappear.
She had a good horse, some money, and all the reasons in the world to get far away from here. Her cousin Louis was her best option. Making it all the way to Paris would take some doing. Two hundred and seventy miles. It would be a long, dangerous journey, even without a gang of desperate smugglers on her trail.
I have to get away. If they find us, they will think Gus was involved and kill him too.
Only a naïve fool would hold out any hope that Vincent’s men wouldn’t find the rifle. The burned trail of gunpowder would lead straight to it. She may as well have done the same as Sir Stephen and left a formal calling card.
“Did you hear me, Evangeline?”
She jumped at his words. “Sorry, I am just exhausted. A great deal has happened over the past day.” She didn’t want to talk about Armand. Couldn’t begin to accept that he was gone. Her only remaining family was Louis, and she barely knew him.
“I shall ask Madame Jodoc if you can go upstairs and sleep. When you have rested, then we should talk,” said Gus.
Evangeline shook her head. Sleep was a luxury she didn’t have. Getting away from here and taking the danger with her was what mattered. “Thank you, but no. Once Jodoc has put a new shoe on Gobain, I need to leave. If I go now, I should be able to make it to Dinan before nightfall.”
A warm hand settled under her chin; Gus turned her head to face him.
Let me go. I am more trouble than I am worth. I will get you killed.
“What is at Dinan? Or more importantly, who?”
She flinched at the obvious hint of jealousy in his tone. Clearing her throat, she attempted to turn away. Gus maintained his hold, light but still firm.
“No one is at Dinan, but it’s a sizeable town and I will be able to find lodging there. After that, I can make my way across country and meet with the main road to Paris. I am going to my cousin Louis,” she replied.
Gus huffed. “No. You can’t just disappear like that into the French countryside. A young woman travelling on her own won’t last very long. And yes, I know you have a rifle, but you can’t shoot every vagabond between here and Paris.”
She stared long into his brown eyes, determined to imprint the memory of them forever in her mind. This was not his fight; she was not his responsibility.
Lifting her hand, she touched where his rough but gentle fingers held her chin.
We will always have that kiss on the beach. That one brief moment when I thought we might have hope for a future together. But that time is now gone.
For many years now she had wondered how it would feel to trace the contour of his short, dark beard. To place soft, tender kisses on his cheek. Her gaze drifted to his lips. A kind smile sat on them. Gus Jones was an intriguing man, handsome in her sight.
“I know you worry about me, Gus. And that is honorable of you. But this is my home, my country. I shall have to trust to the good nature of my fellow citizens and hope I make it to Paris.”
The smile on his lips died, replaced by a firm, hard line. “Alright. If you are determined to make the trip, we shall go to Paris. TheNight Windwill sail for England in a few days, but I should be able to make my way home from the capital. With Europe at peace, it won’t be too difficult for me to secure a berth on a ship sailing out of one of the northern ports. Perhaps I might even stay in Paris for a time. See you settled.”
She was torn. Having Gus travel with her would indeed be a blessing. Under his protection, she stood a good chance to make it all the way to her cousin’s home.
But if Vincent comes after me, then what?
The Englishman might well be a rogue involved in all manner of illegal endeavors, but he was also the sort who would defend her to the death. Enough people she cared about had died. First her parents during a bitterly cold winter, now Armand. She wasn’t going to add Gus to that list. “I don’t want you to go to all that trouble. Paris will take you far from home. I shall be careful. I will . . .”
He let go of her face and shot to his feet. “Enough! Either I come with you to Paris, or I tie you to your horse and take you to my boat. It’s your choice, Evangeline. I made a vow to Armand to keep you safe. You cannot deny the wishes of a dying man.”
