“If we do make it to Binic in one piece and there is time, we could go to one of the local churches and hold a prayer service for him. Armand was obviously fond of the town. I expect he would like that,” he replied.
Her head lifted and she met his gaze. “Yes, the Notre-Dame de Bon-Voyage chapel is close to the waterfront, along Rue des Écoles. We could go there—time and danger permitting.”
Matters settled; Gus picked up his saddlebags. Their food supplies had been replenished and his hip flask was once more filled with brandy. With his coat, wig, and hat all back in place, he looked every part the local country gentleman. The perfect disguise.
As soon as Evangeline was finished with her breakfast and ready to leave, they would be headed on the road out of Dinan and into the wilds of Brittany.
“Don’t be long. We need to cover as many miles as we can today. We have to plan for contingencies once we get closer to the coast. Who knows what Marec might have waiting for us? And Captain Grey has a set timetable for departure; he won’t stay in port any longer than needs be,” he said.
He dreaded to think how skittish the men on board the boat would be right now. Château-de-La-Roche had been blown to pieces. And they were being asked to stay in Binic and wait patiently to see if the elusive Mister Jones made an appearance. He hoped the crew of theNight Windhad emulated the Boston Tea Party and thrown the crates of gunpowder overboard.
They probably think I am already dead.
Outside in the stables, he went to check on the horses. The coins he had given the stable boy last night should have resulted in the best of both feed and stalls for his and Evangeline’s mounts.
He had just stepped into Gobain’s stall when the lad he had tipped last night suddenly appeared from around the other side of the horse. Gus’s cheery greeting never made it past his lips. The young man held a finger up and slowly shook his head. He motioned for Gus to follow him.
He led Gus to the back of the stall. “There are some men who have just arrived, and they were asking me about any other travelers who were staying at the hotel. One of them mentioned a young woman with pale hair,” whispered the boy.
Ruddy hell.
“Where are they now?” Gus asked.
The boy pointed to the far end of the stables. “They have left their horses and gone to the nearest public house to eat and drink. Once they are finished, I expect they will come back here and ask more questions.”
Gus leaned in. “What did you tell them about the woman?”
If the men were as he suspected, part of the Lamballe gang, they would be looking for Evangeline. Her fair hair made her stand out in any crowd.
“I told them nothing of her. They treated their animals poorly. And they said harsh things about Mademoiselle La Roche. They called her a whore. Said that she was going to get more of what she had already had, but that this time she wouldn’t enjoy it. A man who is harsh to simple beasts and women is not to be trusted. I told them the only people who stayed here last night were two gentlemen on their way through to Rennes.”
Gus didn’t like what he was hearing, both about Evangeline and also the stories the lad had been telling. “Why did you lie to them?”
He shrugged. “The voice of feeling cannot lead us astray; and one can never be guilty for following nature.”
When Gus frowned, the boy sighed. “Évariste de Forges de Parny. My tutor makes me study him. I used to think his poems were boring, but I am beginning to understand them.”
A stable boy with a tutor?
“My father owns this hotel; he wants me to have an education, so I can look after him when he is old.”
“He is a smart man. Now which way did these men go?”
“Out the front, across the street. If you are looking to avoid them, which I suspect you are, then Mademoiselle La Roche will not be able to come down the main stairs. And to make your troubles even worse, the back ones are broken, and the carpenter isn’t coming until next Tuesday.”
Which meant the only way for Evangeline to safely leave the hotel was for her to climb out the window.
Merde.
The choice now set before him was whether to risk her using the main stairs and being seen or shimming down one of the old clay downpipes. Neither appealed.
“My father is a good man but a little too effusive if you get my meaning. The moment those men set foot inside, he will happily tell them everything. Mademoiselle La Roche has stayed here many times over the years; he is sure to mention her. And of course, you.”
Gus fished in his coat pocket and pulled out a one-franc coin. The boy had more than earned it. “Thank you but promise me you won’t tell those men any more lies. Just say you had forgotten if they happen to mention Mademoiselle La Roche again.”
He and Evangeline now had to make as hasty and discreet a departure as they could.
“Would you lead our two horses into the rear lane and wait for us there? We shouldn’t be long. Then we will take our problems with us and leave your family in peace.” Gus turned and headed toward the front of the stall. As he stepped into the yard, he bent and picked up a handful of small stones.
