She reached his side then turned and pointed back in the direction from where she had come. “At Alain Rufus’s house. This is his farm. In the fading light last night, I didn’t recognize the place. And earlier, you were sleeping so soundly that it seemed a pity to wake you.”
Evangeline stepped past him and bent to pick up his hat. She offered it to Gus with a smile. “Vincent and his men stopped at Alain’s house late last night. They were continuing on to Saint-Brieuc. We are safe for the time being.”
She glanced at the cows. “I didn’t think about the milking herd when I left. I’m sorry about your wig.”
Gus snatched the hat out of her hands then stopped. He hated himself. Stealing her joy was the last thing he wanted. Evangeline had suffered enough over the past days.
“Is Alain to be trusted?”
She gave a firm nod. “He has worked closely with us over the years, and I can assure you that he has no love for Vincent or his gang.”
He reached out and gently pulled her into his arms, placing a tender kiss on her lips. “I’m sorry I was angry. You scared me by leaving like that. Please don’t do it again.”
He dared not tell her that the past few minutes had been like living one of his worst nightmares. In London, while he had been under the influence of laudanum, his nights had been filled with angry, desperate dreams. Of holding a bloodied, wounded Evangeline in his arms as she lay dying.
Gus blinked back tears as a simple and undeniable truth settled in his mind.
I love her. I cannot imagine a life without this woman.
Evangeline met his gaze. The timid smile on her lips held the promise of forgiveness.
“Come and have some food. Alain’s wife has made broth, and there are fresh eggs. After a large cup of coffee, I promise you will feel more human.”
He accepted her kiss and whispered, “All I need is you.”
“You will always have me, Gus Jones. Now come and eat.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Harry and Stephen had always pressed upon Gus the need for a man to have friends. To know that in times of danger there were people that could be counted upon. Alain Rufus was one of those men.
Gus took in the cramped kitchen and dining space of the farmhouse. It was lovely and warm thanks to the fire blazing in the hearth against the far wall. The gray haired, shaggy-bearded farmer greeted him with a generous hug, then quickly offered him a seat at the large, battered old table. It reminded Gus of the one at the RR Coaching Company offices, and he felt a sudden pang of homesickness.
I wonder if the lads are thinking about me this morning.
He could just imagine what each one of them would say if they knew where he was and what a mess, he and Evangeline had got themselves into. Harry and George would no doubt congratulate him on having got this far, while Stephen would offer up carefully considered words of caution.
As for Monsale—he would demand to know where all the weapons were and how Gus planned to kill Vincent Marec. Then his attention would turn to how best the rogues of the road could capitalize on the situation and take over the French side of the smuggling operation.
Once a bloody-thirsty, thieving pirate, always . . .
Plans for the future could wait. All that mattered was finding a way to Binic. To seeing Evangeline safely on board theNight Windand sailing for home.
Evangeline set a large bowl of fine chicken broth in front of him, along with a spoon. “This is good. I ate some while you were napping with the cows.”
While Gus ate, Madame Rufus busied about the kitchen cooking eggs and giving Evangeline pointers about which herbs should go in a cassoulet. He was pleased to see that Evangeline paid close attention. He caught his fiancée’s eye at one point, and she playfully poked the tip of her tongue out at him.
Minx. I can’t wait to make you, my wife.
Alain drew up a chair and seated himself across the table from Gus. After pulling a pipe out of his jacket pocket, he proceeded to stuff it with tobacco.
In what was clearly a well-practiced move, he leaned back in the chair and selected a taper from a box by the fireside. He held it aloft. Without further ado, Madame Rufus shuffled over from her place at the stove, plucked the taper from her husband’s fingers, lit it, and then handed it back to him. Alain blew his wife a kiss.
Gus grinned at the elegant ballet. It was one they had obviously danced together many times before. He appreciated the easy comfort of a long-married couple.
I hope Evangeline and I will be so blessed.
With his pipe lit, Alain rested his hands on the table and faced Gus. “Your horses are the problem, Augustus. So, I have come up with a solution.”
