A base in Brittany, along with the freedom to visit his family in London, was the perfect solution. They could have their cake and eat it too.
“I would love to meet your family. Though I am still terrified what your mother will think of me, especially if I take you away to live in France,” she replied.
“Mama will just have to visit. We may need to hide some of the contraband while she is here, but I am sure we will be able to manage.” He leaned in and met her gaze. “Evangeline, my love, say yes.”
She grinned up at him. “If you are going to live in France, you had better embrace the language. So, my answer isoui.”
After returning to the safe house, Gus and Evangeline quickly penned several letters. One was to Captain and Mrs. Jones informing them of their son’s decision to remain in France, along with the first of what they imagined would be many invitations for them to visit Château-de-La-Roche.
The second was addressed to the Duke of Monsale in his capacity as chairman of the RR Coaching Company. It was an official letter notifying the board that Mister Augustus Trajan Jones was now going to be a director at large, effective immediately. Gus smirked at the thought of what Monsale would say when he opened the letter.
When theNight Windsailed for England later that evening, both letters were safely in Captain Grey’s keeping.
From the shore, Gus and Evangeline waved them a fond farewell.
“Well, this has been a day of surprises,” she said.
“You can say that again. This morning I woke up in the middle of a field to the rather disturbing sight of a cow chewing on my wig. Tonight . . .”
“Tonight, you will be sleeping in a comfortable bed, with your wife in your arms.”
He pulled her closer. It would take a little time to get used to the idea of them being a couple, of the changes in their lives. Gus found himself looking forward to it. To quiet moments alone with Evangeline, and to her, eventually finding peace.
Armand was gone, and that was a hole in her life, which only time could heal. Gus was determined to be there for Evangeline, for those moments when the cold reality of losing her uncle would catch her unawares. Her future happiness depended on him being able to shoulder some of the burden of grief.
As soon as they could arrange it, they would obtain a civil marriage license. In the summer, they would travel to England and have a wedding in front of family and friends. Monsale’s inability to visit France compelled them to forgo a church service in Saint-Brieuc.
“I suggest we stay in Binic for tonight. We can go back to Saint-Brieuc and deal with things after tomorrow. What do you think?” he said.
Evangeline nodded. “My vote is for a fish supper from one of the cafés along the waterfront. And a bottle of muscadet. It would be good for the both of us to pause for a moment before going home. We have to bury Armand and then face the ruins of the château. The weeks ahead are going to be difficult.”
“Oui.”
Evangeline softly smiled. “I will make a Frenchman of you yet.”
Gus lifted his good arm and gave a final wave to the departing yacht as it rounded the head of the harbor and headed out to sea. It was odd to watch his own boat leave without him.
This is not adieu; this is simply au revoir.
Evangeline was right. They should take this precious moment together. There would be plenty of time in the future for them to make plans and to grieve the loss of Armand.
Tonight, he wanted it to be about them. To make love to his wife, and sleep with her safely curled beside him.
Epilogue
The moment her bare feet touched the soft sand, Evangeline’s heart soared. For a time, she had thought this place lost. Gus had given it back to her.
Skirts held up, she continued on toward the water, gasping as the cold sea of the English Channel reached out and tickled her toes.
“I can’t believe you are going bare foot into the sea. It must be freezing.”
She turned and gave her husband a cheeky grin. It was cold, but she wasn’t going to let on. If Gus had any idea as to how icy the water was, he would never venture past the edge of the sand.
“Come on in. The water is fine. It is good for you,” she replied.
He shook his head. “Liar. I think sometimes you forget that you married a sailor. I know how bitterly cold the English Channel is on both sides. Just because we are in France, doesn’t mean it is any warmer.”
She lifted her gaze to the night sky, taking in the hundreds of stars which twinkled in a wide arch overhead. It was almost as if the hand of an ancient deity had tossed diamonds into the black, inky heavens.
