Page 33 of A Fierce Wind

Zoé had no intention of remaining behind when Freddie left with the Chouans. Gabe had objected when she told him they would be following but, in the end, he had gone with her mumbling all the while that her uncle would not be pleased she had disobeyed M’sieur West.

Zoé would rather face Gabe’s stern disapproval than miss being present to witness the rescue. How could she not be there if things went badly and Freddie needed her help? She didn’t accept for one moment his bravado as reflecting the true picture of things. He was brave, yes. That much he had demonstrated in Granville the night he had been shot. And he may have had a few fencing lessons, but that did not prove he could acquit himself in a fight. She had never seen him fire a musket or use his sword.

Checking her pistol, she secured her knife at her hip and set out after them, clinging to the shadows so as not to be seen.

As the rescue unfolded, she watched, fascinated by the precision of the Chouans replacing the guards and the quick extraction of the girl. It had all gone smoothly but still she was glad she had come. When the Chouans led the girl away, Zoé had hurried back to the inn to arrive before Freddie.

“Did I not tell you, mademoiselle,” said Gabe, his brooding countenance reminding her he was her uncle’s man, “M’sieur West may be Anglais, but he knows what he is about.”

“Oh, pish,” she said, using her aunt’s favorite word when presented with something she did not quite believe. “And say nothing of this to Freddie.”

Gabe huffed in response and escorted her to the inn’s back door where they had departed an hour earlier.

By the time Freddie opened the door to their chamber, she was slicing her apple. “Well, you look to be in one piece,” she said, her eyes roving over his body to be sure he had not encountered any soldiers on his return.

“Hale and hearty, as promised,” he said with a grin. “Is that apple for me?”

“It is if you want it.” She slid the plate toward him. “There is more wine, too. Come let us toast your success. You did recover the girl, oui? Your face tells me you did.”

He nodded. “Her name is Isabeau and she is downstairs at this very moment eating a bowl of stew and charming the Chouans. A stouthearted little soul.”

“How old is she?”

Freddie inclined his head, seeming to ponder. “About twelve, I should think. Not a child exactly but not yet a woman.”

Zoé tried to imagine a girl that age being seized by the republicans and confined in their filthy dungeon. “She must have been terribly frightened. Is she well?”

“Apparently her guard developed a fondness for her and made sure she was left alone. When Cadoudal’s men allowed him to think Rossignol wanted her, he was most annoyed but there was little he could do.”

“I see.” And she did see. The general was reputed to prefer young ones. “Perhaps her guard will be relieved when he learns she was plucked from the prison and returned to her family.”

“Well, that’s just it, Pigeon. Her mother and father were among those killed. She has only her brother, one of Cadoudal’s men.”

“She can hardly travel with the Chouans. Where will she go?”

“Cadoudal suggested we take her with us to Guernsey. Her brother wants her out of Brittany. She is not safe here.”

Zoé considered the idea. “I have smuggled children out of France before but we are not yet on our way home. She would be in danger as long as we remain in Brittany.”

Freddie gave her a hopeful look.

Zoé relented. “If it means her life to leave with us, how can we say no?”

A self-satisfied smirk appeared on his handsome face. “I had a feeling you would agree, so I said we would take her. I’ve asked Gabe to see if he can find her a lad’s clothing.”

Zoé frowned, annoyed she had proved so predictable, but at least Freddie had thought she would be kindly disposed toward the girl. “Here,” she said pouring him a glass of wine, “you can celebrate your victory.”

He pulled out a chair and sat, taking a sip of wine before biting into a slice of apple. “We will leave before dawn. Isabeau’s brother has volunteered to set us on the path to Fougères. I cannot leave Rennes soon enough. Once Rossignol realizes he’s been outwitted by the Chouans, he will be furiously combing the city for us.”

“Is Cadoudal worried?”

“Nay, he’s taking his men south as we go north.”

Zoé finished her wine, feeling fatigued to her bones. “I’m going to get some sleep.” She went to the bed and pulled down the cover, tossing one of the pillows to Freddie.

He caught it. “Thanks.”

She started to yank off her boots but Freddie intervened. “Allow me to act the valet.”