Page 83 of Echo in the Wind

Bequel smiled and shut his eyes.

Gabrielle said, “I believe the bleeding is slowing.”

“We should be to the château soon,” Zoé encouraged.

The carriage was just rolling to a stop when Jean jumped down, shouting for the butler and a footman. Together with Lefèvre, Jean got the protesting quartermaster into the château. The footman helped the driver into one of the available chambers, while Donet returned M’sieur Bequel to the bedchamber he had been occupying.

Joanna and Gabrielle had followed the three men, while Zoé went in search of Marguerite.

Émile grumbled as Jean helped his quartermaster onto the bed. Out of the corner of his eye, Jean saw Joanna standing in the doorway.

“Find Giroud and bring him to me,” Jean ordered the butler.

Lefèvre skittered out of the room. “Oui, Monsieur.”

At Joanna’s urging, Gabrielle removed the quartermaster’s shirt, just as Marguerite came hurrying into the room, the maid Sophie following on her heels.

She rushed to Émile’s bedside, her lined face expressing her anxiety. “What has happened now?”

“A scratch, no more,” said the quartermaster.

Donet and the housekeeper shared a glance and Marguerite went to work.

“The driver has been shot as well,” Jean informed the housekeeper.

At the open door, Zoé joined Joanna. “Will he be all right?” asked Jean’s niece.

Joanna put her arm over the girl’s shoulder. “He will be, you’ll see.”

The housekeeper set about cleaning the wound, fussing over Bequel and shouting instructions to Sophie to bring hot water, bandages and brandy. “When you are done with that,” she told the maid, “see if you can help the coachman.”

Sophie nodded and scurried to find what was needed. Gabrielle went with her, offering to help.

Donet pulled up a chair in front of the bed. “What happened?”

“The trip to town went well,” said M’sieur Bequel. “We were on the way back when three brigands on horseback attacked us with pistols and swords. I got two before the third came at me with his blade. Ye know the sword’s not my weapon, Capitaine, and both my pistols had fired.” With a sheepish grin, he said, “That third one got away. In the future, I’m thinking we need to give the driver a pistol.”

Donet patted Bequel’s leg. “You did fine, mon ami, and I will see to arming the driver. I should have thought of that before. Now, get some rest.”

“He’ll not be getting any rest till I’m finished with him,” said Marguerite.

Donet shifted his gaze to the door. “No more trips to town,” he fired at Joanna.

She nodded. “What’s going on?”

“I do not know, but I intend to find out.”

Joanna took Zoé’s hand. “Let’s go have some tea, shall we?”

The two disappeared and Giroud took their place at the door. “M’sieur?”

“The carriage was attacked returning from Saint Jean d’Angély. Send some men to retrieve the two bodies left by M’sieur Bequel.”

“Immediately, M’sieur.” The estate manager quickly departed.

Jean stayed with Émile until the ball was out to offer his support and to keep his quartermaster supplied with brandy. Several times, a dig to hunt for the ball had the quartermaster cursing loudly.

When Jean opened his mouth to apologize, Marguerite said, “No need, Monsieur. I have heard men curse before. ’Tis expected in such circumstances.”