AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We have to be certain,” the taller soldier said. “You would be surprised at what we have found—men and women, seemingly loyal to the republic, aiding the aristocrats. Hiding them, helping them escape. Some will do anything to avoid being taken to the guillotine.” He looked hopefully at Gabrielle.
She took a step back, sighing in relief when the door opened again and the officer stepped inside. “Anything here?”
“No, sir!” the shorter soldier answered. “All appears in order.”
“Very well.” He gave Gabrielle and Ramsey long looks. Gabrielle kept her gaze steady on his, though she felt he could see right through her, knew she was Viscountess McCullough, and not a simple lace maker.
“Watch yourself,” he said with a backward glance at Alex, who Gabrielle now saw stood behind him. “I have a feeling about this house. We could be back.”
Gabrielle listened to his footsteps retreat down the stairs and didn’t let out her breath until she heard the door close. Ramsey moved toward her, as though he might put his arms around her, but instead opened the door a sliver. Gabrielle didn’t know why she should feel disappointed.
Alex appeared at the door. “We’re fortunate they weren’t searching for you,” she said, her gaze on Ramsey, who was still bare chested. She raised her brows. “I thought all aristocrats were plump and lazy. Obviously, I have more to learn.”
Gabrielle bit her tongue. There was a retort on it, and she didn’t want to know what it might be. She didn’t care if this Alex looked at Ramsey. He wasn’t her husband. He had made it quite clear years ago that he didn’t want to be her husband.
And now she wouldn’t imagine what it would have been like if they had married. What sharing his bed every night would have been like, instead of sleeping alone…
“Does this happen often?” Ramsey asked, pulling his shirt over his head. “These domiciliary visits?”
“More often than I’d like,” Alex admitted. “You two did very well, which is surprising. I’m relieved we didn’t have to use the fireplace. Oh!” She put her hands to her face. “I suppose I’d better let le duc know it’s safe to come out.” She turned and scampered down the stairs.
Gabrielle stared at the door and then at Ramsey. “You don’t suppose…” she began.
“That she has the duc de Courtenay hiding in the fireplace? I wouldn’t be surprised.”
Still clutching the sheet about her, Gabrielle followed Ramsey down the stairs and into the drawing room, where a large, cold fireplace dominated the room. Alex’s candle scattered shadows on the walls, making the appearance of feet dropping down within the hearth rather alarming. Gabrielle drew in her breath as a man ducked out. He brushed at his already ragged coat, dislodging a layer of soot.
Seeing Gabrielle and Ramsey, he bowed graciously. “Mademoiselle. Monsieur.”
Gabrielle’s head began to pound. The man the soldiers were looking for was standing in front of her. Of course, she was relieved he hadn’t been discovered, but what if he had? They would all be on their way to prison right now. She was halfway there without the aid of the duc de Courtenay.
And this, she supposed, was why the populace of France had turned on one another. It was kill or be killed. How did Alex continue to risk her life? Gabrielle feared she didn’t have the fortitude.
Oh how she longed for London and the quiet of her home on Audley Street. She might have creditors at her doorstep, but she didn’t have soldiers in her bedchamber. The events of the night had left her shaken, and she could have used one of the special teas Mrs. Cress made or Diana’s unfailing fortitude. She was ashamed to admit it, even to herself, but if there hadn’t been a Mr. Pin, she would have returned to London at the first opportunity.
What did that say about her? That she was such a coward that she was willing to leave the comtesse and her daughter to the mercy of this revolution?
Ramsey, in the meantime, was staring at the fireplace. He nodded to her. “From this vantage point, it looks normal, but it’s actually quite large inside. Still, I don’t think all three of us would have fit.”
Alex smiled sheepishly. “Lucky you two could find a more pleasant way to hide. Besides, you look nothing like the duc.”
That was true. The duc was a man of perhaps fifty, with a large nose and receding hair. He managed to retain his air of nobility, even dressed in rags and smelling of the prison he’d recently escaped.
“Come with me.” Alex gestured to the duc. “You must keep moving.”
“Is it safe for him to be out on the streets?” Gabrielle asked, ashamed that a few moments before she had wished the man anywhere but here. Wished she were home and safe in London.
“No,” Alex answered. “There are other ways to move about Paris.” She shooed them with her hands. “Now back to bed, the two of you. Sleep while you have the chance.”
Ramsey took Gabrielle’s arm and led her from the drawing room. “Probably a secret passage,” he said as they started up the stairs again. “She doesn’t want us to see it, and that’s for the best. The less we know, the better.”
Gabrielle wasn’t sure if she agreed. Knowing where the secret passage was might come in useful. Ramsey opened the door to their small chamber.
Especially if she needed to escape.
She looked at him, remembered the feel of his skin under her hands, the touch of his mouth on her breast, the warmth of his body. In his arms, she’d felt safe.
“I can sleep on the floor.” He arched a brow as though he knew what she was thinking.
