Page 38 of Temptation and the Artist

“How did I know?” Stephen repeated. “I couldn’t quite remember myself why I knew your name, and then I recalled. It was on certain documents that passed through my hands. During the Hundred Days.”

He moved the pistol’s aim from Gaston to Philippe. “So, here is what will happen, gentlemen. You will leave the inn now, and travel through the night to Harwich, where you will take a ship for France. You will never trouble the princess or Basil again. And you will vacate Basil’s estate exactly when she requires you to. If you do not comply, if you are ever even seen in the British Isles again, I will make sure certain documents are placed before the current French authorities. And now, monsieur, you should be on your way.”

Chapter Eleven

As soon as the door closed behind the Monteignes, Aline sagged against Stephen, reaching blindly for Basil with her other hand, and hugging him convulsively.

“My brave boy,” she whispered and tried to laugh up at Stephen and the stolidly watching Mr. Flowers. “All my brave boys! My formal thanks for the rescue, gentlemen.”

“You seemed to have matters well under control,” Stephen said with unmistakable pride. Was that his lips brushing against her hair?

“We might have had more problems actually getting out of the inn,” Aline admitted. “And now we don’t need to because you sent them away instead. I can’t believe I trusted them with Basil only a few months ago.”

“Desperation makes people greedy,” Stephen offered.

“I’ll make sure they actually go,” Flowers growled, heading for the door.

“And order supper,” Aline called after him. “You and Stephen must be starving.”

But as Mr. Flowers left, the innkeeper, his wife, and one of the maids leapt back from the door. They had clearly been trying to listen, to work out if it was safe to enter. They parted like the Red Sea for Flowers, and Stephen said, “Some clean water and bandages in here if you please.”

Aline, who had dealt with much worse alone, found it rather lovely to be cossetted and cared for. Stephen led her to a seat at the table, pushing crockery aside to make space for the bowl of water and the box of bandages and salves brought by the maid. Then, he knelt at her feet and began to clean her hands and wrists. His lips tightened as his fingertips brushed over the rope marks on her wrist. He was thorough and gentle, and for the first time since she had been attacked outside Renwick’s Hotel, she felt like weeping.

“Will Mama be well?” Basil asked shakily.

“Of course, I will,” she exclaimed, though he seemed to need to hear it from Stephen.

“Yes, she will be fine,” Stephen said. “Her wrists and hands will be sore and stingy for a little, but nothing is deep. Now, tell me everything.”

Halfway through Aline and Basil’s joint account of their adventure, which had the added bonus of making it all seem fun to Basil now he was safe, Mr. Flowers returned.

“They’ve gone as if all the fiends of hell are after them. By a piece of good luck, William and Dennis drove up and spilled out of the carriage, looking furious and menacing, and supervised their departure.”

Stephen grinned. So did Basil.

“They send their good wishes, ma’am. And are relieved to know you and Basil are safe.”

“Spoiling for a fight, were they?” Stephen asked.

“I wouldn’t have been able to hold them back if I hadn’t assured them you were both safe.”

“They are good men,” Aline said warmly. “And you, Mr. Flowers, are an incomparable tutor.

“Do you want to know what happened to us, too?” Basil said eagerly, and so the rest of the tale was told, while more wine was opened, and the table re-covered with food. And then Stephen and Mr. Flowers told their story, too, and Stephen showed her the note purporting to come from her.

She stared at it. “But that’s… Why in the world…? How did they even know…?”

“My father, apparently,” Stephen said ruefully. “They’d clearly spoken to him, for they said he’d told them I was in France. He must have also told them you were my reason for staying at Renwick’s.”

“Monteigne must have thought it a good way of reducing the number of your protectors,” Mr. Flowers said.

“Did you believe it?” Aline asked Stephen curiously.

“For a little,” he admitted. “Until my brain kicked in and I realized the abrupt little note didn’t sound like you at all. So, I went down to your rooms and found everyone in an uproar over your and Basil’s abduction.”

“Dennis discovered the direction of their carriage,” Mr. Flowers said, “and we concluded they were making for Harwich. We sent William and Dennis to follow in the carriage, in case they found you on the way, while Dornan and I came on horseback.”

“Calton’s horses,” Dornan explained. “I hope he doesn’t need them in a hurry.”

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