Philippe clasped Marie’s hand hard, his expression baffled. “Why are you so generous to us? When we first met, I threatened you with my rifle!”
“You were defending what you loved most. I would have done the same. We are family, as I’ve said before. Family helps family.” Simon guessed that Jean-Louis’s erratic attention had given Philippe little faith in family support. But he was learning.
“The decisions are yours, of course, but in your position, I’d head down to the estate with a wagon full of seed and farming equipment,” Suzanne said thoughtfully. “When you were camping out in the ruins, you were too ill to meet any of the local people, but there must be men and women who worked for the estate in better days and would be pleased to have jobs again.”
Marie asked Suzanne, “Most sizable estates also have cottages and tenant buildings scattered about. Is that true of Château Chambron? One such house would suit us for the foreseeable future.”
“Yes, there were a number of smaller residences in different locations around the estate,” Suzanne replied. “I’d suggest looking for one that isn’t currently occupied and being flexible and generous with any of the former tenants and laborers who have been planting crops and keeping livestock on the property since Jean-Louis abandoned it. Deal with them tactfully, and they will reward you with their loyalty, I think. Jean-Louis tended to be . . . rather too aristocratic.”
“Luckily, I wasn’t raised as a true aristo.” Philippe smiled at his wife. “But even so, Marie is in charge of tact and charm.”
Marie smiled back at him. “When shall we leave,mon chéri?”
“You’re not coming with me!” Philippe exclaimed. He turned to Simon and Suzanne. “Can Marie stay here until the estate and the future are more settled?”
“Of course,” Suzanne said warmly. “I would miss her sorely if she were to leave now.”
Marie scowled. “The fact that I am with child doesn’t make me useless!”
“No, but if the armies of France invade Belgium, one of the routes might be right across your estate,” Simon said bluntly.
“He’s right.” Philippe touched his wife’s shining blond hair. “You and our child are too precious to risk in a war zone. If there is danger, it will be easier for me to deal with it if I’m alone.”
Marie looked as if she wanted to argue, but her good sense won out. “Very well,” she sighed. “But if armies do start marching over the estate, for heaven’s sake, get out of the way!”
Philippe smiled with rare humor. “One reason I survived years as a soldier is that I know what armies are like. I have a keen sense of when to retreat and when to go to ground and hide. I’ll be safe, and so will you.”
Marie caught her husband’s hand and held it to her heart. “I know you are right,” she said intensely. “But it will be hard to say farewell.”
Simon glanced at Suzanne and their somber gazes met. Yes, the farewells would be agonizing for all of them—and in a world on the brink of war, there was no way to avoid them.
Chapter 34
Outside the dining room where the financial discussions had taken place, Jenny and Jackson were waiting, holding hands. She was blushing and looking very pretty, while he looked confident and determined. They exchanged a glance, and then Jenny blurted out, “Madam. Sir. We want to get married!”
“As soon as possible,” Jackson added. “Maurice knows a Church of England vicar here in Brussels, and he says we can arrange a marriage quickly.”
“How wonderful!” Suzanne exclaimed. “I’ve been expecting such a happy announcement, and here it is.” She guessed they had decided to marry as soon as possible because of the impending war. In a world falling into fragments, they needed to weld themselves together into one loving unit.
Understanding that need, Simon said warmly, “This calls for a celebration!”
Maurice and his wife and several other servants had crowded in behind the happy couple, so Simon continued, “Maurice, I’m sure that this house’s cellar must contain champagne. Time to break out a couple of bottles to toast the happy occasion.”
Maurice grinned. “Champagne coming right up, sir!”
As everyone chatted and waited for the champagne, Suzanne studied Jackson, amazed at how much he’d changed since Simon had hired him. Then, Jackson had been like a wary dog who had been kicked too often and no longer trusted anyone, except Jenny, who had never lost faith in him.
Now he was confident and protective of his lady love. Simon had said Jackson had become a competent valet and a very good secretary and his daily exercises had improved his hand beyond what anyone had thought possible. Some of the damage would never heal, but no matter. Jackson was ready for what the future might bring, and he and Jenny would face it hand in hand and heart to heart.
Pray God that everyone under this roof did have a future.
After a toast to the young couple’s happiness had been drunk, Suzanne and Simon retired, pleading fatigue after their long ride. When they reached their bedroom, Simon quietly closed the door behind him. “First thing in the morning I’ll send a note to Wellington’s house to inform him that I’ve returned. I expect he’ll want to talk to me tomorrow.”
Suzanne sighed and began pulling the pins from her hair. “Then he’ll send you off within the next day or so. I hope you can be here for Jenny and Jackson’s wedding.” Her smile was unsteady. “I’ve accepted that you’re safer traveling fast and alone. Just . . . be sure you survive to come back.”
Simon crossed the room and embraced her as if storing up as many memories of touch and closeness as he could. “I don’t want to leave, but it’s needful. Knowing which way the enemy will march is the difference between victory and massacre.”
“I understand.” She bit her lip until the urge to cry passed. “Duty is a harsh mistress. I could scream and weep and beg you not to leave and you’d still go, and we’d both be even more miserable because of my attempts.”
