Tamsyn bowed. “Thank you for seeing me, Madame LeBlanc. Madame Barriere said you might be willing to discuss a certain matter.”
The older woman studied her narrowly. “She did say I’d be receiving an interesting visitor today. No need to bow, young lady, and a curtsy would require a skirt. Have a seat. Would you like a cup of tea?”
So much for passing as male. “Yes, please. Is it the fortune-telling sort of tea?” Tamsyn asked as she settled into one of the brocade-covered chairs.
“No, this is tea that tells no tales. I haven’t Marie’s gift for such things.” The older woman poured two cups of tea and handed one to Tamsyn, gesturing for her to help herself to sugar. “She said that you are a member of the Tribe of Tremayne and are desperate to rescue your brother from Claude Bastien.”
Clearly the two older women were good friends and Marie trusted Madame LeBlanc’s discretion. “Yes, we were caught in Calais as war was declared and the order was issued to detain all British men. My brother and I were helping some English stragglers board the British ambassador’s ship when Cade was attacked and taken away. Of course I had to stay here to free him.”
“Of course.” A faint smile touched Madame LeBlanc’s lips. “So you’re brave, loyal, and reckless. A true Tremayne.”
Curious, Tamsyn asked, “Do you know my parents?”
“Yes, they visited France in better times.” The older woman made a face and stirred a heaping spoonful of sugar into her tea. “Outrageous for the First Consul to detain so many British civilians, but he enjoys being outrageous.”
“Can you help me free my brother from Château Bastien, Madame? Cade and I are not here to cause trouble. We just want to go home.”
Madame LeBlanc stared into her teacup, stirring the sugar more than necessary. “You’ve been told how . . . difficult Claude Bastien is?”
Tamsyn’s mouth tightened. “He’s been torturing my brother. He has the most appalling gift for pain.”
“He does.” There was a long moment before Madame LeBlanc met Tamsyn’s gaze and said quietly, “To my regret. He’s my nephew.”
Startled, Tamsyn said, “You’re a Bastien by birth?”
“Yes. I grew up in the château and know it well. My older brother Edmond was the previous master of the estate.”
“So Claude is his son.”
“Officially, though I have my doubts about his actual parentage,” the other woman said dryly.
“That’s an . . . intriguing statement,” Tamsyn said cautiously.
“I don’t air my family’s hidden scandals lightly.” Madame LeBlanc sighed. “But it might be useful in this case. My brother was a scholar, more interested in his books than people. He married Melisande for her dowry, I believe. She was beautiful and . . . profligate. She would go down through the caves to meet lovers. She liked rough, common men—smugglers, highwaymen, and the like. She only had the one child, Claude, and she died in childbirth. He is tall and dark and craggy looking, his appearance nothing like anyone else in the family. I’ve always presumed Claude’s father was one of her lovers.”
Startled, Tamsyn said, “Did your brother realize that?”
“I assume so, but he was interested only in his studies of ancient Greek and Roman texts. He had his heir and that sufficed.” She poured more tea into her cup. “He died in a fall down the château stairs when Claude was twenty-one.”
Tamsyn caught her breath. “Did you think it wasn’t an accident?”
The older woman shrugged. “I really don’t know. My brother could be very absent-minded. Perhaps he missed a step while thinking about an inscription.”
Perhaps. But Tamsyn sensed that the older woman didn’t believe that. “Madame Barriere said that your nephew works for the government.”
Her hostess nodded. “Yes, the secret police. He likes hunting the enemies of France.”
No wonder he’d been so intent on capturing Cade. “Is it still possible to enter the château from the caves below?”
“Yes, though I haven’t traveled that way for many years. There are several caves but only one leads up to the château. I can show you that one, and you can decide if it will work for you and your brother.” Madame LeBlanc’s eyes narrowed. “But before I explain how to enter the château, I will tell you what I need in return for helping you.”
“I will pay any price as long as I am alive to do so,” Tamsyn said.
“I’m glad you’re not underestimating the risks. If you’re dead, of course that absolves you of the debt,” the other woman said with grim humor.
“Tell me your price.”
“I want you to take my grandson Andre to England and do what is necessary to establish him there,” Madame LeBlanc said in a steely voice.
