Chapter Fourteen
When several horses galloped down the lane Anthony and Philippe squeezed into the hidden area beneath the roof. Josette pulled the cupboard back into place to conceal the door. Anthony heard her scurrying about as she tidied away any sign of them. His arm throbbed, and in the dim light, Philippe’s eyes looked worried. He hated to cause trouble for Josette as did Anthony.
Banging and loud voices came from below heavy footsteps sounded on the stairs. “There is a trail of blood on the road near your cottage.”
“An animal.” Josette’s voice sounded calm. “A fox has been in my chicken coop. I’ve lost several birds.”
Anthony listened to the scuffle of feet on the boards. A creak as the cupboard door swung open. “You live alone?” a soldier asked.
“This is my brother’s house.”
“Where is he?”
“I don’t know. As you can see, he is not here.”
He thumped down the stairs to join his comrades. Minutes later, they rode away.
It appeared too easy. Anthony doubted the soldiers were done with them.
Josette eased the cupboard back and opened the door.
Philippe looked grave. Anthony understood. Josette had lied to save them, and if the soldiers discovered the truth and returned, her life would be in danger too.
She bit her lip. “I’m sorry; I’ve made a serious error.”
Philippe put his arm around her shoulders. “You did what you could. If that soldier knew you lived alone, he might not have been so polite.”
“I pray they don’t ask the innkeeper. He will tell him my brother is dead.”
Anthony stretched to relieve his cramped legs. “We’ll leave tonight.”
“I’ll drive you in my cart,” Josette said.
Philippe gave her shoulder a squeeze. “You must come with us to England.”
She put her hands to her cheeks. “Oh, but I couldn’t! Who would take care of the farm?”
“Ask a neighbor to care for it,” Anthony said. “You can return when it’s safe.”
“Non, I belong here. This is my home.”
“In that case, Phillipe will ride behind me.” Anthony held up his hand at Josette’s protest. “We can get to Le Havre under our own steam.”
Philippe raised Josette’s hand to his lips.
Anthony went downstairs to give them time alone. As he stepped outside, horses sound in the lane. They must have learned about Josette’s brother. Philippe’s face was ashen. “I won’t hide and leave Josette unprotected. This is my fight, Anthony. Hide in the roof space. Leave me to handle it.”
Anthony shook his head. He wasn’t about to have them cart Philippe off without knowing where they took him. “We’ll handle them together.”
Moments later, the soldiers threw open the front door with a bang. Anthony made no attempt to use his pistol or his sword, he might pick off one of them or even two but not six. He walked downstairs to face the soldiers.
A gaunt man with a pock-marked face strode in, the others following. They were a ramshackle bunch dressed in the shabby uniforms of the revolutionary army. The gaunt man made no attempt to remove his black hat bearing the red cockade.
Philippe appeared at the top of the stairs. He stood proudly upright, but steadied himself with a hand against the wall.
“I am Captain Marchand. And you are Baron St André,oui?”
“I am he. Mademoiselle Bourget, a good citizen, kindly took me in when she found me injured. She does not know who I am. She is blameless.”
