Page 67 of A Fierce Wind

When Freddie placed the ring on her finger, her eyes glistened with delight.

The minister pronounced them man and wife and Freddie leaned down to kiss his bride. The kiss he bestowed on his new wife was no perfunctory touching of lips. By the time he lifted his mouth from hers, the clergyman was coughing into his hand.

For a long moment, their gazes held each other’s. Then they turned, hand in hand, to greet their family and guests as Mr. and Mrs. West.

Since the wedding breakfast was to be held at the Donets’ home, Freddie’s sister encouraged guests to meet them there, saying the bride and groom would follow. Émile Bequel assisted, ushering guests to the front of the church, save for those invited to witness the Catholic ceremony. Since the Vendéens and Chouans fought for the right to worship as Catholics, the ceremony conducted by the priest was especially meaningful. Freddie was an Anglican but his bride, like her uncle, was Catholic. Services in both faiths were held on the island, which was another reason for them to live on Guernsey.

Two carriages waited in front of the church to transport the eight of them to the Donets’ home. Jack and Pax piled in with the Donets, and Isabeau and Émile Bequel stood waiting to ride with Freddie and Zoé.

The first vehicle departed and Freddie, Zoé, Isabeau and Bequel turned toward theirs. Before they could climb in, Isabeau shouted, “Giles!”

Zoé watched Isabeau run to the man who knelt with his arms outstretched. The girl had missed her brother terribly. Since none of them knew if Giles still lived, and Freddie had forgotten to ask Cadoudal in St Malo, it was a relief to see him here. Somewhere, he had obtained a set of clothes that blended well with the folks populating the streets of Guernsey.

Freddie offered Giles his hand as the Chouan got to his feet. “Giles, meet my new wife. You will remember her as Mademoiselle Donet; Zoé is now Mrs. West. We were just married.

With his arm around Isabeau, Giles said, “That is why I came to the church. The butler at Monsieur Donet’s house told me where I could find you. My good wishes to you both.”

Zoé thanked him. “We are very glad to see you, but why have you come? Is there bad news from Brittany?”

“Non, pas du tout. Cadoudal sent me to help arrange the promised shipments of weapons and supplies. Since Isabeau is here on Guernsey, he thought I should be the one to come. But I bring important news from Paris you will want to hear.”

“As we are the last to leave for the wedding breakfast,” said Freddie, “why not ride with us and you can tell us your news on the way.”

Isabeau grasped her brother’s arm. “You will stay?”

Giles smiled down at her. “Oui, as long as M’sieur Cadoudal wants me here.”

They crowded into the carriage and, unable to wait any longer, Zoé said, “What news do you bring us, Giles?”

“At the end of July, Robespierre, his brother, Augustin, and twenty of his supporters were arrested and sent to the guillotine. They were given no trial as they had been declared outside the law by the Convention following a speech Robespierre gave calling for the arrest of traitors in the Committee of Public Safety.”

“An unwise move on his part,” said M’sieur Bequel.

Zoé’s only emotion was one of relief. Sitting beside Freddie, she squeezed his hand.

“’Tis ironic he would meet his end in the same manner he dictated for so many others,” said Freddie.

“Oui and Oncle Jean will be gratified to hear it,” she said. “’Tis good news, indeed.”

“Aye,” agreed Giles. “Dozens more of his allies were guillotined the next day and, since then, we hear those who were imprisoned for suspected disloyalty, have been released.”

Turning to face Freddie, Zoé asked, “Does this mean the Terror will end?”

“Doubtless things will change, Pigeon. There were many in the government who criticized Robespierre for the Terror he lauded as a virtue.” To Giles, he said, “They must be celebrating in Brittany.”

“Aye, they are, particularly because it is rumored General Rossignol will retire to his home in Orléans.”

Zoé thought about the man who had helped them gain access to the Conciergerie. The one who had left early at someone’s bidding. “Freddie, do you think François de Dordogne was one of those executed with Robespierre?”

“Very likely.”

Chapter 17

Immediately upon their arrival at the Donet house, Freddie shared the news from Paris. In any other instance, to speak of death at a wedding breakfast would be bad ton, but Robespierre’s execution and the possible end of the Terror were received with joy, buoying everyone’s spirits.

Richard was elated at the pronouncement of Robespierre’s demise. “I imagine Pitt is celebrating at this very moment.”

Freddie’s brother and his wife had made the crossing without incident and were delighted with Guernsey’s more temperate weather. London, they said, had been especially cold this summer.