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“Réjean’s is the only body I couldn’t identify in the compound. I will find out. One way or the other. We are hunting him, and when I found out where she is? I’ll bring her bones home for you to put her to rest. That I promise you.”

“We’ll see. Was there no one of her description there?”

Étienne shook his head. “All elderly people, women, and children were outside the main compound in another cottage and none of them were harmed in the raid. I went there myself personally to make sure none of your other relatives were there. I will find out more information about her death.”

“Thank you,” I said, my voice sounding choked.

Placidie ignored me now, stiff and frosty and obeying Étienne, but Faustine’s eyes still followed me.

She had lost something she wanted badly, and I knew even with Étienne’s orders, she would find a way to let me know how she felt.

One day after supper, when Étienne had served me dinner as I held Ciel in my arms, it was too much to keep her disgust inside.

“I think you’re so selfish,” she hissed after the men had left the table. “Look what you have him doing. Serving a woman her dinner. Acting like he’s weak. He needs a woman beside him who will give him status and honor, and you aren’t that. He’s only with you because he got you pregnant. Otherwise, he would’ve stayed with me. I had a ring on my finger, and it’s only gone now because of the baby.”

I could go back and forth with her bullshit, but suddenly I felt exhausted and my milk was leaking through my breast pads.

“All right,” I said. “You think he’s only staying with me out of obligation? Let’s find out.”

Without another word, I put Ciel on my shoulder and walked down the hall to where Étienne was standing around the table, pointing out something on a map.

“Léonie, wait,” she protested, but I was done with her bullshit.

“Étienne,” I called out. “Faustine here thinks you’re only staying with me because of Ciel.”

He turned with a snarl, his eyes boring into hers.

“What did I fucking say about disrespecting my wife? Was I not very fucking clear?”

“But she said the baby is your brother’s⁠—"

He slammed his hand down on the table.

“Enough. I want you to stay in my mother’s quarters. I don’t want to see one fucking inch of you. Stay in there and do what she says, and if I see you, you’ll be out of on your ass.”

Faustine’s face was crimson with the rejection, but she didn’t dare to say another word.

“I apologize I ever gave this woman a reason to lord it over you,” Étienne said. “I promise it will never happen again. Now would you like to come in here and see the inventory I’ve drawn up of the Pinoteaux lands? Remember, they are yours now.”

Hm, involving me in any family business matters? Informing me about what was going on.

That was new.

CHAPTER 22

Léonie

“Iwould like you to come back,” Étienne told his brother, as he readied his men to go and search for Réjean. “To lead the family with me and get the respect you deserve this time.”

“No, thank you,” Hugo said with a wry smile. “Come back to be under your thumb? I know you, brother. You won’t be happy unless you’re running the show. I think I’ll stay with the Savatiers.”

I could smell fall in the air now, the Sugar Maples just starting to turn color.

Étienne turned to me. “We’ve found some evidence of a fire nearby. I’m hopeful we’ll be able to capture him today.”

“All right,” I said.

His fingers stroked down my cheek.