cannot be a traitor to Napoleon. I am not in his army. You are.â She seized his arm and yanked him towards the door. âCome downstairs.â She turned to Gabriel and spoke in English, âWill you come, too?â
Gabriel nodded.
He did not follow immediately, though. Emmaline took advantage and spoke to Claude. âYou must remain calm and quiet. If someone hears you yelling and fighting, you will be discovered.â
âDo not be a fool, Maman,â he countered. âHe will turn me in. I am already lost.â
âHe is Gabriel Deane, a good man who will do what is right.â
A part of her wanted Gabriel to take her son prisoner. At least Claude would stay alive, but sheâd been a soldierâs wife too long not to understand that Claude would find being a prisoner worse than death.
Claude sat down on the sofa and she sat down next to him, leaving the chair opposite the sofa for Gabriel.
He entered. âShall I pour wine?â
âOui, Gabriel. Merci.â She forgot to switch to English.
He brought the glasses and the wine and placed them on the table, pouring the first and handing it to Claude.
Claude kept his arms crossed over his chest.
âTake it, Claude,â Emmaline said in French.
He rolled his eyes, but did as she said. Gabriel handed the next glass to Emmaline before pouring one for himself.
âTell Claude I have no intention of hurting you in any way. Thatâthat I have the highest esteem for you,â Gabriel said.
Emmaline translated.
Claude closed his eyes as if he wished not to hear. âI cannot speak with him about you, Maman. Ask him what he will do with me.â
She turned to Gabriel. âClaude believes you will take him prisoner, but I beg you will let him go.â
His brow furrowed. âThis is asking a great deal of me, Emmaline. My dutyââ
Her throat tightened. âPlease, Gabriel. Please allow him to leave.â
He glanced away, as if thinking.
âWhat are you saying?â Claude asked her in French.
She gestured for him to be quiet. âGabriel?â
He rubbed his face. âFor you, Emmaline, but only if he swears he has not been gathering information for Napoleon.â
She turned to Claude. âHave you come to Brussels for any other reason than to see me?â
He looked surprised. âNon, Maman. What other reason could there be?â
âTo find out about the English?â
He gave her a withering glance. âI cannot learn any- thing in the dark. And I must return before light or be branded a deserter.â His expression reminded her of when heâd been five years old. âI wanted to see you beforeâbefore the battle.â
She grasped his hand. He averted his gaze.
She turned to Gabriel. âHe only came to see me.â
Gabriel nodded. âVery well. Iâll do as you desire.â
She squeezed Claudeâs hand. âGabriel will allow you to go.â
He blinked in surprise. âThen I must leave posthaste.â
âI will pack you some food.â She rose, shaking inside at the thought of saying goodbye to her son, not knowing if he would ever return to her.
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