“The gendarmes caught us just as we were leaving the copse of trees where we’d been hiding. Apparently, someone told Courcelles about our ‘solid plan.’”
“How can that be?” Sir Percy exclaimed. “Who would do such a thing?”
Heath scowled as he finished off his seafood. “That’s what the lads and I have been trying to determine. But so far we have no idea how or where to begin looking for the scoundrel without returning to France, which I, for one, am never doing again.”
Giselle did not know how she felt about that. What if she and Maman were forced to leave England? Would he never visit her, never think twice about her?
She sighed. Of course he wouldn’t. She was nothing more than a means to an end to him, however much he might flirt with her. Or kiss and caress her and spout such sweet sentiments to her, as he did that day in the park.
Then again, he had done all ofthatto make sure she continued to do his bidding. She doubted he had meant a word of it.
“I am certainly making no plans to return,” Sir Percy drawled. “So, tell me, what has happened to everyone else? You couldn’t have had an easy time of it in Bitche.”
“Monsieur Morris did not survive it,” Giselle said. “He died there.”
Sir Percy sighed. “I am gravely sorry to hear it. He was a good chap.”
“He was,” Heath agreed. “But the rest of us managed to come out of it relatively unscathed. Lord Jonathan actually inherited the dukedom, so he’s now the Duke of Falconridge. I inherited frommy father, but you knew that, since it happened before you left Verdun. And Scovell was promoted to captain, although he’s now the heir presumptive to his brother, and his brother is very ill.”
“That’s a shame. I did hear in the papers about Jon. He got married, right?”
“He did indeed,” Heath said. “If he’d known you were in England, I’m sure he would have invited you.”
“I couldn’t have come, anyway,” Sir Percy said. “Mother was so ill toward the last that she couldn’t bear to have me leave her. And after her death, I stayed a while longer at Tindale Castle to take care of matters involving my properties, then came to London, hoping to find you chaps. Is that why you’re here, Heath, and not at Longmead?”
“I’m here to gain custody of my brothers.” When Sir Percy looked confused by that, Heath added, “It’s a long story for another day.”
“Can’t wait to hear it.” Sir Percy then turned to her. “And what has broughtyouto our fair country, mademoiselle?”
She gave the same answer she gave most people who asked. “We thought that Maman might benefit from the springs at Bath. And she has. Besides, France is rather unsettled at present.”
“To say the least,” Sir Percy said.
“What about you?” Giselle asked. “Have you been in Northumberland all this time?”
“Primarily. I make occasional trips to other parts of north England but didn’t come to London until recently. You see, I … er … mean to run for office.”
Heath blinked at him. “What office?”
“Member of Parliament in the House of Commons. My father was in the Commons, you know, and I never saw the benefit of it, but now that I’m older I should like to explore it.”
“I’m not sure I even like being in the House of Lords,” Heath said. “But if that’s what you want, I wish you good luck with it.”
“Thank you.”
“Getting back to our escape,” Heath said, “I did mean to ask, did you happen to overhear anything the gendarmes said about us or our escape plans? Could they have known even then what we were about to do?”
“Not the two I was with.” Sir Percy mused a moment. “Or if they did, they certainly didn’t let on.”
“Did you ever notice anyone hanging about listening to our conversations?” Heath persisted. “Or hear anyone gossiping about our plans?”
“Not really.” He frowned. “There were people who had a habit of lounging about at the lodging house. That subordinate of Scovell’s, Lieutenant Jason Davis, had a habit of nosing around and never minding his own business.”
Then he shook his head. “No, he wouldn’t have betrayed any of you. He was quite the toady, always trying to get on Scovell’s good side. I doubt he would risk Scovell’s ire to do such a thing.”
Heath rubbed his chin. “He might if he resented not being included in the escape plan.”
“Hmm,” Sir Percy said, and exchanged a glance with Giselle. “That’s a good point.”