Word Count: 84,006
Summary of Events:
Étienne ended up capturing the owner of an unidentified, untrained horse he and Lazare had rounded up before reinforcements had come, as it was discovered the owner was allied with Mardeaux and had no intentions of leaving without the horse. Aline overheard conversation in the church foyer after the service was over that made her realise that every single place that had burned down in Trempré was a place she had guided Adrien to, making her worry that a Mardeaux spy was following them around. Étienne was granted leave to visit Gisèle, whom he joined for vespers at a convent southeast of Beaudroit before they returned to the rooming house . . .
Excerpt of the Day:
He let Gisèle off at the front door before taking his charger to the stables and untacking him again before heading up to the room, where, this time, Gisèle was waiting for him, looking as beautiful as ever in the soft candlelight.
However, the angle of the candle in the room, compared to the angle of the candles at the chapel, caused Étienne to see something he hadn’t previously; Gisèle’s abdomen was in the slightest of ways distended.
Stepping forward slowly, Étienne put one hand beneath his wife’s shoulders, the other gently on her abdomen, which was firm in its distention, just as it looked in the light.
“There is no doubt now,” Gisèle said softly, a smile on her face and delight making her whole countenance seem to glow independently of the candle.
“Non,” Étienne agreed. “No doubt at all.”
Gisèle leaned her head against Étienne’s chest, uttering a happy sound as she did so.
Étienne removed his hand from her abdomen and slid away from her touch, still troubled within himself as he thought about the nearness of the enemy while his wife was now unquestionably with child. What should he do?
“You have the sash,” Gisele said quietly, staring in awe.
Grateful for the distraction, Étienne nodded. “Le Comte de Mariveuve gave it to me when he came to inspect us.”
“Why?” Gisèle asked, looking up at Étienne’s face.
“Because he was pleased and impressed by my humility in serving Commandant Bouchard as he recovers,” Étienne replied.
“Recovers?” Gisèle asked. “What happened?”
“His arm was cut deeply by an enemy in battle,” Étienne replied. “By the grace of Dieu it is as if he suffered a little surface cut. I have been writing everything for him, helping him dress, tending his horse, and helping him mount since then.”
“Ah,” Gisèle said. “Why?”
“I felt it was my duty,” Étienne replied. “He has shown me such mercy I needed to repay him.”
“And it has gotten you promoted,” Gisèle said.
“Without even trying,” Étienne replied.
Suddenly confusion came over Gisèle’s face. “But you weren’t even a Sous-Commandant?”
“Non,” Étienne replied. “I was promoted past Grand-Chevalier and Sous-Commandant.”
“Papa and Maman will be pleased to know their son-in-law is a Chevalier-Commandant,” Gisèle said. “Now you are the second-highest ranking man in the entire camp, are you not?”
“Oui,” Étienne replied.
“The piété helped,” Gisèle said.
“I’m sure it did,” Étienne agreed.
“You don’t believe me, do you?” Gisèle asked.
“I do,” Étienne replied.
“Your piété made you willing to serve your Commandant as you are,” Gisèle said.
“I know,” Étienne replied. “But I did not come here to talk of piété and promotions, I did not come here even to talk of unborn children. I came to love you.”
“But they are reasons for celebration,” Gisèle said.
“They are,” Étienne agreed.
“The best celebration being love,” Gisèle added quietly.
Étienne smiled and moved in to kiss her, holding her close against himself.
Pronunciations:
Sous: sooh
Grand: grahn'
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