‘I – that’s not…’ She folded her arms. ‘I don’t have time for this. Stay tonight, then tomorrow go home. You can bunk up with Al and Guil. It’s not safe for you in Paris and I can’t handle any distractions right now.’

He rubbed the back of his neck. ‘Ah – it’s not that easy, I’m afraid. Spent the last of my money getting here. It’s not cheap bribing your way across the Channel when there’s a war on.’

‘Exactly! There’s a damn war on, not to mention a revolution – if anyone finds you, you could be executed as an English spy.’

‘I suppose that means you’ll have to let me stay hidden with you.’

‘Now isn’t a good time.’

‘You mean this “job” you’re doing? Will you tell me what it is? Maybe I can help you.’

‘You can’t.’

‘Not if you don’t tell me about it.’

She let out an exasperated sigh, then sat down on the edge of the bed. He wasn’t going to understand the battalion, but what did it hurt to tell him? The more she avoided it, the more it felt like somehow she was ashamed.

‘Fine. If it will get you to stop being a fool and go somewhere safe, I’ll explain. When I said I chose this, I mean I chose to stay here and help people who ended up like I did, on the wrong end of the Revolutionary Tribunal. Rescuing them, if I can – we can. Me and my friends out there.’

James let out a soft whistle and sat next to her.

‘Cam, that’s…’

‘Foolish?’

‘I was going to say brave.’ He gave her a lopsided smile and looped their fingers.

She looked at their hands together, the familiarity of it and the strength of his grip. ‘Things have changed, James. So much has happened since we were… I’m not – I don’t…’

She should tell him about Ada. She owed him that much at least. But she couldn’t find the words. What if he reacted badly? Caused a scene? With Olympe in hiding, she couldn’t risk any attention being drawn to the battalion.

‘I need some time,’ she finished awkwardly.

‘Of course.’ He pressed a chaste kiss against her forehead. ‘I’ve missed you.’

She didn’t meet his eye. ‘I’ve missed you too.’

Before he could say anything else, she got up to leave. ‘When this job is done, I’ll see if we can help you get home.’

‘Come back with me, Cam,’ he said suddenly. ‘You know you always have a place with us.’

Her heart stuttered. Because his house was her home too, in many ways.

She turned away.

No. That was the past. The battalion was her future.

‘Stay put and keep out of our way.’