He slept again for a while, and she could see that he was better when he woke again. The fever was gone, and he sat up on the mattress and looked at her intently. She hadn’t eaten a meal all day because she hadn’t wanted to leave him for an instant, in case he took a turn for the worse. Some of the French boys had brought a crust of bread, some grapes, and a peach, and she had eaten them gratefully and nothing else.

“Are you a doctor?” he asked, intrigued by her. She had told him before but he’d forgotten.

“No, I’m a nurse, with a special unit.” He didn’t ask which unit, and they both knew it was better if he didn’t know.

“Were you assigned to this mission?” She nodded.

“Yes.”

He smiled and looked very handsome when he did. She could see that when he wasn’t injured, dirty, and sick, he was probably a good-looking man, and younger than he appeared. He seemed ten or twenty years older than he was.

“What’s your name?” He could know that at least.

“Louise. Louise Jackson.”

“You’re American?” She nodded. “You must be stationed in England. They came then.” He looked pleased, and then focused on her again. “I will find you one day, Louise Jackson, and come to thank you myself. If you save me now, you will save my country. What you’re doing is important to many people, and to France. There are many of us left, not so many as before, but France will rise again. I will come to you after that.” It sounded grandiose to her and she thought he was delusional from the pain and infection. He didn’t say it, but he thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and the gentlest. “You’re in the army?” he asked, still curious, and lucid enough to ask questions. He was a strong man, even though seriously wounded.

“Air Forces,” she conceded.

“You don’t look like a soldier.”

“Looks can be deceiving.” She smiled at him. “Do you think you can stand up?” She wanted to get him as steady on his feet as she could before he left. It might save his life when they moved on. She helped him to his feet and he nearly fell. He was weak from loss of blood and his injuries. She made him walk across the room with her help. “This isn’t my usual nursing protocol in a case like this,” she apologized, “but we need to get you mobile fast, Gonzague.”

“No one has called me that in years.” He smiled at her. “Count Gonzague Antoine de Lafayette.” He attempted to bow and nearly fell over.