‘Brussels. It seems that Napoleon has discovered a late interest in the military potential of glamour. My relation to him, much though I despise it, was enough to keep his underlings from touching me, but he will not be so nice when he arrives.’ M. Chastain tucked his hands behind his back and began to pace. ‘I had thought that by denying my ability to work the Sphère Obscurcie and claiming it was too difficult, I would be able to convince them to leave us alone, but all I seem to have done is to make them take David in my stead. I cannot ask you to forgive me for that.’

‘But it is not your fault.’ They had thought that the danger would come from Vincent’s spying, but Lieutenant Segal seemed unaware of that. She had not thought – neither of them had – that Vincent’s glamour would place them in danger, but now, on the other side of his capture, she could see the intrinsic military potential of invisibility.

M. Chastain shook his head and frowned. ‘The fault must be mine. How else would they know about his abilities?’

Jane almost told him of Anne-Marie, but the caution which she had learned over the course of the last month stopped her tongue. It occurred to her that the Bonapartists had left M. Chastain alone. The possibility existed that he was a Bonapartist himself, but masked this fact with protestations of disdain for the man. Before she could rid herself of this foolish conjecture, M. Chastain had moved on to the next subject.

‘We will head to Brussels tonight. Have one of the servants help you with your possessions – one small trunk only, I am afraid – and we will make arrangements for you to take ship back to England.’

‘I appreciate your concern, but if you have no objection to my continuing residence, I will remain here as long as Vincent is close by.’

M. Chastain pulled up short at this. ‘You cannot. I mean, to the house, you are welcome, but it is by no measure safe, and David would never forgive me if I allowed you to stay.’

‘My husband knows me well enough to understand that should I choose to stay, the choice is mine.’

‘But it is not safe.’

‘Thank you. I have had ample proof of this, but I am firm in my determination on this point.’ Jane gestured to his packing. ‘I do not wish to detain you, but must ask if you know where they have taken him.’

M. Chastain shook his head. ‘I only know that they were advance scouts. Napoleon himself will not be here for another week, perhaps two. Whether they have returned to the main body of the army or have remained here in town, I cannot tell you.’