Wincing, Kendra pressed a hand to her mouth to keep from expressing her horror at his words. From Simon’s expression, even he hadn’t been told the full truth of Lucas’s imprisonment. She sensed that Lucas was only speaking up now because of the need to resolve the murderous conflict between him and Godfrey.

Lucas continued, “Besides physical torture when he had time to amuse himself, Roux played cruel mental games, promising that soon I’d be sent back to England, then tellng me with obvious pleasure that the exchange had fallen through. It wasn’t long before I realized that he would never exchange me. Eventually he said so in as many words.”

“But the possibility of exchange is an essential part of giving and receiving a parole,” Godfrey said, frowning.

“Exactly so. I was trapped between knowing that the promise of parole wasn’t real, and my feeling that escaping would be dishonorable.” He fell silent for half a dozen heartbeats. “You and I had more in common than simple imprisonment, Godfrey. I, too, wished I was dead.”

“That’s why you decided to take your chances on escape?” Godfrey asked.

Lucas nodded. “Even if I escaped the town, I knew I’d be hunted down ferociously, but I did it anyhow, not caring whether I lived or died. I was indeed hunted ferociously and was seriously wounded. Luckily I can pass as a Frenchman, which saved my life several times over.

“When I’d run as far as I could and lay dying in Belgium, a Franciscan friar, Frère Emmanuel, was called in to treat me. Like you, I managed to survive, but I was so shamed by breaking my parole that I refused to go home, refused to let the people who loved me know I was alive.” He glanced at Simon. “We were raised as brothers, yet I couldn’t bring myself to face Simon or my aunt and uncle. I became Frère Emmanuel’s servant and companion in a bid for atonement.”

Godfrey stared at him. “What persuaded you to come home?”

“Simon hunted me down.” Lucas and his almost-brother exchanged a swift, intimate, very brotherly smile.

Lucas continued, “Then when he found me, his wife, the exquisite and practical Suzanne, told me not to wallow!” His gaze moved to Kendra. “The women in my life have pointed out that there are rules to parole and the commandant violated them when he said he’d see me dead before he would free me. There was no true bond of honor between us to be broken. Nonetheless, to this day I feel that I am unworthy to be called a gentleman.”

Simon winced at that, but didn’t speak. There was a long silence before Godfrey said huskily, “I have misjudged you and brought the wrath of my brothers down on you. For that I am sorry. I have no right to ask your forgiveness.”