“I am loyal to France forever. Some of its citizens are a bit troubling, I must admit. Chasing a fellow around, tying him up, and attempting to rid him of important appendages like his head. Those things are a bit difficult to swallow, but France—France is a delight and my homeland forever.”

Éléonore frowned. “You have changed, become a danger to the Revolution.”

“You sent me to the guillotine, Éléonore, tied my hands. If not for my rescuers, I would be dead, even now as we speak. And you say I have changed. Because I do not like your bloodthirsty methods? It is you who has changed.”

“There was a time when you were just as disgruntled with our wealthy neighbors as I have been.”

“I was young and hot-blooded. Criticizing neighbors because they wouldn’t share their tarts or allow us to pluck apples from their trees is entirely different from sending entire families with their children to the guillotine simply because they inherited title or affluence.”

“We were children, yes, but denounce them we did. Think of it as gathering evidence, my dear, from the mouths of babes.”

Matteo felt his blood run cold. “You would not use the innocent ramblings of a youth, my ramblings, to bring dear friends to their deaths!”

Éléonore turned to him with a smug smile. “I have all the letters we wrote, in my keepsake box. We accused every neighbor of something, I am sure. Remember when we saw the Jardins whip the poor urchin outside the gates? And why? Because he wouldn’t stop begging, and Lady Jardin did not approve of his dress.”

His throat dried. They approached the table set up at the back of the cottage. Praise the servants and their intuitive genius.

She sat daintily on the chair offered and began to pour out the tea for them both. “So, you see, you are helping me after all.”

Clenching his fists, he used a considerable amount of energy restraining himself. “I forbid you to use my name or my letters to implicate people.”

Leaning back in her chair, she raised a hand in question. “Forbid, darling? What position are you in to forbid me anything?”

A footman arrived. “The post has come with correspondence you have been seeking.”

He reached for it. “Thank you, James.” He tried to hide his great relief as he quickly moved the letter from the tray to his inside pocket.

Éléonore watched his hands with narrowed eyes.