“Who could betray both Vivienne and Aviva.” Estelle had long ago considered and dismissed the notion of confiding in the petite woman. “I trust your cousin but I don’t trust anyone else. I’m not willing to take that risk.”

“I understand,” he said. “For now, Aviva’s safe here with you. Even if it’s hard, she still has you. Just being there for her when she needs you is enough.”

“I don’t know if that’s true anymore.”

“It is.”

“How do you know that?”

He was quiet for a moment, only Tino Rossi crooning on the gramophone in the other room filling the silence. “Because it is for me.”

Estelle drew back and looked up at him.

“I came here tonight because you are my safe harbour, Allard. When everything is going to hell, I know I can count on you. And so can Aviva. You will always do what’s best for her, this I know. Rachel knew it too. That’s why she left her with you.”

“You sound so sure.”

“I am.”

Estelle blew out a shaky breath. “Thank you,” she said. She put her hand on his shoulder and yanked it back as he hissed and flinched.

“You’re hurt,” she said.

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not.”

“I’m a damned medic, Allard. If I say I’m fine, I’m fine.”

“Take off your coat.”

“That’s rather forward of you, don’t you think?”

Estelle glared at him and pushed the coat from his shoulders, lifting it carefully away from his skin. Beneath his coat, the shoulder of his shirt was stained a dark, rusty red. “Follow me.”

“You’re awfully demanding,” he said but followed her anyway.

Estelle stalked into the kitchen and pulled out one of the two chairs that were pushed under the small table against the near wall. “Sit,” she ordered the man who had followed her.

“Yes, Mademoiselle.”

“Now your shirt.” She busied herself fetching a clean cloth, soap, and a basin of water.

When she turned back, Jerome had his shirt off, the gash on his shoulder clearly visible.

Estelle bent and examined it critically. “Blade?” The wound wasn’t deep, but long.

“Edge of a metal fence.”

“I don’t think it will need stitches. But you’ll want to keep it clean and covered when you head back out.”

“Did you miss the part where I reminded you that I am a medic? I know this.”

“Then you should start taking your own advice.” She dampened her cloth and gently wiped the dried blood from his skin. “It would be a shame to amputate your head because gangrene climbed up your neck.”

“Very funny, Allard.”

“Five inches to the right and your head just might have come off.”

“Hardly. Besides, I’m like a cat.”

“What?”