The Heroic Baron Read Online Free PDF Page B

Armand Panchette fretting over the lack of fresh peaches for the evening’s
dessert. The good man had been so worked up over
wanting to make the dessert special as a thank you for
delivering his brother and family safely from France. “I
insisted Monsieur Panchette didn’t need to put himself
out on dessert, but he’s a perfectionist and a man who is
aware of his obligations. He said it was a matter of
honor.”
    “I’d say he upheld his honor quite well”
    A knock on the dining room door interrupted their
conversation. Harker entered, looking somewhat put
out. “The monsieurs Panchette would like a word with
you, my lord.” His opinion of interrupting the baron at
dinner was evident in his tone.
    “Send them in. I’ll be glad to speak with them,”
Alain said, willing to overlook the oddness of the request in light of it being Armand’s brother’s first night
here. He expected the brother, Arnaud, wanted to thank
him more formally, although he had told Arnaud earlier
it was not necessary.
    The two brothers entered. Armand still wore his huge
white apron. Arnaud twisted a cap nervously in his hands. Armand’s son, Gascon, followed. The two men
bobbed and nodded until Gascon stepped forward.

    “My lord, my father and uncle wish me to speak for
them since their English is poor,” he began, waiting for
Alain’s permission before continuing. “First, my Uncle
Arnaud wishes to thank you again. He is deeply indebted to you. We all are, which is why we hesitate to
ask for one more favor.” At this, the boy swallowed
hard, his overlarge adolescent Adam’s apple rising and
falling with his efforts.
    Alain exchanged a quick look with Daniel. “I cannot
promise anything beyond listening to your request, but
that I will do gladly”
    The boy translated for his father. An animated conversation broke out between the threesome. Finally, the
boy turned back to Alain. “My uncle Arnaud’s wife has
a cousin who has run afoul of some dangerous people
in France. He works in the household of a man named
General Motrineau in Paris. It would be a great relief
to have him here with us. We fear he may be arrested
and imprisoned.” The boy gave a thoroughly Gallic
shrug of the shoulders to indicate the hopelessness of
imprisonment.
    Alain twirled the stem of his empty wine glass. “I
must know more about the situation. Who is this
cousin? What is his position in the household? What
sort of people has he fallen in with?”
    Gascon translated and the men nodded their heads in
vigorous agreement. Another lengthy conversation ensued in low, fast voices. Alain’s French was good but he
couldn’t keep pace with the rapid exchange.
    “My lord, the man we speak of is Pierre Ramboulet. He is a secretary for General Motrineau. He has become disillusioned with Napoleon’s regime and has
fallen in with Les Chevaliers de la Foi, a secret society
dedicated to the Bourbons.”

    Alain gave the boy a quizzing glance. “How does
one simply `fall in’ with such a league, if they are indeed secret? How is it that he cannot extricate himself?” Alain found it quite telling that the boy shifted
from foot to foot at his questions and turned pleading
eyes on his father.
    This conversation was not long. “You guess correctly, my lord, that our cousin is not an ordinary
member of Les Chevaliers. He moves in the inner circles. Lately, there has been worry that his involvement
may have been betrayed to Motrineau, who has
Napoleon’s ear.”
    Alain nodded sagely. “You want me to rescue him?
This will be much more difficult than simply spiriting
away a family of bakers whom no one of note will
miss.” He spread his hands on the pristine damask table
cloth. “You are asking me to abet an individual who is
actively committing treason against the French government. This is serious business indeed. I will need to infiltrate the general’s home, ascertain said individual,
and make arrangements