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“Speaking of which, I’d best put
away my instruments.”
    “Play something for me
first.”
    Anne started, for other than
during the music lessons, she had not touched her flutes these past months, but
after a speculative look from the older woman, followed by one of her rare
smiles, Anne was disarmed. Perhaps it was time to find out if her music
provided the solace she had found in the past. She had nothing else to do and it
might make the wait for Bill to return pass more quickly.
    ~* * *~
    “Certainly I am going to go
with Bill and the children.” Anne tightened her lips and glared at Maggie.
“That man followed them again today and not carefully, according to
Bill. Since all we know about him is that he is an Englishman, someone needs to
put a stop to it before it comes to Meraux’s attention. Or even Danielle’s. She
is a bright girl and very observant.”
    Maggie snorted and raised
her chin with a jerk. “And you think you are the right someone to
confront a stranger with who knows what in mind?” She set down the pitcher with
enough force to bring the vivid red liquid dangerously close to the top. “Let
Mr. Fenton make some more inquiries today before you do anything foolish.”
    Anne let out a loud breath.
“You know that juice stains dreadfully,” she reminded Maggie in an effort to
change the subject. They had been over this before and Anne knew she was not
going to convince Maggie that she was perfectly safe in a public market with Bill
at her side. She summoned a smile. “I know you are concerned for my well-being,
Maggie, but it is something I need to do. Come, the children are waiting, and
the sooner this is done, the better.” She leaned over to pat one of Maggie’s
work-worn hands. “I will not do anything foolish, I promise.”
    Maggie looked unconvinced,
but filled two glasses and handed them to Anne without another word. The
serving of a beverage was now part of the routine, after a romp with the dog, a
music lesson, and these precious few minutes of conversation when Anne was able
to draw snippets of information from Danielle and Guy. Disquieting information
at times, although neither child ever came out and said their stepfather
mistreated them. They have more than implied it, Anne, and what can you do
about it? The man would laugh in your face, at best, and certainly forbid them
to see you. Nor will you be here much longer now you’ve promised the Fentons to
apply to the English Consul for funds in a few days .
    Smoothing her expression to
appear unconcerned, Anne went outside, handed each of the children a glass, and
sat down on the bench between them. Bonnie was curled up on Guy’s lap and Anne
gave her a little scratch on her head. “You have quite worn her out again.”
    “It is good, oui ?” Guy
looked up at her and grinned. “She likes to play.”
    His smiles came more often
now, and Anne was pleased to have accomplished that much. Danielle was more
reserved, but had lost that wary look, at least when she was here. Anne ruffled
the boy’s thick hair. “Someone else also likes to play, I think.”
    Both the children had dark
hair, but Guy’s was closer to a true black. He was not a handsome lad, his face
too thin and his nose just a shade long, but the expressive dark eyes and sweet
smile were bound to charm the ladies someday. Gracious, Anne, they charm
you, spinster that you are!
    “What do you prefer to learn
today? It is near time for you to leave, so choose something easy. No counting
to a hundred.” They giggled at that, remembering the day they had insisted on
trying to memorize the English numbers, and Anne chuckled.
    “Some clothing, mam’selle ,”
Danielle suggested, and pointed to her shoes.
    “ La c haussure… shoe,”
Anne began, and chanting after her, they covered the clothing worn by all three
of them. They soaked up everything Anne taught them with a relish both
refreshing and enjoyable. Danielle especially appeared to have an aptitude for
the