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Caroline's waist and pulling her back to rest against him, "that I made it clear I wish to be left alone. And if you and your friends know what's good for you, you'll be gone from this village as quickly and quietly as possible. I won't hesitate to report any inappropriate conduct. General Villatte's aide, Colonel Lescaut, is a friend of mine."
    Laclos shifted his weight uneasily and edged toward the door, but Gazin blocked his way. "No one's going anywhere just yet," he said, waving the pistol again. Even at this distance, Caroline could smell the harsh liquor on his breath. "Suppose the lady tells us what an Englishwoman is doing behind the lines?" he added, settling his massive shoulders against the closed door.
    Caroline felt Adam's pulse quicken, but he seemed to sense that further speech from him would only antagonize Gazin. "Isn't it obvious?" she said. "Like many other military wives, I followed the drum. After my husband was killed at Burgos, I—" she glanced up at Adam, a smile playing about her lips "—I acquired another protector."
    "Makes sense, Gazin," Laclos muttered. "Let's—"
    No, I tell you," Gazin barked. He was looking at Adam. "Nice of you to see to the lady's comfort, Captain, but it seems a strange place for an officer to take his pleasure. Plenty of whores in Burgos or Palencia, and the surroundings are a damn' sight more agreeable."
    "A point," Adam conceded. "But this one has—shall we say—quite exceptional talents."
    "Does she?" Gazin's eyes roamed over Caroline in a way that made the worn merino of her dress seem scant protection. The noise from the street had not abated and Caroline tried not to think about what might be happening to Adela and the children. She wondered how much Emily was able to hear. Mercifully, she did not understand French, but the tone of the voices would be enough to terrify her. Thank God for Hawkins.
    "Not," said Adam, his tone venomous once again, "that it is the least concern of yours. I believe I told you to get out. I believe I also mentioned that Colonel Lescaut is a friend of mine."
    "Gazin," Laclos said, gripping his friend's arm.
    "Quiet, you damn' fool. He can talk all he wants about his rank—of which we've no proof—and his fine friends and his mysterious special mission, but I fancy his superior officer wouldn't be any too pleased to learn he'd been haring about out of uniform, just to visit his lady friend."
    "But Colonel Lescaut—"
    "Damn Colonel Lescaut. Damn them all." Gazin spat onto the mud floor with contempt. "Those fool officers drag us to this God-forsaken country and can't even keep us properly fed. The least this one can do is share his whore with us."
    It happened so suddenly that Caroline scarcely had time to be frightened. Gazin moved forward, his eyes fixed greedily upon her, and the next thing she knew Adam had thrust her behind him and lunged at the Frenchman. In one swift, economical movement the pistol was sent flying and Gazin wasknocked backward.
    Adam knew he had only a few seconds' respite. There was no time to reach for the pistol, no time to glance back at Caroline, no time to see if Laclos meant to come to his friend's aid. Gazin staggered against the door, recovered his balance, and struck out with unbridled fury.
    Gazin was a skilled fighter and surprisingly light on his feet for a man of his size. His pent-up and very understandable fury at years of brutal fighting, harsh living, and scant food informed his every move. Adam recovered from a blow to his side and ducked beneath Gazin's arm in time to avoid being pinned against the table. His eyes fixed on his opponent, he heard Hawkins rush into the room.
    Trying to maneuver Gazin into a more favorable position, Adam backed toward the firepit. He heard a grunt of pain from Laclos, followed by the sound of a boot colliding with metal. The pistol skidded across the floor and came to rest near the smoldering remnants of the fire, not three feet from Adam. Even as Adam measured