Dark Angel by Tracy Grant

knocked Manet to the ground. Got to make an example of him, Lieutenant. He deserves a whipping at least."
    Seeing Pablo's olive skin turn ashen, Caroline felt a burst of anger. "He's only a boy," she said. "Surely you can't believe he's a threat to your men, Lieutenant."
    "We can't allow these people to show us disrespect, madame," Dumont said with sudden firmness. He glanced at the soldier. "Take the boy into the tavern. I have matters to sort out here."
    The soldier started to respond, then cried out in pain and outrage. While his attention was distracted, Pablo had twisted in his hold and stepped sharply on his foot.
    The soldier raised his hand to strike the boy, but Adam caught his wrist in mid-air. "I'll deal with this, Dumont," Adam said, removing Pablo from the soldier's grip. "I suggest you round up your men before they become quite ungovernable."
    The soldier gaped at Adam in confusion, but Gazin was quick to protest. "Damn it, Lieutenant, are you going to let a man who isn't even wearing a uniform order you about?"
    "I told you to be quiet." Dumont glared at him, then looked across the courtyard. The soldiers who were loading the wagon had ceased their work and were watching the scene with curiosity. "Don't just stand there," Dumont said with the irritation of an officer who had difficulty being taken seriously by his men, "carry on." He looked back at Adam. "If I could see some proof, Captain? Purely as a formality?"
    Caroline drew in her breath, but Adam merely reached into a pocket of his coat and pulled out a folded piece of paper. "Due to my present mission I carry no official documents, but perhaps a letter from my friend Colonel Lescaut will suffice. An expression of thanks for a piece of work I recently undertook for him."
    Dumont's face cleared. "That will do admirably. I know the colonel's hand."
    Caroline watched Dumont take the paper, her mouth dry, her heart hammering in her throat. Adam had succeeded by bluffing thus far, but unless Colonel Lescaut's signature was expertly forged, how could he hope to deceive the lieutenant?
    Adam watched Dumont, his face impassive. Pablo stood by quietly, as if he somehow understood that Adam did not represent the same threat as the soldier. Emily trembled in Caroline’s arms. Caroline stroked her hair.
    Dumont read the paper through, then looked up. Caroline tensed, prepared to defend her child. "Thank you, Captain," Dumont said. "This is quite sufficient."
    "I should hope so." Adam held out a peremptory hand. "If I could have my letter back? You'd better see to your men. Might I suggest you not try to cram quite so much onto the wagon? At this rate, there'll be nothing left for the next foraging party that passes through here."
    Gazin drew in his breath. "So help me—"
    But even as he spoke, Dumont rounded on him. "You forget yourself, Sergeant. Go and help the men with the wagon. You too," he added, gesturing toward the man who had brought Pablo. "And tell the others to leave some of the provisions. Captain St. Juste is right."
    For the next half-hour, Caroline stood beside Adam while Dumont rounded up his men, who seemed surprised to see their lieutenant behaving with such authority. It was only when the soldiers had left the village that Caroline really believed it was over. Her legs felt not quite steady. Emily, who she had set on the ground beside her, clung close to her skirts.
    "All right," Adam said to Pablo, "you'd better go home. Your mother must be worried."
    Pablo looked up at Adam in bewilderment. Smiling, Adam gave him a slight push. Pablo backed away cautiously, then turned and tore off down the street.
    Caroline looked down at the cobblestones, not daring to meet Adam's gaze. After she had greeted him with such bitterness, he had saved not only her and Emily but the whole village.
    "Looks as if none of us are going anywhere tonight," Hawkins said. "I'd best go and see that the horses are fed and watered."
    As Hawkins walked off, Caroline at last