CHAPTER TEN

The moment she could do so without seeming suspect, Richelleen whispered to Adele to wait for her outside and she hurried out into the hallway. She’d caught Renaud eyeing her with an appreciative eye, and she wanted to avoid the Karl’s lackey at all costs. But her way out of the deep cellar room was blocked by the men who still lingered, talking in groups, waiting for their chance to speak with Karl. Richelleen shrank back into an alcove that had once held wine casks.

She’d been standing there long enough to grow chilled from the damp stone surrounding her when she heard two familiar voices. Karl and Renaud were talking softly.

“It went well, I thought.” Renaud was saying. “Except for Rene. He should be Richelleen’s personal servant. If he wishes to clean her shoes that’s his business, but he could be trouble.”

“We handled it between us,” Karl said smugly. “Rene may not join us but he will not betray us. He has no love for Richelleen or her bastard husband. Tell me, how did your latest foray go?”

The best yet,” Renaud said. Richelleen could almost see him smacking his lips over the memory. “One of those poor villages, mostly French but some foreigners too.”

“You’re sure they don’t suspect that we’re behind the latest raids and demonstrations?”

“No, most of them are simple factory workers and other rabble, they have no idea that we’re steering them in the wrong direction.” Renaud sneered.

Richelleen felt sickened. She’d halfway supported the FREECOMS in their battles, now she knew the truth and it disgusted her.