Jane Feather - [V Series] by Violet

they do,” she assured him with a grin, her perfect teeth glimmering in the moonlight. “You’ve just never been looking in a mirror at the right moment.”
    There seemed no adequate response to this, so he changed the subject. “I’ll rest the horses when it’s absolutely necessary, but other than that, I don’t intend to stop until we reach Elvas.”
    “Cesar has a great deal of stamina,” she said placidly. “And he was well rested in Cornichet’s camp.”
    “You, on the other hand, are very short of sleep,” he observed.
    “I can sleep in the saddle. I’ve often done so.” She cast him a sideways glance. “Don’t worry, milord colonel. I’m perfectly prepared to uphold my end of the bargain. And I’ve never yet dropped out of the line of march.”
    Once again he could detect the currents of energy surging through the slim, upright figure. She was radiating purpose and determination, and he was instantly uneasy. Whenever he’d sensed that determined energy before, La Violette had been up to no good.

Chapter Five
    T HE STEADY BOOMING OF THE GUNS BESIEGING THE WALLS OF the Spanish town of Badajos drowned all other sound as the cavalcade approached the town standing on a hill in the midst of a flat plain. The sky was metallic, clouds hanging low over the gray earth, creating a uniform colorlessness, broken only by the scarlet tunics of the cavalrymen.
    Julian, riding ahead of the troop, was watching Gabriel and Violette, as usual riding off to one side on slightly higher ground. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but from their gestures it seemed they were engaged in some altercation. The girl was gesticulating fiercely, her body, fluid in the saddle as she made her points. The giant Gabriel in contrast seemed to exude a rocklike obstinacy, occasionally shaking his head in a sharp, brief negative.
    They were a two-hour ride from headquarters in the Portuguese border town of Elvas, and Julian would be bringing in his flower just within the five days he’d set himself. Unfortunately, he wasn’t bringing in a submissive, intimidated prisoner ready to have her petals plucked, but a vigorous, self-determining mercenary who might be induced to sell her secrets, but certainlywouldn’t meekly divulge them for the asking. It would be interesting to see what Wellington made of her … and of his colonel’s part in the play.
    Julian grimaced. He’d have to find an explanation for how he’d lost his prisoner and had to agree to a negotiated settlement. The truth was far too mortifying. He could only hope that the brigand would keep her mouth shut about that riverside madness.
    He became aware that the two were cantering toward him. Gabriel was not looking happy; the girl’s expression was neutral. They reached him and turned their horses to ride alongside him.
    “While I’m gone, I shall hold you responsible for the bairn, Englishman,” Gabriel announced gruffly, his hand, in what seemed to Julian very pointed fashion, resting on the hilt of his massive broadsword.
    “Gone? Gone where?”
    “Never you mind, but you’re responsible, mark that well.”
    Julian shook his head with a half laugh of disbelief. “You expect me to be responsible for the actions of La Violette? Good God, man, I know my limitations.”
    “Not her actions, but her safety,” Gabriel declared before Tamsyn could voice her own indignation.
    “And I suppose it doesn’t occur to you that one has something to do with the other?” Julian said acidly.
    “I am responsible for my own actions,” Tamsyn said impatiently. “And my own safety. Gabriel, you’re being an old woman.”
    “El Baron left your safety in
my
hands.” There was a mulish set to the giant’s mouth. “And if y’are going off on this frolic on your own, little girl, then I’ll keep faith with your father as I see fit.” He glared at St. Simon. “So, English Colonel, any harm comes to one hair ofher head, and I’ll cleave your head from your