Shattered Rainbows by Mary Jo Putney

dressed exactly alike." She smiled reminiscently. "Remember how ragtag everyone looked after a few months on the Peninsula? One could tell a new man because his uniform could still be identified."
    Suddenly Jamie Mowbry exploded from the bushes and pointed a branch at Michael. "Bang, bang!"
    Because she was watching Michael, Catherine saw the instinctive response that in battle would have resulted in lethal action. It vanished as quickly as it had come and Michael collapsed dramatically on the grass. "I'm done for, lads. Take care of my horse Thor." He kicked a few times and lay still.
    Jamie charged over, Clancy at his heels and his branch triumphantly aloft. "I got you, I got you, you filthy frog!"
    As soon as the boy was within reach, Michael grabbed him and began tickling his ribs. "Who's got whom? Never trust an enemy to be as dead as he looks, Jamie."
    Flushed and shrieking with delight, the boy rolled around in the grass with his former prey. Catherine watched in amusement, surprised at how easily Michael had entered the child's world.
    The wrestling match ended when Amy raced up. "Hello, Colonel Kenyon." She tagged Jamie. "You're it now!" She dashed off with Jamie and Clancy at her heels.
    Michael stayed sprawled on the grass. "Lord, it feels good to lie down in the sun and not have to do anything for the next hour." He closed his eyes and unbuttoned his jacket.
    Catherine said, "The weather has been lovely, hasn't it? But I keep thinking that it is like the calm before the storm."
    "And black clouds are gathering just over the horizon."
    Michael's remark reduced them both to silence. For all they knew, Napoleon was already marching north to reclaim his empire.
    Louis the Lazy, who had been snoozing by Catherine, hauled himself onto his stubby legs and went to flop beside Michael. "I'm jealous," she said teasingly. "Louis is only willing to be my friend when you're not around."
    "Nonsense," Michael said without opening his eyes. "The contrary beast is trying to ruin my reputation. Since dogs and their owners are said to resemble each other, it will be assumed that I am as lazy and useless as he is. Tell him to go away."
    His order was undercut by the way he ruffled the dog's ears. Louis moaned with pleasure and rolled onto his back, holding his broad paws in the air.
    She laughed. "If that is how you command your troops, Colonel, the 105th is in trouble."
    Out of sight at the end of the garden, Molly squealed and Jamie shouted, "Got you!"
    Michael's eyes opened. "Jamie looked rather pale. Has he been ill?"
    "He suffers from asthma sometimes," Catherine replied. "Anne says the attacks are terrifying. He had a bad one yesterday. Apparently spring is the worst time for him."
    "I had occasional asthma attacks as a child, but in time I pretty much outgrew them. No doubt Jamie will, too."
    She studied his rugged frame. "I'll tell Anne that. It will make her feel better to know that an asthmatic boy can grow up into a strapping fellow like you. What causes the attacks?"
    "I don't know if anyone is sure," he said slowly, "but I think it's usually a combination of things—dampness, food or plants that don't agree with one." He laid his arm across his eyes, blocking the sun and concealing his expression. "I believe there's an emotional component as well."
    "Do you mean getting too excited? Jamie is high-strung."
    "That, or being frightened or distressed. Painful emotions can sometimes trigger an attack in a matter of moments."
    "I see." She would have liked to know more, but his tone forbade questions.
    He continued, "How is Anne feeling these days?"
    "Much better. She's napping at the moment, but she says she's almost at the stage of pregnancy where she will go from exhaustion to boundless energy. In another week, she'll be eager to be dancing again." Catherine knotted and cut her thread. With Anne as a companion, she would no longer need Michael's escort. She would miss spending time with him. She would miss it a great deal.