Captured by Love (Michigan Brides #3)(73)

Pierre didn’t look at Lavina. Instead he focused on Lieutenant Steele. “If you let me speak with the colonel, I’m sure I can clear up any misunderstanding.”

“Maybe you can explain why at the outset of the attack you told Colonel McDouall a contingency of Americans was planning a surprise attack farther south on the island in an attempt to take back the fort, when really the entire bulk of the United States Army was on the north end.”

Pierre didn’t say anything.

Lietuenant Steele only nodded. “Admit it. You thought to deceive the colonel into moving some of the army so that the forces were weaker and unable to repel the American attack.”

Pierre shrugged. Angelique could see the battle raging across his face over whether to confess his part in spying or whether to talk his way out of trouble.

She wanted to shout at him that he needed to deny any connection to the spying. He needed to make any excuse he could. She didn’t want to think about what they would do to him if he admitted to his deception.

But hadn’t she talked with Pierre just yesterday morning, when they’d been out in their canoes about the struggle to do what was right even when it was hard? How could she demand anything less of him now?

“We also have evidence that you assisted a wounded American soldier from the battlefield,” Lieutenant Steele continued.

“In the confusion of the battle,” Pierre replied, “how could anyone possibly find evidence for such a thing?”

“I found evidence.” The lieutenant moved closer to Pierre, and his expression spoke of victory. “I saw you pull the enemy solider from the field with my very own eyes.”

Lavinia gasped. Her face drained of color and took the same pallor as Miriam’s.

A crowd of regulars had been growing during the discussion. Men poked their heads out of windows in the barracks. Others had gathered outside of doorways. The glares they leveled at Pierre sent a tremor through Angelique.

“We’re guessing that’s why you disappeared,” Lieutenant Steele said louder, apparently for the sake of those who were gathering near. “You were returning the wounded soldier to the Americans.”

Pierre glared at Lieutenant Steele with a fierceness that sparked a flicker of hope in Angelique. He wouldn’t give in without fighting. He couldn’t just hand himself over to them.

“You have no proof of any of this. And I think we all know why you’re leveling these accusations at me.” Pierre puffed out his chest and batted the barrel of the gun away from his head. “Because you’re jealous. You want me out of the way so that you can have Lavinia’s attention all to yourself.”

The lieutenant’s lips curved into a tight grin. “Don’t flatter yourself, Durant. There’s never been any competition.”

Lavinia stared at Pierre, her eyes and lips drooping. “Pierre, please deny all of this. Please.”

“I want Lieutenant Steele to take me to the colonel as I’ve requested.” Pierre’s words were clipped. “I’ll be able to set everything straight.”

“The only place Colonel McDouall wants to see you is in front of a firing squad.”

Miriam swayed, and Angelique slipped an arm around her waist, even though she was trembling herself. She needed to get Miriam away from the fort and the accusations against Pierre. It was too much for her. She shouldn’t have to hear such claims leveled against her son—even if they were true.

The lieutenant motioned to a couple of burly soldiers standing nearby, and they started up the incline toward Pierre.

“You have no proof of anything,” Pierre said, eyeing the approaching soldiers.

“The current evidence piled against you is quite enough for the colonel.” Lieutenant Steele’s fingers stroked his pistol. “And we can certainly find more if need be. I have a knack for extracting information from prisoners. I’m sure with a little persuasion the American soldier we captured yesterday will be more than happy to tell us what he knows about you.”

“I don’t want anyone to get hurt on account of me,” Pierre said.

The lieutenant nodded. “I thought you’d see it that way.”

Pierre didn’t resist when the two soldiers reached him and each took one of his arms.

A cry of protest rose inside Angelique. “Lavinia—Miss McDouall—you must do something! You have to help Pierre.”

But Lavinia was already stepping backward through the entrance of the officers’ quarters, her trembling fingers reaching for the support of her servant who stood behind her.

Lieutenant Steele turned to the servant girl. “Take Miss McDouall inside, away from all this unpleasantness.”

Lavinia didn’t resist as the girl led her away, taking the last remnants of Angelique’s hope with her.

The lieutenant spoke to the soldiers holding Pierre. “Search him for weapons and then tie him up.”

As the soldiers frisked Pierre, the lieutenant disappeared into the officers’ quarters.

Pierre didn’t resist the soldiers, though Angelique had no doubt he could have overpowered them if he’d wanted to. His shoulders had gradually slumped, and his eyes reflected a resignation to whatever was to come.

For a long moment he refused to glance to where she stood. But then once the soldiers had bound his hands in front of him, he lifted his head and looked at her. “Take Maman home.”