Author note : Lines in italics are in French - didn't think any of us want to do that much translation.


Part VII - Trials and Telegrams

It was nearly eighty miles of bicycle riding to get them to Caen. Although she didn't complain, Waverly knew Millicent had to be aching from the long hours of pedaling because he was himself. Despite their early start, it was nearing dark by the time they actually got to Caen. The first thing he located was the local telegraph office. Millicent had three different ones to send.

He nodded at her economy of words, but looked over the three names carefully.

"Are you sure you can trust any of these men?"

"Not really. They could well consider all ties or friendships with me died with my mother. I daresay I've become - inconvenient in many circles."

Waverly briefly drummed his fingers against his leg.

"Perhaps we could find a way to seperate them to give you a better idea where your best interest might be."

"Any idea would be welcome. I feel like I'm walking up strange stairs in the dark without a railing to guide me."

"Pick one. We will add a few words., say 'will remain one day for reply'. We won't go back, of course, but if there are any hornets stirred up, that should give us a clue as to whose side they're on, if any."

"Send one here and send the next in the next town and so forth? Alright, let's do it. It isn't as if we'll be arriving in Avignon tomorrow, after all."

It both pleased and puzzled him - the way that she didn't ask him to change their destination or ask him to forego his orders. He waited until the first telegram had been sent and then took her arm for a walk. Once he had found a place that they could sit far from any other ears, he gave her another long look. One that lasted long enough to raise a questioning look from her.

"Alexandre? Is something wrong?"

"That is what I am trying to determine, Millicente. Mind you, it isn't that I want to be fighting with you over destination, but what happens here in this country will likely chart the course for the remainder of your life. And at your age, that is a very long time."

She nodded slowly in understanding.

"Why am I willing to go where you point and why am I willing to go with you to Avignon even knowing that place could well turn into my prison?"

Millicent pulled her jacket around herself tighter as she looked over at the moon that was now peeking over the rooftops of Caen.

"I am all too aware of my limitations. Believe me, the men that assigned you to me made sure I was very aware that they had made sure I had nothing left in the world. My home, my mother's jewels and other possessions - they took it all and have left me without so much as a ha'penny to my name."

The cool blue eyes left the moon and moved down to look at Waverly's face.

"When we left together and you apologized to me, something about you felt - right. I made my choice then and there that I would trust in you. I am not about to start second-guessing my decision. Much as I might like to think that I am capable of taking care of myself, my mother taught me many things while we were traveling and one of those things is that the world is not a safe place for a young woman traveling on her own."

He hesitated for a moment, but then Waverly laid a hand on Millicent's arm.

"I won't demean your intellect by promising that I will keep you safe because we both know that would be the definition of a pie crust promise. I will, however, promise you that I will do all that I can."

"Thank you."

They sat together in companiable silence for while until it got a bit too cool to be comfortable. He rose first, then offered her a hand up.

"Alexandre? I know money is limited but I think I might have an idea for us. But it would cost around five to ten centimes."

"What kind of an idea?"

"One that might make us better hidden should they come looking for us."

Reaching into his pocket, Waverly pulled out two five centime coins.

"Sounds like it would be worth trying, Millicente. Where do we need to go?"

"That store should have what I need. Just a minute."

It didn't take long before she came back out with a small sack and handed him back the change. At his glance toward the bag, she gave him a smile and held it up slightly.

"An old teacup, rosehips, cloves and paprika seeds."

"Sounds like it would make a very peculiar tea, Millicente."

"It won't be making anything we'll be eating or drinking, Alexandre. Wait and see."