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his.
    â€œGood evening,” Georges said, strolling over to her as if nothing had been going on. He lifted her hand, kissing her fingers one by one. Warm tingling spread over her hand and up her arm. Mère de dieu . She’d never experienced anything like that before. Madeleine stiffened her resolve. What she felt did not matter. Her life was no longer hers to do as she wished.

CHAPTER 4
    T hankfully, Georges’s sisters kept up a lively conversation during dinner. Madeleine tried to keep track of the discussion, but it included so many people she did not know, she gave up. A few times, when the talk veered too close to her and Georges’s plans, his mother changed the subject. It must be difficult for his family not to know what was going on with them. After dinner, Georges and his future brother-in-law decided to join the ladies. Fortunately, his mother and sisters retired early.
    As soon as the door closed behind them, Madeleine placed her cup down. “We must speak.”
    â€œIndeed.” He sauntered to the sideboard, poured two glasses of wine, and gave her one, placing the other on a small side table.
    His eyes warmed, and her heart began to flutter. Then he dropped fluidly to one knee, and took her hand. “Madeleine, will you do me the great honor of being my wife.”
    It was as if all the breath had been sucked from her body. “ What! We . . . I cannot. You know I must first see to Maman and Genevieve.”
    â€œAnd you shall.” He met Madeleine’s gaze, and she was unable to break his spell. “I will fetch them and bring them here.”
    â€œNo, I must go with you.” Just because his father left their estate did not mean she would do the same. Georges could escort her mother and sister to England, where they would be protected if another revolution started. She would remain in Beaune.
    His lips thinned to a straight line, yet his tone was gentle, as if he was speaking to an idiot. “I will not allow you to put your life at risk.”
    â€œYou cannot stop me.” She raised her chin. Let him try. She had enough money to travel on her own if need be.
    Georges was silent for several moments. “Very well. You may accompany me.”
    She swallowed the sarcastic remark on her tongue. A victor does not rub the opponent’s nose in the dirt. “Thank you.”
    â€œUnder one condition.” His tone was unrelenting, and his face could have been carved from stone.
    â€œWhat provision?”
    â€œWe wed before we leave.”
    â€œ No! ” Madeleine wanted to pummel him, but the blasted man was still on one knee. She tried to pull her hand away, yet he held it firmly. “You are mad.”
    â€œProbably.” Georges grinned. “Still that is the only way I will take you with me.”
    Why was he being so difficult? “I do not understand your reasoning.”
    â€œUnless you plan on bringing your English maid, and we can find a chaperone, I can protect your reputation only if you are my wife.”
    The thought of dragging Andrews through France did not sit well. Madeleine might be in danger and she would not involve the maid. When she had left Beaune, Jeanne, her mother’s lady’s maid, had come with her. She was middle-aged and the least likely to be molested. She also had enough sense to find her way home. “I see your point. I would like Andrews to continue to work for me, but I doubt she will wish to leave her home.” Madeleine took a breath. “I shall wed you before we leave as long as you meet my stipulation.”
    Leave it to Madeleine to throw his words back at him. “Which is?”
    â€œWe will not consummate the marriage until my family is safe.”
    Bloody hell.
    That didn’t matter in England, not that she would know the English law, but in France consummation was required for the marriage to be finalized, or it could be annulled. Was that what she had in mind? He studied