“Yes, to my regret.”
Shortly they arrived at a charming little house covered with ivy and accented with newly flowering bougainvillea, and Gabrielle located the key to the front door beneath a clay pot. Kate accompanied her into the cottage, and found herself in a pretty parlor adorned with white lace curtains and vases of dried flowers.
Kate removed her cloak and hung it on a peg as she praised the interior. “We shall be quite comfortable here. Again, I am exceedingly grateful to you and your friend. We will gladly pay for our use of her home.”
Gabrielle nodded with her own look of gratitude. “My friend will put the funds to good purpose.”
After that, she unbent enough to provide a thorough tour of the cottage. Besides the parlor, there were three other rooms—a kitchen, bedchamber, and workroom for mending fishing nets and canvas sails—all immaculately kept. At Kate’s request, Gabrielle devoted particular attention to how to stoke the iron stove and how to draw water from the well at the side of the house, while Kate gently probed about her background and history.
“You must be lonely when Monsieur Louvel is away.”
“Indeed, very much so. I dislike it when Jean sails away for long periods. I fear for him.”
“I fear for Deverill also.” Kate paused. Her goal was to cultivate the beauty’s trust if not friendship and turn her into an ally of sorts, and the surest way was to confide her feelings for Deverill. “It is a cold fate, being left behind to wait for our loved ones to return safely.” She gave a deliberate sigh. “No doubt I am foolish to pine for a man and wish to win his heart.”
“I do not consider it foolish in the least,” Gabrielle replied staunchly.
With further discussion, Gabrielle eventually admitted that she came from a good family, but without any means of support she had traded on her looks to become the mistress of the most powerful man in the district. Yet it was not purely a monetary arrangement. In truth, she had become extremely fond of him.
“I suspected as much,” Kate said with sympathy.
“Is my fancy so very obvious?”
“Not especially. I have an overly romantic disposition and a fondness for helping couples find happiness and even love. Forgive me, but I have seen how you look at Louvel. You would like for your ardor to be reciprocated, is that true?”
Gabrielle ducked her head rather shyly. “Yes.”
“How long have you been with him?”
“Two years. But he is not inclined to marry.”
“In my country I am known to have skills as a matchmaker. Perhaps I could help you in some small way. And if you have any advice about how I can secure my lover’s affections, I would be grateful to hear it.”
When Gabrielle took her le
ave, Kate thought she had made progress establishing a basis for goodwill rather than enmity.
She had inventoried the pantry by the time Deverill arrived with their valises and reported on the instructions he’d given his armed men. “I sent them back to the Galene to fetch the salvage equipment. We should be out of jeopardy for a few days.”
“Why do you say so?”
“It’s in Louvel’s best interest to proceed with the salvage for now. Until we find the ship and determine if there is any sunken treasure to fight over, he will likely honor our collaboration.”
“Are you worried he will eventually strike against you?” Kate asked.
“I don’t trust him not to try. He gave in more easily than expected. He appears amiable enough now, but he’s a cutthroat at heart, and he’s not one to relinquish a grudge.” Deverill sent her a penetrating look. “I confess, I don’t like the way Louvel lusts after you.”
“Nor do I. But did you have to claim that I was your chère femme?”
“Yes. He needs to know that you are mine. He will be more inclined to keep his hands off you if he thinks you are warming my bed.”
Kate hesitated. “Perhaps I should mention, there is only one bed.”
“Is there? Where is the bedchamber?”
“There, to your right.”
Turning, he carried the valises into the room. Kate followed and watched as he set them on the floor in one corner.