“Jane, how wonderful to see you after so long. My goodness you have changed,” the man said, walking over and kissing me on the cheek.
“James. My goodness, I can’t remember when I last saw you,” I said, trying to work out how I would sort this out.
“I was about ten, so you must have been about four or five. How old are you now?”
“I am twenty-four, and you?”
“Twenty-nine. I heard about your father at Trafalgar, and then the news of your mother and sisters. I was truly sorry, but I was in the Americas and quite unable to get away. I returned home to England last month having read of your marriage in the Times, and then heard that you were in Paris. It is prodigiously good to see you looking so well. Your husband tells me that you are with child?”
“So it seems, either that or I am eating far too much,” I said, starting to relax.
“We are the last of the Chaunceys,” he said.
“Sir, you are, for I am a de Lambert now.”
“Of course, but it is sad that we have dwindled thus.”
“Your parents, how are they, for I have had no news?”
“My parents died three years back, and my younger brother, Peter, lies in a grave in Spain. He was an Infantry officer at Vittoria.”
“I am sorry, I am afraid that I never knew your family well. We have been through such hard times.”
“Indeed. But I am pleased to see you in better sorts now.”
I smiled at Roger.
“Thank you, you have my dear husband to thank.”
“Nonsense. She is an angel, and I owe her so much. Tell me James, are you in Paris for long?” Roger said.
“A week, sir. My ship is undertaking urgent repairs at Brest. So I am to enjoy a week’s leave in Paris, with very little money in my pocket.”
“Then you shall stay here. One more will make no difference, and it will be so nice for my dear Jane to have family here,” Roger said, and turned and shouted for Groves to have a bedroom prepared, he walked out as Groves was not within earshot.
I smiled at James, but felt very uncomfortable with the strange young man.
“Always a soldier. There is a perfectly good bell system, but he does so love shouting,” I said.
“Michael sends his regards,” he said very quietly.
I stared at him, hardly believing my ears.
“You did a wonderful job, so I have been sent to pass on the word, and also to enquire after the baby!”
Two possibilities entered my mind. One, he was genuine, and two, he was the enemy.
If he was genuine, then he would not object if I pretended not to understand, but if he was the enemy, then he would be frustrated and become angry.
“I am sorry. Michael, who is Michael? Was not your father called Michael?”
“Ah, that was a different Michael. My word, you have a lovely view of the park from here,” he said, walking over to the window.
“Yes, it is so peaceful. One can forget that there is a war on,” I said.
He looked sideways at me, with a curious smile on his face.
“We were very interested to hear that you were with child. It came as a real surprise.”
“I was somewhat surprised as well. But I am highly pleased,” I said, and he nodded.
“Michael thought you might be. You are unique; history is being made. However, some extra research has been undertaken, and well…,” he said, but at that moment, Roger returned.
“That’s all arranged. You will join us for dinner this evening, of course?” he asked our guest.
“I shall be delighted. I shall collect my few bags from the Admiralty office, and return for dinner,” he said, and then turned to me.
“Cousin, it has been so nice to see you again. I look forward to catching up with family news over the next week.”
I smiled at him, but then Roger escorted him to the door, returning a few moments later.
“Now, tell me that wasn’t a surprise,” he said.
“You certainly surprised me. How did you meet him?” I asked.
“He sought me out, and came and introduced himself to me. I knew at once, he must be a relative of yours. Chauncey is hardly a common name. Good fortune, what?”
“Definitely. You were so clever.”
“Pah, it wasn’t me. He was determined to find you. Now, how are you today? You were asleep still when I left this morning.”
“I felt nauseous again in the night; but not badly. I felt the baby kick this morning.”
Roger came and knelt beside me, placing his hand on my belly. He had that soft tender look on his face.
“Boy or girl?” he said.
“I don’t care as long as he or she is healthy,” I said. Besides, scans would not be available for nearly two hundred years.
James returned and joined us for dinner. There were twelve for dinner that evening, and Roger had seated James on my immediate right. I was wary of the newcomer, with good reason, as I still was unaware of his loyalties.
It was a pleasant meal, but at no time did my ‘cousin’ mention Michael or any other mutual point of interest. The men stood to let the ladies retire, so we went to the drawing room, while the men no doubt told off-colour tales and drank too much port. I adored the hot chocolate for which Paris was famous, preferring it to the rather bitter coffee. Thus, we were in the habit of serving cups of hot chocolate instead.
Finally, the gentlemen rejoined us, and Roger persuaded me to play the guitar again.
“Any requests?” I asked.
“How about, ‘Jumping Jack Flash’?” asked James, and I stared at him. The Rolling Stones were a long time in the future.
“They aren’t ready for that yet,” I said, selecting instead a more contemporary Spanish Flamenco.
I played two or three pieces, and then played a number from the Shadows greatest hits. It was not quite the same without an electric guitar, but I liked it, and James chuckled as he sat by the window.
They were very kind and applauded, but I suddenly felt very tired. I made my excuses and went up to bed. Being pregnant was not all roses, that’s for sure.
I was asleep when Roger came to bed. I woke up as he kissed my temple.
“Hi honey,” I said, and realised in horror that my American accent came out.
“Jane?”
I giggled. It was just so silly.
“Hello, honey bunch.” I said, in my English accent, this time. It was awfully hard pretending to be someone you aren’t.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. But I am beginning to wish that our baby hurries up and arrives.”
“It is nice having your cousin here. Are you pleased?”
“Oh yes, it is wonderful,” I said, and actually in a funny sort of way I was pleased. I had almost convinced myself that James was one of the good guys, and it would be nice to talk to someone from my own era.
I was asleep in no time, and felt safe with Roger’s arm around me.
The next week was quite fun. Roger had work to do regarding his regiment, so James would escort me around Paris. Roger still rode, but took his daughter on her beloved Snowflake. I was in no condition to ride, so we walked or took a carriage. James managed to convince me that he was one of the good guys. He told me that Michael had sent him from the Centre, with a message for me to re-direct my focus towards America.
“But why?”
“Because you have almost finished in Europe, and the American nation is in serious doubt. Their situation is tentative to say the least, and it would take only small effort by the British to retake the colony and alter history completely.”
“But the Declaration of Independence was in 1776, how can this be?” I asked.
“The fledgling States are weak, but determined. Britain has only given the army over there half a mind, because of events closer to home. Imagine the result if the Duke of Wellington, with his full army, was assigned America to take back.”
“It would be a massacre.”