The Displaced by Frieda Watt

Author:Frieda Watt [Watt, Frieda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Coming of Age, Canadian, French, Romance, British, War, Historical Fiction, Fortress, Grief, Empire, Second Chances, love
ISBN: 9781775272205
Goodreads: 38937443
Publisher: Frieda Watt
Published: 2018-04-04T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

A HEAVY MIST HAD BEGUN TO RISE AS PIERRE made the trip across town. Others who were out walking or doing errands were dodging the raindrops, trying to reach their destinations as quickly as possible. Pierre flipped his collar up against the wind. He refused to wear his uniform when not on duty. It helped him feel more human.

A solitary candle was burning in the window of the second floor. Pierre watched as Marie moved around, silhouetted against the light. He paused, staring at the slight figure. His heart was pounding against his ribs. Eight years was a long time to be without someone you loved so much your life depended on her. The house was quiet. Servants skirted around him as he made his way upstairs.

The bedroom door was open a crack, and he knocked softly. Marie was still by the window and turned to see who the visitor was. She looked infinitely better than she had at their last meeting. The swelling had gone down, and she appeared to be much more like herself again. Purple and green were still marbled along the corner of her jaw, but otherwise, she looked like his sweet but feisty Marie. Marie gave a shy smile as Pierre peeked around the door. She suddenly wished she’d put more effort into her appearance. She tried desperately to smooth her hair back into the braid she’d slept in.

“I didn’t know you were coming.” She was moving toward one of the chairs very carefully, afraid to jar her body.

Pierre slid the chair closer and motioned for her to sit. Marie slowly lowered herself into the offered chair. The intimacy of their last encounter had evaporated with the passage of time. They were both feeling awkward.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, sitting down on another chair and drawing it up a bit closer to her.

Marie glanced up quickly, colour flushing to her cheeks as she caught his eye. “Much better than the last time I saw you. Still sore, though.”

“You look a lot better.”

Marie laughed and he grinned.

“I’m afraid I don’t remember much of it.”

“You were on a lot of drugs.”

A nervous laugh escaped her. “I just wanted to thank you. For everything you did.” She moved her fingers nervously along the top of the small table in front of her.

Pierre shook his head dismissively. “I’m sorry I couldn’t have done more.” His voice was soft with regret.

Marie looked up at him. “There’s nothing to be sorry for.”

Pierre shifted his weight uncomfortably.

Silence fell between them again. Marie was at a loss for something to say. She didn’t want to talk about the past. If he dug too deeply, he wouldn’t want to stay.

Pierre set two battered books on the table. Marie’s face lit up.

“Where did you get these?” She pulled them toward her eagerly with her good hand. Books were scarce and expensive—a luxury few could afford in the frontier city.

Pierre smiled at her reaction. “I borrowed them.”

Marie opened the top book, fanning the pages with her thumb.

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