Betsy and the Emperor (9781439115879) Read Online Free Page A

have just spent seventy days at sea with the man. Without his army, he is not a dangerous fellow.”
    My father replied with a skeptical “Harumph.”
    â€œWe have children, Admiral Cockburn,” my mother said calmly. “Two of them are young ladies,” she said meaningfully. I could picture her now, dry-eyed and alert, regally maternal, sitting up as straight as a washboard in her chair.
    â€œMadam, I understand your concern. He will be watched day and night—his every move. Over two thousand British soldiers are charged with supervising his captivity. Five hundred guns stand aready. I give you my word that—”
    â€œAnd you say this is not a dangerous man!” my mother interrupted.
    â€œTo France, perhaps. To England, certainly. But to you?” The admiral probably shrugged, allowing his question to hang in the air like chimney dust. There was a silence. Then he tried a new tack. “Balcombe, you and I served together at sea,” he said earnestly. “Men who have shared berth and battle don’t steer each other wrong on dry land.”
    Another silence followed, this one longer than the last.
    My father sighed, just the way he does when I wheedle him for pin money and he’s ready for surrender. “He’s right, my dear,” my father said wearily. “The admiral would not allow us to place ourselves in any danger. We must do as he asks.”
    â€œWhatever you think best,” my mother said, her voice heavy with resignation. It was like her to give in without a fight. From whom did I inherit my pluck?
    Just then I heard the approach of smooth and graceful footsteps—as those of a lady. Someone had joined the group in the library.
    â€œI see I am no longer in any danger of being washed away by madame’s tears,” Bonaparte said. “Your aides saw to it that my sortie was as brief as it was well supervised.”
    Hmmm, I thought. There must be some officersabout, whom I missed seeing on my way into the house.
    â€œBut they were pleasant company, I trust?” the admiral said, a bit of mischief in his tone.
    â€œOh, quite pleasant, Admiral,” he replied. “If a bit too familiar.”
    The man’s English was abominable. I untangle it here with difficulty.
    My legs were growing weary of holding the same uncomfortable position for so long. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, which stirred up some soot. Try as I might—and, oh, how I did try!—I couldn’t contain a sneeze.
    â€œGod bless you, my dear,” I heard my father say.
    â€œI didn’t sneeze,” my mother replied puzzledly.
    I stifled a giggle in my fist lest they hear that as well.
    There was some awkward small talk for a moment or two. It was clear just how ill at ease my parents felt with Bonaparte in the room. Then my father said solemnly: “I think it’s time we call the children.”
    â€œJane is out with the boys,” my mother said. “They should return shortly. Have you seen Betsy this morning?”
    â€œNo,” my father replied, uneasiness creeping into his forthright manner. I knew he was wondering whether I’d gotten myself into some sort of mischief.
    â€œI’ll call upstairs for her. You’ll excuse me, gentlemen?”
    My mother’s rapid exit alerted me to move quickly if I hoped to avoid being caught eavesdropping.
    â€œBetsy!” she called from the parlor.
    I leaped out of the fireplace, bumping my head in the process. “Ow!…er…yes, Mother?” I called back.
    â€œBetsy, are you quite all right?”
    â€œYes, Mother.” I brushed the soot from my dress.
    â€œThen come downstairs, please. We have guests in the library.”
    I could tell she was going to great lengths to conceal the quaver in her voice.
    As I entered the library, I was surprised to see that Jane and my brothers were present, having just returned from their outing. Willie and