Night Thief
she knew Kane would be gone, hiding from the sun, she still caught herself wishing the rest of the bed wasn’t empty.
    Pulling a shift over her head, she wrapped herself in a heavy robe and went to the door. A crease marked her forehead as she bent to pick up the folded note that bore her name. She opened it and smiled, seeing Kane’s name signed at the bottom.
    Dearest Rita –
    I wish I could be with you when you open your eyes.
    You make me wish for many things.
    Until nightfall…
    Kane
    She folded the note, trying to keep from noticing the way her heart flipped while she read his words. She’d given him one night. She wouldn’t allow herself to imagine there could be more. There was almost enough gold to take her cousin and flee from Antoine forever. Giving up now was out of the question.
    Marguerite placed the note on her bureau with a wistful sigh.
    There was much to do.
    Turning her back on romance, she opened the door. The scent of fresh bread assaulted her senses until her stomach grumbled. A smile pulled at her lips when she neared the dining area and heard Gerard and his wife sparring in the kitchen.
    “If you know so much about croissants, perhaps you should be the one folding the dough.”
    Gerard’s laughter echoed. “I am wise enough to stay out of your way in the kitchen. I only mentioned adding the fruit compote as a suggestion.”
    “If I wanted to make a tart, I would make a tart.” She burst through the door and stopped short when she noticed Marguerite at the table. “Forgive me, Mademoiselle . I hope we did not wake you.”
    “ Mais non , you did not.” Marguerite shook her head. “It was the delicious scent of fresh croissants that awakened me.”
    Gerard’s wife was shorter than Marguerite, with a sturdy stance and a wide smile, her graying hair tied up in a bun. She clasped either side of her flour-dusted apron with her strong hands and curtsied. “I am pleased to meet you, Mademoiselle . I am Marie.” She shot Gerard a playful glare. “I believe you already met my husband.”
    “Oui.” Marguerite bowed her head toward her. “I am honored to meet you, Marie.”
    Part of her ached inside. These people had been kind to her. What would they think after she abandoned their Master? She buried her emotions deep. There wasn’t time to dwell on disappointment for what could never be. Callia depended on her to stay the course.
    Marie grinned and bustled back into the kitchen, returning with a fresh, flaky croissant and a kettle of tea. A knock at the front door had Gerard rushing off to answer it, while Marguerite took a bite of her croissant, swooning as the buttery layers caressed her taste buds.
    Her bliss was short-lived.
    “I must insist you wait until my Master returns.”
    Marguerite and Marie looked up at the sound of Gerard’s stern tone.
    A stranger answered. “We have a legal warrant for the arrest of Marguerite Rousseau.”
    Boots clicked down the hallway. Marie’s eyes widened when the officers rushed into the room. Marguerite’s heart slammed against her ribs, but she maintained eye contact, her chin held high.
    Gerard rushed in behind them. “Forgive me, Mademoiselle . These gentleman…” His voice oozed with sarcasm. “… pushed past me.” He walked to her side. “I am pleased to introduce Marguerite Bordeaux . Obviously there has been a mistake, and I would be happy to accept your apologies on behalf of my Master Kane Bordeaux .”
    Marguerite tried not to react to hearing Kane’s last name added to her own, and did her best to improvise with Gerard.
    The Commissionnaire de Policia stepped forward. “You match the description of Marguerite Rousseau who stands accused of robbery and treachery.”
    “There must be a mistake.” She kept her voice even while her stomach knotted with fear. “I can assure you, I have been within these walls. My husband will be home soon, and he can testify to my whereabouts.”
    The Commissionnaire nodded to his men, and they

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