Page 80 of The Boxing Baroness

“I think we’ll all get to quit pretty soon,” Blade said.

He looked up at her words. “What do you mean?”

“Napoleon went through Grenoble and the Fifth Infantry apparently joined him, and they are on the march to Paris.”

“The Fifth? But aren’t they solidly—”

“Royalist?” she asked with a slight twist of her slick carmine lips. “It seems they had a change of heart.”

“Bloody hell,” he murmured, and then recalled whom he was talking to. “I beg your pardon.”

Amusement glinted in her pale eyes at his apology.

“How did you hear about this?”

“They sent carrier pigeons out and there was an announcement in the town square just after dusk. Already half the town seems to be making plans to head to Paris and meet him when he arrives.”

“Good God,” Sin breathed. His mind could gain no purchase; Bonaparte was free. The nightmare was beginning all over again.

She pulled on her gloves. “I wish I could stay, but I’m on after the interlude.”

Sin nodded, raking his hand through his hair. “I’ve sent one of the stagehands for the doctor.”

“I’ll come back after my show.” She gave Marianne a last glance before turning to the door.

She’d only just left when the door opened again. This time it was Guy.

He gawked at Marianne’s unconscious form and held out an ice bucket with only a few jagged chunks inside. “This is all I could find quickly.”

Sin took the bucket.

“She seemed fine just a few minutes ago. What happened?” Guy asked.

“She fainted when she tried to sit.” Sin took one of the cloths the women used to remove face paint and wrapped a chunk, making sure the ice was covered.

He was about to lower the cloth when she moaned and shifted, her eyes fluttering open. “Wha—what happened?”

“You fainted,” he said, carefully lowering the cloth over the nasty swelling.

She winced.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I know it’s cold, but hold it there for a few moments. I’ve sent for a doctor.”

She opened her mouth.

“Don’t argue, Marianne. Close your eyes and rest.”

For once, she did as he bade her.

Guy sidled over to him. “I just heard—”

“Blade already told me,” Sin said.

Behind them, the door opened, and they turned as Elliot entered.

“I just saw Blade and she told me what happened to Marianne. Can I help?”

Sin shook his head. “I’ve sent for a doctor.”