Chapter 4

“Indeed, sir.” Ignatius held out his hand only because the other already did so. They shook. “I take it I am addressing the master of the house?”

“You are indeed. But please, call me Gregoire. We do not hold with too many formalities in such a quiet and often isolated part of the world.”

Ignatius gazed back down the valley. From here, not only could he see the town and the port, but the river that led to the sea. He could not help wonder what the view would have been like had he approached Ville sur le Fleuve aboard a ship. However, unable to find passage directly on such short notice, he had completed his journey by carriage. From this distance and owing to the way the sun shone, the water sparkled almost purely white and gold.

“Secluded perhaps, sir, but isolated? Surely all the traders that pass through make it far from solitary.”

Did he detect hesitation on Delacroix’s part?

“You have to appreciate that we do not have so many ships in these waters come winter.”