Nicholas read the letter with a frown. "In a way, it's a surprise. In another way, it seems utterly inevitable."

"That was exactly how I felt," Michael said slowly. "As if I'd been waiting to hear this news, but hadn't known it."

"I don't suppose the allied powers will accept this as a fait accompli and let Napoleon keep the throne."

"I doubt it. The battle must be fought once more." Michael thought of the long years of war that had already passed. "When Boney is defeated this time, I hope to God they have the sense to execute him, or at least exile him a good long way from Europe."

Clare looked up from the letter, her gaze level. "You're going to go back to the army, aren't you?"

Trust Clare to guess a thought that had scarcely formed in Michael's mind. "Probably. I imagine that Wellington will be recalled from the Congress of Vienna and put in charge of the allied forces that will be raised to oppose Napoleon. With so many of his crack Peninsular troops still in America, he's going to need experienced officers."

Clare sighed. "A good thing Kenrick will be christened in two days. It would be a pity to do it without his godfather. You'll be here that long, won't you?"

"I wouldn't miss the christening for anything." Michael smiled teasingly, wanting to remove the concern from her eyes. "I only hope that lightning doesn't strike me dead when I promise to renounce the devil and all his works so I can guide Kenrick's spiritual development."

Nicholas chuckled. "If God was a stickler about such things, every baptismal font in Christendom would be surrounded by charred spots."

Refusing to be distracted, Clare said in a tone that was almost angry, "You're glad to be going to war again, aren't you?"