She struck without warning. She aimed it at Le Diable left eye, saw it go in and rammed it home with the base of her hand. The broad base of the pin smashed against his eye, covering it.
Le Diable looked puzzled. He said, "What was..." and collapsed. She struggled out from under him just as Girard broke the front door down.
Girard rushed to her side and moved Le Diable’s body off Madame Volan. She slid off the bed and stood with rare dignity. She didn’t cover herself or crouch.
Girard approached her and put his hand on her bare arm. He looked directly in her eyes. “Are you alright, Madame? May I do anything to help you?”
“I’m fine. I’ll get dressed, and we can go back to town. My husband will be happy to know our family is no longer in danger.”
She didn’t ask for it, but Girard twirled his finger in the air and he, Fournier and the two constables turned their backs.
Chapter Eleven
Madame Volan and her daughter came through the door of their home at the same time. Madame Volan said, “I have just rid France of the worst...” Helene said, “Father, I have the most wonderful...” They both stopped talking at the same time.
Henri Volan pointed to his wife. “Ridding France of something enormous needs to be said first. Helene may tell us of her happy news afterwards.” He held both hands up. “Wait. First, I must hold my wife. Apparently, she has been through a trial. Come here, my sweet.”
Madame Volan sought the shelter of her husband’s embrace eagerly. They held each other with a bit of desperation. They’d done this before, always after something threatened to kill one or both of them. After a few seconds, they separated. Madame Volan faced her husband and daughter with a brave face. “I have killed Le Diable. He kidnapped me and took me to a little house where he attempted to rape me.” She took a moment to congratulate herself and bask in their admiration. “I led him along like a lazy horse. He did everything I wanted. I just had to protest that I didn’t want him to do it. I’d hidden a weapon in my clothes, but I was on the other side of the bed. I pleaded with him to keep me on my back. He turned me over. I pleaded with him not to penetrate me with force. That’s when he fell into my trap.” She paused to enjoy their complete attention. “I held myself above the bed. He pounced on me with a force sufficient enough to push me across the bed. I got my weapon and killed him with it.”
He kissed her cheek. “I have seen you deal with the enemies of France before, my love. What was your weapon?”
“A long hat pin. I held it in my hand and pushed it into his eye. I pounded it once to make it pierce his brain.”
Now both of her family members held her in their arms. They hugged until Volan said, “Helene, tell us of your happy news.”
Helene bounced away from her parents. “I have met the most wonderful man. He is going to ask me to marry him tomorrow. His name is Alain Bedeau.”
Volan said, “I have met him. He represents one of the oil companies in their attempt to gain the contract to supply us with oil. A most handsome and intelligent man.”
“I know. He loves me, and I love him.”
Volan asked, “I am a bit puzzled. Why would he tell you he was going to ask for your hand tomorrow? If he was close enough to tell you that, why didn’t he ask for it then?”
Madame Volan rescued Helene, “Because they were not in a romantic setting, dear. Daughters ask their mothers when and how their fathers ask for their hand. That’s quite thoughtful of the young man.”
Volan nodded. “I agree.”
Helene held her head up. She spoke slowly and with importance. She was about to make the first decision of her life that might not have her parent’s approval. “I know you won’t like this, but I feel it’s important. I don’t care what it looks like.” She took a deep breath. “The reason he didn’t ask me today is because I was seducing him openly and boldly. We were naked in each other’s arms. Now, I am going to find him and spend the night with him. All of France can read about it in the papers for all I care.”
Madame Volan said, “Francois will drive you, dear.”
Chapter Twelve
Later, Henri and Veronique retired to their bed. Veronique removed her clothes and stopped. She didn’t put on the ornate cotton nightgown she usually wore. She stood before her husband naked. She said, “Darling, I’m not as brave as I seemed when we were with Helene. I was terrified, I’m still terrified. Will you take your clothes off and hold me. Please.”