The gentle pressure of his hand sent warm tingles up Malou's arm, a small embrace when it was not allowed. Malou smiled back at him, gentle, and full of love. This man never seemed to cease to amaze her. He hadn't flinched when she had drafted him into service at Sanditon. He had indulged her love music, her love of healing. He always seemed to try to protect her and to make her smile. None of that had been anything she would have been able to imagine even a year before.

"Hardly." She whispered to him in response as she slipped into the depths of the carriage.

With everyone situated in the carriage they started on their way. Knowing now that it was Faustus's plan Malou relaxed, oddly more comfortable with him leading the way then she had been with Mrs. Bagshot. Faustus knew and respected her wishes whereas Mrs. Bagshot was less open to them on a wide variety of things.

Quietly, hoping no one would notice, Malou slid her hand next to Faustus so he could hold it as they went, but kept her eyes on the window, watching the people as they passed. Something about the area reminded her of a long ago memory. But she couldn't place her finger on it.

Then she realized the difference. French. They were in France. Her eyes widened as the realization hit and she turned to Faustus just as he spoke. "You brought me to France?" She asked wonderingly, almost feeling like she could cry at the kindness. She hadn't been on the continent since that last Christmas with her parents, hadn't been in France since she had been younger still.