Eveline is in a unique position where the revelation of her true gender under certain circumstances can hold very little repercussion overall. As Captain Etienne Cotard, she is recognized as a leader among the royalist refugees in England and is present for all meetings between her brother, Major Andre Cotard, and collective English and French leaders working on operations meant to once more establish control over the revolutionists and in particular, reign in Bonaparte.

However, as Eveline Cotard she is the only daughter of a venerated marquis and a lady of the queen’s own court. Her reputation in France is relatively small but favorable – her debutante affairs were, to her credit, executed flawlessly and she was known during the seasons to be level headed, clever and perhaps a bit too strong in opinion.

Both of these factors combine to make her a powerful asset to the royalist campaign – and she knows it well. Despite this, she maintains her subterfuge – for though she is respected by the men she leads, there is no reason in her view to shake their confidence in any way. Nor does she desire to have them focus too much on her protection, when up until now she has served them well without such concerns.

As such, it is rare for Eveline to reveal to anyone that “Etienne” is in fact a woman. It is much easier to be a young lord than a young lady in a war camp, after all. The few times she has seen fit to reveal herself however, have been fairly remarkable.

On three occasions, the individual learning this truth was another woman who was needed on hand to assist the surgeon with an injury she had sustained in battle. This man, along with her fellow captain and her brother, are the only constants who know her for who she truly is – but then there were those other notable moments.

Once, while out on the town with some of her squadron, Eveline spotted an absolutely gorgeous English sailor and decided to slip off on her soldiers to find herself a helpful matron to outfit her in proper women’s fashion. She spent a good week flirting and enjoying the man’s attentions, and once she felt done with him she wished him well upon his travels and – for all intents and purposes – vanished. Her guise as Etienne hid her well, and within two more days, the man had sailed off, leaving behind nothing more than fond memories. ( As it should be, by her view! )

Another time, a high flying upstart of a British officer was being too loose with his insults toward the French within the pub. Fed up, she challenged him to a target game – the one with the most shots accurately placed would have to pay for the drinks of all men in the other party for that evening. Certain no frog could outshoot him, the man agreed – and was summarily trounced by Etienne, who was known to his men as one of the best shots around, save perhaps the major.

But Eveline was not finished with the man – oh no. After this, she visited her friend the matron again and was once more dressed to impress. She willfully lured the man into thinking her a dainty escapee of revolutionist France, and through charm and flirtation convinced him to “show her” how to use his rifle, as it seemed ever so exciting.

As his men looked on, the poor man got himself set up perfectly as he held on to her and rearranged her limbs to aim, and helped her fire the first shot. She asked for one more try, on her own this time, and he reloaded for her – setting her aim, for safety sake – only for Eveline to drawl, “No wonder you miss so often,” elbow him back, shift her stance, and fire a perfect shot. Setting the rifle back into his hands, she cautioned him to keep his tongue between his teeth, until such a time as he can outshoot a Frenchwoman.

The third, and final revelation of her true gender, is one that to this day has Andre pinch the bridge of his nose to stave off a headache. Men at war were bickering over an angle of attack and she tried to get them to focus. When all attempts at staying their posturing failed, “Etienne” loudly proclaimed that this was why women had do all the work in parliament.

The statement earned scoffs and while the men were starting in on women she dropped the solution to the situation in a tone so cold Andre knew full well a storm was coming and was wise enough to position himself near the door behind her in case of having to grab her and bolt. However, the solution was considered quite impressive – and someone made the idiotic remark that she had been waiting for. The notion that a woman could never come up with such a plan.

Stone faced, Eveline lifted up her shirt and flashed the gathered English into silence. Tucking her shirt back in place, she continued the meeting and left her brother to deal with the aftermath of her actions.