A Dangerous Masquerade (10 page)

‘I was wondering whether you had time to escort me to the nuns’ house?’ Constance asked the next day when Moraven came down to the kitchen for his breakfast.  ‘I know you are busy and I hardly like to ask but Sister Helene sent a message saying that she wanted to see me urgently.’

             
‘Yes, of course, though I fear you must ask Pierre to bring you home,’ Moraven said.  ‘I learned something disturbing yesterday evening and I may have to leave you for a couple of days.’

             
‘Oh…’ Constance was not sure how she felt about his announcement, except that she had a sinking feeling inside.  ‘Will you still be in Paris?’

             
‘Perhaps.  I am unable to say where I shall be for a while.  However, I have men watching both you and the nuns’ house.  They have orders to protect you, Constance. Someone will be on watch even while you sleep.’

             
‘Thank you – that makes me feel better,’ she said, but knew that she lied.  It was not so much her fear of Renard’s men that made her regret his leaving her, but rather that she’d begun to enjoy his presence in the house and his company at mealtimes.  ‘Do you expect to be away long?’

             
‘Are you afraid I shall abandon you?’  He smiled at her wolfishly, moved closer, looking down at her with eyes that smouldered with heat suddenly.  ‘I have not forgotten the offer I made you.  I want you, Constance, and once my business is settled I shall make my feelings known – but for the time being…’

             
His arm went out, circling her waist and pulling her closer.  As he bent his head to kiss her, she knew she ought to resist but her knees felt weak and all she wanted to do was moan and blend into his body.  He felt her silent surrender and his kiss deepened, becoming possessive and hot with desire.

             
Constance placed her fingers to her lips when he released her.  She ought to be enraged, to protest at his treatment of her, to remind him that she was an innocent virgin, but in truth all she wanted was for him to kiss her again and again.  She wanted much more.  There was a hungry yearning inside her for something she’d never known but she held it at bay, knowing that if she gave into her urges she would be lost.

             
‘Do not be so afraid of what you want,’ Moraven whispered huskily.  ‘I wish that I might stay but I fear my journey is urgent.  If my informants are correct something is being planned that could destabilise Europe.  Unless we want another return of Bonaparte’s followers I must be on my way.’

             
‘I must not stop you…’

             
Constance felt a tearing regret as he left her and went into the hall.  He was caught up in a dangerous mission, far more complicated and serious than she had yet guessed.  Renard was his enemy but was he also an enemy of France – of the King?

             
Constance was aware that the feeling in France was mixed.  Some had welcomed the return of the French King, others secretly resented the rule of the Bourbons, which they felt had been imposed on them.  For those people – and they were found in all ranks – still loyal to Bonaparte a return of the emperor was something to be desired.  Napoleon had been a great leader in many ways, but his rampage across Europe had led to his defeat, much of his army destroyed in his later campaigns.  If he were released from his island prison there would be another uprising in his name across France.

             
How deeply was Moraven involved in matters of State?  The English government supported the French royal house of Bourbon and if the marquis was here to protect the King from an assassination attempt, his own life was surely in jeopardy.

             
How had he ever found time to protect her and the nuns?  She knew he was a ruthless man – but perhaps his work had made him that way.  If Renard was an enemy of France he would die as a traitor if he were caught.

             
The troubled thoughts and unanswered questions went round and round in her head as she left the house and set out for her meeting with Sister Helene.  Her friend was not short of money now – so why had she sent word that a meeting was urgent?

             
Moraven walked silently at her side; he too seemed caught up in his own thoughts and they did not speak until the nuns’ house was reached.

             
‘I would come in with you,’ he said, ‘but my business is urgent.  I have my own personal men watching over you so you should be safe until I return – but ask Pierre to escort you home just in case.’

             
‘Please be careful,’ she said.  ‘You have become a friend.  I should not want to lose you.’

             
‘A friend?’  He smiled oddly.  ‘You honour me, lady.  Do not fear.  I bear a charmed life and shall return before you have time to miss me.’

             
Constance shook her head but did not answer.  Impossible to tell him that she was already missing him as he turned away and began to walk up the narrow street.  Blinking back her foolish tears, she knocked at the door and was immediately welcomed into the house.

             
Sister Helene came down the stairs instantly and Constance knew at once that something was wrong.  Her friend had been crying, something she seldom did.

             
‘What has happened?’

             
‘It was as we slept last night,’ Sister Helene said.  ‘The doors were locked, as always.  I saw to it myself, but someone broke in and three of the children have gone.  Lucille awoke and started screaming or I think more would have been taken…’

             
‘How could it have happened?  The marquis promised that one of his men would watch the house.  I do not understand…’

             
‘We found a man in our garden.  He was bound round the ankles and the wrists and he had a wound to the back of his head.  One of the boys hid and saw what happened; he told me that four men broke in last night.  The marquis’s watchman could not fight such odds.  We bound his head and gave him food but he was most upset by our news.  He said his captain would have his guts for garters and vowed to discover where the children had been taken.’

             
‘I pray that he will do so but the damage has been done.  The children will no longer feel safe.  Lucille was beginning to recover but this must have set her back.’

             
‘Yes, I fear it has,’ Sister Helene said.  ‘This was intended as a warning, Constance.  Andre Renard is showing us that we are powerless against him.  We manage to save a few children but he has so many more trapped in a life of enslavement – and now he has taken Ella, Suzette and Jeanne.  How can I persuade the children they are safe with us if this happens?’

             
Constance touched her hand in sympathy.  ‘I can think of only one thing to be done, sister.  We must find another house somewhere outside of Paris.  This must be used as a halfway house until they can be sent on to the new home.’

             
‘If he found us here, what is to stop him finding us again?’

             
‘You must not despair.  I am certain the marquis will think of something.’

             
‘Is he with you this morning?  Shall you see him later?’

             
‘He walked here with me but now he has gone.  He has other business…’ She saw the look of defeat in the nun’s eyes.  ‘No, you must not think he has abandoned us.  He will return, I know he will.  He will be angry at what has happened here and I am certain he will bring more men to guard you and the children – or make other arrangements.’

             
‘If we leave Paris…I do not know if my order will allow me to carry on caring for the children.’

             
‘Perhaps there are others who could take your place?’ Constance suggested.  ‘If you rescue the children from the streets there must be other women who would care for them – women whose lives are not dedicated to Christ and their order.’

             
‘Yes, I dare say.’  Helene attempted a smile.  ‘I am a simple woman.  Without your help this house would never have lasted as long as it has.  I have tried to do it all myself with two other nuns – but I see now that we must be prepared to send the children on to a place of safety.’

             
‘When the marquis returns I shall ask him to find somewhere for you.  I could take the children to their new home once it is in place – and we will find a new safe house in Paris.’

             
‘Yet while Renard lives we must always fear him.’

             
‘Yes, that is true.’  Constance was silent.  Perhaps Moraven would solve their problem by disposing of their enemy but she did not think Sister Helene would care to hear the words even though she might welcome the relief in her heart.  ‘As soon as the marquis returns I shall tell him what has happened.’

             
‘I think his men will make him aware of it.  Ferdi – for that is the name of the man we found tied up in our garden – told us that he intended to bring two others with him this night.  He has promised that it shall not happen again – but as for the girls that were taken…they may well be lost to us.’

             
‘You must not give up all hope,’ Constance said.  ‘I believe in the marquis.  He will find and recover them.’

             
‘Perhaps this time, but we cannot expect him to dedicate his life to their care,’ Sister Helene said.  ‘He has already done so much – how can we ask more of him?’

             
‘I shall ask for you,’ Constance said.  ‘Now, I must see Lucille and give her the sweet biscuits I baked for the children this morning.  Is she much disturbed by what happened last night?’

             
‘She would not speak to me this morning, though she has stopped crying.  She may speak to you, Constance.  Indeed, I do not know what we should have done without you.  You brought the marquis to us, though it was God’s hand that guided you – but I fear he will think we are too much trouble.’

             
‘Perhaps there is a way I may persuade him,’ Constance said.

             
An idea had come to her – an idea so shocking and daring that she did not know if she could go through with it, but if there was no alternative she would try it as a last resort.

‘It seems your information was accurate,’ Moraven’s contact said, his expression grim.  ‘Had the hounds not been in place the assassin would have succeeded in his evil work last night.  He was taken as he took aim, his pistol trained on the King’s chest.  France and England owe you a debt, Moraven.’

             
‘I do not care to see Europe in the grip of that madman Bonaparte again,’ Moraven replied with a wry twist of his lips.  ‘Had Renard’s plot succeeded, both England and France would have been reeling beneath the blow, giving his supporters their chance to strike.  I am glad to have been of service – but you may place the other five thousand francs in my account if you wish to show your gratitude.’

             
‘I am certain my superiors will feel able to comply after this – but tell me, are the funds all for acquiring information?  You have never asked for so much in the past.’

             
‘I have a use for the money.  It is expensive to draw Renard out.  We have foiled one attempt on His Majesty’s life but the fox will not stop there.  Next time he will do the work himself if I am not mistaken and we shall not be prepared for my informants will know nothing.  The purpose I have for this money is to draw his mind in another direction.  He is a master of disguise and as slippery as an eel.  I need to make him angry.’  Moraven’s mouth thinned.  ‘I have recently discovered something that makes him more vulnerable.  Our friend is about to receive a nasty shock.  Coupled with the foiled assassination it should make him angry enough to come after the source of his failure.’

             
‘Meaning you?’

             
‘Or someone he may think is important to me.  Either way I shall have him.  Thus far he has hidden behind others but I believe he must be very angry by now – and after this evening I think he will be seeing a red mist before his eyes.’

             
‘You wouldn’t care to tell me the details?’

             
‘I think not,’ Moraven replied.  ‘The less people that know of my plans the better.  You may be sound, sir – but I cannot vouch for every member of your staff.’

             
‘You think there may be a traitor?’

             
‘Renard has not survived this long without help.  He knows I’m after him – and that means he knows who you are.  I should advise you to watch your back, sir.  You would not be the first of my contacts to meet a sticky end.’