‘But we cannot all squeeze into one carriage.’
‘No, of course not. Until we have safely negotiated the barricade there can only be two people in the carriage. Michel will be with you, posing as me.’
‘But what about you?’ she asked. ‘How will you get out? You surely don’t intend to be left behind? Oh, Jay, I could not bear that. The risk is too great.’
‘Nothing can be achieved without a degree of risk,’ he said, surprised by her vehemence. Did it mean she cared what became of him, apart from what he could do for her and her brother? ‘But if everyone plays their part, the risk will be minimal. The rest of us will acquire mounts and make our own way out of the city. Once safely past the barricades and out into the country we will all meet up and proceed together.’
‘What if Lord Portman fails? If he is caught—if you are all caught—what then?’
‘He will not fail, Lisette. I trust him implicitly. If I did not, I would not have agreed to let him help us. The only thing that can stop us now is if we are betrayed. I do not altogether trust the
concierge
, nor that uncle of yours.’
He watched her carefully, giving her the opportunity to tell him about the man’s visit, but was thrown into despair when all she said was, ‘Madame Gilbert knows only what we have told her and I shall be extra careful if, by chance, I should encounter Mr Wentworth again.’ She paused and seemed to take a deep breath before going on. ‘Jay, what of King Louis?’
‘What of him?’
‘I heard rumours about a chest of correspondence being found in the King’s quarters in the palace which prove there is a conspiracy afoot to free him and set him back on the throne. It is said Englishmen are involved.’
‘Where did you hear that?’
She could not tell him the truth without explaining Wentworth’s demands. ‘I heard people talking at the Palais de Justice. I went there to listen to more cases.’
‘Why are you worrying about the King?’
‘I wondered about Lord Portman…’
Someone, and he did not need to look far to realise who it was, had been feeding her information intended to undermine her confidence in him and their whole enterprise. ‘Oh, I see. No, Lisette, we have nothing to do with any such conspiracy. It would be tantamount to a declaration of war if we were to become involved
in that. You may tell Mr Wentworth that if you should see him again.’
She gasped. ‘Mr Wentworth?’
‘He was your informer, was he not? You do not have to answer that, I should hate you to have to lie, but I must warn you that if you have any more
accidental
meetings with that gentleman, you will put your brother’s freedom at risk.’ He was so angry he could hardly contain himself; angry not so much that she had seen and spoken to Wentworth, but that she was intent on deceiving him. He had given her an opportunity to explain what had happened and she had refused to take advantage of it. He abandoned his breakfast and left her before he lost patience with her completely. The sooner this whole escapade was brought to an end and they were safely back in England, the better.
Lisette heard the door bang, heard him run up the stairs, calling for Sam as he did so. She wanted to run after him, to tell him about her uncle’s visit and what the man was asking of her, to put her whole dilemma on his shoulders, which were so much broader than hers. She might have done so if he had not been so furious. His face had been white, his jaw rigid. The man who had kissed her so tenderly had gone
and with him any hope of understanding. He was angry and yet he was still going ahead with the plans he had made. She ought to be grateful for that. But how could she be easy about it when she knew the risk was even greater than he realised? And all on account of her uncle.
Jay’s mission for the British Government had been completed, whether successfully or not she did not know, but there was now nothing to keep him in France except Michel. If she told him about her uncle’s demands, would that make a difference? Would he abandon Michel and force her to go back to England without her brother? She could not let that happen; it would kill her father. Oh, how she hated to be out of sorts with Jay. At a time like this, she needed his strong arms about her, his strength to give her courage, his tenderness to bolster her weakness. But he had gone, goodness knew where, leaving her to her misery.
It would soon be noon and she had to decide what to do about Mr Wentworth. Her uncle knew who she was, had already guessed that it was Jay, posing as James Smith, who had rescued her father; he could denounce them both whenever he chose. he would certainly do so if she did not meet him as arranged. He would become suspicious and, if he had told Robespierre
he expected to be given the names and was not able to produce them, she would not be the only one in trouble. If she were the only one, she told herself, she could bear it, but the others did not deserve to die because of her foolhardiness. But what to do? The whole enterprise was in jeopardy because of her and it was up to her to do something about it.
A little before half past eleven, she left the house.
I
t was cold, in keeping with her mood; the last of the leaves had been stripped from the trees by a raw east wind which made her cloak flap about her legs and threatened to take her hat from her head. She held it on with one gloved hand and walked steadfastly forwards until she was once more approaching the Palais de Justice.
It was another day of trials—the Revolutionary government was determined to eradicate all dissent—and crowds of people were pushing their way into the courtroom, eager to witness the humiliation and terror of the latest batch of defendants, to cheer or hiss as the fancy took them. Lisette took a deep breath and let the tide carry her forwards but once inside she allowed
everyone else to continue into the courtroom while she stepped behind a pillar to wait for the arrival of Gerald Wentworth.
It was not yet noon and she had a few minutes to wait if he were punctual, longer if he decided to be late. she wished she had not come so early, this waiting about was making her resolve crumble. Then she gasped and put her hand to her mouth in horror. Her uncle was on the other side of the vestibule in earnest conversation with Henri Canard. It was definitely Henri, but he had discarded his shabby black suit and was dressed in a frock coat of dark plum-coloured velvet, rose-coloured breeches and white hose. She recognised the clothes as belonging to her father. Not only had he made free of the château, but her father’s wardrobe as well. She shrank further back behind the pillar, her heart beating in her throat.
A few moments later, they parted company; Canard went into the courtroom and her uncle found a bench and sat down presumably to wait for her. She stepped out to stand before him.
‘Ah, Lisette, punctual, I see.’ He patted the seat beside him. ‘Sit down, my dear, and tell me what you have discovered.’
‘I’m afraid I have not been able to discover
anything at all. I am not sure there is anything to be discovered and you must be mistaken.’
‘I am not mistaken. It is your loyalty which is a mistake, Lisette. Do I have to repeat all the reasons I gave you for helping the Department of Justice to eradicate traitors and those who help them?’
‘No, I remember them perfectly.’
‘Good, because your brother’s trial is set for tomorrow and the evidence against him is overwhelming. Henri Canard is in Paris with the two prison warders.’
‘It is manufactured evidence. Canard knows nothing of my brother.’
‘But he does know you and he knows James Smith.’
‘Mr Smith is in England.’
He laughed. ‘Oh, my dear, that was a nice try, but you do not deceive me. Nor will you deceive Citizen Canard and the gaolers who will easily identify him.’
‘Henri Canard has taken over the château and my father’s wardrobe and no doubt the apple harvest, the cider-making and the Calvados distillery, so what can he possibly gain by Michel’s death?’
‘He believes the estate is his by right.’
‘Right through confiscation,’ she said bitterly.
‘No, my dear, it is more than that. He tells me the Giradet estate once belonged to his grandfather and that it was taken from him by a trick. He was temporarily in financial difficulties and your great-grandfather lent him the money to pay his debts. Unfortunately he could not find the exorbitant interest, so Giradet took the whole estate in lieu. Canard is anxious to have back what he believes to be his. The easiest and cheapest way to do that is to put an end to the existence of every Giradet who might challenge him.’
‘My father is alive and well and out of Canard’s reach.’
‘But the Comte is an old man. You and your brother, on the other hand, are young and pose a threat.’ He paused to let this sink in. ‘Come, enough of your prevaricating. Tell me the names of Drymore’s confederates and you and your brother will be given safe passage to England.’
‘And my husband?’ She was becoming so used to referring to Jay as her husband, it was almost as if their marriage were a fact and not fantasy.
‘The Commodore? Yes, him too. The French
would hardly harm an accredited government envoy unless he were caught red-handed.’ He laughed suddenly. ‘Like the coward he is, he has managed to protect himself, but where does that leave you?’
Do not hurry, she told herself, pretend to be considering his request. ‘I do not know any names,’ she said slowly.
‘Then you will condemn your brother to death.’
‘He is your nephew, too.’
‘So he is and that is why I am doing my best to save him. Isn’t that what you asked of me? Without your co-operation, I cannot do it.’
‘My husband and I have passes to leave France this evening. I want Michel to be with us.’ Even as she spoke she wondered if Robespierre would provide the passes if she refused to do as she was asked.
‘Only if you supply the names.’
‘I know that.’
‘Then you had better make all haste to find them. It is not I who wants them, believe me, but stronger forces than either of us can conceive are at work here. I can promise you the British Government will thank you.’
‘I will try to find out what you want to know.’
‘Good, but do not take too long about it. Citizen
Robespierre is waiting for your answer and he is not a patient man. Meet me here in an hour’s time.’
‘Here, not La Force?’
‘Michel has been brought here in readiness for his trial. He is, at this very moment, in the dungeons beneath our feet.’
She gasped; she did not doubt his information had come from Henri Canard. She was sure Jay did not know that and his plans were centred on La Force. It changed everything. Jay himself had said they could not free Michel from here. Her mind was working like an over-wound clock; she had to think of something. ‘I have a condition…’
‘What, in addition to your life and that of your brother?’ He laughed again, enjoying her discomfort. ‘You are hardly in a position to make conditions, my dear.’
‘Nevertheless I am making one. I want you to arrange for me to see my brother and talk to him. Once I am satisfied he is in good health and has not been ill treated, then I will do my best to obtain the names you want.’
‘But you will see him when he is released—is that not soon enough?’
‘No. How do I know he is alive even? I might give you what you ask for and then you might
tell me he died weeks ago. I do not betray my husband’s countrymen for a dead body.’ How she managed to say that with such calmness she did not know.
‘It will require an order signed by Citizen Danton.’
‘I am sure you can obtain it for me. You told me you had the ear of Robespierre and Danton too.’
‘Very well. I shall see what I can do.’
She was silent. It had not been an easy decision to make; the risks involved didn’t bear thinking about and she was truly frightened. Had she gone too far to turn back? Could she retract? Could she confess everything to Jay? But she would not see him again until the evening when they were supposed to leave. It would be too late then. In a dream—or was it a nightmare?—she heard the man beside her say something and then get up and leave her. She sat on, shaking so much she did not think she could stand, let alone walk away.
But time was slipping by and she had to make a move. She stood up and hurried from the building, surprised that her feet carried her.
Jay concluded his business with Messieurs Martin, Robespierre and Danton and they
parted on good terms, or so it seemed on the surface; underneath there was deep-seated mistrust on both sides which was not helped when Jay spotted Wentworth on the other side of the road as he left the building. Luckily the man was too busy shouting at a small boy who was taunting him for his extravagant clothes to notice anyone else and Jay slipped down a side road without being seen.
He did not go back to the Embassy, but hurried to the Cross Keys to meet Harry and the other two, knowing he would have to tell them about Lisette’s treachery. Angry as he had been, he could not help feeling a twinge of sympathy for her. He could understand her overwhelming need to rescue her brother; in similar circumstances he would feel the same, but it was a pity she could not trust him and Had gone to that mountebank, Wentworth, and, what was worse, believed the lies he had fed her. Had she already betrayed them? Had Wentworth been on his way to convey the information to Robespierre?
The other three were waiting for him in a private room at the inn with two bottles of wine and glasses in front of them. They were cheerful and eager to put their plans into action. He
sat down, poured himself a glass of wine and took a mouthful.
‘Why so glum, Jay?’ Harry asked. ‘You look as though you are about to go to the scaffold yourself. Quarrelled with Lisette, have you?’
Jay paused before answering, took another mouthful of wine and told them of his fears. ‘You three had better make all haste to leave the country,’ he ended. ‘Leave the matter to me.’
‘And what do you think you can do on your own?’ Harry retorted. ‘Are you tired of life?’
‘If Lisette betrays us all, it is for no other reason than she expects Wentworth to use his influence to have Michel released. If he keeps his word, then all I have to do is take the pair of them to England. I have safe conduct for Commodore and Mrs Drymore to leave the country, but I cannot do that with a clear conscience if you three are all still in France.’
‘And do you honestly believe Wentworth will keep his word, or even that he has enough influence to do so?’ Harry said. ‘I would not put it past Robespierre to play him like an old fiddle. And your safe conduct can easily be cancelled.’
‘I know, but I have no choice but to hope for the best.’
‘Supposing, instead of freeing Giradet, Danton arrests Lisette? You will have two to rescue
then and I do not give much for your chances.’ Harry turned to the others who had been silently listening. ‘What do you think? Do we turn our back on our friend here and let him be the hero on his own?’
‘He’ll be a dead hero if we do,’ Nat said.
‘If you think I am going to leave you alone in this Godforsaken country, Commodore, you are wrong,’ Sam said. ‘I would never be able to look Lord and Lady Drymore in the face again.’ He turned to Harry. ‘You may do as you wish, my lord, and you too, Nat and Joe, but I am staying here.’
Harry laughed. ‘You are outvoted, Jay.’
‘Then what do you propose to do?’
‘Carry on as before,’ Harry said. ‘We do not know that Lisette will betray us. She may be relying on us to put our plan into action before it becomes necessary.’
Jay breathed a sigh of relief. They were all brave men, fools, but brave. ‘Then it might be wise to bring everything forwards. Can that be done? I have told Lisette to be ready as soon as the carriage comes for her. I do not think she will let me down. After all, she is expecting us to reunite her with her brother and telling Wentworth about us would be a last resort, should we fail.’
‘Then let us hope you are right,’ Harry said.
‘Nat, do you think you can bring it off?’ Jay asked him. Nat had been chosen to take Lisette through the barrier to the rendezvous because he was about the same height and build as Jay and younger than the others.
‘I reckon so, if the lady plays her part.’
‘She will when she understands the necessity.’ Jay gave a wry chuckle. ‘We are so out of sorts with each other, you will not need to be pleasant or even speak much.’
‘I have been schooling him to act like you,’ Harry said. ‘He is not much of a thespian, but he will do in the dark.’
‘I don’t see why we have to change places at all,’ Nat said.
‘Because I have no intention of leaving this city until I have secured Michel’s release and I will not sit back and let you do it. I have told you that half-a-dozen times. If they do make an attempt to arrest you, you must say I forced you to change places with me. When Wentworth hears of it, he will tell everyone it is the sort of cowardly trick I would play and you will be allowed to go.’
‘As for the rest of us,’ Harry went on, ‘I have obtained a tumbril and a skinny old pony and our disguises are ready in the corner there. We
will plan to be at La Force at half past four and, give or take a few minutes, here soon after five. Horses will be waiting for us here with fresh clothes and we will only be minutes behind the coach. Timing is everything if we are to be convincing.’
‘Then I had better go back to the Embassy and tell Lisette to be ready.’ Jay rose to go.
‘Do not quarrel with her,’ Harry called after him. ‘We want her compliant.’
Jay strode down the street, ignoring the cold wind which threatened to lift his hat off his head. Above him the sky was dark with impending rain which might be a godsend later that evening. Darkness and bad weather could hide so many things. He was feeling more optimistic. The plan was intricate and daring. The tumbril would arrive at La Force to take the prisoner to the Conciergerie for his trial, but it would disappear on the way. That would be the most risky part, spiriting it down an alley and changing it into a common farm cart full of cabbages under which the prisoner would be hidden. They would not risk taking it through the barrier like that; the guards were wise to such tricks and always searched such loads. Remembering how they had fooled the
guards at Honfleur, it was Jay himself who suggested that they should dress in the uniform of
maréchaussée
and pretend to be in hot pursuit of the carriage. The change of clothes, which had been purchased by Nat from a corrupt army quartermaster at great expense, would be made at the Cross Keys. After they had left, Madame Barnard would destroy all evidence they had been there and would have the added bonus of a cartload of cabbages with which to make soup.
If they could pull it off, all might yet be well. So much depended on Lisette. His earlier anger had evaporated; he could not stay angry with her for long and he admitted to himself he had been rather dictatorial, not telling her everything. His vow never to trust another woman seemed vain and pointless in the face of her courage. The way she had tended his sore feet, the way she had returned his kisses, her tears and her concern for his safety even when they were arguing, had all seemed genuine, not the act of a woman out to deceive. He desperately wanted it to be genuine. He wanted to trust her. You could not love without trust.