Page 35

The hall exploded into immediate confusion as the couples dispersed and new brides and grooms were ushered into the room.

Danton laughed his big, booming laugh, slapped the municipal official on the shoulder, and made a few ribald remarks before whisking their party from the chamber and out onto the street. His demeanor immediately sobered as they reached the Place de la Grève. “It went well, I think.”

Jean Marc nodded. “If the authorities remember anyone in that melee, it will be you and not Catherine.”

The driver of the carriage Jean Marc had hired hurried to open the door as he saw them approaching.

Jean Marc glanced sardonically at Danton. “I’m surprised you chose to come, Danton. After all, there was a certain risk.”

“Everyone knows Francois is in my employ, and it would have been regarded as unusual for me to ignore the ceremony,” Danton said. “If it was to be done, it had to be done right.”

Jean Marc took Catherine’s elbow to help her into the coach.

“I agree. Let’s hope Catherine and Juliette’s departure from Paris tomorrow goes as well.

Have you—” He stopped as Francois deliberately stepped before him in the street.

His gaze narrowed on Francois’s face. “You’re blocking our way, Etchelet. ”

Francois motioned to the driver of the carriage to mount to the driver’s seat. “That was my intention.” He took Catherine’s hand and pulled her away from Jean Marc. “Catherine won’t be returning to your house tonight.”

“Indeed? And where will she be spending the night?”

“I’m taking her to an inn next door to the café owned by Georges Jacques’s father-in-law.”

Jean Marc stiffened. “You made no mention of this before.”

Francois glanced at the driver to make sure he was out of hearing range. “We’ve made arrangements for Dupree’s men who’ll be guarding the barrier tomorrow evening to be brought to the common room of the inn tonight. I want them to see Catherine with me.”

“Is that necessary?”

“Everyone must be made to believe the marriage is a real one.” Francois’s face was expressionless. “And a bridegroom doesn’t spend his wedding night alone.”

“You could come to my house.”

“No.” Francois turned away and propelled Catherine toward Danton’s carriage a few yards behind Jean Marc’s. “It will be better my way. I’ll return Catherine to you in the morning.”

“As long as your way is best for Catherine.” Menace layered the softness of Jean Marc’s tone.

Francois glanced back at Jean Marc and smiled mockingly as he lifted Catherine into Danton’s carriage. “Doesn’t a husband always know what’s best for his wife?”

“We shall see.” Jean Marc watched him climb into the coach, his brow furrowed in thought.

Francois’s move had disconcerted him and he didn’t like to be caught off guard.

Yet there was logic in Etchelet’s plan, and there was no doubt the women’s departure from Paris would be made safer if the groundwork was carefully prepared with the guards at the barriers.

Danton paused before joining Francois and Catherine in the carriage to gaze at Jean Marc in amusement.

“You appear disturbed, Citizen. Were you not aware of the character of my friend Francois? He delights in doing the unexpected. At times it’s a great trial to me.

” He climbed into the carriage and the coachman slammed the door shut.

In another moment Danton’s carriage was rumbling over the cobblestones.

Jean Marc stood looking after it, still frowning ruefully. He had an idea this particular action of Etchelet’s was going to prove a trial to him as well.

Because it was Jean Marc who was going to have to tell Juliette that Catherine was not to spend her wedding night safely under the Andreas roof.

“Go after her,” Juliette ordered, glaring at Jean Marc. “I can’t believe you’d be so stupid as to let him—” She stopped and drew a deep breath. “I promised her she’d be safe from harm.”

“I believe she is safe from harm.”

“If you won’t go after her, I’ll do it myself.”

“I think not,” Jean Marc said quietly. “Not unless you want to endanger both Catherine and yourself by your foolishness.”

“She’ll be frightened. What if he—”

“Demands a bridegroom’s rights?” Jean Marc finished. “I don’t think he will. It would be the act of a barbarian to enjoy taking a woman who is no more alive than a statue.”

“Perhaps he is a barbarian. You don’t know what he is. He’s a stranger to you.”

“That sounds familiar. May I remind you that Etchelet was your choice?”

“Because I thought we could control him.”

“Etchelet’s obviously not a man who can be controlled.”

“Then why are you just standing there? Go get Catherine and bring her back.”

“They’re wed. I have no rights and Etchelet does.”

“Rights? What if he rapes her?”

Jean Marc said calmly, “Then I’ll kill him. Very slowly.”

“What good will that do Catherine? You must—”

“Juliette. Catherine stays with Etchelet tonight because I am sure it’s best for both of you. If that wasn’t my belief, I wouldn’t have let Etchelet take her. The discussion is closed.”

“It’s not closed.” Juliette whirled toward the door. “I’ll get Philippe to—”

“No.” Jean Marc’s hand closed on her arm. “Believe me, this is one of those rare times when you are not right. Give it up.”

She tried to pull away. “I can’t give it up. I made her a promise. If something happens to her, I will have failed her. She needs me. I can’t—”

“Shh, it’s all right.” To his surprise, he found she was trembling with emotion. He could feel the tension, the flutter of her pulse on the wrist beneath his thumb, the feverish warmth of her skin. “Etchelet is a risk that had to be taken.”

“Risk? You don’t know what you’re talking about. You weren’t there . You don’t know what they…” She broke away from him and turned and ran toward the stairway.

“Juliette!”

She glanced back over her shoulder. “If he hurts her, I won’t forgive you.” Her eyes were blazing in her white face. “I’ll never forgive you for making me guilty again. Do you hear me? I’ll never forgive you for the rest of my life.”

She dashed up the stairs and a moment later he heard the door of her chamber slam.

Jean Marc frowned thoughtfully as he looked up the stairs. Guilty again?