Page 52

“Thank you.” Jean Marc made no attempt to veil the irony in his tone as he helped her into the carriage.

He’d wager Juliette was so exhausted she’d be asleep the minute her head rested on the pillow, while he would have to remain awake and make sure the release she’d received this afternoon would be sufficient to keep her from again running barefoot through the streets of Paris.

Dear God, how had he wandered so far from his original intentions?

The role of seducer suited him much better than father confessor and guardian.

Well, he’d have more than enough to occupy his mind while he kept the vigil. How the devil was he going to get the statue from Celeste de Clement?

“I told her the name. I decided it would do us no good to be stubborn about it,” Nana whispered as she rubbed her cheek lazily in the hollow of William’s naked shoulder. “Was I wrong?”

“No. We need the other pieces of the puzzle.”

“She may not act on it. The woman is her mother.”

“Familial love doesn’t always triumph in this world.”

The bitterness in his voice startled her and she was silent a moment and then asked quietly, “What did the last message from Monsieur say?”

She could feel the muscles of his shoulder tense beneath her cheek.

“William?”

“He grows impatient.”

“We’re all impatient. Is that all?”

“No.”

“What else?”

William turned over on his side. “Go to sleep, Nana.”

“I’ve decided we must leave immediately for Andorra,” Juliette announced as she came into the breakfast room to find Jean Marc at the table the next morning. “If we wait, my mother will start to sell off the jewels.”

Jean Marc took a bite of croissant. “And have you also decided how it’s to be done? Perhaps you’ve forgotten that we could go to war with Spain at any moment. As Andorra lies just over the border, we may have both the Spaniards and the French with which to contend.”

“That’s why we must involve Francois and Danton again.” She frowned. “They may be reluctant to help us, you know. Francois wasn’t pleased about my going to the Temple. However, we must think of some way to persuade them to our way of thinking.”

“Our way of thinking?” Jean Marc lifted a brow. “You seem to have made all the decisions without my participation.”

“Well, someone had to do something. Why are you just sitting there? I’ve told you what we have to do. Let’s go to see Danton.”

“Sit down and have your breakfast.” Jean Marc took another bite of croissant. “I have no intention of going anywhere this morning.”

“But, Jean Marc, we have to—”

“Pardon, Monsieur Andreas.” Robert stood in the doorway. “Monsieur Etchelet and Monsieur Danton have arrived and I’ve shown them into the Gold Salon as you instructed.”

“Thank you, Robert.” Jean Marc patted his lips with his napkin, placed it on the table, and rose to his feet. “Please tell Marie to begin packing Mademoiselle’s clothing.”

“Everything?”

“Everything.” Jean Marc came around the table and took Juliette’s arm. “She won’t be returning.”

Juliette was gazing at him in bewilderment. “Why are they here?”

“Because I sent for them.” Jean Marc propelled her toward the arched doorway. “Come along. It’s impolite to keep them waiting, and I’m sure an important man like Danton isn’t accustomed to being sent for before breakfast.”

“But why did you send for them?”

“Because last night I made a few decisions myself.” He threw open the doors of the Gold Salon. “Bonjour, gentlemen . Thank you for coming.”

Both men turned to face them.

“You knew we’d come,” Danton said. “Besides the lure of curiosity at the urgency of your invitation, you held out the welcome news we’re at last about to bid farewell to Citizeness de Clement. We’ve obtained two passes for the lady. I’m almost afraid to hope our third attempt will bear fruit.”

“Her valises are being packed even as we speak.” Jean Marc smiled. “But please be seated. There’s no use your being uncomfortable while—”

“You pick our pockets?” Francois finished dryly. “You want something, Andreas.”

“Of course, but I’m not going to pick your pockets.” Jean Marc paused. “I want to put something in them.”

“You’ve already put a great deal of money in my pockets,” Francois said. “I don’t require more.”

“I’ve included you in the discussion only as a matter of courtesy.” Jean Marc turned toward Danton. “It’s you I wish to tempt, Danton.”

“Indeed?”

“You’re a reasonable man who knows most things in this life have a price.”

“Are you trying to bribe me?”

“Yes,” Jean Marc admitted calmly. “But not in any way that would compromise your moral position as a member of the convention. I’m not fool enough to try that again.

However, you’re extremely worried about the Jacobin domination in the convention.

How would you like me to buy enough votes from the uncommitted members to give you the balance you need? ”

Danton’s gaze narrowed on Jean Marc’s face. “It would be expensive. You must want a great deal in return.”

“I want papers that will get Juliette and me through the barriers to Vasaro.” Jean Marc paused.

“And I want another document designating me as a special agent of the republic with powers extraordinaire . I want to have no trouble either getting one of my ships cleared out of Cannes or with any army units I might encounter along the border.”

“Border?”

“I’m making a trip into Spain.”

“For what purpose?”

“It’s private in nature and offers no threat to the security of the republic.”

“Where in Spain?”

“Andorra. I’ll probably be there no more than a week or two and then return to Cannes.”

“Providing you can escape Spain without getting a musket ball in your gut,” Danton said grimly.

“I’d leave instructions with my man of business, Bardot, to give you the required assistance. Then my demise would not affect you one way or the other.”

“You won’t tell me why you’re going to Andorra?”

“Why should I?”

A thoughtful frown creased Danton’s forehead as he looked at Jean Marc. He turned abruptly and walked toward the door. “I’ll let you know.”

“When? My business has a certain urgency.”

“Later today.”

Francois paused before following Danton out the door to gaze at Jean Marc and Juliette. “You go first to Vasaro?”

“Yes.” Jean Marc cast a sly glance at Juliette. “I have some baggage to drop off.”

“I’m not baggage,” she said indignantly. “And I’ll, not be—”

“Just keep her out of Paris,” Francois said. “This has gone on too long.” He didn’t wait for a reply but left the room.

Juliette turned to Jean Marc, and to his surprise did not continue her harangue. “You did that very well. Do you think Danton will give you what you need?”

“It depends on how badly he wants a balanced convention.”

“He let himself be known as one of the butchers of the September massacres to assure it.” She gazed at him curiously. “What will you do if he doesn’t agree?”

“Think of something else.” Jean Marc smiled sardonically. “Though you perceive me as ancient, my maturity does give me some advantages. It allows me to draw upon experience and make certain choices.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you’d summoned them here?”

“Did you give me an opportunity? As I remember, you were too busy telling me what to do to listen to me.”

“Oh, you should have just told me to be quiet. Catherine always does.” She gazed at him speculatively. “I believe you may be very clever, Jean Marc.”

“I’m honored by your praise.”

“Well, I must go.” She turned and moved toward the door. “If we’re to leave for Spain shortly, I must finish Robert’s painting today.” A smile suddenly lit her face. “And, if we’re to stop at Vasaro, I wish to have him go purchase a present for me to take to Catherine.”

“Perhaps you didn’t understand me. You’ll be staying at Vasaro with Catherine. The trip to Spain may be dangerous and I won’t have you along.”

“We have a bargain. I must get the Wind Dancer for you.” She studied him thoughtfully.

The morning sunlight pouring into the room touched his black hair with a dark luster and illuminated his bold features with stark clarity, but she could read nothing in his expression save mockery and cool determination.

“You’re…different. You’ve changed since that first night we went to the Café du Chat.

” Color flooded her cheeks. “I told you that you’d change your mind about me. ”

“You’re quite correct, I have changed my mind.

You’ve been wounded and I find I can’t stomach the thought of risking hurt to you again.

Believe me, that discovery astounds me far more than it does you.

” His lips twisted as he looked at her. “Which is the reason you’ll not accompany me to Spain.

You have far more chance of being hurt by me than by the Spanish border guards. ”

“It’s because of what I told you about the abbey? I’m not really wounded. I wouldn’t let Dupree hurt me.” She stared at him defiantly. “And I wouldn’t let you hurt me.”

“I don’t think we’ll allow that opportunity to arise. You’re going to stay at Vasaro with Catherine.”

“Hmm, we’ll see.” She hurried from the salon.

“What do you think he’s after, Georges Jacques?” Francois asked as he gazed thoughtfully out the window of the carriage at the passing scene.

“I have a few ideas and I think you do too.”

Francois nodded. “It’s well known Andreas tried desperately to purchase the Wind Dancer several years ago.

I even noticed a portrait of the statue in his salon.

Juliette goes to the Temple to speak to the queen.

Andreas leaves for Spain.” His gaze shifted to Danton’s face.

“As Andreas doesn’t meddle in politics except to benefit himself, I doubt if he’s on a mission for the royalists.

I’d say he’s going after the Wind Dancer. ”

“And it’s a peculiar coincidence that Dupree was also sent on a mission to Andorra at virtually the same time.”

“You think Marat knows where the Wind Dancer’s to be found?”

Danton shrugged. “I wouldn’t want to take the chance of it falling into Marat’s hands. He has power and stature enough without being known as the hero who returned the Wind Dancer to the republic.”

“And?”

“I need those Jacobins curbed.”

“You’re going to give Andreas what he wants.”

“Oh, there was no question about that. But I’m also going to give him something he doesn’t want” He grinned. “You.”

Francois gaze flew to Danton’s face. “Me?”

“I believe it’s my responsibility to keep Andreas safe on this dangerous journey. And who could better assure his safety than you? You’re not only equipped for the task by your professional talents, but you’re Basque and know the Pyrenees well.”

“You wish me to go with him?”

Danton nodded. “And, at the proper time, confiscate the Wind Dancer in the name of the republic and return it to me.”

“And you’ll reap the benefit of the bounty of prestige Marat’s seeking.”

“Certainly. Who deserves it more?”

“No one.” Francois gazed unseeingly out the window again. “I may be gone for months. Can you do without my services?”

“Obtaining the Wind Dancer would be worth doing without them for a decade. And I may be leaving for the front shortly anyway. Will you go?”

Francois was silent for a long time before he finally said, “Yes, I’ll go with Andreas.”