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Crowds of people of both sexes and all ages rushed through the streets, brandishing whatever weapons they could find: stolen muskets and picks, lumps of wood and stones torn up from the cobbles. They were breaking into food stores and helping themselves to whatever they could find. A contingent of National Guard was helpless against them and did not even try. Carts containing produce for the market were overturned and their contents looted. Sam used his whip freely to left and right to force a way through as the carriage was rocked by the press of bodies. Lisette, thoroughly frightened, clung to Jay, who put his arm protectively round her.
They made their way through at last and made for what had been the residence of the British Ambassador. There was no one to greet them but a housekeeper by the name of Madame Gilbert, who told them she could also cook for them, and an oddjob man called Albert Mouchon. The wages of both were being paid by the British Government and, as they were generous, the pair had chosen to stay where they felt safe. Jay took possession and sent Sam out with madame to buy provisions and ordered the man to light fires in the salon, the dining room and three bedrooms. Outside they could still hear the tumult, but it was far enough away not to bother them.
‘The population are blaming the food shortages on hoarders and shopkeepers keeping goods back for those who can afford to pay exorbitant prices,’ Sam said when he returned and all three, washed and changed into clean clothes, were sitting at the dining table eating a hastily prepared meal which, though frugal, had cost Sam hundreds of their assignats. ‘The women are furious over the food shortages and are blaming hoarders. They are far more vociferous than the men. Thousands of men are being conscripted for the army and that’s another grievance they have. Without their menfolk they have lost their breadwinners.’
‘It will die down by tomorrow,’ Jay said. ‘We do not need to go out any more today. I for one could sleep the clock round.’
‘Me, too,’ Sam said, making Lisette realise she had had the better of their journey because Jay had always made sure she slept in a bed and she could doze in the carriage if she could ignore the jolting over the uneven roads, while he had perforce to stay alert against possible attack by the mob who saw a carriage as a sign of wealth. As for Sam, he had had the task of driving them and it could not have been easy, and where he had slept each night she did not know. The crowded hotels often crammed half-a-dozen sleepers into one room, sometimes into one bed.
‘Tomorrow I will visit the Assembly and speak to Monsieur Pierre Martin,’ Jay told them. ‘He is to be my go-between with the French government.’
‘What about Michel?’ Lisette put in.
Jay turned to her. ‘I need to find out how things stand officially with members of the court, whether they are under arrest or able to move about freely. And I must at least appear to be doing our Government’s business.’
‘Is that all? Every day we delay could be crucial to Michel’s safety, surely you realise that after what we have witnessed today.’
‘It will do no good making a nuisance of ourselves. As soon as I know how the land lies we can plan a course of action.’
‘What do you want me to do?’
‘Nothing.’
‘Nothing! You would have me sit here all day with nothing to do but worry.’
‘Lisette,’ he said patiently, while Sam decided to make himself scarce by clearing away the dishes, ‘I did not ask you to come with me. I would much rather you had stayed at home, or at least remained on board the yacht. Now you are here, will you please do as I say?’
‘Like the dutiful wife I am supposed to be,’ she said waspishly.
‘Yes.’
‘But I am not your wife.’
‘No.’ It was said quietly.
Sam had come back with a bottle of Calvados and some glasses, which he put on the table in front of Jay. Lisette stood up. ‘I will leave you to your brandy, Commodore.’
The look on Jay’s face when he had said that one word, ‘No’, had told her it would not be a comfortable evening if she stayed. She toiled up to her room and sat on a chair by the window. It was an effort not to think about Jay and what he thought of her, but they had come to France with a definite goal and she would be better employed contemplating that rather than eating her heart out for a man who considered her nothing but a nuisance. Michel must come first.
He was surely still at the Tuileries Palace and all they had to do was go there and find him. If he was being watched as he had written he was, then they must find some subterfuge for smuggling him out of the palace, out of the city and out of the country. Jay knew that, knew how worried and impatient she was, so why was he prevaricating? Was he more interested in his errand for the British Government than his promise to her? It was up to her to do something to expedite matters. Nothing could be done that day, while the streets were still seething with angry humanity and, besides, she was too tired to think clearly. She took off all her clothes and climbed into bed. It was soft and warm and she was soon asleep and did, indeed, almost sleep the clock round.
