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‘No, but the revolutionary French do.’
She sighed. ‘I suppose you are right, but does that mean you are going to have to get Michel out without official help?’
‘It does indeed.’
‘Then why go back to Robespierre? Why not simply leave?’
It was obvious from the hunch of her shoulders, the way she held her head and gripped her hands in her lap, that she was tense, like a coiled spring ready to fly off goodness knew where, and he needed her calm and doing as she was told. ‘I must conclude our discussions on my official errand,’ he went on patiently, taking her hand. ‘I cannot disappear without doing that; Robespierre must believe I am simply an envoy returning home and I also need a permit to get us safely through the barriers. His signature will ensure it.’
‘And is that going to be soon?’
‘Very soon, my dear, if you can curb your impatience just a little longer.’
‘How much longer?’
‘Until this evening. Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.’
‘You said you would tell me what you were planning to do when the time came.’
‘So I did. Suffice it for you to know that Commodore Drymore and his lady will leave Paris this evening at six of the clock to go home after his fruitful discussions with the Revolutionary Government, all legal and above board with all the necessary papers. That is important if we are to stay ahead of anyone trying to follow us.’
‘And Michel? Will he be with us?’
‘It is to be hoped so.’
‘How are you going to effect his release?’
He hesitated. Dare he tell her everything? He decided it would be prudent to hold back on the finer details. ‘Harry and the others will do that and bring him to us.’
‘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.
