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‘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.
