“Jean-François has said we must remain in Paris if we are to secure our future. He will not countenance the idea of scampering off because of a bit of upheaval.”
“Your husband is a fool,” Aldric said simply. “The question is are you going to be one as well?” He was tempted to glare, but he got the impression she was actually worried, even a little bit scared. He’d known husbands like hers who bullyragged their wives so much that they were more afraid of upsetting their husbands than they were of any other dangers around them. He found that, while he was frustrated with Marguerite, he also felt sorry for her.
“We are supposed to stay in Paris,” she said in a small, pleading voice. “He insists on it. Demands it.”
Aldric softened his tone when he replied. “I am not going to make more trouble for you by pressing you on this. And we don’t intend to argue further with Jean-François.”
She looked immediately relieved. “You won’t try to force me to defy him?”
To defy him. That really was what worried her most. Father’s temper had often been Mother’s greatest worry, more so than her own survival by the end. Why were some husbands like that? And why did Aldric never seem able to truly help the wives who had to endure that treatment?
He hadn’t the time to attempt to convince Marguerite to save herself; he needed to save whom he could.
“Do you love your daughter?” he asked quietly, gently.
“Of course I do.” There was sincerity in her answer, perhaps the first time he’d heard any from Marguerite Fortier.
“Then you need to allow her to be taken to safety. Your husband won’t do it, and I suspect you aren’t in a position to either.”
She offered a tiny shake of her head.
“We are taking Céleste to Fleur-de-la-Forêt, away from the mobs of Paris, away from the threats of those your husband is extorting. She can look after Adèle there. And your daughter will be safe.”
“You want to take my daughter away from me?” Tears began forming in her eyes. But even that anticipated sorrow didn’t clear her expression of the nervousness that had entered her eyes when he’d asked if she would disobey her husband.
Céleste, still holding Adèle, stepped up beside her sister-in-law. “This is the best thing you can do for her, Marguerite. Adèle needs to be safe. If she cannot be safe with you, then allow us to take her where she can be. Once Jean-François comes to his senses, you can join us at Fleur-de-la-Forêt.”
“I don’t know if he ever will,” Marguerite whispered. “Something has changed in him these past two years.”
Aldric suspected that something was wounded pride and a sense of regained power.
“I will keep her safe.” Céleste tucked Adèle ever tighter in her arms and held her sister-in-law’s gaze. “I promise you.”
A long, drawn-out moment of silence hovered among them all. Henri watched his sister-in-law with a painful sort of hope. Nearby, Lucas stoodwith his arms around Julia, an anxiousness to them both that spoke of wanting to begin this crucial journey but with as many people as possible on their way to safety.
“You will do everything you can to keep her safe?” Marguerite asked quietly, setting her hand on Adèle’s back.
“I swear to you,” Céleste said, “I will.”
Margaret leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the girl’s cheek. “Be good for your aunt,” she said. “I will see you soon.”
She didn’t dissolve into tears, but neither did she take a moment to hug her daughter. She simply moved regally toward the stairs and climbed slowly upward.
Aldric wished there were more that could be done to heal the pain in the Fortier family. But nothing had healedhisfamily, so perhaps it wasn’t even possible.
“With Jean-François and Marguerite not making the journey,” Aldric said, “we could conceivably all fit in thechaise de poste. It would make for a faster departure, but we have Jean-François’s traveling coach at our disposal as well.”
“We won’t need it,” Nicolette said. “Not yet, at least.”
“We don’t have time to wait,” Aldric reminded her.
“Henri and I are staying in Paris,” she said. “We have obligations to people here and the ability to, we hope, help calm the flames. We can use Jean-François’s carriage when we depart.”
Aldric shook his head. “We are not leaving you here under multiplying threats.”
“I cannot leave, Aldric. I have promises to keep.” One look into Nicolette’s face told Aldric she would not be dissuaded.
He turned instead to Henri, hoping against hope that there was a way to convince him. But he immediately knew better. Henri would not leave his wife. Not ever. They would stay together. There was no room for discussion in Henri’s demeanor.
