“Good.” Juliette’s hand compressed bracingly around Catherine’s. “When you get through the south courtyard, run for the cemetery.”
“The cemetery?”
Juliette nodded. “We’ll let Sister Bernadette hide us until this is over and they’ve gone away.”
“They may not go away.” Catherine shuddered as she lifted her hands to her ears to shut out the screams. “It seems as if it’s already been going on forever.”
“They’ll go away. Men tire of fornicating. My mother once said—” Juliette broke off. This wasn’t the same as the rutting that had taken place in the bedchambersat Versailles. In those scented, silk-hung rooms the men and women had at least made a pretense of tenderness. Here there was only a fever of violence and brutality. “Leave the door of the bell tower open and be sure and look outside before you go into the south courtyard. Remember to wait for me at the tomb. Are you ready?”
Catherine nodded.
“Go!”
Catherine streaked out the door, keeping close to the wall.
Juliette waited tensely for a shout to go up or one of the men to detach himself from the orgy and run after her.
Catherine reached the door of the bell tower, threw it open, and disappeared inside.
Juliette’s fear lessened a fraction, but she waited to be sure no notice had been taken and no tardy pursuit was to follow. Then she bolted across the few yards separating the students’ cells from the bell tower, ran up the three stone steps, crossed the threshold, and slammed the door behind her. Darkness.
Her heart pounded painfully as she leaned back against the brass-studded oak door in an agony of relief. Gradually her eyes became accustomed to the gloom and she could discern the long flight of spiraling open wooden stairs a few yards away leading to the belfry. Beyond the staircase moonlight streamed through an open doorway. Catherine must have found the south courtyard deserted and taken the second step to freedom. Juliette straightened and started eagerly for the open doorway.
“You weren’t thinking of leaving, Citizeness?”
Juliette froze.
A small, slender shadow detached itself from the darkness beneath the spiraling stairs. It held a sword in one hand and a coil of rope in the other. “Not after I’ve gone to so much trouble and been waiting so patiently,” the voice continued. Juliette now watched as the figure waved the sword toward the open doorway. “Your littlefriend was in such a hurry, I wasn’t able to get down the steps from the belfry in time to detain her. However, I’m sure someone else will intercept the little flower before she gets too far. From the glimpse I caught before she ran out the door I’d say she was quite pretty. I was about to go after her myself when you ran into the bell tower.”
Juliette took a step back, her gaze fixed on the sword. She had been so close to freedom. Mother of God, she didn’t want to die.
“Ah, well, you’re a little thin but not unattractive yourself. Permit me to introduce myself. I’m Raoul Dupree. And what’s your name, little one?” The man stepped forward, peering at her face.
Juliette didn’t answer.
“Tell me, do you wish me to throw you to that mob in the courtyard?”
“Don’t be absurd. Of course I don’t.”
“Very wise. I’m afraid the good sisters and your fellow schoolmates are having a dreadful time of it. It’s regrettable, but the only way I could get my patriots to travel from Paris to do their duty was to offer them the opportunity to quench their lusts on these fine aristos.”
“They’re raping the nuns too.”
“Well, the Marseilles are none too fond of the church.” Dupree shook his head. “I must admit the sight of so much carnal revelry has aroused me, but I have a distaste for seconds. That’s why I rang the bell.” He chuckled. “I thought I’d catch a sweet little virgin for my very own. Unfortunately, your friends were seen almost as soon as they poured out the door and I feared I was going to be deprived of my pleasure.” He pressed the tip of his sword to Juliette’s throat. “Are you afraid? You’re not speaking.”
Juliette swallowed. “Of course I’m afraid. I’d be stupid not to be frightened.”
“And you’re not stupid or you’d have run bleating into the arms of those louts like all the others. I think I shall enjoy you, little aristo.”
“You’ll get no pleasure from me.”
“You’re wrong.” He held out the coil of rope toher. “However, I have no time now. I must see to organizing the trials. Form a loop in the rope and slip it around your wrists.”
Juliette didn’t move.
“Shall I tell you what will happen to you if you don’t do as I command? One of two things. I’ll either plunge this sword into your throat or I’ll march you out to the courtyard and toss you to the Marseilles. I really don’t want to make that choice. What I’d like to do is tie you up and leave you here. Then, when I have time to indulge myself, I’ll return to your eager arms. Now, which shall it be?”
Juliette quickly considered her situation. Dupree intended to save her for himself. While he was gone she might be able to escape the ropes. He might even forget she was there once he joined the frenzy outside. In any event, she had little choice. She took the rope, formed a noose, and slipped it over her wrists.
