“Well, don’t wait to construct your usual convoluted plan. Whoever said Basques were simple folk? You never take the straight path if you find one that’s twisted.”
“The twisted path is far less boring and safer in the long run.”
Danton shook his head and snapped the whip to urge on the horses.
“We’ve found no trace of Citizeness Justice,” Pirard said to Dupree. “I’ve sent men to scour the outlying villages. But do not worry, we’ll find her.”
“I’m not worried. The bitch can’t have gone far on foot.” The fine chain of the golden necklace in Pirard’s hands was broken and flecked with blood. Dupree took the necklace and balanced the circlet hanging from the chain in his palm. “You found this in the tomb with Malpan?”
The Marseilles nodded. “Beneath his body.”
“Anything else?”
“A painting of the abbey,” Pirard chuckled. “Crazy thing to be in a nun’s tomb. But then, a woman has to be a little crazy in the head to become a nun, isn’t that true, Citizen?”
“Yes.” Dupree’s tone was absent as he held up the necklace to catch the first tentative light of dawn. It was an exquisitely delicate piece of jewelry, fit for the throat of a princess, he thought. In fact, the woman who had worn it, if not a princess, had probably been the daughter of a count or marquis or perhaps even a duke.
“Shall I throw the painting in the wagon with the rest of the loot for the Commune?”
“What? Oh, yes, go ahead.”
“And the necklace?”
Dupree’s hand closed possessively on the fine golden chain. This necklace had probably belonged to a child of glory, a child of nobility, a child accustomed to the company of kings and queens. If he gave it up, it would only be melted down or stolen to grace the fat neck of some shopkeeper’s wife. Such a necklace deserved a better fate. “Forget you found the necklace. I’ll dispose of it.”
Pirard grinned slyly. “And we’ll see it hanging on the bosom of that little actress you find so accommodating?”
Dupree shot Pirard a contemptuous glance. Didn’the realize a prize like this must be given to someone worthy of its glory? Camille Cadeaux occupied a necessary place in his life but that place was dark and secret and had nothing to do with glory. Pirard was not only a fool but was becoming insultingly intimate since he’d been chosen as Dupree’s lieutenant. He would have to do something about the man.
“No, I have no intention of giving it to Camille.” He would have the chain repaired and cleaned, then have the gold polished until it was as bright and shining as when it might have been worn at Versailles. “I shall give it to the only woman in France who is blameless enough to wear it with honor.”
“And who is that?”
Dupree took his lace-trimmed handkerchief from his pocket and carefully began to rub at a dried spot of blood on the spray of lilac engraved on the gold surface. “My mother.”
Catherine was screaming.
Juliette was out of her bed and halfway across her chamber before she was fully awake. What could it be now? Catherine had been sleeping soundly when she had peeked in on her before going to her own chamber.
Robert Dameraux stood outside Catherine’s door that Juliette had left ajar. He wrung his hands. “Mademoiselle Catherine, she’s not—”
“She has the fever,” Juliette said as she brushed past him. “I’ll take care of her. Go back to bed.”
“Bed?” he asked in a high, surprised tone. “I was not in bed. My Marie and I were sitting down to our supper when we heard Mademoiselle Catherine screaming.”
Supper? Then the half darkness mantling the hall was not dawn but twilight. They had slept the entire day through.
Catherine screamed again.
“I don’t need you.” Juliette threw open the door. “Bring soup and wine for Mademoiselle Catherine after you finish your meal.” She slammed the door behindher, then flinched as the sound bludgeoned her throbbing temples. Her tongue felt coated and sour.Dieu, she didn’t want to face this right now.
Catherine moaned, turned restlessly on her side but did not wake.
Juliette straightened and moved across the room toward the bed. “The windows are open. Do you want the entire neighborhood to know we’re here? Wake up.” She reached down, grasped Catherine’s shoulders, and shook her. Catherine’s lids flicked open to reveal wild, glittering eyes and Juliette’s irritation melted away as if it had never been. “You’re safe now. Well, as safe as we can be in this city of madmen.”
“Juliette?” Catherine whispered. “I dreamed…” She shuddered. “But it was real, wasn’t it?”
Juliette sat down on the bed beside her. “It was real.”
