“It’s only a name Dupree found it amusing to call me. But that’s not important.” Juliette frowned. “Then Dupree can’t know we’re in Paris.”
François nodded. “Which is why it’s safe to wait.”
“Wait for what?”
“Georges Jacques is going to arrange to intercede with Marat to have Dupree sent out of the city as soon as possible. He’s the only man who can recognize you.”
“There’s a courtyard of men who can recognize me.Yourecognized me.”
“The Marseilles were busier at that moment than I.”
Juliette’s stomach clenched as she remembered the tasks that had occupied those men in the courtyard. “Yes, very busy.”
“They’re still busy.” François’s lips set grimly. “I’m sure in a few days the events at the abbey will blur into one red haze.”
Juliette’s gaze flew to his face. “Dear God, more?”
François nodded. “After they left the abbey that morning they marched onLa Force. They killed the Princess de Lambelle, stuck her head on a pike, and carried it to the Temple to show it to Marie Antoinette.”
Juliette swallowed bile. Her mother had always hated the gentle princess who had given the queen her love and loyalty since girlhood. Juliette had not understood thewoman’s high-strung delicacy but never questioned the princess’s genuine affection for Her Majesty.
“You should not have told her,” Philippe said. “Can’t you see how it’s upset her?”
“The queen?” Juliette asked. “Did they kill the queen?”
“No, the Temple is well guarded. None of the royal family was hurt.”
Relief rushed through Juliette. The queen and Louis Charles were still alive. “How disappointed those butchers must have been.”
François avoided her glance. “Marat won’t permit Dupree to be sent away until he’s satisfied that his job is done. You must not step foot out of the house until there isn’t the least possibility you could encounter him.”
“Is bribery feasible?” Jean Marc asked.
“Not now. Perhaps later.”
“So we’re to stay here until Dupree is sent out of Paris?” Juliette tried to gather her thoughts into some kind of order. “I don’t like it. There are too many residences around the square and we can’t stay here very long in secret. No matter how careful we are, people are bound to realize we’re in the house.”
Jean Marc thought for a moment and then said, “I can tell Robert to put it about that Philippe came from Vasaro to be of assistance to his two sisters who were forced to flee from their homes in the north after the Prussians took Verdun.”
“It’s possible,” François said. “Providing no official inquiry is undertaken regarding them.” He turned to Philippe. “You’ll stay here to lend the story credence?”
Philippe nodded. “Of course. I’ll stay as long as I’m needed.”
“Catherine won’t want you here,” Juliette said. “She does not wish to see you.”
“I’ll stay out of her way.” Philippe’s tone was firm. “But my place is here helping Jean Marc and Catherine to—”
“The story will have to do for the time being,” JeanMarc said. “You’ll let me know if there’s any danger, Etchelet?”
“I assure you neither Georges Jacques nor I wish to have the women apprehended. It would be a distinct embarrassment.” François turned toward the door. “I’ll inform you when Dupree has left Paris.”
“Wait.” Juliette took a step forward. “That’s not enough. Philippe is a stranger in Paris and it may be known that Jean Marc’s ward was at the abbey. It’s you who must lend our presence here credence. You must be well known if you work for Danton. Call on us at least every other day.”
“I have no time for—”
“Call on us as frequently as possible and stay but briefly.” She smiled mockingly. “Do wear one of your tricolored cockades so that everyone can see how loyal to the government the members of this household must be. A fine revolutionary gentleman like yourself should be displaying one anyway.”
He met her gaze. “I don’t have to wear my convictions on my hat.”
