Danton rose to his feet and ruefully shook his head as his wife closed the door of his study behind Juliette. “I admit to being so ungallant as to wish never to see you again, Citizeness de Clement. François made no mention to me that you were still in Paris.”
“He doesn’t know.” Juliette threw back the hood ofher brown cloak. “May I sit down? I walked from the Place Royale and I’m a trifle weary.”
“By all means.” Danton watched her cross the study and plop down in a cushioned chair. “I assume Andreas doesn’t know of your visit here or he would have provided you with a carriage.”
“Jean Marc wasn’t pleased I decided to stay in Paris. He’d prefer I let him hide me away until he can arrange to send me to Vasaro. I thought it wiser to slip away when I decided to see you.” She shrugged. “It wasn’t difficult. All day he’s either been closeted in his study with huge mountains of documents or speeding off in his carriage to meet someone or other.”
“I’m afraid I concur with Andreas. I’d prefer you hide away also.” His expression hardened. “And I don’t appreciate you coming to my home and risking both your discovery and my own. Raoul Dupree has come to call almost every day of late and I’d not like to give him reason to ask me awkward questions.”
“Well, I could hardly go to the assembly, and I had to see you.”
He folded his arms across his chest and leaned back against the mantel. “I’d be fascinated to learn why.”
“I need your help.”
“To leave Paris?”
“No.” She gestured impatiently. “You sound like Jean Marc. I’m not ready to leave Paris yet. I have something to do first.”
“Indeed?”
“I want to speak to the queen.”
He gazed at her incredulously and then chuckled. “So you’ve come to me? What makes you think I’ll help you?”
“I’m going to find a way to speak to her no matter what. I thought you might prefer to arrange a safe way for me to get into the Temple and out again.” She smiled sweetly. “You wouldn’t want me to be caught. It might be awkward for you.”
“A good point. And exactly what subject do you wish to discuss with Her Majesty?”
“That’s my concern.”
“What if I demand to know as a price for my help?”
“I’ll find help at a cheaper price.”
Danton laughed.“Merde, but you have audacity. It’s a quality I admire.”
“You’ll help me?”
His smile vanished. “Don’t rush me. I’m thinking about it. You wish only to speak to the queen? You have no intention of trying to arrange helping her escape?”
Juliette hesitated. “Not at this time.” She rushed on. “Though you should not have placed them in that horrible place.”
“It’s not so terrible. They have many comforts.” Juliette de Clement was clearly involved in a plot of some sort and reckless enough to risk all their heads if it suited her. Still, audacity often carried the day, and it had always been his opinion it would be better for France if the royal family did escape before the Jacobins sent Louis to the guillotine. The moment the king was beheaded, Danton hadn’t the slightest doubt that both England and Spain would declare war. “Why do you think I’ll be able to get you into the Temple?”
“You’re a man who wants to know everything that’s going on around him. Why else would you hire François Etchelet? The royal family is a danger to your new republic and you make sure you know everything concerning them. Isn’t that true?”
Danton nodded. “You’re very perceptive. I did have François study their situation at the Temple in some depth when they were transferred there from the Tuileries.”
“And you can get me in?”
“We can get almost anyone into the Temple, according to François. Hebert’s precautions are laughable. Entry cards are issued to practically anyone who asks.” He paused. “But it would be impossible to get any member of the royal family out. They’re very closely guarded.”
“I don’t want to get anyone out except myself.”
Danton thought for a moment. “The lamplighter who goes every evening to the Temple often takes members of his family along, and I understand the facesof the members of his family change with his fortunes. A small bribe should suffice.”
“I don’t have any money and I don’t want to ask Jean Marc. He mustn’t know about this.”
