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“Then certainly our friend intended to rescue all of them.”
“Then we wait until he returns to France. He is our leader.”
Honoria removed cheese and several eggs wrapped in cloth from the basket. “It could be weeks or months before he is able to return.” She did not have to point out that there was always the possibility he would be caught and never return. “The situation in Paris is already volatile. Power changes hands daily and each new leader has sweeping reforms. We must act now before it is too late.”
Sir Andrew held up his hands in surrender. “Very well. If you insist on this course of action, at least take every step to ensure it will be successful.”
“And how should we do that?” Montagne asked, coming into the kitchen. Honoria frowned at him. He had obviously been eavesdropping, though he didn’t look in the least contrite.
Sir Andrew glanced at him, then back at Honoria. “We must make a plan and arrange for the children’s escape. That takes some time.”
“We don’t—” the marquis began.
“You have a few days. That’s all I need,” Sir Andrew said, cutting him off. “Give us the map of the Temple, and we will work on a plan to rescue the dauphin and Madame Royale. We must organize transportation, disguises, bribes, false documents.”
“None of that will be very useful if we don’t know more about the prison guards and their schedule. Who is allowed in and how? When are the children allowed outdoors, if at all? Where are they being held?”
Sir Andrew pointed to the marquis. “It will be your task to determine all of that.” He held up a finger. “But safely and from a distance.”
“Explain.” The marquis crossed his arms over his chest.
“We have a room on the Rue de la Corderie, which overlooks the southern garden walk.”
Montagne dropped his arms. “And you can see the Temple from there.” It was not a question. “Yes, you can see the gardens quite well. Does the princess walk there?”
“I do not know. We only recently rented the lodgings, and they did not come cheap or without some negotiation. It seems there are many who would pay to gawk at the princess.”
Laurent uttered a curse.
“I had planned to send you there to observe if I could not convince you to leave Paris,” Sir Andrew continued. “Of course, I would have paired you with Lord Anthony, though I see now that arrangement will not do.”
“I want to go,” Honoria said.
“I bloody well knew you would say that,” Sir Andrew grumbled. “And I will approve the arrangement, though I have my reservations.”
Honoria’s cheeks heated. “I assure you, I do not need a chaperone.” She could not be ruined by being alone with a man any more than she already was by being in Paris.
“Perhaps you were not the one I thought of chaperoning.”
Montagne raised a brow. “My sole purpose is to rescue the children. I have no intention of seducing Mademoiselle Blake.”
“That may not be your intention, but you will be alone for hours, perhaps days. Can I trust you to behave as a gentleman?”
Honoria glanced at Montagne. She felt very much like a child whose parents were discussing her fate.
“I am always a gentleman, and you have my word I would never force myself upon Mademoiselle Blake nor touch her without her consent.”
A long moment of silence followed. Sir Andrew looked at Honoria, and she was well aware the marquis did not promise not to touch her, only not to do so without her consent.
“The final decision is yours, Miss Blake.”
“I will go.”
“Very well. You two will travel tomorrow in a closed carriage we have access to.”
“And if I want to go tonight?” the marquis said. “Now?”
“I will tell you to go on your own and strongly urge Miss Blake to stay here. You will have neighbors at these lodgings, and it’s far better they see you arrive in daylight with nothing to hide. Not to mention, I imagine Miss Blake must pack the few things she brought with her from England as well as eat dinner. There is no food in the rooms on the Rue de la Corderie. Better to wait until tomorrow than to risk being out after curfew.”
