Heading to France

Bathurst was up earlier the next morning. Having drink moderately the night before, he did not suffer the agony of a hang over as did some of his colleagues. Leaving his room, he saw MacKensie pass, clutching his head. With a mischievous smirk, Bathurst gave him a hardy "Good morning!" and a friendly thumped him on the back. MacKensie gave Bathurst a withering look, and continued on his way down stairs.

The maids were rushing about in a frenzied state and Sally's voice could be heard booming out instructions and reprimands. Percy was undoubtedly up and about making arrangements, that left...

"Are all my friends down stairs now?" he asked a girl who darted by him.

"All but my lord Hastings, suh," the girl stopped, blushed and push a few strands of hair away from her face.

"Which room is he in?" The girl pointed to a door. "Thanks!" He called to her posterior as she scampered away. Bathurst glided over to the room and rapped heavily upon it. He could hear a groan issue from inside. " Hastings, are you in there, lad?" Bathurst yelled, trying to keep the laughter out of his voice.

Bathurst barged into room and threw open the shutters, allowing the light to pour in. "Of all the disgusting objects!" he exclaimed, upon seeing Hastings tangled in his sheets, his head buried in a pillow. Bathurst stood over Hastings , hands on hips, and tutted - yanked the pillow away. Hastings groaned and covered his face with his arms. "Odd's fish, Hastings! Are you going to sleep all day? Everyone else is downstairs and ready to go."

<Percy>

Percy�s broad figure filled the open door as he took in the scene. He leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms. "Sink me, dear Lord Bathurst, is this any way to treat a dying man?" He moved two steps into the room, toward a puddle of clothing.

"We shall help you to your feet Timothy, lad, and you can sleep it off once we put out to sea. Unfotunately, the tide waits for no man�s misery to achieve full ripeness."

Percy skimmed the breeches from the pile and tossed them onto the bed beside Hastings . "Now, unless you wish us to do up the buttons for you, you�ll put some speed into your motions."

Percy raised his eyes to Bathurst. "You play mother most efficiently. We must ask Ffoulkes to give you a part in our next theatrical, hmm? Now, dare you peek beneath the blanket as to whether he�s still wearing his stockings? There are none in this pile of clothing, and this..." � he fluttered a soggy strip of lawn in Bathurst �s direction � "is all that remains of a once jaunty cravat."

Hastings groaned as the witty banter felt like fists pounding the inside of his skull. "Stop shouting! Can't you see I've died? Have some respect and let me be!" he groaned. Died, or wished to? Death couldn't be this painful. He fumbled blindly he tried to disentangle himself from the covers that enshrouded him with no luck. He was about to give the whole project up for a loss when he felt them yanked off of him. He felt for his breeches and pulled them on, opening his eyes only when it came to buttoning up. He reluctantly donned each garment as it was handed him. When he finished he got to his feet and almost went down again. Slow moments, he told himself. "Let's get on with it," he mumbled as he preceded them out the door.

<Percy>

Percy patted Hastings �s shoulder as he passed, then winked at Bathurst and followed Hastings out the door. "No stopping on the way. Straight down the stairs and out the front door!"

Jellyband was standing at the door shouting orders to the porters over the sea chests being manhandled down the walk. "Your servant, sir," he muttered, bowing to each departing guest.

Percy extended his arms to the sky. "Look at this day! A perfect day. Perfect." Seagulls circled the bleached sails of Daydream and one fat bird rested on the mainmast.

Hastings squinted - all this sensory was a bit much. This was certainly not his ideal way of spending the morning. A filth, rumple suit, a raging hangover, and the prospect of seeing those headhunters was not as appealing when one�s head threatened to implode. Bathurst �s and Percy�s cheery manner wasn�t helping.

"Look at this day! A perfect day. Perfect." Percy exclaimed.

Hastings winced, normally such tones expired him plunge on with wherever seemingly reckless venture Percy had in mind � but that last one felt as though it would punch a hole out of his skull. �Oh Percy, for the love of God, don�t shout like that! I beg you.�

�You�re right! The day is most agreeable,� Bathurst said loudly and smirked as Hastings clutched his head. �You disagree, Hastings? It is a glorious morning!� He laughed as Hastings gave him a mutinous glance. �Ah, so you�re not a fan of nature, eh? You must control your drink, man! Look what a mess you are!� He liked watching Hastings squirm, not just anyone... Hastings, who always managed to get the girls to swoon at his feet, Hastings who made everything a joke. It was amusing to watch him squirm.

<Percy>

"Milord Bathurst, if you had any intelligence, you would leave Hastings to his misery," Percy directed, sliding an arm across Bathurst�s shoulders and leading him away so Hastings could hang over the railing and puke at his leisure. "Why must you two puppies always tear at each other?" Percy asked. "You understand as well as anyone that he�s nursing a broken heart, yet you badger and press him. Leave him be."

They were on the lee side of Daydream and Hastings was out of sight. "I see now how necessary Dewhurst is to the mix of this group � don�t you? Without Tony standing as buffer between you two, you�d have run Hastings through by now. Hastings is a good lad, a brave and gallant soul. Why must you torment him?"

Percy gazed down at Bathurst�s bright hair and the soft contours of his youthful face and a picture came to him of a ball at Carlton House where Hastings had danced set after set with Sarah, Lord Dunstable�s giggling daughter while Bathurst scowled in a corner. Hadn�t Percy caught sight of Bathurst at the Drury Lane on an earlier evening � scanning the crowd through his quizzing glass � hadn�t he seen Bathurst sitting with Miss Dunstable and showering every attention upon the young miss? Something was not right here. Bathurst was vicious to Hastings and Hastings despondent with rejection.

"Has some lying jade come between you two?" Percy demanded, his voice low. "You wouldn�t let the false words of some skirt come between friends such as us, would you?"

Bathurst leaned against the railing, his back to the sea, attempting to appraise exactly how much Percy knew about the situation. He hadn't want Percy involved, hadn't wanted anyone involved. It was a matter between Hastings and him - evidently Hastings just trying to rally support for his cause. The coward.

"You and I are friends. Tony and I are friends. I'm on amiable terms with every one of the others... but Hastings is lying, thieving coxcomb!" he emphasized this with a violent gesture in the direction that they left Hastings . "I don't know what that whoremonger has told you, but he's a two-faced weasel! If I were you I'd look to my one wife if he's --" Bathurst stopped when Percy's _expression changed so abruptly. He had gone too far in mentioning Lady Blakeney, especially in light of the rumours going around White's club. "I'll settle the matter with him. There's no reason for you to get involved."

Lord Anthony Dewhurst emerged from below deck at the first mention of his name. He came up behind Percy and slapped him on the back.

"Now what was it you were sayin' old man? Something about... *needing* me in the hodge-podge of misfit Aristo fools?!" Tony produced a large smile and took a deep breath... a breath that made him a bit dizzy. He was feeling much better than he had been a few days ago... but he was still a bit weak. "Now don't look so demned surprised Percy! I wouldn't miss this for the world! Now surely, you weren't sailin' to France without me?! You wouldn't be able to handle this pack on your own. Combined, they have the intellegence of one His Highness' bed slippers and lets face it dear boy, you lack sufficient skills as a leader!" Tony winked and embraced his friend, patting him on the back as he did so.

<Percy>

Percy pushed Tony aside. �Give me a moment to think,� he said, before rounding on Bathurst.

�Hastings is many things, but none that you mention; not a liar, a thief or a coxcomb. I refuse to believe such charges!� Shouting over Bathurst �s venomous outburst . . . Percy paused as the rest of his accusation struck home.

Look to my wife? He blinked in surprise. From the first moment he�d overheard whispers of Marguerite�s duplicity, he�d imagined a roll call of every member of the ton who might take her fancy from the lecherous Lord Lincoln right through to the Prince of Wales himself. Hastings was not on the list. For one thing, he was of an age with his lady...a woman who revelled in the intellect of older, more experienced men.

Percy rounded on Bathurst , one hand weighing heavily on his friend�s shoulder. �You will tell me everything you know. Tell me quickly. Now. At once!�

Lord Bathurst blanched, looked to Tony for support and found none. "At Lady Melbourne's rout, I saw that scut Chauvelin pass a slip of paper to Lady Blakeney between dance sets - I had just left you to that game of loo with Pitt and Stowmarries..." Percy's look told him to continue on with the narrative. "I saw her read it, give the little rat a most peculiar glance, then set off towards lord Hastings. She danced the next two sets with him, then I got a little distracted...." Distracted... deprived of his senses by pretty Sarah Dunstable with her fluttering eyes. Percy cleared his throat irritably. "Well, I didn't think of itagain until just before we departed, when I met Fanshaw at Chartroom and in the corner booth was Chauvelin and Lady Blakeney. Fanshaw told me that Pitt's had Chauvelin dogged since he first set foot in England . I'm sorely surprised that Pitt hasn't mentioned it to you. Chauvelin's gone to great pain to gain admittance to any affair that your wife is likely to make an appearance." Bathurst stopped short of telling his chief that inquiries were being made into lady Blakeney's activities, Percy's name alone kept matters with Marguerite pleasant to that point. He was weary of tell his friend that he's brought a spy into his house. He further bit back the urge to state that Hastings was likely to fall under her spell and betray them all to her.

<Percy>

Chauvelin! Just as he�d suspected. But why pass a note when he could speak to Marguerite directly? Because she was passing information, that�s why. Passing it between Chauvelin and whom? The French envoy would send messages to... Hastings? But why? While it was true that Hastings father had been Austrian ambassador, he was newly returned to London, officially retired.

The name Chartroom in Bathurst�s exchange made Percy�s hair stand on end. �You were there?� Was it you who told someone before me, who told another, and another...

�Before me? Instead of me! Why did you not come to me with this information first?� Percy heard his voice rising, and swallowed. Took a deep breath and tried to steady himself. �Is this why everyone at Brooks is talking about her? Pitt would not mention it to me because Exeter would be damnably pleased if Marguerite were sent back to France and the marriage found illegal.�

He raked his fingers through his hair as he stalked back and forth. Damnation! Of all the times to be confined. He wanted to smash something! As he turned on Bathurst , the lad squeaked as he scuttled away and Percy realized that his temper showed in his eyes. He turned to face the water, clinging the rail with white-knuckled claws. Oh god, Margot! Margot, what have you done? He�d heard too late � the last to hear � and then run away. He was always running away when she needed him most. Too late to turn around.

�So, Chauvelin is her escort more often than I,� he muttered to no one. Bleakly he wondered for the hundredth time, why did she marry me? Why?

"I haven't spoken to anyone about this!" Bathurst said, defensively. "Fanshaw swore me to it! Said they wanted to see what she got up to... quiet frankly they thought you might tip her off or interfere." Bathurst thrust his hands deep into his pockets and sighed. "There were at least half a dozen recognizable faces at Charthouse that day and Lady Blakeney does tend to stand out in one's memory." Not helping. "May be there's a reason for it. News from her family?" Wrong thing to say considering her cousin was Robespierre's right arm. "Look, if she does nothing they'll eventually forget about her."

<Percy>

"Forget?" Not likely. Exeter would be pleased to see his marriage annulled. The unsuitable wife, gone. Percy should have been married long before this and had his father been alive he would have been. Exeter had forgotten his nephew and Percy was happily forgotten. "I�m between a rock and a hard place," Percy said. At the very least. . . he had Pitt and Exeter on one hand, Chauvelin and Robespierre on the other with himself holding a very slippery Marguerite in the middle of it all.

"I wonder," he said absently, "if du Tournai will be all we have to rescue when we reach Paris."

MacKensie found Hastings clinging to the railing, expelling whatever he had ingested the night before into the sea. "You look a wreck, Hastings ," he said as he gave the other man a couple of pats on the back. "I have good news, Dewhurst arrived this morning. I thought you'd enjoy that. I say you do look terrible, when you're finished perhaps we can look through what I brought and see if we can't have a go at making you look half way human, eh?" Hastings nodded. "Good. I'll leave you to it."

MacKensie moved away, eager to find someone of good spirit. He found Tony, Percy, and Bathurst on the lee side. "Ah! I see you've found Dewhurst! I bit of good news that!" No reply. "I say, if Hastings hunches over the rail any further we'll loose him to the sea!" Awkward silence. Percy's back was to him, but Dewhurst and Bathurst looked distinctly nervous. "Is this a bad time?"

<Percy>

"No, lad; no worse than any other time," Percy said without glancing at McKenzie. He leaned against the railing with shoulders hunched, his back a taut bow. "The earth rocked to its core is fairly usual in a day for the likes of us, isn�t it?" He sounded beaten, even to his own ears. How must be appear to those who took their cue from him?

Damnation! This was Hastings's fault! Bathurst when to Mackensie, "Come on. Let's peel that reprobate off the side of the ship, before he does something drastic like fall into the sea." It wasn't such a bad idea though if he did, but that might depress Percy even more. They couldn't afford a distraught and distracted Percy when they got into France and their lives depended on him.

<Percy>

Blessed peace for two minutes as his friends went to badger Hastings. Percy swallowed the knot in his throat and straightened himself up. He hadn�t imagined marriage could be so complicated. A man�s wife was his responsibility, therefore, she must do as she was bid. A logical supposition, it did not take into account the capricious Mademoiselle Saint-Just. He�d known she was unbiddable, but overlooked it. Known she was prone to correcting him, instead of receiving correction from him � and married her anyway. Damnation, he�d tried to rule her as a master ruled any fractious filly and watched her eyes darken with fear and suspicion. But, what else could he do?

Leave it, his mind told his heart. Leave it be. Concentrate instead on the work ahead and not on the impossible situation behind you.

�Head down and see to it that a bunk and pail are ready for his lordship,� Bathurst ordered MacKensie. �Dewhurst, you�d best go with him. You�ll need your strength and lord knows when we�ll get another chance. I�ll get Hastings.� Hastings still held fast to the side of the ship, but fortunately nothing more appeared to be coming up. Bathurst �s jaw tightened. �Well, Hastings , looks like you seem to make things difficult for the rest of us.� He hoisted Hastings to his feet forcefully, gripped his shoulders and marched him off. �At this rate, by the time we reach France there won�t be a man on board who doesn�t want to hurl you into the sea.�

<Percy>

The fresh sea air did much to revive Percy. There was no point in fighting against problems that could not be solved. He stretched and instinctively his hands found their way into his breeches� pockets. He made his way down the steps to the cabins and poked his head around Hastings �s bunk.

"Are you exceedingly interested in that book, or might I join Bathurst in tormenting you? I just happen to have this deck of cards," � he pulled it from his pocket � "and a few good French louis to squander, if anyone�s interested in a game of hazard." Percy�s eyebrows raised. Nonchalantly he seated himself on the foot of Hastings �s bed.

"Where�s Dewhurst? He always loses to me. Got to have him along. And you...Bathurst; how about you taking the first deal?"

Before the candles had worn down, the wine was all gone and Hastings had lost everything including his cravat pin to Blakeney. Bathurst had won most of Dewhurst�s stake and was whistling a French ditty.

"I will stake everything on one last toss, Hastings ," Percy said as she shuffled the cards. "One last chance to win all this back, or lose that rather gaudy waistcoat into the bargain. What do you say?" Percy rolled his eyes toward the deck. "Did you hear that? I think the captain called. Perhaps we�ve reached Calais at last!"

Bathurst was first out the door, one hand stuffing his winnings into his pocket.

Bathurst was on deck in an instant, staring at the coastline. The entirety of the trip he had worried himself with the thought that they would experience a repeat of their last voyage. �Periculosae plenum opus aleae tractas, et incedis per ignes suppositos cineri doloso. So we return again, perhaps for another or last time,� Bathurst muttered under his breath, but by god what a way to go. �Come on you blighters, we haven�t risked our lives in nearly a day!� He called back to the others.

Tony stood and stretched. The cot he had occupied after losing every franc he had on him had been sufficient for a little rest on the long trip to Calais, but his muscles still screamed from the intolerable mattress. Lord Dewhurst had a flair for finding, then occupying, the worst bed where ever the League was hold up. A fact that the boys were more than grateful for. Thank the Lord his own bed had been furnished by his father. The bit of rest he needed to recover from that food poisoning was far more comfortable than he had imagined. That is, had it not been for the constant beratement from his father.

Tony took a few uneasy steps before he decided some fresh air would do him good. He mounted the steps up to the deck of the Daydream, feeling his sea legs return to him. Percy's pride and joy was the Daydream. Tony remembered when they used to speculate on owning their own yacht. He smiled at the memory.

He leaned over the side of the boat to gaze at the water below. It was a relatively calm day on the channel and the water was a deep blue. It was then he saw Percy. Eager to settle the plans for this rescue... and possibly discuss any problems that might occur due to Tony's physical limitations, he walked over to his friend.

"Percival! It is good to see you old man!" Tony grinned. "Tell me, have we any clue about this rescue? I fear that sending me into Paris might prove a fatal error for all of us. Might I secure the rendez-vous points outside the Paris ? I know Du Tournai will be grateful to see me, lookin' fit as a fiddle, standing next to a Chestnut mare. And Lud knows I've always been a better rider than you when under pressure. In fact, when we return to England , I would very much enjoy a friendly wager... perhaps a race? Maybe then I can recover some of my losses from Bathurst !" Tony rubbed at his empty vest pocket. "If he'd have won my pocket watch, I might have had to flog him!"

<Percy>

Percy noted that Dewhurst, at his side, looked none the worst for his recent illness. "Du Tournai? I had no idea you knew the man." Amazing it was the things Tony understood and the people he knew. The lad was kept busy in the name of his family�s interests. The duke, his father, was always aware of what his son was up to, yet Tony found time to explore, discover, and get into all manner of delicious-sounding scrapes. Percy glanced out across the silver-crested waves.

"As for this supposition of yours that you are anywhere near my calibre in the saddle," Percy buffed his fingernails on the silk lapel of his coat, keeping his eyes averted, "I shall meet any wager you care to make and best you at any time, in any field you choose and trounce you so soundly, dear chap, that you will never squeak such libelous words in my presence again. Newmarket ? Lewes? Bath ? I�ll take you on anywhere. Paris? Calais, within a half-hour of docking if you wish."

Percy raised his eyes over Dewhurst�s head and met Bathurst �s dancing eyes. "You, sir, speak the worst Latin I�ve ever heard. Worse than mine � and Exeter swears that none is worse than mine. Perhaps you�d come to tea one afternoon and butcher the language in his presence." Percy couldn�t help but grin at the thought of his uncle choking over Bathurst �s mismatched tenses. "On second thought, you�d best not, my friend. The old man might splutter his last breath and then Tony will be a duke in his own right and his wanton pride will be past bearing."

As Tony whirled around to face him, Percy laid a heavy hand on Dewhurst�s shoulder. "I have told you before not to call me Percival. This is the last time, Tony. Next time, I shall lace you with my riding crop, cousin or no. Duke or no; you understand me?"

MacKensie came up followed by Hastings . �I say, Bathurst , you are sounding more and more like Hastings here. There are more cures to what ails you than bringing a doxy to bed.� He gave Bathurst an appraising glance. �And drags in that sorry attire I doubt you�ll be able to procure a decent bit of fluff. The only one worse than you is Hastings.� MacKensie turned away from Bathurst and stared at Percy and Tony. �As for racing, Tony, my moneys on Blakeney. The man�s more fatalistic than you.�

<Percy>

"Exactly so, my friend!" Percy agreed. "Bedding wenches and racing horses can wait � well, for me it can wait." Returning to Tony, Percy demanded, "Du Tournai; you know this man? Tell me how? How well do you know him? What about his family? Any scrap of information would be helpful." Percy began patting is coat pockets, until he recovered a tiny square that unfolded into a page half filled with writing and half with a sketch.

"This is what Ffoulkes last sent me:

This is a drawing of La Force...supplied by a guard who works there, so I only pray that it�s accurate.

Everyone take a good look. Study it carefully and tell me what you think."

<Percy>

"That�s something I don�t know. Come, the boat�s waiting." Percy stepped in front of Hastings so that he sat between him and Bathurst, forcing the two men to opposite ends of the boat. "What I gather from Ffoulkes�s message is that Chauvelin, in Robespierre�s camp, is restive and needing to do something to boost the Jacobin�s sagging popularity. Condemning du Tournai would be a slap against Mirabeau�s position and the royal family."

With everyone settled in the boat they rowed quickly to shore. The sea was far from calm, the stiff wind tossing the waves hard against the sides of the small boat. The two sailors were having a hard time rowing.

"Pass me an oar," Percy said to one and turning to Hastings, he commanded, "You, Hastings, come share the bench with me. I must have a partner or else we break the rhythm of the other rowers."

Bathurst glared at the back of Hasting's head as the other man moved to where their chief indicated. So Hastings was rallying support, treacherous bastard! And how many of the others was he trying to win over. Bathurst turned his attention to the shore. When this mission was over he was likely to challenge that cur. Bathurst turned to MacKensie, taking in the lilac colored suit. MacKensie might be willing to serve as one of his seconds. "Lilac?" Bathurst asked. "Not the ideal color for this mission, MacKensie."

"The alternative is looking like you or Hastings," MacKensie came back. "If I do die at least I won't be dressed like some gutter snipe. But why stab at me, Bathurst ? It's Hastings you're mad at. Direct your temper at the right source. You're lucky I'm not as quick tempered as Dewhurst or I'd have to push you over the side if you got to far out of hand." MacKensie frowned at the havok the lashing water was making of his suit. "Though if we don't get to shore soon, I will match the lot of you."

Hastings looked up at the mention of his name, looking first to MacKensie, then at the cold stare that Bathurst set upon him. First, Sarah stamped on his heart, grinding it beneath her dainty little shoes and now Bathurst was on the point of driving his blade into him. Hastings had hoped that they could work things out, but Bathurst had insisted on being insulting and abusive. Something Hastings would only put up with for so long. "When we get to shore, I'm sure Percy will give you a moment to grieve your suit."

<Percy>

"We shall need good mounts; what are the chances of findin� such in time of war when the army will have commandeered all the best horseflesh in every town between here and Paris ?" He scanned the rows of streets rising up the hillside. Calais. "Let�s head up rue Dominique and see if the horses we last rented are still available."

Bathurst was already half-way up the cliff, and Percy had to walk quickly to keep up with him.

Hastings looked up to see Bathurst already at the summit with Percy. "It's not that easy!" he said. Had he not offered the olive branch before and had it knocked aside? And he wasn't in the wrong here. At this rate someone was liable to get hurt or killed over this quarrel and if it happened to be the family they were trying to rescue, Percy not only would never forgive them but he would never forgive himself either. "I'll settle the matter before we get to Paris."

Bathurst set off in the direction of the rue Dominique at a quick pace, hands thrust into his pockets and an scowl on his face. The quicker they saw to their transportation, the quicker they'd be to Paris . Then a quick rescue and back to England heroes once more. Perhaps there would be a little French beauty in this lot that might favor him with her attentions... That is if Hastings would keep his hands off her. Hastings , that cur! There would be a reckoning between them, by god there would be!

<Percy>

Percy was pouring directions and ideas into Bathurst�s head as they walked, his long strides eating the distance and he oblivious to the others lagging behind. �Once I gain whatever information Dewhurst has about du Tournai, we �ll be able to make a proper plan. For now, we�ll find lodgings and figure out what�s to be done.� Percy continued to outpace Bathurst who struggled to keep up with him. �I had no idea Dewhurst knew this man, du Tournai. What can he tell us about the family? The ages of the children? Perhaps there will be something that will be vital to planning!�

<Percy>

Percy halted at that; turned to face Bathurst as if he�d only just become aware of the man�s presence. �True. What would I have done without Dewhurst?� Indeed. Loyal companion that he was, Lord Tony was only one man. Hastings was as valuable. Bathurst himself was like to become his right hand in Ffoulkes�s absence.

�Without Dewhurst, I would have flown to Paris by the swiftest horses procurable. Met with Ffoulkes to hear what he�s learned and from there come up with the next steps.� Percy had been facing Bathurst , but talking over his head, focussing on the sky as if his to do list were writ on the clouds. Now he gazed directly into Bathurst �s eyes. �Yes. You�re right! As soon as we get to rue Dominique I shall write a message and send it to Ffoulkes telling him to meet us at the church on the left bank of the Pont Neuf.�

Percy examined the sky, facing south. �It can take over ten hours to travel to Paris , or we could set a brisk pace and try for six if the roads are good.� He cocked an eyebrow at Bathurst who stood silent for a moment. Six hours! They�d kill a dozen horses and be nearly done in themselves setting such a pace. Was du Tournai�s life in imminent danger?

<Percy>

Percy clapped Bathurst on the shoulder. "you�re a wise soul for one so young. Dewhurst would be best off riding in a carriage and taking his time. You and I should arrive as quickly as possible and set up the scene for Hastings and MacKensie." Percy glanced down at the two struggling up the steep hill. "Neither of them has had a good night�s sleep in days and it shows in their flagging steps," he said, mildly apologetic. "We�ll arrange for the horses and depart at once."

Hastings trailed at the end of the procession, wondering at what it would take to put an end to the animousity between him and Bathurst and watching to make sure that Tony, who was chatting with MacKensie ahead of him was quite alright. It would do them no good to have him sick in the middle of a rescue. As he arrived at the Rue Dominique, he found that Percy and Bathurst were already hitching up a cart to a pair of horses that appeared magnificent compared to those found in France these days.

As Percy was making the final adjustment Tony conveyed all that he knew of the du Tournais. The vicomte, his wife, a nephew, and a young, vivacious daughter... obviously one that Tony admired for himself. Hastings pretended not to notice the evil glare that Bathurst shot at him when the daughter was mentioned. "So there is four of them, two men and two women, but we still don't know if they are all in prison or if it's just du Tournai."

<Percy>

"Are you sure you�re up to riding with us?" Percy asked Tony, his tone pitched low. "No one will think ill of it if you take a carriage and arrive at the end of the week. I have far greater need of you after I have the du Tournais free, consider that." Tony motioned Percy silent with a curt wave of his hand. Percy took in the determined glitter in Dewhurst�s eyes and stilled.

Very well, Percy sighed, Dewhurst had made his decision and he would succeed or fall based on it. While it was true that Percy could order Dewhurst to remain in Calais and see to supplying the inns on the northern road from Paris with fresh horses, Percy bit back the option and let Dewhurst�s decision stand. He was the last to mount and then they were on their way.

After riding nearly an hour they reached the low-lying farms or Normandy where they could ride three abreast and as the horses trotted, Percy�s explained his plan. "It would be dangerous for all of us to remain together in Paris . What I want is for you to pair up and stay with your partners; and since it appears you�ve done that, we�re in a position for all to run smoothly. Tony and MacKensie will stay in lodgings along rue de Montreuil as close to the old Reveillon factory as possible. Choose something where the concierge will allow you a room under the roof and a window big enough to crawl out of."

"Roof access?" Tony asked and Percy nodded. "Hastings and I have already acquired accommodation close to La Force," Percy continued, "and Andrew is with Armand, of course, so we..."

"...spread out in a line parallel to the Seine," Tony interrupted, whistling at the conclusion of his thought.

Percy nodded. "You understand precisely. Now tell me � du Tournai�s children; how young is this young daughter and how old is the nephew? Do we need wet nurses and minders? Are they old enough to ride for several hours or must I provide a carriage?"

Looked up quickly. Mention of Lady Blakeney of late was enough to put Percy in a most disagreeable mood. The last time she was brought up, it seemed as though Percy were likely to throw him off the side of the Daydream. "No, I think the reason we are in a hurry is because those demmed revolutionaries work so quickly," Bathurst said quickly, hoping to side-step a potentially hazardous conversation.

<Percy>

Percy checked at Tony�s mention of his wife. "Oh my," he whistled through his teeth. "I did meet her once � once that I remember." Lord, he could only have met her once, for she was unforgettable! "Amazing that I didn�t connect the family name to...Mademoiselle Suzanne."

Not his type at all Percy had discovered once he�d spent five minutes speaking to her, but as lovely as an iced meringue to behold, Mademoiselle Suzanne had eyes of Wedgewood blue that were as disarmingly innocent as Marguerite�s were filled with gaiety. Percy looked piercingly at Tony, trying to decipher something more in his barbed comment, but sensing nothing.

"Lady Blakeney has never mentioned her to me," Percy said tautly. "I don�t know if she�s aware of her friend�s danger." That Lady Blakeney scarcely spoke to him at all was not mentioned; Tony turned away rather than voice that fact � a touch of restraint not typical of Dewhurst. An uncounted length of time passed with Percy deep in thought, and as the miles passed, visions that bore no relation to the rescue that needed planning churned round and round, depressing him.

"I hope Ffoulkes has information regarding the Count," Percy said, interrupting MacKensie and Dewhurst in the midst of some witty story, "so we can determine whether he�s been locked up alone or if his family is with him."

Tony sensed his cousin's mood darken. An unfortunate side affect to his comment, he was afraid. "I am certain Andrew will have plenty to say about the Du Tournai's." Tony shot an apologetic glance to MacKensie as Percy interrupted them. Being social was secondary now that they were on a mission and on French soil. "I can't imagine that those Frenchies would imprison Du Tournai alone when they could have his entire family there to keep him in line. The old man is a bit... radical for his set and that may land him in trouble." Tony smirked imagining the compte imprisoned and arguing constantly with both his wife and his captors. "Do you suppose there is any suspicion that the Pimpernel would want to rescue them? I can never read where the attention of the Revolution lies with its prisoners. Would they possibly suspect...?" Tony thought outloud.

�That�s an easy enough question,� Mackensie shot back. �Their attention follows who ever they can kill the quickest. The hierarchy is based on whatever is most atrocious in the eyes of the heavenly father. I was in Paris when the Bastille fell � lord what a sight! They hung noble men from the lampposts! No rime or reason to it... that guillotine has just made them faster. I am of the opinion that the devil walks the Earth in the form of one of those revolutionaries, though I could say which. Perhaps Danton or Robespierre or that scut Marat!�

"Yes MacKensie. Thank you for relating that horror once again. Now I won't require a meal for the rest of the day for you have taken my appetite reminding me of the scenes you described once you were back in England." Tony poked fun at his friend in an attempt to lighten the mood. "Now if only the Heavenly Father were a member of this merry band of men, we might stand a chance!" He laughed. "We might as well tempt the Devil and Fate at the same time. That is what makes these little rendez-vous worth while!"

<Percy>

Ahead on the dusty road rose the grey stone walls of Paris. From this distance it appeared as any other walled city atop a rise of ground. "I wonder, Bathurst," Percy said, "whether we shouldn�t separate before we arrive at the gates? Perhaps it would be more efficient for each pair to enter by a different route. I have sent the message to Ffoulkes to meet us at the church on the left bank of the Pont Neuf tomorrow at half-past two. It would be best if we all met there. Come armed."

Percy allowed that thought to jell before asking, "When I suggested we separate into twosomes, no one commented on that. Is everyone agreed? I suppose so long as I have Hastings with me we�ll all survive the night." It was Percy�s first tacit acknowledgement of the steaming rivalry between Hastings and Bathurst.

<Percy>

"He won�t be on his own," Percy said levelly, "he�ll be with me." He closed his eyes briefly, hoping his quick interjection deflected any further insults flying between his friends.

"This is not the time to question each other�s intentions or loyalty. If Dewhurst were to be cornered in a brawl, I know every man here would rush to support him. What about it, Hastings? If Bathurst found himself in trouble and out-numbered, dare I count on you � in the name of the league � to set aside your differences?"

Percy�s blue eyes, looked into greys that seemed dead of feeling. "Come, Hastings � Timothy! Say yes. Come! Say it!" Percy was grinning, a watery grin full of bravado and devoid of life. "This unfinished business...put an end to it."

<Percy>

Percy turned to the other man and laughed nervously. "And you, friend Bathurst ? Do you agree to put an end to the conflict between you and Hastings in the name of the league? We must have faith in each other. You look all around," Percy�s hand took in the sky and the road before them, "and accept that we are alone in this country. There are only these few hands to keep each of us safe."

Was it his imagination that Bathurst looked a little desperate? Percy knew that look � something one saw across a gambling table. Why did he see it now?

"Say yes, Lord Bathurst. We�ll go no further until I�m satisfied that we�re friends again � all of us!"

"Zounds! I'm glad that's over with." He said. He grinned before adding. "I don't know how you do it Percival... these two young lads needed your guidance and you provided for them. I am glad we are all underneath your superb leadership and guidance." Tony beamed micheviously as the sarcasm dripped from his lips. He figured Percy would have his hide for calling him "Percival" twice in one day, but it needed to be done. Tony could tell he was beginning to feel like his old self again. "Now, assuming you don't get too fatigued and I have carry you back to Blakeney Manor, old man, Bathurst and I are to be invovled with transporting our Parisian refugees to the coast? Is that correct? You'll have to forgive me, but with all this bitter conflict, I seem to have forgotten what, exactly, your instructions were."

<Percy>

"Milord Antoine, I swear one of these days it will be pistols at dawn between the two of us for you irk me no end!" Percy�s exasperation flared dangerously. "I have one conflict eased and you wish to brew another!"

A pity there was no further expanse of road ahead on which he might spur and ride and relieve his frustrations, but there was the city looming ahead, the dust of every road leading toward it swirling in the air like steam above a large pudding bowl.

"Off with you...off with all of you, save Hastings! We shall discuss everything when we meet up with Ffoulkes and young Saint-Just tomorrow afternoon." Percy yanked the brim of his hat down and stared sullenly at his boots. Conversation was at an end.