Chauvelin's P.O.V
It had been three days since the attack. Cassidy's wound and bruises were healing nicely even though she hadn't opened her eyes yet. One of the maids came up in a panic and said "Sir; Citizen Robespierre must speak with you and he has refused to leave though I made it clear you weren't to be disturbed." "Very well Sadie then would you please sit with my wife until I return" I asked. "Yes sir" Sadie answered, taking my chair. I went to my study and asked "What is the urgency that you dare disrupt my vigil over my wife?"
"Is she ill" Robespierre asked. "No; two of my soldiers mistook her for a renegade streetwalker and stabbed her. They have lost their position. It has been hard knowing if she will wake or not" I answered. "I am sorry to hear that news Chauvelin. I didn't know the urgency but I am afraid our heads are on the chopping block. The rebels are calling for my head and yours" Robespierre warned.
"And if mine is at risk then so is Cassidy's. She and I must return to England at once. I need to get home" I muttered as Robespierre left. I returned upstairs and Sadie told me "Madame moved slightly." "Good; you may leave Sadie. Also; warn the staff that our house is possibly under a threat" I told her. "At once sir" she answered, leaving the room.
I sat on the bed carefully and stroked Cassidy's hair. "Cassidy" I whispered softly, looking down at her. She slowly opened her eyes and weakly whispered "What happened?" "My guards attacked you, mistaking you for a rebellious streetwalker. You won't see them again" I answered before pausing and I finally asked "How would you feel about returning to England at once?"
Cassidy's P.O.V
"Are you serious Chauvelin" I asked, carefully sitting up against the pillows. "I am serious Cassidy. I know you are homesick" he answered. "That would be wonderful but you seem troubled" I told him. "You're right; I am worried. The rebels are now calling for my death and Robespierre's as well as all involved in the tribunal. All of us that are captured will be sent to the guillotine like so many that the tribunal condemned" Chauvelin replied.
"Does this place me in danger as well" I asked. "Yes; this is why we need to leave as quickly as possible. I have received word of a boat bound for Holland with a stop in England leaving tonight" he told me. "Excellent; let us return and I pray you will accept my home as yours" I answered. "If it means I'm safe to be with you then that's what matters. I must ask though if I have your forgiveness for not being with you when you were attacked" he asked, sadness in his voice.
"Yes; you have my forgiveness my husband" I replied, giving him a smile and added "I thank you for saving my life." He smiled and asked "Do you know you just called me husband?" I blushed and replied "I didn't but I believe you have finally earned the title properly. I refused to think that your love for me was genuine. Now that I know you're love is real; I am no longer ashamed to admit that you're my husband." I paused a moment and added "Though I should probably not announce that until you and I are safely out of France and then; I would happily surrender my life to you willingly in a proper ceremony."
"Then let us take what we can and stay hidden away until it is safe to leave for the docks" he replied. I carefully got up and left to change into a dress. I looked at everything I had brought with me before packing what I would need and the few things that couldn't be replaced. I was relieved to be going home and to have finally accepted Chauvelin. Now I had to protect him as he had done when he saved me.
We waited until nightfall to start traveling. The boat was docked in a fishing village called Michelon and we knew we would be safer traveling at night. We carefully carried on like normal for the rest of the day but around six that evening; there was a frantic knock at the door. It was the two soldiers that had attacked me. "What do you two want" Chauvelin asked, rather angered they had shown up.
"Our first wish is to apologize to your wife. We didn't even know you had married and we beg your forgiveness for our rash actions good madam" Mercier replied as he and Copeau bowed. "Forgiven" I replied. "Our second piece of news is the real reason we've come. An angry mob has raided and burned Robespierre's home. They're worked up to get every regime member. You and your good wife must leave. The mob may not be far behind" Copeau replied. At that; Chauvelin and I grabbed our traveling cloaks, raised the hoods, hitched our horses to the cart, and took off for Michelon along the dusty paths of the backwoods. The trunks of our possessions rattled in the back as we traveled along the dirt path.
My heart was beating in my throat as we rode along the path. "I am scared" I whispered, holding my husband's arm. "We shall be in Michelon very soon my love" Chauvelin replied as we hurried along. Presently; we entered the sleepy little town and saw the boat. There was one other couple talking with the boat's captain. I recognized the woman as I had seen her at the Summer Solstice party at the Blakeney's. "Begging your pardon but I believe I have seen you around the Blakeney estate" I said to the woman.
"You have your highness; I am Marie and this is my husband, Tussuad" the woman now called Marie answered. "Why are you leaving France? I thought this was your home" I asked. "With this rebellion; Tussuad is worried about my health and our baby's" she replied, rubbing her stomach gently. "Congratulations" I replied as saw Chauvelin helping the crew. "How did you end up married to Chauvelin" Marie asked. "An alliance for peace" I replied.
Just then; we saw torches in the distance. "You four, on board now" the captain shouted. "Are our horses secured in their stalls" I asked Chauvelin. "Secured safely and now; let's get on board and go" Chauvelin replied, pushing the cart to the alley. We soon heard shouts of "There is Chauvelin! After him!" Marie and Tussuad got on board first and I started up the gangplank with Chauvelin as the mob ran up to us and grabbed him. "Let go of my husband" I shouted. "Save yourself Cassidy" he called. "A wife? Two heads for the price of one! Take her too" the leader of the mob called.
Two men rounded on me and I tried to fight them off but I was still a little weak and I was captured. They tied me up and put me in the cart with my husband. "I was hoping you would go without me. I didn't need for you to be caught so soon after being injured" he told me, gently pulling me closer. "I couldn't abandon you. If your head falls then so does mine" I replied. I saw Marie and shouted "Find my father; tell him everything and that I will miss him and that if anything happens; tell him I was grateful for the marriage and I forgive him!" "I will" Marie called as the cart pulled away and I saw what could have been our hope for freedom fade into the distance.
Marie's P.O.V
I was going to find the king as soon as the boat docked in England. We would also take Chauvelin and Cassidy's possessions to the palace and their horses as well. I knew also I would need to tell Percy that the Pimpernel had to come out of retirement one last time to save her highness. I had but mere hours or days, depending on how many heads would fall before theirs. Tussuad noticed my worry and told me "Worry not my love; we will find the Pimpernel and save her highness and her husband even though he caused a lot of pain. Now; go rest for awhile. We have a long journey ahead of all three of us" as he placed a hand gently on my stomach. I nodded and he led me to our cabin. I could only pray it wouldn't be too late.