AN: Thanks so much for the comments. I'm glad to see some of you actually like the story. Just to give you a heads up, there are ten parts to this story. I will be posting one part a week. It is finished, so really, it will be posted. Please keep the feedback coming. Now on with the show.

Part Deux

Percy stared at her in shock. After all Chauvelin had done, this girl had the gall to come into his home and blame him for Chauvelin's imprisonment! Rescue Chauvelin! This girl asked too much of him.

"Mademoiselle, I will not stand here and be accused of sending a man to prison!"

"Why not? After all, is that not what happened?"

"Chauvelin is evil. He deserves to be in prison."

"His ideal has been twisted into something evil, but he is not. He is a zealot; there's a difference. He believes in a cause that doesn't exist anymore."

Percy shook his head. "Mademoiselle, I can not help you. The Scarlet Pimpernel has retired."

He turned away from her and headed to the door. Ariette panicked. If he left now, she knew he would not help her. She blocked the door.

"The man all of France thinks is the Scarlet Pimpernel is going to be executed in Paris in three weeks. And while you are hundreds of miles away, safe in your big home, Chauvelin rots in a prison! And whether you care to believe it or not, it's your fault!"

"What would you have me do?"

"Perform one of your great rescues!" Ariette moved away from the door. "Please, Sir Blakeney. I know what you think of Chauvelin but he's my family, my home. He saved me. I want to do the same for him now. If you could just see him in that place they call a prison. He doesn't deserve any of it." Ariette was in tears as she whispered, "Please, help me."

Percy handed her his handkerchief. He was astounded that someone believed in his enemy this passionately. What had Chauvelin done to inspire such loyalty? Percy sighed. "I need time to consider this."

"Time is what we don't have. Three weeks."

Percy nodded. "I need to meet with my men. It will take a few days."

"Thank you Sir Blakeney."

"I don't promise you anything."

Without warning, the door flung open and a voice called out, "Percy, come back to the party!" Marguerite walked in. She stopped short and stared in shock at Ariette. She was given a wry smile in return.

"Hello Marguerite."

Marguerite turned to her husband. "What is going on?" Percy took her hand.

"Darling, Mademoiselle de Mercy needs my help."

Marguerite turned back to Ariette, scowling. "With what?"

Percy cleared his throat. "Why don't we go back to the party? We can discuss this later."

Marguerite turned her glare on him. "I am not going anywhere until you tell me what she is doing here."

"Why don't you ask me yourself, Marguerite." Marguerite turned back to the girl. Before she could speak, Ariette continued. "I need your husband's help to free Chauvelin."

Marguerite gaped at her. "Percy, surly you're not . . . . . ."

"I don't know, I need to think about this." A thought occurred to Percy. "You will excuse me for a moment, Mademoiselle de Mercy, I will be back." He turned to his wife. "Darling, will you stay with her, just for a moment?"

"Of course." Marguerite never took her eyes off Ariette.

"I will be back shortly," he told both women. He exited the room, praying they would still be there when he returned. Clearly there was history between them; perhaps Armand could enlighten him.

Marguerite turned away from Ariette and sat down on a chair, serenely. "How have you been?"

Ariette sat down as well. "How do you think?"

"You could have come to England with us. I know Armand would have liked that."

"I have never been one to abandon my home and the people I love, Marguerite."

"The France we left was not our home. Not when they started cutting off heads left and right. That's not the home I knew. And I love Percy! It was an easy decision to leave France."

Ariette shook her head. "Who are you really trying to convince?"

Marguerite stood up and went to the window. She looked out at darkness. "When did you become this cynical little creature of the Revolution? You used to be so sweet. We were friends once, as close as sisters. What happened?"

Ariette stood up and walked over to her. Her voice was quiet. "Things change. I changed, or isn't that obvious?"

"You should have come with us."

"Why?"

"Because Armand . . . . . "

"Enough about Armand! I've changed since then. I can imagine he has too."

Marguerite turned to look at her. "Not as much as you think, Ariette. I believe he still loves you. What about you?"

"To be honest, I haven't thought of him. I have had bigger problems to worry about."

"Of course, Chauvelin."

"He doesn't deserve to be in prison."

"Oh no, and what of all the people he sent to their deaths? Did they deserve that?"

Ariette couldn't answer that. She sat down and glared at her former friend. There was a knock at the door. Percy entered with Armand in tow.

Armand looked at Ariette but said nothing. He turned to go but Percy stopped him. "Armand, why don't you show Mademoiselle de Mercy around."

Marguerite walked over to her husband. "I am not sure that's a good idea," she said softly.

"No, that's all right." Armand told them. He turned to Ariette and held out his hand. "Mademoiselle."

Ariette nodded and took his arm. "Thank you," she said just as quiet.

Silently, they left the library. Percy turned to Marguerite. "Is something wrong?"

"You should not have brought Armand."

"She said she knew him. I assumed they were friends."

Marguerite shook her head. "They were more than friends. Armand was heartbroken when we left France. I wish you had told her to leave."

Percy took her hand. "Don't worry, I feel she won't be here for long."

To be continued . . . . . . . . .

Part three to follow soon. Feedback is greatly appreciated. For those interested, my livejournal username is colettebronte.