A/N: Well, here the new chapter is, a bit late, but it's here, nonetheless. As always, feedback is greatly appreciated. I hope you enjoy it.

Part Tres

The rest of the evening had proven uneventful. Walking among the guests together was uncomfortable for both Ariette and Armand. Neither one knew what to say, so nothing was said. Luckily, one of servants, on Percy's bidding, took Ariette from the party, and led her to the manor's finest guest bedroom. Finally feeling the full weight of her journey from Paris to England, she promptly collapsed on the fine bed and fell asleep.

It had now been two days since Ariette had come into the Blakeney home. She received a note with her breakfast, from Sir Blakeney, informing her that he was meeting with his men that morning.

After breakfast, she dressed and went downstairs to the library. When she got to the door, she heard the men inside, arguing. She opened the door slightly and listened.

"Percy, I can not believe you are seriously considering this!"

"I say old boy; you have gone mad!"

"To honestly think we would risk our lives to save Chauvelin!"

"Who is to say this demmed girl won't turn us in the moment we set foot in Paris!"

"If you do go through with this venture, count me out!"

"Enough!" Percy told them. "I never said I was going to do this. I simply wanted to ask what you all thought."

All the men were gathered around Percy, their backs to the door. Ariette silently entered the room. "And what have you decided to do, Sir Blakeney?" she asked calmly.

The men turned to face her, scowling. She had not expected anything less. She walked over to them and sat down serenely on an empty chair. "Well?"

"Why should we trust you?" Farleigh asked her. "Who is to say you won't turn us in?"

Ariette nodded. "You are right, of course. I could turn you all in."

Farleigh turned to Percy. "Are you hearing this?"

Ariette stood up. "I said I could turn you in. I could, but I won't. Even if I did, Robespierre would still execute Chauvelin. No, I need your help to rescue him."

Percy walked over to her. "Not one of these men is willing to risk their lives for Chauvelin. I am inclined to agree with them."

Ariette nodded. "Then I have a suggestion. Come to Paris. I want you to see the place they are keeping Chauvelin in. See him first, then make your decision. Please."

Dewhurst shook his head. "I am not willing to go to France only to have an army waiting in Calais to capture us. There is not a man here who trusts you, Mademoiselle."

"I do."

It was Armand. Until then, he had been silent. Everyone turned around to face him. "I trust Ariette," he told them. Looking into their faces he could see he had to offer them an explanation. He cleared his throat nervously, and then continued, "I have known her all my life. She was my dearest and most trusted friend. She was the one person who could be relied on to tell the truth, no matter what the cost." Percy's face softened but the rest of The League seemed unmoved. Ariette's face was unreadable. Dewhurst shook his head.

"That was years ago. Can you honestly say she is the same person she was then?" Armand started to walk over to her. Unnerved, Ariette started to back away slowly. Armand abruptly stopped and turned back to the men.

"It is true, that much has changed. But I know, at heart, she is still the same. And I say it again, I trust her." Behind Armand's back, something seemed to break in Ariette's eyes. Almost instantly; it was replaced by a cool complacency, as if it had not been there. It was missed by all, but Percy.

Percy turned to the other men. "Well, what do we do boys? Should we go to Paris and then make our decision?"

Dewhurst sighed. "I will go along with whatever you decide." The rest of the men agreed.

Percy turned to Ariette and then looked back at his men. "Bring your disguises, boys. We set sail for France in two days!"

The following afternoon, Percy and Marguerite were touring the gardens.

"How long have you known her?" Percy asked his wife. Marguerite turned to him, knowing to whom he referred.

"Since she was a child." She smiled wryly as a thought occurred to her.

"What is it?" Percy asked.

"I was just thinking, that if certain sad events had not happened the way they did, I would have been Madame Mercy instead of Lady Blakeney."

"How is that?"

"Years ago, before the Revolution, I was engaged to Ariette's brother, Robért."

"I thought she did not have any family."

"She doesn't. They were all killed."

"How?" Percy asked her. They sat down on a bench.

It was in '89 just before it all started. Her parents, Antonin and Camille, were good friends with Chauvelin, and Armand and I. They were a family to us. They were such good people." Marguerite voice started to waiver. Percy put his arms around her.

"I am sorry, darling. If you don't want to talk about this . . . . ."

"No, it's all right," After a moment, Marguerite continued. "Chauvelin was organizing a march of the people. Ariette was fifteen then, and her parents and Robért felt she was far too young, so she stayed back with Armand and I. The gendarmes were out in full force, they were still loyal to Louis then. Her family was in front, leading the march. They were among the first to be killed."

"My God, the poor girl. But how did she end up with Chauvelin?"

"He felt guilty. She became his ward."

"How is it that I never heard of her until now."

"I never mentioned her because of Armand. Chauvelin has always been protective of her. I believe he just wanted to keep her safe. If none of his enemies knew of her, she would not be harmed, no matter what was done to him." Percy looked at his wife, guiltily. Marguerite shook her head. "Darling, I will say it again, his being in prison is not your doing! He brought it upon himself. He set the events in motion."

"Yes, but if I had known about the girl . . . ." Marguerite shook her head.

"All would have been forgiven?" Percy sighed.

"I don't know. He just does not seem to be the man I thought I knew." Marguerite took his arm.

"I know the feeling, my darling."

"You think us similar creatures then?" Marguerite scoffed at that.

"Certainly not Percy! You are two very different men."

"Are we now? We both kept secrets to protect those we love" To that however, Marguerite had no retort.

They stood up and headed back into the house. Marguerite held him tighter. "Percy, you will be careful."

"La! The Scarlet Pimpernel is always careful."

She shook her head. "Percy . . . . ." He kissed her on the cheek.

"Don't worry. I will return to you as soon as I can, and yes, I shall be very careful.

Just after sunrise the following day, The Day Dream set sail for the port in Calais. Percy was leaning against the railing at the bow, making adjustments on his disguise. Ariette walked over to him.

"Thank you for doing this, Sir Blakeney."

"I have not done anything yet, Mademoiselle." Ariette leaned against the railing and looked out at the sea. She stared at the water for a moment and then turned to look at him.

"Not yet but I do believe you will."

To be continued . . . . . . .

Part four to come soon. As always feedback is greatly appreciated, and may make the next chapter appear sooner. For those interested, my username on live journal is: colettebronte