A/N: First of all, I apologize for not updating sooner. I started a new job and then the holidays came up, and blah blah blah. Thanks so much to the people who have stayed with the story so far and enjoyed it. I really do appreciate all the feedback. I have to say everyone's criticism has been very constructive. And I realize I was unclear on many points when I first posted this story. I will be going back at some point and redoing the author's note to the first part.

This story was originally written in 1997, when my experience with our dear Pimpernel was limited to just the musical and the first novel. I have of course since then, read many of the books, including as has been pointed out, my favorite El Dorado. So yes, I am aware of Armand and Jeanne. This story is meant to take place just after the first book, and obviously incorporates the musical's ending. I have edited this story substantially. Will it incorporate future Pimpernel events? Well, you'll just have to read on to see. ;) Please keep the reviews coming, they are immensly helpful. Now, back to the regularly scheduled fanfic!

Part Four

It was close to midnight when the Day Dream pulled into the port at Calais. The men cautiously exited the boat. The port was empty except for the usual assortment of drunken fishermen.

Percy turned to the men. "Go the usual place. I shall meet you there later. I will accompany Mademoiselle Mercy to her home." Dewhurst shook his head.

"Percy, perhaps someone else should go with you just in case . . . . . . ." Ariette eyed him angrily.

"In case of what? Do you honestly think that I would turn him in?"

"As a matter of fact Mademoiselle, that is precisely what I believe." Dewhurst told her.

"Enough!" Percy told the pair. "Armand shall accompany us to Mademoiselle Mercy's home." He turned to Dewhurst. "Satisfied?" Dewhurst nodded.

The disguises Armand and Percy wore proved to be ingenious. Soldiers rarely stopped the trio. And even when they did, the soldiers checked only Ariette's papers. They were not suspicious of the priests that accompanied her.

It was close to five a.m. when they reached her flat. She had just put her key in the door, when a soldier approached them.

"Are you Citizen Ariette de Mercy?" He asked gruffly. Armand and Ariette jumped. Percy clutched his sword underneath his robe. Ariette turned around calmly.

"Can I help you with something, Citizen?" The soldier looked at the group with a cautious eye.

"You are traveling quite early this morning, aren't you?"

"Is it any of your concern?" Ariette asked.

"It is the concern of Citizen Robespierre." Ariette walked over to him.

"What does he want with me?" The soldier pulled a paper out of his jacket. He held it up and began to read.

"By the orders of Citizen Robespierre, you are to have dinner with him this evening. Promptly at six. A carriage will be sent for you at five-thirty." Ariette narrowed her eyes at the soldier.

"Will I be returning here or should I prepare to spend some time at The Bastille?" The soldier snickered.

"That is for Citizen Robespierre to decide." He laughed as he walked away.

"This is just wonderful!" Ariette muttered. Percy turned to her.

"Armand will stay here with you until you leave. I must meet with the others."

"What should I do about tonight?"she asked him. Percy smiled.

"You have to go of course. Don't worry. I have a plan!" With that, Percy was off, leaving two confused souls in his wake.

It was five o'clock that evening. Ariette sat at a small table in her kitchen whileArmand kept watch at the window.He softly cleared his throat. The hours of silence between them had finally become unbearable to him.

"What happened to Chauvelin's house? That was a palace compared to this." Ariette looked at him amused.

"What do you suppose happened when he was sent to prison? The Republic, or rather Robespierre, claimed his house and most of his possessions. I sold most of what I had just to purchase this place and buy passage to England."

"How is it that you weren't sent to prison?"

"That is a good question. I still haven't figured that out yet." Armand turned around to face her.

"I want to ask you something," he said nervously. Ariette suspected what was coming.

"Armand, I'm not in the mood to . . . ."

"Why didn't you come with us to England?"

"Please, I have to get ready."

"Just tell me. I won't say anything else about it. Please."

"All right,"she sighed. Armand sat down at the table.

"I didn't go with you because of Chauvelin." Armand narrowed his eyes.

"Chauvelin? Are you and he . . . .?"

"What? No! Armand!"

"Then why?"

"When my parents and Robért died, Chauvelin became my family, you know that. When you asked me to go with you, I had to choose between the boy I loved and the only family I had left." Armand looked confused. She took his hand. "If I asked you then to choose between Marguerite and me who would you have picked?" Armand took a deep breath and thought for a moment. His voice was soft as he spoke.

"I would have been torn to pieces trying to decide, but after a long debate I would have chosen Marguerite." Ariette nodded. He pulled his hand away and looked at his pocket watch. "You should get ready." She nodded and stood up. She headed for the door. "Wait!" He called to her. Ariette turned around. "Just one more thing, I have to ask about this."

"Yes?"

"You just said you loved me back then. How do you feel about me now?" Ariette looked at him, pained. What could she say? One thing came to mind.

"I . . . I need to get ready." She turned and fled the room.

To be continued . . . .

Part 5 shall be here forthwith. Much sooner than it took me this time to update, I promise.