Broken Legacy (Secret Lives Series) (22 page)

“It is well guarded. I have not been allowed to roam freely. I could not even begin to formulate an escape, especially with the children. Our best opportunity will come when he comes for his answer. If he believes that you are willing to go through with his plan, he will have you escorted in some manner to the courthouse. I believe he will also have the children moved to another location. It would be the time to make a move.”

The strain of the long day and night showed in her face. Her features were drawn and tight, her eyes downcast as she tried to think of a solution to the problem they faced.

“Lady Lenister?”

A startled look came at the use of her name. At that moment, she had quite forgotten it was her name. Here in this room…in this city…it seemed a world away. “Eloise, please. I don’t believe there is a need for formalities,” she said solemnly. Biting her lip in a nervous habit from her youth, she hesitated before she continued. “You are close to my husband. I mean
, he trusts you.”

“We are as brothers,” Seamus acknowledged. “I would die for him
, if that is what you are asking, as he would for me.” His voice trailed off. He eyed her curiously. “I am unsure what you know of his youth, but he was raised on an estate north of Limerick in Ireland. Never will you find a more beautiful place in this world. Luscious and green as the eyes can see. Killashare is his now from his mother’s side.

“
When Gerard was around three, his mother, Lady Aileen, returned to her home. Lady Aileen was the sole heiress to one of the barons of the Irish Exchequer. Gerard’s grandfather, Lord Lenister, wasn’t pleased that Gerard was taken to Ireland, but Gerard wasn’t the heir apparent to his English title at the time.

“Lady Aileen could take no more of the English hospitality. Stubborn lot we Irish are. She disregarded the old
earl’s wishes and brought Gerard to be raised among his kin. My mother was a cousin of Gerard’s mother. I was the youngest of twelve. I’m not sure if Lady Aileen wanted a companion for Gerard, but we became inseparable. To the point Gerard bought my commission in the army.”

“So you
know this Miranda,” Eloise said and bowed her head, not wanting Seamus to see the emotions that the thought evoked within her. “Gerard must have loved her well.”

Seamus
said nothing for a long moment and rubbed his chin in thought. He shook his head. “Doesn’t seem right to talk about her to you, but I suppose you have a right to know the whole of the story.”

“Don’t feel you are betraying my
husband. He has only told me the story of his children, but I can surmise that he must have loved her greatly. One doesn’t whisk a woman away from an abusive husband, causing a great scandal, on a whim,” Eloise observed. “I will confess I am curious. I trust my husband, Seamus. He is a man of his word. On that I do not question, but having met the woman in question…she is extremely beautiful.”

“Exquisite, some would say,” Seamus agreed. “It would do no good to admit at this point but the truth. I would say that Gerard was deeply enamored, but it was a love born of youth and illusion. Gerard saw a woman he believed her to be, not the woman she was. His illusion was broken, my lady, if you have any doubt.

“I will not lie. Gerard will do all he can to seek her release also, but it is because she is the mother of his children and his loyalty to her father. If you are wondering if he wants to rekindle an old flame, it is only he that can answer that truthfully. I can tell you I do not believe that is the reason behind this attempted rescue. I only know he would move heaven and earth to save his children.”

“Even marry a woman of questionable character?”

Eloise’s words hung in the air. Seamus shrugged, but a slight smile formed on his lips. “If you allow me to continue to be upfront and honest, I was dead set against him marrying you. It was for many reasons. None now matter. I was wrong, my lady.”

Seamus fell silent
, contemplating his next words. He stepped back to the window and glanced out, and then back at Eloise. “I have observed much in my life. Gerard and I have seen many a battle and we have gone on missions that I never thought we would survive. In our youth, we believed ourselves to be invincible, brave and true. Over time, our exuberance faded, replace with the harsh reality of the world around us.

“I have learned that there are t
hree types of people in the world: those who seek self-gratification, those who exist, and those who exhibit altruism. There are two extremes—those who take what they want without a thought of another and those who will sacrifice all for the betterment of those around them. I have seen young soldiers lay their lives down for a belief in a cause…loyalty, honor, and duty. Most names to be forgotten even before they are even removed from the fields that they gave their lives upon. Willingly giving themselves to better mankind.

“Then you have the others…those
who sit back and take the sacrifices made. Yet never willing to make any themselves. I have seen these people sit upon a pedestal and judge others on deeds that they have never faced or never acknowledged. Feeling righteous and indignant, they will readily condemn others. Falsified virtue. Destroying others upon their paths to better themselves.

“It is how I see how you have been treated, Eloise
.” He emphasized her name. “You have given me a great gift by allowing me to be considered a friend. Trust me to find a way to get to Gerard…”

“I do trust you, Seamus
.” Eloise gave Seamus a faint smile. “It is why I will tell you now my plan for getting the children out safely. You forget I am in the midst of a network that works towards only one mission—saving the children from a deadly fate. I realize that the network has been compromised, but I don’t believe we have another choice to survive this, but to take a chance that all within Paris is secure,” she said cautiously.

“I will…”

“Seamus,” she interrupted him. They didn’t have time to waste. “We both know that there is only one way to save the children. Play Giarden’s game. I have thought long and hard about all of it. I have no choice. You do. We both know that Giarden will not hold to his word when it comes to simply letting Gerard leave Paris.”

She took a deep breath and swallowed. “We have two scenarios, but both depend on Giarden believing that I am being compliant. You may only have a brief opportunity. Do not hesitate. The way I see it
, your opportunity will come while I am at the courthouse. If you are not allowed to accompany me, then after I leave, ask for a Citizen Jacques Fabro.

“He serves one on the Tribunal. Tell him it has to do with his daughter, Annette. He will come. Use these exact words,
Je détiens des informations sur votre fille, Annette. Tel un bel enfant, elle était plus que rosebud floraison.
It is code so no one else will understand except him...Citizen Fabro understands the position he is in
. The network moved his son’s family right before they were to be arrested. He has pledged his support if the time arose. It has come.

“But if you are allowed to accompany us, then be prepared to be moved swiftly. I have confidence that all will be arranged for you and the children.”

Seamus nodded. “Who should I expect?”

Eloise’s gaze fixed upon his. “When we began smuggling children and other victims out, it was done to save my
daughter. It had been my hope that she survived, but she would have been trapped with the family of de Mortiere. It was my only hope to rescue her. Andre and I set up the escape route, but we had not the resources to reach out to find out where the family may have gone. All was so chaotic. But there was one who desired to find Rosabel as much as I. She held a connection to the person we both loved.

“I have given you my trust, but now I put another’s life in your hands. Now you know that the
White Rose
is not one person, but three. The third will be your salvation…Marc Pierre.”

Lady Eloise
Lenister, now known as Citizeness Ashwin, was escorted up the long flight of stairs of the courthouse. She followed the guards quietly up a narrow spiral staircase and into a small, empty room. The door closed and she was left alone to reflect on her thoughts until the time would come she would be called to testify.

Gairden had called early upon her that morning
, confident the outcome of his request was never in doubt. The man only seemed concerned about her testimony and met with her for an extended period.

“Your testimony will be quick and concise. You will not have time for more. Talk loud and clear. Do not stutter or hesitate,” he warned. “And for Hade
’s sake! Hold your head high. I do not want you looking like one of the condemned!”

Gairden hammered into her his version of her life. To her astonishment, he recited her history better than she knew it herself
...except her first marriage—that he did not seem to know…yet.

Giarden
did not veer from the truth, but had her convey it in such a way to weld the most hatred toward the reviled aristocrats. The man understood the atmosphere of terror that fused the mob and warned her of the consequences if his wishes weren’t followed. Her courage was so challenged that it brought welling tears, but it was Gairden’s mistake to take it for a weakness—deep sadness, without question, deep sadness, but not weakness.

To her elation, Seamus and the children were transported with her to the courthouse. She comprehended well the intent on Gairden’s part. La Conciergerie prison sat next to the courthouse and housed condemned prisoners awaiting the guillotine. If she disobeyed Gairden’s instructions, she would find her last night on earth within those walls along with the others.

With the children accompanying her to the courthouse, it gave to Marc Pierre access and that would mean freedom. It would be all he needed to aid in the flight to freedom of the children, but she herself was under no illusion. Despite her brave words to Seamus, she had no escape plan for herself. She could not and lay open the gates for their getaway.

She understood the whole of the trial process was
swift. Most of the condemned barely uttered a defense, for in the eyes of the jury there was no defense for their crime. She heard it whispered as she was being escorted into this room that the court the day before had heard thirty-five cases in less than two and a half hours, all guilty. All would be dead before the sunset this day.

In the midst of her fluttering thoughts, the sound of footsteps stopped in front of her door. Keys rattled the lock and it opened. Relief flooded her. It was Marc
Pierre, dressed in his balgoon uniform, the feathered hat and ribbon beneath his waistcoat. She had seen him dressed many times in his uniform as he was this day, but at this moment he had never looked so ominous.

He stepped
into the room and closed the door behind him. She gave him a brief smile and willed herself not to lose control of her emotions.

“
I walk into the courthouse to discover that you are set to testify! Taken completely by surprise. I told you, Eloise. I told you. We do not have much time…Eloise….” He stopped and turned from her.

She walked around him. His eyes misted. She had only seen
him one other time cry—the day he told her about Rosabel’s death. She reached over and took his hand. “Do not do this to me, my brother. I cannot do what I must if you do.”

Suddenly
, he grasped her arms. Squeezing ever so tightly, he pulled her up to see her eyes. “Why did you not listen? Why did you not heed my warning? Why could you not have stayed within England…safe!”

“You know the pull within me. How could you ask me such a thing? You who have known me since I was a small
 child.”

“No,” he said lowly. “But now. What are you
to do? You know he is serious…”

“In that I have no doubt,” she said solemnly,
pressing her lips together. “I will do what I must, but Marc, I need your promise. Swear upon your brother’s soul.”

He released his grip upon her arm and stared at her intensely. “If it is
all within my reach, I give you my word.”

Her teeth bit her lip
, trying desperately to say the words needed. “Gerard…Lord Lenister, he will need…he won’t….” She drew in a deep breath, her eyes glued on the door. She was taking too long. “I don’t trust Gairden. He promised that all would be allowed safe passage back. See to it yourself. That is what I ask.”

“What
of yourself?” Marc Pierre uttered between his teeth. “What did he say about you? What will become of you?”

“It does not matter, Marc. I know what must be done. Only promise me. I
have to know…I have to know all will be as it should. If I do as I must, I have to know, to have peace…”

“
Gawd, Eloise, what do you have planned? He will kill you…” His words were said for her ears only, but it was as they were sounded from the highest tower.

She
asked stoically, “Do you think I fear death?” She reached over and touched his face. “Promise me. Give me your word. The children…”

He looked away from her. “It has always been
children. Hasn’t it? Go! Do what you must! You have my word.”