The women cursed and called and shouted at Olympe as she left. All those who would have supported her, not present.

***

Scarlet frowned. “Andrew, why would she not come? I told Olympe we could get her out. I explained clearly that her life was at risk.”

Andrew reached for her hand. “You said her last words denounced Robespierre, warned the citizens about him?”

She nodded. “Yes—bold words, but she could have lived and spoken many more words from England.”

“Maybe her work was not to be accomplished in England. Her plays, her essays and papers, all taught the people, showed them a better France. Even though she has gone, she is not silenced. Her words remain, and she died declaring her truths.”

Scarlet wiped a tear from her cheek. “What do I do with people who won’t be saved?”

Andrew pulled her into an embrace. “Ah, but Scarlet. It is not your work to save every soul—just some, just those you can. And this time, we have saved many, a cargo-hold full of merchants.”

She allowed a small smile and stepped away. “And what a rescue!”

“One of my favorites to date, I will admit. Shopkeepers shutting doors as if to sleep for the night, Robespierre’s men expecting that they sleep in anxious anticipation to hear dear Olympe.”

Scarlet grinned. “The merchants said they didn’t even stop as they entered their homes—just kept walking.”

Andrew swept his arm. “In the front door, out the back.”

“And off to our boat. With all those men watching their front.” Scarlet frowned. “I do believe the soldiers eventually watched the back doors as well, but we left before they got around to it.”

“So often it is just the same. The Pimpernel whisks people away from under the very nose of the committee. Rescuing some, in fact a good many, is better than none, is it not?”

She leaned into him once more, listening but not believing. Again, she saw the faces of her parents as their carriage drove away, heard the crying voice of her brother as he kicked shins, the Inquisition leaders frowning their disapproval. “It all seems so hopeless at times.”

“And you have saved a baker. Protected the wonderful French pastries from extinction.”

Scarlet smiled and moved toward the deck rail, wrapping a blanket farther around herself. The wind on deck started to pick up.

“What a relief it will be, to be home.” Andrew stopped himself from saying more.

Scarlet murmured, “If only home provided the comfort it should.” She longed and dreaded to see Matteo. How could she continue to survive this emotional nightmare?

“We will arrive in just enough time to attend the French nationals ball.” Andrew stared out over the strait. “Suzanne will be there.” He grinned.

She turned to him. “Is this an announcement of sorts? Have you something to tell me?”

He blushed. “Not yet. But perhaps. Perhaps soon.”