Another grunted. “Let’s have a look at our bird in the tower, shall we? Do you suppose she’s up and crying?”

They opened the hatch, taking turns peering into the room. Marie sat in the corner, face in her hands, her body shaking with sadness.

“Marie!” one of the men barked.

She turned from them. “Have you no shame? Leave me to my sorrows.”

Satisfied, the men returned to their cards down by the entrance.

***

The veiled woman kept up her subdued pace and regal stature across the dark square and down an alley to the next cross street. A carriage door opened for her, the footman bowing. “Lady Cavendish.”

She stumbled a bit as she climbed the steps, reaching for the footman’s outstretched hand. After the door closed, she lifted her skirts. “Marie-Thérèse, are you all right?”

“Yes, Mama,” a quiet voice answered. A young girl, small, emaciated, crawled out from under the gown and sat as closely as she could next to her mother on the carriage bench. Her tiny frame had crouched carefully and tightly to her mother’s legs so that she would not be noticed.

“You were so brave. I am proud of you, mon ange. Now, sit close and be so very quiet.”

The child nodded, brown eyes wide, her body trembling. Even at thirteen, she seemed young.

They rode through the streets of Paris, heading out and to the west. Simon handed over Scarlet’s papers without incident, Marie-Thérèse again hidden beneath the voluminous skirts.

Once they left the streets of Paris behind them, Marie Antoinette relaxed against the carriage seat cushions, and her daughter rested her head in her lap.

Their driver opened the hatch above. “We have a two-day journey in this carriage, Your Highness. We will stop as little as possible. A basket rests on the floor with food and drink. Might I suggest you use this time to get some rest?”

Her voice quavered. “Thank you, ever so much.”

“The Pimpernel will always do his best to see that innocents are saved. Your ship awaits at the port Le Havre. The Sally will sail at the earliest tide upon your arrival.”

“Where is our destination?”

“Maine, Your Highness. The family Clough is ready to receive you there.”

She nodded.

“And he has been purchasing up your things. I believe he even has your dressing table loaded on his ship, as well as your cats.”