“No talking.”

“Oh, come now. No harm in her knowing,” Enzo interceded. “We aren’t going to the prison straightaway.”

“We aren’t?”

“No. Seems you are wanted elsewhere first. Robespierre waits in a home nearby.”

Yes, they had mentioned. Fear tightened in her gut. He would recognize her as the Seamstress and all ability to reason or bargain with the man would be lost. Any connection with the prince would mean nothing. Another sound of a dove filled the alley near her to the right.

Stepping out of the shadows from their left, a young boy approached.

“Sir. Might I have some help, please?”

“Be on your way, lad. You have no business being out at this hour, and we’ve no time for you. Now, be off!”

Abelino burst into tears. “But I’m so hungry. Please, have you a bit of bread? My mama is near starving she is, expecting a baby.”

Scarlet found herself moved, even knowing she witnessed a deception. Such a clever lad. She waited, alert.

“Stop the racket, lad. Now, be off!”

Abelino only cried louder. Soon his sobs turned into wails, and he fell to a heap in front of them.

A group of people stepped into the light from the alley on their right.

“What’s this here?” A tall and bony woman moved forward at the head of the group. “What’s the matter, lad?”

A pause in the wailing brought a welcome quiet to the streets. He said, “He won’t give me no bread, he won’t. Not even for Ma. And I know he’s got blunt in those pockets of his.”

More people joined behind the woman, crowding.

The soldiers inched closer to each other, perspiration forming on Enzo’s forehead.

She searched the crowd. Except for Abelino, she didn’t recognize a single person.

He took to crying again. “I’m just so very hungry. Doesn’t anyone have a bite for my family to eat? Or a coin?”

A burly man stepped forward. “Come now, I think you should help the lad.”

Others pressed in behind him, their faces menacing.

Abelino opened his eyes wide, full of innocence and angst.

Scarlet turned her head downward, eyes searching the stone ground, hand over her mouth to stop the grin. This child was a natural for the stage; she should have employed him long ago.

The soldier fumbled about in his pockets. But as he patted down each one, he shrugged and said, “I don’t have anything to give you. Now, run along.”

A guard from the rear of their group called out, “Do you think it’s our job to feed you? You mangy lot. Go feed your own. Be off! We have important work to be doing.”

Abelino took to wailing again, even louder than before.

Scarlet shouted in dismay when the soldier’s backhand sent Abelino tumbling to the side, toward the crowd.

“I said, get out of our way.”