Another French soldier who had been standing several feet behind them stepped forward. “You mock him, but you should not. His thirst consumes him. Never satisfied, he has doggedly decided that all the guillotine deaths are insufficient. He will keep trapping the unworthy, seeking out those who would stand in his way until every drop of aristocratic blood, every dissenter, every dirty spec in our homeland is annihilated.” The man stepped nearer.

She could smell his sweat and weak attempt to use soap.

“And what’s more, he is fixated, completely distracted by the filth of two people. I have heard him say that France will only truly be cleansed when the blood of these two men has been spilt.”

Scarlet stilled her features and stared blankly at the soldier.

A thirsty gleam appeared in his eye as he said, “And would you like to know whose?”

Scarlet shook her head and was about to decline, when he interrupted, “The blood of the Pimpernel and Matteo Durand.”

Clutching a drink in her hand, she willed her hands not to tremor. “Oh, soldier. All this talk of blood and pastries has quite worn me out. I do believe I need a refill of our fine lemonade. What say you? Would you care for another as well?”

The soldier stared at her with stony eyes and shook his head. “No.”

She turned from him and made her way to the lemonade and Andrew. There, she turned her body to face the room and announced, “Ah, my dear guests. We are so glad you have come. It is these conversations that need to keep happening. I daresay, we have so much to share, so many fashion secrets to divulge. Why, the very manner in which you weave your lovely fabrics . . .” She laughed. “But I digress, and I fear I shall lose the attention of every man in the room. I thank you, my dears, for coming. We set sail for England in the morn, but upon our return, we shall have another party, oui?”

Those nearest clapped politely and nodded their heads in agreement.

She raised her lemonade. “Wonderful! It is decided then. We will spread the word when next we arrive, and we hope that you all will join us.” She turned from them to place her cup on the table. In an undertone she said, “I am glad you are well.”

Andrew nodded. “Not nearly as glad as I am. Brilliant escape, if I do say so myself.”

Scarlet grinned. “Of course you would say so. You were involved in it, were you not?”

Andrew smiled. “Naturally. Though it is a pity.”

Scarlet tilted her head in question. “Oh?”

“Why, yes. Only one of my fine captors was able to make it to the party.” Andrew looked down at her with lidded eyes and then winked.

Scarlet laughed, some of her tension leaving. “Perhaps they were a bit tied up?”