Chapter 14
“I don’t like this whole arrangement,� Francis said, pacing as usual. “I will not allow my daughter to be put in such peril.�
“Uncle,� Adrienne asked, “What if I go in my sister’s place?�
Francis looked up at her. He began to protest until Danielle looked over at her. “I don’t think that will work, Adrienne. We don’t quite look the same and Rene could tell us apart.�
Gustave had been looking back and forth at the two of them. “The two of you look enough alike. If I can disguise the Baron de Ghent, I can disguise anyone. Adrienne, it just take a few brushstrokes and it’s done.�
“She has to be well protected though,� Alain chimed in. “We have to be very careful how we respond to his demands. le Fleur knows half the Royal Guardsmen by now and will recognize any of us in a minute. We need to surprise him. We need to send someone in that he doesn’t know, someone that he won’t recognize.�
Danielle looked from one to the other. “I can do it. I can disguise myself as a Guardsman and no one would recognize me.�
There was a long silence until the Queen’s voice answered her.
“We can’t take that chance, Danielle,� she said. “You knew him for such a long time.�
“Which is all the more reason we should,� Gustave said, standing up. “Do you realize how well Danielle can handle a sword? I think that she’s just as good as any man.� He looked at Danielle closely now. “Yes, I am sure I will be able to alter her appearance just a bit. No one will know recognize her when I have finished with her. And we will have to crop off some of that hair to make it all that more convincing.�
“Do you really think that this will work?� Francois said, looking at his wife.
“If Gustave thinks he can do it, then I all for it,� Adrienne said. “I don’t think that Rene would even guess who I am.�
“Then it is all settled,� Francis said. He turned to both Danielle and Adrienne who were standing next to each other.
“Just be careful the both of you,� he said.
Chapter 15
“Look at you, Danielle,� Gustave said, “If I didn’t know that it was you…�
Danielle stood looking at herself in the mirror. Gustave had done a fine job, she wouldn’t have recognized even herself. “You are a wonderful painter, Gustave,� she said, turning toward him. “Now we need someone to test this on.�
At that moment, the door opened. Adrienne entered with Francois by her side.
“Well, this is it, Gustave,� she said, showing off in one of Danielle’s gowns. “How do I look?�
“A lot like me, dear sister. Gustave did a fine job on both of us.�
Adrienne looked up and turned to the man standing by the mirror. “Danielle?� she gasped.
Danielle bowed. “At your service, Adrienne.�
Adrienne smiled. “I didn’t even recognize you. Look at you, just like a Guardsman.� She turned to Gustave. “You have done a fine job, cousin. All we have to do now,� she said, looking back at her sister, “is to convince Rene le Fleur and his henchmen.�
“I think that we will be able to,� Danielle said. “But we need others, Adrienne. We need someone to distract his men, keep him occupied, so to speak.�
“Hello,� a voice came from the doorway, “is anyone here? The door was open and I just thought that…�
“Marguerite,� Danielle said, smiling, walking over to meet her. “We have not seen each other in a long time. How have you been faring?�
Marguerite looked at this man. “A little confused, milord. I am wondering how you know my name, for I know not yours.�
Danielle smiled. “I am Guardsman Emil du Pres, at your service. I knew someone who had admired you. His name is Marc le Fleur and I wondered what has happened to him.�
“I am right here, du Pres,� another voice boomed from the door, “but you have greatly changed since I saw you last.�