The only thing that I could think of to do at first was to help Marguerite to a cell where she could be somewhat comfortable. The only beds were piles of hay, but in her condition, it would have been better than a cold stone floor. Luckily one was waiting just nearby that was not taken yet and having unlocked the door, I rested Marguerite down before returning to it to bolt it shut.
Pressing her hand to her head, she spoke drowsily, "Where am I?"
"In as safe a haven that can be found in this hole, Lady Blakeney," I answered still speaking as Grappin. Shock would have done her no good, and I thought that revealing my identity so soon would have given her mind too much of a mental blow.
"You mean in a cell?"
"Well which sounds more comforting, milady?"
With a groan and a small laugh, she replied, "Your explanation, I guess." Tossing and turning on the hay and finally sitting up, she said what I figured was meant for only her ears. "I suppose sleep will not hold any advantages for me; might as well just stay awake."
"Far worse to keep your lovely eyes open, milady, I assure you," I said with a laugh and sitting beside her.
"You may be right, citizen, but I prefer the more hellish choice right now. The only thing that could comfort me at this moment is…my husband."
She would be happy to see me? "Really? In that case maybe…I could help you."
"Not meaning to offend you, citizen, but how could you help me with that? You do not even know Percy Blakeney."
"I bet you that I do!"
Rising and becoming surprisingly angry, Marguerite began to cry again. "Do you plan to torture me as well? As if Chauvelin was not worse enough, you would want to put me through this hell also? How dare you?!"
Following her to the window sill that she sat upon, looking through the bars that held her inside like a caged animal, I decided it was time to begin telling her the long awaited truth…but slowly for her sanity's sake. "Marguerite," I said in the Pimpernel voice that I had used on the bridge to get her full attention, and succeeding I might add! "Marguerite, did I not say that I knew your husband his entire life, even presently?"
Looking at me graciously, she exclaimed in a whisper. "Monsieur la Pimpernel! Oh thank le bon Dieu above!"
"We shall do that soon enough, milady, but right now, I must confide to you something about your husband that shall come as quite a shock."
"Oh monsieur after hearing your heavenly voice again, I believe that I can take anything!"
"Well, would you believe me if I told you that I know about your portrait that hangs in the parlor of your former home on the Rue de Richelieu?"
At this she groaned. "Monsieur, please no guessing games right now! Anyone could have seen that!"
"In that case, what about the picnic you had with your husband atop Notre Dame's right bell tower?"
"I thought that you said you were not a priest!" she asked beginning to eye me suspiciously.
"You are correct; I am not a priest."
"Monsieur I pray you get to the point!"
"One last thing! I think it shall tell you what I am trying to say."
Sighing with impatience, she looked back out the window. "I doubt that is possible, but what is it?"
"Would you believe me if I told you I know that…how to say this? That you and your husband…consummated your marriage the night before it occurred?"
I must have struck a nerve in her because the look she gave me could have matched the astonishment she was about to have tenfold! I could hardly keep from laughing!
"How do you know about that?! Percy would never tell anyone that story! The only way that you could know it was…"
I stopped her where she was. "Was to be him?"
"Yes!"
By then I had realized that I had no other choice but to give myself away. Talking in my normal voice, the one that Marguerite knew so well, and removing my wig and mask, I answered lovingly, "And that is exactly who I am, sweetheart. I guess that you have your wish to know who the Scarlet Pimpernel is, because he, your husband, sits before you now."
* * * * *
Had I known that telling her this would amaze her so much that she would faint, I honestly would not have said a word. For a moment Marguerite had actually frightened me, for she was never one to faint, let alone so easily! But I laughed as she finally did open her eyes, and they returned to their wide lengths.
"I must be dreaming! Chauvelin must have struck me far too hard!" she said quickly as I gathered her into my arms, walked to the hay, and sat down with her atop my lap.
"Well if this is a dream, then I pray it never ends!" I answered with a deep kiss to confirm that it was heavenly reality.
Pulling away for a moment, Marguerite stared at me as her disbelief decreased by the second. Gently, she began to caress my face and I in turn pressed her palms to my lips, savoring for the first time of a long time the love she offered. Having finished that, I looked up into her beautiful eyes that hid behind the film of tears ready to flow, and while she began to laugh and cry at the same time, our lips once again found each other as I pulled her down against the hay.
After some time of becoming reacquainted, Marguerite pushed up and away, resting her head breathlessly against my chest. "I can not believe that this is happening. Are you certain that we have not been taken to Heaven?"
I laughed as I rested one arm under my head, and the other pulled her body closer to mine. "Marguerite, I really think that if God had brought us home to Him that we would be in a better place. This hole is hardly my choice for an intimate moment with you my sweet but until Chauvelin let's us go, then I am afraid that we must stay here."
"But what if he does not do that?"
"Oh trust me he will. Once he thinks he has the Pimpernel, then no doubt we will be released," I assured her with a stroke of her hair that always seemed to calm her down. Then as I completed my plan in my head, I thought of something that I should have warned her earlier in its planning stages. "Marguerite, my darling, I need to ask you something."
"How could we have been such blind fools?"
"Well that also but I mean about tomorrow. I need your promise that whatever you see happen tomorrow night you will not take to heart. Things are not always as they appear."
"What do you mean? Is something going to happen to you?"
"For your sake, sweetheart, no it will not. However, I still want you to promise me that you will do nothing rash no matter what."
"Percy you are frightening me!"
"There is no need to be frightened, Marguerite; all I need is your promise."
"My fear shall not leave me until we are aboard DayDream on our way home, but I know I can trust you. For that reason, I promise."
"Good…and now…" I said pulling her to me once again. "We only have a little bit of time before I need you to sleep, and all I want to think about is your beauty, love, and the flavor of your kiss."
With that small laugh which continuously conquered my heart, Marguerite purred coyly, "I do not think that shall be much of a problem! Je t'adore, mon cher!"
I smiled at her lovingly. "As I love you, Marguerite, with all of my heart."
There was nothing more to be said, for the kiss to follow had told us everything. Our love was reborn in the intimacy created by the heat of the moment, and once this whole mission was over, I swore to myself that life would be just as we had always dreamed. It was ours to face together, and only an act of God could change our plans now.