News From a Friend/Paul to the Rescue

He nodded "It would be Marguerite but I'm convinced Robespierre has spies in your Salon already. Spies that keep an eye and listen to every spoken word. There for I'm not needed for that. And if Robespierre wants my presence there he'll let me know" Recognizes the street and Paul knew it wasn't far anymore "but I'm convinced he wants me to get through all the work he handed me. So losing an afternoon and not doing my work might end up in me losing my head" Rubbed his forehead "A tough choice indeed" Deeply thought about it all

"Spies?" Marguerite said as she stopped and turned to face him. "Spies? He dares to send spies into my salon? Into my home? To ask guests of mine about what is discussed is one thing, even to send a representative is acceptable but he dares to send spies to my salon?"

Paul swallowed and took her face in his hands. Then stared closely in her eyes "Marguerite Robespierre has spies everywhere. So don't make a big deal out of it. Now come on" Lowered his hand to her back and motioned for her to continue walking "lets get you home" ...

"No Paul I can't let it go." Marguerite nearly snapped at him. "this isn't keeping an eye on me or checking out places I frequent, or who I talk to. This is coming into my home. This is taking advantage of me. This is, this is outragous that's what this is. Oh my god, spies what about all the times I step out, have they been in my room? Gone through my things? I can't have this especially with Armand there as well." Marguerite continued still fuming at the idea of spies in her home. "And I welcome them, I welcomed all of them into my home."

Pulled back his hands "Ok Marguerite" Scratched his head "Eum I understand your reaction. I feel exactly the same way but you had to have known this. I mean do you honestly think Robespierre would ignore such an opportunity. An opportunity to find out what the people think about him, his politics, his ideas? And why do you think that I hardly visit these places? Because it's dangerous but lets go inside and talk about it there or tomorrow, ok? Discussing this on the streets is dangerous too" Tried to get her moving again....

Marguerite shook her head and began to walk around a bit, just to move, "No, no, that's it, from now on, no more salons. I wanted my salon to be a place for people to discuss things freely and openly, not a place to be spied on."

Walked to her and stopped her from moving by taking hold of her arms "Relax dear. And don't close your salon. I'm not even sure he send spies to keep an eye on you or your salon. So just think about this calmly before you give it all up"

Marguerite shook of Paul's soft grip on her arms and stepped back again. "First you say there are spies, then you're not sure, and you expect me to stay calm through all this?" Marguerite shook her head, "I can't stay calm Paul, this is my home, this is the home I made for Armand, I can't take this lightly."

He took a step closer to her and reached for her hand "Marguerite lets go inside and discuss it there, please" Pleadingly he looked in her eyes..;

Marguerite looked at him and sighed. "It's late, and it's been a long day, Armand is probably waiting up." she said softly. "I should go in, good night Paul."

Paul bowed deeply and kissed her fingertips tenderly "Good night Marguerite and don't worry. I'll see what I can do for you" Lifted himself and gave her a smile "But don't close just yet. Many people enjoy your salon"

Marguerite sighed, "but how many of them enjoy the rewards for attending, how many enjoy telling the committee what they've heard."

He thought for a moment "Well I can try finding out if there are spies posted in your salon? But I doubt it'd help calm your nerves. Since those not working for the government aren't listen and anyone, even those not working for us, can act as a spy. So it wouldn't really matter, would it?"

Marguerite sighed, "anyone willing to participate in any sort of stimulating conversation is welcomed in my salon. Spies, of any sort, for anyone, are not." She paused and looked up at him. "Thank you Paul, for your offer."

Nodded to her "I'd do anything for you Marguerite. Just let me know and it's done, alright?" Smiled and squeezed the hand he was still holding "Now you better go inside and maybe I'll see you tomorrow" Backed up and slowly released her hand "Au revoir m'dear" Turned on his heels and started to walk away

"Paul," Marguerite called sweetly after him, "don't you want you coat back?" she said, noting she was still wearing his.

Turned to her "Oh..well eum keep it. Then I have an excuse to come back to you tomorrow" threw her a hand kiss "Bye Marguerite" and continued on his way.

"Seeing me, the woman who you confessed earlier this evening you love, isn't excuse enough for you to come this way?" Marguerite said coyly, "Besides, I wouldn't want you to get cold."

He should've known from before that she would say that and he sighed "Yes Marguerite you are but..t..that's not what I meant" Shook his head as he walked back "but you are right. Don't want to get sick now, do we?" He gently took the coat from her shoulders and put it on Then after kissing her lips softly he turned and walked away again....

Marguerite sighed as he walked away, leaning against the frame of the door to her building. She watched until he had turned the corner, only once out of sight did she enter her building.

Was busy rummaging through Marguerite Saint-Just' sitting room. Swiftly he flipped through papers and drawers looking for anything incriminating.....

Marguerite swiftly climbed the wooden steps to her flat. Sure Armand was by now asleep, she entered the flat. In the darkness she turned to close and lock the door behind her unaware that someone was in her sitting room.

Was so occupied with reading some papers he didn't hear the opening of the door and he just kept on reading...

Marguerite turned to see a bit of candlelight flickering under the entrance to the sitting room. It couldn't be Armand still up could it? She quietly stepped into the main room of the apartment.

Now he heard the footsteps and he blew out the candle. Then hid quickly behind one of the curtains and peered from behind it at the door. In his mind he cursed himself for still being here while she's back home....

Marguerite glanced in the room, but there was no candle. Perhaps just the light coming in through the window, the moon was unusually bright that night she thought to herself. She shrugged as she pulled off her shoes and turned her back to the hallway.

Removed the curtain a bit and furtively let his eyes wander through the room. Then they fell on Marguerite and he narrowed them so he could see better through the darkness. He watched her and then a thought formed in his head.

The spy hadn't found the information that was needed and failure wasn't accepted by his leader. He thought further. Maybe she knew what he needed and with that in his head he stepped out of his hiding spot and sneaked up behind Marguerite. When he was close enough he grabbed her and covered her mouth before she could scream. Then he silently closed the door with his foot and dragged her further in the room without causing much noise....

Marguerite was oblivous to another person in her apartment until a hand covered her mouth. She felt someone pull her back into the sitting room. She tried to kick but her socked feet made little sound, and she couldn't scream though as he dragged her into the other room Marguerite managed to bite the hand of the person holding her.

He winced silently "Aah" and as he pulled back his painful hand he turned her around and hit her with a clenched fist against her cheek. In a hushed tone "Don't ever do that again or.." Pulled back his coat a bit and revealed a knife hidden in his belt "I'm going to go slice that your dear brother's throat, understood?"

Marguerite nearly cried out in pain and the man slammed his fist into her face. She wanted to scream, but seeing the knife she kept her mouth shut. Trembling, she turned her head away, "there's little money or anything of much value, but take whatever you want, just leave him alone."

Grinned mischiviously "I'll think about that but first I need information from you"

Marguerite closed her eyes and whispered, "What, what kind of information?"

"About Martin D'Arcangelo" Grabbed her by the throat and pushed her towards a chair "Now tell me what you know about him and any other traitors you 'entertain' here in your eum 'Salon'" He choice his words to make it look like she was holding open a brothel...

"Citoyen D'Arcangelo?" she said, "Very little, he frequents the salon, but I rarely talk to him, he often joins other friends that come here. He works for the convention and as far as I know he's a good republician." Her neck in pain and her head throbbing, she hoped that was all he wanted, but doubted he would believe her.

Tightened his hold "A good republican hé? Right and who are these friends?" Was waiting for an answer but he had no patience and if she didn't answer soon he'd hit her again and again

Marguerite began to sob as the man tighten his grip around her body, the pain was so great she could barely think. "I . . . I don't know all of them. I know one's first name is Arnaud, I don't know his last name." Marguerite said, frantically trying to remember who else he often spoke too.

He paid no attention to her sobs. He just wanted answers and quickly. So he hit her with the back of his hand "Speak! Arnaud who? and who else? Talk now or" Took out the knife....

Marguerite trembled as she saw the knife. "Please, please, I don't know Arnaud's last name. I speak the truth. There's another, Gustave, but he's only come a few times. A Citoyen de Nerais as well, but I only really know them by name."

Moved the sharp tip of the knife closer to her eye "Give me more and think hard Citoyenne or you'll lose something"

Marguerite wanted to scream out, but kept her voice low, even as he put the knife near her eye. "That's it, he only socializes with a select few." Fighting to hold back tears, her breath had a harsh, suffering, tense pace. She was nearly chocking as she spoke, praying Armand didn't wake up. "I used to talk with Citoyen de Nerais, but I haven't seen him lately. Gustave and Arnaud only speak to each other and Martin, rarely to anyone else. That's all I can tell you."

Studied her facial expressions closely "Mhmm. What about the deputy Paul Déroulède? They came to your salon together once. Do they speak to each other? Exchange ideas" As he gave her time to speak he lessened his hold on her throat and removed the knife a bit "Well do you?"

Paul? oh my god, Paul! she thought to herself. "The Citoyen Deputy first came here with Paul, but that day he spoke to me the entire time, and left on his own. Citoyen Deroulede hasn't come with him since." She said, thankful he seemed to be pulling back a bit.

Smiled "Hmm. How about you?"

Marguerite was confused by his sudden change and odd question. "What . . . what about me?" she asked.

"Do you speak to this traitor or perhaps you're one yourself. Having this salon to spread your anti-revolutionary ideas. Invite our deputies here to poison their minds with crap about the aristocrats not deserving execution. Are you one of those? Or perhaps you do other" Looked her over and ran the knife across her chest "things to get them on your side, right Citoyenne Saint-Just" Grinned

Marguerite trembled more in anger then in fear and his knife brushed across the front of her dress. Her eyes widen and her voice took on a new, threatening tone, "How dare you, how dare you assume such a base thing of me."

The spy held the knife still at one of the buttons of her dress as he laughed gravely "Just look at yourself Citoyenne and you'll see the conclusion is quickly made" With the tip of the knife he played with the button of her dress as he spoke "because it's unlikely they come here simply to talk to you"

"Is that why you're here?" she sneered at him. Although she bit her tongue from going any further. The fact that he had a weapon already gave him an advantage, plus the addition of the fact that Armand was probably sound asleep in the next room. "I would never do such a thing, no matter what they may come here for."

He didn't like her attitude and hit her hard across the face "I'd calm down or you'll regret saying that" and in a tone of disbelief "and I'm sure you wouldn't Citoyenne" Held the knife pressed against her body as his eyes scanned the room...

Marguerite bit her lip to keep from screaming and waking Armand. She watched as he looked away from her and around her room. "What else do you want from me? I already told you everything I could about Martin."

Turned back to her and look piercingly in her eyes "What else do you have?" Stroked her body with the knife again "that's worth something"

"I already told you," she said, letting her eyes slowly follow the knife as he brought it across her body, "I don't have anything."

Slipped part of her dress of her shoulder and now is stroking bare skin with the knife. He slowly took it from her shoulder to her chest "Surely a whore as beautiful and sexy as you earns a lot of money here. So why don't you give it to me now hé. And I won't use your services" Chuckled

Marguerite closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. "I am an actress of modest means." She fought to keep the tears from running down her cheeks. "I am not and have never been anyone's whore, and I won't be yours either."

"Oh come dear. You were Chauvelin's, perhaps you're Déroulède's now and maybe later, the highlight of your career Robespierre" With these words he rips the top of her dress of until her waist "but now you're mine" Stared at her body.....

Marguerite couldn't hold back anymore. She let the tears drop from her eyes as she let a cry escape from her lips. Her arms, which had been hanging limp at her side, she brought up and crossed in front of her partially undressed body. "Take anything you want in the apartment, just leave me and my brother alone."

Removed her arms "You have a beautiful body Citoyenne. It's a shame to hide it" Moved her arms to her side and stroked her shoulders softly "And I'll leave your brother alone but not you"

When he got home he found a letter under his door which said his presence was needed in Rhiems. With a sigh he quickly went to bed since he had to leave early. Although the conversation he had with Marguerite before doesn't quite allow him to sleep. He laid in his bed and stared at the ceiling while possible thought of the future flew through his mind. Marguerite! Oh he had to let Marguerite know since he'd be gone for a few days. He gazed outside and wondered if it was appropriate to wake her at 6 in the morning....

The stranger moved her arms down but as soon as he took his hands off the immediatly crossed again in front of her. She closed her eyes and gave a slight, crying whimper as she felt him continue to try and touch her. The more he did, the more she would flinch and shake, just praying for it all to end soon.

He laughed at this pitiful attempt and took the knife to her corset. Then he grabbed hold of it and cut through the fabric with the knife. He also removed any other clothes she had on before stroking her bare chest with his hand and with the knife "You should be use to this dearie"

Marguerite began to cry as he ran his filthy hands over her, groping at her body. "Please," she begged, "why are you doing this to me. I told you what you wanted to know, I told you to take anything in the apartment you want." Marguerite shifted her body trying to move away from him and pulling her legs up in front of her body.

Her tears made him smile and he stared at her with piercing eyes "I'm doing as you said dear" Chuckled "taking everything in the apartment I want. Including you" Grabbed her arm and pulled her of the chair and to the ground. There he forced her down and laid on top of her. He moved his lips closer and was mere inches from her face while he took in the smell of her perfume

Decided to go anyway and with the caléche he gets there in minutes. He nodded to the coachman and ordered him to stay while he was going up to say au revoir to his beloved. Silently he walked up the stairs that lead to her door.

Marguerite couldn't take this anymore, without thinking of Armand she spit in the man's face and gave a grunt like scream as she tried to kick and push her way out form underneath his body.

As he approached her door he heard a scream and the last few steps he took two at a time. Then he knocked on her door anxiously "Marguerite!"

Hit Marguerite hard when she screamed but then the knocks startled him. Frantically he looked up and cursed "Bitch!" Hit her again before getting up and searching for an escape route. Which wasn't easy from a third floor apartment and no back door.

Marguerite let out another shriek as she watched his hand come down and hit her face. The force of the final hit caused her to blackout.

The spy had no choice. The front door was the only way out and he silently walked up to it. Then took a deep breath and swung it open so he could charge out with an incredible speed and force.

On his way down he ran over Paul and the deputy fell with his back against the wall. And if it was not for his fast reflexes he'd be rolling down the stairs. Paul shook his head. What happened? He didn't know but a stranger ran out of Marguerite's flat. A scream! A fear filled Paul's heart and he rushed inside her flat "Marguerite?" He walked slowly through the darkness and then he saw her. His mouth fell open of shock and he had to use the table as support or he'd be on the ground on his knees....

Marguerite heard a familiar voice call her name. She was cold and there was a throbbing pain in her head. She opened her eyes and realized that only a few torn scarps of clothes still attached and not hiding much of her body. She got on her knees and brought her hands in front of her and began to shake as she knelt on the floor of her sitting room.

For a moment he couldn't move but when he saw her shaking he swiftly grabbed a blanket from the couch and without looking he laid it over her shoulders. Then when she was covered up he knelt beside her and wrapped his arms around her trembling body. Softly he stroked her hair "God M..Marguerite..what happened?" He held her close to him, rubbing her arms to warm her

Marguerite began to lightly sob as she leaned into Paul. "He, he was here when I came home. He grabbed be from behind, and dragged me in here. I told him to take what ever he wanted, just to leave Armand alone. He wanted to know about Martin, about people that he talks to. I told him I didn't know Martin that well, or all of his friends. He kept hitting me, and moving that knife around. I didn't tell him enough but I told him to take anything, and he said he would, and he pushed my dress of my shoulders, and then, then he took the knife and ripped the rest of my clothes off, and he tried to, to touch me. I got angry and scared and I spit at him and he pushed me on the floor and I tried to fight him off but he hit me again, and I blacked out. I'm so scared Paul."

When she explained what happened his complexion became ashen and he tightened his comforting embrace. His primary concern was Marguerite right now but Martin was also in danger and he had to warn the boy..soon or it would be too late. Paul swallowed back a lump in his throat before he spoke "Shhh" Stroked her hair while he spoke and covered her better in the blanket "I know you are scared Marguerite but aslong as I'm here I promise no one will hurt you and I..I'll find out who's responsable for this and he'll pay for it dear. I swear by every God that he'll pay for it"

Marguerite continued to tremble, but more so from being cold then afraid now. She knew her current state of near undress may have been slightly embrasasing to Paul, but his embrace was so comforting she didn't want to move from it yet. "Why, why would he want to do something like that to me. He called me the awfullest things Paul. And he hit me, oh god how my head hurts Paul." she babbled on through her sobs.

With pain in his heart he looked in her eyes and shook his head slowly while he, after some hesitation, touched the bruises on her cheeks. "I don't know why dear. I wish I had the answer but I don't understand why people do such awful things to one and other" While he spoke he tried to keep his voice normal but the trembling in the words can be heard. Since he's so mad and upset that he can't hide it for her. Then he kissed her hair "Don't think of it right now. Lets just get you to bed. So you can rest and I'll look after you"

Marguerite's lips trembled as Paul turned her to look at him. She flinced as he took care to examine the bruises on her cheeks. As he suggested her going to bed she nodded and carefully stood up on shaking knees. She leaned on him for a bit of support as she looked in the direction of her room.

He followed her gaze and nodded. Then he noticed her shaking. Gently Paul put one arm around her waist and the other under her legs and lifted her off the ground "Hold on Marguerite" Started to carry her to the her bedroom...

Marguerite laid almost limply in Paul's arms as he lifted her. She managed to pull her head up to rest on his shoulder. "thank you Paul," she mumbled as he carried her out of the sitting room, "thank you so much."

He brushed his lips across her forehead and entered her bedroom. "No need in thanking me dear. I just did what anyone would do" Gave her a warm smile and walked up to the bed. Then he carefully laid her down on the mattress...

"He wouldn't" Marguerite said sourly. As he laid her down she moved the blanket in an attempt to cover herself. "What will you do now?"

"Forget him Marguerite. He'll regret even looking at you wrong" Looked away as he covered her completely with the blankets "I'll first get you a nightgown dear. Eum where do you.." looked around her room "put them?"

Marguerite nodded and looked at the dresser. "In the second draw.' She said, finally relaxing and letting her body sink into her warm blanket.

"Ok Marguerite" Goes to the drawer and searched through it for something nice "How is your head dear?" Found a nice one and turned around "Is this ok?" Showed it to her...

Marguerite nodded her head and tried to sit up, letting the blanket fall a bit from her shoulders as she reached one arm out for the gown. "My head still hurts. I suppose my eyes will be nice and swollen tomorrow."

When he saw the blanket slip of her shoulder he casted his eyes down and stared at the floor "I'll try to lessen the pain in a moment and I'll also get a doctor Marguerite but you might first want to get dressed" As he said these words he turned his back to her so she could...

Marguerite weakly took the gown, but fumbled to find the opening to slide it over her head, not that she thought she'd be able to lift it enough over her. Holding the blanket in front of her, she meekly asked, "Paul, can you help me?"

"Help? E..eum sure" He swallowed and turned around. Then he sat in front of her on the bed. Paul smiled at her and took hold of the nightgown. Carefully, so he doesn't hurt Marguerite he put it over her head and guided both her arms through. When she was covered he slightly pulled back the blanket so it could fall down. He stroked her cheek and wrapped the blanket around her body again "Need anything else dear?"

Marguerite felt much better now that she was clothed and was about to answer Paul when he touched her cheek. From the pain she pulled back and away from him. "Could you get my clothes from the other room. It's bad enough for Armand to know I was attacked, he doesn't have to know what else might have happened."

When she pulled back Paul saw it was from the pain but still he felt bad since he caused it by touching her cheek. Sadly he nodded "Alright Marguerite" He got up and watched her "I'll also be gone for a while. I'll go get a doctor for you. Now you just try and get some rest" Bowed his head "I'll be back soon dear" Walked towards the door...

"No," Marguerite groans, "No, please don't Paul, please just bring the clothes back. I don't want you to leave, what if he comes back?"

With a snap of the head he looked at her "Alright Marguerite" Motioned for her to calm down "Calm down dear. I..I'll just get your clothes. Be back soon" Quickly left and went to the dining room...

But what Paul didn't know was that the spy returned. He had noticed, from the moment he was outside, he had left something that could identify him in her flat. And somehow, someway he had to get back and with the knife in his hand he walked up the stairs again that lead to Marguerite's flat. Silently he tiptoed and entered the flat. Then goes back to the dining room.

On hands and knees he was searching for the ring he had lost but it was pitch dark and he had no luck. The spy kept searching frantically until he heard footsteps. He snapped up his head and looked around him "Merde!" He cursed to himself and hid behind the couch....

Marguerite smiled and sank one more into her warm blanket and soft cushions, waiting quietly for him to return to her.

Walked to where he found Marguerite and gathers the remains of her clothes. Then he saw something shine under the couch and he reached for it..

Cursed again when Paul found the ring and he had to get it before he laid eyes on it. With a leap he jumped from behind the couch and onto Paul. Paul was startled and he fell against the chair. But he quickly regained himself and fought with the spy in the darkness.

The spy was losing the struggle but he still had the knife and he sliced Paul in the arm. Paul lost the ring he had in his hand and cried out while reaching for his arm.

The spy grabbed the ring and after kicking the deputy a few times he ran away and left the flat. Paul winced and got up. His arm burned and the feel of blood worried him. "Oh dear" He stared at all the blood and looked in the direction of Marguerite's room. He hoped she hadn't heard a thing and took of his coat. He examined his wound closely and took his tri-colour so he could stop the blood loss....

Marguerite tried to sit up as she heard a loud thumping sound from the other room. She sat still listening for any other noise. when she didn't hear anything she settled down. Perhaps Paul bumped into something in the darkness she thought to herself.

The pain was horrible when he used his teeth to tighten the sash around his arm. He sighed. Paul had to make sure no blood could get through and definately make sure Marguerite didn't notice. Just a moment ago she mentioned him coming back and there he was. In her flat! Again! Paul got worried about this and put his coat back on. Then gathered her clothes and went to the kitchen.

There he soaked a cloth in cold water and returned to Marguerite's side. He smiled at her and started to dap her face with the cloth while laying her clothes next to the bed "Feel better?"

Marguerite simply nodded as he tended to her wounds. "I heard a noise," she whispered, "are you alright?"

Nodded at her reassuringly "Oh everything is alright. I just eum fell over a chair. So nothing to worry about dear." Kept his hurt arm next to him. He tried not to move it too much because that would only worsen the bleeding and he could already feel the sash was soaked. He closed his eyes to erase the pain from his mind before continuing dapping the wet cloth on Marguerite's bruises "I still think you should see a doctor Marguerite" Wanted to take her face in his hand so he could take better care of her cheeks but it was best he didn't and Paul tried to get it done with one hand.....

Marguerite shook her head, closing her eyes, "I just want to sleep now, maybe in the morning." she said weekly through a yawn.

"It is morning dear but it can wait. You need your rest and I'll leave you to it" He removed some hairs from her eyes and then kissed her forehead before tucking her in warmly "Sleep well and I'll come back tonight if you want Marguerite"

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