Free Virtue and Vanity: Continuing Story of Desire and Duty by Ted Bader, Marilyn Bader Page B

changed. Each home or business they passed where people were gathered seemed abuzz with nervous energy and chatter. . . like the building of a storm.
    John stepped into one of the establishments and asked, “What is happening?”
    “Why should it matter to you British?” a man snarled.
    An older gentleman said, “Don’t take it out on those around you, Jacques.” Turning to John he said, “All of Paris is in an uproar over the King’s latest proclamation. It goes against the charter! He surely cannot do it! Take a copy of the Monitor with you. It might be safest, though, if you head home to read it.”                                                                      

 
     
    Chapter Ten
     
    “The King of France has done it,” Sir Thomas exclaimed to the seated members of the Staley and Darcy entourage.
    “What has Charles X gone and done now, dear?” Georgiana asked.
    “He has sharply limited freedom of the press, dissolved the deputy chamber and asked for an unprecedented third set of elections in one year.”
    Lady Staley stood with Sarah behind her and asked, “Shall I retire with the women and children?”
    “No, you need to hear about this emergency situation firsthand as we are all likely to be engulfed in it.”
    The ladies sat down as Anna climbed into Sarah’s lap and Edgar edged closer to his mother.
    “Why do you think he has made such a confrontational move?” Andrew asked.
    “It is clear he feel his power and prerogatives are slipping. . . however, this will likely make matters worse. I daresay, his moves are a gamble; he will either restore his power; or lose the throne; or worse, lose his head (like his grandfather).”
    “What is your forecast?” Andrew rejoined.
    “I don’t know for sure. The devil in these matters, just like war, is their unpredictable nature.”
     
    “What form of government do you think will emerge if the King loses?” asked Andrew. While the conversation was two-sided, all parties decided to listen to the discussion rather than interrupt.
    “A revival of the republic is possible; the Bonapartists have never been happy with the restoration of the Bourbons forced upon them by the allied powers. . . It makes my leg ache to think about the possibility of such an event.”
    Sarah observed that the evening was almost a briefing on the tumultuous events of Paris. She was always impressed with Sir Thomas’ way of including Georgiana, and often Sarah, in his world. She felt less frightened knowing his viewpoint was both experienced and logical. She also knew it was not often the case with husbands and hoped someday that her future husband, whomever it might be, would also be so inclusive.
     
    Three days later Sir Thomas ushered them in and motioned for them to be seated, “Thank you, Andrew and John for answering Edgar’s summons to visit me in my study.” He then returned to the door to close it.
    Sitting down, he continued, “I would like to request of you what I hope is a low risk mission for His Majesty’s government. I have no extra guards or couriers left as we are down to the minimum for the defense of the embassy.”
    “Your wish is our command,” John exclaimed with Andrew nodding in agreement.
    “As you are aware, the revolutionaries have blocked many, if not most, of the roads going in and out of Paris. Therefore, a carriage is out of the question and you will have to walk many miles to deliver a message.”
    “Yes, of course,” John said.
     
    “May we ask what the content of the message is?” Andrew asked.
    Sir Thomas paused for a moment, and then answered, “I suppose it will not protect you, as it might a soldier, to keep you ignorant of the contents. The situation for the King of France has deteriorated. It seems clear that Charles X can no longer be the monarch. From our reports, the royal troops have lost control of Paris and alternate forms of government are being