Chapter 4 #2
Nodding his head in thanks for her intervention, Raphael continued. ‘The Marquis also had a very long reach when he chose to exercise it.
‘Let us consider the possibility that the attackers were looking for capital to further their ambitions - feasibly spanning both sides of the Channel - whilst ridding themselves of a potentially powerful adversary.’
‘How can you be sure that these men gained access to Montclair’s wealth?’
‘I was aware that the alleged cousin first appeared at Montclair in August 1808, almost immediately after d’Ansouis and Babin were freed.
The man has always maintained that the bulk of the Montclair fortune was lost, and I have no evidence to say otherwise - aside from the fact that the man appears to have lived quite comfortably since his sudden rise in fortune.
There had been no reason to investigate the matter further – until now. ’
‘But that doesn’t mean he’s involved in a damned conspiracy,’ Roan protested.
‘No, it doesn’t. But if he is truly a blood relative of Philippe Montclair, why has he never proclaimed himself the new Marquis? Certainly, no one else has come forward to lay a claim.
‘My suspicion is that he purposely continues with the role of caretaker. While he has no title, nothing is expected of him, and he’s able to remain in relative seclusion.
No one is asking any questions, and no one is paying any attention to his comings and goings.
In short, the man might as well be invisible. ’
Rafe paused and looked round at his audience. He could finally see understanding in the eyes of all.
There was every chance that the Revisionists were not finished but had gone underground to regroup. Babin had not been their leader – merely a lieutenant.
And finally, somebody high in the British government, possibly close to the King, could well be a traitor…
It was Henrietta who spoke first. ‘Could Tristan be in danger?’
‘Naturally the last thing the conspirators would want is for the heir to the Montclair title to suddenly appear, alive and well. Once they get wind of it, I think it a very distinct possibility they will immediately take whatever steps they deem necessary,’ Raphael answered truthfully.
Roan stood up abruptly and went over to the sideboard. Without asking, he poured four large and two small snifters of brandy. Handing both Faith and Henrietta one of the smaller ones, he murmured, ‘I believe this can quite legitimately be considered an emergency,’ in a dry undertone.
Naturally both the Reverend and Dougal were more than happy to indulge in a little restorative, with the worryingly silent Scot even smacking his lips. Flossy too made her partiality to a spot of brandy quite clear – her only uncertainty appeared to be which lap to beg in front of.
‘So, what do you think our course of action should be?’ Roan asked, finally sitting back down after handing Rafe the last glass. His eyes never left those of the Frenchman as he spoke, daring Raphael to suggest they stand down and leave matters to the authorities.
But Rafe had no intention of bringing in further outside assistance.
Unbeknown to his listeners, his speech was as much an internal clarification of the current situation and by the time he reached the end, he’d recognised that these people were almost the only ones he could trust – although he had to wonder about the strange Scot who was now busy eying the bottom of his brandy glass mournfully.
‘I think firstly we confirm Tristan is truly Philippe Montclair’s son and heir,’ he stated at length. ‘Once it is proven and acknowledged by the wider public, it will be much more difficult for the conspirators to rid themselves of him. To do that, we need to go to France.’
‘But what if you can’t prove it?’ Henrietta asked. ‘Would he not be better to continue to live as Tristan Bernart?’
Rafe looked properly at her for the first time since he’d entered the room. His eyes were unexpectedly compassionate, and Henri swallowed a sudden lump, guessing what he was about to say.
‘I do not think that’s an option,’ he responded. ‘As you say in England, the cat is out of the bag now. It will not take long for those in charge to put two and two together. Once they realise the lost heir is still alive, they will take steps to silence him – this time forever.’
‘But what if there is no ongoing conspiracy? What if Etienne Babin was simply the head of a group he created due to a deep-rooted hatred of the English?’ Roan countered. ‘At the end of the day, he had no idea of Tris’s real identity.’
‘You do not believe that any more than I do. Etienne Babin is a thug at heart, and my instinct is telling me that the man has been manipulated from the very beginning.’ Rafe swallowed the rest of his brandy and shook his head.
‘Are you a betting man Captain Carew? Are you willing to wager Tristan’s life, and possibly the lives of members of your family that you are right and I am wrong? ’
The silence was absolute until a sudden delighted chuckle. ‘Tatties o’wer the side an’ nae mistake,’ Dougal crowed when all eyes turned towards him. ‘Ah niver kenned for one wee minute we’d be sailing tae France, Augustus. So then, when are we off?’