Beyond a Doubt - By Felicia Rogers Page 0,71

to the couch and stared into the fire. They had neglected to discuss the plans for tomorrow. What was there to say? They would simply catch the Admiral before he stood upon the platform and tell him that making the announcement would put him in danger.

After they averted the threat, and had Charles arrested, Bryce would take Lucy home to Cameron lands.

Bryce stretched upon the floor. Worry set aside, he relied on God to ensure everything worked out

Nothing would get in their way; he was sure of it. With the help of God, the plan would be foolproof.

Chapter Fifty-Three

The plan was not foolproof. Everything was going wrong.

“Bryce, this won’t work.”

“Why not?”

“Because you don’t know the city. Because you aren’t known or trusted. Because they know who I am, not you.”

“All I need to do is give them the fan.”

“No, that is not all. Besides, you will never get that close to the Admiral.”

“But Monsieur Broussard knows me.”

Lucy gnawed her lip. All morning she’d given excuse after excuse as to why she should be the one to deliver the message. Every argument she’d given, Bryce had refuted. They’d been at it for hours.

“Bryce, our time is running out.”

“Aye, ye are correct. This must mean we are going together.”

“Bryce, I—“

“Ye don’t want my help, I know. Ye want me to return to my sheep and leave ye to sacrifice yerself for mankind. But fact is, I am here and I care too much for ye to let ye go alone. So grab yer fan and let’s be on our way.”

Finally, Lucy had no argument left. Together they hailed a hackney. They appeared as any other French couple out on a ride. Lucy smiled lovingly and Bryce patted her arm affectionately. They stared into one another’s eyes, lost in each other’s company.

When the carriage came to a sudden halt, both acted irritated at the interruption to their moment of love.

“I’m sorry but I can’t go any further. The road ahead is congested.”

Bryce paid the man and they left the hackney, moving on to fulfill their destiny. Once upon the cobbled streets, they followed the crowd toward a grassy area with a large platform in the middle.

Tension gripped Lucy, and Bryce pulled her closer to his side. He whispered to her, “I’m here with ye. We will do this together.”

His words caused her to relax, but with each step she reverted back. Fear and worry had her leaning more and more upon him. Lucy started to panic as they closed in on the platform.

“We’ll never reach him in time. Look at all these people!”

“Follow me.”

They moved around the edge of the crowd. A group of people climbed onto the platform.

Jean Broussard walked close by the Admiral’s side. He shook hands, kissed babies, and hugged young women. With Admiral Coligny’s first step onto the platform, the crowd roared. He stopped and raised his hands to garner silence.

Bryce and Lucy pushed harder. Elbows hit their ribs. Heels kicked their shins. People complained as they wedged themselves through the crowd.

Finally they reached the edge. Pressed hard on all sides, they looked around for an opening. Neither Jean nor the Admiral were close enough to talk to them. The Admiral made his way to a wooden stand in the middle of the platform. Everyone except the Admiral smiled.

As Bryce studied the crowd, a man caught his eye. Some familiarity caused Bryce to study him further.

Then he saw it. The man lifted his arm and a knife glinted in the sunlight. One flick of Charles Dubois’ wrist and the Admiral would be no more.

Without thought Bryce leapt with one bound onto the stage. The Admiral was underneath him on the ground as the knife sailed over their heads and embedded itself in a tree.

Before the Admiral was righted, soldiers seized Charles Dubois. Gustav led the detachment of soldiers taking him into custody. Charles ranted and raved that they’d found the wrong man.

Jean Broussard rushed to Bryce and his friend. He gave thanks as they were escorted away. Lucy was stuck amidst a wild crowd. Pressed against the stage, she looked as if her eyes would pop from her head.

Bryce escaped from Jean and rushed back to her. He lifted his hands high, and pulled her up alongside him. Soon Jean ushered them both away.

The hurry and mad dash didn’t end until a hackney delivered them all to the Broussard home.

Once everyone settled inside, Lucy’s hands fluttered over Bryce's body, looking for injuries. He smiled at her loving fretting.

He drew