“Aye, aye. I’ll rally them straight away. Even those without a heart for rebellion won’t refuse if the alternative is starvation.”
“Excellent.” I rip an empty page from the back of Father’s grimoire, copy the recipe, and hand it off. “Étienne …” I turn to her husband. “Can you recruit your fellow fishermen to help us distribute the powder? And you”—I look to the haberdasher and milk maid, representing the merchants from Les Halles—“can you assemble carts to carry the powder? They need to look like those that come and go from the market.”
They nod and set off, and the pressure on my chest—which felt as crushing as an iron cauldron—lifts considerably. I steal a glance at Josse, and his enthusiastic smile makes my stomach dip. I quickly look away before my cheeks grow any hotter.
“We’ll begin spreading the word,” Gavril says, “so a crowd will be present to witness La Voisin’s treachery and our miraculous powder.”
“And I’ll scrounge up tunics and hats and such, to ensure we look like a proper vendor train,” Desgrez offers.
“And myself and the Marquis de Cessac shall lead the expedition,” Louis adds excitedly.
“Perfect,” I say.
But as soon as our allies are out the door, Josse turns to Louis and says, “Absolutely not.Youcannot lead us anywhere.”
His words echo around the shop, sharp as nails. Thankfully most of our allies are already down the street, but Ameline and Étienne stop and turn on the bottom step. All eyes lock on Josse, and Louis doesn’t just stare—he shoots daggers of fire. The air is so thick with tension, I can scarcely breathe.
Devil’s horns,not again. “This is no time to—”
Louis cuts me off, his voice a low growl. “Why not,brother?”
“It’s too great a risk, of course.” Josse gives a flippant wave of his hand. “You must stay hidden.”
“We both know you’re not concerned for my well-being. Which makes me think the risk is toyouandyour pride.You’re worried the people will forget you the moment they see me.”
“I’m worried you’ll foul up our carefully laid plans and ruin everything. I could lead the mission just as easily and far more effectively.”
“I disagree. In order for the greater plan to succeed, the people need to see me and nobles like Cessac defending them, fighting with them.”
Josse buries his hands in his hair and looks to me, begging me to jump to his defense, but I bite my lower lip and glance at Louis. It’s a risk to let him leave the safety of our hideouts, but we’ll be there to assist and protect him, and I do think it would be good for the people to see him engaged in their struggles. I don my most pleading expression. “Perhaps we should allow the dauphin this chance. I’ve been working closely with him this past week, and I think you’ll find he’s far more competent—”
“He doesn’t truly wish to help,” Josse interjects. “You don’t know him like I do.”
“I do wish to help,” Louis insists. “I’ve had time to think, to consider—”
“Yes, I know. I was trapped with you for weeks. I heard plenty of yourthoughtson our accommodations and the fare and the company, and none of it was helpful in the least.”
Louis lowers his chin and draws a ragged breath. “I haven’t complained in weeks. I’m trying to change. I want to be a better king. Help me do this, Josse.” He looks up at Josse with the most open and earnest expression. The closest a king could ever come to pleading.
I hold my breath, willing Josse to agree. Marie looks fit to burst with pride from where she sits with the girls off to the side. But Josse pulls his tricorne hat lower and turns his back to Louis. “I’m afraid that’s beyond me.”
Louis makes a pitiful sputtering noise. I press my lips tight and look up at the ceiling. What I really want to do is slap Josse hard across the face. All he had to do was give the tiniest fraction—Louis was willing to bridge the rest—but he couldn’t do it. Hewouldn’tdo it.
Damn the princeling and his pride.
The Marquis de Cessac glares at Josse, then places a hand on Louis’s shoulder. “Thankfully, we all have a say in this, and I say you lead.”
Josse whirls on the nobleman. “I saved your life!”
“Technically, she saved my life.” He nods to me. “And it sounds as if His Royal Highness assisted in making the antipoison. And Madame Royale delivered it… .”
“I took part in all of those things! And you’re still outnumbered at any rate.”
Ameline whisper-shouts from the bottom of the stairs. “I think the dauphin should lead.”
“As do I,” Marie calls from the corner. Anne and Françoise clap their agreement.
“And I.” Desgrez shrugs guiltily when Josse glares at him. “Sorry, mate. It’s for the best.”
