Musketeer's Daughter:Unanswered Riddle

Chapter 12: Better to be Obtus

Ysabeau lay curled upon her mattress until the sun painted dark shadows across her brocade walls. It had been many times Mathieu begged for her company, and many times she ignored him. How could he speak so forcibly to her? Had he not considered that losing a mère to abandonment was worse than to death? At least with death, he knew that his mère loved him.

It was not until Andrién announced his arrival home that she realized she had not breathed a full breath nor allowed her muscles to ease.

Their voices sounded within the house. Conversational, happy, cordial. Nothing that matched her silent, miserable, hostile self. She had hoped to hear them break out into arguments. She listened for any word of disloyalty on Mathieu’s part regarding their little disagreement, or her unwanted presence at Marguerite’s. Andrién would storm down the hall and break her door down.

She curled into a tighter ball with the hopes that Mathieu had not taken to heart her fury and remain loyal still.

Footfalls made their way toward her side of the house and she tensed. Judging by the length in stride and weight shifting, she knew them to belong to Andrién. All thought fled, replaced by cold, feral fear.

His knuckles grazed the door and she jumped. If only the blankets could cause her to vanish to a faraway land such as New France. “Ysabeau? May I come in? Mathieu tells you are feeling unwell.”

Though grateful for his silence, she despised Mathieu for his inconsiderate rudeness nonetheless.

“Ysabeau?”

Andrién had eyes that saw through her soul. How would she pretend she never visited her mère? Or intended to steal into his study? What Mathieu shared with her was now forever a great part of her and she could not undo it.

“Very well, I shall let you sleep for a while longer, but supper is nearly done and I want to speak with you concerning some important matters. You have read my letter, I presume?”

She buried her face into her down pillow, squeezing her eyes and mouth tight. Let him believe she was asleep. He would go away, leave her in peace. Oh, please!

Andrién’s breathy chuckle reached her ears. “I have a few nights here and then you are coming with me, mon bien-aimée fille. I shall see you in a few.”

Ysabeau lay there, staring at the small ceiling overhead; the floor to Mathieu’s bedchamber. It had been long enough that she hid herself. Better make an appearance before questions begin to fly.

With a groan, she climbed from bed and donned her best clothes. Perhaps her frock with apron? A shudder rippled up her back at the thought of her legs exposed to air and wearing hose beneath was not something she found joy in, either. She grimaced, and yanked the clothing from the armoire.

“Anything to divert Andrién’s suspicions.”

After tying the infernal knot at her back, as well as the ridiculous skullcap to hide her jagged locks, she peered through the open door. Warm, rich smells of her baked bread, and hearty beef stew swathed the air and she salivated.