The queen poured over the fabrics taking in each of them as the door opened and the sounds of noise came from the outer room as the King walked in wearing a huge fur cloak. His nose was red from being out in the cold and there was snow coating the large brimmed hat on his head. Everyone in the room dipped into curtsey's or bowed as he walked over to the Queen with a smile on his face.
"A successful trip my lord?" she smiled as he took her hands and kissed them
"Very, there shall be a feast" a movement by the door caught my eye as Athos walked in with the others "Even Treville bagged a boar" Captain Treville smiled even though they all looked chilled to the bone. "I must get out of these wet clothes" he kissed his wife's hands again "Treville we have the matter of the visit of the English envoy" he walked out Captain Treville and Athos followed him.
I frowned as the doors closed behind them. Aramis. Porthos and D'artaganan came over to Constance and I as the queen went back to looking at the material.
"Ladies" Porthos smiled
"You look soaked to the bone" I said looking at them all closely
"We are" D'artaganan nodded
"Where did Athos go?" I asked looking toward the door
"He is Treville's right hand so he normally attends certain meetings " Porthos said moving closer to the fireplace
"You look pretty today Constance" D'artaganan said with a smile making her flush "You too of course Estelle" he said quickly making Constance and I both laugh.
Constance moved sides leaving me standing by D'artaganan. I touched his arm and smiled at him as Bonacieux watched us
"Play along" Constance said under her breath making Porthos and Aramis look between us
"What?" D'artaganan looked puzzled as I looked up at him and batted my eyes in the best way I could "Estelle?"
"Just smile; I am taking suspicion from you and Constance" I said through my teeth as I smiled
"Not just a pretty face" Aramis laughed "Constance's husband needs not to have any other ideas of you two"
"Do not look so scared, Musketeer" I took his arm and we walked toward one of the windows "I don't want you; I see how you and Constance are"
"Well, that is good to know because I do not wish to upset Athos either" he laughed looking at me "Thank you; I appreciate it. I know that Constance will appreciate it as well" He squeezed my hands
"Well I have no family, so I suppose it's my way of trying to make a family" I shrugged he rubbed my upped arms
"You have a new family as long as you don't leave us again"
"I'm not planning on it. Constance and I are staying at the palace tonight; if that is of any use to you" I said looking over my shoulder to where the Queen was now talking with the Musketeers and Constance while Bonacieux was packing up the fabrics.
"It is Thank you" He nodded
"Estelle" Constance called out
"Excuse me" I stepped away from D'artaganan and over to Constance as the Queen walked out of the room with her lady's-in-waiting
"We can go to the Queens apartments when we are ready" Constance said as her husband came over. She lifted her chin and looked at him
"Do not do anything to embarrass me with the Queen" he said looking between the two of us "I will expect you home tomorrow"
"I'll be home when the Queen allows me to leave" Constance said quickly "I cannot tell her Majesty that you are more important than she is"
"Very well" he stalked out of the room
"D'artaganan knows where you will be tonight" I said as the two of us walked out and down a long elaborate corridor with windows on one side and portraits on the other
"Thank you, My husband was being quite crude about you and D'artaganan" She sighed
"It doesn't bother me, where I'm from people say things just to be mean" I sighed "how are you going to deal with this?"
"I don't know, I wasn't planning on falling in love with anyone" she hung her head "and then D'artaganan arrived and took my breath away"
"Nothing wrong with that" I laughed
"Ladies" Athos came from a doorway in front of us
"Athos" Constance smiled "I will see you in the Queens apartment which is through those doors there" She pointed further up the hallway; Athos touched the brim of his hat in acknowledgment as Constance carried on toward the queens apartment.
Athos took my hand and pulled me into a bay of one of the windows and put his hands on my waist. the dampness of his leathers gave off a manly smell
"I did not think to see you at the palace, It was a welcome surprise" he smiled at me
"Did you not have fun hunting?" he shook his head
"I do not enjoy sitting on my horse, whilst it is so cold and the snow is soaking into my bones" he said lifting his chin
"You should get out of these wet things and get into a tub of steaming hot water" I couldn't help but think of him sitting in a deep copper bath filled with hot water; I sighed and bit my lower lip
"Estelle' Athos waved his hand in front of my face
"Sorry my mind wandered away from me " I felt my face heat with embarrassment
"If you were not to be with the Queen; then maybe you could have filled the bath for me" his voice was low and raspy
"I could have" I nodded "I should go I don't think it is a good idea to keep the Queen of France waiting"
"No it isn't" he smiled, I moved away from him "Estelle" he pulled me back toward him and kissed me
"I might see you tonight?" I asked "D'artaganan is going to try to see Constance"
"Then I may have to accompany him" He kissed my hand and stepped away.
I looked down the corridor and saw the Cardinal Standing watching. I gathered the skirts of my dress and took a look from the window and saw Bonacieux looking up as he was about to get into his carriage. I groaned and made my way to the Queens apartments and knocked on the door.
YOU ARE READING
Lost in the pages
RomanceHave you ever got so lost in a book it's as if you were actually there. Estelle Bennett was left a little Old bookstore that used to belong to her grandmother, it was a place that Estelle had loved since being a child and her Grandmother had always...
