Lost in the pages

Cardinal

I struggled to get to my feet and backed away from them

"I know her... she's the Musketeers new pet" One of them walked around me "You can see why?"

"Please I just...: " I didn't see the hand that came slapping me hard across the face sending me sprawling to the floor in the dirty snow

"You weren't asked to talk. Women like you should only open their mouths for one thing" One of them hauled me to my feet "Maybe we should see why the Musketeers want you" he pushed me against the wall and started to pulled at the skirts of my dress. I screamed and tears streaked my cheeks as I struggled and received another slap to the face, I could taste my own blood.

"I think we take her to the Cardinal, He wanted to find out about her" One of the other Guards said

"Why should he have all the fun?"

"Get off her and we will take her to him, That's an order" The man pinning me moved and grabbed me roughly and my hands were shackled behind my back and I was marched through the streets. I had thought that the fear of earlier in the day when Aramis had sent me off on Hades; but it had nothing to the terror I was feeling now.

We rounded the end of the street and the Louvre Palace was in front of us, I was taken inside and walked up the steps the Athos and I a few hours before had left by

"Find the Cardinal" One of the Red Guards that had found me called out

We waited at the top of the stairs, I could still hear music coming from the ballroom, The Cardinal appeared from a side door and moved in front of me and lifted my chin making me look at him

"Interesting" he smiled a sickly smile "Why would Athos let you out of his bed"

"Go to hell" I snapped at him earning a third slap this time from the Cardinal himself I felt a trickle of bloody run down my cheek from the ruby ring of his finger.

"I think that you really need to be schooled by a man that can tame you" he sneered at me making me really want to throw up "Take her to..."

"CARDINAL RICHELIEU" his eyes grew wide at the sound of the Queens voice

"Majesty" He turned and bowed to her along with the four red guards

"Why is Estelle shackled and bleeding" I heard a gasp as Constance came over

"She was found via-ing for business in the street; so my Red Guard brought her to me" he seemed to bat his eyelids to her

"You will release her into my charge"

"But she is a..."

"I SAID RELEASE HER" the Queen stepped forward "Your guards were mistaken she was doing something for me"

"Really in the middle of the night?" he questioned her

"Yes Cardinal in the middle of the night because it was a message for Monsieur Bonacieux, and that is where Estelle happens to be living" she inhaled sharply "Release her now that is an order" the red guard looked at the Cardinal he nodded "Constance take Estelle to my apartments" The shackles we taken from my wrist and Constance put her arm around me and pulled me away from them. "You do not come near Estelle again she is under my protection" the Queen didn't wait for any response before she walked quickly away.

Constance sat me on a chair by the fire. I shivered from both the cold and shock setting in.

"Bring me brandy" the Queen called out to one of her Ladies in waiting. "and water and cloth" the lady curtseyed to her and hurried off

"Thank you" I said looking at her as Constance fetched a blanket and put it around my shoulders

"How did you happen to be detained by the Red guard? You were home with Athos" The Queen sat across from me

"Athos..." I choked on his name as the lady in waiting handed me brandy. Constance looked at the Queen

"Drink the brandy" the Queens voice was calm, I sank it in one hit and hissed at the burn of the alcohol "That is all ladies; Constance will attend to me tonight" the Queen said dismissing her ladies and the water and cloth was put next to me on a table. Constance dipped the cloth in the water and started to clean the blood from my cheek and lip

"Why were you away from the Garrison?" Constance asked 

"I was trying to find your home" I closed my eyes "Athos.. I said something that he didn't like and I had to leave" I opened my eyes and looked at her "I hoped for more and he can't give it"

"I can't understand him" Constance looked more than an little annoyed "And letting you into the streets at night"

"You shall stay here with Constance" The Queen stood up "I will have dresses sent for you" I got to my feet "And I shall speak with the King about the brutality's of the red guard"

"Thank you again your Majesty" she smiled at me

"I am in your debt for what you did for me; you risked your life" I lifted my skirts there was scratches on my thighs from the Guard trying to assault me. I unclipped the small pouch and note from my underskirts and held them out to the Queen "Thank you" she tipped out the contents of the pouch into her hand and inside was a beautiful pearl and ruby set of earrings, she swallowed hard "These were once my mothers"

'They are beautiful" Constance smiled at her "I will take Estelle to my room and come back and attend to you"

"There is no need" The Queen said touching Constance's shoulder "I will be fine by myself for tonight" we both curtseyed to her before walking out.

"What happened tonight" Constance asked as she closed the door

"I made a fool of myself. One of the red guard wanted to... he tried to force himself on me and I was slapped by them and then the Cardinal hit me before you and the Queen came along" I sat on the chair and put my head in my hands

"You're safe now and God will be the only one that can help those Guards when the Musketeers find out what they did to you" I looked up and shook my head

"They don't need to know... maybe it was too good to be true; I should have stayed at home"

"Estelle, you don't mean that, you are supposed to be here and in our lives" she smiled at me

"I told Athos I loved him" her smile got wider

"Well that's a good thing"

"No... no it isn't. He told me that he didn't know if he could love" her face fell "I'm sorry Constance, I am exhausted"

"Of course" she got up and fetched out a long white night gown "Maybe in the morning things will be better" she sounded like she was trying to convince herself"

I changed; my entire body hurt from the day of riding and the way it had been knocked around, there were bruises and scratches on my legs and knees. I crawled into one of the ornate beds and drew the covers up over me. I was so drained I couldn't even cry.