Lost in the pages

Why?

I walked back to Athos's room and opened the door. I bent to pick up a letter that had been pushed underneath the door. The flowing script on the front was elegant as I caught a whiff of a flowered scent of a women's perfume coming from it.

 I tuned it over and it was sealed with a dark green wax seal embossed with an oak tree and a crown over the top of it. Something gave me an uneasy feeling, I put it on the table and paced the floor before I picked up my cloak and put it on.

It felt like the walls were closing in around me, I just needed to get out and try to breath for a while. I lifted the bottom of my skirts and hurried down the stairs pulling up the hood on the cloak and making my way from the Garrison. I walked through the streets to get to the bridge that crossed the river to Notre Dame.

The sun was trying to push through the heavy winter sky that looked to be threatening more snow. People milled around inside of the Cathedral. A sense of calm washed over me as I walked along the edge of the building listening to the mournful chant of the Monks at Prayer.

A flash of red caught my eye as Cardinal Richelieu made his way toward the confessional but he veered to the right of it and disappeared behind a large stone pillar. A scent of Jasmine filled the air and Milady walked within a few feet of me her eyes forward and a look of determination on her face; she followed the Cardinal. Curiosity got the better of me and I moved to follow but making sure I kept hidden from view.

"I told you not to come to me" Cardinal snapped

"Well I want answers" she threw her arms out "I want to know who she is"

"You sound Jealous my dear" He all but chuckled

"So who is this Estelle woman?" I was slightly taken aback "Is she just some whore or is she something else. Is she with Athos?"

"I do not know who she is; I can't find out anything about her which is frustrating" he paced the floor his hands clasped behind his back "And as for Athos I believe that he has a fondness for her but there is also rummer of her and D'artagnan"

"So she could just be a whore; nothing more than someone to be passed around at the Garrison" Milady took deep breath almost of relief

"Maybe... But I am curious as to why you are so interested in Estelle; especially if it has something to do with Athos" Milady lifted her head and fixed him with a stare

"That is my business... I have a history with a certain Musketeer" she narrowed her eyes at the Cardinal

I felt almost sick at the tone, almost a sexual purring. I stepped back and turned on my heel, I had wanted to come here and clear my head but instead it was even more confused and full of a fog.

"Estelle... ESTELLE" I turned around at the sound of my name; I saw Porthos and D'artaganan. I walked toward them

"Is everything alright?" D'artaganan frowned "You look like you have seen a ghost"

"What... No It's just... Where is Athos?"

"He is going to be coming back to the garrison soon. He and Captain Treville were talking to the King about the upcoming birthday festivities for the Kings birthday" I wrung my hands

"I think we should take you back to wait for your Musketeer" Porthos offered me his arm "Has someone scared you?"

"I.... there is a woman that the Cardinal..." I stopped as Milady walked from Notre Dame and got into a waiting carriage

"Her?" D'artaganan said standing next to me; I nodded as the carriage drove passed us and Milady caught sight of us and our eyes met as time seemed to slow as she drew level, my hands gripped on to Porthos's arm

"I think she has something to do with Athos"

"Then let us go; the weather is about to take a turn. The three of us walked back to the Garrison. Hades was being brushed down in the middle of the courtyard. I looked up there was a light flickering in the small window of Athos's room.

"Let me speak to him first" I walked up the stairs and opened the door. "Athos?"

He was leaning on the mantle in one hand he held the now open letter while his other hand cradled his forehead. I closed the door and unclipped my cloak before putting over the back of a chair.

"Athos" I put my hand on his shoulder

"Where were you?" he asked his voice sounded rough and almost strangled

"I needed to clear my head a little; I walked to Notre Dame" I dropped my hand, he turned his head and looked at me. "What's wrong..." I glanced at the letter "There is a woman asking about you and me" I walked away from him and sat down "She scares me" he pushed off of the fireplace

"Promise me that you will not leave the Garrison alone again?" he almost snapped before he sat across from me

"Why?" I frowned at him "Athos what is going on?"

"I received this?" he held out the letter to me

"I know it was pushed under the door. I was the one that put it on the table" I took the letter and the scent of Jasmin came from it and an image of Milady came into my head

"Read it"

My dearest Husband,

How I have wondered and searched for the Count de la Fere and I never dreamt to have found him as a lowly soldier; living in a room over stables. How the mighty have fallen, but then I was probably the last person you were thinking that would be here in Paris.

I carry the scars of what you tried to do with me. The scars of the rope that you put round my neck. I loved you and you loved me and no woman can ever come close in your heart .

 No woman would ever make you feel the way I could make you feel, I was the woman that made you a man Athos and you chose turn your back on me, to have me killed.

I will never forgive you for what you did, I will have my revenge on you.

Your wife

Anne Countess de la Fere