Musketeer's Daughter:Unanswered Riddle

Chapter 17: Confrontation

Marie stood red-faced, her blue eyes penetrating as her nostrils heaved. "You will be hanged, quartered, guillotined, gutted, burnt, racked," on she listed the many ways of torture as she removed Andrién's old uniform from Ysabeau's sweaty body. "How dare you leave as you had! You are lucky to not have been discovered!"

"Yes, Marie." Ysabeau forced her voice into a subservient tone, though she knew very well her maid could not see the grand smile upon her lips.

"Now I must bathe you-you reek of musketeer and how unbecoming that is when you dance with the King."

"The King," Ysabeau echoed, shivering against the sudden chill.

"Oui, the King! Have you forgotten already? Monsieur Andrién has brought you here to the châteaufor a very specific reason." Marie's hands were rough and pinching as she removed the clothing. "We do not have time for a full bath, but I must with what water we do have in the pitcher."

Ysabeau groaned. "But it is cold."

"And you deserve it."

"Yes, Marie."

"Now go sit and wait for me while I retrieve what is needed."

Ysabeau sat with a towel about her waist and bunched at her bosom, head bent and waiting. A sharp knock sounded and she stood, remembering Philippe's promise to check on her.

"And where do you think you are going? Sit back down, silly fille! You are naked and your head shaved like a sheep." Marie made her way through the other apartments, the door opening, and her soft voice replying.

As predicted, Philippe's rich voice reached Ysabeau's ear. He spoke loud and clear, meant for her.

"Too bad I cannot join you, but I will later this eve. Til then, mon belle."

Marie scurried back to Ysabeau, flushed. "The audacity of his likes! Musketeers believe they can take the lot and do whatever they will."

"Of course they do-they are celebrities among the court. Everyone vies for their attentions." The married lady in the gardens came to mind and she shivered.

"Ah, wait until I ply the water to your skin before you tremble so." Marie mumbled to herself the rest of the time, Ysabeau supposed to keep her humble. Ha! As if her ploy would work.

"Marie?" Ysabeau asked, fear becoming her once more with the simple thought of presenting herself as a lady among ladies. Among royalty.

"Oui?" she replied, fastening the corset with a grunt.

Ysabeau groaned, and struggled with breath. "Why can Andrién not be content with me quiet and tame at home? Why must he bring me here and have me be something I am not?"

Marie snorted as she fitted the pannier. "Quiet and tame, you say? You are a lady and he means to teach you your place, not this gallivanting fluff you insist upon. That is something you are not." Again, she muttered to herself, her hands not too gentle.

"Marie?" Ysabeau swallowed against the daring question that rose from her throat. She did not wait for the maid to answer. "If Andrién is so displeased with my being a musketeer, why did he then train me and instruct me to protect Marguerite? Protect her from what? From whom?"

Marie's hands stopped, her breath a shot of hot air on Ysabeau's neck. Usually, Ysabeau could not get so much as a blink from her, but this time, she gained more: her attention and stillness of breath. After several heart-pounding moments, Marie spoke. "Ysabeau, there are many deep and dark secrets he is involved with, much because of his duty to the King. Much could be for personal reasons that he will never share with anyone, is that clear?"