I woke to the sound of a cockerel and the clashing of swords. I opened my eyes and the space on the bed next to me was empty. I got up and dressed and pulled on my boots and picked up my cloak and smiled as the ring on my finger caught the light.
I opened the door and found Captain Treville with Aramis leaning on the rail watching the sparing down below.
"Good morning gentlemen" they both looked around
"Good morning, Estelle or should that be the soon to be Countess de la Fere" Aramis grinned bowing his head and touching the brim of his hat to me; I felt my eyes get wide
"He told you?"
"Of course, he told us" Treville laughed "and we are more than happy that he has done the right thing; Now we must get to the palace"
"Where is Athos?"
"I sent him to the Palace with Porthos this morning. The king wished to hunt" But it also gives us the time we need to set things into place" he pushed off the rail "Excuse me I just need to gather my papers" I moved and stood next to Aramis
"Thank you" he said leaning his elbows on the rail as D'artaganan took the steps two at a time
"For what?" I frowned
"For making Athos as happy as he is" he turned his head and looked at me "None of us know much about you but we have all fallen in love with you, well not in the way that Athos has"
"I think he is meaning you are like a sister to us" D'artaganan chuckled "Estelle" I looked at him "May I offer my congratulations" he kissed my cheek
"Thank you, and I had lost a lot in my life before I came here, and I never expected to find a family" I put my hand on both of their arms "But I did"
"Are you ready for today?" Aramis asked as he offered me his arm and we headed for the stairs
"I am, I just want her to be gone" I gritted my teeth "I can handle the looks and comments from the Cardinal but that woman"
"She is a problem" Aramis nodded "But don't take too big of a risk around her and I hope that your acting skills are good"
"We are about to find out" I nodded "I hope yours are too"
D'artagnan helped me up onto my horse, I looked at my hand and took of my ring and held it out to him, he frowned at me.
"No one can know that Athos and I are to be married" D'artagnan took the ring "Give it to him to hold for me" he nodded
"Go right to the palace" Treville said coming over to me I nodded "Do not stop, you know the red guard are always looking for you" I pulled on the reins and kicked the horse on, and I headed out of the Garrison
"I do not like her going alone from here" Aramis said shaking his head
"I know; but it has to look like she is being coming between all of you as the Cardinal seems to think that she is a.." Aramis held up his hand
"Do not say the word because Estelle like Constance is far from it" He looked at Treville
"Well, I also hope that with the plan that we have it will also distance any thought or rumor of you and the Queen" D' Artagnan said standing close to Aramis. The three of them mounted their horses and started their journey to the palace.
My stomach was in knots as I saw groups of the Cardinals red guard walking around the palace. A groom came forward as I rode into the courtyard.
"Estelle" I looked around as the Queen walked toward me with Constance and her other ladies "I expected you to be here earlier"
"Forgive me Your Majesty" I curtseyed to her
I knew that Porthos and Athos had brought a message from Treville to the queen outlining the plans we had.
"What happened to delay you?" she lifted her chin as I stood up
"I disagreement that is all" I looked passed the Queen and caught sight of Milady leaning on a pillar
"With whom I want to know?" I looked down "Well"
"With Athos your Majesty"
"What disagreement could possibly have taken president over the Queen of France requesting your presence?" Constance asked
"It is personal"
"Excuse me your Majesty" Constance faced the Queen "May I be allowed to talk with Estelle, she seems upset"
"Very well" The Queen nodded "I expect both of you to attend to me this evening" Both Constance and I curtseyed. The Queen and her Ladies in waiting walked around us to take a walk in the garden even in the cold of the winter air"
"Have you lost your mind" Constance said looking at me "You do not turn up late" she took my arm and we walked into the Palace
"I'm still new to all of this life" we sat on chaise close to a roaring fire in the long gallery. Milady had followed the two of us but kept herself hidden.
"You said that you and Athos have argued" Constance held my hands "Estelle?" Okay I had to now turn it on like I was aiming to win an Oscar even if they wouldn't be around for another three hundred years.
"Athos got drunk last night and we fought" I sniffed
"But why?" Constance's brow furrowed
"He hasn't been himself since he saw the Kings mistress, I became upset, and Aramis comforted me"
"There is nothing wrong with that Aramis is your friend" She smiled nervously, I just looked up at her and her eyes grew wide "You and Aramis?" her voice rose "Oh dear lord Estelle" she got to her feet
"I know, but Athos and I... he never loved me; he told me that himself that there is only one woman he has ever loved and that was his wife
"But you took one of his friends, a man that he considers and you" she threw up her arms "Did you actually"
"Yes, Aramis took me in his bed" I put my head in my hands and sobbed. I heard the sound of quick footsteps and caught the flash of green fabric as Milady hurried from the hiding place.
YOU ARE READING
Lost in the pages
Ficción históricaHave 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...
