Constance took a deep breath and smoothed her hands over her skirts before coming over to me.
"I think we need a drink after that" she said pulling me to my feet. I wiped my eyes on the heels of my hands. She led me to the Queens apartments and closed the doors behind us. "Do you think she believed us?" she handed me a cup of wine
"With the way she ran, I would think she did" I nodded
"I can't believe that Athos liked any part of this plan" Constance sat next to me
"Oh, he didn't" I smiled "but this is to make sure that woman doesn't come between the King and Queen, and she doesn't come between Athos and I" I looked at Constance "And I didn't lie to the Queen; Athos and I did have a disagreement, but it ended up with him asking me to marry him" Constance began to choke on her wine I smiled and banged her one the back.
"I am so happy for you and for Athos" Constance hugged me.
"I am but I will be happier if we can get Milady out of our lives". I got up and walked to the window and looked down as Aramis, D'artagnan and Captain Treville rode up to the Palace in the distance the King was riding back toward the palace with Athos and Porthos and a group of other Musketeers and Ministers back from their hunting trip. "I think the second part of the plan is about to happen"
The two of us put down our drinks and headed out of the Queens apartment the king and Captain Treville came to the top of the stairs talking. Constance and I dipped into deep curtseys to him as he walked by.
Treville looked at me and glanced back the way he'd come. I nodded and took Constance's hand and we hurried down and outside to the gardens. D'artaganan murmured something to Aramis. He looked toward me and smiled and walked over
"We need to make this look good" he said touching the side of my neck I closed my eyes and lent into his hand
"Milady overheard the conversation I had with the Queen and then with Constance" He looked at me "She hurried off; I can only think she went to the Cardinal"
"I'll let the others know and we can see what we can find out" Athos and Porthos rounded the corner of the palace
"AGAIN, YOU AND THAT WHORE" I jumped and looked around as Athos unsheathed his sword, I felt my eyebrows raise Aramis moved me behind him and matched Athos with his Sword.
The two of them were expert swordsmen and sparred together on a daily basis. I knew this was all for show like in the courtyard of the Garrison. But for people looking from the outside in it looked brutal.
The Queen and her ladies came into view and people were looking out of the windows of the Palace.
"Stop Please" I called out "Athos, Aramis" I stepped forward to try to stop them.
Athos drew back his arm and caught me in the side of the head with his elbow sending me sprawling across the floor.
"ENOUGH" the booming sound of Captain Treville's voice filled the chilly air "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?" I moved to my knees and felt hands on my shoulders Constance was crouching down by me "Musketeers brawling in front of the Queen" he looked between the two of them "Estelle" I Looked up; I could see the nerve in Athos cheek twitch it hadn't been in the plan I'd get in the way and get hurt "Porthos help her"
"No" Porthos said lifting his head "and I will not fight alongside him" He pointed to Aramis
"Is someone going to tell me what is going on?" Treville threw up his hands as Constance helped me to my feet. I was seeing stars a little I was for sure concussed
"Estelle and Aramis" Athos snapped "bedded each other" he spat lunging for Aramis again
"ENOUGH" the Queen stepped forward "Treville take command of your men, there should not be descent in the ranks of the Kings Musketeers. D'artagnan help Constance with Estelle"
"Return to the Garrison you are an embarrassment; I shall be there shortly" Treville snapped
"I am not going to be around him or her" Athos growled he reached up and took of the heavy leather shoulder guard and threw it at Treville's feet "Consider this me resigning my commission in the Musketeers" He strode off to where Hades was pawing the soft ground
"ATHOS" Porthos called after him, we all watched as he mounted and rode off across the ground. I swayed a little as my head swam
"D'artagnan" Constance sounded more than a little panicked
"I've got you" He caught me as my knees buckled
"Take her to my apartment" the queen instructed
"Porthos, Aramis both of you now back to the Garrison" Treville instructed "D'artagnan you join us as soon as you have settled Estelle" D'artagnan nodded, and Constance put her hand in the small of his back I put my head on his shoulder as he carried me into the Palace
Cardinal Richelieu was at the door with some of his red guard with a smug expression on his face with Milady off to the side behind him.
"And I see that my impression of her was right all along"
"Why don't you shut up" D'artagnan snapped moving around the cardinal and taking the stairs two at a time
"Be careful Madam Bonacieux your lover here might well also be seduced by her" he said with a deep laugh.
"Ignore him Constance" the Queen made the Cardinal jump and he bowed deeply to her "Cardinal why are you always lurking about like a weasel?"
"I was seeing the King your Majesty; we were talking about what he is going to do without a direct heir to the throne because you have been married for over ten years and still we wait"
"I shall ignore that Cardinal... For now" the Queen and her ladies swept up the staircase.
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...
