I didn't knock as I pushed open the doors to the Queens apartment, I was struggling to catch my breath. There were gasps from the ladies in waiting as Constance came in carrying a dress.
"ESTELLE" She handed off the dress to one of the other ladies and came over to me "You're shaking" she put her arm around me and sat me down "What happened?"
"I just saw Athos with Milady" her eyes grew wide, and she looked at the other women
"The Queen is waiting for her dress" Constance reached up and unclipped my cloak
"It was a shock; I know that he is doing this like the rest of us for a good reason, but it still doesn't make it easy" I put my head in my hands "I just need a minute" She nodded
The Queen came from her bedroom and saw me and smiled a broad smile. I got to my feet and curtseyed to her.
"I trust you had a better evening than you did afternoon?" she asked
"Yes, your Majesty" I nodded
"Good" the door knocked and opened, and the King walked in we all dipped again into a low curtsey.
"Leave us I wish to speak with my wife" He said not taking his eyes from her "You sent for me my Love" we all walked out and walked toward the Throne room Constance linked my arm.
"Did you tell Aramis?" she said in a hushed voice, I nodded
"I was chased through Paris to the Garrison by Red Guard" I looked at her "After I left here, I also ran into Milady" Constance looked shocked "Oh that is a tale for later" I patted her hand as we stepped into the busy room
The cardinal was standing next to the Kings throne Milady talking with him Athos was across the room with other red Guards. We walked over to the Musketeers and Aramis rubbed my back.
"It doesn't seem right seeing him in red" Porthos huffed
"No, it doesn't" D'artagnan sighed "Estelle are you alright?" I nodded as the sound of swords being drawn filled the air making us all look around
"Arrest this woman" The Cardinal called out pointing at me
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" Treville stepped in the way, the Musketeers pulled the swords out and moved me behind them
"She attacked Milady d' Winter last night, Milady was in fear for her life" The Cardinal walked toward us
"I hit her once" I gripped on to Constance
"You are not taking Estelle" Aramis snapped I looked toward Athos who looked shocked for a moment
"Captain" The Cardinal signaled to Athos "Arrest this woman and take her to the Chatelet"
"NO" I was in full on panic now this was not supposed to happen.
Athos stepped forward and stood in front of the Musketeers.
"I am taking her by order of the Cardinal" His voice was hard edged and steady
"How can you do this to her" D'artagnan shook his head "You love her"
"Out of my way D'artagnan" Athos stepped forward and pulled my arm pulling me away from Constance
"NO, ATHOS PLEASE" I begged; I looked and saw the smile spread across Milady's face
"This is wrong Cardinal" Treville growled "You will not get away with this" I fought against Athos as he marched me from the room with a group of Red Guard soldiers following us.
Hades was pawing the ground impatient to be ridden, Athos mounted him, and I was lifted up in front of him
"I will take her to the Prison. I do not trust that they won't send the Musketeers after her" He kicked Hades into a gallop moving away from them before they could say anything. "Why did you hit her?" he looked down at me. I was trembling in terror; my mind was reeling.
Athos pulled Hades reins and brought us into a thick patch of trees and dismounted and brought me down
"Estelle" He wrapped me in his arms "Oh my love" he moved and bent his head looking me in the eyes.
"Why are you doing this?" I stammered tears brimming in my eyes "Athos, why?"
"I had no idea that the Cardinal was going to do this" he touched the bump on the side of the head "I swear to you on my life I did not know" he pressed his lips to my forehead "I have to still take you to the prison" I started to shake my head and my knees buckled Athos held me tight 'I am so sorry, but this could also be a test of my loyalty"
"I can't Athos; I'm scared" The tears spilled over
"I will get you out as soon as I can, and they will not get away with this. I promise you we have a long life together still to come" he lifted me back on to Hades "You will not be there any longer than you have to be" he kissed me and used his thumbs to wipe away the tears on my cheeks "Always remember I love you"
"You kissed her" I stammered
"She kissed me" he frowned "I did not want it" He got up behind me and kicked Hades on "The only woman I want is you"
*****************************************************************************
"Constance" D'artagnan wrapped his arms around her as she shook
"Take her out" Treville said shaking his head still reeling in disbelief
"I'm fine" She sniffed "Please tell me we are going to do something about this"
"We can't let her rot in the Chatelet" Aramis paced "We were supposed to keep her safe, and now Athos takes her to the Jail"
"What are we going to do?" Porthos said rubbing his hands together "Please tell me we can kill someone for this"
"Why did Estelle hit Milady" Treville rubbed the back of his neck "She is the Kings Mistress and probably in bed with the Cardinal"
"Whatever the reason that Estelle hit her it would have been a good one, and I can't begin to believe what Athos is going through" Aramis sighed
The door to the throne room opened and the King and Queen walked in. The King was beaming from ear to ear. Everyone bowed and curtseyed to them as they went and sat down.
"We have an announcement to make and there shall be rejoicing all over Paris" The King said standing up. The Cardinal looked confused and looked at Milady "My beautiful Queen is with child; France will have its Heir" Applause erupted around the room and Constance slipped her hand in to Aramis's and squeezed. He glanced at her and gave her a halfhearted smile.
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...
