As they reached Constance there was a scream that brought the hairs up on the back of both of their necks.
"That was Estelle" Athos gasped. One of the Queens ladies came running out
"Margarite?" Constance called after her
"The Queen has sent for Doctor Lemay" she carried on
The three of them burst through the open door there was drops of blood in the intricate wooden parquet floor. Constance put her hand on Athos's arm stopping him
"They didn't get there in enough time" he frowned at her and pulled away from her and opened the doors to the Queens bedroom.
The sight in front of him had his knees buckling slightly as Porthos held me down while Aramis was trying to clean and stich the wounds. The Queen was pacing with her other ladies looking on in horror.
Porthos looked at Aramis and nodded in Athos's direction
"Estelle" Aramis's voice was light and soft "Shhhh be still; Athos is here" his words were instantly calming to me. I looked at Aramis through my tears he smiled at me.
Aramis signaled to Athos; he came over and closed his eyes as he saw the lash marks across my back and the blood-soaked cloak of Aramis's that he and Porthos had wrapped me in to bring me here.
"Athos" I managed to get out
"I am here my love" he knelt down and stroked my hair and pressed his lips to my head "I am right here"
"I need to finish stitching some of these deeper wounds" Aramis said looking at Athos
"Aramis" I sniffed"
"Yes?"
"Just do it" my hand shook as I reached for Athos's hand; he pulled off his glove and held my hand and pressed his lips to my trembling knuckles.
The door opened and Doctor Lemay came in and came over. His eyes got wide, and he looked at the Musketeers.
"I have made a start on these" Athos said preparing another needle and thread "We were lucky that only a few are deep"
"You are quite the expert in stitching" The doctor looked at Aramis's work, I am going to allow you to finish, I will prepare something to help with the pain and that will aid her sleep" he turned and looked at the Queen "Is it possible to have Estelle stay here at the Palace, if only for a few days; she cannot be moved back to the garrison as she is"
"Of course, I shall have a room made up for her close to mine" the Queen nodded and signaled to one of her ladies "Athos you are welcome to stay with her" Athos glanced at the Queen and nodded with each stitch I squeezed Athos's hand and the sobs wracked my body.
"We need clean dressings" Dr Lemay said as he handed Constance a Salve "Constance spread this on the wounds before dressing them" The Doctor came to my head and crouched down "Estelle" I blinked slowly "I need you to drink this, it will make you sleep and help with the pain"
I lifted my head and Athos tipped the cup up to my lips and drank the bitter tasting liquid. I lay back down and felt the soft hands of Constance lightly smooth a cream over my back instantly cooling it. She held a sheet against me, and Athos supported me to sit up and the Doctor wrapped clean bandages around me.
"Here is a nightgown for her" the queen offered one of hers. Constance helped me on with it.
"You are going to have to walk" Athos said "I would carry you, but it will cause too much pain for you" I nodded
"I'll help" Porthos came to my other side, and they slowly eased me to my feet and walked with me to the room that was a few doors away from the Queen.
A large bed had the covers turned back and two of her ladies were pulling the curtains closed and there was a roaring fire in the hearth. Constance pulled the covers over me and I sank into the soft down pillows.
"She may run a fever" Dr Lemay said as he looked at me almost as pale as the white pillows "Keep cold compresses on her head if she does and make her drink"
"We will" Athos nodded Dr Lemay turned and left the room along with Queen and her ladies.
"Athos" I murmured. He sat on the edge of the bed
"I'm here" he stroked his hand down my cheek
"I love you" my voice fell away at the end of the sentence as I the medicine took a hold and I fell into a deep dreamless sleep. Athos looked at me and hung his head
"Put this back where this belongs" Aramis had taken the ring from his Rosary and he held it in front of Athos "I didn't get to give it to her because, well. I am so sorry we did not reach her intime to stop all of this"
"It is not your fault" Athos's voce was rough and raw
"You all need to clean yourselves up and let Estelle sleep" Constance said looking around the room "She is safe here back with all of us"
"Constance is right" Porthos sighed walking toward the door "I think this is a day that will haunt us all for a long time to come" Constance put her hand on Athos's arm he looked up at her
"Go clean off the Jasmine stench of Milady and talk with the others" he nodded and got to his feet. Athos lifted my left hand and slipped the ring on to my finger
"Constance..."
"If she wakes or there is any change, I will fetch you right away" she smiled at him. Athos took one final look at me before walking to the door where D'artagnan was waiting for him.
YOU ARE READING
Lost in the pages
DragosteHave 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...
