Musketeer's Daughter:Unanswered Riddle

Chapter 24: Not a dream!

Philippe closed the door before she could call him back in, but it was better this way. A bit later and after much coaxing, Marie finally came from her chamber and helped her undress.

"Shame on you, Ysabeau. I am disappointed for you entertaining a gentleman in here—a musketeer no less. Obviously, you are blinded to their loose morals with the ladies."

She remembered how the ladies vied for their attentions and how the musketeers readily obliged. As for the woman who pinched her derrière? "You would be surprised how much I know, Marie. Thank you."

"Not enough, fille! You were laying atop one without so much as a bat of your lash." Her fingers hurt as she jabbed them, removing one piece of clothing at a time.

"You would not understand." Ysabeau thought of how taut her heart was when she realized Philippe had discovered who the rumored petit enfant was. This was the most terrified she had ever been, and when he shared with her a vow of silence in so many ways, she was overcome with weakened relief.

"There is nothing more to understand than what I saw and I know what goes on next when a woman climbs on a man."

"Marie!" Ysabeau tugged from her maid's attention and whirled to meet her gaze. "I cannot believe you would speak to me like that."

"I might as well since you have done that already."

"I can do the rest myself, Marie. Bonne nuit."

"Very well, you have a fair night as well." Marie pinched her lips, raised her nose, and scurried off to her chamber.

When Ysabeau made sure Marie was safely ensconced in her chamber, she moved to the mirror and stared at her reflection. She had never given thought to personal beauty. Life was filled with much to do and see and hear. She closed her eyes, remembering Philippe's touches, his lips along hers, his attentive glances. What made it exciting was that he was a musketeer.

"Oh, heart, do not fall for him. Do not." She remembered his words: For the lady I am falling for, it is not very difficult. Was he truly falling for her? Or was she just another escapade for the adventurous heart as Marie had so callously put it?

Without warning, she thought of the King and how naked his yearning for her was. He made it no secret while he sat upon his throne, studiously observing her! Her fear returned.

"Marie," she shouted, suddenly trembling. She must get out and into Andrién's apartments before the King arrived. When would he be calling upon her? Then she thought of the hidden door and turned to it. He would not. He would step through as if these were his apartments. She balked. Which they were! "Marie!"

Fine, if Marie was going to ignore her, she would find Andrién's apartments on her own. Armed with nothing but her chemise and wrapper—Marie had removed the dreaded corset—she laid a finger on the handle.

She could hear people moving about outside, if they should see her move from her apartment to Andrién's in her undergarments? They would get the wrong impression about everything.