A Powerful Little Love

Chapter 12

It took a few weeks for the snow and sludge to disappear from Paris completely, leaving behind it a crisp cool wind that blustered between the buildings and rattled over the Pont Neuf towards Les Halles.  For the first time in days when Amorette left Buckingham's apartments in the Rue des Minimes, she walked upon dry ground.  The day before, heavy hailstones had prevented her from venturing out at all and thus her plans to meet with Claude Morreaux had to be cancelled.  Today though, more people lined the streets of the Marais and then the district of Le Halles as she meandered her way through the streets towards the Louvre Palace.  Amorette knew that she was a little early, so she took her time.  Yet another new pair of heeled slippers were smarting her feet but this time it was because of the heel.  The jade silk lining of the shoes was as soft as the touch of a feather but the heel was a little higher than Amorette was used to and not ideal for walking any great distances.  Secretly, she rather enjoyed the extra height that they provided, but height alone wouldn't get her all the way to the Louvre.

Small careful steps took her through the Places de Royale and out onto the Rue Saint Antoine.  From there it was almost a straight walk to the Louvre Palace.  Along the way she met Constance, and the two women chatted amicably as the made their way through the Palace gates.  Although Amorette liked both Claude and Constance in equal measure, she had yet to spend much time with Constance and as such their conversation remained one of neutral civility.  With Claude though, she had become much better acquainted.  Being four or five years older than her, Claude was already married with three children.  The pivotal information Amorette had learned about Claude though, was that she was bored.  Married for ten years to a man she didn't really like, let alone love; Claude was more than happy to spend as much time as possible away from him.  Amorette had felt guilt gnawing at her insides for the last few days though.  Claude seemed to palm her children off to their governess or nanny rather a lot, but she supposed that was how it was done in Paris if you were a Queen's lady and sick of your husband.

Ironically that day they found Claude in her own rooms with her children.  She sent for the governess almost as soon as they arrived and Amorette couldn't help thinking that she should suggest staying here with the children and simply having tea.  That wouldn't happen though.  Constance scuttled off after a few moments as she needed to return to the Queen, and Amorette and Claude were left to their own devices.  Amorette had spent most days like this since she returned to Paris.  She had barely seen Buckingham except to say good-morning and good-night and although she had spoken to D'artagnan a few times when he was in the company of Constance, she had yet to have contact with Porthos, Aramis or Athos apart from seeing them from afar when they were on duty.

Despite Amorette's guilty feelings about Claude's neglect of her children, she knew that she would have been lost without her new friend.  Claude had guided Amorette through her first few weeks at court and Amorette felt that she almost didn't need Claude at her side now.  She ventured round the halls and gardens of the Palace alone more with each day that passed.  It was something that Amorette never thought she would feel comfortable doing, but now she requested to be introduced to courtiers herself instead of at the prompt of friends.  Strangely, she felt at home now.

One worry she still held onto though, was how her friends the Lenoir's would be received when they returned to Court.  They were not in favour of the war with Spain and had made that very clear.  Amorette had already noticed a little talk and speculation about her own time in Madrid and felt eyes upon her when she walked in particular areas of the Palace.  Today, to her discontent those eyes belonged to Athos.  She and Claude were walking in a long gallery and Athos was on duty at the end of the walkway, but he seemed to have eyes and ears only for Amorette's conversation.  She didn't show her uneasiness.  Instead Amorette held her head high and spoke clearly to ensure that Athos heard every word.  She wasn't about to knowingly appear to be hiding something from Athos when he clearly thought her guilty of something she hadn't done.  Amorette could just imagine Athos' reaction when the Lenoir's arrived in Paris in a few days.  His mind would be in overdrive with all sorts of conspiracy theories jarring his thoughts.  Amorette just hoped the rumour mill would remain quiet.