A Powerful Little Love

Chapter 29

A brisk walk in the cool morning air was rather soothing to Amorette's mind.  She didn't let herself dwell on the fact that she had dreamt many times of taking such a walk through early morning Paris and stayed away from the river.  She was desperate to try and do something to help the young women less fortunate than she was who lived in this city, some of them in its very streets.  Nothing came to mind though and she found herself seeking out familiar faces on the still empty streets.  She had hoped that she might see Shauna again to try and decipher what she had decided to do with the money that Amorette had given her but if it was too early for even the fishermen and the bakers, it was certainly too early for prostitutes.

At length Amorette did find herself crossing the river as the fog began to clear and the sun rose.  She met Claude in the Latin Quarter and they stopped to purchase some fresh pastries for breakfast.  Together they walked into the Jardin des Luxembourg as they ate and talked of what had happened the day before.  Amorette was well aware that Claude had come from her lover's lodgings to meet her and whilst that did make her a little uncomfortable, she would much rather have had her friends company so she said nothing of the matter.  Instead she told Claude what had occurred the evening before between herself and Athos.  She conveniently left Henry Fitzgerald out of the conversation to save her curious friend developing any unwarranted suspicions.  At length they both decided to call on Constance, and finding the D'artagnan's lodgings empty the only other option was to wander towards the musketeer garrison. 

Amorette didn't know how long they stood in the garrison courtyard talking, and was more sure with each moment that passed that someone would come out and tell what would have looked like three women gossiping to move on.  No one did however and at length D'artagnan joined them.

"I just wish there was something we could do to help," Amorette muttered.  "Perhaps we could set up a trust or collection of some sort for the young unfortunate women of Paris?"

"That's certainly a good idea to think about," said D'artagnan.

Claude shook her head.  "We will need more than just ourselves to back such a thing.  We may have more than enough money to do such a thing but without the support of other wealthy ladies we will be a laughing stock or perhaps even frowned upon.  We could go to the Queen and ask for her help."

Amorette shared a knowing glance with Constance.  "If you wish to take that course of action I won't argue with you, but I'm afraid you'll have to petition the Queen alone Claude," she said.

"Have you still not spoken with her?" asked Constance.

Amorette shook her head.  "In the mean time we will start a campaign for more financial backers then!"  Amorette announced to try and shift the subject.

"Financial backers for what?" asked Porthos as he emerged through the archway with Athos and Aramis. 

"Amorette and Claude want to start up a fund for the unfortunate women of Paris," Constance confirmed as the three men joined their group.  "I think it's a wonderful idea.  I'll help any way I can."

Athos sighed heavily.  "There are already numerous funds of the like, but there will always be one more poverty stricken woman than accounted for.  Why not simply donate some money to one of the already thriving funds and save yourselves the hassle?"

Amorette let her jaw drop open in shock at his apparent unfeeling tone.  "We want to take action to do something to help these women Athos!  I want to campaign for our own fund so that we know that every single coin goes where it should."

Athos simply shrugged and began to turn away.  For a moment Amorette thought that he may have prematurely indulged in some alcohol but D'artagnan's next question had her wondering.  "How did things go with Madame Durand this morning?" the young Gasçon asked his fellow soldiers.