A Powerful Little Love

Chapter 31

"I heard tell that you were looking for me Cometess?"

Amorette looked up from her book into the Face of Jerome Weston.  She had in fact been searching for the English ambassador that very morning but had given up when she could not find him anywhere within the palace.  Amorette had not seen Athos in weeks, and had no intention of stepping outside the palace walls to make it more likely for them to cross each other's paths.  "Yes mon seigneur ambassadeur, I was indeed seeking you out to discuss something."

Weston sat beside Amorette on the stone bench that she occupied.  "What business is it that you need to discuss?  Your house in England?"

"No, I only wish it was something as simple as that."  Amorette let out a heavy sigh.  "Actually what I wanted to discuss with you is something of a more personal nature.  I've always thought you gave good, sound advice and if I'm honest, I think I need the counsel of a wise man."

"Is this something to do with your upcoming wedding?"  Weston asked, a quizzical eyebrow raised.

"Yes it is in a way," Amorette closed her book with a snap and stood up.  "But I do not think we should speak of it here in the open."

Weston stood too and offered his arm.  "Let's walk then.  I do not think the lower gardens are as crowded this afternoon.  If we walk for a while we may come upon a secluded spot."

Amorette took his arm and let Weston lead her down the lawn where ladies and men alike were taking advantage of the autumn sunshine.  "I wonder Monsieur if you are aware that my father is to attend my wedding?"

"Cometess I was under the impression that you had invited your father."  Weston was looking at her curiously, and Amorette knew it was either a very good thing, or a very bad thing to be talking of such a thing with a man who was on friendly terms with her father.

"I did not invite my father, and will not appreciate his presence.  He has invited himself, and refusing to have him present during the service is as far as my authority will stretch.  I cannot banish him from Paris and would not wish to have to do so in case it should cause disruption to my wedding."

Weston still looked confused.  "Then what advice is it that you seek Madame?"

Amorette cleared her throat sharply.  "There is the small matter Monsieur of who will give me away.  My father will be affronted to be replaced by someone else.  I must choose someone who will be able to ward off my father's jibes and who has acceptable dispensation to be such a large part of my wedding."

"And you do not know who to appoint to such a position?"  Weston asked.

Amorette nodded.  "I want that person to be someone that Fabien and I both have a connection to.  We have a mutual friend in the Duke of Buckingham but I do not know if that is appropriate."

Weston chuckled.  "I think that's a rather good idea actually.  Buckingham is a very good friend to you so why should that not be appropriate.  The man who gives your hand in marriage does not have to be a family member.  Pick a close friend who you want to be with you on your special day Madame, and if anyone has anything negative to say about it simply send them Buckingham's way!"  Amorette laughed.  "It does seem a fitting tribute to the man who threw you together!"

"What?" Amorette stopped walking to turn towards Weston.

He smiled wryly.  "I didn't think I'd be the one to tell you this, I thought you would already know.  Buckingham and your Fiancé have been acquainted for a fair few years.  Buckingham told me himself that he sent Fabien here to meet with you."

Amorette's jaw dropped.  Suspicion marred her thoughts.  "Do you mean to say that Buckingham told him to propose to me?"

"Oh God no!" Weston cried with his hands held up slightly in surrender.  "I do not mean that at all.  Buckingham told Fabien that he should meet you, that you have a lot in common.  You have a love for books and his writings in particular and I believe your old friend thought a little flirtation would do you some good after the whole debacle with a certain musketeer."