A Powerful Little Love

Chapter 47

The new dawn brought a fairly peaceful day in Paris.  When Tilda arrived she told Amorette that the streets were quiet, but with the market in Les Halles due to open again after the day of rest there was an air of normality in the city.  Amorette dressed and met Claude on the lawn of the Jardin de Tuileries.  With little grace about her, Claude was demanding details about what had happened after she had left Amorette's rooms the evening before.  Whilst Amorette really had very little to tell her friend in the way of actual deeds, it was liberating to talk of how she felt in regards to her relationship with Athos.  Although Amorette appreciated Constance's sensibility and discreetness,  she found it odd talking to the musketeer's wife about love affairs and liaisons.  She supposed it would have been much the same as discussing such matters with a younger sister who was ignorant of the world of men.  With Claude though,  it seemed that nothing could shock her.  In fact, she was rather dismayed by what Amorette had to tell her.  "When I left I thought things were going to progress a certain way Amorette?  You were certainly prepared so I'm assuming that he didn't want to?"

Amorette shook her head as she pulled her fur stole tighter around her neck, well aware of how badly a walk in the cold air might affect her already ill health.  With the lawns deserted though, there seemed nowhere quite so good for the two women to talk freely.  "I don't think it's that he didn't want to.  He was exhausted, especially after being shot at yesterday!  He needed to get back to the garrison though.  We cannot blame him for wanting to ensure he is well rested to deal with all of those rioters Claude.  Frankly I think we are all very lucky that yesterday did not pan out far worse!  I'm just glad no one was seriously hurt!"

Claude snorted into her hand.  "You two are worse than even my niece Georgitte!  She's married into a good family now with a rather dashing young man and she still won't have him anywhere near her!  They don't even share a dressing room let alone a bed!  I know she is younger than us, but she's married now.  She's going to be with that man for the rest of her life, she best get used to it."  There was a bitter tone to Claude's voice when she finished speaking and Amorette knew that was because Claude could not be with the man she really loved, because he was not her husband.

"How are things with Sacha?" Amorette asked tentatively.

"Sacha is great!  You know he is!  He seems to be getting good work, and I think that's partly down to us and our influential friends.  I know you've mentioned his name where you could Amorette and we both really appreciate it!  And of course he is a wonderful father to baby Ynes; just as he is very good with my older children.  I just can't help thinking about what might have happened if I'd met him first!"

"Oh Claude," Amorette mumbled as she put a gentle hand on her friend's shoulder.  "You wouldn't have your children if you had not married!  I know you would not wish them away for the world.  I do admit it's a rather tricky dilemma, but your husband knows you have a lover and doesn't care.  At least you can still go to Sacha and stay with him when your husband is in town!  This is Paris after all, and anything goes here.  You're lucky you didn't marry some backwards Comte who wanted to keep you trussed up in the country next to the fireplace!  Or worse, you could have married an Englishman!"

"A man like your father you mean?" Claude asked with her eyebrows raised.  She stopped and turned to face Amorette as a few spots of rain began to drip from the brims of their hats.  Amorette turned her face away, not willing to let the conversation take a downward spiral.  "Amorette I'm no fool!  I know you don't talk to anyone about your father but you can't shut me of all people out!  I can understand not talking to Constance, as she tells D'artagnan absolutely everything and he would in turn tell Athos.  I know you don't tell Athos because you think that either he would see you as weak or his anger might overtake him.  I'm not Constance or Athos!  What you tell me regarding your father would go no further and I'm not going to get angry because I've no want to go near your father.  What I care about is you, and how you feel. You can't seriously believe it's better to keep it all bottled up.  I'm here simply to listen and comfort you!"