A Powerful Little Love

Chapter 54

Here in her room, Athos was acutely aware of how overpowering the scent of lavender was.  Of course she always smelled faintly of it, and her rooms in Paris did so too but without dominance.  Here though in the house that she had inherited from her mother; it was starkly intense and omnipresent.  It was almost choking him in her now tension filled bed chamber.  She had lain back against the pillows on her bed and was watching him with a serene calmness which seemed out of place with the words she had spoken a few moments ago.  She wanted to talk seriously and candidly about their relationship and Athos couldn't help worrying.  He did not think that there had been anything untoward between them within the last few months; especially as they had spent very little time together. 

Perhaps that was it; she couldn't bear being away from him for so long?  No; if that were it she would be more visibly upset.  Leaning against one of the posters of the bed, Athos forced himself to go no closer.  He didn't know quite what came over him when he was in close proximity to her, but the closer he was the less he thought of anything else but her.  He glanced down at the floor where her small heeled slippers lay at his feet and almost mentally commissioned them as his barrier.  If he went further, he would want to touch her; though looking at the dainty shoes only made him think of stockinged legs that she had only just swung up onto the bed.  He huffed a frustrated sigh and forced himself to look back up at her pale features, slightly illuminated by the candlelight flickering on the table beside the bed. 

"All of that nonsense earlier..." she began tentatively before hesitating at his frown. 

"What?"

"I understand that you want to protect me Athos, but I want to protect you too.  You don't have to shield me from absolutely everything in this world you know; least of all the capricious scorn of court.  I don't mind speaking up for you.  In fact, I want to!  If my admittance of our relationship to the powers that be will clear your name in all of this, then I'm more than happy to do it."

Amorette sat forward and pulled her knees up to her chest.  He was barely looking at her, let alone moving closer to her.  "I don't want it to come to that," he said gently.  "I know how important your reputation is to you.  It's come to be something that's important to me too."

"Oh, Athos I've told you this already.  I don't care about my reputation if it might save your life!  As long as those that I care about know who I really am and care for me in return, then I don't really feel the need to worry about what anyone else thinks of me!  Paris can call me all the names it wants but I will still have my friends and this house to call home.  Besides, we might not have any other choice Athos.  With no one else clearly in the frame for Lyall's murder who has clear motive and opportunity I can't think of any other way to solve this quicker.  I doubt Treville will have any other ideas either apart from sending you into hiding!"

Athos sighed heavily.  "So you're decided then?" he said reluctantly.

"I don't think there really was a decision to make.  You would do the same for me in a heartbeat.  It's almost instinctual.  It doesn't really take much consideration and I won't change my mind Athos.  There's not much point in you attempting to put me off."

Amorette turned sharp blue eyes on him then, almost as if challenging Athos to try and argue with her.  He seemed to resolutely admit defeat though as he slowly sank down to sit at the end of the bed.  "Thank you," he whispered into the gloom.

"There's no need for thanks Athos.  How many times have you saved my life?  I'm only repaying the favour.  Please promise me that you won't feel bad about this?  You have no need to.  I walked into whatever this is between you and me whole heartedly.  I had no illusions of what it might be like.  What we have is perfect and I wouldn't change it for the world."