Small Luxuries
Author's note: Hi everyone! I must say, I really enjoy Constance/d'Artagnan and I'm considering writing more about the adventure this little scene leads into. (Should I? Comment with your opinion!) Speaking of which, I should probably tell you what's going on here! This scene is set after the movie, and it's slightly AU – I imply that Constance was far more involved in some of the more dangerous adventures than she really was. Constance is currently on the road with the Musketeers, who are tracking down Buckingham and hoping that they can forestall a widespread war in Europe. (Notice all those airships Buckingham had at the end of the movie? Yeah, the Musketeers did too.) Please comment, review, and give constructive criticism! Thank you for reading!
Constance lay in the tub, relishing the warmth of the water on her sore body. The frantic and wild events of the past few days had taken their toll, she mused. Although the danger she had faced – she still faced – was more than enough to make most women swoon, her thoughts lingered on another subject. Her lips on his cheek, trying to convince him to retrieve the Queen's diamonds. The hurried but meaningful kiss before she provided their "distraction", risking her life for theirs. His expression when he saw her tied to that awful ship, and his gentle hands afterwards, tying the bandage on the slash on her upper back. His arms wrapped around her as if he could protect her from the thinly veiled insults the Cardinal threw at them all, hands clenching ever so slightly when one particularly pointed one was aimed at her. Those hands…she huffed at her thoughts as if she could make them disappear. Why, she was becoming just as bad as the other ladies at court. Suddenly agitated, she stood and stepped out of the tub, turning around and snatching a towel to dry her neck and shoulders. She flinched slightly as she touched the cut between her shoulder blades. Without warning, two strong hands gently grasped her shoulders and she tensed, fully realizing how vulnerable she was at this moment. She breathed in sharply, smelling his masculine scent and recognizing who it was. A soft brush of lips on her neck made her shudder - at once terrified and excited. Light kisses covered her neck and shoulders and the hands disappeared briefly. She heard the soft rustle of fabric and felt a brush of air. Then her robe was drawn around her shoulders, hiding her body. Slowly, she turned and looked into intense green eyes. She felt like she was glowing from the way he was gazing at her.
"The Duke is nearing." He said softly.
She nodded, and lips abruptly tangled for a moment, then he pulled away, one hand brushing her hair away from her face.
"It's time to leave, love."
She looked at her feet, a sense of shame gradually creeping over her. A steady hand guided her chin back up, and she was struck by those green eyes yet again.
"I would never take anything from you that wasn't mine to take, Constance." He whispered, eyes searching hers, needing her to understand. She opened her mouth to reply, but his fingers moved from her chin to her lips.
"Get dressed and meet us downstairs in an hour. Make sure you have your things with you."
She nodded, and his fingers slowly dropped from her lips. He paused a moment and looked at her with an expression on his face she hadn't seen before and couldn't read. Then he quickly turned and strode to the door.
"d'Artagnan?" She hesitated, uncertain of what she was trying to tell him.
His hand resting on the doorframe, he stopped. "I know."
Then he was gone.
