Getting off the train at Marseilles, she took a taxi back to her new home, the house her aunt had bought on the outskirts of town. Milady was in and welcomed her with open arms. Sissi made no mention of her trip to the convent. Sitting down to lunch, she was asked about her trip.
'It was nice. I just walked around, saw the sights, you know' said Sissi, through a mouthful of salad.
'No talking while you're eating' scolded Milady gently. Her niece rolled her eyes and carried on.
'When is Athos coming?' She asked, by way of deflecting conversation from her. Her aunt had recently written to the former musketeer, once her ex husband and he was coming to stay in the next few days.
'Tomorrow morning.'
'I'll be sure to be out of the house then.' Milady gave her a look that could wither a cactus. Sissi was used to it and carried on eating. Athos would take of her aunt's attention away from her at least. She could have been jealous but how could she? Her aunt had previously given up her chance to be with Athos, many years ago, for reasons Sissi still didn't know. They had gotten involved with each other once more and every so often over the two years he had been back in her life, he came to stay. Recently retired from the King's service, he was teaching what he had learned over his years in the secret service to younger apprentices in Paris. They were discreet but Sissi knew that when she was out, they would withdraw to Milady's bedroom at their leisure. He stayed in the spare room at first but when Sissi told them they could do what they liked, she didn't care; they stopped pretending and retired to bed together. She often wished that he stay longer to make her aunt happy but he couldn't always. And she liked him. As much as she had adored the uncle she had known growing up, Maxim de Winter who was the second man Milady had married, Athos was good enough a replacement for an uncle.
