Chapter Three

Maggie greeted the Queen's nervous face with a smile, Giles, the musketeer who had fetched her helped her dismount and held the door to the carriage for her to climb in. As she did the woman looped her arms about her neck. "I am so glad you came, I have missed you at court."

"Jean wouldn't refuse your request." Something the Queen knew all to well. "And I am glad to see you in good spirits."

She eased herself into the seat next to Constance, the redhead's glance told her there was more to the story. The dauphin rode in Constance's lap, sleeping peacefully for now.

"I intend to stay at the monastery until my husband comes to his senses. He will not repeat his actions last year; not if he hopes to have my support. With our children or with Spain." The defiant tilt to the woman's chin worried Maggie, she would have to get Constance alone to find out what he had done.

Had he taken another mistress as soon as Jean left the palace? She knew the pregnancy and betrayal with De Winter had scared him into some sense, but how long it would last with out subtle reminders remained to be seen.

"And if the child comes?" Perhaps she should try to persuade Jean to stay out here longer. The monastery might be a place of comfort to the Queen, but it would be a vulnerable place too; and she wasn't sure what medical help would be available.

"I have inquired, there are nuns there who are excellent midwives. They will ensure I am well cared for."

Maggie nodded, that was likely true, and she knew visiting monasteries was something Anne had done frequently with her own parents as a child. Perhaps the time with the women would be good for her, and her absence would resonate with the King; reminding him that he missed her when she was not there.

The carriage jerked to a halt, Maggie threw an arm out to prevent the dauphin flying forward as they all tried to brace themselves. It was unlike the experienced driver to stop so suddenly, but then she heard shouting and musket fire.

"Constance put the child under the bench, use your skirts to hide him." Maggie instructed as the door was yanked, something prevented it from opening that time but in the small space she awkwardly drew her sword.

The whole carriage shook, and the Queen let out a small shriek, Maggie suspected their driver had just been unseated. The next time the door shook it opened, as soon as she saw a flash of dirty fabric she thrust her sword forward; the musketeers all wore their uniforms and that was not one.

As she stepped out her eyes scanned the ground, chaos erupted around her. Spotting a solid branch, she withdrew her sword from the dying man and passed the branch back to Constance. "Bar the door. Let no one in."

She dodged a musketeer fighting two men and crept towards the horses who pranced nervously against their brake. Pulling herself up Maggie reached for the reins, she needed them to run; she could see the massive stone walls of the monastery up ahead.

Releasing the brake, she held the reins as she had seen her husband do many times. To short to sit on the seat she stood in the bay, bracing her arms to try and keep a grip. The horses eagerly jumped into motion and Maggie's balance wavered badly; she had never driven such a strong team before.

She tied the reins to the bar in front of her, afraid her hands would slip, and she would lose them before glancing back. In that moment she cried out; something hit her from above and the world went black.

As her eyes opened pain exploded ripping through her but she saw the horses racing towards the huge gates beyond; Maggie slid into the black again.

…

"Where is Maggie?" Anne demanded the moment Constance opened the carriage door, they were safely in the courtyard of the monastery, the huge gates barred between them and the outside world.

A nun gave her a confused look. "Your majesty we have been expecting you, we heard such chaos; your horses were not driven through our gates."

"Maggie was driving, I heard her call to the horses; she barred our door, so no one could get in." Anne spoke adamantly, looking to the top of the carriage to see if her friend had collapsed up there; all she saw was blood.

A whimper nearly choked her as she realized Maggie must have fallen or been pulled off, the horses reins were tied back and the brake was loose; they'd run out of their own fear. Anne leaned into Constance's arms, had her whim just killed her dear friend?

Maggie's daughter was only a few months older than her own son, and they had taken in another boy, the orphan of one of the Captain's soldiers. Had she taken both children's mother? The Captain may be fiercely loyal to the King, but he was no longer a commissioned soldier, his position as minister did not have the requirements the military did. If she had stolen the woman he loved would he advise them any longer?

Anne trembled as she considered it all, no one would survive losing so much blood; and being thrown from a moving carriage. She saw the fear in Constance's eyes too, what if they never saw Maggie's soft smile again. Or had their afternoon interrupted when her husband called for her, they teased her that he treated her as an officer more than a wife; she often helped him in his work. But the two were happy together and it poured out on those around them, they were a steadying force in the politics and back stabbing of court, for her and for the King.

"A musketeer approaches!" A voice shouted from above.

"Do not let him in, take his message from there." The nun who greeted her instructed firmly.

A shouted exchange was muffled by the walls and then the woman hurried down from the wall. "They have sent word to Paris for a new team to guard you; they lost men, and a woman has been badly injured. They are returning the woman to her home, and have asked if we can spare a healer for the journey."

"Maggie!" Anne murmured. "You must, please I will make any donation you need but you must help her."

"It is not a matter of money, but we must consider if this man tells the truth, it could be a trap." The old nun spoke softly. "Many of our pilgrims have been accosted on their journey, the money they bring to gift us stolen, members of their party abducted."

"I know the musketeers; my husband is one. If I recognize the man will you send help?" Constance offered.

A nun from the back of the group nudged her way forward. "If she knows the man, I can leave through the side gate; I will go to the woman."

The old nun who seemed to be in charge nodded, and a few moments later the young woman who had offered slipped away with a pack on her shoulder. Anne breathed a sigh of relief, the musketeers' healer had not been on the journey with them, Aramis was in Paris with Athos; the man was keeping his friends close as he adjusted to the role he was being groomed for.

...

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