A/N thank you for the feed back it really helps :) nice long chapter as a thank you! Enjoy and please keep reviewing it makes it all worth while.
Chapter 4
"There you are. If you are going to escape the four of them, can you let me know next time? Then I can escape with you," Constance said gently, finding her friend staring quietly out the window in the kitchen. Marie smiled slightly, turning to face her.
"Sorry. I didn't realize I was gone for that long," she apologized.
"It's okay. Are you alright? You've been very quiet this evening," Constance asked her as they both took a seat.
"I'm fine. You, on the other hand, I am not so sure about. You haven't been yourself for a while. Is everything okay?" Marie inquired, turning the topic of conversation back to Constance. Her friend shot her a skeptical look, knowing exactly what she was doing, but she needed to talk and Marie had just offered her that opening.
"I want to leave my husband, Marie. I can't keep this affair up, but I have nowhere to go and I honestly don't know what to do," Constance confessed, feeling tears threatening to fall. Marie grabbed her friend's hands and squeezed them gently.
"You do have some where to go. Here. We have a spare room," Marie told her. Constance shook her head.
"I can't expect you to let me stay here. You don't need me bringing my problems into your home," she replied.
"Constance, listen to me. After everything you did for me it's the least I can do...we can do," Marie assured her.
"And before you even say it, Aramis will be fine with it," she added.
"I will be fine with what?" came Aramis's voice as he wandered in, heading straight for a cupboard. He pulled out a bottle and winked at the two of them.
"Need some more of this," he grinned.
"So come on what have I agreed to?" he asked, propping himself against the door.
"Constance is going to stay with us for a while," Marie replied, flashing him a smile.
"The only thing I see wrong with that is I will most likely being seeing more of D'Artagnan. But I suppose I will have to get used to it," he shrugged.
"Our home is your home for as long as you need it, Madame," he grinned, inclining his head to her before staggering slightly back to his friends. Constance turned to her friend, an amused expression on her face. Marie couldn't help but laugh at it.
"He's drunk: he will agree to anything. He would agree to it sober as well, just easier like this," Marie explained. Constance just giggled in response.
"So, are you going to tell me what's wrong with you now?" she asked. Marie sighed deeply.
"I wish I could. But I promise as soon as I can, I will. Right now, I just need you to understand I can't say anything," Marie replied honestly. Constance nodded.
"Come on, we best go and make sure they aren't causing too much trouble in there," Marie said, standing up. Constance just laughed and followed her friend back to the four men.
Athos groaned inwardly as he waited for Treville to return to his office. It was most certainly too early for him to be up on a day of leave, let alone be waiting for the captain to talk to him. It was made even worst by the banging in his head from may be just a bit too much wine the night before. He wondered how his three friends were feeling. Still in bed asleep, no doubt.
"Ah, Athos. Sorry I kept you waiting. Come in." Treville's voice brought him back to reality. Athos didn't say anything as he followed him in, taking a seat at the desk.
"Good night last night?" Treville smirked, taking in the younger man's appearance.
"So it seems," Athos muttered in reply.
"Your sister came to see me yesterday," Treville said causing Athos's head to shoot up, a look of confusion crossing his face before comprehension replaced it.
"I was going to come and talk to you today. Didn't think she would beat me to it. I presume she told you her plan?" Athos asked. Treville nodded.
"You presume correctly. Give her credit, Athos, it's a brilliant idea. I think it's the only chance we have on this one," he replied. Athos sighed. He wasn't too keen on it, but he knew they were both right; it was their best shot.
"I put it to their Majesties yesterday. They have agreed to it and will do everything in their power to make sure Marie is placed in the path of Rochefort as much as possible. We just need her to work her charm on him and get him to trust her," Treville explained.
"That won't be too hard. She was always very popular amongst the men of high society," Athos assured him, smiling bitterly at the memories.
"Is Marie sure she wants to go through with this? It could get very dangerous," Treville asked, seeing the look on Athos's face.
"She is aware of the risks. She wants to do it," Athos told him reluctantly.
"Then I shall leave you to tell the others the plan," Treville said, indicating their talk was over. Athos merely nodded, standing up and heading to the door.
"And Athos," Treville called, causing the Musketeer to turn around, seeing a sympathetic smile on his captain's face.
"Good luck telling Aramis. Something tells me he really isn't going to like this."
"You have no idea," Athos sighed as he headed off in search of his friend to fill them in on what was going on.
"It's a good plan. As long as she is sure and aware of the risks?" Porthos checked. Athos nodded in reply. He had just spent the last few hours explaining all to the three Musketeers.
"And Treville?" D'Artagnan asked.
"He is aware of the plan, who do you think got the king and queen to agree?" Athos replied, before turning to the only one of the four that hadn't spoken. Aramis sat quietly a look of silent anger on his face. Athos sighed.
"Aramis? What do you say to this plan?" he asked carefully.
"You don't have my backing," Aramis finally answered, glaring up at his three friends.
"I can't believe you are even considering it! Putting Marie in complete danger like that! Have you lost your mind? If she gets discovered, she will be killed," he added coldly.
"Aramis, she has agreed. Knowing full well the risks..." Athos started but he was interrupted by Aramis getting to his feet. Pure rage graced his features now.
"She is your sister, Athos. My wife! And I will not have her put in danger like this!" he shouted, slamming his fist hard on the table.
"And what if I want to?" Marie's voice made him stop. He kept his glare trained on his friends as he answered.
"Why, my love, would you want to?"
"Because our king's life is at risk. And if I can help protect him, then so be it," she replied steadily. Aramis turned to face her, his eyes softening slightly.
"Having a woman as a spy is too dangerous," he said, causing Marie to pull herself up to her full height and look her husband squarely in the eye.
"The duchess has managed for many years in Savoy!" she pointed out, though regretted it straight away on seeing the pain flash in Aramis's eyes before it was quickly replaced by anger.
"And twenty… no make that twenty-one of my friends got killed in the process of protecting her!" he hissed, striding past her. Marie grabbed his arm causing him to stop.
"Aramis. My darling, I am so sorry. I had no right..." she was stopped as he shrugged her off.
"Do what you wish. You have clearly made up your mind," he muttered, not meeting her eyes.
"Aramis, please," Marie begged.
"I will see you at home," Aramis said coldly before placing his hat on his head and quickly leaving. Marie went to follow, but Athos stopped her.
"Let him go. He will come around. He just needs a bit of space," he assured her, leading her to the table as Porthos poured her some wine.
