Suspicious Minds
Chapter Four
"It don't feel right being here without d'Artagnon," Porthos grumbled, glowering fiercely at Athos.
"He made the choice to walk out," Athos replied somewhat defensively. He had been applying himself with some enthusiasm to consuming vast quantities of wine well aware that he was out of favour with his friends.
"Are you surprised?" Aramis asked, raising one eyebrow. "After all you completely ignored the fact that he put on his best ever performance with a sword."
"He deliberately set out to humiliate Etienne. What has my cousin done to deserve that?" Athos asked, slurring his words slightly.
"I don't believe that was his intent. I think he was trying to impress you with his skills." Aramis picked up the wine bottle and hesitated before refilling all the glasses. It was pointless trying to regulate Athos' intake of alcohol, particularly when he was in one of his brooding moods.
"He will have to overcome his jealousy if he and Etienne are to serve together." Athos took a drink before wiping the back of his hand across his mouth.
Aramis sighed, disheartened by his friend's inability to see the damage he had caused. "I'm sure he will get over it, given time and a few kind words from you."
"He's not a child, Aramis. He doesn't need my approval."
"Are you really so blind?" Aramis asked in disbelief.
"He worships you," Porthos added.
"Then he needs to grow up. I am no role model."
Aramis could whole heartedly agree with that sentiment given Athos' inebriated state. "You are in his eyes. We admitted him to our brotherhood despite his youth and inexperience. You can't deny that you have taken a special interest in his training. You were the one who put the pauldron on his shoulder when the King commissioned him. He looks up to you and you are his mentor far more than Porthos and I."
Athos bowed his head under the weight of Aramis' words. It was true that he had encouraged d'Artagnan and he still believed the young man had it in him to become the best of all of them. He guiltily thought back to the look of absolute betrayal on d'Artagnan's face when he expressed his displeasure. "You are right, my friend. I will talk to him tomorrow."
"Make sure you do," Porthos growled. "The whelp needs you. We can help to train Etienne."
"His sword skills are adequate," Aramis said. "I will assess his ability with firearms tomorrow while you spend time with d'Artagnon."
"Where is Etienne tonight?" Porthos asked.
"He said he had business in the city."
"With his mysterious benefactor I wonder. Maybe she offers more than money," Aramis said with a knowing grin. "Now if you gentlemen will excuse me, I also have an appointment."
"It had better not be with someone who has a jealous husband," Athos said.
"Her husband is safely in the country and quite oblivious to her extra marital exploits," Aramis said smugly. He settled his hat on his unruly curls and stood up. "I will see you both in the morning."
TMTMTM
Aramis approached the Louvre keeping to the shade of the trees. Despite his confident words to his friends he didn't want to be seen entering Madame Vermandois' rooms. As with all his affairs discretion was the key. Her husband was rumoured to have a fearsome temper and a penchant for fighting duels. Not that Aramis was concerned by that, he just didn't want to kill a man over a meaningless dalliance. In fact it was probably time to end the relationship before Johanna became too attached. In truth his appetite for casual affairs had waned since his night with the queen. Seeing her grow large with his child was a bittersweet pleasure and the charms of other women seemed pale by comparison.
He drew in a deep breath of the sweet night air, remembering in exquisite detail the night at the convent. He had thought that he was inconsolable by the loss of Isabelle for the second time. Then Anne had confided in him about her own loss before coming to kneel beside him, her hand on his sleeve. She had been as desperate for comfort as he and their first kiss had been born of a shared loneliness and a need to connect with another human being. He should be ashamed of taking advantage of her goodness but he could never bring himself to regret their passionate encounter. He had taken great pains to bring her pleasure although neither of them forgot the need for discretion and their love making had been filled with whispered endearments rather than unrestrained cries of joy.
He should have left her bed well before dawn but he didn't want the night to end and it had felt so good to have Anne sleeping on his chest, his arms around her and their legs entwined. His only regret was that Athos had found them and had thereby become entangled in his treason. He ran a hand through his hair, wondering what Porthos and d'Artagnan would say if they ever found out. God willing, that would never happen.
He drew back further into the shadows when he saw someone walking towards him. As the man drew nearer Aramis was surprised to see that it was Etienne. He stepped out, frowning at the flash of near panic that crossed Etienne's face.
"Good evening," Aramis said. "Athos said you had business in town but I see he was mistaken."
"My personal affairs are my own," Etienne said sharply.
"Of course." Aramis bowed his head. "I didn't mean to pry."
Etienne nodded curtly and strode away, leaving Aramis watching him thoughtfully. For someone who had only been in Paris for two days to have a friend in the palace was unusual and intriguing. He continued on his way, wondering what secrets Athos' cousin harboured beneath his usually amiable exterior.
TMTMTM
Athos watched Etienne shoot. He was more than proficient with a pistol; all sons of noble families were taught from a young age. When Aramis handed over a musket, however, it was very different. He could see Etienne's frustrations rising as he tried to master the weapon while continually falling short. After an hour Aramis put a hand on his pupil's shoulder, said something in a low voice, and walked over to Athos.
"A good beginning although he is getting angry which is affecting his performance. It's a vicious circle."
"Can you teach him?"
"I believe so. He has a genuine desire to excel." He glanced at Athos. "He doesn't want to be measured against you and found wanting."
"I have been a soldier for five years. He doesn't have to compete with me."
"I suspect he has been talking to some of the men. You caused quite a stir when you joined the regiment. You were hardly a normal recruit, beating anyone you ever fought with a sword. Added to that is your skill with firearms which is second only to me," he said with no false modesty.
"That's as maybe but Porthos still whipped my arse at hand to hand combat."
"Porthos beats everyone as Etienne will find out tomorrow."
Athos winced in sympathy for what his cousin had yet to endure. He could still remember walking with a limp for a week after his first encounter with Porthos. Added to that had been an impressive array of bruises.
"Have you spoken to d'Artagnan yet?"
"No. I think he is avoiding me. I haven't seen him since breakfast."
"He's hot-headed and his pride's been hurt but he will come round."
TMTMTM
It was suppertime before d'Artagnan joined them. Athos didn't feel that it was the right time to apologise while they were all together. It needed privacy. The young man ate very little and sat with his shoulders slumped. He made no effort to join in the banter that usually accompanied meals, stealing furtive glances at Athos from time to time.
When the meal was over Athos moved to intercept him before he could disappear again. "Can we talk?"
"There's nothing to say."
"Just hear me out," Athos begged.
D'Artagnan crossed his arms and leaned a shoulder against the wall. "I'm listening," he said without any great enthusiasm.
"I was wrong to berate you yesterday. You were correct in saying that I taught you to fight to win and you fought well against Etienne."
Some of the tension drained from d'Artagnan. "You mean that?"
"I rarely say things I don't mean. But, d'Artagnan, Etienne is part of the regiment now. He is my friend as well as my cousin. I would like it if all my friends were to get along."
"I'm sorry. My actions have been childish." D'Artagnan hung his head.
"You have no need to apologise. I am the one that is sorry for neglecting your training."
"You had other priorities."
"Nonetheless I should have made the time."
"Thank you." D'Artagnan held out his hand and Athos grasped it firmly. "I will try to be less impatient."
Neither man noticed the fond smiles on the faces of Aramis and Porthos and the look of fury on Etienne's.
Tbc