Athos watched his friends sister, her graceful moves as she danced with her brother in the tavern. They laughed, she was tipsy on the rich red wine they bought, pink spots on her cheekbones, and she twirled, her skirts lifting and falling gracefully. The emerald green of her dress brought out her eyes, sparkling in the warm firelight.

She was obviously adored by her brother, and by the people of the town, the beautiful little girl who did no wrong. Porthos had long since disappeared with a lovely young lady and a bottle of the taverns finest. Athos could not help but stare. When he raised his cup to his lips, he realised that she was staring back, her gaze broken only by her brother as he spun her. He watched her call a stop to their play, and she made her way happily back to the table, her eyes on Athos the whole time. She took her seat, drained her cup and smiled at him.

'Will you not dance with me Athos?' she asked eventually, her inhibitions low.

Her brother was talking with old companions, chatting gladly about times past, the tavern was noisy, still early by drinking standards.

'I shall not deny a lady' He held out his hand to her as he stood, making for the empty space that stood as a dance floor, close to where the local musicians were playing a lively tune.

'You look uncomfortable, Athos, would you prefer to sit in quiet company?'

'Shall we compromise? A dance for mademoiselle Isabelle and a quiet drink for me?' he placed his hand on her waist. Facing her in such close proximity flooded his senses with the scent of her perfume, and the scent of her skin which was so undeniably feminine.

Their dance became two, three and four, stepping, twirling, prancing. Athos even smiled, the laughter in his voice reached his eyes, as he watched her spin under his hand. She was so young and precious. He could never understand the urgency of marrying off daughters at such a young age. So barely developed, so infantile minded. But this one captured him. She was bright, witty, funny. She had no problem with rebuking men who were rude or uncouth. She spoke clearly, cleverly, openly. This was one who could shake the world, if the world were more open to women.

'Shall we seek out a quieter spot Monsieur Athos?' she asked as the instruments died down after their fifth dance 'I fear my ears are ringing'

'As ever you wish, my lady' he again took her arm and, after collecting a fresh bottle, they walked into the fresh cool evening air. Her brother checked them at the door, a warning glance to Athos, and gentle smile and reminder not to be late home with his precious sister.

'where shall we find to sit mademoiselle? This is your town, direct me' Athos asked the wine reaching his head in the coolness of the evening.

'Please. Isabelle. Just Isabelle' she smiled, steering him gently 'Follow me, I want to show you something' It was about a half mile from the tavern, an empty field, hard to make out in the moonless night. She laid down her cape on the grass and he followed suit, sitting beside her.

'What am I seeing?' he asked

'look up' she whispered, laying back, taking his arm and using his hand to point, her head close to his so she could direct him properly. She traced his finger over a row of stars. 'This is scorpio. The ancients banished scorpio and orion to the stars on opposite sides of the earth to prevent their fighting' she explained constellation after constellation, telling him the stories of the Greeks, the romans, the Egyptians. He had never spent much time looking at the stars, but he was glad he was learning now, with this beautiful girl pressed against him, explaining. Her hand still covered his, her body pressed into the length of his side, her breath tickled against his neck.

Finally, Athos looked at her 'Isabelle, how do you know all this'

'Before my mother passed, she asked my father to ensure that her daughter had an education to rival any nobleman. It was her dying wish, he could not deny her that. So I've been educated, in secret of course, by the best in the land' she paused, his eyes betraying his amazement 'I believe all women should be afforded the opportunity to be educated. I am not less of a person just because I was born a women'

'You are amazing' he whispered. He wanted to kiss her, this beautiful, intelligent young woman. It had been a long time since he had felt the stirring of his emotions like this.

Isabelle realised she was being indiscreet, pressed against this man. He was ever so handsome. Gently she eased herself away from him, aware of the flicker of disappointment that crossed his face. 'I am not amazing, sir. Simply a woman'

'Have you ever been kissed, Isabelle?' it was a small country town, girls didn't not often keep their honour intact as long as she had. He imagined she had at least a little experience.

'I have not yet, Athos. I have not found a man in this small town I should ever enjoy kissing' she glanced at his lips, more inviting than any she had ever seen.

Athos fought with himself, loyal as he still was to his dead wife, but so attracted to this beautiful woman before him, never been kissed, her lips full and red and completely entrancing. 'May I have the honour of being the first?'

Her breath caught in her throat, and she bit her lip, before his thumb brushed gently over her lower lip, releasing it from her worrying. 'I would like nothing more' she said finally.

She had often imagined her first kiss, from what she had seen around her, it seemed to be a rough, hurried affair. And then she had seen her friend kissed by her betrothed. A slow, unhurried, gentle kiss, pressed together as though nothing else around them mattered.
Athos remembered his first kiss. A servant girl who he had seduced when he was just 15. He had shown her what it was to be romanced.

He brushed his lips against hers softly, cupping her head with his hand as he lowered her to the ground, holding himself up on an elbow while he slowly caressed her mouth with his own, his tongue trailing a wet path across her lip, begging entrance. She opened up to him with the slightest sigh, her tongue meeting his, following his lead as he explored her mouth, her hand twining itself around his neck, pulling him deeper into her.
It was like forever but an instant, when he pulled away, and they both suffered at the loss.
He saw the stars reflected in her eyes, the pleasure and the joy. So he kissed her again, taking her mouth for his own, his hand at her waist pulling her closer to him, his knee between her legs. Her fingers raked through his hair, sending shivers through him.

'Isabelle' he sighed eventually, his lips in the hollow of her throat 'You are enchanting'

'I know you cannot be a husband for me' she said softly, as though lost in thought 'I see it in your face. There is love and loss, and I cannot extinguish that. I only ask that you keep my brother safe. Please, Athos.'

He stared at her, this perceptive, beautiful girl beneath his fingertips and he vowed no harm would come to Rene while he still breathed.