Chapter 10
Episode 9
"I'm not going anywhere."
Athos had asked the others to come to the house so he could tell them everything. Porthos and Aramis were still a little upset they were the last to hear anything about Athos' first wife. But they were willing to put it aside for now needing to deal with the issue at hand. Athos had started off with an apology to his two oldest friends. It hadn't been easy telling anyone about all of this. It was painful and humiliating. He had only told d'Artagnan while still mostly drunk and reeling from the knowledge Anne was still alive.
And then there was the revelation that had taken place after Athos had told them everything. d'Artagnan had known Anne for the last several months and didn't even realize it. Amongst d'Artagnan's profuse apologies and Athos' assurances it was all right, Constance made her declaration.
Constance stood defiant. Her sudden declaration shocked them all into momentary silence.
"No," Athos finally said.
"I'm not letting that woman ruin my life," Constance said. "Our life."
"Constance, you are going to stay with your brothers until I deem it safe," Athos stood up facing her.
"Don't you dare," Constance leaned in glaring at Athos. "You swore you would never tell me what to do. It was a vow you made, not in front of the priest who married us, but in this house when you proposed the idea of marriage. You swore you would never see me as anything, but an equal."
"She has threatened everything I hold dear," Athos said surprisingly calm. "I am sorry; I cannot allow you to stay."
Constance stared at Athos for a long moment before turning around and walking out of the room. Everyone in the kitchen flinched when a bedroom door slammed raddling the house.
TM
Athos had slept in the other room that night and by morning there wasn't much said between him and Constance. When he arrived at the garrison he the other three Musketeers were given an assignment to guard the queen on her trip to a spring that was said to have healing powers or some such thing, Athos really didn't much care.
He stopped at the house before they were to head out. He hated to leave now still worried for Constance. She would hate it, but he didn't care.
"I'll be gone for a few days; we have an assignment to guard the queen outside of the city," he said in the doorway to their bedroom. Constance had her back to him as she was folding laundry and putting it away.
"All right," she said.
Athos opened his mouth to say something else, but was at a loss for words. "Take care of yourself," he said before turning and leaving.
TM
They were stuck outside during their assignment. Athos was just glad the weather was reasonable. He managed to keep his mind occupied for the first couple of days sparring with d'Artagnan and Porthos. By the third day Aramis was getting on his nerves and then a shot interrupted sharpshooter's grumblings.
By the time they had returned the queen safely to the palace Athos had put aside his concern over Aramis' foolish mistake of sleeping with the queen and back to thoughts of what Milady, as he now thought of her, was doing.
After his words with the Cardinal he caught up with Porthos, Aramis, d'Artagnan and the captain. "Meet me at my house in an hour," he said to them. "Captain, I believe you should join us."
"What is this about?" Trevillle looked at each of them.
Athos took a deep breath looking at his brothers. "They will fill you in, but suffice it say, we need to take care of person responsible for hiring the assassins."
He looked to the other three hoping they would understand his meaning. He really didn't think he could go through another telling of his history with Milady.
"Go see Constance," d'Artagnan slapped Athos' arm.
"We've got this," Porthos agreed.
"I've no doubt she missed you," Aramis teased.
Athos shook his head, but was grateful. "I'll see you in an hour," he walked off just catching Treville's gruff voice demanding answers.
TM
Athos walked into the house holding his hat in front of him. "Constance," he called out.
"In here," she yelled out from the bedroom.
He walked in stopping in the doorway to see her doing some sewing. He set his hat on the bed and then walked the rest of the way to her removing her sewing from her hands and putting it all down on the bed as well.
"Athos," she complained.
He grasped her by the shoulders and gently pulled her up to her feet. Looking her in the eye, he leaned down and kissed her wrapping his arms around her. He wasn't surprised when she hesitated before returning the kiss. Her arms came up around his neck and he continued to kiss her for some time.
Finally when he pulled back, it was just enough for him to separate their lips. He still held her resting his forehead against hers. "I'm a fool," he said.
"You confound me," Constance said.
"I beg your forgiveness," he said.
Constance smiled up at him. "And what is it you must be forgiven for?"
"I should not have demanded you leave. You were right; I promised I would never tell you what to do. It doesn't change how much I worry though and I won't apologize for that," he said the last sentence looking at her in the eye.
"I wouldn't ask you to not worry about me as I too worry about you," she said. "I'm sorry too, I was being stubborn and you were just worried."
"We are a pair," he said.
"A pretty good pair," she said.
He smiled. It was gentle. "I've invited the others and Treville. We need to take care of Milady. She hired assassins to kill the queen."
"What?" Constance gasped.
"The queen is safely returned to the palace," he said.
Constance breathed a sigh of relief. "It sounds like you had an interesting few days."
"You have no idea," Athos sighed.
TBC