Chapter XX
The month of May passed very quickly as did the month of June. The weather was growing warmer so Aramis was making it one of his priorities to show Elise some of the beauties of the capital city. She was glad she could walk around holding his arm without worrying that someone would see them. She also enjoyed leaving the Garrison for their walks. The Musketeers were very dear to her, but most of them had taken the habit of smiling crookedly at her whenever she was in the room. It was beginning to embarrass her. Although she knew what she wanted and she was resolute in her decision, they were all thinking about what would happen to her on her wedding night. It was deeply annoying that this time could not belong to her and Aramis only. Porthos particularly enjoyed making her blush.
For the Musketeer, each of their moments alone simply comforted him in his choice. The decision had been made very rapidly and his fear that his affection would pass too soon never occurred. Elise sometimes looked sad, thinking about her parents and her brother who was slowly starting to understand his mistakes. From the very beginning and the first time they had talked in the hostel near Orléans, Aramis had always been there to listen to her, to her troubles and her doubts. He may have actually started caring for her as early as that night. The thought had been too weak at the time and mixed with his duty to bring her back alive to Paris that it had taken weeks for him to realize it.
It was in the open now, and it made clear sense to him. There had hardly been a day when Aramis had felt broody since he'd asked Elise to marry him. His life was as busy as ever: missions out of town, watches at the Palace or when the King went into the city, material details to settle for the marriage, these times with Elise, and his nights out with the Musketeers. He needed those to breathe and have some time for himself.
Elise was spending a lot of time with Constance since they had bought the fabric for her wedding dress from Monsieur Bonacieux. It kept her mind occupied to focus on the wedding day. She often wondered how she would spend her days when all this effervescence would be over.
"Will you stop moving? One of these needles will end up in your arm otherwise." Constance was busy putting the final touches to Elise's dress. The girl could hardly stand still as impatient as she was to see her reflection in a mirror.
Her threat was effective a few minutes only. Constance sighed in frustration even though she could not blame her friend. It was not every day that you tried on the dress you would get married in. She remembered all these years ago when she was the bride and she had marvelled at her own gown.
"I'm sorry, Constance. It is hard to believe tomorrow is my wedding day. Can you believe it?"
"I can easily believe that you will not be wearing this dress if you keep it up." She laughed, putting both her hands on Elise's shoulders so she would turn around.
"I am so excited. And nervous, I guess. Was it like that for you?"
"I think every bride feels the same on the eve of such an important day." Constance was very fond of her husband and when she was younger, she even thought she actually loved him. It was before she met d'Artagnan, though. Her friend was lucky she was allowed to marry someone she cared about so much. Her marriage would be far happier than Constance's.
"I wish my mother was here, though. Not that you are not a great help and support, but it's not the same. I have so many questions."
"I'll answer them, Elise. You know you can trust me. Besides, we will almost be neighbours soon. I expect us to spend much more time together."
The young girl was extremely glad for that. Her uncle had found them a small but picturesque house which was located less than two streets away from the Bonacieux's. Aramis was constantly complaining that he could not bring much money to their marriage, but when he realized the price of the house could be evenly split in half between her uncle and him, his face had been priceless. Elise had not seen him that proud often. Her parents had been richer than he would ever be however, he had managed to secure some money over the years. They would not lack a thing.
Elise was looking forward to taking care of this house. It made no doubt that the other Musketeers would spend much time there as well. It did no bother her. They were Aramis's family after all.
"I often wonder...Would my parents approve of this marriage? My uncle is not entirely satisfied with my decision so, would they have had the same reaction? Am I making a mistake getting married while I should still be mourning them?
"Your parents would want you to have everything you can wish for in your difficult situation. I am sure they are watching over you from Heaven and that they are overjoyed to see their daughter starting a new life. Now, come and see what you look like," Constance said more cheerfully. It was perfectly normal to be frightened before your wedding day so it was her task as a friend to make sure Elise's worries did not overshadow this important moment.
Elise gazed at herself in the mirror, taking in the embroidery on the corset, the long sleeves with ended with lace on her shoulders. It would hide her wound at least a little. The skirt was full and as she put her hands on her hips, her new petticoat ruffled around her legs. She could not see her feet. It was not too sophisticated, she liked it.
"We will put your hair up like this." Constance demonstrated, gathering the long curls in her hand on top of Elise's head. "And we will let some curls down to frame your face. Have you decided which earrings you will wear?"
"The blue ones." The colour reminded her of Aramis's cape.
"Very good choice."
"Your husband sells the best fabrics in the city, Constance. I never want to take this dress off. It is so shiny and soft."
The embroideress had used silver string to create the flowers on the corset and at the bottom of the skirt. They glimmered in the candlelight when she moved.
There was a knock on the front door and they heard the servant girl open it. She came to Constance to announce a Musketeer. She was indeed followed by Porthos.
"Your escort is here!" he explained, taking off his hat before looking hard at the young girl. Constance swatted his arm.
"Do not gape like a fish. This girl is already taken!" He shook his head, smiling.
"Of course, she is. You look amazing, Elise."
"Thank you. I hope it will trigger the same reaction in Aramis tomorrow."
"Of course, it will," Constance reassured. "Go take it off so it does not get soiled."
Porthos waited a long moment for Elise to finally be ready. They said goodbye to their friend after Constance promised to come to the Garrison to help Elise in the morning.
They walked in comfortable silence, Porthos holding the precious garment on his shoulder.
"Nervous?" the Musketeer asked when they were almost back at the Garrison. It would be the last night she spent there.
"As anyone would be."
"Do not worry. I have never heard anyone complain about Aramis."
"Complain about what? I do not think he has been married before. Or you just have betrayed your best friend."
"I was not talking about the ceremony," he replied, winking at her. Elise looked at him with dark eyes when she understood the jest. Porthos was enjoying this way too much. She hurried along, the man close behind. "I am only joking! You know you will like it!"
"Like what?" Aramis asked. He was speaking with the fellow Musketeer guarding the gates of the Garrison. He noticed Elise's flushed cheeks as she came to his side.
"You."
"Of course she will!" his friend boasted, grinning widely and they both laughed at loud. The girl was annoyed at their mocking, but she was so nervous that the sound relieved a little the tension she felt. She smiled as well. It had been more than four months since she had left Orléans, and she was becoming used to their humour and their endless banter.
"At least he will have a woman in his bed every night. One he did not have to beg for her company."
The soldier at the gate spit out his drink as Porthos lost his smile. Elise was looking at him proudly, one hand on her hip, the other on Aramis's arm. The Musketeer laughed even louder at his friend's shocked face.
"Ouch! Your training is complete! She's outsmarted you! Well done, my dear!"
Porthos cursed then slapped her shoulder roughly, as if she was a man and one of them. In a sense, she was. She had seen so much, suffered so much that for him, she was part of the company. Even though he was upset about her joke, he was proud of her. She was witty.
"A bride should not be talking like this the day before committing her life in front of God. Shame on you," he joked, pushing the heavy dress in her arms. Elise almost lost her balance.
"Let me help you with it," Aramis offered.
"No!" she exclaimed. "I mean...thank you but I will manage. I do not want you to see it. It'll be a surprise."
"And a great surprise, you can trust me."
"Have you seen it? How come he has seen it and I can't?"
"Do not be jealous. He only saw it because he barged on Constance and I. Will you help me?" Elise asked Pierre who dried his hand on his uniform before taking the dress from her hands. "I will see you tomorrow then?" Her eyes shone when she asked the question.
"I will be waiting for you. Rest well." Aramis kissed her cheek and watched her go up the stairs inside the barracks.
He could hardly believe that tomorrow at the same hour, he would be married. It was no simple talk or plan; it had become reality. She had a new dress and she was joking about her wedding night. Aramis was looking forward to the wedding night. He awaited it with great anticipation. It was becoming more and more difficult to refrain his ardour when they were kissing how ever chaste it was.
"Are you having second thoughts?"
"Asking this question is like asking if I wish to see my life end. The Captain will kill me if I'm not at the church in the morning."
"He will not be the only one. I like this girl. She is not afraid to speak her mind, and I can perfectly see who will be master of the house." Aramis rolled his eyes.
"Please, Porthos. Have you seen how small she is? My arguments will always win. Besides, she is ticklish." The Musketeer whistled at the revelation, narrowing his eyes.
"Are you certain you actually need a wedding night?"
"Yes, I do. It cannot come soon enough, trust me."
"Well, then. You should get some rest tonight to be fit for your big day. You're getting married in the morning!" Porthos pushed his friend in the courtyard.
Aramis sat on his bed, the cross in his hand, praying. Tonight's prayer was one of the most important of his life. He asked God to grant him much courage for the day to come. It was the right thing, it was what he desired. It did not make it easy. He knew his doubts will leave as soon as the ceremony was over; it had to be performed first, though.
His mind turned to Elise, somewhere else in the barracks, either sleeping or thinking about their incoming commitment, too. He had to admit that he could not wait to see her in this mysterious dress, to hold her hand. She looked so content when they talked about the wedding and what would follow, it made him happy, too.
Suddenly, he heard someone running in the corridor, the noise coming closer to his room and d'Artagnan opened the door without knocking. He looked distressed.
"You must come at once! Porthos and Athos have had too much to drink and they have started to fight. It could end badly."
Aramis scrambled to his feet to put on his boots before running after d'Artagnan. Tonight, of all nights!