Chapter 21 - The Ball

Hi everyone, my sincere apologies for the sporadic updates but I've had MA papers to submit and a thesis to write. This one has taken some time to put together. I'm not sure about it, but I'll leave it for you to decide. My thanks to everyone who has patiently remained with this story and continues to review. As ever I own none of the characters, who belong to Dumas and the BBC, except the OC.

As December rolled into view the palace was yet again a hive of activity. The King had given permission for an Winter Ball to be thrown as an anniversary present to Queen Anne. While Louis XIII hated the boredom of balls and dancing, he had conceded to endure this as a last present to Queen before her full term trimester and confinement would commence. Nobles from around France had been arriving in fancy carriages all afternoon. Even the Duke and Duchess of Savoy made an appearance, something which only served to grate on the King further. While the Duchess delighted in giving Anne as much preparation and advice as possible concerning motherhood, the Duke and his first minister mirrored the king with feigned expressions of pleasure to see each other. Annabelle had returned from leave and Marie had returned to her post meaning that Catherine and Constance once again found themselves more as spare servants than actual ladies. Neither of them minded. The last two weeks had been a nightmare and both were glad for a break. Catherine had not seen Athos nor any of the other musketeers since their last encounter. Furthermore until she spotted him lurking in the corner she had not realised how glad she was not to have had anymore encounters with Rochefort either. When the news of the Ball had been announced Catherine had secretly hoped the Queen would require her services that night if only for the chance to see Athos again, but it was now the afternoon before the ball and the Queen had said nothing to her.

Catherine sighed. She had been kept busy yes, but that hadn't distracted her from her nightmares or paranoia.

At four o' clock that afternoon her hopes were completely smashed when Constance bustled into the Queen's chamber in a new gown.

'D'Artagnan is going to find you irresistible in that dress.' Catherine joked.

'Oh this?' Constance said flattening the front of the corset. 'Its just a little something for tonight.'

'Really I wasn't aware we were supposed to get new gowns commissioned.' Catherine smirked.

'The Queen had this commissioned and fitted for tonight last week. I wouldn't mind,' Constance sniffed avoiding Catherine's amused glare 'but I could have done a better fitting job than that creep any day.'

Catherine chuckled. Constance could try as hard as she liked to deny it but the way the dress folded against Constance with perfection attention to detail spoke volumes about the truth.

'So evidently its just me not going tonight then.' Catherine sighed and began folding sheets again. Constance looked at her apologetically. 'I'm sure you'll get to come next time.'

'Perhaps.'

Constance watched Catherine take out her frustration on the Queen's new silk blankets for a few minutes and then said. 'This wouldn't have anything to do with a certain someone would it?'

'I have no idea what you mean.' Catherine lied. 'I'm just disappointed not to come that's all.'

'If it helps Athos doesn't like fetes anyway, he might not even come.'

'If d'Artagnan is on duty then Athos probably will be as well.' Catherine replied before she could stop herself.

Constance shook her head grinning just as the Queen, fully dressed and bedecked in her finest pearls, entered from the antechamber adjacent followed by Annabelle and Marie. Both Catherine and Constance bowed low to her and she smiled.

As much as the two ladies standing in front of her might liked to have believed it, Anne was not blind to where their affections lay. The one good thing about a certain musketeers absence, she mused, had been that Catherine had at least managed to settle down and started to prove that she was a capable lady in waiting.

'Will you be able to handle things alone tonight?' The Queen asked spotting Catherine's slightly sour complexion.

'Yes you majesty of course I will. I hope you enjoy yourself tonight.' Came the stiff reply. Anne heard the disappointment in the reply but steeled her resolve. She had chosen Catherine and wanted her to succeed at this job. If that meant temporarily keeping her away from other distractions then that was the Queen was prepared to do.

'When you are done you may of course retire.' The Queen replied curtly.

'Thank you your majesty.' Catherine nodded.

With that the four women left the Queen's apartments. Constance at least gave Catherine another apologetic look before she shut the door. When they were gone Catherine put her hand on her forehead and slumped on the edge of the Queen's bed. She was aware that she was acting almost like a jealous Cinderella who was half hoping her fairy god mother would turn up and take her to the Ball. The thought was ludicrous but she couldn't help it.

After she had sulked for the best part of an hour she finished folding the blankets, lay out the Queen's nightwear, water and a small tray of biscuits. It was around ten o'clock when she was finally finished. As she walked towards her rooms the sounds of the music and chatter echoed down the halls to her and once more the jealousy began creeping in.

When she reached her door she paused. Would it really do any harm if she snuck up to ballroom to watch for a little bit? There were so many people attending surely no-one would notice her if she stayed casually by an exit? Catherine fought with her judgement for a few minutes. Half of her desperately wanted to attend the other half warned her that considering the Queen had not invited her for a reason perhaps she had better just accept it and be sour. In the end the siren of the music and laughter proved too tempting. Brushing her gown down and straightening her hair Catherine turned back down the corridor following the sounds of festivity. When she reached the ground level a wave of shock and delight hit her. She was, by now, used to the royal glamour and splendour, but this was on an entirely new level. Jewels glittered everywhere, feathered hats, velvet drapes and hair adornments littered the ball room which was over spilling with people. Wine, glinting goblets, golden dress trains, dancing music and lively chatter combined to make the atmosphere truly electric. From behind a group of people near the doors Catherine spotted the King, Queen and Cardinal on the raised dais at the end of the room. Constance was talking to d'Artagnan over by the windows and Annabelle and Marie were also conversing with unknown nobles. As her eyes scanned the multitude of people they finally sharpened and fell upon the man she had been looking for. Athos.

He was stood with his other two comrades, Aramis and Porthos, and two other ladies one of which Catherine recognized as Madame de Cheveruse. The ladies were drinking and laughing jovially. Aramis kept looking distractedly at the Queen but Porthos was fully engaging with the lady whose facing back prevented Catherine from identifying her. As she watched more carefully she saw that Athos and Madame de Cheveruse were engaged in deep conversation. Athos was smiling openly while Madame de Cheveruse was laughing and playing flirtatiously with her fan. A pang of envy ripped through Catherine's chest at the sight. Madame de Cheveruse was famed for her beauty, she was tall, blonde with a pale complexion and bright blue eyes. Fully adorned she was easily the most beautiful woman in France, even besides the Queen. The paranoia Catherine had desperately being trying to suppress about Athos being married or attached had by now resurged in full.

The more Catherine watched the more annoyed she got. She desperately wanted to join in the conversation or at least make sure she could hear what was evidently so captivating to Athos. She watched as Madame de Cheveruse shuffled closer to Athos' right side and before she fully comprehended what she was doing Catherine found herself pushing around the edges of the room and crowds towards them. The heat in the room despite it being December was stifling from so many people, at the same time they were a blessing as it made it relatively easy for Catherine to slip around the hall without being noted. Being careful to try and stay out of the Queen's direct line of vision Catherine picked up a fan off the nearby table and did her best to hide her face behind it. The noise was so loud in the room that she ended up sneaking closer than caution would ever have allowed in order to get close enough to hear what was being said.

'…and what do you think of the wine here?' Madame de Cheveruse was saying.

'It is a good vintage,' Athos replied smiling. 'A 1482 Burgundy I do believe.'

'Your friend has quite the sharp taste in wine Monsieurs.' Madame de Cheveruse commented to Porthos and Aramis.

'He drinks enough of it.' Porthos laughed.

'Really? Are you a drunk Monsieur Athos?' Madame de Cheveruse teased.

Athos' cheeks turned slightly red and he didn't reply.

'You should see him on a night out,' Porthos continued. 'Have to carry him home half the time.' Athos shot Porthos feigned look of exasperation which only made him and Aramis laugh harder.

'Yes but underneath it all he's a rugged, handsome fellow.' Aramis assured.

'Oh but of course.' Madame de Cheveruse replied smiling at Athos and twirling her fan. 'Tell me Monsieur Athos what other qualities can you claim to have?'

'Alas not that many Madame.'

'I wouldn't say that.' Athos, Porthos, Aramis, Madame de Cheveruse and her companion turned to see Catherine, who had picked up a glass of wine herself and had heard quite enough, sweep into the group.

'My Lady how good to see you.' Aramis tipped his hat obligingly trying to dispel the sudden awkwardness. 'Constance said you were unable to attend this evening.' Aramis was hinting that they all knew she was not supposed to be there but Catherine was too fired up to pay heed.

'I thought so too but I finished earlier than expected.' She shot back at Aramis. She then turned to Madame de Cheveruse 'I don't believe we have been introduced my name is Catherine I am one of her majesty's ladies.'

'Pleased to meet you mademoiselle, I am the Comtesse de Cheveruse.' Although a little taken aback by the tone, sharp introduction and rather underdressed appearance of the girl in front of her, Madame de Cheveruse held her cool.

'Forgive me but are you acquainted with these gentlemen?' Her companion asked sensing the Comtesse's awkwardness.

'Yes.' Was the only reply she got. Porthos couldn't stifle his laughter and Aramis looked away with embarrassment.

'Have you been at court long?' The Comtesse inquired when it became obvious she was going to have to do all the work.

'Long enough to know that the wine you are drinking is actually a 1485 Sauvignon not a 1482 Burgundy.' Catherine replied coolly.

'It appears your expertise has a challenger,' The Comtesse's companion laughed.

Athos maintained a wary and controlled expression and did not reply.

'How shall we settle this?' The lady asked.

Neither Athos nor Catherine replied. Both were looking at each other both wearing wary expressions.

'We could always ask the servants.' Madame de Cheveruse prompted after a moment.

No one replied.

'Perhaps we should settle this another time.' Aramis interjected smoothly.

'Excuse me Monsieur,' the Comtesse called to a nearby servant who hurried over. 'What vintage is this being served tonight?'

'There's two my lady,' the servant replied. 'A 1482 Burgundy and a 1485 Sauvignon, at the King's command.'

'Well that helps!' The other lady responded dryly.

'Its probable that you each have one of each vintage in that case,' Madame de Cheveruse concurred demurely. 'So I guess there is no dishonour on either part.'

'Well not ours at least.' Catherine said offhandedly.

Madame de Cheveruse fixed her with a stare. 'And what do you mean by that curious sentiment.'

'Nothing at all,' Catherine replied evenly. 'I apologise I merely meant to enquire after your husband. Is he here Madame? Last I heard he was very distracted of late.'

Four things happened simultaneously. Madame de Cheveruse went scarlet red, her companion scowled darkly, Aramis put his head in hands and Athos looked away.

For all her beauty and money one thing the Comtesse de Cheveruse could not claim to have was a faithful husband.

When she received no reply Catherine merely offered a cold but polite smile to Comtesse. 'A pity Madame, he has evidently lost a great deal in not accompanying you tonight. Though you seem to have adequately found your own distractions.' She nodded to Athos.

Catherine had meant the sentiment to be an elegant and controlled way of telling the Comtesse to back off. She fully expected the Comtesse to make her polite excuses and move away to another group and that would be the end of that. Her choice of 'distractions' however was a poor one and unfortunately for Catherine she failed to consider the deeper implications of what she had just said. Madame de Cheveruse's companion was not so naive.

'What did you just say?' The woman snapped coldly. 'Exactly what are you accusing the Comtesse of here?'

Catherine turned her gaze to the sharp eyed lady. 'I am not accusing the Comtesse of anything. I am merely making an observation.'

'An observation that amounts to a declaration of impropriety.' The woman retorted.

'I do not particularly recall using that word.' Catherine tried to maintain a cool and blank expression. People around them had started to turn and listen in particularly at the words 'impropriety' and 'accusation'.

'Does the Queen normally permit her ladies to insult members of the nobility?'

'I have not insulted anyone.'

'Insinuations count as insults but then I guess someone of such low origins as yourself could not be expected to know that.'

Catherine paused. It was no secret that she had no title or lands but her situation had, as of yet, not been used against her. Certainly not publicly.

'Ladies, perhaps we should all just excuse ourselves now.' Aramis said sensing the rising tension and the number of heads that were starting to turn.

But the woman wasn't finished and ignored him.

'Of course it's a wonder that the Queen hired you in the first place. By rights the likes of you shouldn't even be in the presence of us, never mind the Queen and the King's unborn son.'

Slap.

Catherine's hand connected with the woman's right cheek sending her reeling backwards in a state of shock. Madame de Cheveruse's mouth fell open, Porthos looked stunned, Aramis groaned even Catherine was somewhat surprised by her actions. A hush had fallen over that corner of the room which subsequently prompted everyone else to look and see what was going on.

The woman pulled herself up, one hand clutching her burning cheek while the other tried to pointlessly rub the wine that had spilled down the front of her dress when she had reeled backwards.

'Look she's positively feral!' The woman cried out half in anger, half in tears.

'What is going on over here?' The Cardinal's voice drifted from behind Catherine's left.

'This thing just attacked me!'

'She insulted me!' Catherine stammered.

'And she insulted Madame de Cheveruse, accusing her of impropriety!'

It probably wasn't possible for the poor Comtesse to turn any redder with humiliation.

'Is this true?' The Cardinal asked coldly.

'I did not accuse the Comtesse…'

'I wasn't talking to you,' The Cardinal snapped.

'Well…' the Comtesse flustered still shocked at what had transpired.

'She plainly accused the Comtesse of finding her own distractions while her husband was absent!' The other lady snarled.

'Woah there!. She didn't openly accuse the Comtesse of anything!' Porthos spoke up.

'She certainly insinuated it!' The other lady hissed.

Feeling the pressure of the heat and gossip that would undoubtedly rise throughout the rest of the night, Madame de Cheveruse chose to excuse herself in that moment. She curtsied to the King and Queen and then promptly swept through the door to the gardens.

'As far as I was to understand it you were not supposed to be attending tonight.' The Cardinal fixed Catherine with a glare of barely concealed joy at the discomfort of everyone in the near vicinity after the Comtesse's untimely exit. 'Isn't that right your majesty?'

Catherine lowered her eyes. She had no excuse for that one. Everyone's head turned to the Queen who wore a grim expression and nodded slowly.

The Cardinal turned back around. 'I suggest you leave.' He simmered before turning to Athos. 'This is company you wish to be associated with musketeer? A woman who acts wildly in the presence of others, insults the nobility and has no respect for the wishes of her sovereign.'

Athos looked at the Cardinal with the same controlled, blank expression he usually favoured.

'Well?' The Cardinal prompted, clearly enjoying himself.

Athos said nothing. He nodded to Porthos and Aramis and swiftly strode from the crowded hall following the footsteps of Madame de Cheveruse.

Turning back to Catherine, the Cardinal pointed to the door. 'I suggest you leave now, before you do any further damage to everyone around you.' His voice was final and absolute in its suggestion.

Turning, and shifting uncomfortably under the gazes of the whole of the nobility, Catherine quietly exited the ballroom back towards her chambers.

As the music resumed and the chattering, although muted, began again, the woman who had accompanied Madame de Cheveruse moved towards the exit. As she passed into the darkened corridor she was met by none other than Rochefort.

'Well done.' He said simply and handed her a purse of silver livres.

In the next chapter Catherine makes two resolutions. One for herself and one to Athos.