Chapter XV...in which Constance and d'Artagnan meet by chance, and Athos is named as a godfather to the Dauphin.
CHAPTER XV
Wiping her tears, Constance took a deep breath in and stood up. Alright, you've had a good cry. Enough. The Dauphin needs you. The Queen needs you. She pushed the door open and walked down the hall, automatically making her way to the infant heir's suite. Aramis. She had to find him and deliver the message.
A dark-haired small boy in the livery of the Dauphin's household nearly ran into her as she turned a corner. "Madame Bonacieux!" he exclaimed hastily, his brown eyes remorseful. "Please excuse my clumsiness. I did not see you."
She managed to summon up a smile. Gabriel Delacroix was the son of a distant cousin of the King. He had joined the Dauphin's staff as a page several weeks before Christmas, soon after his father's sudden death from pneumonia. As luck would have it, Louis had been in a benevolent mood the day he had received the letter from Gabriel's mother begging for a position for her boy, and had readily agreed to have Gabriel join his son's staff.
Gabriel was a kind and intelligent boy, and had quickly become a favourite with both Constance and baby Louis. He had often helped care for his younger siblings at home, and was quite good at getting the baby to smile or settle when he was out of sorts.
"It is I who should have been paying attention. Where are you off to?"
"I thought I would fetch another blanket for Louis, in case it gets cold tonight. The fresh laundry never came up this afternoon."
"Go on, then," Constance said kindly. "Just make sure you stop by the kitchen and have the cook give you a snack. My orders."
The boy flashed her a grin, and bowed, dashing off down the hallway.
Making the last turn, Constance stopped in her tracks when she saw the well-built man with the shoulder-length dark hair standing guard. He was dressed in dark brown leather with the distinctive pauldron proudly displayed on his shoulder. D'Artagnan. Not tonight. This is too cruel! I can't face him, not now. She began backing up, uncertain of what to do, when he turned and met her gaze, his soulful brown eyes warming the very marrow of her bones.
"D'Artagnan," she whispered.
"Constance. I- How are you?" he asked softly. "You look well."
"I'm-happy," she replied, trying to stop her voice from trembling. "The Queen is very good to me. And the Dauphin-he's a beautiful, beautiful baby, d'Artagnan. You never saw such a sweet child. Have you been-" she cleared her throat, buying time to quell her emotions, "-assigned to guard duty here?"
"I have," he answered. "Aramis and myself, that is."
Constance glanced around her. "Aramis? Where is he?"
"He went to check on the security of the nursery," said d'Artagnan, shaking his head. "He has been so paranoid tonight. I don't know what's gotten into him."
"Perhaps I should go find him," blurted out Constance.
"I'll go with you," said d'Artagnan, relieved to have a chance to find his friend, who had been gone for a good twenty minutes.
"No!" Constance was quick to cover up her vehement reply. "I mean, the Queen has a rule…only one person who is not a staff member allowed in the nursery at a time."
"But I'm practically a staff member," protested d'Artagnan. "How much closer can I be to the King? I put my life on the line for him every day!"
"Sorry," answered Constance firmly. "Queen's rules." She slipped through the door, shutting it soundly behind her.
D'Artagnan shook his head. Everyone is acting oddly tonight. It must be a full moon.
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Constance padded into the nursery to find Aramis standing by the window, holding his son and singing to him softly. The moonlight framed them both in a soft glow, and the baby was staring intently at the man holding him, one small hand stretching up to touch the musketeer's beard. Aramis laughed, the joyous, deep laugh that that usually warmed Constance's heart. Tonight, however, it struck a chord of uneasy fear inside her heart.
"Aramis," she said reproachfully, walking over to him and laying a hand on his arm.
"What?" he gave her his trademark charming smile, then transferred his gaze back to the baby, resuming his singing.
"You can't. You just can't." she hated herself for having to say it, but it was true. He was risking everything by his impulsive desire to see his son. "Besides, I have strict instructions from the Queen to give you a message—for your ears only."
He suddenly gave her his full attention, instantly on alert. "The Queen? What message?"
Constance leaned over, and whispered in his ear, "Alguien lo sabe." Someone knows.
Aramis felt the blood drain out of his face, and handed Constance the baby, leaning against the wall to support himself. "What else did she say?" he murmured, his voice low and desperate.
"That's it," Constance answered with regret. "But she asked me to give you this. It is a key to the staircase from the chapel to her sitting room. "
She pressed the key into his hand, and Aramis closed his fist around it, clenching the key so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He brought his hand to his lips, and shut his eyes, emotion overcoming him. Please, Lord. Anything but them. I will gladly sacrifice myself—just keep them safe from harm.
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An hour later, Athos and Charlotte were seated side by side, at a table just below the King, enjoying the sumptuous dinner. Glancing at the head table thoughtfully, Charlotte asked, "So, do you have any idea when the King will call you forward to be acknowledged?"
"No," responded Athos slowly, taking a sip of wine and setting his goblet down carefully. "And even if I did, he would probably decide at the last minute to change something. When dealing with His Majesty, it is best to be-flexible, shall we say?"
Charlotte decided that he was being politically correct, and guessed that the King's fickle approach to life probably made dealing with him on a day to day basis mentally exhausting.
"You are good men," she said quietly, putting her hand over his. "All of you. His Majesty's subjects, and I include myself in this, should be grateful they have you musketeers to risk your lives on a daily basis in order to keep our country stable."
"Well, it is what we accept when we take our commission," he answered, his gaze direct and honest.
"That does not make it any less noble," she responded gently. "Probably more, in fact."
"It has been a very long time," Athos murmured, pressing his lips to her hand, "since anyone has called me noble."
"Then I shall make it a habit, until you become convinced of it," replied Charlotte, her eyes warming. "For I think you have somehow been led to think you are less than the finest and truest man I have ever met. So, I believe I will make you my personal reclamation project." She smiled at him, and gently ran her fingers along the nape of his neck. "I have to warn you, though—-it may involve hours of intensive one-on-one therapy."
He answered her by kissing her other hand. "I have one question for you before I agree." As he gazed at her intently, a slow grin spread across his face. "When can we start?"
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Meanwhile, outside the Dauphin's suite of rooms, Aramis had emerged, white-faced and shaky. After one look at his friend's face, d'Artagnan's mood turned in an instant from annoyance to concern.
"What's wrong?" he asked urgently. "Is the Dauphin safe? Is Constance safe?"
Aramis gave him an empty stare, and d'Artagnan gripped his arms. "Aramis! Talk to me!"
"They're—fine," he said slowly, then took a deep breath and tucked something into his pocket.
"What is that?" d'Artagnan's sharp voice caused Aramis' head to jerk up.
"Nothing," he said defensively. "Everything's fine. I was just helping Constance settle some things."
"Yeah—okay," grunted d'Artagnan, giving Aramis a cold glance that let him know that their youngest didn't believe a word he'd heard.
They resumed their positions, an uncomfortable chasm of silence separating the two musketeers.
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As dinner finished, the King stood and motioned for the musicians to take a break. He then turned to Athos and signalled for him to approach the head table. Athos gave Charlotte a rueful look, and stood up, wishing this part of the evening was already over. He always hated being the centre of attention, but this ceremony was going to be particularly uncomfortable, especially with his knowledge of the true paternity of the Dauphin.
The one saving grace of the whole awkward situation was that Aramis wasn't here to see it. Although his friend had not said a word about Athos being named a godfather to the heir to throne, Athos instinctively knew that it bothered Aramis more than he would ever admit. Had Aramis been the one to be injured in the aborted kidnapping, he could have been standing in Athos' place, assured of being a special person in his son's life forever. But by a twist of fate, however, Athos was now godfather to the future King.
He stood at attention next to the King, back straight and uniform impeccable, a model of Musketeer decorum. Louis placed his hand on Athos' shoulder, and began to speak, his voice choking with emotion. "I would like to acknowledge our honoured guest this evening… a man whose bravery has directly affected the course of French history. I am speaking of Athos, of the regiment of Captain Treville, King's Musketeers. He singlehandedly—" (not quite, thought Athos) "-foiled a vile conspiracy that threatened the life of the Dauphin. It is because of him that the heir to the throne is safe today. Captain Treville, would you join us?"
Treville made his way through the crowd to stand at Athos' side. "Captain, your regiment has shown time and time again that it represents the very epitome of loyalty, duty, and bravery. I would like to present to you this framed citation, honouring your men for faithful service to your King."
As the crowd applauded, Treville bowed to the King. "You are too kind, Your Majesty. It is our pleasure to serve you."
Louis then turned to Athos. "There is really no way I can adequately express my thanks to you. However, it is my wish that you have a permanent position of importance in my son's life, so you have been named as an additional godfather to the Dauphin."
Athos bowed. "This is an honour I do not deserve, Your Majesty. I wish it to be noted that Aramis, my comrade, also risked his life for the Dauphin. It was just a twist of fate that caused myself to be wounded rather than him." He noticed to his dismay that Louis was no longer listening, but was signalling to one of his footmen to approach the table. The man approached, bowed, and stood with a box in his hand, which he opened in front of the King.
"I also wish to present you with a title than is very meaningful to the House of Bourbon. My grandfather, King Antoine of Navarre, had an attempt on his life foiled by a brave soldier who stopped the assassin right before he reached the King. This soldier was given the title of Defender of the Throne. My father, during his reign, also had such a loyal man whose service to the King merited such an honour. And now, Athos," the King reached into the box and lifted out a nine inch dagger, the blade shining in the light of the candelabra that had been placed on the dais, "I present you with the title of Defender of the Throne, and gift you with this dagger. May you live long to fiercely defend your country."
For once, Athos was almost speechless. The weapon was truly a work of art. The metal of the blade was thin, yet strong, and when the King laid it in his palm, it sat perfectly balanced, as if it had been forged for Athos to wield. The pommel was adorned with a gold relief of the seal of the House of Bourbon, ornamented with inlaid rubies and sapphires, which sparkled like so many points of light as Athos slowly turned it over.
"Your Majesty, this is too generous-I can't-"
"You can, and you will," replied Louis magnanimously. "With the heartfelt thanks of myself and the Queen."
Athos looked over to see Queen Anne, tears glistening in her eyes, lay a hand on her heart. Overcome by the raw emotion in her face, he could but nod and bow to the King, murmuring his appreciation for the honour. As the applause continued, he and Treville stepped down from the table and resumed their places.
As he sat down, Athos reached for his goblet and took a long drink, letting the warmth of the wine course down his throat. Sometimes, the burden of knowing about the truth about Aramis and the baby was difficult for him to shoulder. Although he knew that Anne had to some degree taken advantage of Aramis when he was vulnerable and mourning the death of Isabelle, he had no doubt that she loved him-and that he loved her.
And the pain of seeing that love thwarted and forced to lie in embers in the heart, flaming at the most inopportune and hurtful moments, was not insignificant. Athos loved Aramis as if he had been his own brother, and he hated seeing him suffer. Hated seeing him long to hold his son, to be part of his life-and Athos hated the fact that he himself now as godfather had the permanent access and bond to the Dauphin that Aramis never would. Fate was more often than not cruel, he thought.
In the midst of these dark thoughts, he felt a cool hand close over his, and he looked to see Charlotte watching him with a troubled expression on her face. It is as if she can read my thoughts. He gave her a small smile, and her face cleared a bit. She squeezed his hand, and whispered, "I'm here, Athos. I won't let you fall."
As the evening continued and the ceremonial aspects had been completed, the atmosphere became more relaxed and merry. By the time the minuet was announced, Charlotte had just started to become a bit more comfortable. However, when she took her place on the dance floor with Athos, she felt tension begin to spread through her body. She glanced around her, and saw the wealthy couples surrounding her in a sea of bright blue and gold. The gowns were all extravagant, and the jewels the women wore put her modest sapphire set to shame. And I thought I looked a princess when I gazed into the cracked mirror on my washstand. How wrong I was.
"Hey," Athos murmured, catching her attention. "Eyes on me, remember? I want you to know that I am looking at the most beautiful, intelligent, and alluring woman in this entire room. Nothing else matters except us. Relax your body." When his right hand took hers and his hand fell naturally to her waist, everything seemed to fall into place, and she smiled at him with gratitude. As they began to dance, she found herself naturally falling into rhythm with the confidence he displayed on the dance floor, her silk dress flowing behind her as they executed a perfect turn.
He gave her a reassuring grin as he guided her in the opposite direction, and she marvelled at the grace this very masculine warrior could display. Her mind turned over threads of their conversation earlier, and she reflexively blushed at the boldness she had displayed in her comments. Are you sure the pendant is the only thing you find intriguing about my neckline?...,,It may involve hours of intensive one-on-one therapy. Such flirtatiousness was not part of Charlotte Gaillard's standard repertiore. I feel safe with him, though…safe enough to be slightly inappropriate and know he will not take unwanted liberties.
His eyes rested on hers, and his hand tightened possessively on her waist, bringing them closer together. She found herself examining his features again, and wondered at the peace she saw in his face. His dark hair swept down over his forehead, and the clear blue of his eyes seemed to become more arresting by the moment. As he watched her with amusement, the corner of his mouth quirked up in the half-smile that caused her to feel as if her insides were melting. Within five minutes, the dance was over, and Charlotte was glowing with happiness. "Not only did your feet emerge unscathed," she whispered, "it was actually fun!"
"You have a very appealing grace on the dance floor," he answered her with a grin. "I could get used to having you for a dance partner."
"I'll see if I can clear some space on my dance card for later on this evening," Charlotte replied teasingly. "But I must warn you I'm much in demand tonight."
"But how many of your potential escorts have a ceremonial dagger to hand?" inquired Athos with mock gravity. "I might find it necessary to display it if you have too many men circling around you."
"Hmm-very territorial of you, Monsieur Athos…especially for a man I just met several days ago."
"But much has transpired since then, Mademoiselle-so I feel at liberty to claim the privilege." Athos claimed two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handed one to Charlotte. "Come, I believe the acrobats are about to start."
Next time-things become a lot more dangerous for everyone in the palace...for some more so than others...
Hoping you are enjoying and that I am still staying true to character!