Author's Note: My second Beta, Nicole is back... so we helped too. Heather as usual helped. You will all be happy to know, the story is now completely written. 30 chapters. All I need to do is type the remaing 10, and send those to the first Beta. I have the next two chapters ready to post, so... if you encourage me enough... I might post 9 later. ;) Enjoy. Meg
The ship sailed shortly after Jacqueline and d'Artagnan had laid down for a nap. Jacqueline rubbed her eyes and looked around. It must have been close to dinnertime as the sun was beginning to set outside their window. D'Artagnan was wrapped up on the floor. Jacqueline smiled; he was adorable, like a child. She heard a noise outside the door and quietly got out of bed and rushed over to d'Artagnan.
"Edmund," Jacqueline said, shaking him. Whistling and clanking of dishes could now be heard. D'Artagnan got up and threw the blanket on the bed along with the pillow. Just then, the servant entered without knocking.
"Good evening milady, sir." The servant dragged in a tray. "Some wine and caviar from the captain."
D'Artagnan waved his hand and the servant disappeared. He opened the bottle, poured some wine, and handed it to Jacqueline who drank it in one gulp. "Edmund, I do not think this is going to work…"
D'Artagnan cut her off, "let us eat first and then discuss it."
Jacqueline took a bite of the caviar and chewed. It was different from the food she was used to and it took all her power to swallow. They finished the food off and d'Artagnan opened the box containing the jewels and treaty. He checked to make sure it was all there. He unfolded the treaty and studied it. It looked real enough. He handed it to Jacqueline who took it and studied it. She was about to hand it back when d'Artagnan closed the distance between them and pressed his lips to hers. Jacqueline hesitated at first, then wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed back. The treaty fell from her hands to her lap in between them.
"Pardon me, my lord, milady. I just wanted to know where you would be wanting dinner served tonight." The servant looked flushed as he spoke.
D'Artagnan broke off the kiss and turned, "in here tonight."
The servant bowed before saying, "very good, my lord." The servant hastily left them alone. Jacqueline had not moved her hands; they were still around him. Her eyes gazed into his and her face flushed.
D'Artagnan looked at her, "sorry Jacqueline, I could think of nothing else." His face was turned away, hiding his embarrassment.
Jacqueline looked down, avoiding his eyes. "You did the correct thing. The mission is more important."
He took the treaty brushing her hand slightly with his hand and she felt an electric current run through her body, causing her to shiver. She turned to the floor where he had slept and sighed, "The servants must not suspect. I believe it would be better if you slept in the bed. It is big enough for us both."
D'Artagnan looked shocked, "but as a gentleman I could not..."
Jacqueline cut him off, "the mission is more important. It must come first and as far as my reputation goes… I'm only a farmer's daughter, with no title or land, hardly worth troubling yourself over." She finished turning away to avoid eye contact.
D'Artagnan felt his anger rise at her belittlement of herself. 'Hardly worth troubling yourself'' echoed in his mind. He took her hand and spun her around so fast she felt dizzy for a few seconds. "Jacqueline, you are more of a lady then most of the women I've known. Do not belittle yourself so."
Jacqueline did not look convinced. He lifted her chin and kissed her softly, this time of his own free accord. Jacqueline felt the dizziness return and she felt giddy all of a sudden. D'Artagnan was a great kisser for sure. He broke it off and looked at her, still holding her hand. "Jacqueline, I am free to love whom I choose."
Jacqueline held her breath and felt herself shiver as the electric current continued to course through her body. "A lady, or a farmer's daughter, I…" They both turned to the sound of wheels rolling and he let go of her hand.
"My lord, milady. Here's your dinner," the servant said as he wheeled it in. D'Artagnan opened the lids and sat the plates out. Jacqueline's nerves were frazzled. Had he been about to say what she thought he was going to say? She looked at him, but his face gave nothing away, and she grabbed a roll. "Pass the butter, Edmund," she asked politely.
He passed the butter and their fingers brushed gently. Jacqueline shivered again, nearly dropping the butter. D'Artagnan sat thinking as he ate. Had he been about to tell her he loved her? Two months ago, he swore to himself not to, to protect her and here he was… His lips tingled from the kiss and he still felt the warmth from her arms around his neck, he could not deny how much he enjoyed it. Her life, her reputation… they meant everything to him. He promised silently, he would see to it, no one found out about this.
D'Artagnan climbed into the bed facing the inside as close to the edge and as far from Jacqueline as he could get. She climbed in as well, facing the wall away from him and he fell asleep, relieved. Jacqueline looked back at her shirtless companion and scooted closer as she saw he was asleep. She longed to feel his warmth, as she was cold. She lay with her hair touching his chest and closed her eyes. As soon as she was warm, she would move back, but she fell fast asleep.