Shout outs & appreciation to…
CeleryBunch… Welcome! Thank you for the review. It is always nice to hear from someone new. I'm glad you like the story & hope to get more reviews from you on other chapters!
Mercury Gray… Is Athos trying to make his daughter the Queen? You'll have to read more and see. Thanks for always reviewing!
Chapter 3: A Walk in the Gardens
Dinner was a merry affair with much laughter, good wine and good music. As the hour grew later, Natalie excused herself to retire and left the three men to their revelries. At the door she looked back over her shoulder only to find Aramis watching her again. Her heart raced. As she hurried back to her room she couldn't help but smile.
He is so handsome, she thought. Heavens, I have thought Aramis attractive since I was a little girl. He was always my favorite of Papa's friends. And now, how he looks at me… Could he possibly favor me? She fell asleep that night imagining dancing with Aramis at Versailles before King and court.
Aramis and the other Musketeers slept late the following day but Natalie was up shortly after sunrise. Now, in the bright light of mid-morning, Natalie inspected the rose buds on one of her mother's favorite bushes. There were hundreds and once they bloomed, the bush would be covered in deep pink blossoms. She looked up when she heard footsteps on the gravel path.
"Aramis!" she said happily.
Lost in his own thoughts, Aramis stopped abruptly. "My apologies, Natalie," he said after a moment. "I was deep in my thoughts; I did not expect to see anyone."
"I may be the only one you see for now. Papa rode out to the orchard a short time ago, but he will be back within the hour. I do not think you will see Uncle Porthos until at least lunch time."
Aramis couldn't help but laugh.
"Would you walk with me in the garden, Aramis?"
"Of course." He offered his arm and she slipped hers easily through his, resting her hand lightly on his arm. She smelled of lavender.
"I'm glad you've come," she said after a few minutes. "I have always enjoyed your company. It has been very sad here since word of Raoul's death came to us. I know it nearly broke Papa's heart…"
She has no idea how close she came to losing her father as well as her brother, thought Aramis. He remembered Athos' enraged entrance after word of Raoul's death reached him. He'd crossed blades with D'Artagnan and earned the King's enmity. The only thing that had assuaged his fury was the knowledge that the real Louis suffered for his sins while the "new" Louis ruled France fairly and well.
"…but Papa says that Christine has promised to be a good friend to me when he takes me to Versailles. I will be glad of that; I am sure I will be very lonely there. You will come to visit me, won't you, Aramis? Promise me you will?"
"Of course," he said gallantly. "The whole of the Musketeers could not keep me away." What am I saying?
She laughed delightedly and rested her head on his shoulder as they walked. After a moment he shifted. Natalie was far too close to him. It would look unseemly if they were seen together like this with no escort. They stopped to allow Natalie time to admire a particularly fragrant patch of blossoms. He knew how much she loved flowers and he indulged her when she wanted to stop and point out a particularly lovely bloom that caught he eye. She turned and smiled up at Aramis.
How I wish he would kiss me, she thought. The thought was more evident in her eyes than she realized and Aramis saw it clearly. He covered the rush of confused feelings that flooded him by offering Natalie a polite bow and stepping away slightly.
"Forgive me for leaving you so soon, but I will see you at supper," he said softly. He turned and disappeared.
Natalie was disappointed by his abrupt departure, but she watched him walk away and smiled. How I adore him!
Aramis hurried down a different garden path. This one would carry him to a tiny stone chapel. It was only big enough to hold a small group – maybe 20 people at most – and he had always been fond of it for its intimacy and privacy. Years ago he had renounced his vows of priesthood when he realized that he could not be both a priest and a Musketeer. He had chosen the mantel of a Musketeer knowing that it was the best way for him to serve France, and by serving France, he knew he served God.
She is young enough to be my daughter, he thought. Athos would never even approve of the idea let alone consent for me to court and marry his daughter. Marry? My brains must be addled! How can I even think of marrying Natalie? He walked to the front of the chapel and knelt down. He crossed himself and looked up at the crucifix above the altar. He reached into a small pouch at his waist and pulled out a string of worn rosary beads.
Aramis ran the rosary beads through his fingers while he prayed. "Holy Father," he whispered. "Show your misguided son a sign. Natalie is the daughter of my oldest, dearest friend. She is barely a woman and I find myself not looking upon her as a girl any more, but as a woman. I look upon her and my thoughts turn to the curve of her waist, the length of her neck, the smoothness of her skin…"
He caught himself and a lash of guilt tore through him. "Even in this holy place… can my thoughts not turn away from lust? Give me strength, O God. Put my feet on the right path."
Aramis remained knelt in prayer for a full hour. His knees ached. He crossed himself as he rose and left the chapel, walking towards the garden path that would bring him back to the manor.
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Disclaimer: As always, only Natalie and Luc (who you have not met yet) are my creations. Everything else is borrowed for inspiration with much gratitude and respect.