Greetings from Las Vegas. Internet is SO erratic at present. Currently taking advantage of free resources at a a consultant's surgery. Don't panic- friends just having check-ups. We left Colorado just in time Friday between storms. 7 inches so far in the Springs as of this morning!
What will happen if Gaston comes to Paris? Thanks to all who have been reading and reviewing.
CHAPTER 21
I
The Musketeer captain came to the palace immediately on being summoned by the Cardinal. Something in the way the hastily scribbled missive was worded had alerted Treville to the fact that this was not a simple whim on the part of the other man to inconvenience him just when he was trying to prepare a mass movement of his regiment to Versailles before the month's end.
He had long experienced the First Minister's little mind games and behaviour so to be offered a chair the moment he entered the Cardinal's presence indicated that whatever he was about to hear was serious. With a sinking heart, he sat and listened to the Cardinal's news about Gaston.
Treville had his own thoughts regarding the jealous, quick-tempered younger brother of the monarch but was not at liberty to express them and so he kept his opinions guarded whilst the Cardinal vented his anger when the two of them were in private. They dare not overlook the possibility that the Duc's departure from Orleans and the meeting in Troyes were linked.
Treville allowed himself one burst of frustration. "Everything we are doing and thinking at present is couched in uncertainty and 'what ifs'. We have no verified information with which to work; absolutely everything is hearsay. There is purportedly this meeting of a group of nobles in Troyes. We have one possible name. I have sent one of my men on a potential wild goose chase to find out who else is there.
"Five of us have spent nearly two days putting together a list of nobility who might have a grievance against the King. We have commenced surveillance on a group of courtiers who might be involved and now that we hear that Gaston has left his home, we are concerned that the two situations might be linked and that he might be on his way to Paris. All the while, I am increasing security for the King at Versailles because he insists on going hunting and whoever might be against him might just launch an attack. Can anything be more vague?"
"I agree with you. It is preposterous and high time that things started working in our favour; we need solid evidence from someone and somewhere. My agent here awaits news regarding Gaston."
"And it will be days yet before Athos returns with any news from the meeting, always supposing he manages to gain admittance to it," Treville added.
"His friends are co-operating?" Richelieu asked.
"They are watching the people to whom they have been assigned, if that's what you mean," Treville answered . "They are not happy about it, no more than I am, but they are doing what has been asked of them and I can expect no more. The surveillance is superficial at best and whilst they are prepared to remain on duty until the early hours of the morning, they need some food and rest so if their target decides to go wandering for clandestine meetings in the middle of the night, we have to accept that it may well be missed."
"So be it." The Cardinal was being unexpectedly reasonable – things definitely were bad then. "You nor I can do any more, not when there are other matters of security to be decided."
Richelieu paused and then sighed. "I dared to suggest earlier that the Queen might remain in Paris; it would mean one less person to worry about but not only did I have Louis to contend with then, but the Queen also. She is adamant that no threat will keep her from her husband's side and insists that she should be highly visible as a symbol of unity; she will not – and I quote - be 'cowed by plotters.'"
"Commendable and only to be expected from Her Majesty, but with her will come a retinue of female attendants and courtiers, wives of those on the hunt."
"Those were my thoughts exactly and whilst I admire her courage and know that her presence will do much to maintain calmness in Louis, I cannot help but feel that we will be stretched to the limit if there is a large contingent of females who need protection in the event of an attack. We might already find ourselves at a disadvantage, even with our increased and combined manpower."
"Another might," Treville added grimly. "Nor can we disregard the possibility that Her Majesty could become the prime target. What better way is there to force Louis to acquiesce to do something – short of directly attacking him - than by using the Queen as a bargaining tool?"
Richelieu groaned. "Your pessimism is usually annoying, Treville, but in this instance, it is serving a purpose."
"Thank you, I think," Treville said warily. He was wondering if perhaps there was a compliment contained there somewhere.
Richelieu stood up and re-arranged his robe. "I fear that we have a more pressing problem in that we have to inform His Majesty of his brother's movements and possible arrival at the palace."
II
"Why is he coming to see me? I do not want him here. There is nothing to be said between us. Do I not have enough to worry about with my nobles acting against me? Stop him, Armand! He cannot – must not – be allowed to reach Paris."
The King was extremely agitated upon hearing the news concerning his brother, just as Richelieu and Treville had feared, but they knew better than to attempt to conceal such news from their sovereign. The resultant tirade would be far worse if they delayed or Gaston's arrival suddenly became imminent.
Richelieu tactfully attempted to explain that the Duc's visit might be linked to the nobles' unrest, at which point Louis was bordering on the hysterical.
Some time later, when a glass of red wine and various confections had been brought to distract him and the Queen sat beside him, sympathetically stroking his arm, the First Minister and Musketeer Captain felt able to approach him and resume their discussion.
"After what he did before, the very thought of him being here, under the same roof, is utterly unbearable." Louis was close to tears, such was his distress.
"Has it occurred to Your Majesty that your brother might be seeking to make amends for his former actions and that this is a tentative step on his part towards reconciliation?" the Cardinal suggested.
Treville's eyes widened. Given their earlier discussion, he could not believe that Richelieu was attempting to excuse Gaston but then he realised that it was yet another ruse to placate the king.
Louis pondered the notion and shrugged. "It is his responsibility to make that first move. After all, the wrong was done to me."
"Indeed it was, Sire," Richelieu agreed.
The King now visibly brightened. "And I will have you, Armand, and my dear Captain of Musketeers to protect me. Gaston would not dare act against me here within my own palace."
Treville inhaled deeply. Keeping the King safe at the Louvre was one thing but it was an entirely different matter if Gaston arrived and then decided he would accompany Louis to Versailles.