Greetings.
Thought I would upload the next chapter before I head off for today's adventures!
Thank you for yesterday's comments and to all the other readers too.
So, what IS Gaston up to?
CHAPTER 26
Gaston was settling into the rooms that had been assigned to him on the opposite side of the palace from the royal apartments and had just poured himself a large claret when there was a quiet knock at the door.
The visit was expected and he had already taken pains to dismiss the servants who waited upon him so he opened the door himself.
"Did anyone see you?" he asked, turning his back on the newcomer who was left to quietly close the door whilst Gaston made himself comfortable on a tapestry chair near the fireplace. There was no fire in the grate but it gave him a commanding view of the room. His visitor was no guest and therefore was not invited to sit in the opposite chair.
"No, I was most careful," came the answer.
"So, what news do you have for me?"
"We know that your men have moved successfully through France from Orleans without raising any suspicion. It was an excellent decision on your part to divide them into much smaller units and to use a number of routes. Given when they departed, they should be in their positions in the north west around Versailles. They will only band together when they receive word. We are awaiting confirmation on their specific positions."
"Where's your partner?" Gaston demanded.
"Out meeting with his contact as we speak. I was hoping that he would have returned by the time I came to see you so he should not be long. He will have a map that confirms the positions of your men."
"And they will have re-joined into how many groups? Remind me."
"Having left Orleans in fours and fives, it would make contacting so many small units almost impossible when needed, so they were gathering into three large groups camping in woodland for concealment and avoiding any small villages or hamlets."
Gaston nodded his approval.
"I have to be prepared that my force will be the only ones upon whom I can rely. My man at that meeting will ask for more men and that will be the moment when we learn just how serious Menier and his friends are."
"Do you think they are prepared to fight?" the visitor asked.
"I would hope so; I am risking a lot here. Menier is impetuous, angry and likely to follow my lead if he thinks he is to benefit to a greater degree. But he, as with his so-called friends, are gullible fools if they really believe that I am in league with them. I will use them to my own ends and will decide what to do with them once I am in power. I am not sure how useful Menier will be. I doubt that I could trust him." Gaston gave a sly grin. "How could I when he is working behind my brother like this? No, I will probably dispense with him and some of the others when the time comes."
"What about His Majesty?"
"What about him? Louis is an even bigger fool and I think I have convinced him that I am a reformed character and on his side at last. I will work on him a little more at tonight's banquet that he is holding in my honour. By the end of the evening, I expect to have gained an invitation to the hunting at Versailles and, therefore, will remain here until that time, giving me plenty of opportunity to confirm our newly formed brotherhood to all."
Gaston's face darkened. "No, the people I really have to be concerned about are that wretched Richelieu and the Musketeer captain; they were both watching me a little too closely for comfort. They will need to be convinced."
"They have been much in each other's company of late."
"Do they not advise the King?"
"Yes, but they and certain of Treville's men have spent time in Richelieu's office and that is unusual. Those same men have been spending long periods in public rooms where we courtiers gather."
"But Treville's men are on protective duty," Gaston insisted.
"Yes, but there is usually a rotation. Do not misunderstand me, I don't spend my time studying Musketeers but when the same three seem to be around all the time, it becomes a little disconcerting."
"You're sure it is the same three?"
"Absolutely. One of them, a big man of mixed parentage, is hard to miss. Oh, he tries to blend into the background but he fails miserably. In fact ..." He was interrupted by another light knock at the door.
"Your partner?" Gaston was on edge.
The visitor nodded. "I expect so."
Gaston indicated for him to go and admit the newcomer. He was beyond opening a door twice in quick succession.
When the door had closed again, the latest visitor bowed deferentially and held up a folded document. "I have the map showing the placement of your forces," and he handed it over to the Duc.
Whilst Gaston perused it, the first visitor brought the second up to date with events that he and the Duc had discussed.
"I was just explaining that I thought some of the Musketeer activity with Richelieu was a little odd."
"Agreed," said the second. "I sensed that I was being followed at times but was unable to prove it. I was worried about getting away today to meet with my contact for that map but I suspect, Your Grace, that your arrival is keeping them occupied; it was easier than I anticipated."
"Unlike the other day," said the first, and they both laughed.
Gaston's head snapped up. "And what is so amusing about that?"
"I created a diversion," the first announced. "It is amazing what you can achieve with some deliberately weakened chair legs, appalling table manners and apparent greed. Made myself feel quite sick but it worked."
"It was very convincing," agreed the other, "and in the chaos, I slipped away."
"Very good, gentlemen," and Gaston arose, signifying that the meeting was concluded. "Keep me informed and watch those Musketeers. Now I am alerted to your suspicions, I shall be vigilant myself. Do you think Richelieu and the Captain know anything of the plot?"
"I am not sure," admitted the second man. "They could simply be preparing for the move to Versailles and ascertaining that those invited by the King are worthy of that privilege."
The first man laughed again, "I doubt that I would be on the list. His Majesty would be worried that I would cost too much to feed!"
"We will all be on our guard," Gaston decided. "And now, if you will excuse me, gentlemen, I have a banquet to attend."
Alone again, Gaston searched for a place where he could secrete the map. Aware that Treville and Richelieu did not trust him, he would not put it past either of them to have his rooms searched in his absence. A lengthy, formal banquet would give them ample time to look for anything that might incriminate him.
He had been so careful about what he had brought with him and certainly nothing that might link him with the faction of nobility. All that was relevant had been committed to memory but the existence of this map, if found in his possession, would be his undoing.
He opened drawers and cupboards where his belongings had been unpacked by the servants but decided the risk was too great. Anyone searching would know it was his if found in his possessions or a servant, loyal to the King, might accidentally find it and hand it over.
There was an ornately painted writing bureau before the window and he rapidly went through it, convinced that there had to be some place that he could use here. It might even have a secret compartment; the one he owned certainly did. Pulling out several small drawers in the top, he noticed that one was not as deep as the others.
With a grunt, he drew it out. It did not come easily and made a surprising noise but there was a shallow compartment behind it, more than enough to conceal the map.
It was some ten minutes after he had vacated the room that there was an audible click and a long panel in the corner of the room eased open.
Milady slipped into the room, convinced that Gaston would not be returning for anything he might have forgotten. Richelieu had been responsible for the Duc being given this suite so that a person might have access via a system of narrow passages within the walls.
One could never be sure when one needed to scrutinise a guest more closely!
Whilst there had been no spyholes into this particular chamber – she might suggest that to the Cardinal – she had heard the entire conversation and believed that she had learned enough to identify the Duc's two visitors.
She had also heard his subsequent search for a place of concealment and guessed correctly that it was for the map he had just received. Surveying the room, noting where the various pieces of furniture were positioned and the proximity to her when he had at last decided upon a hiding place, she went straight to the bureau.
It took several attempts at pulling on the various drawers until she recognised the distinct noise she had heard from her secret position.
"Not very clever," she announced to no-one as she removed the drawer, took out the map, put it in a pocket and replaced the drawer.
With one last look around the lavish room and satisfied that Gaston could not report the theft of the document when he discovered it missing, she disappeared the way she had come.