Aramis was not a happy person in the last chapter, was he?
Thanks for reading and commenting. Apologies in advance for any errors I might have let slip through.
CHAPTER 59
Tréville stood to greet the physician who was shown into the office by a cadet.
"Thank you," Carveau said as the Captain indicated towards the chair set for him before the desk and handed him a brandy. He had found a solitary, small glass at the back of the cupboard where he stored his alcohol and a few pewter cups, one of which he was now using for himself.
"I thought that as His Majesty was much improved and it's early evening, a drink would not be inappropriate," Tréville said, settling back in his own seat and scrutinising the man in front of him.
He had summoned the physician hours earlier when he and Claude – with some help – had succeeded in returning Athos to the infirmary, only to have the injured young man categorically refuse to undress and get back into the bed. A compromise was reached with Athos agreeing to lie on top of the blanket. If truth be told, it was more comfortable for the wound after his exertions than trying to sit in a chair. Tréville only settled with him because it had taken much time and effort to get him dressed and standing in the first place.
"A toast," Carveau announced, raising his glass, "to His Majesty's recovery."
"His Majesty!" Tréville reciprocated.
"It was a little strange," Carveau admitted. "The King had taken only a mild chill, nothing too serious, but he withdrew from everyone, even the Queen, and insisted upon my constant attendance. He obviously puts great store in his hunting trip to Versailles."
"He does indeed," Tréville admitted, beginning to think that Richelieu had been correct in his supposition that Louis preferred to avoid his brother in the days leading up to the hunting trip and what would be the undeniable dénouement of the situation with the unhappy nobles. What better than to feign an ailment that was worse in report than in reality? It also gave the monarch an admirable excuse to keep apart from a court he no longer trusted. "He looks forward to this departure from Paris and I am sure he would go there more frequently if he but had the time."
"So it is important that he is in the very best of health to fully appreciate this hunting trip," Carveau observed.
"Exactly," Tréville began, "and I take it from what you have said that there will be no doubt in His Majesty making a full recovery in the next week?"
"Oh absolutely. I anticipate that he will be seen again in public within the next few days. I did suggest he might make an appearance tomorrow, but he seemed somewhat reluctant." Carveau smiled. "I am quite content to pander to his little foibles if he wants to be away from everyone for a little longer."
The physician did not seem to perceive anything worrying or strange in Louis' behaviour and certainly showed no indication of being aware of any cause for significant concern related to the trip itself. The only person likely to have said anything to him would be the King in an unguarded moment, but it appeared that even Louis was belatedly learning the advantages of maintaining his own counsel.
"And Athos? How do you find him?" Tréville asked, hoping that the morning's endeavour had not proved too detrimental.
"Interesting young man," Carveau answered with a knowing smile.
"Not the word that immediately comes to mind," Tréville muttered more to himself than to the physician.
"I have seen a different side to him today: irascible, frustrated," he paused, searching his mind for any more appropriate adjectives.
"To those of us who know him, they are all signs that he is recovering."
"In his head, I agree, but his body tells him otherwise. That wound, angled as it is from waist to hip, restricts his movement. The infection is beaten; some signs of it persist but they are only minor. After what you told me of him being on his feet today, I especially looked for any strain upon the stitches, but all is as it should be. He has to accept, though, that this wound will take time to heal. I cannot stress enough that he must not rush that, nor is there anything I can do to accelerate the process."
"No more attempts to go for walks then?" Tréville asked.
"There is nothing wrong with gentle exercise – when he is ready. So I have instructed him not to move from that bed for at least the next four days."
Tréville exhaled sharply. "Four days! You are asking the impossible. He will not stay put for that long."
Carveau suddenly flashed a broad, warm grin. "You and I both know that. He might heed my advice and rest tomorrow, but I suspect he will be up the next day."
"I'll order him back to bed; tie him to it if need be," Tréville assured him.
Rising to his feet and setting his empty glass on the desk, Carveau laughed aloud. "A fascinating notion, Captain, and I'd love to witness your attempt, but it will not be necessary. I like to think that, in a very short space of time, I have got some measure of your man. If I told him he could leave his bed the day after tomorrow, he would be out of it in a few hours. Why do you think I told him to stay there for four days?"
"Because you knew he would have no intention of complying," Tréville answered, his amusement evident.
"Exactly. I am so glad you and I understand each other, Captain. I will visit again in three days, by which time I anticipate that he will be more mobile."
The Captain escorted him to the door and held it open but, as Carveau went to pass through it, he had another question.
"We leave for Versailles in seven days. Give me a serious answer. Will he be ready to accompany us?
Carveau grew serious. "I have no doubt that he wants to be there, but I would strongly advise against it. Sitting upright might be easier by then but to sit a horse would aggravate the wound and be very painful. Even being jolted around in a cart would be an unpleasant experience."
"Thank you," Tréville breathed. "You have solved one problem for me, only to create another." It had been heavy on his mind that he would have to order Athos to remain at the garrison and the injury was only one reason to keep him from Versailles.
"At best, you could give him the painkiller or a sleeping draught to help him on the journey, but I do not see why it is so important for him to be there. I understand that he is your lieutenant and far be it from me to instruct you in your job, but you have more than enough men to escort the King's hunt and you will not exactly be gone for long. What could he do? He would serve very little purpose in guarding the King or accompanying him on the hunt!"
He laughed and shook the Captain's extended hand in a farewell getsure. "It is better for him to stay here. It's not as if you're going to be fighting a pitched battle, is it?"