Trouble, Chapter 4

The next few days that passed were the most blissful that Aramis could remember. Christine was well received by the King who was enthralled by her beauty and the model ships she presented him as a gift, and he asked her endless questions about the courts of England, Spain, and Italy. Aramis smiled encouragingly at her from his guard position, and she beamed in his direction when the King was distracted.

They met in secret and in public, desperate to spend every moment possible together, but neither openly admitting what this was quickly becoming – and if they couldn't name it, then there was no reason to tell Athos, they decided.

Their romance was powerful, and as Aramis kissed her goodbye each evening before returning to his own apartments, their attraction grew. Their adoration grew.

It was several weeks after that first kiss in the rain when Aramis and Christine were once again caught out in a storm. They rode Philomena and Aramis' mare into the stables, laughing as the rain splashed around them. He pressed her against the post in the stables and kissed her passionately. She laughed and pushed him backwards.

"We're soaking," she said, grabbing his hand. "Come inside and let's dry you off. I think there may be some spare shirts of fathers that you could wear," she said. She pressed herself against him and kissed him again and then pulled him into the house after her. She led him up to the library that adjoined her bedroom where a large fire burned in the hearth.

"Here," she said passing him a dry white shirt. "Hang your shirt by the hearth so it will dry," she said, laughing once more as she retreated to her chamber.

Aramis stood there in front of the fire, and took off his doublet and hung it on the back of a chair. Christine had left her chamber door ajar. Aramis wanted to look away but he couldn't as he saw her beginning to undress. Her dress fell away to reveal a pale blue shift beneath. She pulled her sodden hair back and off of her shoulders, the moisture glistening like stardust on her pale skin.

She was too beautiful to believe. Aramis turned away and returned to the fire, feeling like Acteon who had gazed upon Diana.

Christine wiped the moisture from her face and through the reflection in her mirror, saw Aramis as he stood before the fire. His damp shirt clung to his chest as he removed the braces from his shoulder. He took off the damp shirt and hung it near the fire. He shook his dark hair, running his fingers through his unruly curls. The rainwater had left sparkling trails where it had worked its way down his chest and torso.

Quietly she moved towards the door. Aramis stood in the library glistening from the rainwater. He reached for the shirt that had been provided for him but Christine stopped his hand. She stood before him in her light blue shift, the damp material clinging to her body. Slowly, she took a step towards him, their fingers interlocking.

They met as one in a passionate embrace, bodies yearning for each other. They were willingly helpless against the forces pulling them together.

"I love you," he said panting as he held her damp body in his arms. She kissed him passionately again and again and again, pressing him tighter against her body. She kissed his mouth as he carried her into the bedroom, her fingers tangled in his hair.

oOo

They lay there in peaceful ecstasy, their naked bodies pressed against each other as she lay across his chest and he traced his fingers along her back. Looking up at him, she smiled, and kissed him again, resting her head upon his heart. His left hand brought hers to his lips as the right continued to navigate its way up her back.

"We have to tell Athos," he said, kissing her fingertips.

"We will," she agreed, "but not yet. Can't this just be ours for a bit longer?" she asked.

Happily, Aramis agreed as he pulled her close, "Te amo con todo mi corazón," he whispered.

"y te amo, mi Tesoro," she responded as she ran her hand along his face.

Aramis' face lit up at these words – words he had not heard for years. He kissed her deeply once again, their hands and their bodies expressing so much more than just their words.

oOo

Aramis stood at the doorway with her arms wrapped around his neck. He might be late for the morning's muster, but she was worth whatever scolding or punishment Treville felt appropriate. It had been weeks since he had told her he loved her, and their bodies reaffirmed that vow each night. Leaving her bedside each morning soon became Aramis' least favourite part of the day, and so he had been late for several morning musters already.

Porthos and D'Artagnan knew about their love affair, but Athos was still in the dark about Aramis' new mystery lover that had so engulfed his companion. Porthos and D'Artagnan had covered for the pair as best they could, but they were growing weary of deceiving their brother.

"We will tell him tomorrow. At dinner," Christine promised Aramis as she held him in her arms. She loved the feeling of his hands around her waist as he pulled her closer to him. He kissed her deeply and she had to steady herself a little against the doorframe as he pulled away.

"I'll see you later," he said, and with a wink and a tip of his hat, he mounted his horse and rode out of the courtyard.

oOo

Aramis, Porthos, and D'Artagnan were standing in their shirtsleeves watching Athos instructing the cadets as Christine came through the garrison gates carrying a basket.

"I've brought something sweet for you," she said to the men, revealing the large basket of plums. "I thought Serge might enjoy these."

"And have you brought something sweet for me?" asked Aramis as he stood and kissed the inside of her wrist. She blushed and smiled at him. Porthos cleared his throat and the pair separated as Athos' voice carried their way.

"That looks like fun," she said as she picked up a rapier and parrying dagger and entered the practice ring.

The three men at the table looked shocked, as did the cadets gathered around.

"It is important to never underestimate your opponent, and block out distraction," said Athos as he smirked at Christine who stood at ready before him.

Instantly she went on the offensive, delivering deadly strokes amid the swirl of her skirts. Jaws fell open upon witnessing the skill with which she wielded the blade.

"Five livres on Athos," said Porthos.

"Done," said Aramis as he watched his beloved battle his brother.

The momentum had shifted and Athos was on the attack now. After a quick few moves, Christine spun in close and Athos paused his blow just before it made contact with her neck. Laughing, she stepped back to show the parrying dagger poised at Athos' midsection. It hadn't been noticed in the rustling and flourishing of the fabric in her dress.

Athos grinned at Christine. "Well done," he said. "The Comtesse used her size and speed to get within my defences. She is the victor. Never underestimate your opponents. Dismissed!" he announced to the cadets.

"That was amazing," said D'Artagnan as Athos and Christine made their way back to the table.

"Pay up," said Aramis, grinning at Porthos as he cut into a plum with his dagger.

"Actually Porthos, you should keep your money. Athos let me win," said Christine.

"Hah!" said Porthos, closing his fist on the coins he was about to hand Aramis.

"You had an opportunity to win the match earlier when my guard slipped slightly. Next time," she said, "I don't want you to go easy on me."

Athos smirked. "Nor you, though I would appreciate it if you didn't make it a habit of defeating me in front of the recruits."

"Lieutenant!" called a messenger from the garrison gates. Rolling his eyes Athos went to greet the man.

"You owe me five livres," said Aramis grinning at Christine from where he sat on the table.

She stepped towards him and taking the piece of cut fruit he offered her, she whispered, "I'm sure I can find some way to make it up to you," she said as he placed his hand upon her waist.

D'Artagnan coughed and she stepped back.

"What are you up to today?" Athos asked Christine.

"I'm on my way to the rue St. Jacques. I've taken up the Queen's cause to educate the poor and am going to see the progress made on the repairs to the school house, but I wanted to drop off these plums first," she said.

"You're spoiling them," said Athos as some star-eyed musketeers helped themselves to the fruit, smiling and tipping their hats at the welcome bounty from the Comtesse.

"Come Athos, everyone deserves a treat now and then," she said. "You will all still be joining me for dinner tomorrow evening, won't you? There is something important I think we need to share," she asked as she looked at the four who remained gathered at the table.

"Yes," said Athos as he donned his doublet. "I've been summoned to deliver a message for the King, but I should return early this evening."

"Excellent!" said Christine. "I'm very much looking forward to it."

Athos rode out of the garrison.

Christine made to leave but Aramis caught her wrist, pulling her close and kissing her deeply once more.

"I'll see you later," she murmured as she pulled away and smiled at him. He winked at her and kissed the inside of her wrist again before letting her go.

Porthos stood from the table and grumbled, wiping down his sword. "You've got to tell him."

"We will. Tomorrow night," said Aramis, also rising, sword in hand, a youthful and elated smile on his lips.

"You realize he might kill you," said D'Artagnan, rolling his shoulders and readying his position as the three men entered the practice ring.

"Then it all still would have been worth it. I love her," he said bluntly. "I love her," he repeated. It was the first time he had admitted it out loud to someone other than the woman herself and he liked the way it sounded.

D'Artagnan and Porthos looked at each other and rolled their eyes. "We know," they said in unison.

"It's been obvious," said D'Artagnan.

"Can't believe Athos' been so blind to it," said Porthos, beginning an attack on the marksman.

"Willful disbelief?" suggested D'Artagnan as he joined Porthos' attack on Aramis.

Aramis grinned. "Well, if he kills me, I'll still leave a beautiful corpse," he said. Porthos and D'Artagnan groaned as Aramis shifted to the offensive.

oOo