By Any Other Name

Chapter 6

As the group approached the grand dining hall where the chatter of the other guests could be heard, Christine paused at the door. Reaching for the Lord Gardeau, she whispered breathily, "I'll need just a moment to gather myself before meeting your guests."

"I'll fetch you a something to drink and we can share a cup of wine…" He said and raised his eyebrow suggestively.

"I'd love that," she said as she forced a smile to her lips.

His eyes flared with confidence at her words; he led his brother and Athos into the ballroom with a wide grin on his face. The General threw a knowing wink at Christine as he passed.

The tension between the two Gardeau brothers seemed strong - stronger than Christine had thought. She felt as though she were adding more kindling to a fire – one that she hoped wouldn't end up burning them all.

Christine fell back away from the door and reached out for support. Aramis was there in an instant, his arms around her, holding her against him.

"Aramis," she panted, suddenly overwhelmed. The low rumble of the voices in the dining room sounded like a call to execution to her.

"Sh…just breathe mi tesora, just breathe," he said calming her.

At his prompting and in his arms her breathing regulated. Porthos was keeping watch.

"Is that better?" he asked her gently, his hands holding her tight against his chest.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, "I got overwhelmed suddenly."

Aramis ran his hand gently along her cheek. "Understandable. The General is a powerful force."

She shook her head. "The Lord and now the General? There's too many people in there…too many pieces. I'm not good at this Aramis, I don't know how to play these games. What if I'm caught?" she whispered, an urgency and panic in her voice.

Aramis kissed her forehead and pulled her closer. "You are doing amazingly," he assured her. "Keep playing the brothers off each and off Athos. There's tension there. We should use it!"

"I feel as though it's a powder keg, set to explode."

"I agree," said Porthos from where he watched the Gardeaus continue to one up each other to impress their guests from the door.

"What do I do?" Christine asked looking up at his dark eyes.

He frowned for a moment looking into her worried face. "Nothing. You are done. I'll make excuses. Take Bella and –"

"No! Aramis! They'll know something's up if I go missing. They could hurt Athos!"

Aramis frowned. "Christine you've done enough…"

"Aramis, we are finishing this together," she said fervently, the defiant fire he treasured burning brightly in her eyes. He couldn't help himself; he kissed her lips.

Imbued with his strength and confidence, Christine pulled herself together; he checked his pistols knowing his only job was to protect the woman he loved.

"Alright," he said as she prepared to enter the dining room, "Keep them distracted. Try to pit them against each other and keep the festivities going for as long as possible. Be petulant. They will try to out-do each other. Let them. Have them up the ante until you think that the room might explode, then get out of there. Keep them chasing you,' he said stroking her face once more.

"Like a fox. How I hate being a prize," she said miserably, but determinedly.

He grinned at her and kissed her again; the fire of diamonds still sparkled at her throat. She nodded at him firmly, and then, taking a breath and plastering a winning smile on her face, she breezed confidently into the room.

oOo

It was bad timing – or perfect timing – but the musicians ended their song just as Christine entered the dining room. All the attendees looked up simultaneously at the beautiful woman covered in jewels who appeared like magic into their midst.

"Well now, gentlemen," she announced in that sultry, breathy voice, "Let's not stop the party on my account…" she said with a laugh. The entire room laughed with her. Like a magnet Lord Gardeau was by her side, introducing her to the other guests that had arrived – The new Duke of Seville, an English Count and two merchants from Venice.

They sat down to an exquisite meal followed by a seemingly endless supply of wine. As the only woman at the table, the men clung to her every word. They told loud stories trying to win her laughter; even the new Duke of Seville, his wife seemingly forgotten, simpered for her attention.

Every man, save Athos and the General Gardeau.

Athos stood by the fireplace carefully watching as Christine laughed and flirted with the simpering fools, watching the Lord Gardeau grow more and more agitated. He still laughed and smiled, but the line his lips formed grew tighter and tighter. Only Athos, Aramis and Porthos could read the strain in Christine and her discomfort at the attention. To outside eyes, she was loving it.

"My brother's never really been one for competition," laughed the General lowly. Athos raised an eyebrow to look at him.

"And you are, I'm presuming?"

The General smirked and casting an appraising eye at Athos he said, "I've never really had much of it."

Athos took a slow pull from his goblet, his bright eyes matching the confidence of the man next to him. He said nothing, but stared smugly at the General. The General pulled his gaze from Athos to settle back on Christine. Feeling his eyes upon her, she glanced his way and blushed slightly when he grinned at her.

"Tell me, Lord Athos," he said with some condescension, "Have you known the Duchess long? Her husband was invited to these festivities. Your name I am unfamiliar with."

Athos took another drink from his cup and smiled smugly at the General. "Did you not hear? Her husband died in a tragic accident. I've been at her pleasure ever since," he said, and the General laughed with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, I had heard some rumours of it. You and her men seem quite attentive. She's quite lucky to have your support."

"Well, General, with title comes certain privileges. Perhaps your brother could enlighten you on the subject," he said, as the General glowered slightly at the comment and cast a dark look at where his brother whispered something in Christine's ear.

Gauntlet dropped, Athos moved away from the General to freshen his goblet.

Some of the guests were quite drunk by now, and Christine decided it was time to make her exit.

"Forgive me gentlemen, but this evening has been quite too much for me," she purred breathily. "I really must get to bed before you all tire of me," she said.

"I doubt that's possible," insisted Lord Gardeau rising.

"Indeed," said the General taking her hand once more and kissing it. "You have us enthralled. It was difficult to even win a moment of your attention. It's clear you have us wrapped around your fingers. I wonder what other talents you might have," he said lowly. The other men laughed uncomfortably. Lord Gardeau's eyes burned at his brother.

Christine was startled by the boldness of the comment, but recovered quickly, a slow smile coming to her face. "My apologies General. I promise to give you at least some of my focus tomorrow evening after the auction."

He grinned dangerously at her and she turned away from him, catching Aramis' eye. They burned darkly at the General. There was something in the General's tone, something predatory that was aggravating him, but he couldn't be sure if this was his typical sense for danger flaring or simply a surge of his protective nature. Or, he admitted to himself, just more jealousy.

"Your Grace," Victor Gardeau called after her, and she turned from Aramis and Porthos with a slight roll of her eyes before beaming at the Lord. "Though its magnificence is more obvious around your neck than on its cushion, I'll need to take that necklace back…until tomorrow evening, of course," he said.

She pouted slightly and whispered teasingly, "Pity, I'd hoped you'd forget," and turning, she allowed him to unclasp the heavy necklace from around her neck, her eyes locked on Aramis. His eyes were narrowed as the Lord's hands brushed against her neck, but at the look in her eyes Aramis swallowed and kept cool.

"Sleep well your Grace," Lord Gardeau said, also bowing and kissing her hand. The General watched his brother's every move darkly.

"I'm sure I will," she said breathily. "Athos, darling, shall you accompany me to my rooms?" she said, and turning from the Lord and from where the General watched, she gladly leant into Athos' arm as he led her out of the room followed by Porthos and Aramis. Both sets of Gardeau eyes followed her from the room wearing similar scowls, but it was impossible to know if they were scowling for the same reason.

oOo