Thanks to Whatfunny for the review!

I this chapter, Eric is up to some of his tricks again and Someone else may be about to find out about Elizabeth's secret!

Chapter Ten - 1st August 1632

Playing cards made Elizabeth feel reckless. It was not that she gambled a lot of money away, but Eric had always prohibited her from any card games at all. He disliked women gambling away money, as he said it was not their place. Her father had been of the same opinion, and strangely Elizabeth had understood their logic. It felt good to do things that not even she had considered right before. Things Elizabeth had never thought she would have cause to enjoy were now shiny new toys in the playroom. Playing cards was one of them. Taking a lover who was not her husband was another.

Her lover was evidently not in Paris. She'd not seen him in four days but she had seen her husband. Eric had returned to the lodgings to fetch some of his things. It had been hard for Elizabeth to agree to let him in as she feared he would simply lock the door and claim squatter's rights. He might even have thrown her out onto the street and with her lover not in Paris, she really would not have anyone to turn to. The worst case scenario had not come to pass. Eric had packed up a few belongings and gloated all the while. His new apartments were lavish and pristine and he was making new friends by the day. Elizabeth couldn't help wondering if these new-found friends were perhaps a little unhinged; for who would want to be friends with her husband now that his behaviour and his past were well known. It was not until a few hours after Eric had left that Elizabeth realised he had stolen from her. Some of her jewellery was missing and some of her father's money that had been passed to her just that morning was gone. Her father had lent money to one of his friends in Paris and the man had had the good grace to return it to Elizabeth instead of taking it to a lawyer. It was a kind gesture as Elizabeth had not known of the debt. The man might have kept his money and said nothing on the subject at all. When he saw how plainly Elizabeth was living he expressed his apologies that he could not invite her to stay with him. If it were up to him alone he would have no qualms in making her such an offer but his wife and daughter had to be thought upon. He explained that Elizabeth herself was not thought of as a risk but Eric was. As such, the family were worried that taking Elizabeth into their care might attract Eric to their door.

Elizabeth expressed her gratitude to the man for this thoughtfulness but tried to make his plight easier by explaining that she could not have accepted such an offer. She was leaving Paris so soon that it seemed fruitless to begin such a move to another house. In her heart Elizabeth understood their reservations. If they had taken her in, Eric would have thrown off his shame and showed up upon their doorstep to demand some form of loan. He saw good people coming and used and tricked them. The man was glad to know the money he had presented to Elizabeth would go some way to improving her remaining stay in Paris but Elizabeth had moved quickly upon his departure to separate the money. She had placed small purses of it all around the apartment which she thought the safest way to even keep some of it for herself. Eric would surely come ahunting but as a woman Elizabeth had no way to place the money under the care of any society without her husband present to give permission. Thus Eric had found a great deal of the returned loan and spirited it away. No doubt it was already gambled away at the card table.

Elizabeth rose from her chair suddenly, her hands flying from the table as if she had been burnt. She had put very little money at all on the table but suddenly she saw everything that Eric had done to destroy her life staring back at her. She was repulsed by it all very quickly. She moved then, making a quiet apology and retreated to the back of the room where she found an alcove to place herself in. She had only just set her hat down on the table when she felt a presence behind her.

"Are you ill Madame?"

The musketeer was there. She had thought he would be gone for many more days. Elizabeth turned to face him slowly and found him extremely travel-worn. Wherever it was he had been, he had arrived and clearly come straight to her.

"I'm not ill Athos," she countered. "I'm just reminding myself why my husband and I are no longer compatible."

Athos nodded slowly. "Do you know what time it is Madame? It will be dawn in an hour or two. I passed by your lodgings in the hope of ascertaining that you would be asleep but I found them empty. Should you be out alone at this hour?"

Elizabeth snorted. "I'm not alone. You're here."

They walked much the same way they had done the first night that the musketeer had walked her home and Elizabeth told him how she had passed the last few days, including the occurrence of her husband arriving to collect his things and of his stealth in the process. Athos looked stricken as she spoke, and he only vented his anger once Elizabeth had stopped speaking.

"Would that I know any repercussions would never reach yourself I would gladly cut your husband down to size myself," he announced gruffly. "As it is, Paris is fickle. I would not wish to bring any more trouble upon yourself by my hand."

"I appreciate that sentiment Athos but I am beginning to care less and less what these people think of me. That money would have helped me a great deal."

"I am sorry to say," replied Athos, "That had you been in possession of all of it I would have been required to confiscate it Elizabeth."

Elizabeth stopped walking and turned to him. "What?"

"Your father's death is being investigated Elizabeth. The money is not yet confirmed as yours though by rights I think you are fully entitled to it. In all likelihood it would be returned to you eventually but we would have to ascertain that it was legally rightfully yours first."

"What a load of nonsense," Elizabeth mumbled behind her hand as she stifled a yawn.

"I know," he agreed. "But in a case such as this I am sure even your father's lawyer will agree with me upon the point that you should be seen to do everything that is lawful and right to enhance your chances of inheritance. Flouting Paris laws would not help any appeal you would make in future."

"Appeal? Athos I do not have time for appeals! Heaven knows I have enough money set aside to pay for my eventual stay in the country but what am I to live on until then? I am glad I had the quick thinking to pay for such things in advance otherwise Eric would have scuppered that money from me too and I really would be in trouble."

"Do not speak so Elizabeth, please! I wish you would agree to see another doctor, one who might be able to help!"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "If I were to see one, what am I to pay him with Athos? Do not say that you would help, as a musketeer's wage would not cover the amount of care my condition would require. Heavens Athos, you know I have come to terms with my fate; I just want to live out the last weeks of my life on comfort."

"Weeks, weeks!" Athos's expression was full of incredulity. "Elizabeth have you no hope for yourself? Weeks is not a very long period of time at all! I consider you to be healthier than you believe yourself to be! You may have months left yet, perhaps even years if you had the right care!"

"STOP THIS!" Frustrated tears leaked from Elizabeth's eyes as she tried to ignore the hope in his voice. She did not wish to fool herself into believing that hope could get her by. She truly knew what her fate was and did not see how it could be changed. She could not bear these conversations of hope and promise when there truly was none to be had. She wanted to spend the time she had left finding peace and tranquillity and some enjoyment in the world. "I am sorry, I do not mean to shout," she supplied thinly as they turned into the street of her lodgings. "I appreciate all that you say Athos but I think you know I am adept at hiding things. I know how quickly my health is failing even if I do not outwardly show signs of deterioration. Please do not question me upon such matters for I do not speak of them to worry you. I just wish for you to take me as I am and not think upon my condition. I want to be as normal as I can possibly be for the remainder of my stay in Paris."

They had come to a halt outside her lodgings and Athos was no longer looking at her. "How normal can you be Elizabeth, with an errant husband who behaves like a scoundrel? My guess is his new landlord has seen fit to throw him out?"

Elizabeth followed the direction of Athos's gaze and sure enough at the window she could quite clearly make out the silhouette of her husband and another woman behind the drapes. "He has no shame. First the money and now this! I am beginning to loose my-"

"Elizabeth whatever you want to do right now, you cannot do it." Athos attempted to pull her back towards him when she took a few steps towards her lodgings. "I do not think it safe for you to enter those lodgings whilst your husband is there. Think of the investigation I am carrying out! Consider all that your husband has done throughout your marriage. You are angry. I cannot see things ending well this night if you return to your lodgings."

Elizabeth knew deep down that she should not overexert herself but the temptation to confront Eric was very great indeed. There was a thought beginning to niggle away in her brain though. "Do you mean to say that you really do suspect my husband of having a hand in my father's death? Monsieur do not think me a fool. If you did not have such suspicions I do not think you would be so keen to keep me from home! What other reason can you have for thinking that my husband might be a danger to me? I have given you no reason at all to think so!"

"Elizabeth it is an ongoing investigation as I have said," Athos whispered exasperatedly. He kept glancing up towards the windows apprehensively. "You cannot blame me for thinking that you might fare better elsewhere for the night until your husband leaves! If nothing else he may upset you and I cannot see any reason why you should wish to exacerbate your condition by distress."

Elizabeth sighed heavily. The musketeer was only trying to help but she didn't feel comfortable with him trying to influence her thinking. She supposed she could go along with his wishes for one evening as he had shown her nothing but kindness in the last few weeks, but it would be with a heavy heart. There was a slight sinking feeling within her that she might return to her lodgings tomorrow and find that Eric had locked her out.

"You are right, of course you are right." Elizabeth let herself return to his side and she took his arm. "What happens if I return tomorrow and he has changed the locks or if he has sold all of my things? What then?"

Athos shook his head. "I do not know Madame, but for now you need to sleep. A few hours rest will clear your head and then if you wish I will return here with you tomorrow to assess the situation. We will cross all detrimental bridges when we come to them."

Elizabeth felt in her pocket for the pouch of coins that she had remaining. "I suppose I could spare enough for one night at an inn if you know of a reputable one? Perhaps one nearby your garrison so that we might meet easily enough tomorrow?"

"I think I know somewhere," Athos mused as they began walking, this time at a much slower pace.

By the time they had crossed the river again Elizabeth felt as if her legs were dead weights. Her cough had been triggered by the cool night air and she had to stop several times to catch her breath. Athos looked on in silent concentration each time and Elizabeth was glad that he did not fuss over her. It would have only made her feel guilty if she thought that she was holding him up or that he felt he had to nurse her. She wanted nothing of the kind. His silent company was enough to keep her calm on the streets despite the constant knot of nerves that had been building within her stomach. Everything that had happened since she had come to Paris had caused her to stress and worry, and having a coughing fit on the streets alone would only have caused her to panic. Instead they slowly meandered through the streets of the Latin quarter until they stopped before an archway. The gates were still open and they crossed underneath into a small yard. The first thing that Elizabeth noticed was a stables to the left. To the wine addled mind it might have almost resembled a slightly run down tavern but Elizabeth had long since sobered. She knew immediately where they must be even though she had never set foot there before.

"Athos!" she rounded on him. "I thought you were going to take me somewhere with a room I might purchase for the night! I was not asking for rooms in the Louvre but just somewhere where I might get a good nights sleep! I cannot stay in a musketeer garrison! Surely you would face trouble for bringing me here? Please take me elsewhere-"

Elizabeth's voice cracked and she coughed again, finding that her words were caught in her throat. Athos motioned for her to sit at a nearby table and she let him lead her, feeling foolish that she apparently needed his help in more than a few matters. "Madame I have brought you here not because I do not respect your wishes, but rather that I wished to ensure you were well. You could readily stay in a nearby tavern but I am required here at first light. I could not stay in a tavern with you. If you are here with me, then at least I may watch over you in case you have some trouble during the night. You are tired and upset Elizabeth. If you really are as ill as you say then it does not sit with me to leave you alone this night."

Elizabeth found she could not argue with his reasoning because it was kindly meant. In any case, since she had sat she found she had not the energy to journey on elsewhere. "I know you mean well," she said lightly. "You should have told me you were bringing me here at least. I do not suppose you or any of your men often offer up a resting place for people like myself."

Athos smirked a little. "You do not know my friend Aramis very well then! Although... The women who come here with him to not tend to rest much."

Elizabeth smiled as she caught his meaning. "I hope Monsieur that you do not expect as much from myself this evening. I find I am utterly spent."

Athos pulled her to her feet again and directed her towards a staircase nearby. "Madame I would not dare press such a matter. I have paperwork I should attend to whilst you rest."

"Then where am I to sleep?"

The first shafts of daylight were filtering through the shutters and Athos had little need anymore for the candle still burning on his desk. The shutters would stay closed though as Elizabeth was still asleep. The only discernible sound was the scratching sound of his quill as he traced it across parchment in his looping handwriting. He glanced up as the catch on the door clicked before it swung open gently and his friend Aramis walked into the room. He stopped immediately as he caught sight of the woman sleeping soundly, covered in a thick cloak in the corner of the room on the bed that Athos used if he was not retiring to a proper bed for the evening.

Athos had stood and swiftly but quietly marched towards Aramis. "Athos what on-"

"Not here!" Athos growled as he grabbed Aramis's shoulder and gave him a shove towards the door again.

Only when they were out upon the balcony and two doors separated them from a sleeping Elizabeth did Aramis speak again. "Athos what are you doing? That woman's husband is a suspect in her father's murder! We do not readily know that she had nothing to do with it! Why have you brought someone like her here?"

"Aramis, are you really one to ask me such questions?" Athos paced backwards and forwards as he tried to decide how much he should tell his friend. "How many times did Treville have to turn a blind eye to the countless women you brought back here during the night! Serving maids, ladies of the night, even Duchesses. Do not lecture your captain on what he does or does not choose to do with his own garrison!"

Aramis was shaking his head. "This is the King's garrison Athos."

"Then the King would readily agree that a woman in need should be helped at all costs, regardless of her nationality."

"How is she in need? She has lodgings across the river-"

Athos threw all cation to the winds and held up his hands for silence. "She is dying Aramis!"

"What?" The marksman had the good grace to look puzzled in place of his incredulity of seconds before."

"The Madame de Vere is dying. She has a condition of the lungs that grows steadily worse. The last doctors she saw told her she had mere weeks left to live. I know she appears well to the naked eye and I too have been fooled at times. Her condition is most aggravated in the mornings and I myself have seen so first hand-"

Aramis covered his eyes with his hand. "Oh Athos tell me you haven't? She is part of an investigation."

Athos nodded his understanding. "We all know she is innocent Aramis. That is all just a formality; and yes I have spent some evenings with her."

"In her bed?"

"It is not something I would class as serious-"

"Did she tell you she was dying before you fell into bed with her? She offered up some sob story and you fell for it?"

Athos felt anger begin to rise into his chest. "Aramis she only told me after we had slept together the first time. I think she would not have told me if she could have hidden it. She still tries to hide the worst of it from me most mornings but there is no ignoring it. She is a woman who is dying, who has been left on her own by her lecherous, thief and braggart of a husband."

"Alright, if I believe all of that then I still struggle to understand why you have brought her here."

Athos ran a hand through his tangle of unkept hair. "Her husband has left her, as I said. She returned to her lodgings tonight to find him there with another woman. I did not deem it safe or wise for her to return to the lodgings as she was angry and upset. For the same reasons I wanted to keep her close should she fall ill during the night. He stole from her Aramis, he took jewellery and a great deal of money from her today; no I suppose it would now be yesterday that we speak of."

"Does her husband know that she is ill?" Aramis asked a little more calmly.

Athos shook his head. "She has not told him. It is a mark of his lack of care towards her that he had lived and travelled with her all that time and did not notice her declining health. How could a man not notice even when he is not upon good terms with her?"

"Either that or he knows and doesn't care..." Aramis mused. He nodded at Athos then. "I understand. Given what you have told me, I think under the circumstances I'd have done the same thing."

"Of course you would Aramis. We all would. There is no harm in her being here for a few hours. It's not as if the King himself is going to wander down to a musketeer garrison is it? He's never stepped foot in that yard below us. I'm taking her back to her lodgings later to see how the land lies. She thinks her husband might have locked her out."

"Surely you told me that the lodgings were in her name though?" Athos nodded. "Then," Aramis concluded, "All she needs to is apply to a lawyer and the magistrate should sort things out for her. They could expel her husband, especially given her condition."

"Oh she won't speak of it to anyone Aramis! She does not even have a maid to help her. She had to cut all of those expenses when her husband left her."

"I'm beginning to detest her husband even more," Aramis replied.

Athos opened his mouth to speak but at that moment there came a sound he recognised. He raced for the door, pulling it open and threw himself down the corridor and through the door into his office. Elizabeth was sitting up, but she was doubled over as a coughing fit racked her body. The sounds coming from her chest sounded much worse than any Athos had heard before and he reached for a bowl left abandoned on a shelf and pressed it into her hands. She cradled it below her chin, spittle and blood escaping her mouth as she continued to cough. The tears streaming down her face told Athos just how much pain Elizabeth was truly in and he knew not how to go about helping her. For the longest period the coughs continued before they began to ebb away into quiet clearings of the throat.

Athos was sat with Elizabeth, his arm around the small of her back to support her. He stood and walked to his desk to pour her a drink which she took from him gratefully and he knew she only smiled in thanks because she was not sure she had the power of speech yet. Athos took the bowl from her and left his office to dispose of the contents. In the corridor, Aramis was quietly leaning against the wall. He glanced briefly into the bowl and shook his head. Athos saw in his friend's eyes that he now believed the story Athos had told him a short while ago.

"She needs a doctor Athos."

Athos shrugged. "Do you not think I make such suggestions each time I see her Aramis? She refuses. She has seen many doctors and I think she is tired of hearing the same thing over and over again."

"There is nothing any of us can do for her," Aramis supplied gravely.

Athos replied soberly, "And don't I know it."