Chapter XVII
Captain Tréville had been back for two days and he was satisfied to see the fine job Athos had done while he was away. The day he would retire from the Musketeers, he knew who he would recommend to the King as his successor. Things were running smoothly at the Garrison at the exception of his nephew who still had the nerve to complain that the tasks he had to perform were beneath him. At least Elise had sided with her uncle, hoping that some roughness would lead Christophe to understand his mistakes. He was losing patience rather quickly, though, as were his Musketeers.
It was also a relief to see how easily Elise made her way around the place. She was no stranger to any of the men under his command. They all seemed to like her, and she was welcomed everywhere, from the fencing lessons in the courtyard to the kitchen. D'Artagnan was even teaching her how to ride like a man. It was not all proper behaviour, but what could you expect when you let a young woman in a military Garrison? He could often hear her laugh and it warmed his heart. She had already suffered enough.
What would he do with her now? She could not possible stay with them. It was no place for a lady. Athos had suggested asking the Bonacieux to take her in. She could be of help with the business. There was still the problem of her staying with people who were not her family. Tréville refused to marry her to some random man just to resolve the problem. He wanted his niece to find some happiness after all she had been through.
There was a soft knock on the door.
"Come in. Good morning, Elise. How are you?"
"Much better since you've been back," she smiled.
"I'm sorry we haven't had time to properly talk. I've been rather busy, but you did not seem to mind it much."
"I rather enjoy life at the Garrison. It was awkward and strange at the beginning. They can be so loud and I was definitely not used to it. Now, though, I could not imagine it any other way." She knew very well why he had asked her to come to his office so she had to insist on the fact that she was perfectly content with her current situation.
"Unfortunately, I am afraid it cannot last forever. The King has allowed it as long as no member of your family was around to supervise you, but he will not let his barracks be occupied by civilians when they could host more soldiers."
"Of course, the King. What would you do with me then? I already told Athos I will not let you lock me in a convent."
"Why would I do such a thing against your will?" He was surprised she was even scared by the idea. He did not know what her parents had intended for her, and since he was not a father, he was at a loss when it came to making decisions for children. He doubted his sister would have wished for Elise to become a nun. Her spirits did not suit the vocation.
"No. I will never go against your wishes, Elise. Trust me. But I am in a difficult position. Athos suggested that you could stay with Constance Bonacieux. I know they are in need of a lodger and you two seem to be friends."
"We are."
"However, I cannot let you, unmarried as you are, stay with them. Besides, I have a feeling Monsieur Bonacieux would not allow it either. He tends to dislike people related to Musketeers. That leaves us quite in a dead end, my poor child."
"I will not take a husband simply to stop being a burden." She crossed her arms, looking angrily at her uncle.
"Who said you are a burden?"
"Nobody, yet it is what you think. And you think marriage is the only solution for me."
"I must admit it has crossed my mind. At least consider it. Did you parents have any man in mind for you?"
"Yes, there was Monsieur Michel but he must easily be fifty. I will not accept it." Elise wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"I am almost fifty. Are you saying I am old?" He was trying to lighten her mood.
"You are my uncle and not some bald merchant after my parents' money."
"Very well. Anybody else then?"
Elise hesitated. It was her one chance to voice her desire. She went to look at the window, gathering her courage. Aramis was seating on a chair, its back propped against one of the pillars of the balcony, his legs stretched on the table in front of him. He looked like he was sleeping, his hat on his face to shade his eyes from the sun.
"What if there was someone else but not in Orléans? Here in Paris?" Elise finally asked, turning around to face her uncle.
"Did they let you go into town with them? I knew I could not trust them to protect you. They will hear about it!"
"No, uncle. They did no such thing. I promise. The only times I left the Garrison were to go see Constance and I was always with one of them. And there was the one time I went to the Palace. I never went anywhere else. Believe me."
Tréville was feeling anger build inside of him. Who was she talking about then?
"I beg you, do not be too cross. It was my wish as well, and I may actually have forced his hand a little."
"Who is it?"
"He has been nothing but helpful since the very beginning. Do not think ill of him, he only cares about my well-being and..."
Tréville did not let her finish. Instead, he stormed out of the door, his niece half-running to keep up with him. He reached the balcony, casting a glance at the courtyard.
"Aramis!" he thundered, all noises ceasing at once. Everybody looked up at him. The one Musketeer concerned with his wrath lost his balance and almost fell to the ground. When he looked up at the Captain, he saw Elise by his side, trying to calm him down. Trouble in sight.
"What have you done this time?" Athos hissed as he followed his friend up the stairs, Porthos and d'Artagnan behind them.
"Yes, Captain?" He was staying as far away from his officer as he could. He knew Tréville would never hurt him but he was acting like a protecting uncle right now. A very angry uncle.
"You three have no business here. Leave us."
"With all due respect, Sir, you seem quite furious at our friend and he may be in need of some help."
"Why? Have you seduced my niece, too?" At these words, Athos shook his head while the two others backed away, their hands raised to show they were innocent. Porthos slapped Aramis's shoulder before retreating to the safety of the courtyard. They may be his friends, they were not suicidal.
"Uncle, please, calm down."
"Go back to your room, Elise. This does not concern you."
"Yes, it does! It's my life we are talking about."
"How could you do this, Aramis?" Tréville seethed, coming so close their faces were almost touching.
"I think it would be better if we went to discuss this in a more private setting." His calm behaviour was infuriating the Captain. He was too aware of all the Musketeers watching the scene and he had to admit that the soldier was right.
"In my office. At once."
In the room, Elise refused to leave Aramis's side, too afraid of what her uncle would do if she left the two men by themselves. Tréville paced back and forth, not at all pleased by the fact that her hand was firmly pressed in the Musketeer's. They waited for him to start talking.
"I trusted you. I trusted you would care for my niece after her traumatic experience. I did not mean like this!"
"I have always respected Elise, Captain. I swear. I have done nothing she did not want. I did not force her."
"He didn't," she confirmed. "Aramis has been the best support when I needed it the most, uncle. He's been there when I was crying, and when I needed to talk. I would not be feeling as well today if it was not for him."
"You are young, Elise, and you don't know half of what I do. Did you simply think of the consequences for her?" Aramis did not look down when Tréville glared at him.
"I did. I even tried to stay away from her. I tried."
"You did not try hard enough! You have ruined her! Nobody will want her now!"
"I am not some merchandise and I do not want anybody else!" Aramis had never heard her shout so loud. Even with the door closed, he was sure the others could hear her. "He has not ruined anything, uncle. He's been very respectful."
"I will not let my niece be further involved with a Musketeer, that is all."
"You will not let her be involved with any Musketeer or simply with me?" Aramis challenged.
"I know you. How long will it last until you get bored and discard her for someone else? I will not let you break her heart."
"It is not my intention. I don't want to hurt her. I want her to be happy."
"Then leave her alone."
"No."
"Excuse me?"
Aramis took a step forward, shielding Elise with his body.
"I said, no."
"You are bordering on insubordination, Aramis."
"With all due respect, Sir, I am not talking to my commanding officer. I am talking to the uncle of the woman I love."
"You what?" Elise and Tréville asked at the same time. Aramis turned around to look at a shocked Elise.
"I would have preferred to say it in better circumstances but there may never be another moment. I love you. I'm in love with you," he repeated.
"I love you, too." Her voice shook as she said the words. For a second, she forgot they were not alone in the room and she smiled.
"Will you stop? I'm still here! And unless you intend to marry her, I do not want you to come near her anymore."
"That's unfair, uncle. You cannot threaten him like this."
"I will do everything it takes to protect you, Elise. Be it from him or from anybody else. I owe that much to your parents. Think hard about it, Aramis. Think about it. I do not want to see you again unless you come to me with a proposal."
The Musketeer felt his heart sank. He clearly remembered saying to Porthos that he did not want to marry anyone. He had never believed he was made for married life. It sounded dull and too far from what he expected of life on Earth. At the same time, a small part of him had always been aware that it was what Elise had thought would happen from the beginning. She had been raised this way. Besides, he had said he would not ruin her reputation and there was only one way to do that. He had just expressed his feelings out loud. It should have been an easy decision so why was he hesitating?
"I am waiting."
"I...I don't know. I... I'm sorry. I...I don't know." He could not look at Elise, not when he was unsure of their future together. He squeezed her hand instead and left the room, ashamed. He was such a coward.
As soon as the Musketeer was gone, Captain Tréville took out his frustration on the nearest wall, hitting it a couple of times with his fist. His niece was still looking at the open door unable to move. She could not decide what had shocked her more: knowing that Aramis was in love with her or realizing that marriage did not come as an obvious choice for him. She felt like crying.
"I should not have left you by yourself here with him," her uncle apologized, turning around to face her. Elise shook her head.
"This is my choice. I know more about Aramis than you think. I know perfectly well why you wish I would give him up. I will not. If it has to end, it will be his doing, not mine."
"Elise...Being a soldier's wife is not a happy life."
"If I can be with him, I know I will be as happy as I could be. I feel it in my heart."
"You've known him for barely a month."
"Didn't you say you wanted me to be happy and that you would not do anything to go against my wishes?"
"I did, although it was before discovering he was involved."
"He may not be anymore..." she whispered, tears threatening to spill. It was Tréville's worst concern. He had been serving with Aramis for many years and he could simply not see him married. If the young man ended up breaking Elise's heart, it would not matter that a captain should not be violent with his soldiers. He would hit him until he could not feel his hands anymore. Elise welcomed her uncle's embrace, burying her head on his chest.