Suspicious Minds
Chapter Five
The air whooshed from Etienne's lungs as he landed hard on his back. He began to wheeze painfully, his eyes scrunched closed.
Porthos beckoned to him. "Again," he said with an evil grin.
Etienne opened his eyes and held his hands up in surrender. "Enough," he gasped.
Porthos chuckled and bent down to offer his hand.
"Just going to lie here for a minute," Etienne stuttered breathlessly.
D'Artagnan, who had been watching from the shelter of the stables turned away with a smile. The smile disappeared when he saw Aramis watching him.
"You don't like Etienne," Aramis said, without any judgement in his voice.
"I don't know him."
"Come now, d'Artagnan, I've seen how you look at him. I don't think he much likes you either particularly after you disarmed him the other day."
"I was wrong to do that." He was aware that his statement didn't sound entirely sincere.
"Unlike Athos, I think you taught him a valuable lesson. He has never fought against anyone who wanted to kill him before. Now he knows what it feels like."
"I didn't want to kill him," d'Artagnan protested. It was true although he had wanted to hurt him either physically or emotionally and that wasn't something he was proud to admit.
"You fought as if you did and that's what matters."
"I promised Athos I would try harder to get along with him."
"Why do you dislike him?" Aramis asked curiously. His young friend was normally tolerant of others and this behaviour was out of character.
D'Artagnan looked away, feeling embarrassed. "He has taken Athos away from my training."
"That's not all, I think. You're not a petty man, d'Artagnan."
"It's just little things. They probably don't mean anything."
"Tell me."
"Alright." It was a relief to finally be able to share his concerns. "The day he arrived I would swear he hesitated before shaking hands with Porthos." He saw Aramis' expression darken. Prejudice against his best friend was something the marksman wouldn't tolerate and it almost invariably led to violent repercussions.
"What else." There was a dangerous note in his voice now.
"He made some remarks about my background. And, I've seen how he looks at Athos when he thinks no-one is watching. It's a look of contempt."
"Have you said anything to Athos?"
"No!" D'Artagnan gripped Aramis' sleeve in alarm. "And neither must you."
"There is more going on with Etienne than meets the eye," Aramis said thoughtfully. "The other night I saw him leave the palace and he was defensive about where he'd been. I think we should watch him closely. I would not like Athos to be hurt by his actions."
"We might be overreacting."
"Perhaps, but I prefer to err on the side of caution."
"Who do you think he was meeting at the palace?" d'Artagnan asked, relieved that he wasn't the only one with suspicions about their newest recruit.
"I don't know but there are those there who wish us ill and would find it beneficial to have a spy in our midst. We must be wary."
"What about Athos?"
"Say nothing for now. It will affect him deeply if Etienne is not what he seems."
They broke off when they saw Athos approaching them.
"We are wanted at the palace. D'Artagnan, can you tell Porthos and Etienne? We leave in fifteen minutes." He put a hand out to stop Aramis leaving. "I need to talk to you."
"Is there a problem?"
"Yes." Athos looked steadily at his friend. "You have to stop staring at the Queen like a love sick puppy."
Aramis immediately felt defensive anger. "That's unfair."
"You show your heart in your eyes where she is concerned. It's dangerous Aramis."
"I love her," he said with quiet sincerity.
"She is the Queen and you are a soldier. There can be no love between you."
"She is carrying my child."
"No, she is carrying the heir to France. Be sensible." Athos looked around to ensure no-one was close enough to hear. "You had one night with her when we all thought we were going to die. It can never happen again."
"I am painfully aware of that."
"Then keep your eyes elsewhere. We don't want Porthos and d'Artagnan to suspect anything."
"I will do my best," Aramis conceded.
"Good. It's not just your life that's at risk. It's hers too. Don't drag her down with you."
"I would give my life to keep her and the child safe."
Athos rested his hand on his friend's shoulder and squeezed gently. "I know my friend. I know."
TMTMTM
Etienne rode alongside Athos on their way to the palace. "You were very quick to forgive d'Artagnan for his unwarranted attack on me," he said with barely controlled anger.
Athos glanced at him, one eyebrow raised in surprise. "D'Artagnan is young and has much to learn."
"Yet he is a Musketeer and should be above petty jealousies."
"We are none of us perfect," Athos replied, fully aware of his own shortcomings and deeply uncomfortable with the conversation.
"I had expected more loyalty from my cousin," Etienne persisted.
"It is not a question of loyalty. D'Artagnan fought well and he deserved to have that acknowledged."
"He humiliated me," Etienne hissed.
"There is no shame in being defeated by a better swordsman."
Etienne flushed. "He is nothing more than a farm boy from Gascony."
"Have a care, Etienne. He has proved himself time and again and is as much my brother as you are."
"Do you so easily forget your noble heritage?"
"I am a soldier, nothing more. You would do well to remember that." Athos dug his heels into his horse's flank, quickly pulling ahead of Etienne. He was disappointed in his cousin although he remembered how hard it was for him to adjust when he first joined the regiment. He felt as if he was being pulled in two different directions, between his old life and the one he had chosen six years earlier. He loved Etienne as a brother but his bond with Aramis, Porthos and d'Artagnan went deeper and he would not easily bear insult to any of them. His thoughts were in turmoil as they arrived at the palace and he knew there would be no easy resolution.
"What do you think that was all about?" Porthos asked Aramis after he dismounted.
"I would hazard a guess that Etienne said something that didn't sit well with our leader," Aramis said thoughtfully.
"It was probably about me," d'Artagnan said miserably. "I should have taken your advice not to challenge him."
Porthos hand came down hard on his shoulder and then rested there companionably. "He'll 'ave to toughen up if he wants to become a good Musketeer."
"This is all my fault."
"You are not obliged to like someone just because they're related to Athos. Etienne has some rough edges left over from a life of privilege. It isn't easy going from that to the life of a soldier." Aramis flashed a smile at two maids coming towards them, their arms full of linen. Both girls blushed and giggled as they hurried past.
"D'you 'ave to do that with every female you see?" Porthos grumbled.
"It costs nothing to make a woman feel good about herself," Aramis said smugly. "You should try it sometime."
Porthos rolled his eyes. "Unlike you I'm not tryin' to bed every eligible woman in the palace."
"Don't forget the ones that are already attached," d'Artagnan said.
"Like Constance?" Aramis asked innocently.
"You know there's nothing between us anymore."
"I know that's what she said. I don't believe it any more than you do."
"I have to respect her wishes, Aramis. Sometimes we just have to accept that we can't be with the one we love."
Aramis' grin disappeared and a haunted look appeared in his dark eyes. "Very true, my friend."
They reached the door leading to the throne room. "Are you gentlemen quite ready?" Athos asked drily.
"Lead the way," Aramis said, his equilibrium restored with the prospect of seeing the Queen.
Athos shot him a warning glare before opening the door. As d'Artagnan made to enter the room he found Etienne beside him.
"How would you like a rematch?" Etienne asked.
D'Artagnan looked uncertainly towards Athos who was too far ahead to hear what was being said. "I'm not sure that's a good idea."
"I didn't take you for a coward."
D'Artagnan's mouth tightened in anger. "Very well. Where and when?"
"Luxembourg Gardens tomorrow at dawn." Etienne's eyes were hard and cold. "Just the two of us."
"Duelling is forbidden."
"I know." With a smug smile Etienne walked away.
Tbc