Sometimes Salvation is Found in Agony

Chapter Eight

Constance left her home that morning to go into the market to buy some food for her and her husband, then returned home an hour later so that she get lunch prepared before Monsieur Bonacieux left for a meeting with whom his wife was unaware of. As she walked into their main room, he was sitting at the dining room table, waiting to speak with her of a matter she could see clearly written upon his face.

However, she acted surprised as she asked, "Is something the matter? You appear upset."

"Where were you last night?" Bonacieux asked in return. "When I came home, you were out and did not return until after I had gone to bed. Were you with him?"

"I told you, I am now and forever your wife," Constance answered sadly. "I ran into d'Artagnan on my home, though we only spoke for a few moments as he made sure that I arrived safely. If you must know where I went, I was summoned by the Queen. She wished to speak with me in regards to a few of her gowns she would like to see mended. I assured her that I was not as good a seamstress to mend clothes of such splendor, though she insisted that I agree to take on the task. She will be sending her clothes later this afternoon."

Monsieur Bonacieux looked at her and then continued, "What is it that you spoke with the boy about?"

She looked sternly at her husband as replied in frustration, "What does it matter? I did not say or do anything that would dishonor you, just as I have given you my word that I wouldn't."

"If that's true, then tell me what you spoke to d'Artagnan about," he demanded angrily as he stood in front of her, looking as though he wished to strike her out of jealousy.

"He wished for information that could help him and his comrades in their current mission for King Louis," Constance responded sternly. "An assassination attempt against Cardinal Richelieu took place yesterday afternoon after mass, as you must know. The musketeers are trying to track down the criminals and sought to learn about the events that went on in one of the taverns you once frequented long ago. I told d'Artagnan of the fights that went on there. He and his friends are concerned for one of their own, who has gone inside under the cover of being a poor street urchin and thief."

Her husband spoke again saying, "I know you think I am being cruel and unfair to you, but I love you, Constance. I am only concerned that our marriage will fail if I do not fight to keep you."

She answered coldly, "D'Artagnan has already moved into the garrison with the rest of the musketeers as I have asked him to do. I speak with him only when I have information that can help them perform their duty. I care about you and know that you are a good man, so I am here. You needn't fight so hard or suspect I am with him every time I leave our home. I'll prepare the soup and bread for our meal now."

As soon as she left the room and was finally alone behind the walls of their kitchen, Constance quietly began to weep. The longer she remained with her husband, the more she grew to hate him. However, she realized that after listening to the Queen speak to her last night of her fear and concern for Aramis, that she was not alone in her feelings and it was then that Constance knew what she needed to do before she allowed her sorrow to overcome her completely. In the morning, she would go to the palace and offer Queen Anne her services in hope that she could find the opportunity to give comfort as well as receive it in return.

Meanwhile…

King Louis was walking around the palace grounds along with Cardinal Richelieu as they spoke of matters of state. However, when the King grew board of the conversation, he finally spoke of the Cardinal's investigation into his own assassination attempt saying, "I trust my musketeers to do their duty, Armand, but it is no secret that they would not lose any sleep as I would should these killers succeed in their plans. How are Rochefort and your men faring? Have they found them yet?"

Richelieu looked at Louis as he replied, "Unfortunately no, Your Majesty. However, I do trust my men, as you trust yours. Count Rochefort should be arriving here very soon with an update on their progress."

"It appears your right hand is incredibly reliable Cardinal," the King responded as the Count came riding into the court, stopped before them and dismounted, then bowed to the King respectfully.

"Your Majesty," Rochefort stated. "Shall I give my report?"

Louis smiled and answered, "Yes indeed, Count de Rochefort. I do hope your report is promising. I wish for this trouble to be resolved as soon as possible so that I mustn't worry any longer about the one person I trust most in this world. What have you learned?"

The Count nodded and replied, "The Red Guards have managed to find and track three of Captain Treville's most loyal musketeers, who seem to have found at least one of our conspirators, though how they managed it, I am uncertain. I ordered my men to follow after them all, in hope that they will lead us to the rest of the men we seek. They will send word back to us once they are found."

"Well done, Rochefort," the King responded happily. "You have done well, as always. I trust you to do what is right, but necessary in regards to these criminals. Have your men help my musketeers in their apprehension."

"Of course, Your Majesty," Rochefort answered and then bowed again as Louis walked away, leaving the Cardinal and the Count behind. "I may not have been completely forthcoming as to the full extent of my knowledge."

Cardinal Richelieu smiled and replied, "Jut as I would expect of you. Is it true that the musketeers have found the men plotting to kill me first?"

The Count nodded, then responded, "It appears so, though I also know that Aramis has infiltrated them in order to learn the truth behind their conspiracy. The others are only following behind in order to keep an eye out for their companion. No move will be made by them until the musketeer informs them of their best offense."

"Perhaps we should help our valiant musketeers speed up the arrests," Armand answered smugly, the Count understanding full well what Richelieu truly meant for him to do.

"I'll send my men in to attack these criminals right away," Rochefort replied as he remounted his horse and looked down at the only man he admired, as the Cardinal had a keen and dangerous mind as he had. "It would be a shame if any of the King's musketeers were to die in these criminals' apprehensions."

Richelieu watched his man ride off as he responded to himself, "Yes, wouldn't it just."