CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The Royal Hunting Lodge in the Forest du Brotonne
Set at the end of a long drive, through a line of mixed trees, leading off from the main road through the forest, the Royal Hunting Lodge was befitting a King and was set well within a large clearing in the trees, giving privacy to those who used it.
It was a red brick building which resembled a three storey manor house, ivy-covered; half timbered on the upper levels. The tall roof was blue slate, with three tall chimney stacks and complex gable ends.
Outbuildings at the back of the Lodge comprised suitable stabling for a minimum of twenty horses. A wide paved terrace wrapped around the side of the building and around to the rear, where a stream ran along the edge of the tree line.
The main entranceway had a beautiful Italian tiled floor and stained glass windows on either side of the large double entrance doors. A central staircase snaked up to the upper floors.
The ground floor comprised the large dining room, three receptions rooms and two kitchens. A floor to ceiling glass garden room ran half the length of the building, at the rear of the Lodge; a long table standing at one end, and groupings of chairs along its length. It was here that people would gather to enjoy the view of the garden that ran down to the pretty stream, or shelter from inclement weather, whilst still having access to the view. The ceiling of this room was a work of art, worthy of any gallery in Paris.
Two of the receptions rooms were sparsely furnished, save for two large tables and chairs set around the perimeter of each room. These were to receive those who had accompanied the King on his hunting trips, who would suddenly appear in hunting clothes and weapons, in need of refreshment. At such times, they would gather in these rooms, accessible through a different entrance, and would be catered for quickly and efficiently.
The Dining Room itself had walls that were painted red and the ceiling was heavily beamed in dark wood. A large fireplace stood at one end of this room and three chandeliers had pride of place over the long large oak dining table. To the left of the fireplace was an open arch, and beyond, stone steps that curled up and around the back of the fireplace to the upper floors.
There were five dormer windows across the roofline of the Lodge, looking out from five apartments, each containing two bedrooms. There were a further six bedrooms below on the first floor.
There was a small retinue of staff at all times, in case the King decided to visit on one of his hunting trips. Such visits would normally be unannounced to those within the Lodge, so it was kept in a state of readiness at all times.
It was a modest structure by royal standards, but Louis was beginning to consider extending it by adding two new wings and increasing the number of apartments.
It was here that Richelieu and his fifteen Red Guard had been scheduled to stop enroute, but those arrangements had been changed by Henrietta Maria at the last minute.
So it was that only the coach carrying Sir Edmund, Elizabeth Cromwell and Jean Treville arrived in the late afternoon, any threat hopefully dissipated now that Henrietta Maria had left them and was well protected by the Cardinal and his Red Guard.
Treville and Richelieu both knew that there were other places for ambush further along the road on the way to the ship and that Athos and Aramis had been assigned to survey that stretch of the journey.
So at this time, this was not a place to expect trouble.
And yet it came.
Unless they had been followed, Treville did not know how English assassins knew of their movements. But one was seen openly surveying the Lodge, defiant in his stance. Treville did not know how many had been able to return to their band and inform them of their arrival. Neither did he know how Porthos and his Red Guard companion had fared in foiling the assassin's progress along the way, nor how many had escaped. He eagerly awaited Porthos's arrival.
Now, though, Treville walked around the rooms and closed shutters.
Elizabeth Cromwell sat quietly in a corner, aware she was the only female presence. Should the assassins attack, they may think she was the Queen. Henrietta Maria had shown no concern for her, leaving her behind to continue alone with the Cardinal. Perhaps it had been her intention, to leave a decoy behind. She knew if the Queen found out she had passed information on, she had forfeited any compassion when they met up again for the final part of the journey.
Once he had spoken to the staff, Treville was relieved to discover that Porthos and Aubin Fabron had in fact already arrived the day before. They were currently in the stables. Relieved by this news, Treville made his way quickly through the house and across the rear courtyard, to find them both sitting in the straw, cleaning their weapons, aware of the lone spy who had appeared in the tree line.
Treville was relieved to see both men unscathed and that they seemed at ease in each other's company.
Porthos stood, happy to see his captain once more. He dusted himself off and quickly gave Treville his report;
Of the ten assassins they expected, they had killed five. They all knew they were now under surveillance.
"How did they know we were stopping here?" Treville muted.
"They have been one step ahead of us all the way," Porthos replied. "This Lodge seems to have been their destination all along."
"We have stopped enroute many times on this journey, we could have been attacked, but they choose merely to follow," Treville said.
"They must have inside information on the Queen's movements," Aubin ventured.
"Where's the Queen?" Porthos suddenly asked, having only seen one coach pull into the courtyard.
"She detoured to the Chateau de Saint-Paterne to visit her cousin." Treville replied. "It was unexpected."
"Who knew that?" Porthos asked.
"Sir Edmund certainly did not; he was shocked."
"That's good news, if our suspicions are right. The Queen Consort will be safe," Porthos said.
"Let us hope so. She may have made a good choice," Treville replied.
Treville looked at both men thoughtfully. He had had his suspicions about his two English travelling companions for a while, and now he needed to confront them.
"It had to be someone who was with the Queen's Party. They were the only ones who knew our movements. Even when we stopped overnight we said nothing to our hosts of our plans to stay here." Treville said, before turning and stalking back into the house, Porthos and Aubin in his wake.
They found Sir Edmund in the Dining Room. Once confronted by Treville, Temple's rehearsed reply slipped easily from his lips. And so, he gave Elizabeth Cromwell up, accusing her of treason. She protested, but he had made a good case, and she became resigned.
Treville knew the truth, his instincts were sound, but he had no choice but to arrest her and take her back to Paris. In the meantime, he had Porthos lock her in a room upstairs.
Porthos shared Treville's instincts and glowered at Sir Edmund when he came back downstairs, before joining Treville in the reception room.
"Let us check the exterior and ensure all is safe." Trevilled said, standing and moving back to the entrance of the Lodge.
Fussed over by the staff, they ate well and then prepared to spend a vigilant night.
Treville would keep watch upstairs with the staff while Porthos and Aubin would patrol the lower floors and the outbuildings.
oOo
Henry Simmonds did not care if the Queen Consort lived or died. His only concern was for himself. He had been a Privateer for many years, and his meeting with Sir Edmund Temple had afforded him a unique opportunity.
He had recruited his men and sent them to France. He had followed on and met with Sir Edmund in Paris for payment and instructions. His men had completed the first part of their mission by attacking the Musketeers. Now though, his men were in the Forest preparing to complete their mission to kill the French Catholic Queen. Death was coming this way and it was now time to cut his losses. He would allow his men to act, but this was an opportunity too good to miss. Before they came, he would enter the Lodge himself and take whatever he could lay his hands on. His men did not even know he was there. He would create a diversion to allow himself time and would then make his escape to the coast.
He did not know that half his men had been wiped out by one of the Musketeers who had survived their ambush, and one Red Guard. Simmonds was an opportunist. He was feared by his men as a cruel commander, but he was no soldier. He had made a pact with Sir Edmund Temple, who was now in this house. There was no trust between the two. It would be preferable if Sir Edmund were to die, so that any evidence of their pact would end here.
When he made his way into the house, he had no idea he would come face to face with the Captain of those same Musketeers he had aimed to destroy.
Face to face with a man who had stood over his dead soldiers and had swore to avenge them.
Treville knew he was in the house the moment the man put his foot on the first stair.
Moving back along the corridor and standing in the shadows, he was intrigued as to where this man was heading. The man had obviously waited until Porthos and Aubin had left the Lodge to check the outbuildings, stables and gardens.
Pulling his pistol from his belt, Treville held his breath as he saw a shadow appear on the stairs at the end of the corridor.
Just at that moment, Sir Edmund chose to leave his room, and the two came face to face.
The man raised his gun as Sir Edmund stepped back in surprise.
Treville's immediate reaction was to step from the shadows and shoot, and the man fell backwards, crashing down the stairs.
Treville stared at Sir Edmund; sure he had seen another expression cross his face as he looked at the man holding a pistol on him.
Recognition.
oOo
At the sound of Treville's gunshot, Porthos and Aubin came hurtling in from opposite ends of the building. They searched the dead man's pockets. There was English and French money, and some English papers; but nothing to identify who he was or why he was here.
They gave what assurances they could to the alarmed staff who were all gathered at the top of the stairs, before dispersing them back into their rooms. Porthos and Aubin then picked up the corpse and carried it out to an outbuilding.
There were still some hours before daylight, and they split the watch between themselves. Elizabeth Cromwell and Sir Edmund Temple were happy to remain in their rooms until daylight.
oOo
Athos and Aramis had kept watch on the Spanish Tercios for half a day now and it was becoming obvious that they too were heading for the Lodge. They took shifts during the night and as dawn broke, reviewed their options. They were outnumbered two to eight, but had surprise on their side. However, Athos was not fully fit and it would be unwise to start something they may not be able to finish.
Time was of the essence now, and they made the decision to move away and make their own way to the Lodge and make preparations for the assassin's arrival.
"Let's hope Porthos and his friend have arrived by now. We must protect the Queen," Athos said, unaware that she was not there, and that they would be defending a minor court official and a lady in waiting.
oOo
Athos had been lost in thought as they approached the Forest. As he scanned the trees ahead, he suddenly stopped.
"Aramis," he said quietly, still looking ahead.
Aramis followed his gaze and there in one of the trees, was a piece of red twine.
They both visibly relaxed.
"He is alive," said Aramis, smiling now at Athos.
"And he has found his way back on to the main road, and to our rendezvous."
"I had no doubt he would," Aramis replied smugly, but his chest felt lighter now.
They did not know what had happened to push their brother off his course, but they were heartened now to know they would be joining him soon.
To be continued ...