Chapter 34
Sorel survived the march from the Rue Tiquetonne to the palais because his lieutenant did not expose her masquerade any further, as well as she did not question her companion's remarkably happy demeanour; any other woman would have done so and inquired as to the reason for the buoyant mood.
Even before they passed the archway, they noticed the orderly bustle that had taken hold of a secluded corner of the forecourt. A group of four guardsmen gathered there, far enough away not to catch the eyes of the noble guests unpleasantly, but ready to go and in full equipment.
In the arms of one of the men, d'Artagnan found her missed landlady. Madeleine had thrown herself at Bernajoux and he appeared reluctant to let her go.
Biscarat smirked amusedly at this, while Forgeron and Meunier have turned away, engrossed in conversation. Bernajoux and Madeleine did not mind the publicity in the least while they whispered sweet nothings to each other and exchanged longing tenderness.
Biscarat cleared his throat in warning because the couple was being stared at with little discretion; one might have thought that d'Artagnan's scowl was due to embarrassed jealousy, because there was a comrade having fun with her landlady. She probably looked like that precisely because it was expected of her and she had to pretend that she had been cuckolded.
But Sorel also got suspiciously reddish ears and thought of things that had almost happened in a kitchen. The clearing of a throat was ignored by Bernajoux, just as d'Artagnan demonstratively ignored Sorel's grin of a dog with two tails.
Just at that moment hoofbeats were heard and made the guardsmen all turn their heads. Horses were brought out of the stables and it was clear that the squad would not be going out on a normal patrol. Even Bernajoux now released his Madeleine, who sighed at this and yet realised that parting was imminent and that she would have to let her lover go. They could not quite part yet and held their hands and gazes captive.
D'Artagnan counted two horses too many, the squad was not yet complete. Before she could ask Biscarat about it, Sorel stepped past her and took the reins of a bay mare from the ostler. He stroked her forehead and patted her neck. She nibbled kindly at his collar and snorted while the other guardsmen inspected the bridles and saddlebags of their own horses.
D'Artagnan explained it to herself. »You were just waiting for us?«
Biscarat shrugged. »For Sorel. He needs to get some fresh air and prove himself outside, Jussac says. Speaking of which, here he comes!«
Indeed, the lieutenant joined them. He wore an expression on his face as if he had just been talking to Rochefort. It was probably true, someone must have given the order to leave. Maybe it had to be obeyed immediately and assigning Sorel, who was still on another mission, was a good excuse to buy some time and find out in advance how things had turned out at the Hôtel de Tréville.
D'Artagnan forestalled Jussac's question for a report and could not help a sarcastic undertone. »We escaped alive, the matter is peacefully settled.«
Jussac heard very well that she had not said 'unharmed' but singled out 'peacefully' in particular. He eyed Sorel and d'Artagnan accordingly sceptically, but saw them both standing upright with no obvious wounds. »I'll read the details later in your report, it promises to be an interesting one.«
»When is 'later' scheduled to be?« asked d'Artagnan straightforwardly as a lieutenant in command who was not be dismissed that easily. One of the horses belonged to Jussac, he would lead the squad himself and now ordered his men to mount. He was in a hurry, the previous delay was already a thorn in the side of Captain Luchaire or Rochefort, his explanation was skimped.
»A week, two at worst. We're riding in the direction of Nivernais towards... a personage.«
»I see, an escort.« Was the Red Guard sent out to protect said 'personage' or was it rather a prisoner escort? Obviously, d'Artagnan was not to be told any names and she smiled thinly. »Important enough even to send out an officer. Sorel you wait for, and I am to hold the fort?«
»You've had enough adventures lately. Now I get to stretch my legs one last time before they lock me up in the study as a captain.«
»Make haste to return, or you come back and I'll be sitting in that chair.«
»Warm it up well for me and don't get too comfortable. Ho!« Jussac thrust his boots into his horse's flanks and the squad set out.
Out of the corner of her eye, d'Artagnan saw her landlady waving a handkerchief until the riders had passed the gate and were out of sight. Madeleine wiped her cheeks furtively and d'Artagnan withheld an annoyed sigh. It was less at the behaviour of the awfully enamoured friend than at her own inappropriate feelings of being left behind lonely and of having gazed after the men - one of them - a little too long...
