As it was with all secrets, the truth must eventually surface. The reason for d'Artagnan's capture and imprisonment, as it transpired, was a ploy to gain the trust of a dangerous criminal Vadim, who was suspected of treason and a threat to the safety of France. I heard it all from d'Artagnan's own mouth. Constance brought word to Athos that he had made it to her home as was waiting for them there. Hearing this, I hastened to retrieve my cloak and follow my friend. My brother did not try to stop me, and both Aramis and Porthos knew better than to try. I wanted to see d'Artagnan for myself, to know the truth.
When I entered the house, I found d'Artagnan by the fireplace, looking at the flames pensively until he heard us entering. Seeing us there, he straightened immediately. "Glad to see you well, d'Artagnan," I relaxed upon seeing him unharmed. No one had marked his pretty face, which was fortunate. He smiled to me as I moved inside, making room for the others as we all gathered together to hear what he had to say. "I hope you intend to tell us the reason why you are supposedly branded a criminal and fugitive of the law."
"It is all for a good reason," he assured me, "I swear I did not run from the Chatelet to be branded a wanted man for the thrill of it."
"You'd be a fool if you had," once the last of us were inside, I felt Athos rest his hand upon my shoulder in a silent request to stay quiet so that d'Artagnan could share his information. The information he possessed, however, was bluntly delivered and did not fail to shock me.
"Vadim plans to murder the king and queen." Well, at least it cannot be said that this Vadim did not dream small dreams. "Some fantasy of a peasant rebellion."
"Have you seen the gunpowder? Any weapons?" To this d'Artagnan shook his head. Folding my arms as I listened, I had to glean further information by reading between the lines. Vadim had to be the target from the very beginning. I had heard about the escaped convicts from the Chatelet on Good Friday, where the queen had been taken hostage as a means to secure escape. I had overheard the men talking about it at the barracks, and confirmed the rumours with Treville himself, dressed in his brand new cape which thankfully, survived unscathed. If Vadim was one of the men who escaped, d'Artagnan had been placed in the Chatelet purposefully to infiltrate his trusted circle.
"What about his men?"
"In hiding." Gunpowder, weapons, men…this sounded like a recipe for a revolution. Whoever this Vadim character was, he must be insane to want overturn the aristocracy and remove the king and queen from power. All of France would descend into chaos.
"When is this plan supposed to take place?" Answering my brother's questions, he seemed to me that d'Artagnan had not uncovered a great deal of this plot. Other than devising the intention, he had no useful information to share.
"Vadim's careful, he doesn't say much." I could sense that the others were disappointed with the lack of details. It meant that they had little to go on if they wished to stop this plot before it could be enacted. At the very least, Porthos asked if Vadim trusted d'Artagnan in the hope that there might be a chance that Vadim would reveal more to d'Artagnan in time, but that hope was swiftly doused. "As much as he does anyone." This did not bode well. "Felix doesn't, but I can handle him. Vadim once said the secret to a good trick is to make people look the wrong way."
"What do you think he meant?" Looking at Aramis and considering for a moment, d'Artagnan sighed in resignation.
"Honestly, I have no idea."
"You've done enough," deciding that this was to be the end of things, Athos nodded dismissively to d'Artagnan. "We'll take it from here."
"Pick him up now and the king and queen are still in danger." The Gascon was right. Removing the head of the snake in this situation might not necessarily be the correct course of action. Rather than a snake, it sounded like we were dealing with a hive.
"Even if you kill a queen ant, the workers will continue to work," I noted softly as I touched my brother's arm. "Returning Vadim to prison will not work. From what I have gathered, this plot goes much further than just one man with a grudge against royalty. You will have to uproot the plot at its source." Tilting his head to consider my words, Athos was silent for several moments before returning his attention to d'Artagnan, asking him what he suggested. D'Artagnan shifted, seemingly a little uncertain, but when he spoke his voice did not waver.
"I go back in." At this moment Constance returned with glasses and a bottle of wine to drink, her movements a little heavy handed and looking more than a little riled.
"They told me about the duel and your imprisonment, that it was all faked." Clearly, she was as unhappy as I had been with all the secrecy and deception.
"Rather well, you have to admit." For this, Aramis earned himself another slap, Constance's hand flying with impressive speed. I winced on his behalf. "What for this time?" If the slap affected him, Aramis did not show it, neither did he grow angry even as Porthos laughed at his expense, though a quick glare from Constance swiftly silenced him.
"For letting me think the worst." She rounded upon d'Artagnan. "First I thought you were a condemned man, then a fugitive and now…this! How many ways can a man think of to get himself killed?" Having spoken her mind with an edge of concern for d'Artagnan's welfare, Constance swiftly left the room. I followed her, calling her name softly as I caught the door before it could slam against me and closed it after I had slipped through to find her pacing in another room to try and calm her temper. "Why is it that he always seems to find trouble for himself?" She demanded heatedly, wringing her wrists as she paced.
"It is in the nature of every man to find trouble, I have found." Taking her hands and separating them so that she did not fret herself into a state, I gave them a firm squeeze as I smiled to her encouragingly. "But I have also found that men as tenacious as these will also always find their way out of it. D'Artagnan will be alright, you'll see."
"He had better, my husband won't stop going on about the month of rent he still owes," Constance muttered, "I refuse to hear of it everyday for the rest of my life. He hates being left out of pocket."
"I'm sure all the books will be balanced before long." At this moment d'Artagnan appeared, I had heard the door open and both of us looked to him as he presented himself at the doorway.
"I must go now. I cannot stay any longer."
"You return to Vadim?" Guessing his intention, d'Artagnan nodded his head. "Then be careful, and good luck." Crossing the room, Constance could barely look at d'Artagnan as she walked him to the front door. I found her reactions and deep concern intriguing, as they all centred around d'Artagnan. Having known her for so long, I had never seen her so invested in another man's welfare. There was a care there which by rights should not belong since she was a married woman, but I could not blame her for being taken with a man like d'Artagnan. He was handsome by all means and a good man. A much better one than her husband, by all accounts.
"If you've heard of anyone wanting a room, I'd be glad to know," Constance announced as she saw d'Artagnan out, "my husband needs the money." She lingered in the doorway as d'Artagnan stepped outside. "It's not easy to find decent lodgers. Every time one of them gets themselves killed in a duel, or thrown in the Chatelet or murdered in some intrigue or other, it's a tremendous inconvenience." Staying out of sight by the dark, unlit room, I stifled a giggle as I listened. "Of course, it's less cooking and cleaning. In fact, I wish my lodgers would di more often, so I could have an easier life." In her own way, this was Constance showing that she cared, for she meant not a word of what she said.
I remained out of sight to be polite, thinking that perhaps she and d'Artagnan might share a bittersweet farewell, perhaps even address the clear tension between them which I had begun to notice, however those hopes were dashed when I heard Monsieur Bonacieux's voice rising invasively, calling for the guards. Alarmed, I quickly pushed myself away from the wall and rushed to the front door to see Constance trying to keep her husband away from d'Artagnan, insisting that the situation was not as it seemed. "Stand aside. He's a fugitive from justice!" Bonacieux had pushed Constance aside as he spoke, but no sooner as he did so, she moved back to shield d'Aragnan. His face was a picture of shock. "I order you to move."
"Order away. I'm staying here until you stop shouting and listen." Thank goodness for Constance's courage. I stepped outside also to join her, appearing before Bonacieux who seemed to natural scowl at my presence, watching as I linked my arm through Constance's to stand wilfully beside her. I had known him to strike Constance in the past, I had even witnessed it once, however I had unleased hell upon him for doing so. At the very least, I could be certain he would not raise his hand to her in my presence, and I could feel d'Artagnan close at our backs to draw us away from harm if need be.
Thankfully, none of that was necessary, for Athos and the others promptly arrived to settle the situation, my brother ordering Bonacieux to step back. He did not immediately comply. "This man is a wanted criminal!" Once again, Athos invited Bonacieux to move back. It was only then he seemed to notice that he was surrounded not only by Athos, but Aramis and Porthos, all three of them standing ready to act.
"I suggest you do as he says," slinging his rather large pistol against his shoulder, the presence of the weapon did well to unsettle Bonacieux's nerves. He could not claim to be a brave man. I had seen gutted fish with more spine than himself. He did, however, possess an excessive amount of what I could only describe as pompous bravado.
"Is this a threat?" To this, Porthos stepped closer. He had no weapon to hand, but his imposing stature was enough to knock down the last of Bonacieux's false courage. The man withered before my very eyes, understanding that his station as a merchant and gentleman did little for him here against three musketeers. He stepped back.
"Good decision." Aramis praised almost condescendingly. Behind us, d'Artagnan leaned towards Constance to whisper in her ear.
"Once again, I'm in your debt." He moved quickly to leave, and the others made to do the same.
"Good evening," Athos bade politely to Bonacieux then gestured to me. "Come Madeliene. Our business here is finished." Despite my brother's instruction for me to leave, I secured my grip upon Constance a little more.
"I shall stay here a while longer, brother," I informed him bluntly, causing him to stop walking away and look back, Aramis and Porthos doing the same with puzzled expressions. My gaze drifted to Bonacieux, who was shifting most uncomfortably and looking exceedingly flustered and irked. "Constance and I have womanly things to discuss." Despite my excuse, my expression made it clear to them the real reason why I wished to stay. I did not want Constance to suffer her husband's questions, or his hand should his temper give way. Athos turned, coming back towards me.
"Then I will stay to escort you home."
"She can stay here tonight, if she wishes," Constance was swift to seize the opportunity for company, her fingers practically digging into my skin as she held fast to my arm. "There's plenty of room, beds aplenty to spare. She'll be comfortable and safe." For a moment, Athos considered Constance's words. He was looking at me intently, a cascade of thoughts hidden behind his gaze which then shifted sharply to Bonacieux.
"Very well, so long as Monsieur Bonacieux can give his word that my sister shall find no harm under his roof, I will allow it." I refrained from informing my brother that I hardly needed his permission for such a thing, as it was not the time nor place. I was glad enough that he was cloaking a threat towards Constance's husband to frighten him into his place, that was enough for now. I kissed him goodnight before returning inside with Constance, who immediately made herself busy to put together a simple supper.
No sooner had the door closed behind Bonacieux, he came striding inside and began to demand answers. "What is the meaning of all this? Are we to host criminals now? We have no business aiding fugitives who will only bring ruin upon us! You are lucky we were not sighted, otherwise my business could sink under the weight of this shame." His voice traversed to the upper regions of his range from his fright and anger, a rather unpleasant sound which grated against my nerves. "Now explain this to me, explain it now!" He emphasised the command with a slap to the table, making everything jolt and quiver.
"I think it best you retire for the evening, monsieur." Reaching for the bottle of wine which had been left on the table, I stopped its shivering and poured myself a small glass to enjoy to myself as Constance stood behind me, waves of nervousness rippling from her as her husband grew red in the face. "It has been a trying day for you, I am sure."
"How dare you…"
"After all, it would not look well for you if Captain Treville were to learn that you were asking questions which are truly none of your business." I cut him off. The fool truly had no brains to speak of. "Clearly there is more at work here than you are permitted to know, since trusted men under the captain's command were in company with d'Artagnan this evening." Taking a sip from my wine, I noted to myself how richer and smoother it was than the cheap swill my brother bought. Settling my calm yet piercing gaze upon Bonacieux, I allowed myself a knowing smirk. "Alternatively, I expect Treville would be pleased to know that certain men can be trusted to keep their mouths shut and their questions to themselves when it is necessary. I would imagine Treville would appreciate such discretion," I saluted my drink, "and more business would find its way to such discreet and trustworthy men." Thankfully, Bonacieux was not completely clueless.
He understood the meaning behind my words and hastened to close his mouth. Instead he straightened his clothing and tugged at his collar, clearing his throat to tidy his presentation. "Very well, we shall speak no more of this," he decided, as if it had been his idea in the first place to not discuss the evening's events any further. "I shall be in my study." Once he left, both Constance and I finally breathed freely.
"Thank you," murmuring quietly, I twisted myself in my seat with a smile to her, glass still in hand.
"My pleasure. Now, how about we finish this bottle between us?" This at least put a little life back into her eyes and colour in her cheeks. Nodding eagerly, Constance dropped herself down upon a seat and pulled a glass towards herself, allowing me to fill it generously. "To our health and future prosperity." Clinking our glasses, we toasted with cheer before drinking. From what I recall of that night, we did not stop at only one bottle, though I forget exactly how many bottles of wine we finished. All I can say for certain that the wine was delicious, we drank until the early hours in the morning, struggled to undo one another's corsets, giggling all the while and somehow fell into bed together to sleep, where we were both nursing our heads the following morning. All in all, an excellent way to end such a tense evening.