LAST TIME: An accused Claude Dubois admitted to a liason with Rebecca Daunton was a mutual encounter.
Rebecca's decision- whether to move forward and accuse Claude of raping her, or dropping the entire sordid affair, avoiding the need to publicly face her accuser, knowing what it is he would allege about her behavior- was to pursue the rape charge regardless. Her father was opposed to it, primarily due to the hurt and emotional toll his daughter would no doubt have to endure by going through with it.
As they arrived at the Garrison to meet with the Musketeers and find out how this works and what to do next, they both walked into Captain Treville's office.
The Captain was there with D'Artagnan. They were both sporting content smiles.
"Did something happen?" Rebecca quickly asked.
"Indeed it has, mademoiselle," Treville responded. "A Red Guard apparently came forward telling us that he witnessed money change hands from Claude to the Red Guard who was killed at the Bastille. It was enough to convict Claude Dubois on conspiracy to commit murder charges. Athos is doing so as we speak."
"So...it is over?"
"That, mademoiselle, is completely up to you. Assuming this charge sticks, and by all accounts it should, Claude will go away for a very long time," D'Artagnan said.
"However only you can decide whether to also charge him with rape."
Jules quickly said, "Sweetheart, please let it drop. This is a chance to avoid going through a painful trial…"
Rebecca just said, "I need to think."
After the Red Guard positively identified Claude as the man he saw giving his Red Guard comrade money, Athos visited his friend, who was already in jail awaiting his trial on the rape charge. Now, he was there to inform him of the charge regarding the murder conspiracy.
"I'm surprised you didn't send your young friend to inform me," Claude spat.
Athos said, "I suppose I wanted to see if you had anything to say in your defense. I believe I am trying to understand it all.
"How many others were there?"
Claude looked tired and defeated. "Enough. It is as though I have a compulsion…I became a different person. I cannot explain it, even to myself."
"The attacks on the women are one thing. However your attempt to have my younger brother killed places you beyond forgiveness."
"Oh, good old perfect, judgmental Athos! How will I ever live with the guilt of having disappointed you?!"
Athos left Claude, walking away without looking back.
Claude was indeed convicted of conspiracy to commit murder and sentenced to fifteen years in prison.
Rebecca ultimately decided not to pursue the rape charge. The decision was not an easy one, but she knew all too well that it while it might be possible to get a fair trial, it would certainly be an uphill battle for any woman to elicit the sympathy and empathy required to win; and what was guaranteed was that she would need to describe her attack in detail, and endure reliving the rape again, a painful episode of her life that she wished to forget. Adding in the fact of Claude's legal prowess, she decided it was well enough that he was in jail, regardless of the reason.
Still, somehow, Rebecca felt a conflicting emotion of relief, and yet at the same time, feeling sick at heart.
"D'Artagnan, a word?" Athos said.
D'Artagnan nodded.
"Obviously I owe you an apology. I clearly did not know my friend as well as I thought I did. And as for him paying to have you killed, well, there are no words for how sorry I am about how I reacted to this entire affair."
"It was such a long shot, one I became too stubborn to let drop, so I apologize for that as well."
"But thank goodness for your stubbornness- otherwise the truth would never have come to light. What you call stubbornness I call steadfastness."
"So, we are good?"
"That is for you to decide, as it is you who need to forgive me."
"I- I do, of course."
Athos should have been relieved. However, he still looked troubled.
"For me to have struck you…it is unpardonable…"
"It was such an unlikely scenario, Athos; and please believe me when I say I never wished to be wrong about something in my life more than this."
"I should have known by now never to doubt your instincts. Never will I doubt you again, D'Artagnan."
D'Artagnan smiled. "My instincts. What about at card playing?"
Athos replied, "That as well. Regarding that, your instincts are so consistently poor that always betting against you is a safe bet."
A bit later, D'Artagnan went to call on Rebecca where she and her father were staying while in Paris. Jules was taking a rest so he chatted alone with Rebecca.
"I was just wondering how you were faring, and if you needed anything," D'Artagnan said.
"I am…well. Well enough, I suppose."
"It is not too late to change your decision regarding charging Claude. Please know that you would have the full support and backing of the Musketeers and Captain Treville if you were to do so."
Rebecca offered a small smile. "If only that were enough."
"What do you mean? We can speak to your character and…"
Rebecca tried to hide her growing agitation. "Charles. I know you mean well. But a woman in a man's world can only expect so much. It would be a battle that would require me revisiting the worst experience of my life, only for the likely result to have Claude exonerated, what with the things he has made painfully clear he could accuse me of. I have come to peace with his being in jail now for his part in attempting to kill you."
"Alright then. If you do not wish to see it through, then I can respect that."
"You make it sound as if 'not seeing it through' is me taking the cowardly way out," Rebecca spat, suddenly furious.
"NO! Mademoiselle, that is not what I meant! I just feel that you have shown enormous courage through all of this…"
"Let me tell you something, Charles. I found out early in life that oftentimes, when a woman's courage meets up with a man's ignorance, the best we can hope for is a stalemate."
"I- understand…"
"No, you don't," she said, but she was smiling again. "But you are a good, noble man, and one who I must thank for allowing me to at least face my attacker again, and thanks to your aid- indeed, almost at the cost of your life, I leave Paris knowing that he is behind bars, where he belongs."
"I'm glad, then, that perhaps now you can begin to put this entire episode behind you. I believe it has been a learning experience for me as well," D'Artagnan said, thinking of Constance for some reason.
"I hope I will. I believe I will. For the first time in a long while, I have hope for the future. As my father and I plan on departing back to Bayonne shortly, may I say thank you so much for your help. Goodbye, D'Artagnan."
Several Hours Later-
D'Artagnan, Athos, along with Aramis and Porthos, back from their mission for the King, were sparring in the Garrison when suddenly the gate swung open.
A young woman, clearly agitated and holding an infant wrapped in a blanket, walked towards the four men. She shouted, "Aramis!" She was livid.
Aramis removed his hat, and bowed to the angry woman. "At your service, madame…?"
"It's mademoiselle, you uncaring worm! And say hello to your daughter, you- you-"
Porthos placed his hand over his mouth, to avoid emitting any sounds that he felt would be inappropriate, given the circumstances.
D'Artagnan and Athos quietly conferred amongst themselves; Aramis thought he heard the phrase 'chickens coming home to roost' but he wasn't certain…
"We're getting married tomorrow, Aramis; you're making an honest woman of me if it kills you!"
"…and it just might…" Porthos told D'Artagnan, who was now giggling uncontrollably.
"WELL?! What do you have to say for yourself?!" the woman demanded.
Aramis, for the first time in his life, was rendered speechless. Finally he managed: "Mademoiselle, we can certainly talk about this privately…"
"Do you even remember me?!" the woman demanded.
"I- I.." Aramis struggled to recall the woman, increasing the voracity of his embarrassing stammer even more.
Suddenly, the woman looked over at D'Artagnan. She had a bright smile on her face.
"Was that good?" She asked the Gascon.
"That was EXCELLENT, Rebecca!" D'Artagnan shouted.
"Wait- what- what is going on?" Aramis demanded.
"THAT, my dear Aramis, was your revenge!" D'Artagnan was all too happy to reply.
Aramis, hearing that, finally thought to close his mouth, as it had been agape, still in shock.
Rebecca then flung the baby several feet away towards D'Artagnan, who dropped it, prompting gasps from most of the assembled audience.
"Oops," D'Artagnan said, as he then picked up the baby, which was now revealed to be a doll.
"Aramis, Porthos- may I introduce mademoiselle Rebecca Daunton. She arrived when you were away on your mission."
"Mademoiselle," Aramis and Porthos said, greeting her. Rebecca returned their greeting with a warm smile, in marked contrast to her menacing performance a moment earlier.
"So, I assume that based on your reaction, you did not see this coming?" D'Artagnan asked, clearly very pleased with himself.
Aramis took his hat off once again, this time to place it in front of himself as he bowed to the young Gascon. "As one who always excelled at mathematics as a child, D'Artagnan, I have two words for you: Very well done."
D'Artagnan laughed, then beamed at Rebecca.
He then looked over to Athos. "You did not say anything?"
Athos smiled and said, "And spoil your fun? Of course not."
Several Hours Before-
"I'm glad, then, that perhaps now you can begin to put this entire episode behind you. I believe it has been a learning experience for me as well," D'Artagnan said.
"I hope I will. I believe I will. For the first time in a long while, I have hope for the future. As my father and I plan on departing back to Bayonne shortly, may I say thank you so much for your help. Goodbye, D'Artagnan. If there is anything that I can ever do for you, Charles, you must not hesitate to ask."
D'Artagnan's face suddenly brightened.
"I do believe, mademoiselle, that I have an idea that the both of us might enjoy."
The next day, after Rebecca and Jules Daunton had begun their journey back to Bayonne, D'Artagnan went to Constance to pay her a visit at the Palace.
It was the first meeting alone with her since his disastrous conversation after kissing Lucie De Foix, making it not only unforgivable but also a bit hypocritical.
"Are you here to see me?" Constance asked.
"Yes, I am." He was shifting to and fro in such a deferential manner, and looking down at the ground with great interest, that made Constance almost break out into a smile. So she almost knew what was coming.
"I need to apologize to you for what I- intimated the last time we spoke. It was rude and thoughtless. And, especially due to certain recent events, it makes me realize how unforgivable it was to assume what you would be up against were we to…be together, I suppose.
"Can you ever forgive me?" D'Artagnan pleaded.
"Of course I can, and do," Constance replied. "I know you would never say anything to be cruel- but as you understand with your own understanding, it isn't a surprise that you don't know how it could be for someone in my position."
"Thank you, Constance; I do not know what I would do if I did not have your absolution."
"Well, I do confess I was totally shocked when you did say what you did, because frankly, before then you had never put your foot in your mouth!" Constance teased, now smiling widely.
"You have no idea. I just did it again yesterday to another woman, angering her. I can be so stupid sometimes…"
"But your willingness to learn is what matters. And, personally, I would hate it if we weren't able to still be friends, at least."
"I would like that."
D'Artagnan then parted ways with Constance, on his way back to the Garrison, a little more lighthearted, and perhaps a bit more enlightened.