Aramis, D'artagnan and Porthos ran through the streets to the tavern that was frequented mostly by Musketeers.
"Your woman moves faster than you think" Porthos huffed looking at D'artagnan
"When she is determined then I've learned that you do not get in her way" He smiled back as Aramis opened the door of the tavern and the noise from inside spilled out.
The three of them looked around the packed and dimly lit room where noisy games of cards were being played and drunk men were growing louder with bravado. Aramis nudged Porthos and pointed to where Constance was walking through the men toward a table in the back corner.
"You run off to the tavern" She put her hands on the table across from Athos who was nursing a cup with a bottle on the table next to him
"I did" He nodded "Is Estelle alright?"
"Why didn't you stay around to find out..." she put her hands on her hips
"Athos..." Porthos said coming over with the other "Constance why don't you take a seat" Constance nodded and sat on a stool opposite.
Aramis and Porthos sat down as well with D'artagnan standing behind the love of his life watching over her even though there was no reason to worry; everyone in the regiment knew Constance and knew her and D'artagnan had something between them even if she was unhappily married. The tavern owner came over with another bottle and cups as Athos refilled his cup and took a long drink.
"You bring a woman into the Garrison and then you abandon her there"
"She is a woman that needed help that is all" Athos shrugged looking into his cup
"A woman that you left the Kings side for" Porthos pointed out
"A woman that you saved from being run down this morning" D'artagnan said leaning in and picking up a cup
"A woman that has made you smile more in one day than I have seen you smile in a month" Aramis said tipping his head
"It is nothing; she is nothing" Athos shook his head more than a little irritated at the intrusion of his friends
"There is nothing wrong in admitting she is beautiful, and you find her to be attractive" Constance reached across the table and took his hand
"I am a Musketeer I have a job to do" he said looking up through his lashes
"So am I and I have Constance" D'artagnan said with a huff "Did you know that Estelle is English?" Athos shook his head
"All I knew of her was she was alone, and she was named Estelle and that she was hurting from the fall she took, I did not even tell her my name" he hung his head again
"Well she knows it; she asked where you were" Constance took a deep breath "Captain Treville has given her a job at the Garrison helping me to feed you all. At least some of us can try to make her feel better for being alone and abandoned" Constance got to her feet "What is it Athos?" He looked at her
"Constance" D'artagnan gave her a warning tone; she held her finger up to him and shot him a look that had him stepping back before looking back at Athos
"You have no fear in fighting and risking your life. Sometimes it is as if you do not care if you die" She smoothed her hands over her skirts "But this women has got you scurrying for the darkest corner of the tavern and hiding in the bottom of a bottle in fear" she bent her head a little "Be a man and face life" she turned on her heel and walked out
"If Constance were a man then I would have put a bullet in her head" Athos growled looking at D'artagnan
"But she isn't, and you didn't; and she is right. You really should go see Estelle" D'artagnan said draining his drink
"Will you allow me to drink if I do this?" Athos grumbled
"Into oblivion" Aramis smiled stepping back allowing Athos to get to his feet
"Am I to be escorted to the garrison?" he asked as the four of them walked out of the Tavern
"Yes for we pass by another tavern between here and there" Porthos laughed. The four of them walked under the arch way in to the courtyard of the Garrison as Treville came down the stairs.
"You are back early"
"It was under threat of death by Constance" D'artagnan laughed as Athos started up the stairs "She went after Athos in the tavern and it was more than his life was worth to ignore her wishes"
"Sensible of him" Treville chuckled "Shame she cannot be a musketeer because she would terrify everyone"
Athos knocked on the door to the room I was in and waited before he knocked again
"Estelle..." He knocked for a third time "Estelle"
He pushed the door open and grew wide eyed. He stepped back and turned on his heel and strode from the room and back down to the courtyard where the others were still talking to Treville.
"That was quick did you even see her?" Aramis threw open his arms
"She's gone; Estelle is gone" there was an anger to his tone and an anger he did not understand himself "Where has she gone?"
"She did not pass me and I was working in my office" Treville made for the stairs as the others followed him and into the room
"Well the window is not open and she did not pass the Captain, then what happened?" Athos yelled "We must find her"
YOU ARE READING
Lost in the pages
RomanceHave you ever got so lost in a book it's as if you were actually there. Estelle Bennett was left a little Old bookstore that used to belong to her grandmother, it was a place that Estelle had loved since being a child and her Grandmother had always...
