The next morning I was no closer to an answer to my many problems. I must have been acting odd because I caught Anne watching me. I put a smile on my face and threw myself into acting as though this was any other day of teasing and gossiping with the other ladies.
We went out for a walk in the gardens that afternoon. Anne was doing her best to avoid Lord Buckingham and all connected to him without being overly obvious about the avoiding. Dinner had been a nightmare the evening before, and I could only hope that the Englishman would leave soon.
“Did you see Madame du Loraine's gown?” Nicolette asked, giggling in amusement. “I don't see how anyone can think that shade a good color to be worn!”
The normal petty gossip that would have driven me mad on any other day, was a relief to listen to as an escape from the intrigue that had been happening in the palace. We were all chatting and giggling like we were twelve. Anne was laughing at us, amused by our antics. I should have known it wouldn't last.
"Constance! Constance! Hey, hi! Excuse me."
I flinched as the other ladies in waiting began giggling even more. I turned to find D'Artagnan only a few steps away, grinning with excitement. Well, this was as good a time to end this as any. "Pardon, Your Majesty," I said to Anne, who paused. "This will only take a moment."
She looked beyond me and saw the Gascon. She smiled that wise smile of hers and nodded. I hastened over to D'Artagnan, demanding, "What are you doing here?"
“His Majesty wants a word with me,” the boy told me, grinning with pride. “Imagine that!”
“Yes. Lovely. Now if you'll excuse me,” I said dismissively. I hoped he would take the hint. I didn't want to have to be cruel. I turned to go back. Why hadn't the group kept going? The last thing I wanted was so many witnesses to me snubbing D'Artagnan!
D'Artagnan reached out as though to stop me, but he didn't actually touch me. I swiftly stamped down disappointment. "I- I was thinking," he said. "After I'm finished with His Majesty, maybe we could talk."
When I glanced over, the older ladies looked appalled while the younger girls were trying to stifle giggles. I took a deep breath. My mother's letter on my mind, I came to that split second decision that would either be the best thing for me...or the worst. "I have plans," I told him dismissively. Take the hint, I begged silently.
But apparently I wasn't being obvious enough. "Well, how about tomorrow?" he persisted.
"I have a lot of plans!" I told him, cringing as I heard the other women's giggling become louder. D'Artagnan tried to continue protesting, but I cut him off, "Look, D'Artagnan, you may have a new suit of clothes and the King's favor, but you still act like a clumsy country boy. Now excuse me."
I turned away and returned to the queen. "That was a little harsh," Dolores commented. "He's so handsome, Constance!"
It took great effort on my part, but I resisted the urge to look back. "Was that necessary?" Anne asked softly as we walked on.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I believe is was," I answered, my tone just as quiet as hers. "I have my duty to you and then to my family. A country Gascon boy will only be a distraction."
"Oh, Constance " Anne said, her tone filled with pity. "I wish that all my ladies in waiting may find the love of a good man."
"Then, there is still hope for me for D'Artagnan is still a boy." I prayed this conversation would end for my heart was going to break. I was sure of it.
That made Anne laughed. "And you are still a girl," she told me. "Don't fight yourself too much, Constance. You may find you regret it. Now, I am ready for tea."
~*~
We were all gathered for tea. Through the doorway, I could see the king walking with D'Artagnan. I wondered what it was they were talking about. I forced myself to pay attention to Anne as she spoke about a conversation she had had with the Spanish ambassador's wife.
There was a sudden cough and when I looked up, I saw the king coming towards us. "Your Majesty!" I exclaimed, nodding to the doorway.
Swiftly, Anne was on her feet, with us ladies in waiting doing the same. There was a moment of awkward silence and then the king asked, "How are you?"
"Very well," Anne responded. I could hear the joy in her voice, with that slight note of puzzlement. The king had never gone out of his way like this before.
King Louis looked uncertain for a moment. "I'm wearing blue," he informed her, holding his arms out to show her.
"And you look very handsome in it," Anne told him fondly.
The king grinned with delight. "Yes, well, thank you," he said. "You're looking very lovely. In fact, I was just remarking to D'Artagnan how...uh...how beautiful you are."
I had never heard him say anything so sweet and sincere to Anne before! And D'Artagnan was the cause of this? I couldn't help smiling as Anne responded, "Thank you, My Lord."
I dared a look up and saw D'Artagnan, waiting in the gardens still. He held himself with dignity as he met my gaze. I turned my gaze down quickly. What had I done? The king stayed to address a few more comments with Anne and then had to leave for a last conference with Buckingham. We all sat down. Anne was practically beaming with delight. "You see, Your Majesty?" I said. "The king does care."
"So it would seem," Anne answered. "I can't help but think your Gascon would be a good influence on the king."
I don't know if I would have protested that term or not. Nicolette did so for me. "Her Gascon?" she repeated. "I highly doubt he has anything to do with her after her snub today."
It pained my heart to know that she was right. “I think that young D'Artagnan is a little bit more stubborn than that,” Anne said. “But time will tell.”
~*~
I was still going over what had happened in the gardens when I ran into Milady. “Ah, my dear Constance!” she exclaimed with a smile. She was dressed for traveling and looked pleased with herself. More so than normal, I noticed. “I'm glad I found you. You've heard the news?”
"News?" I repeated, irritated at not knowing what she was talking about. "What news?"
"Why, that the Cardinal has finished giving Lord Buckingham the details of the treaty," Milady informed me. "Buckingham will now take the treaty to King James. I leave with him within the hour."
“I hope you found your stay in Paris enjoyable,” I said, somewhat untruthfully I will admit.
She smiled. “Oh, immensely,” she told me. “Most entertaining.”
“Have a good trip back to England,” I said, moving to continue on.
Milady laughed. “Is that all?” she asked. “After all your wondering and your fellow lady in waiting trying to spy on me, you're content to just say goodbye?”
I froze and took a deep breath. No wonder Benita hadn't been able to learn anything: Milady had known she was being followed! “I don't imagine you're willing to tell me everything,” I said as I faced her. “Whatever you've been up to, and whoever you've been working for, you're not going to win.”
I was being perfectly serious and she laughs at me. “Very dramatic,” she complimented. “I wonder if you are ruthless enough to achieve your potential?”
“Ruthless? Potential?” I repeated in confusion. What was she talking about?
“Yes, ruthless,” she said emphatically. “It's the only way to manipulate men into doing what you want. Even the smartest man has no chance against a well prepared woman.”
“I don't use people,” I told her sharply.
“A pity,” Milady said, shrugging. “I wish you the best. I'm sure you will continue to enjoy your life here the palace...until there is trouble, of course.”
"What do you mean by that?" I demanded instantly. "If you have something you want to tell me, come out and say it!"
Slipping gloves on her hands, Milady smiled. "You are imagining things, my dear Mademoiselle Bonacieux," she said. “I bid you adieu.”
I opened my mouth to protest. She certainly had been up to something and if she left now, I would never learn what it was! Before I could speak, though, Lord Buckingham was coming down the corridor. “Ah, Milady de Winter,” he said. “Are you ready?”
“Of course,” Milady said.
Holding his arm out to her, Buckingham looked me over in a way that made me raise my chin. “And who is this charming young lady?” he asked. “Have we met?” “Behave yourself, my Lord,” Milady told him firmly. “This is one of the queen's ladies in waiting.”
“A pleasure,” Buckingham said, bowing towards me. He walked away with Milady on his arm.
I watched them until they turned the corner and shook my head. I had to tell the queen.