Norah you are so bloody impatient.... and then don't even wait up long enough to see this posted.
Previously, er... she got knocked out again and went for a lie-down. Still no significant action, but it's getting there still being written.
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He knocked on the door, and then stepped back - startled himself face to face with Mistress Fournier. She was standing, hands on hips, glaring at him. "She's staying here, thank you." And turned as Kate rolled out of the bed "You are not in any fit state to go anywhere!" Then shot him an outraged look "And you can get out, she's not even dressed."
Kate rolled her eyes at the figure leaning in the doorway and picked off some of the crushed lavender that had re-attached itself to her skin while she'd been sleeping.
"At this point in time we need to keep the Cardinal happy, so yes - I'm going to see him." She sighed, trying to placate the older woman. "It won't take long, and I'll come straight back, but I can't afford to provoke him right now." Mistress Fournier stormed through the door, muttering under her breath as she went down the stairs.
Kate pulled clothes on over her shift, pulling at the laces and fumbling with buttons while he watched. He crossed the room to push her hands away, dealing with the remaining buttons for her, then held her arm as she stepped into her shoes. Looking with concern at the stitches and bruising.
"What happened? Treville said you fainted."
She frowned slightly "Not sure, from what I remember I just stood up too fast. He said I wasn't very cooperative about being stitched up?"
That raised a wry smile. "Well, I think he's less concerned about your ability to defend yourself now anyway." He bent his head and kissed her, lips brushing against hers. She leaned into him and the kiss deepened - a groan escaped him as his hand ran through her hair and she swayed slightly in his arms, dizzy with desire. Voices echoed up the stairs and they broke off regretfully, looking towards the open door. She turned back to the mirror, peering at her hair, then pulled it loose. He caught his breath as it tumbled down her back, glossy and shining in the afternoon sun. A few deft twists later and it was smoothly gathered back again.
She picked up her key and they walked to the door where he stopped her with a hand on her shoulder "Are you sure about this?"
She smiled "I'll be fine, honestly." She kissed him gently and leaned against him "Let's just get it done with." She ran her hands over her clothes, smoothing out invisible creases, raised her chin and nodded to the stairs. He followed her down, impressed, if a little disconcerted. It was as though she had put on a mask as she left her room. Kate had vanished, and Lady Caitlyn led the way downstairs looking perfectly composed.
Treville was waiting at the foot of the stair looking impatient as they fell in beside him.
The Cardinal looked up as they entered and sat back in his chair, raising an eyebrow at the newly acquired stitches. He addressed Treville as they came to a halt in front of his desk "Are there any obstructions in the will?"
Treville shook his head and put a folded parchment on the desk. "The estate is hers in her own right - to do with as she wishes, and any future remarriage is at her discretion."
He looked at the musketeer "And when you married, what did she give as her name?" His mouth was suddenly dry. Kate was standing to his side, giving no indication that she was paying any attention.
"Charlotte" he forced the name from his mouth. "Charlotte Backson" He dredged the unwelcome memories from the past - details of her brother and his position, her parents as she had described them.
The Cardinal noted down the details. "I will have the matter investigated. You two may go." He glanced at Kate "A word in private if you please."
The two men paused, unsure whether to leave her alone in the room, then reluctantly withdrew.
The door shut behind them, and he wrote some notes, ignoring her.
"Sit" he said. Then looked up. "Ah - no chair - how unfortunate." He smiled maliciously and leaned back in his chair again. "I hear you threw a knife at Rochefort"
She looked back at him, her gaze level. "If I'd thrown it AT him, he'd be dead."
"Yes, that's what I told him. He's rather aggrieved though." He nodded to the door at the end of the room as Rochefort came through.
She considered him as he crossed the room, glaring at her "Well really, what on earth did you expect?" She tilted her head to one side. "You turn up hurling insults about like that... did you think I'd sit around having a fit of the vapours, and let them retaliate on my behalf? And don't pretend you didn't know I was there, or the effect the insults would have. We've been doing this ridiculous dance for long enough, you should know better.." He looked supercilious and opened his mouth, but she talked over him. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry. I could have been less cutting in my response, but you were being incredibly irritating..." She shrugged.
"Well, there we are." The Cardinal raised his eyebrows at Rochefort. "I'm sure you're delighted to accept that gracious apology?" Rochefort shot her a killing look and turned on his heel.
The door shut behind him.
"Did you find what you were looking for?"
Her face was a picture of confusion, the Cardinal looked steadily at her. "Oh!" Confusion gave way to embarrassment. "Oh. Um, no. No, that was really what it looked like, we weren't paying attention to where we were and just fell into your room." She let her eyes drift away and colour flooded her face as she recalled that first burning kiss...
She dragged her thoughts back to the present as he stood up and walked round the desk, looking at her closely, his eyes drawn to the marks their previous encounter had left on her. She watched warily as he approached her. "You are happy with this match then?"
She maintained an impassive face - he was after something. Leverage? Information? What? She gave the most neutral answer she could come up with. "Her Majesty has made her wishes very clear - my opinion is of no consequence."
"And if I told you your co-operation would be required?"
Her eyes widened in disbelief at the implied threat, but she kept silent as he stalked around her. She could sense him behind her as he leaned in close, and her skin crawled at his breath on her neck. He spoke quietly but clearly in her ear. "Remind me, Lady Caitlyn, never to play cards against you? I know who you are, and I know what you are. If I have any suspicion of you having been in my rooms uninvited again you will simply vanish and Rochefort can do whatever he pleases... he has a reputation for keeping people alive for an impressively long time"
He returned to his desk and sat down, examining the paperwork spread over the surface. "In the meantime, I'm a practical man - if you should find yourself in need of a new employer, do come and see me." He looked back up, his expression impenetrable. "You can tell her Majesty that I am looking into it."
She dipped a quick curtsey and left, closing the door quietly behind her. She shook her head at their enquiring looks and let out a long breath she hadn't even realised she'd been holding. "Let's just say he's still not convinced by the 'accidently fell into the room' scenario..." They exchanged concerned looks over her head. "but he's willing to play along for now." She stifled a yawn "I need to get back before anyone else decides they need to talk to me..." They rounded a corner and came face to face with Lady Ana who paused to take in the fresh cut and pale face.
"Mistress Fourier is extremely displeased with you. I'll escort you to your room - I need to talk to you."
She exchanged a glance with him, mouthed 'later' then followed in Lady Ana's wake.