Monday night smut plot with impending smut...
.......
The next few days were uneventful. To the surprise of everyone but Athos, Kate had offered no resistance to cutting back on her usual workload. She had spent the time sleeping late, working through the ledgers, and taking leisurely rides round the estate with Athos - introducing him to the tenants they met. She'd dusted down a fiddle and started practising in earnest - shrugging at Athos' enquiring look. "I'll be expected to play it at the harvest feast."
They had been kicked out of the kitchen to eat in the dining room several times "When else do we all get a chance to gossip about you?" The cook had asked with a grin on her face; Kate had immediately absconded to the library to eat - still refusing to use the dining room.
The day before the others were due back Kate had pulled out a sword for some sparring, bemoaning her lack of practise. He had been surprised by how good she actually was: she was obviously rusty, but her accuracy and footwork compensated for her lack of strength, and she would certainly be able to hold off most opportunistic attackers for a long enough to make them think twice. The session had gathered an interested audience who were evidently used to this sort of behaviour, and had ended when she'd tripped and tumbled backwards into the dirt. He'd reached out a hand to pull her up whilst making a throwaway comment about knowing her place. Her amused retort of "On my back with my legs in the air?" had left him grinning in amusement. It was Kate who had noticed the lone horse coming down the track, identifying Porthos returning on his own.
........
Aramis stood in the stalls, grooming his horse and turning over recent events in his head. Porthos had changed horses when they delivered the papers, to return with the reply immediately. He had called in to borrow another horse from Kate on route and hastened back to Paris - ostensibly to deliver the reply as quickly as possible, but doubtless the prospect of seeing Norah had increased his sense of urgency. He and D'Artagnan had arrived back at the estate a day later, having rested their horses.
He recalled the scene as they had arrived. He and D'Artagnan had wandered through the house on arrival and looked out of a window into the garden. Kate had been sitting under a tree in the afternoon sun - dogs sprawled around her and Athos leaning back against the tree, hat over his eyes. She was absorbed in a ledger - making occasional notes as she went through the figures. They saw her glance back to say something that made Athos lift his hat and grin at her before dropping the hat down again as she shut the book and lay back against him - fingers entwined as she picked up one hand in hers, his other hand idly playing with her hair. They had felt as though they were intruding, but Madame Allais crossed the lawn and announced their presence before they could withdraw and return later.
It was the simple contentment of that scene that had triggered his envy. Not that they didn't both deserve some happiness - he didn't begrudge it. He just wished he had something similar to return to - Porthos had Norah, D'Artagnan had Constance, and Athos - having shown no interest in any liaison that didn't involve a bottle for as long as he'd known him, now seemed increasingly settled with Kate. All of which left him acutely aware that for all that he had the reputation of being both a great romantic and extremely popular with women, there was no-one special waiting for him - or at least no-one who could publicly acknowledge him anyway. His fingers went automatically to touch the crucifix that hung round his neck.
He sighed and picked up the brush that had fallen to the floor.
Eleanor walked into the stables - Kate was somewhere around with Maddie, but obviously not in here. As she turned to leave, a horse she hadn't seen before stuck its head over a door and whinnied. "Hello gorgeous - you are beautiful... where did you come from?" The horse tossed its head as she approached.
"You're very kind mademoiselle - Paris."
Eleanor wheeled in shock and gaped at the man standing in the adjacent stall with another horse. Her mouth opened and shut several times without producing any sound. She had described Athos as easy on the eye, but sweet Jesu - who was this man who stood regarding her with such amusement - brown eyes twinkling with broad grin on his face. His breeches were held up by braces and his grey shirt gaped open to reveal a light dusting of chest hair - she felt herself flushing as her mind ran riot, imagining running her hands through his hair.
He grinned and bowed slightly. "Aramis of the King's musketeers at your service. May I be of assistance?"
She gulped, aware she was staring, but unable to tear her eyes away from him "Kate" she squeaked, then coughed, trying to regain some form of composure. "I was looking for Kate."
"Allow me to assist then mademoiselle, I'm sure we can find her somewhere... And you are...?" His eyes raked over her - her hair slightly dishevelled, clothes creased. She looked as though she'd been sleeping in them. He smiled - the day suddenly held much more promise.
Eleanor blushed again under his scrutiny and introduced herself. Aramis shut the stable door and as he offered her his arm she turned, tripping over a fork that was propped against the wall and found herself falling forwards, only to be rescued by a pair of hands that caught her and pulled her back upright.
"I've got you..." He held her as she regained her balance - his proximity and the warmth of his hands distracting her as she instinctively put a hand on his shoulder to steady herself "Are you alright?"
She looked up at him, lost for words again as she looked into his eyes - he was gazing intently at her, eyes flicking to her lips as her heart pounded against her ribs. His lips were inches from hers and she felt as though she couldn't breathe. They were interrupted by the babble of a baby, mingled with Kate's voice chattering nonsense in return. She walked in, then paused in the doorway and raised her eyebrows at the scene in front of her.
Aramis dropped his hands, smiling at Eleanor. "And there she is - mission accomplished!" He turned to leave, but to his surprise found himself holding a baby instead as Kate took Eleanor by the arm. She glanced back at him "Aramis, can you take Maddie to the house please?" He looked at her in surprise and winced slightly as a little fist reached up and tugged at his beard. Kate and Eleanor both burst out laughing and Eleanor took her back, admonishing her gently. "Little monkey! I'm sorry - she doesn't get many beards to play with." She turned to Kate looking embarrassed "I didn't mean to sleep for so long." Kate shrugged, looking slightly wistful, holding out a finger which the baby instantly grasped in a chubby fist and stuffed in her mouth "She's been no bother. Besides," Kate grinned "it's a benefit of god-parenting - I can always hand her back if she's being a pain." They walked back to the house with Aramis in tow, who entertained himself by returning the baby's gummy smiles and making her giggle, whilst shooting covert looks at her mother - wondering what would have happened if Kate had been just a few moments longer...
..........
Kate ushered Eleanor into the parlour and closed the door behind them.
Eleanor turned, absently bouncing Madeline on her hip, "Who is he?!"
Kate sighed, she had seen that look too many times in court when Aramis was about. "He didn't introduce himself?"
"Oh you know what I mean... He's gorgeous Kate!"
"And he knows it. He's very charming and popular, and an outrageous flirt. And he has something of a reputation…" She raised her eyebrows meaningfully. "Though I have to admit he's good company and I've never heard anyone speak ill of him - even after he's moved on, if you see what I mean."
Eleanor sighed wistfully "Did you see how he looked at me. No-one's looked at me like that since before I had Maddie. Sometimes I think I'm either invisible, or just have a huge sign over me saying 'mother'. As if I stopped being of any interest to anyone the moment I was pregnant."
Kate shot her a sympathetic look. "Just be careful, ok? He's nice, but he's just passing through - don't go getting your heart broken."
------