more story, sorry...
“Here” Treville gave Athos the King’s letter to read whilst they all sat at the large table in the courtyard, eating Jeanne’s bread with their broth. “Do you know the place?”
Aramis peered over at it and frowned, recognising the names on the letter. Then, sighing, reluctant and hoping she would forgive him, Aramis told them about Jeanne, adding that she wouldn’t be of any use to them being a simple baker’s daughter, that she wouldn’t know how to act like a Lady’s companion.
“You know where she is now?” Treville interrupted.
Aramis nodded.
“Take me to her. I want to see for myself.” Flashing a look towards Porthos, who was staring at the sky despondently, Aramis agreed.
Treville nodded. “Lead the way. You three, keep busy, there’s a yard full of new recruits that need training.”
Thus dismissed, Porthos got up and went to take out his frustration on some poor recruits.
**
“Back again?” Jeanne smiled as Aramis approached her again. She looked past him at the older man standing with him.
“Aah, yes. Well you see, the thing is...” Aramis trailed off, unsure how to proceed.
“Do you speak English?” Treville asked her, in English.
“Yes sir.” Jeanne felt uneasy, she didn’t want to risk putting people off buying from her.
But he nodded curtly at her and stepped back, beckoning to Aramis.
“We need to speak to her parents.”
“You could always speak to me!” Jeanne retorted angrily. Aramis stepped forward to apologise, but Treville cut him off.
Treville looked her in the eye trying to ascertain if she would be of use.
“Would you be willing to leave Paris for a while?”
“No, my father’s ill. I can’t leave my family.” She lifted her chin up determinedly and Aramis smiled at her. Turning to Treville he said
“You see? I did warn you.”
Jeanne drew herself up to her full height indignantly, noting that she was only a couple of inches shorter than him. A fact he also noticed as his eyes travelled down her body before remembering themselves and snapping back up to her face.
Treville spoke as she opened her mouth to protest. “They would of course be compensated.”
She narrowed her eyes at them both, taking her time to decide.
“I could take you back with me later.” She eventually replied. Aramis looked as if he was about to speak, but again Treville cut him off.
“If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to speak to him as soon as possible. It is a matter of urgency.”
“I can’t return until I’ve sold all of these.” Jeanne indicated the loaves and pastries she had left. Treville took out his bag of coins.
“How much?” He handed her several coins. She took what was fair, handing back the rest, then looked about her for the ragged children that hung around hoping for left overs. After the food had all been handed out, she tidied away the stall and they set off for the bakery, Jeanne once again allowing Aramis to push the cart for her.
*
Jeanne’s mother had also received a letter from Lady Isabelle requesting that Jeanne go to London to accompany her daughter. Even more puzzled than he had been, Aramis had been unable to restrain himself and begging their pardons, asked why Jeanne, a simple Baker’s daughter would be sought after by such people.
It was explained that Jeanne’s mother had been friends with the Lady Isabelle as a child and promised to Isabelle’s brother. It was a friendship that had lasted through the years and the separation both in distance and social standing. Lady Isabelle saw an opportunity to meet and help Jeanne and her family as well as help ease her daughter into her new life in France.
It had been a little embarrassing at first, but Jeanne’s parents were well used to the questions and interest their situation could raise and soon everyone was sitting around the big table chatting and making plans. Both Jeanne and Aramis were quiet during all of this, occasionally darting looks at each other.
They stood outside together after Treville had interviewed her
“It could be dangerous, the roads are full of bandits and highwaymen. I wish you would reconsider.” Aramis spoke to Jeanne in a soft voice, his eyes full of concern.
“So I’ve been told. But I can’t, the arrangements have been made and I’ve given my word.” Jeanne shrugged and looked away. Aramis put a hand on her arm and she shivered slightly.
“Forgive me, it’s getting cold.” He smiled, holding his arm out for her to take although he knew it wasn’t the cold that had made her shiver. He frowned a little as she continued to lean against the fence gazing into nothing. He returned to her side and copied her so he was at the same height.
Feeling the heat of his arm against hers, Jeanne swallowed. Aramis heard her, feeling the pressure of her arm on his, loathe to move it so instead he put his hand over hers.
Smiling gently he reassured her that he would personally protect her, even if that meant he never left her side. He knew he was flirting and that he probably shouldn’t be, yet hoped she would respond likewise.
Looking at his hand and then his face, she chuckled and raised her eyebrows at him, shaking her head slightly, but didn’t move her hand.
Leaning into her he whispered
“Unless you’d prefer the company of the Captain” He looked carefully at her eyes, noting the deep dark blue, barely lighter than his own. She smiled shakily at him, unable to move away.
“No. You’ll do fine.” Aramis’ eyes seemed to darken as he looked back at her unblinking.
“Good. We should go in.”
“Yes.”
Neither of them moved.