Chapter Text
The wayfarer entered the tavern, just in the outskirts of Paris: it was a dark smokey place, the sort of place you go to listen, unseen, to other people’s business, usually if not proper, and under the influence of alcool. But that night, Monsieur De La Gauche was at the bar, and was drinking red strong wine. He was a tall, slouching man, with clothes too big for his size or they would have been too short. His eyes were intelligent and bright, always sparkling when there was a good chance to be taken. He was the unfortunate son of an unfortunate fallen Duke, with no more money or importance, so he decided to find his way into this world with his wit: he had plenty of it.
The wayfarer set beside him. He said “Bonnesoir" as any gentle frenchman and drank at his health. He was surely about to tell him something juicy so Monsieur De La Gauche returned his compliments and offered him another glass. He was at his fifth, but he could carry on all night: he never seemed to get drunk. His wife always said he was too thin to keep the liquor in his blood: a piss, and he was sober.
«So, my dear good friend: have you got any story? You are a wanderer, and those have always something to tell, to amuse the public at least» said Monsieur De La Gauche. The wayfarer grinned.
«Oh yes, Monsieur indeed I have. But those tales need a good ear, not just a drunken nobody’s one» said the wanderer, giving him the usual look that meant business.
«Your words are very flattering and moving, sir. My heart is full of pride, but say no more: you are invited to drink my own wine and eat at my own table» proclaimed De La Gauche, standing up from his stool and giving him a pat on his shoulders. The wayfarer thanked him, and they acted their little piece of good words and promises of eternal friendship, leaving the tavern, so that anybody could hear them, and hear them well. A few minutes, and the not so big and noble but dignifying residence was reached. It screamed of fallen aristocracy. Madame De La Gauche greeted the wanderer with a couple of kisses: he was, on the other hand, her brother.
«So, Henri… what is this story only my ears should be aware of?» asked Monsieur De La Gauche, pouring some of his own wine in his brother in law’s glass, then his own, while Madame De La Gauche sat at the table too. She was a sweet looking woman, quite short - and not because her husband was too tall - but proportioned. Her eyes had the same sparkle of his husband’s but all in her expression was fun, and a bit naughty, like a young woman’s who has just discovered her lover’s secrets, and will use them against him.
«My dear brother» replied Henri «very good news, something I believe could help us quite a lot: the Cardinal’s lover is dead»
Monsieur and Madame De La Gauche were not at all dismayed by Henri’s attitude or words. At first, they glanced at each other, as the adventurers that find the long-sought treasure, but are not sure if it is what they were looking for or not.
«Are you sure?» asked Monsieur De La Gauche.
«Indeed, Armand, I am» replied Henri «I’ve heard her screaming myself. “Aramis” she said, “I love Aramis!”. And then she was shot, and I saw the Cardinal’s coach drive away»
Madame De La Gauche frowned.
«Poor Eminence: his black little heart must have been broken on the spot!» said she, between ironic or serious.
«Virginie, please. This is a matter of importance, great importance. Can’t you see the opportunities?» asked Henri, in haste.
«Of course I do, brother» replied Virginie, with a naughty smile «Destiny it was, for sure. You have even his same prenom, my love» she continued, looking fondly at her husband and taking his hand «in a long night of lingering passion, I would not be mistaken in the name I should scream»
«I am not interested in these… details» said Henri, a bit nauseate «but you, my dear sister, could be the making of your husband and me. We should be in court, if it was not for our silly parents, and the late Duke De La Gauche, God rest his soul. If you become the Cardnial’s mistress, then we can get back our rightful place»
«We could» commented Armand De La Gauche, not at all disturbed by the innuendos of his wife «but how can we be sure? Last time Virginie tried to become a big name’s mistress, we could not get anything out of it!»
«That was because the guy in question was a complete fraud» replied immediately Henri, so to state that it was not entirely his fault.
«Cardinal Richelieu is more powerful than the King, or at least that is what most people say» said Virginie «massive responsibility and dealing with constant incompetence means the man must be mentally exhausted. He needs distraction, relax, and, most of all, fun»
«And you are so much fun, ma cherie» stated Armand De La Gauche, sweetly scratching her chin, like you do with a kitten.
«That is why I thought immediately of this. But how can we make this happen? Virginie, you are a very lovely thing, but there must be so many women, even more beautiful, rich and powerful than you, that yearn to be Richelieu’s mistress» explained Henri, impatient. Monsieur De La Gauche found it was the moment for him to take the situation in his hands.
«Don’t be too rush, my friend. All things in due cause. The Cardinal will go this country residence, now that there is no crisis, and no great interest is at stake. He must find solitude, so that he can pretend he is on a spiritual retreat or something, remember himself that love is just pain and misery, at least for him, and move on. Then, we can make our move. His residence is not far from here, and our name is still worth something. I’ll make myself be known and I will ask for a nice meeting between gentlefolk: I will suddenly feel very hill, but ma petite tourterelle douce will not be able to decline His Eminence so kind and considerate reply, because he will give it, he cannot risk not to invite the only noble, or sort of noble, presence around here. Then, Virginie will know what to do» explained Armand De La Gauche, slowly and carefully. Henri smiled, as his sister did, and as her husband did.
They toasted their plan, at the good health and hidden passions of His Eminence the Cardinal Armand-Jean Du Plessis de Richelieu.