15

December 26th, 1804

"Sophie."

Henri's voice sang softly in my ear; his breath against my ear.

I opened my eyes. His face was right in front of mine and he greeted me with a kiss.

"You might want to go to your room," Henri said. I nodded but didn't move.

"What are you doing?" Henri asked.

"I don't want to go," I said, my voice hoarse from sleeping.

"You must. Before the servants wake as well," Henri said.

"What will they do?"

"They'll tell Cosette. Cosette will tell her friends and we'll have a scandal," Henri said. He leaned in closer. "So get out." We both laughed quietly, then I obliged. The floor was cold as I tiptoed out of the room. I went and collapsed in my own bed.

Diana woke me up for breakfast what seemed like minutes later.

"Is Mister Baudin okay?" Diana asked as she brushed out my hair.

"I think he's just stressed," I said. "I left him in his room last night. I'm certain he went and slept it off."

"That's good. We--- the staff was concerned," Diana said.

"I'm certain he'll be much better this morning," I said.

Breakfast was awkward. Henri was late, leaving me alone with Cosette and Gabriel.

"What happened last night?" Gabriel asked.

"Ask your brother," I said, taking a polite bite of fruit. I mentally congratulated myself on standing up to Gabriel.

"What a rude response," Gabriel said. I could still make out a fine handprint on his face.

"Gabriel," Cosette said. "Do you really think Henri will marry us off?"

"I think he'll certainly try," Gabriel said. He stuffed an entire sausage in his mouth. Cosette laughed.

"And fail," she said. I stood up. The siblings looked up at me.

"Problem, Sophie, dearest?" Cosette asked. I was beginning to see the evil emerge in her.

The door to the dining room opened. Henri entered, surveying the situation from the doorway.

"Am I interrupting?" he asked. I sat down as he did.

"No, no. But please, do to tell us the tale of your disappearance," Cosette said.

"It's a terribly boring story," Henri said. "But I think the conversation we're about to have will be more exciting."

Cosette frowned.

"It's time both of you married," Henri said.

"He gets engaged and suddenly he's an expert," Gabriel mused through a mouthful of food. Cosette smiled at his remark.

"Gabriel," Henri warned.

"Why are you in such a good mood?" Gabriel asked. "Last night you were smashing vases. Now you're awful cheerful. I'm suspicious." He looked at me. "What did you do?"

"Nothing!" I cried.

"That was defensive," Gabriel said.

"A little too defensive," Cosette added.

"For once," Henri said. "Could you try and be serious?"

"Who do plan on marrying me to?" Gabriel asked.

"There's plenty of young women just dying to be with you," Cosette said, in her most lovestruck voice.

"You really think so?" Gabriel asked, mocking hope.

"Focus!" Henri said. "Cosette, I'm going to be speaking with some men today so I do ask that you behave yourself. Same for you Gabriel. Or better yet, don't make an appearance at all."

"That suits me just fine," Gabriel grumbled.

"At least give me some choices," Cosette said. "Sophie can make sure they're attractive."

Edmund stepped towards Henri and whispered in his ear.

"Sophie and Cosette have a guest," Henri announced. We both stood up. I gave Henri one last glance before leaving the room.

Jean-Pierre the tailor stood at the door.

"Your dresses are done!" he announced. Boxes were piled behind him.

"Thank you," Cosette said. She wandered over to one of the boxes and lifted off the lid. "Looks lovely. However, I do believe-"

"Yes, thank you," I said. The tailor looked pleased.

"Well I shall go then," he said. We exchanged smiles and he left. Cosette dropped the lid back down on the box lazily.

"You need to control Henri," she said.

"I can't control him," I said.

"And I can't get married," Cosette said. She gave a petite shrug.

"It's not my place to get involved in you and Henri's business," I said. Cosette started walking towards me, stopping as she passed.

"Neither is it your place to be in his bedroom," she said. I turned around and watched her go. She didn't look back.

"Where do you want these dresses?" Edmund asked me. He always seemed to appear out of nowhere.

"In my room is fine," I said, absent-mindedly. "Thank you, Edmund." I barely saw his curt little nod.

I didn't want to reenter the dining room with Cosette still there. If she knew, that could only bring problems. But I did it anyways.

"The tailor," Cosette was saying when I entered. "Sophie got her dresses."

"Good," Henri said. His eyes were on me.

"Very," I said, tensely. I didn't sit back down. Henri seemed to be done with his plate.

"Then I think I will get to work," Henri said. I saw Cosette smiling out of the corner of my eye. No doubt she would tell Gabriel as soon as we were out of the room. We walked out together.

Henri lead me into the study, shutting the door quickly behind us.

"She knows," I said.

"How?"

"I don't know," I said.

Henri punched the door.

"Henri!" I yelled. He exhaled his anger.

"I apologize," he said.

"What are we going to do?" I asked.

"Hope that Cosette is a better person than she actually is."