8

December 24th, 1804

"Frog," Henri corrected.

"Frog?" I asked, making sure I heard him right. The word on the page didn't look like "frog."

Henri was attempting to teach me how to read. The day before I had learned the alphabet and was up half of the night practicing by candlelight.

I continued reading the story, Henri correcting me as we went.

It was the story of a prince who had been turned into a frog by a witch. Only true love's kiss could turn him back into his handsome form but no one wanted to kiss a frog. He managed to convince a beautiful maiden to do it and he was transformed into his handsome self again. They got married.

"-and li-ved ha-ppi-ly ev-er a-ft-er," I said, sounding out each word.

The study doors flew open.

"You're reading?" Cosette burst in. "Reading when there is so much to be done?"

"This is your event," Henri reminded her. This was her third intrusion of the day.

"You could help," she said. Henri held up a pile of papers he was slaving over.

"I'm paying," he said.

"Where's Gabriel?"

"His whereabouts do not concern me," Henri said.

"Have you seen Gabe?" Cosette asked me. I shook my head. Speaking to her when she was angry was intimidating. Cosette cried out and left the room in a fury.

"Have you gotten your dresses back from the tailor?" Henri asked me.

"Not yet," I said. "Cosette did give me a dress for the ball though."

"Good, good," he said. I got up from the armchair and searched the bookshelves for the book's proper place. I had to climb the ladder a few rungs to reach the shelf. My dress today was shorter though and much less cumbersome than usual. For that, I was thankful.

I had quickly learned that my belief that the rich sat around and did nothing besides eat was false. They worked almost as hard as regular folks, just by getting in and out of their clothes four or five times a day.

I searched the shelves for a new book that looked interesting. It was a difficult task since I couldn't read most of the titles.

There was a knock on the study door. Edmund came in. Henri looked up from his papers.

"It's time to get ready, sir," Edmund said. Henri nodded and stood up from the desk. He looked displeased with the amount of work he had gotten done.

"I'll be right up, Edmund," Henri said. The door shut and I climbed down from the ladder.

"You should also get ready," Henri said.

"Of course," I said.

"You're so quiet," he observed yet again.

"I know," I said. We hadn't kissed since that third night and I was beginning to miss it. We walked out the doors and climbed the massive staircase.

"Are you excited for your first formal event?" Henri asked.

"I'm nervous," I said.

"Why?" He sounded surprised.

"I don't want to make a mistake. I don't know all of the social 'rules.'"

We reached the top.

"You will be fine," Henri promised. "I'll come fetch you in an hour and we can walk down together. You do not have to leave my side all night if you don't wish."

I nodded but that didn't encourage me much.

Diana was waiting in my room. I sat down as she brushed out my hair. She always seemed to have much better luck with it than I did. She put it up with little white ribbons then I changed.

My gown was white and lacy. The sleeves were puffy and barely covered my shoulders. I had gloves that went up to my elbows and a pearl necklace. I looked myself over in a small hand mirror.

"You look lovely," Diana said.

"Thank you," I said. I put the mirror down. "Henri said he would get me when he was ready. You can go, if you'd like. I'm sure they keep you busy."

"Of course, miss," Diana said. She walked towards the door but turned around at the last second. "Are you nervous, miss?"

"Yes," I admitted.

"Don't be. They smell fear."

I was taken aback by her statement. She left without another word.