Chapter I
The day Gabrielle left Mademoiselle Gerard's School for Girls was the happiest day of her life. Sweet freedom! No more scrubbing floors in between lessons, serving the others before she could eat her own supper, and sleeping alone in the servant's quarters. There would be no more pampered and pretty bourgeoisie girls completely ignoring her (unless giving her orders), and no more studying and working simultaneously.
Despite these things which made her life at Mademoiselle Gerard's fairly miserable, she wouldn't trade her time there for anything. She now had her education; indeed, even petty Mademoiselle Gerard had to admit that Gabrielle was one of the brightest girls in the school. Gabrielle never would have been able to attend if her brother had not paid as much as he could and promised that she would work for her room and board. And now she was the one teaching. Granted, her two small charges had absolutely no interest in the things they were supposed to be learning, but she did her best to instruct them anyway.
She sternly tapped the desk where Armand, a precocious nine year old boy, was drifting off to sleep, his head slipping off his hand. It didn't work to wake him and Gabrielle sighed, smacking him lightly on the side of his head. "Armand! Wake up and get back to your sums."
The boy jumped and glared at her for a minute before turning back to the slate in front of him with a yawn. "Sorry, Mademoiselle Feuilly."
Louisa, his sister, sat quietly reading a book in a chair by the window, her lips moving rapidly as she whispered the words. Gabrielle never had to chastise Louisa, but despite Armand's occasional misbehavior and lackluster work ethic, he was her favorite. He had a warm personality and charm that would make him a leader someday, Gabrielle was sure. Even at nine years old, he could command a room.
"Mademoiselle, are you going to see your brother this evening?" Armand asked suddenly. Anything to distract from his work.
"Yes. Your sums, Armand."
Armand grinned and put down his chalk. "Are you going to go to that café? You know, where that man gets up and makes those long-winded speeches?"
Gabrielle stopped and stared at the boy. How in the world could he know about that? "Did you follow me last week, Armand?"
He shrugged and picked up his chalk, going back to his work. "I was curious. Isn't that scandalous, Mademoiselle, a young woman like you in the company of all those men?" His tone was innocent, but Gabrielle knew Armand was playing one of his favorite games – a game of control and power. He liked to have it. If he didn't become like his father, he could perhaps use it to do a lot of good one day.
"To some, perhaps," Gabrielle replied confidently. "But, my dear Armand, there are those in Paris that believe a woman like me is the equal of men. Isn't that remarkable?"
Armand didn't reply, but looked at her with curiosity in his eyes. What Gabrielle wouldn't give to introduce him to Monsieur Enjolras...
That night, Gabrielle and her brother, whom his friends simply called by his last name of Feuilly, hailed a fiacre to the Café Musain. Apparently, Enjolras had asked recently for them all to be on the lookout for firearms. He wanted to begin stockpiling for the eventual revolution.
"I suppose what you are all doing does come with a bit of danger," Gabrielle mused. On one hand, the danger worried her, but the young romantic in her was secretly thrilled at the thought of adventure. She knew the Les Amis de l'ABC wanted to change the face of France; the eventual outcome, they hoped, would be a revolution that would lead to a republican government and the dissolution of the monarchy. Gabrielle agreed with their views, mostly due to her brother's influence and the Les Amis indulgence with her presence at their meetings, and because she was still young enough to not truly understand the bloodshed that comes with revolution. It all seemed like a grand adventure, with real heroes and villains to be defeated.
Before long, the fiacre pulled up in front of the cafe and Feuilly and Gabrielle climbed down. Feuilly smiled, but said in self-admonishment, "What would our mother and father say if they were alive to see me taking you around such disorderly young men?"
"They would be appalled, most likely." Gabrielle smiled and shrugged. "Does it really matter whether or not I am a proper lady here?"
They entered the café, and her brother immediately led her to the back set of stairs. "You know," Feuilly grinned, "The mistress says we're much too rowdy even for her establishment. But she's really quite fond of us, and considering Grantaire alone drinks his weight in alcohol every time we're here, we do give her a good business."
They ascended the stairs and Feuilly opened the door at the top. Gabrielle had been expecting a much livelier scene, but it seemed like they were early. Only a few of her brother's friends were present.
"Feuilly! Glad you could make it." Monsieur Combeferre walked over and gripped Feuilly's hand, shaking it heartily. "And Mademoiselle, here again? You are becoming a regular staple at our little meetings."
"I'm afraid I am...I have to confess, I'm rather intrigued by what I've been hearing." Gabrielle smiled and followed Combeferre over to a table where Enjolras was furiously writing, two books propped open in front of him.
"I do hope we've lived up to our reputation."
Gabrielle laughed. "That and more. Good evening, Monsieur Enjolras."
Enjolras looked up and seem startled to see her. It seemed he was so engrossed in his work he hadn't heeded their arrival. "Mademoiselle Feuilly, I am happy to see you've joined us this evening." He avoided her eyes, as usual, and looked at a spot on the wall just over her shoulder.
Her brother sat down in another unoccupied chair and gestured to Enjolras' work. "If you aren't lecturing us about our cause, you're busy writing about it. We really should hide your books to get you to have fun every once in a while."
Enjolras smiled at Feuilly's familiar teasing and simply went back to his work. Gabrielle figured he had to have scores of patience in order to deal with a bunch of drunk schoolboys all the time.
Gabrielle was mostly silent as she listened to her brother and his friends talk and joke. She enjoyed their light-hearted company, though, and was happy that her brother had found such nice young men to spend time with. They had always had such a lonely life and her brother had worked so hard to get where he was, was still working hard every day, in fact, and he deserved a bit of fun to go along with his passionate views.
As the evening wore on, all of the Les Amis eventually came to the Café Musain. Combeferre told her that even though it seemed like Enjolras wasn't really paying attention, he would know exactly who had decided to skip the meeting tomorrow, should anyone dare. When Gabrielle asked what would happen to the elopers, Combeferre didn't really have an answer, other than Enjolras' disdain was enough to make anyone feel shameful. Somehow, Gabrielle didn't have a hard time believing that.
After a while, Gabrielle gently tapped Enjolras' shoulder and said curiously, "Monsiuer? What is it you are writing this evening?"
Enjolras looked up and laid his pen down, stretching his hands. "Well. I'm trying to write about the right of the general public to a free education. I don't know how well I'm doing," he confessed.
"A free education? Are there books already written on this subject?"
He shook his head. "Not whole books, no – bits of political theory and social law mention the idea here and there, but as far as I know, there isn't a single source. I would like to write one, eventually, as I believe education and knowledge one of the cornerstones of progress."
"When you say 'everyone,' Monsieur, who do you mean?" Gabrielle asked.
He looked at her strangely and stressed, "Everyone. The rich bourgeoisie who can take their pick of schools and tutors, the working class, and even the gamins you find on the street. Only through knowledge can mankind learn to be better and evolve."
"Do you mean women, too?"
"Yes, I do mean women, too," Enjolras said with a slight smile. "Do you think women have the right to a free and equal education, Mademoiselle Feuilly?"
"Absolutely, Monsieur. What I wouldn't give to be able to attend university lectures like all of you. When I was at school, the other girls only cared about learning enough to catch a husband. I often wondered if they truly didn't know any better, or if they really believed that was all they were worth?"
Enjolras contemplated for a moment. "That is an interesting question. Do you suppose people have a natural need or inclination to seek knowledge, or will people simply be happy believing what has been preached to them in their youth?"
"My brother had a natural inclination," Gabrielle pointed out. "I suppose mine comes from being mostly raised by him. He never let me feel less than anyone, intellectually or because we had no money."
"Your brother is a remarkable man, Mademoiselle," Enjolras replied sincerely. "He is a true believer in the cause of justice and equality. He understands the importance of a republic with elected officials and a constitution created by the people."
"Yes, he does." Gabrielle's gazed shifted to her brother, who was laughing in the corner with Monsieurs Courfeyrac and Prouvaire. She leaned in conspiratorially to Enjolras and said quietly, "Although, I must confess...the romantic in me does wish he would find someone to love. He works so hard, he deserves happiness, too."
Enjolras raised his eyebrows. "And does a man or woman have to fall in love in order to find happiness?"
"Are you always going to follow my remarks with more questions, Monsieur Enjolras?"
"Yes," he said simply. "I am a naturally curious individual."
"In that case, no. I do not believe you must fall in love to find happiness. Or marry to find happiness."
Enjolras smiled at her answer. "Do you intend to marry, Mademoiselle Feuilly?"
"Not if I can help it, Monsieur," Gabrielle said disdainfully.
"Do you intend to be a governess forever?"
Gabrielle sighed and looked down at the wooden table. "I certainly hope not. Except for the nights that I can sneak out and enjoy the company of you and your friends here, I feel very...isolated."
Enjolras leaned forward, a sign he was interested in what she had to say. "How so?"
"Well...I am not a servant. So the others will not speak to me much. I am not part of the family, so I do not dine with them..." she shrugged. "Unless I am with the children, I am usually alone in my room."
"What do you do with your time?"
"I write, usually. I hope to live by my pen," Gabrielle confessed cautiously. "So no, Monsieur Enjolras, I do not want to be a governess forever."
Enjolras smiled slowly. "A writer?" he questioned. "Of what?"
"Of novels." Gabrielle straightened in her chair. "Have you ever heard of the English woman Miss Austen? She wrote novels. And did gain some financial independence. I enjoy reading her books."
"I have heard of her," Enjolras replied. "I see nothing wrong with being a writer, Mademoiselle Feuilly. I think it rather interesting to see someone with such high ambitions."
Gabrielle smiled. "Thank you...though, I must admit, they are selfish compared to yours...you, who want to change the world."
Enjolras' eyes blazed for a moment as he replied, "Not the world...not yet. Just France."
Yes, I am attempting an OC. Yes, I gave Feuilly a sister. Yes, I'm taking liberties with the story.
I am aware this will turn off many readers, but I don't mind. I hope those with an open mind and a taste for romance will continue reading. This story is shameless, seriously, and I'm writing only to please myself. With that being said, however, I do hope that if you're enjoying it, you do review and let me know. I am always happy to have constructive criticism. :) Thanks!
~A