Chapter two
Comparison and falling
"There," her uncle said. "you look perfect."
"Thank you." the rich, midnight blue material was beautiful. But she felt like a china doll on display. "So, shall I descend the stairs slowly, as you wished?"
"No, you tend to slip on those stairs when you're in a hurry. We will meet the carriage at the doorway."
"Maureen?" she turned towards her door at the sound of Enjolras's voice. "Sir Aldrin Gadd is here."
Her uncle jumped. "Come!"
"I can't!" She said. "I don't have my shoes on yet!"
Her uncle swore under his breath and he turned and hurried out of her room. Maureen shoved her foot into one shoe before hopping down the hall. Enjolras chuckled. "You'll break your neck one of these days."
"Oh get down the stairs so you can brag to everyone about my grand entrance." He laughed at her and she shoved him. "Go!"
She shoved her foot into the other shoe and checked her reflection in the mirror. "You look fine."
She looked at Enjolras's back and realized he'd just known that she was going to check her reflection. "You look terrible."
"Liar."
"Maureen?" Her uncle called.
"She's just descending the stairs milord." Enjolras said.
Maureen inhaled and began to move down the stairs. That's when she saw Aldrin Gadd for the first time. He was handsome indeed, very handsome. She smiled shyly at him as he removed his hat. He was smitten with her; she could read that immediately.
However, with Enjolras beside him, gazing up at her, she wasn't certain what she was feeling. Besides, why was she trying to compare the two of them? It was impossible to do so!
Aldrin Gadd, was tall, lean and dreamily handsome. Bright blue eyes, light golden-brown hair, good taste in clothing. He was wealthy and had quite a position in society. And Enjolras. Well, he was tall, muscular and ruggedly handsome. Dark, sparking brown eyes, dark brown hair that kept falling into his eyes. He was poor, no place in society, but he was a very intelligent man, charming, humorous and irritating. How could one compare them? Any girl would fall for one of them.
And she did just that. Maureen tripped on her skirt hem and fell the last twelve steps! She didn't scream, she remembered to tuck her chin and landed in a heap at Aldrin's feet.
Her uncle and Aldrin hovered over her. "Oh my dear!"
Aldrin lifted her up slightly. "Are you all right? shall I call for a doctor?"
She shook her head. "I-I'm fine, I tripped on-"
"My rag." Enjolras cut in. all heads turned to see him approaching them from the top of the steps. He tucked it into his pocket. "I was polishing a spot on the stairs and I guess I forgot to pick it up." Maureen stared at Enjolras as her uncle and Aldrin helped her up from the ground. "I am so sorry Miss Maureen."
Before she got to say a single word, Aldrin struck Enjolras on the face! she gaped at him in astonishment. Enjolras's dark eyes flamed, but he was somehow able to keep from returning the blow.
"How dare you!" Aldrin growled at him. "If you were my servant, I'd have you horsewhipped for such carelessness! You could have killed her!"
"He didn't." Maureen said, her ire rising. "And I resent the fact that you'd dare-"
her uncle interrupted. "Rob her of the pleasure of reprimanding the servant herself." He shot her a look. "Right Maureen?"
she smirked. "No!" she turned to Aldrin. "Enjolras, is more that a servant. We've been friends since we were ten and he'd never intentionally place me in danger. I appreciate your concern, but I must ask you not to lay another hand on him!"
Aldrin's gaze narrowed, but he bowed to her request. "As you wish."
Maureen forced a smile. "Now, why don't you join uncle in the parlor? I shall see how cook is coming on those appetizers and tea. I'm certain they'd be quite refreshing to you after being on the road for so long."
"Indeed." He said. "I thank you for your consideration."
She smiled coyly. "My pleasure." She curtsied and moved down the hall. She could feel Enjolras following behind her. the moment they rounded the corner she turned to him. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fi-"
"The brute!" She gasped and touched the huge, red print on his cheek gently. "I will not be marrying him! we must get some ice!"
"Maureen, I am fine."
"No you're not! How can anyone-"
"He was concerned."
"That's no excuse." She bit her lip before throwing her arms around his neck. "Thank you." Enjolras's arms hung limply by his side before slowly returning the hug. "You did that to make me look more ladylike. You took the blow for me."
"Well, that's what," she leaned up and pressed a gentle kiss to the mark on his cheek. Enjolras's voice petered off. "friends…are for."
She nodded and looked up into Enjolras's dark eyes. She cursed herself as those same, unsettling feelings fell over her again. She averted her gaze before pulling away. "I-I should go."
"Yes." He cleared his throat. "I better go."
Se turned and continued to the kitchen and she went the other way. That's how it was between them. She was going one way, he was going the other and neither of them would be destined to meet.
