III
Lumière had almost finished his mental map of the manor. Moving between each wing, every room, and every other servant, Lumière made every attempt to get any other sign of emotion out of Cogsworth beside distaste. Small talk, jokes, flattery, attempting to find common interest, and attempting to find any interest all failed, ending typically with Cogsworth with dismissing Lumière in almost his entirely. Regardless, the new Maître de refused to give up. Leaving the east wing, heading to the west wing, the two were interrupted by another servant.
"Cogsworth!" she shouted. "Just the man I was looking for!"
"Ah, Mrs. Potts," Cogsworth gulped, stepping back as to reveal Lumière. "Have you met Monsieur Lumière?"
Lumière offered her a bow, taking her hand and kissing the surface. She chuckled, shaking her head at him. Lumière glanced to Cogsworth, who seemed to be making a stealthy escape. Mrs. Potts gracefully slipped pass Lumière, grabbing Cogsworth by the ear.
"Don't pull this on me!" she howled. "I've been looking for you for three hours ago! You said you would have someone bring in new supplies? Where are they?"
"I have been otherwise preoccupied," stifled Cogsworth, adjusting his vest. "I'm sure you and your girls will be fine without cleaner for a few days more."
"Don't you assume anything, monsieur!"
Lumière grinned, watching Cogsworth standing tall before this shorter woman. Hair frazzled and clothes old but surprisingly well kept, she had all the signs of a young mother and skilled hand maiden. Watching her stand toe-to-toe with Cogsworth, finally bringing forth an expression Lumière had sought for hours, he could not help but smile warmly, eventually breaking out into a slight laugh. Neither of them noticed. He might as well have been part of the woodwork.
"I am doing my best, Madame!" Cogsworth gasped.
"You've said that before," scoffed Mrs. Potts. She turned to Lumière, smiling politely. "I'm so sorry. I've hardly made a good first impression."
"Nonsense, Madame," Lumière replied softly. "I am merely enjoying the spectacle."
"Have you been stuck with this stuffy douleur all morning?" she winked.
"Spectacle!?" perked Cogsworth, stepping between the two. "What do you mean?"
"The spectacle of seeing you emote for the first time all morning!" cheered Lumière. "Here I was thinking you could not expression anything but distaste."
"Oh, there's much more than that," giggled Mrs. Potts. "There's anger, nervous, frantic…"
"Madame," coughed Cogsworth. "I'm sure we can reach some agreement and be on our way."
"Madame!"
The group looked back down the hall, watching one of the maid rush toward them. Lumière's mouth fell open slightly as the woman grew closer. Her skin was like light caramel, bronzed and shimmering in the light filtering through the windows. Her hair, almost entirely covered by the curled white wig, slipped out slightly along her forehead and curled around one ear. Her lips, wonderfully thin, were glossed and glimmering. Lumière gulped, closing his mouth and covering it with one hand.
"Madame," panted the girl. "We've run out of clean linen in the east wing bedrooms."
"And the west?" perked Mrs. Potts.
"We're on our last set," she whispered. "Adam had soiled some of our spares, Madame."
"That troublesome boy," Mrs. Potts chortled. "I was just speaking to Cogsworth about the supplies…"
"I will make sure someone goes into town today and get what you need!" burst Lumière, quickly stepping between Mrs. Potts and the maid. "Lumière, Maître de."
"I thought that…" she began, pointing at Cogsworth.
"A common thought I've noticed," Lumière nodded. "I promise you, Mademoiselle. I will retrieve your supplies."
"Thank you, Monsieur," she smiled, slipping pass him and proceeding down the west wing hall.
Cogsworth scoffed, storming off down the stairs. Lumière stared down the hall, watching as the young maid vanished from sight. Mrs. Potts pulled on his ascot, dragging him in close.
"Her name is Plumette," she whispered. "She is single."
"Thank you, Madame," grinned Lumière. "I am in your service."
"You get those supplies as you promised and I will be the one to owe you, Monsieur."
She patted him on the shoulder. Lumière nodded, sighing as she walked away. He could hear Cogsworth coughing to gain attention again. It seemed as though their tour was not yet done, much to his dismay. As lovely as the manor was, Lumière had far more beautiful things on the mind.