Chapter 14 is UP, thank you to everyone who is reading my story and supporting me :) R&R
He felt the sunlight upon his face before he had opened his eyes. He felt it warmth caress his skin. Like natures morning kiss. He felt content just to lie there for a moment. He had a rare day off because he did a double shift. He had nothing to do. And he was filled with this inexplicable happiness. Which he found disconcerting. Then he remembered the girl. He sat up in bed and wondered what to do with her.
Although he didn't know it, Inspector Javert was handsome, sans the sneer. Especially in the morning. His sleepy eyes had non of their harshness. His neatly combed hair was messed. His face still held the contented nature of sleep.
Nicolette on the other hand, did not wake up looking perfect, as most of the "ladies" would have had society believe. She was never perfect. And that was okay with her. She had stared in the looking glass a long while the night before, never having seen one before. Her hair was unruly. Her skin was not white as was desirable. It was more creamy tan. She had an upturned nose and eyes that were squint. She ran a finger over her lips that, she decided, were too thin. She didn't like the way she looked. But she was content. She was her, she could not change, and that was that. But in the morning she awoke with hair matted and mussed. Her eyes were heavy with sleep. Her skin was warm and soft from her bath. She stroked the soft bed and snuggled into the pillows. She really must repay Javert for this. But how?
He heard a little knock on his door that was definitely not his housekeeper. She usually gave three sharp raps before entering anyway. She was a short woman with a pinched face. He was fond of her and could not fathom life without her.
"It opens" his deep voice called sleepily. Nicolette popped her head round the door.
"Speak of the devil and thou shalt appear." He muttered to himself. He watched her eyes flit around the entire room before finally resting on his face. Her mouth upturned into a smile,
"Good morning Inspector!" She sang chirpily. She walked cautiously into the room, her bare feet making no sound on the floor, balancing a large silver tray.
"I didn't know what you would like." She explained. She came over to the bed and sat the tray down next to him. He inhaled the smell of vanilla and almost smiled. Laden upon the tray was tea, coffee, juice, croissants, jam, toast and heaven knows what else.
"Where did you get this?" He growled, but his eyes drank the breakfast greedily.
"Lots of people at the market owe me favours." She crossed her arms and huffed. "I didn't steal it if that's what you were implying."The Inspector expertly poured some tea. He marvelled at the fire in her eyes and the way her hair fell about her shoulders.
"Would you care for some?" He asked. In a tone that suggested he did not care for her response. Her lips lifted at how stubborn he was. But she noticed his eyes, the colour of jaded leaves, watching her surreptitiously. She shook her head gently.
"Thank you, but I have already had my breakfast. I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you so very much for your kindness. But I wasn't sure how. I can never repay you." She gabbled on as Javert spread butter meticulously over his toast. He enjoyed the scraping crunch. His gaze flicked back to the woman in front of him. Her rosy apple cheeks and button nose were enticing. Her winter blue iris's found his.
"If you ever need me, just ask around." A pretty blush spread across her cheeks, highlighting freckles he had not noticed before.
"You're welcome." He said gruffly. She curtseyed and backed out of the room.
Downstairs she pulled the heavy door open and come face to face with a handsome young gentleman.
"Oh hello, good morning!" she said cheerily. Officer Claude frowned in shock.
"Good morning." He said slowly, not forgetting his manners, and removing his hat. "I'm here to see Inspector Javert, is he here?" He glanced over this girl curiously. He found her familiar but could not, for the life of him, place her.
"Why of course, Inspector Javert is upstairs in his bedroom where I left him." She had a playful glint in her eye as the young mans hazel ones widened in shock.
"Good day!" she almost laughed. Nicolette curtseyed again;
"This is becoming a habit" She thought to herself, and skipped down the path. Her stared after her in shock, his jaw dropping as he followed her bare feet; what an unusual day this was turning out to be.
"Javert!?" He called anxiously. He started up the staircase with some speed, all sorts of thoughts going through his mind. Who was she? Was she the Inspectors mistress? Was she a thief who had murdered his friend and, if so, had he just let her walk away? He was relived when he heard Javert answer a muffled reply.
"Javert, if I am not mistaken that was-"He walked into the Inspectors bedroom and removed his hat.
"The prisoner who should not have been, yes, I know." Javert sighed tiredly and passed a hand in front of his face. He was standing at the large windows dressed in a white shirt, braces, and black trousers. He watched her golden head until she disappeared into a crowd of peoples.
"And what exactly was she doing here?" Claude asked, his handsome features not hiding his curiosity.
"I gave her shelter for the night." Javert turned to glare at him.
"My friend, I pass no judgements." Claude held up his hands and smiled. The inspector snorted.
"I would." He muttered darkly under his breath.