Chapter 3
Claire sat alone in the huge bed of a strange room. The smooth sheets and fluffy pillows were much different from the woolen blankets and hard wooden benches that she had grown accustomed to. For the first time in a long time, she was clean and refreshed. She had been in the house only a few short hours, yet she was certain by how the family treated her that she would be more than welcome to stay.
She reflected on the past month of her life. Becoming a dancer was the easiest job she had ever had, but what was she thinking, letting her guard down? She had been foolish to believe a man when he said that he loved her. After two weeks he loved her? It surely wasn't love. If anything at all, it was lust. Unfortunately, she had realized this when it was far too late.
Her thoughts disappeared when she heard a knock at the door.
"Come in."
It was the older sister. She came up to the bed with a tray and set it down in front of Claire.
"It's something for you to eat. Mother said that it would make you feel better."
"Thank you," said Claire as the girl got up to leave. "You can stay if you wish. I know that I could use the company."
"I could use someone to talk to. I'm Charlotte."
"You know who I am. Tell me about your family."
"Well, you met my mother already. Her name is Eponine. My father said he was coming to see you later this evening. His name is Marius, and he's very nice. You briefly saw Nicolas and Juliette. They're eight-year-old twins, and rather annoying, if you ask me. Then again, what are younger siblings for?"
"What about you?"
"My life is extremely droll. I'm thirteen, and I've barely seen Paris. I go to lessons and help my mother with the housework. That's the extent of my life."
"You haven't been courted yet?"
"Father won't allow me to be until I'm practically your age. I think that it's absolutely horrible. I'll be a spinster by then."
"Well, thank you very much," giggled Claire.
"No, I didn't mean it that way."
"I understand. I'd like to be courted myself." She heard Charlotte mumble something. "What did you say?"
"Oh, I just said that Brigitte is very lucky to be getting married so young. She's my brother's fiancee."
"Your younger brother is engaged to be married?"
"Oh, no!" laughed Charlotte. "I didn't tell you about my older brother Gustave. He's nineteen, and a student in Paris. He recently proposed to a sixteen-year-old girl."
"She must be extremely pretty."
"Brigitte is much more than pretty. Anyway, you're the mystery in this room. How on earth did you get those bruises?"
"That's more than enough interrogation for one night, Charlotte," said Marius, standing in the doorway. "I have a few questions of my own. If I may, Mademoiselle?"
"Please, Monsieur."
Marius closed the door after his daughter had left and brought a chair up next to the bed. Claire moved her tray next to her on the bed.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Marius Pontmercy. And, you are?"
"My name is Claire, and I'm an orphan. I'm not certain if Madame Pontmercy told you my story."
"Yes, she did. She has been very insistent on letting you stay. I'm sure you didn't know that my wife came from a very similar situation. That's why after talking with her, I have decided to allow you to stay. What can you do around the house?"
"Mostly anything. I'm a fairly decent cook, but I'm sure Madame would much rather cook meals for the family. I took care of children at the orphanage. I can do much more, as well."
"Before you decide to stay," cautioned Marius, "you should know that my son is engaged to be married, and we will have a lot of planning to do. You will mostly act as our governess for my three other children."
"That will be more than fine."
"Very well," smiled Marius , standing as he headed for the door. "I suggest you eat dinner before it becomes cold. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Monsieur."
Claire moved her food back in front of her and smiled. She was allowed to stay! She could start her life over, and leave every mistake she'd ever made in the past. She finished her supper and put the empty tray on the side table. She eased down into the covers and drifted into the easiest sleep she ever had.
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Marius moved the last stack of papers off his desk. He was annoyed that he had been called into the office just to sign some papers when he had promised Eponine that he would spend the morning at home before he left for Paris. He walked over to get his coat and hat when his office door opened.
"Monsieur Pontmercy, there's someone here to see you."
"Send them away, Philippe. I have business in Paris this afternoon. In fact, I'm just on my way out."
"They said that it was extremely important and that they would only see you. A Countess Williamson?"
"I know no one by that name." Marius thought for a moment. This person claimed to know him, but perhaps they were only trying to grab his attention. Well, they already had it. "Tell the Countess that I will give her five minutes." The door closed, and opened again a minute later. "Good morning, Madame. I have business that I need to attend to in Paris this afternoon, so please state your matter so that I can be on my way."
"Baron Marius Pontmercy. I knew you wouldn't remember me."
Marius stood confused. "How can I remember a person whom I met only a moment ago?"
"Because 'Williamson' is my name by marriage. Perhaps the name 'Fauchelevent' would trigger a memory?"
"Fauchelevent?" Marius repeated, still searching his mind. He then looked into the woman's face, and he knew who was standing in front of him. "No...Cosette?"
"Hello, Marius."
He didn't know what to say. The woman who nearly compromised his happiness with Eponine was standing right before him. She hadn't changed much appearance-wise. She still had the tight, brunette curls hidden beneath a hat. Her thin frame was still visible beneath a dark purple coat and dress. She had aged only slightly, her maturity now showing. He motioned for her to take a seat, and she did so.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, especially when you must be leaving so soon, but I did come all the way from England to see you."
"And what is the reason you have for making such a long journey? Surely not just to see me."
"I thought I'd be the bitter one, but you apparently are. All these years have hardened you, haven't they? All the romance we once knew is now gone. You were never the 'let's get down to business' type of man."
"Have you come to torment me, Cosette, because I have no patience for it. My son is waiting in Paris, and I..."
"Oh, I see. Picking your son up from Paris is the urgent business that must be attended to?"
"What is yours?"
Cosette softened a little, and looked seriously at Marius. "My husband, Count Arthur Williamson, he's been accused of lechery. A woman confessed, or so they say, but my husband denies the whole thing."
"Why did the woman confess?"
"She claims to be having a child by him." Cosette broke down into sobs.
"And you came from England to ask me to defend him?"
"I believe him when he says he's been faithful to me."
"Have your husband and you had any children together?"
Cosette stopped sobbing. "No."
"How long have you been married to the Count?"
"The Count is my second husband. Fifteen years ago, I married a man for five years, until he died and left me a widow. After that, I married the Count, and we've been married for ten years."
"You expect me to go to England to defend your husband on a count of adultery? Why me? There are plenty of lawyers in England, aren't there?"
"The woman who confessed lives in Paris, and since she is with child, they moved my husband to the jail in Paris where he's awaiting trial."
"Monsieur Pontmercy," Philippe said, entering. "Your carriage has arrived."
"Thank you. Tell them that I'll be there in a moment." Philippe closed the door. Marius took out his wallet and handed some money to Cosette. "Take this and hire a cab to take you to the nearest hotel. If you have any problems, mention that I'm your lawyer , and everything should be all right. I must leave, but first thing on Monday morning I want you back here. Have you any baggage?"
"In the front, yes."
"I'll have Philippe take care of everything, don't worry."
Marius left Cosette in his office with Philippe instructed to take care of her. He climbed into the carriage and put everything out of his mind. Too many things were happening all at once for him to think about one specific thing.
************************************************************************
"Father, I really don't understand the point of me coming home. I was here only six days ago."
"You barely saw your brother and sisters, and they miss you terribly." Gustave gave his father a sideways glance. "Does family really need an occasion?"
"Not unless they're up to something."
"You are far too suspicious."
"Just like you. Or so Uncle Enjolras says."
"I believe he's right."
The sun was just setting as Gustave and Marius' carriage pulled up to the Pontmercy home.
"I'm home!" Marius shouted as he opened the front door.
"Hooray," Eponine responded unenthusiastically from the kitchen. That instant, a girl who Gustave had never seen before emerged.
"May I have your coats, Monsieurs?"
"No, that's quite alright, Claire. Just take Gustave's bag into the room that you stayed in last night."
Gustave felt the girl look him over before she took his suitcase and made her way upstairs. Gustave approached his father and was about to ask him about her, when his mother came out from the kitchen.
"Mother, tell me what my father is up to."
"Up to? What are you up to, Marius?"
"I'm telling the truth! Nothing!"
"Calm down, Marius. Don't have a fit."
"Hello, Nicolas. Where's Juliette?"
"Right here."
"What are you doing home?" Nicolas questioned his brother.
"Ask Father," Gustave smiled.
"You two go help Claire unpack Gustave's things. I'm going to help your mother."
"I doubt you'll be very much help," Eponine said to her husband.
Everyone scattered into different parts of the house, leaving Gustave alone in the hallway. Suddenly, Charlotte came downstairs and stared at her brother.
"Charlotte, you're bound to know something. Who's this Claire?"
"You're home."
"Obviously. Tell me."
"Juliette and I found her beaten up in an alleyway. We brought her to Mother and she's going to stay with us to work off her debts."
"That certainly explains a lot."
"How's everything in Paris?"
"Everybody's fine."
"That's good. So, why are you home?"
"I wish someone would tell me."
Claire sat alone in the huge bed of a strange room. The smooth sheets and fluffy pillows were much different from the woolen blankets and hard wooden benches that she had grown accustomed to. For the first time in a long time, she was clean and refreshed. She had been in the house only a few short hours, yet she was certain by how the family treated her that she would be more than welcome to stay.
She reflected on the past month of her life. Becoming a dancer was the easiest job she had ever had, but what was she thinking, letting her guard down? She had been foolish to believe a man when he said that he loved her. After two weeks he loved her? It surely wasn't love. If anything at all, it was lust. Unfortunately, she had realized this when it was far too late.
Her thoughts disappeared when she heard a knock at the door.
"Come in."
It was the older sister. She came up to the bed with a tray and set it down in front of Claire.
"It's something for you to eat. Mother said that it would make you feel better."
"Thank you," said Claire as the girl got up to leave. "You can stay if you wish. I know that I could use the company."
"I could use someone to talk to. I'm Charlotte."
"You know who I am. Tell me about your family."
"Well, you met my mother already. Her name is Eponine. My father said he was coming to see you later this evening. His name is Marius, and he's very nice. You briefly saw Nicolas and Juliette. They're eight-year-old twins, and rather annoying, if you ask me. Then again, what are younger siblings for?"
"What about you?"
"My life is extremely droll. I'm thirteen, and I've barely seen Paris. I go to lessons and help my mother with the housework. That's the extent of my life."
"You haven't been courted yet?"
"Father won't allow me to be until I'm practically your age. I think that it's absolutely horrible. I'll be a spinster by then."
"Well, thank you very much," giggled Claire.
"No, I didn't mean it that way."
"I understand. I'd like to be courted myself." She heard Charlotte mumble something. "What did you say?"
"Oh, I just said that Brigitte is very lucky to be getting married so young. She's my brother's fiancee."
"Your younger brother is engaged to be married?"
"Oh, no!" laughed Charlotte. "I didn't tell you about my older brother Gustave. He's nineteen, and a student in Paris. He recently proposed to a sixteen-year-old girl."
"She must be extremely pretty."
"Brigitte is much more than pretty. Anyway, you're the mystery in this room. How on earth did you get those bruises?"
"That's more than enough interrogation for one night, Charlotte," said Marius, standing in the doorway. "I have a few questions of my own. If I may, Mademoiselle?"
"Please, Monsieur."
Marius closed the door after his daughter had left and brought a chair up next to the bed. Claire moved her tray next to her on the bed.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Marius Pontmercy. And, you are?"
"My name is Claire, and I'm an orphan. I'm not certain if Madame Pontmercy told you my story."
"Yes, she did. She has been very insistent on letting you stay. I'm sure you didn't know that my wife came from a very similar situation. That's why after talking with her, I have decided to allow you to stay. What can you do around the house?"
"Mostly anything. I'm a fairly decent cook, but I'm sure Madame would much rather cook meals for the family. I took care of children at the orphanage. I can do much more, as well."
"Before you decide to stay," cautioned Marius, "you should know that my son is engaged to be married, and we will have a lot of planning to do. You will mostly act as our governess for my three other children."
"That will be more than fine."
"Very well," smiled Marius , standing as he headed for the door. "I suggest you eat dinner before it becomes cold. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Monsieur."
Claire moved her food back in front of her and smiled. She was allowed to stay! She could start her life over, and leave every mistake she'd ever made in the past. She finished her supper and put the empty tray on the side table. She eased down into the covers and drifted into the easiest sleep she ever had.
************************************************************************
Marius moved the last stack of papers off his desk. He was annoyed that he had been called into the office just to sign some papers when he had promised Eponine that he would spend the morning at home before he left for Paris. He walked over to get his coat and hat when his office door opened.
"Monsieur Pontmercy, there's someone here to see you."
"Send them away, Philippe. I have business in Paris this afternoon. In fact, I'm just on my way out."
"They said that it was extremely important and that they would only see you. A Countess Williamson?"
"I know no one by that name." Marius thought for a moment. This person claimed to know him, but perhaps they were only trying to grab his attention. Well, they already had it. "Tell the Countess that I will give her five minutes." The door closed, and opened again a minute later. "Good morning, Madame. I have business that I need to attend to in Paris this afternoon, so please state your matter so that I can be on my way."
"Baron Marius Pontmercy. I knew you wouldn't remember me."
Marius stood confused. "How can I remember a person whom I met only a moment ago?"
"Because 'Williamson' is my name by marriage. Perhaps the name 'Fauchelevent' would trigger a memory?"
"Fauchelevent?" Marius repeated, still searching his mind. He then looked into the woman's face, and he knew who was standing in front of him. "No...Cosette?"
"Hello, Marius."
He didn't know what to say. The woman who nearly compromised his happiness with Eponine was standing right before him. She hadn't changed much appearance-wise. She still had the tight, brunette curls hidden beneath a hat. Her thin frame was still visible beneath a dark purple coat and dress. She had aged only slightly, her maturity now showing. He motioned for her to take a seat, and she did so.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, especially when you must be leaving so soon, but I did come all the way from England to see you."
"And what is the reason you have for making such a long journey? Surely not just to see me."
"I thought I'd be the bitter one, but you apparently are. All these years have hardened you, haven't they? All the romance we once knew is now gone. You were never the 'let's get down to business' type of man."
"Have you come to torment me, Cosette, because I have no patience for it. My son is waiting in Paris, and I..."
"Oh, I see. Picking your son up from Paris is the urgent business that must be attended to?"
"What is yours?"
Cosette softened a little, and looked seriously at Marius. "My husband, Count Arthur Williamson, he's been accused of lechery. A woman confessed, or so they say, but my husband denies the whole thing."
"Why did the woman confess?"
"She claims to be having a child by him." Cosette broke down into sobs.
"And you came from England to ask me to defend him?"
"I believe him when he says he's been faithful to me."
"Have your husband and you had any children together?"
Cosette stopped sobbing. "No."
"How long have you been married to the Count?"
"The Count is my second husband. Fifteen years ago, I married a man for five years, until he died and left me a widow. After that, I married the Count, and we've been married for ten years."
"You expect me to go to England to defend your husband on a count of adultery? Why me? There are plenty of lawyers in England, aren't there?"
"The woman who confessed lives in Paris, and since she is with child, they moved my husband to the jail in Paris where he's awaiting trial."
"Monsieur Pontmercy," Philippe said, entering. "Your carriage has arrived."
"Thank you. Tell them that I'll be there in a moment." Philippe closed the door. Marius took out his wallet and handed some money to Cosette. "Take this and hire a cab to take you to the nearest hotel. If you have any problems, mention that I'm your lawyer , and everything should be all right. I must leave, but first thing on Monday morning I want you back here. Have you any baggage?"
"In the front, yes."
"I'll have Philippe take care of everything, don't worry."
Marius left Cosette in his office with Philippe instructed to take care of her. He climbed into the carriage and put everything out of his mind. Too many things were happening all at once for him to think about one specific thing.
************************************************************************
"Father, I really don't understand the point of me coming home. I was here only six days ago."
"You barely saw your brother and sisters, and they miss you terribly." Gustave gave his father a sideways glance. "Does family really need an occasion?"
"Not unless they're up to something."
"You are far too suspicious."
"Just like you. Or so Uncle Enjolras says."
"I believe he's right."
The sun was just setting as Gustave and Marius' carriage pulled up to the Pontmercy home.
"I'm home!" Marius shouted as he opened the front door.
"Hooray," Eponine responded unenthusiastically from the kitchen. That instant, a girl who Gustave had never seen before emerged.
"May I have your coats, Monsieurs?"
"No, that's quite alright, Claire. Just take Gustave's bag into the room that you stayed in last night."
Gustave felt the girl look him over before she took his suitcase and made her way upstairs. Gustave approached his father and was about to ask him about her, when his mother came out from the kitchen.
"Mother, tell me what my father is up to."
"Up to? What are you up to, Marius?"
"I'm telling the truth! Nothing!"
"Calm down, Marius. Don't have a fit."
"Hello, Nicolas. Where's Juliette?"
"Right here."
"What are you doing home?" Nicolas questioned his brother.
"Ask Father," Gustave smiled.
"You two go help Claire unpack Gustave's things. I'm going to help your mother."
"I doubt you'll be very much help," Eponine said to her husband.
Everyone scattered into different parts of the house, leaving Gustave alone in the hallway. Suddenly, Charlotte came downstairs and stared at her brother.
"Charlotte, you're bound to know something. Who's this Claire?"
"You're home."
"Obviously. Tell me."
"Juliette and I found her beaten up in an alleyway. We brought her to Mother and she's going to stay with us to work off her debts."
"That certainly explains a lot."
"How's everything in Paris?"
"Everybody's fine."
"That's good. So, why are you home?"
"I wish someone would tell me."