Chapter Four

For those concerned, the trio did manage to get home safely after stopping poor Cogsworth's horse just short of the gates.

Babette could hardly believe her eyes as she gazed up in wonder at the grandeur of what lie ahead. The castle before them rose majestically into the heavens from atop the small mountain it sat upon. Adorned with angels and stain glass windows, it was the jewel of the valley.

Leaving the horses with one of the stable boys, they opened the doors, entering the massive front hall. Deep reds and violets leapt from every curtain as they waved gently from the breeze which followed them inside. Beautifully cut marble floors lead to a number of paths! This wing, that wing, East and West, massive staircases leading to room upon room. It seemed as though once a person found each door, there was surely another somewhere.

"Here we are," Lumière announced cheerfully. "Home sweet home."

"And alive, thank goodness!" Cogsworth retorted. "That horse nearly killed me!"

Lumière shot him a look, teasing, "How? By giving your weakling heart a nerve attack?"

Cogsworth rose to his full height—which next to Lumière wasn't much—making him appear humorously intimidating. "Funny how it seemed a completely deliberate act, hmm?"

"Deliberate, yes, that is such a favorite word of yours, since you can't do anything wrong."

"At least I follow the master's rules."

"A basket is weaved less tight than you are around the master's little finger."

Poor Cogsworth looked very piqued. "You offend me! I am not some little yes man as you imply."

"COGSWORTH! Get in here now!!" came Vincent's young but booming voice as it echoed throughout the castle.

The head of the household had no sooner heard it before responding immediately. "Yes, master, right away!" he shouted running to meet the prince's demands.

Lumière grinned as he turned to Babette. "I believe that makes another victory for yours truly, numerous compared to his few, I assure you."

Babette smiled. "Is he always like that?"

He laughed. "No, that was actually a rather calm reaction; he could be much more paranoid at times."

Joining in the amusement, she replied, "Thank you for the warning."

"You are quite welcome, petit souris."

She raised an eyebrow, but much as she tried could not suppress her still present smile. "Again with the name? I seem to remember asking you not to call me that..."

Lumière nodded in mock realization. "Ah, oui, I forgot; no names just yet. Very well, whatever suits the lady best."

She nodded a thank you and was about to speak again when Cogsworth reappeared running as fast as he could.

"Can't talk! The master needs his lunch!" he interrupted as he passed them. "And as both maitre d' and his valet, it's part of your job to help me with that!"

Lumière shook his head, looking at her somewhat regretfully. "Seems he needs me to save his neck as usual, and thus I must leave you."

"I think I can handle the thought of that," Babette replied simply.

His infamous smirk shone through. "I thought you would like that. But since I can't bear the thought of leaving a newcomer alone in such a huge place like this, I do know someone who could help you settle in; I'll send her right down." He bowed politely. "Until when next we meet, mademoiselle."

She nodded. "Until then."

Babette watched him leave, giving her head a shake. You just met him, she thought to herself, no attachment! You don't want a man like that... That's right! No attachment, now nor ever. She was here to work, not fall for someone she had just met that morning, especially one like him.

Taking up her bags, she walked around the nearby halls in exploration, picked a door, and turned the knob. Darkness. She entered slowly, following the little light to the windows, and placed her bags down to pull them open. Turning into the now lit room, she found it to be, although very poorly kept, a little more home like than one would expect.

It was a typical den, desk in the corner, books on it and a few more on nearby shelves, and a large armchair in front of a fireplace. Babette moved towards the mantle to inspect it, performing the old white glove test. As she looked at her finger, however, she cringed that she had done so minus the white glove. Horribly in need of a dusting just as the rest of the room.

"Room number one on the list, dear?" a voice asked from behind her, and Babette turned to find an older woman, a few inches short of her own eye level, kind in her expression, and like Cogsworth, English from her accent.

"Absolument!" she replied. "This mantle probably shines beneath all of this dirt!"

The woman continued towards her, making a face as she saw the line Babette's finger had left and how dirty it still looked. "How right you are, it should have always been a top priority. It is one of the most lovely rooms in the castle, and 'tis a shame that it looks as it does."

"Well, we'll change that. Just give me a duster, rag, some citrus juice...and perhaps something to cover any faces that might have to breathe in here."

The woman laughed. "Right away then, but citrus juices?"

Babette nodded with a positive smile. "Ma mère taught me that; works every time, I assure you."

"I await a demonstration then," the woman concluded, admittedly impressed. "But pardon me, dear, I didn't catch your name. When Lumière informed me that you were waiting, I do not recall him saying."

He must have forgotten after all his nicknames, she thought sarcastically. "Babette, madame, enchanté."

"Likewise of course," she answered. "I'm Mrs. Potts, cook and housekeeper, and I hope, like a good friend, I could show you to your quarters. We have all learned that this place is easy to get lost in."

Babette laughed. "Indeed! I saw that the moment I stepped inside."

Mrs. Potts' kindly laughter joined in. "Babette, I do believe you will fit in just fine here. Now come with me and we'll get you unpacked and welcomed, right and proper."

Lumière and Cogsworth barely escaped Vincent's chambers having shut the door before an angrily thrown plate shattered behind it. Standing up from where they had jumped to safety, Lumière brushed himself off and nodded. "I think that went well, actually."

Cogsworth gaped at him, doing the same, as if the man had stated that he would run around the world and return by nightfall. "That...went...well? WELL?? What on EARTH makes you think that went well?!"

"He didn't hit us this time," Lumière replied casually.

Cogsworth groaned as they began walking away as quickly as possible. "I am surprised I have not dropped dead yet between that and the horse...which is still your fault."

"You can never say that you make mistakes like everyone else, can you?"

"Enough with that rubbish, man! The girl isn't here with us for the moment. You made that horse spook and nearly throw me to my death, all for the sake of hiding a reputation from her, just like your last interest...and the one before her...and the one before her..."

Lumière glared at him. "You made your point, oh ye of many records."

Cogsworth stopped suddenly and grabbed his companion tightly by the arms as if trying to shake some sense into him. "My friend, you fall head over heels for every female member of our species, admit it."

Lumière took a glance or two at the hold Cogsworth had on him. "I just might, but only after I ask you to remove your hands from my arms before I do so painfully for you."

He released him. "There, now say it; I am right, you are wrong."

Lumière gave him an expression that screamed indignant. "I am right, you are wrong; I do not fall head over heels for—" A girl passed them and his eyes followed her. "Michelle, cherie, how well you look!" Cogsworth turned his face back to him, and he cringed. "Oh no, you turned into Cogsworth!"

"Oh do shut your mouth for once! You just proved me right without even saying it." The man sighed in frustration, and he softened his words. "My friend who wrote me the recommendation talked a lot about her. She recently lost the only family she had left, and would not have made it if we had not taken her onto the staff. Please, please just this once, make an exception and leave the girl alone. Just this once! She does not need any more pain."

Lumière looked very insulted. "What makes you think I would hurt her?"

Cogsworth groaned. "Oh for heaven's sake, Lumière, is that so much to ask?"

"All right, all right! No attachment, none at all."

The older man let out a relieved breath. "Thank you." Once again businesslike, he continued, "Now then, time to plan dinner; we can use all the time we can get after that episode."

Lumière nodded and followed. No attachment; just this once.