Chapter Six: I Bear No Glad Tidings
Vincent was true to his word. Precisely at daybreak, the small party made the journey home. Much as Lumière tried, he could not think of a better word—or at least a more polite one—than "unbearable" to describe the journey. One minute more of Cogsworth's incessant ramblings, he would have him arrested for attempted murder, as he was prepared to die of boredom.
"…and hence I am positive beyond any belief that you will find nothing horrific whatsoever to report! All of us get through each and every day splendidly, effortlessly, unquestionably hardworking…!"
"I am certain that you do!" Jacques quickly replied to conclude, desperately trying to keep his temper calm. Thank the heavens Adele was not there to see this; there would be no end to her taunting laughter if she saw him then. He was anything but a patient man, and she would have applauded him on such a performance.
Giving his horse a kick to move ahead, he commented, none too quietly, "Your servants seem more like friends than staff."
Vincent nodded, a grin playing about his lips. "More like family, you mean; what Cogsworth says is true…"
"That is a first," came Lumière's expected reply and Cogsworth's usual glower while offering the prince his thanks.
"You see?" Vincent continued, gesturing to them both. "Just like a family. One that works hard for the good of everyone."
Jacques nodded, not surprisingly having been associated with his uncle, in disapproval. "Very interesting…allowing servants such rights."
"You do not agree?"
Jacques shook his head. "Heartwarming as it sounds, every servant should know their place, and even being of the highest rank does not bestow the privilege of friendship. All they need is a hint of trust in order to betray you."
Unlike his silent-by-choice comrade, Lumière scowled blatantly indignant. In an exaggeratedly sarcastic fashion, he took to Vincent's other side, bowing, even on a horse.
"Forgive me, master, for not asking permission to speak, but I must. Monsieur de Crochet is rather opinionated. He is not your equal, and therefore in a servant's role himself. Shouldn't he practice what he preaches, and simply do what he has was ordered to do?"
Jacques smirked, practically amused. "Rather hot-headed, this one?"
Cogsworth muttered, "You have no idea."
"That is enough!" Vincent sighed. The last thing he needed was a confrontation with a man who could put an end to everything with a single word, and he immediately shot Lumière a look to keep at bay. "The matter at hand is to continue onward. Differences can be settled once this is complete."
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It was already late in the morning by the time Angelique knocked on Babette's door with one hand, balancing a tray on the other. Without waiting for a reply, however, she entered, proudly announcing, "Room service!"
The response came in the form of a groan and Babette tiredly pulling her blanket over her head, but it did not bother her. She closed the door, placed the tray on the tiny dresser, and yanked the blanket off of her friend's head. "That is not going to work. Now get up, you need to eat."
Babette shook her head against her pillow, eyes still closed but her voice revealing that she was very much awake. "You can not make me."
"But you must."
"I do not. My stomach is turning too much, and hungry as I may be, I do not feel like seeing breakfast again in a vile form."
But it was too late; Angelique was already preparing the different items. "That poor baby of yours must be starving, and the only way he or she can eat is if you do." She carried the food over to the bed and sat down. "More importantly, if Lumière sees that you have not been eating, do you know who he will blame first? Of course it will not be you, it will be me; I think he is still convinced that I want to kill you." She handed her a piece of toast. "Now eat this, and ignore any funny tastes. Poison does not have the good old flavor it used to."
Babette laughed gently, appreciative for the humor, and reluctantly surrendered, starting to pick at her toast. "Any sign of them?"
"Not yet, you still have time to think of what you are going to tell him."
It was at the exact moment when Babette sighed relieved that her mood made a swing to fear as they heard shouts in the hallway.
"They're back!" proclaimed Mrs. Potts' son Chip joyfully, in perfect harmony with Sultan's yips and barks. "Everyone hurry! They're back!"
Angelique winced. "May I take back what I said?"
Babette swallowed nervously, feeling even the smallest nitpickings of toast make her stomach stir. "No more jokes…" She reached over and opened her side table drawer to find a note. "Just give him this for me, and tell him that he is not too look for me any sooner than this afternoon."
Angelique nodded, hugging her friend for comfort before leaving to complete her task.
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If only he had not been raised to be loyal and obedient, Lumière would have refused to help their guest settle into his room. Normally, he was the first to welcome any newcomer, whether they were visitors or new members to the household, and it bothered him something terrible that this time was different.
As he carried the bags, his mind wandered off on its own. There was something about Jacques that he did not like, but what it was he did not know.
The man had insulted him and the servants with his previous comments, but Lumière had shrugged that aside. Words were hurtful only when one allows them to be.
Jacques de Crochet…he tried to remember where he had heard that name. Babette had mentioned it before…that night of the ball! He could have been related to her former employer…
"Are you just going to leave the bags at the door?" Jacques snapped, forcing Lumière to put his thoughts aside for a moment.
Much as he tried, Lumière could not suppress the look of disdain as he literally dropped the bags in front of the door in the hall. "Oui, monsieur," he replied curtly.
"You do not have any comprehension of what respect is, do you?"
He could not stop his mouth from being careless in his words. "I respect the master I serve, and all he had ordered was that I carry your bags to your room. My work is done. Should you need anything else…hesitate to send for me."
Without waiting for a reply, Lumière turned to leave, abandoning Jacques to finish with his bags. A mere few steps more, he found Angelique waiting for him, a number of papers in her hand.
"Did she give you anything for me?"
"I am doing very well, and you?" Angelique drawled sarcastically, before turning to look at Jacques gathering his things. "And who is the grump over there?"
"Angelique, please! Never mind him, did Babette give you anything for me?"
Neither of them saw Jacques stop to listen.
"All right, all right!" she said, going through the papers and handing him the note. "Mon Dieu, after all I do for you! I barely made this passed Cogsworth, hiding it in all these useless things, and this is how you repay me!"
"And as always, my guardian angel, if it was not for your quick thinking, my half-a-brain would go mad," he said, sweetly gracious as he read.
Angelique smiled. This man did not belong to her anymore, but hearing him sweet talk his way out of her anger still sent chills through her. "You know what time she will be at this mysterious rendezvous?"
"One o'clock."
Angelique nodded, "Très bien, then and no sooner, her orders."
Lumière nodded, returning it again to her care. "Merci, mon ange, you are the best."
As he left her, Angelique raised an eyebrow at the note, filing it back into the papers as she stormed off. "They can not do anything for themselves! Not at all! I have to do ev--"
Not paying attention to where she was headed, Angelique accidentally bumped into Jacques, so hard that she dropped the papers.
"Monsieur, my apologies!" she pleaded, quickly bending down after him as he helped her straighten and gather them back into her hands. "My gratitude for your help…merci! Merci beaucoup!"
Jacques shrugged casually. "I am a gentleman first, mademoiselle; it was no trouble." He returned her smile as she turned to leave, and unclenching his hand, it grew maliciously as he unfolded Babette's note. "No trouble at all."