Chapter Four

The ride to Le Fleur Noir was silent that night aside from Lumière's subtle attempts to turn Lucien's mood into a cheerful one. No matter how hard he tried, the jovial valet could not share his good spirits with his master and friend.

In any other situation, Lucien would have been as thrilled as Lumière was beside him to return to dance hall. Never in the past few months that he had known Babette had he ever seen her twice in one week; the risk of being caught was far too high to take the chance. He should have known the one time it would happen would be the night it had to end.

Entering to the usual sounds of lustful men consorting with the scandalous women who were born to please them, Lucien gestured for Lumière to follow to his table.

"Listen to me," Lucien said seriously. "Stay here while I talk to the proprietor for a minute."

"What do you need to do that for?" Lumière asked, his eyes immediately settling on the floor where a voluptuous blond was presently satisfying the crowd. "You are about to do the hardest thing in your life; don't you want to sit and enjoy yourself first?"

Lucien sighed irritated. "Just stay here!" He turned to leave when he hesitated. Making certain that his eyes bore directly into Lumière's, he added, "And whatever you do, do not touch anything."

When Lucien finally left, Lumière sulked with disappointment, much like a child who had just been denied every toy in the shop. Only the applause and the sway of the blonde's walk as she ended her performance brought him back to reality, and he quickly returned to his lighthearted, delighted mood.

"Something to drink, monsieur?"

Lumière shook his head slightly as a female voice distracted his attention from the performances. "Oui," he answered, looking up as he was about to thank her, but he found himself suddenly speechless.

As the woman placed her tray down to pour him a glass of wine, Lumière could not tear his gaze away from her. Dark curls of hair that could be mistaken for silk were pinned away from her face loosely. When she caught him staring, her eyes seemed to sparkle as she smiled playfully.

"Will there be anything else?" she asked. Such a simple question, and yet said in her smooth, sultry voice, it made his heart race. He could sit and listen to her all night if she would have allowed it.

"Nothing that would not disgrace me as a gentleman, ma chere mademoiselle," Lumière replied with a suggestive smile.

"A gentleman?" she scoffed with a laugh, placing the glass before him. "You have come to the wrong place if you are a gentleman."

Lumière covered her hand that still rested on the glass with his own, drawing it away gently to softly bring it to his lips. "In such a case as this, being a gentleman simply means that the lady is first…in everything."

A small, faint gasp escaped from her, and he smirked at her wanting to hide it under her own grin.

"Monsieur is too kind, as well as assuming," the girl remarked. "Not all of the ladies here are so willing; some of us will accept only men that can earn our affections."

"Tell me how, and I give you my word. I shall make it my priority to meet your every demand," Lumière replied.

She gave him the once-over with an amused smirk. "Trust me, monsieur; sweet as you are, you are anything but the type of man I want."

"Très bien," Lumière said. "But tell me, s'il vous plait. What must I do to be such a man?"

"Turn into me, that's what."

As if from out of nowhere, Lumière watched Lucien lean towards the girl's ear as he murmured those words. She in response turned immediately to see who had spoken to her, excitedly throwing herself into his embrace when she found Lucien. Leaning his elbow against the tabletop, Lumière hid his face in his hand as he downed the wine in one swallow. Of all the girls there, he had to pick that of his best friend; it was just his luck.

"I thought I told you not to touch anything, especially my precious Babette," Lucien commented with a grin as he sat at the table.

Lumière glanced at him, about to offer a scowl, but he could not bring himself to do so. Even now, once again in the arms of the woman he cared most about in his life, Lucien was still not in high spirits as he should have been, Lumière could sense it. His smile was far too broad to be genuine, and his normally gloating tone did not possess its usual vigor.

Babette, on the other hand, took no notice of it; she could not be happier with her lover's unexpected visit. With her lip protruding into a pout, she cuddled onto Lucien's lap and into his arms. "Oh, mon cher, do not tease him so," she purred. "He is right; there was no way to know. Besides, the kind gentleman must have sensed that you are mine, and that is why he kept me here, just for you."

Lucien smiled, drawing her close for a gentle but passionate kiss. "That must be it then." He gathered her in his arms as he stood, causing her to let out a playful shriek as she held on tightly around his neck. The last thing he wanted to do was let her go. "But right now, we must talk."

Babette smiled despite her confusion at his quiet tone. "What about, mon amour?"

Lucien shook his head. "Not here," he said before turning to his companion. "Lumière, you will excuse us, yes?"

Lumière nodded in understanding. "But of course." He then glanced to Babette, smiling sweetly. "It was most certainly a pleasure, mademoiselle."

"Likewise, monsieur," she replied, mirroring his expression before Lucien carried her to the back corridor.

Lumière could not help but watch them until they were out of sight. Babette, the girl was such a vision and charming in her own mischievous little ways. It was clear now why Lucien was so heartbroken to let her go, and inwardly, Lumière allowed himself a moment of sympathy on both their behalves before allowing himself to enjoy the evening once more.


After placing Babette down on the chaise, Lucien moved to lock the door, assuring their complete privacy, before turning to her again. Being the sly little coquette she was, Babette had already untied the majority of her bodice, and Lucien forced himself to take a deep breath to focus on the matter at hand. When he sat next to her, it took all his will power and strength to grasp her wrists and pry her lips from his.

"Don't," he murmured. "Please, not now."

Babette looked at him in concern, but then rose to stand behind him. Slowly, she moved her hands below the cravat that stood between her and his neck. "You feel so tense, mon cher," she whispered, beginning to massage him gently. "Let us see if I can relax you before you become so…rigid once more."

Instinctively, willingly Lucien closed his eyes and pillowed his head against her. Taking her one hand in his, he kissed it ardently. "You are pure bliss, ma cherie…"

Freeing her hand, Babette led both of them to unbutton his coat, waistcoat, and shirt. "As are you," she replied. "I am so happy you came tonight; I missed you terribly since this morning." She leaned in close to his ear, literally breathing her words as she added. "Does this mean that you will come to see me every day, and we can live happily ever after?"

Those famous words that were meant to bring joy could only return Lucien to his tragic reality. Tearing himself from her grasp, he stood, instantly refastening the buttons on his clothes while concern and confusion found their way once more to Babette's eyes.

"Lucien?" she asked. "Something is upsetting you; what is it?"

Crying is a weakness that every man refuses to show. When he turned to face her, Lucien had to bite his lip bloody to keep from breaking down into tears; he would have to be the stronger of the two. Babette was certain to be the one destined to open the floodgates; he need not follow her lead.

Sitting with her on the chaise, Lucien clasped her hands in his. So soft and gentle yet passionate and experienced, they had brought him many nights of fiery exhilaration that he knew he would never feel again.

"Babette," he said. "Ma cherie…I love you, truly, with every ounce of my heart; there is no question of that."

Already the tears were starting as Babette touched her cheek to his, nuzzling him affectionately. "Oh, Lucien…je t'aime aussi…"

"No," he pleaded, turning his head away from her. "No, do not tell me that now, I beg of you, please."

How he brought himself to look at her face in its state of disappointment by his rejection, Lucien could never understand. How he continued to speak when all he wanted to do was hold her in his arms and take back his words was inconceivable.

"As deeply as I love you," he began, "Believe me, it is best for the both of us…that we never see each other again. Ever."

At first, Babette was stunned, but after a minute, she found her voice. "What? What are you talking about? What have I done wrong?"

Lucien could not hold back any longer, and he offered his embrace in an attempt to comfort her. "You have done nothing, nothing at all!"

"Then why are you telling me this?" she cried, sinking into his arms.

Lucien took a deep breath, pulling back to look her in the eyes. "Babette, you are an incredible woman; any man that you set your heart on is yours the minute he lays eyes on you. However, my position in life does not allow me the same pleasure.

"I was born and raised an aristocrat, of noble blood. My life does not belong to me, but to my family and its name. I am not free to make my choices in matters of the heart, and I must do as I am bound by honor, whether I like it or not."

Babette's eyes widened with horrific realization. "No, no you can not be…"

"Her name is Nicolette de Solange," Lucien interrupted. He wanted this to end as soon as possible as he could not stand it any longer. "We have been betrothed to each other since we were eleven years old, and once I return from the Tour in two years, we will be wed."

Babette jumped from the chaise, crossing to the other side of the tiny room. "That is it then; that is the truth."

"Not by my choice," Lucien argued.

"Oh of course not," she replied, unsure of whether her words held more anger or sarcasm. "You can not be happy with the pretty little princess that your family picked, so you bide your time with a common wench like me!"

"That is not true!"

"Really?" she asked. "I am sorry then as you are indeed such an expert on truth!"

Lucien bolted to his feet angrily. "Now see here…!"

"I am not one of your servants!" Babette screamed. "You have no control over me! You have obviously enjoyed our time together very much, Monsieur le Vicomte, but now it is time to run home to your precious little fiancée! There is the table, and there is the door! Leave your money, then get out!"

Despite expecting no less of a reaction, it was not any easier for Lucien to hear it. He stared at her, forlorn, searching for any ray of hope that this was not the end, but he found nothing. Babette's eyes were drowning in tears, and her jaw was set trying to remain calm as she opened the door for him. It was over, and resisting the childish urge to leave a bit of money on her table, Lucien left the room, slamming the door shut behind him.

Angrily, Babette threw her fist at the door, thoroughly submitting to a wave of tears. Leaning against it heavily, she slid to the floor and hid her face in her hands. The first man she had given her love to, and he had betrayed her with lies. She was nothing to him but a toy. The other girls had warned her, but she had chosen to believe in love. Well if that was all love was, a mere little game, that was all it ever would be to her. Never again would she give her heart to a man; it was too painful to have it broken.


Reviews Acknowledgement

Fairly Odd: Very glad you're still enjoying it! Send your fic my way anytime! It'll save you from hearing me whine and pleading to ask you for it:-)

TrudiRose: It's come a long way hasn't it:-) Very happy you like it! I only make these characters speak the truth, and boy, does Lumi know a lot about having a mulitude of women! LOL. With Lucien almost temporarily out of the way, the best is yet to come!

nikkibelle18: About time you showed up to read this! wipes cheek from kiss Jeez, twit, you're going to ruin our reputation one of these days, I swear:-) Thanks for the read!

shortstef: As I said to Trudi above, the best is still to come. The first piece of the dominos has been hit and it's all about coming together from here! Thank you:-)

Knux: Hon, you're always so kind:-) As far as writing the scenes without the graphics, I honestly try, and am pleased to see that I succeeded.:-) I have no qualms about writing, or even reading about,these characters in situations like that so long as it stays true to the story and it is tastefully done. I really don't get the point of being graphic either, and think it's more sensual when you don't know every single detail that's going on, you know? Glad you're liking it, and hope you come back for more!

All my thanks to everyone so far, and I hope you'll all stay tuned! The all around goal to get these two together is in still in sight.