Chapter 9
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The air outside held that distinct, near Summer warmth. Danielle was reminded of her time in England and the romps through the countryside. The smells of Spring flowers and warm soil nearly made her heart ache. She missed walking through the woods and down country lanes that were nearly overgrown and lonely. Very rarely would she pass another soul on these walks, and in Paris the throng of people was inescapable.
In Danielle's case there was one inescapable person in particular. As they walked through the courtyard - the place Danielle was attacked - she bit her lip nervously and turned to the stone man beside her. She trusted him to help her if did she need it. He'd already saved her once, after all. She noticed a small, fresh scar above his eyebrow, probably from that fight. He seemed ragged, but even more volatile than usual. There seemed to be a fire burning in him and it was growing larger. She feared what it meant for him, herself, and France. He was not comfortable, he had a tight expression and his jaw twitched every so often. He had rolled up his sleeves and loosened his cravat for their meeting and seemed unlikely to redress himself. It certainly made Danielle uncomfortable. He hadn't spoken or even acknowledged her. It was a vast difference from the Enjolras that had been introduced to Lady Baybridge. Thinking of that event reminded her of something.
"Why did you act so strange this afternoon?" She asked quietly. She wished she didn't sound so much like she cared, she wished she could withstand the silence and not ask such obtuse questions.
"It would be a shame to make a farce of our engagement." He answered drily. Danielle nearly smiled. Their engagement was the most farcical thing she'd ever heard of, and they both knew it. But that still didn't explain thy he made a fool out of her.
"Please, Monsieur. You owe me an apology for your behavior." She reprimanded in her own way. He glanced at her skeptically.
"I'm not aware of being untoward to you in any way, Mademoiselle." Perhaps that was all the apology she could expect.
"It was unjust to treat me as you did this afternoon. You embarrassed me in front of the two people my fate depends on!" She tried to enforce the gravity of the situation.
"Did I? Well, I must say, never before has a plan gone so smoothly." He seemed to be teasing her. How could a gentleman act in such a way? She narrowed her eyes in general annoyance at the world. There was a frigid wind that blew a single gust down her neck. She wished more than anything for this walk to be over.
"You had no right to do such a thing to me." She admonished, "I will have to explain your foppish behavior to my brother and Lady Baybridge."
"I will, If you wish not to. I will tell them the full and complete truth."
"Oh, please no." She gasped and swung in front of him, driving both of them to a stop.
"Precisely." Was his enigmatic response. He stepped around her.
"Monsieur, I believe I can walk home quite safely now, thank you." She tried to shoo him away with her words. He simply looked at her as though she were inane.
"You heard what Eponine said; you are not safe. It's not a choice to walk you home. We must protect you if we are to receive your brothers' allegiance. I have already sent Marius to speak with him multiple times, but if you and I can persuade him with our supposed union, it will be a binding contract. His funds could pay for much more weapons and ammunition that we currently do not have. For all of that to be accomplished, you must be under my protection." He revealed to her. Suddenly her heart felt heavy, as though it had turned to lead. It was nearing twilight and she felt the death that night brought to the day.
"Is this all means to accomplish an end, then? Bossuet, Joly, Jehan? Did you simply assign them to befriend me so I could champion your cause to my brother?" She asked without inflection.
"No, not at all. Their friendship to you is genuine. Any deceit has been on my part. But, that is the reason I agreed to this engagement. We need assistance if we are to achieve our revolution." He verified.
"I suppose that gives me some comfort. You're still the only popinjay in the group." She smiled. She enjoyed teasing him immensely. It was always a gamble of whether or not he'd ignore her or respond with his own witty remark. It was usually the former.
"I'd rather be a popinjay than a mockingbird." He rebutted unfalteringly. She laughed as they walked through the lights of a tavern. It turned their hair golden and for just a moment, it was as if two angels stood on the streets of Paris. One laughed and the other smiled slightly. They were effervescent beings, not the revolutionary and the disgraced lady. Neither of them needed to prove anything. But then they passed the light and became shrouded in the dark once more.
"Danielle, you must stop this moping." Cosette admonished her, sketching the flowers blooming in the small garden. Danielle continued pacing listlessly.
"They are serious, Cosette. How can I try to convince my brother to help them when they will all surely perish? What am I to do?" She sighed sadly.
"You can only do what you think is right, everything else will work itself out. You know that." Cosette gave her a sympathetic look. Danielle smiled cynically and paced closer.
"If I knew that I wouldn't be trying to avoid it." She quirked her eyebrows, fiddling with the skirt of her dress morosely. Cosette stood from her wooden perch and walked forward, linking her arm in Danielle's.
"Shall we go for a walk? Papa enjoys spending the afternoons giving to the poor, perhaps we could meet with him?" She invited Danielle, who showed more positive emotion.
"I would like that; let me fetch my hat." Danielle rushed into her home and nearly collided with her brother, "Raul!" She grasped her heart and staggered back, "You nearly frightened me to death!"
"I'm sorry, Danielle. I am late to see Christine." He apologized, assessed her well-being, and continued out the door.
"Raul!" She called after him. He turned and glanced at her expectantly. "Enjolras needs your help rebelling against the monarchy. Like General Lemarque." The words escaped her mouth in a rush. She felt immediately mortified and covered her offensive mouth with her hands. Raul turned to face her fully and stepped slowly forward.
"What sort of rebellion, Danielle?" He was stormy.
"He wishes the government to not be do oppressive, Raul. He believes less monarchy to be a good thing for the poor." She responded meekly.
"What is he planning?" He seemed to transition in the blink of an eye from an angry older brother to a calculating businessman.
"I don't know. He just wants financial support." She answered truthfully. Raul made her nervous when he acted this way. He was like a coiled snake; you just didn't know when he would strike or how painful it would be.
"Danielle, you must tell me all you know about Enjolras and this rebellion." He ordered strictly.
"Raul-" Cosette ran - very unladylike - into the house and past Raul.
"Danielle! I just saw the most handsome boy! Come, you must come with me! Oh, if only you had seen him!" She cried and tugged on Danielle's sleeve, pulling her up and out of the house. Fortunately, that meant her conversation with Raul was over for now. Unfortunately, it meant it would come later.
A/N: I know it's short, but I figured something was better than nothing. I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to update; I started college and have absolutely no free time, but I'll try my hardest! :)