TO CARVE AN ANGEL FROM MARBLE act three, chapter twenty five
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
. . . . .
( february 1832 )
MADELEINE CLENCHED HER TEETH in concentration as she reached for the thin strings of her corset that hung down her back. She twisted around again and again, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't quite grasp them. She often wished that she owned one of those front-lacing corsets that the bourgeoisie ladies wore, but never more than she had in that moment. Without the help of either of her brothers, it was impossible to tie it!
With a prolonged groan of defeat, Madeleine fell back onto the bed. She sat there for some time, until she heard the sound of what she assumed to be Enjolras emerging from his own bedroom. She stood up once more and made her way toward her closed door.
"Enjolras?" she called his name through the thick wood. "Are you there?"
Footsteps approached her room, following closely by his melodic voice just on the other side of the door. "Are you alright, Madeleine? You sound distressed."
Her face felt as though it was on fire as she realized her only option. In a voice uncharacteristically meek for her, she asked: "I require your assistance."
"With what?" he wondered.
"I need you to tie my corset."
"Pardon?"
Madeleine opened the bedroom door, only to come face to face with a rosy-cheeked Enjolras. Their eyes met, and his apparent blush deepened even more. She couldn't stop herself from giggling at his reaction.
"Please?" She reached behind her for the strings of the corset once more, showing him that she was unable to do so herself. "I just cannot reach them— I've been trying for ages!"
"Um—" Never before had she seen Enjolras appear so flustered. He reached up to run a hand through his curls, avoiding her desperate gaze, but then he nodded. "Okay. Turn around, then."
Madeleine did as he asked, twisting around so that her back was facing him. He stepped closer to her and grabbed the strings of her corset in his hands. She felt him begin to tie them, but his movements were slow and delicate as though he was focusing intently on the seemingly simple task. She could feel the warmth of his hands brush over her back as he looped the strings; she hoped that he didn't notice the tremble that ran down her spine at the feeling of his touch.
"There you are," he said once he was finished. He rested a hand on her back for a single moment before stepping away from her.
Madeleine turned around and offered him a grateful smile. She mumbled a soft thank you before she went to return to the bedroom, but she stopped when Enjolras called her name. She turned a questioning gaze onto him.
