Memoirs of Les Amis de l'ABC

Chapter Twenty-Four: I'd Do Anything

"Dearest, kindest, most fair sister," Sybill beamed in a whisper as she crept into their bedroom.

Candlelight cast a ghastly masquerade of shadows around the room. The redness of the room glowed in a way that at once felt warm and terrifying. The edge of light caught a flash of fair blonde hair as Cosette turned towards the door. Instantly, Cosette rose to her feet, tightening the rope around her waist holding her covering together.

"Sybie," Cosette whispered, taking in the sight of her sister's muddy blue dress and bright smile. "Sybie, your hair is positively soaked." Cosette frowned.

Sybill took her designated spot on the edge of the bed as Cosette lowered back down to the bed on her knees. She began working her hands through Sybill's hair, undoing pins and patting away stray bits of snow.

Silence filled the room save for the sound of breathing between the two. Sybill felt uncertain about how to approach her knowledge of Cosette's engagement while Cosette knew not how to question Sybill of her whereabouts that evening. Never before had secrets blurred the edges of their intimate, sisterly relationship.

Finally, Sybill sighed. "'Sette, you need not worry for my virtue this evening if that has paused your tongue."

Cosette winced at the accusation and pulled Sybill's hair tighter as a reaction. "I do wish you would not think me so unworldly as to pass judgement on you should your virtue be in question."

"You're right, I'm sorry," Sybill apologized, though a mischievous grin painted her features. "And I do wish you to know the feeling is mutual should you ever be in need of forgiveness for a virtue lost."

Cosette gasped, "Sybill, that's foul."

"The way I hear it," smirked Sybill, turning to face Cosette despite two more pins needing to be removed, "You are betrothed."

Cosette's eyes widened as a hand flew to cover her mouth. "How-how could you have heard?"

Sybill's smile grew, "From the mouth of your beloved." Cosette laughed. "I briefly called upon our companions at the Café Musain where I encountered a celebration to honor the betrothal of Marius Pontmercy."

"Isn't is so wonderful?" Cosette cheered. She embraced Sybill tightly on impulse. "Oh, Sybie, I wanted to terribly to tell you as soon as he inquired; it's why I'm still up late at such an hour as this."

"And I'm glad for it!" Sybill delighted. "My sister! Betrothed to a man! It's cause for a celebration without end; night be damned."

"It's not official yet," Cosette quickly quieted her sister. "He has not asked Papa for his permission yet, and his grandfather has not yet relented his mother's ring. But Sybie you would not believe how kind, how charming he was."

"You must tell me everything!" Sybill demanded. "Please! I need to hear the whole of it at once."

Cosette flashed another smile. "We were walking among the street near Rue Plumet. We happened upon a market where he purchased a croissant for us to share. As we walked to the park to picnic, the temperature dropped. He started inquiring for a warm place for us to pass the afternoon. Once we found an inn, he said to the innkeeper 'Please, may my wife and I eat a meal here?'" Sybill cackled in disbelief but Cosette's giggle silenced here. "No, Sybie, I don't think he realized his mistake! He just said it as natural as you've ever heard those words. My wife. I stood there, blushing like a child, when he turned to me and realized what he had said. As we sat down to lunch, he kept apologizing for being too forward and apologizing for misspeaking but then he... He admitted that was how he felt then admitted there nothing he wanted so much as me to be just that." Cosette started laughing from the excitement, and Sybill joined in. "Oh, Sybie, he is so... so wonderful. He's the most forthright and most loving man I've ever met."