I come to fight. Or at least, to listen.

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

~A Studying Mishap~

November 23, 1832

Evelyn and Marie had made a bond over the past four months. Both had been promoted to the slightly less miserable position of general maid, which at least allowed them into other parts of the house.

Enjolras still didn't know. But Evelyn could tell that he was starting to pick up on the fact that she wasn't sewing pants.

Rene was gone at school, and so was Caroline (last minute decision to rightfully put her in an arts school), leaving for some lonely days at the flat. The only time she saw Enjolras was when he came over for dinner, because now the new work schedule prohibited her from going home during lunch.

Musi and Cosette had spilled to Evelyn a month before that Enjolras admitted to liking her, so Evelyn tried to speed things up a little bit back home. Obviously, nothing worked.

"So it's been five months since you've met him, and not a single thing has happened?" Marie questioned as she arranged teacups on a platter.

"Yup," Evelyn answered, rolling her eyes.

"So, let me get this straight, you are trying to woo an infamous revolutionary who has admitted to fancying you, but won't do anything about it. Said infamous revolutionary also pays for," she ticked off each point on a finger, "your flat and your siblings' tuition. Oh, and he doesn't know you work as a maid."

"Yes."

"Mon Dieu!" Marie threw her hands up, "No wonder you look so stressed all the time!"

Evelyn glared a diluted version of her usual death stare. "If you think I look bad now, you should have seen me six months ago." She took the whistling teakettle off the stove and poured the boiling water into the four cups. "Anyways," Evelyn changed the subject, "I take it you haven't made much progress with Adam?"

"Well I made a little," Marie turned and leaned against the counter and looked wistfully into the bread cupboard, "he smiled at me."

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "I don't understand why you like him that much. He has to live at home even though he's studying at college. You know why? He spent too much time at the tavern and he was failing. Why in God's name would you want a man like that?"

"Like that Enjolras is much better!"

Evelyn glared fully at Marie and spoke harshly, "He is the opposite of Adam, Marie. He's brave and compassionate and intelligent and attractive-" Evelyn realized she was rambling and felt color rise to her cheeks, "how would you even know that!"

"I don't. I'm proving a point," Marie shrugged, "You like him more than you let up. I'm daring to say you even love him. Now as for why I like Adam-"

"Girls!" the head chef interrupted their chatting, "Do you think you're getting paid to gossip? Go out there and serve the tea for Christ's sake!"

Evelyn and Marie shared a grin and went to take the tea out to the guests.

"Oh!" The chef shouted, grabbing the girls's attention, "We need you to work over time tomorrow. Something about the youngest having a birthday," he grumbled, stirring a wooden spoon in an enormous pot.

Evelyn and Marie shared a look, both rolling their eyes in good nature.

...

November 24, 1832

Enjolras rolled over in his bed, trying to ignore the nagging sensation in his brain. Clean light from a crisp November dawn poured into his room, a faint breeze rattled the brittle leaves outside, but all Enjolras felt was misery.