A Franc or Two - Les Misérables [IN EDITING]

Dinner [Part II] - Chapter 17

Grantaire ended up buying you dinner. Madame Houcheloup wanted to give it to the both of you for free, but Grantaire insisted on paying for it. He was being a complete gentleman... more or less.

"Grantaire!" you chuckled while sipping out of a water cup. That nearly made water shoot out of your nose. "Don't say that!"

"What?" he chuckled, wiping his mouth from the unintentional bubble of brandy that he spat up. Thankfully, he hadn't drank too much— it wasn't to the point of him muttering nonsense or passing out. "Am I wrong?"

"No," you said. "But I would rather not talk about the many uses of a cucumber."

Grantaire laughed.

"What? Cucumbers can be used for lots of things," he said. "Like—"

"Please, don't finish that sentence," you said. If anyone would know, it would be you.

"I was going to say that they're good on salads, but you said it. Not me," he said. "I haven't met someone since Bahorel who's been so quick to think dirty... I don't know how to feel about that."

"I say that you don't try to make me think in such a way," you said with a chuckle. You tossed the now-empty water cup in your hands before deciding to get up and refill it. "I'm going to grab some more water... I'll be right back."

Grantaire just chuckled and waved.

As you headed back into the kitchen, cup in hand while you skipped a little giddily, Madame Houcheloup placed a hand on your shoulder to stop you.

"How's it going between you two? she asked, those thin lips of hers breaking into a motherly smile.

"Who? Me and Grantaire?" you asked with a small smile. "Fairly well, if you ask me."

"Really?" Madame Houcheloup asked, smiling to the point that her giddiness was contagious. "Oh, good, good! You know, he really deserves such a lovely young woman like you."

You blushed a little.

"I'm not that lovely," you said, tucking a strand of hair away behind your ear.

"Well, Grantaire certainly thinks so," she smiled. "He's quite fond of you, if you ask me... He was worried sick when you didn't turn up."

That twinge of guilt came back.

"Did he?" you asked... While you were horribly grateful that a man was looking out for you, it was something so unusual that it most definitely took you by surprise.

"Oh, dear— of course... all of the boys love you," Madame Houcheloup smiled. Before you could ask what she mean, her gaze went from you, and she was quick to look back to you. "Well, I won't hold you to long. Valiquette and Alion are having at it."

She waved up at you before hurrying over to the piano, just to whack Valiquette on the back of his head and tell him to lay off Alion.

"Valiquette! He's visiting!" Madame Houcheloup said so loudly that you could hear it from the kitchen. You had to bite back a laugh as you filled up your water cup. "Don't be rude to our guest, Monsieur! My apologies..."

You heard some friendly banter coming from outside, and you found yourself smiling as you found your way back to the table.