December 19th, 1804
I woke up on a cloud.
That's what the mattress felt like: heavenly. I turned back over almost as soon as I woke up. I barely heard the door creak open.
The curtains were flung open and light flooded my eyes. I sat up immediately; almost instinctual. I usually woke up with the sun. By now it had to be at least 8.
"Good morning, Miss Sophie." I recognized the voice; the maid from the night before.
"Good morning," I said. I rubbed my eyes. I hadn't slept that well in ages. I got out from under the covers, stretching.
"I trust you slept well?"
"Oh, yes," I said. "Have you ever slept in one of these beds?"
The maid laughed.
"Oh, no, miss," she said. "It's not my place."
I could hear a British accent behind her voice.
"Where are you from?" I asked. She was bustling around the room, preparing clothes for me.
"The British Isles, miss," she said.
"What's your name?" She looked at me, curious or perhaps, offended.
"Diana," she said. "You're quite odd, Miss Sophie."
I smiled.
"I'm new to this," I said. She nodded.
I got dressed behind the the wooden curtain. It was simpler dress than the one the night before with less frill and less weight. It was light pink.
Diana led me downstairs and into the dining room. Most of the seats were full. Some of the people were sitting, others getting their food from the buffet. Henri sat at the head of the table and stood up when I entered.
He walked up to me. I felt all the eyes in the room on me. Some were hiding their glances better than others. One girl in particular kept her eyes locked on me, a slight grin on her face.
"Good morning, Miss Sophie," Henri said, quietly. His eyes twinkled.
Last night, he had brought me back to my room and left me with a kiss on my hand in the doorway.
"Good morning, sir," I said.
"Don't call me sir, Sophie," he said. I nodded. He turned to face the table and all of the people.
"Everyone," he said, addressing the crowd. "This is Miss Sophie. She's going to be with us for awhile. She's Louis' sister from the countryside. I trust you'll make her welcome."
The crowd resumed eating in silence. Henri turned back to me.
"They like you," he said, cheerfully.
"I hope so," I said.
"Help yourself to breakfast. You can sit by me," he said. He returned to his seat and I piled a plate with sausage, bacon, eggs, muffins, and scones. Edmund the butler poared me a cup of tea as soon as I sat down. I added two spoonfuls of sugar, just like at home. That was one thing that wouldn't change at least.
"How did you sleep?" Henri asked.
"Amazing," I said, taking a bite of savory sausage. "The mattress was like floating on air."
Henri seemed to hold back a laugh.
"What would you like to do today?" Henri asked.
"I do not have to do anything," I said. "I could help the staff-"
"I told you; that's not why you're here." I nodded.
"Cosette," Henri said, calling to the girl who had stared at me earlier. She was deep in conversation with an older woman but she looked up.
"Yes, Henri?" Cosette spoke perfectly.
"Could you take Sophie somewhere today?" Henri asked. Cosette's eyes were back on me.
"Where do you suggest?"
"She's in need of dresses. I figure you're the most qualified for that," Henri said. Cosette smiled. It was bitter-sweet.
"Of course," she said.
"Thank you," Henri said. Her eyes looked me over for a second longer before turning back to the older woman. Henri moved his chair closer to me. He began to point out the various people around the room. At the other head of the table was an old man reading a daily paper.
"That's my uncle Desmond," Henri said. "He's helping me along."
"Along with what?" I asked.
"I just inherited my family's estate. He's ensuring I don't tarnish the name," he explained. "Next to him is his wife, Louisa."
That was the older woman Cosette had been talking to.
"Across from her is Cosette," Henri said. "My sister." I nodded and he continued, rattling of the names of the other men and women in the room. The door opened just as Henri finished.
"And that-," he said, quietly. "-is Gabriel."
He looked almost exactly like Henri, but paler and almost sinister. He moved with sharply. His eyes dancing across the room, coming to a stop on me.
"I didn't know we had a guest," Gabriel said. He reminded me of a snake.
"This is Sophie," Henri said. I ducked my head and kept my eyes on my almost empty plate.
Gabriel made an approving noise and moved to get his food.
He sat across from me and next to Henri.
"We need to speak, brother dearest," Gabriel said.
"Then speak," Henri said.
"In private."
"I don't have time today," Henri said. He made a brief gesture and Edmund stepped forward, right beside Henri. Henri whispered into the servant's ear. Edmund left the room almost immediately.
"Henri!" Gabriel snapped.
"What?" Both boys sounded annoyed.
"Need I remind you that I have a say in this estate as well as you," Gabriel said.
"Do you want to pay our taxes and manage our staff's wages as well as maintenance on the townhouse and cottage?" Henri asked.
"Do you want me to get Uncle involved?" Gabriel threatened. Henri looked at me, obviously embarrassed that he was bickering with his brother in front of me.
"Gabe-"
"Uncle!" Gabriel called, voice changing so it was almost kind.
"Yes?" the old man said, without looking up from his paper. His voice was old and gravely. It was pleasant to listen to.
"Please remind my dearest brother that the world does not revolve around him," Gabriel said.
The uncle looked over his spectacles.
"Gabriel and Henri, you will behave yourselves in front of our guests. Gabriel, if you want any say in the estate you need to put in the work your brother does. And Henri, the world does not revolve around you or Gabriel. If you have problems, resolve them in private like the civilized young men I know you both to be," he said. He returned to his paper. I saw Cosette giggle.
Both of the boys glared at the other, but stayed quiet. I finished off my plate and listened to the conversations going on around me.
They discussed politics, fashion, and gossip. I didn't understand much of what they were saying.
When Henri stood up, everyone did so. He gave a little nod and bent over to speak with me.
"Stay with Cosette. I'll be in the study if you need me. Otherwise, I'll see you at dinner," he said. I nodded. He winked at me. It was subtle and a part of me hoped that only I could have seen it.
Cosette remained standing as Henri left.
"Shall we go then?" Cosette asked me. I nodded. The girl smiled her bitter-sweet smile.
