December 25th, 1804

Diana woke me early, dressing me in a festive green dress with red beading.

I went downstairs, despite still being groggy, and found the family in the sitting room. Most of the guests had left in the night to spend Christmas with their families.

Just Cosette, Gabriel, Henri, and their aunt and uncle remained.

I was the last one to enter.

"Finally we can begin," Cosette said, clapping her hands. On one of the tables sat a bunch of different boxes, all in various sizes.

I was surprised to find everyone so cheerful. The party must have kept them awake well until after midnight. I had wandered the ballroom talking and listening to conversations, trying to remain level-headed. Henri never reappeared. This morning he sat close to me though, sipping a cup of unsweetened Earl Grey, by the smell of it.

"'To Gabriel, From Auntie and Uncle,'" Cosette read, passing a package to Gabriel. Inside was a set of pearl cufflinks. He thanked them but he always sounded so sarcastic.

The aunt and uncle had presents for all of them, including me. Cosette got new slippers, Henri got a housecoat, and I got gloves, which I actually needed. They were so white and so soft. I thanked them profusely and apologized for my lack of a gift.

"We understand," Uncle Desmond said, his eyes twinkling with kindness.

Cosette handed the boys her presents and me a very large circular box. I opened it as the boys did theirs.

"Hats for everyone!" Cosette cried. The boys had both gotten top hats and I got a white one adorned with feathers, pearls, and lace.

"It's lovely, Cosette," I said. My fingers kept running through the feathers. The soft texture was bewildering. Only nature could make something so smooth.

Mankind was too harsh.

Gabriel handed Cosette a crushed box with a shell necklace in it. She put it on immediately, despite the fact that it didn't match her bright yellow dress.

Henri gave everyone something. To his aunt and uncle, he gave a piece of silver, a pickle jar, which must have meant more to them than it did to me. He gave Cosette a new dress from Jean-Paul. He got Gabriel a neck scarf.

He handed me a small box which I opened timidly, unsure of what lay inside.

A sparkling, golden ring.

I gasped. Cosette leaned over and got a glimpse and she gasped, louder than me.

"I wanted to do this privately yet publicly," Henri said, giving an awkward explanation. "I'd like you to marry me, Sophie."

I couldn't say anything else.

I felt no need or desire to say no.

"Yes," I said. "Of course."

I couldn't help but throw my arms around him. He hugged me back, placing the ring on my finger as soon as I pulled away.

"I just love proposals," Cosette said. I kept my eyes locked with Henri's. He looked giddy with excitement.

"I offer my most sincere congratulations," Gabriel said. His tone made me think of his warning last night.

I pushed that thought aside.

I was getting married.

Henri's uncle looked a little stiff and only mildly displeased but his aunt looked thrilled.

"I just love weddings," she cooed as we made our way into the dining room.

I was getting married.