Chapter VII: Warmth

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The Baron d'Enjolras' estate was located just outside the middle of the wealthiest area in Paris. Like other estates around it, the house was closed off from the streets by a large stone walls - ever so often topped with oil lamps. Between the walls and the house was a suitably sized garden, which had an array of trees, flowers and ponds. The main entrance to the estate was a tall swirling iron gate - identical to all other homes of the area. The house in general was big. Small in comparison to the Enjolras' country home - but huge in the eyes of the common people. Everything about it seemed exceptionally...tall. The windows were long, equipped with balconies, the main door was very high - the pillars surrounding it made it look even higher, the slanted roof seemed to be exceedingly tall as well. It was a surprise you couldn't see it over the walls from the street.
The carriage stopped right outside the main gate, waiting for the groundsman to let them in. Enjolras stuck his head out the window to confirm his arrival and with that - the black vehicle rumbled through and down the road to the door. It was a struggle to get out. Joleigh was passed between her friends as they each tried their best not to jostle her while exiting the carriage.
"Combeferre can you run inside and get Madame Cormier?" Enjolras asked as he jumped out, checking on the girl who was lying in the back seat. She was still breathing, but her body was shaking from cold. The snow outside was starting to come down heavier, the wind was stronger, and the city was quieter.

"God, this weather is bad." Courfeyrac whined.

"Imagine if we didn't find her." Jehan said solemnly, "Imagine living out in the street with the cold and snow..." His voice trailed off as Madame Cormier, accompanied by the house butler - Jaques, rushed through the door.

"Monsieur Enjolras what is wrong?" She asked. Cormier was his nurse from birth, and was now head of the household staff - not only could Enjolras trust her to do any task... But he could also trust that she would be able to care for Joleigh. "Where are your parents?" She babbled, "You two-" she looked at Courfeyrac and Jehan, "Come now, get inside before you freeze to death out here! Jaques, don't just stand there - get the boys some blankets to wrap themselves!" At once Jaques ran back inside. "Now, Marc, what's the fuss about. Where are your parents? And why did I have to come outside!" Enjolras opened the carriage door and showed Cormier the comatose Joleigh. His old nurse jumped back in shock. "Are you mad? What did you boys do to that poor girl! My God, is she dead?"

"No, she's just starved and sick. This is Joleigh, she's a childhood friend...you know, from when I was actually allowed to go to the streets." Enjolras explained, "My friends and I met her on the streets coming from the ball - and she just collapsed..."

"My, my, my bring her in then! What have your parents said about this?" Enjolras grabbed Cormier's hand.

"That's the thing Madame - they can't know or else they will surely cast her off to the slums again. And I know she wouldn't survive in the condition she's in now." Cormier gave him a sad look.

"I'm not sure Monsieur..."

"Please, please Madame! I have a plan," he flashed his confident smile- something he knew Cormier would give in to. He was like her son, "but I'll explain when we're inside - the cold is worsening." The old woman nodded, gathered her skirts and made her way to the door. Enjolras carefully bent into the carriage and lifted Joleigh into his arms, cradling her to his chest once again. Holding her close, he ran through the biting wind and into the inviting warm glow coming from his home.

Enjolras met his friends in the grand living room. They were each huddled by the hearth of the fireplace, stripped of their damp suit coats and wrapped in the blankets Jaques had brought them. Quickly and quietly Jaques came to Enjolras with blankets, staring wide eyed at the limp girl he had brought in. Enjolras dismissed the blankets for himself. "Put them on the lounge." Jaques placed a few blankets over the chaise lounge closest to the fire.

"The hearth should warm her up." Combeferre sniffed, rubbing his red nose. Enjolras lay Joleigh down carefully, then covered her with the rest of the blankets. In the light he could see the details of her skin; the blue undertones and redness from the cold. Her eyes fluttered under her eyelids. Enjolras wished she'd open them. Jehan peered over his shoulder and stroked Joleigh's damp hair - he moved it from her face.

"She's as beautiful as I remember...look how the light touches her face..." He muttered, probably starting to think of his new poem.

"Yes, quite... Move over Jehan. No need for your dramatics." Courfeyrac rolled his eyes and laughed before glimpsing down at Joleigh. His smile faded, "How sick is she?"

"I don't know." Enjolras replied. "Maybe we could call Joly over-"

"No, no, no boys - this is where I come in." Madam Courier bustled in, carrying a wet cloth, "Move over and let me see her...now it's good she's by the fire - we'll wait here until she wakes. The poor girl is malnourished and by the look of it, she may have a fever too." She placed the cloth on Joleigh's forehead and turned to Jaques, "Get the guest room on the second floor ready. The one farthest down the hall, next to Monsieur Marc's room, yes. Make sure to light the hearth." Courier then gave a worried glance to Enjolras. "Your parents will be home soon. If she doesn't wake in the next few minutes, just carry her to the room and make sure she's warm."

"Yes, Madam."

"There'll be a nightgown in there for her to change into, if she's awake. If she does then there will be some food and water in there as well. Now you boys," she addressed his friends. "Will you be staying the night?" They looked at each other.

"Enjolras?" Jehan queried.

"I don't mind, of course you're welcome to." He replied. Combeferre scratched his chin.

"I need to get back to my parents. So I'll be going, mind if I borrow a carriage?"

"Of course not. Goodnight." Enjolras embraced his friend before her left.

"I'll be by as soon as I can tomorrow." Combeferre smiled and left. Courfeyrac and Jehan stared at each other. They were given the two guest rooms on the first floor. They left to put their coats in the rooms then returned to sit by the fire. Madam courier excused herself to check on Jaques and retire for the night. Now all they had to do was wait and see if Joleigh would awaken. The boys talked amongst themselves quietly, sometimes stopping briefly and allowing the silence of the night fill the room - in those moments only the crackling of the dying fire was to be heard.
"I don't think she'll be waking up anytime soon." Jehan yawned. Enjolras nodded, looking down at his dear friend. She looked much better, her hair had dried and there was a sense of peace etched in her face. Not only that, but her skin had regained its glow. However, her eyes did not open.

"Will you need help carrying her there? You can't still have the strength." Courfeyrac smirked, yet he seemed weary - the alcohol had worn off. "Oh mighty Enjolras the true knight in shining armor that no dame can resist. But he can surely resist them, makes you think -"
"This is when I think I should bid you goodnight, dear friends." Enjolras quickly cut him off. He scooped Joleigh into his arms. " My parents will be home soon." His tired friends nodded and departed towards their rooms.

Enjolras was weary. He tiredly walked down the long corridors filled with paintings and gold leaf to the staircase of the second floor. The marble stones spiraled upwards in a long loop - beautiful - but a burden to climb up. Enjolras made it to the second floor, but his arms were sore from lifting Joleigh's weight. His determination brought him to his final steps at the door of the third guest room of the house. It was the furthest away from his parents' room - and at the end of the hall, therefore hardly anyone would go in. The room was in shades of dark red, therefore giving off and suitable warmth - it was also equipped with a bed of course, a fireplace, a bookshelf, a dresser and mirror and a bathroom - modest things. Well, they would be modest if they weren't so ornate. Enjolras, with sigh of relief, lay Joleigh on the lavish bed, making sure her head was on one of the soft pillows. Upon contact with the bed, Joleigh seemed to let a sigh out of her own and sink into the bedding. Enjolras smiled and went towards the glowing fire. He poked it and made sure it would burn through the night and keep the room warm for his friend. As he crouched and stoked the embers, his stared into the flames and began to think. His mind lingered upon the thought of the 'shadow man', the man who knew Joleigh. I must ask her about him...about their connection. He looked ready to kill me tonight when he saw that I had her in my arms. The flames hissed and danced.

All of a sudden there was a low groan behind him.

"Where am I?" A weak voice croaked. Enjolras spun around beaming, forgetting his thoughts about the mysterious man in the alley. Joleigh was sat up in the bed, her hand to her forehead as she squinted at her surroundings. Enjolras quickly took the pieces of bread and cup of water from the dresser top and went to her side.

"You're safe. You fainted but you're safe now."
"Enjolras?" Her eyes gazed about the room, widening in shock. "What is going on?" Enjolras handed her the bread and water and she eagerly took it.

"You're in my home." Joleigh stopped chewing for a moment.

"This is your home? My god, all I remember is going black in the street! How did I end up here?"

"Well, Courfeyrac, Jehan, and Combeferre and I were -" she stopped him.

"They're here too?! Can I see them?" She asked excitedly. Enjolras laughed.

"Courf and Jehan are in the guest rooms downstairs - they're probably asleep. Combeferre went home." He pressed his hand to her forehead. Joleigh was thankful he didn't noticed her blush at his touch. "Anyways, you're still a bit warm."

"You don't need to take care of me you know." The girl but her lip and filled with the silky sheets of the bed. "This is far too kind, what of your parents-"

"I'll be honest with you and say they have no idea about this." Enjolras said sheepishly, but before she could tell him off, he continued,"Before you rant, I have a plan - don't worry."

"Oh really."

"Yes." At once he took her hand, "And we'll discuss it in the morning. Now rest, you a good sleep. My head maid, Madame Cormier will tend to you in the morning." Joleigh sighed and held Enjolras' hand, not making eye contact.

"You are to kind to me Enjolras." Her voice was merely a whisper.

"You deserved so much more than that life you were living." Enjolras embraced her. When she held him back his heart fluttered. He pulled away and beamed. "Now, Madamoiselle I shall leave you to rest." Their eyes locked, dark blue into light blue.

"Bonne nuit."

"Bonne nuit." Before he could stop himself, Enjolras pressed his lips to her warm forehead then swiftly ran out the room.

Joleigh sat stunned. Not only was that kiss making her turn as red as the sheets of the bed, but she could just not believe what was happening to her. Seeing the nightgown, for what she presumed was meant for her, on the dresser - the poor girl got up and changed into dry clothes. She draped Montparnesse's coat on the back of the chair and gazed in the mirror. Her hair was curly and matted from the damp melted snow, but that seemed to be drying. She hadn't truly looked at herself in a while, as she never had access to a mirror during her time on the streets. Joleigh was beautiful, yet she was too modest to notice. All she saw was herself finally looking a little less pale. The fire was dying, yet the room kept the warmth. Joleigh hugged herself and made her way to the tall window on the far side of the room. She watched as the snow silently covered the scene in white. It was memorizing. Joleigh's breath fogged up the glass as she stood, just trying to think of what she would do next. She frowned and gazed at the street lamps glowing on wall. I can't stay here forever. No matter how much I wish it. She knew what Enjolras' parents were like...she heard the stories. They were the ones that forbade him from the streets a year ago. I will have to go out there again... Joleigh shivered at the thought - the snow was pretty, yet it was deadly. Closing the curtains she retired to her bed for the the night.

With a final spark, the fire turned into glowing embers and the room went dark.

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Well hello,
I bet you thought you'd see the last of this be HA! I'm sneaky I know. Sorry for making you wait but tbh I really forgot about my Wattpad life. Forgive me please? I gave you this super duper long chapter!

Anyways, I will be completing this book hopefully. Don't worry I have everything planned - expect many updates!! I know you guys can't get enough of Les Mis ;)

- K xx