Once Upon a Dream

Chapter 29

Lady Henrietta, Lady Ginevra and Lady Beatrice were still thinking about how to handle Agathe.

"I suppose we could try something while she's asleep, couldn't we?" said Lady Beatrice.

"Oh yes. But the madame hasn't been getting enough sleep of late" said Lady Ginevra.

"Of course not, dear. I don't believe there is a way out of this" said Lady Beatrice.

"But poor Mr Weekes seemed utterly petrified when we told him Mr Leicester was ill" said Lady Ginevra.

"Yes, but you saw what happened the last time Agathe discovered them. I think this may be it" said Lady Beatrice.

"I'm inclined to think so too" said Lady Ginevra sadly. "What do you think, Henrietta?"

"I think we've had enough of this nonsense" said Lady Henrietta. "I think we ought to consider the fact that if we continue to listen to the madame, we'll only be letting Mr Leicester's health deteriorate."

"Yes... and come to think of it, he was so gracious to invite me for tea when we met" said Lady Ginevra. 

"And he didn't berate little Amy for letting me into their room on a wild night" said Lady Beatrice.

"There you are. So what sort of aunts would we be if we let Angelique lose the person who cares for her as much as her family does?" said Lady Henrietta. 

"I'm sorry, Henrietta; you are absolutely right" said Lady Beatrice. 

"Now we really must hurry before the madame finds us walking back" said Lady Ginevra.

Meanwhile, Camille was wandering the halls, trying to avoid her angry mother.

Atticus noticed her and approached with worry.

"Camille. What's happened?" he said.

"Atticus... Monsieur Weekes and Monsieur Leicester were discovered. Pauvre Angelique is distraught" said Camille.

"Oh dear. Your mother found them" Atticus guessed.

"Oui. And I thought I would get to see real love" said Camille.

"That's what you're sad about? That you didn't get to see love? And not how your sister isn't happy?" said Atticus. 

Camille sighed. "I do not even know what love is" she confessed. 

Atticus smiled. "Love is empathizing with someone and putting them before yourself."

"Is that why Monsieur Leicester has not come back for Angelique? He loves her enough to let her go?" said Camille.

"Yeah. It may also be why Mr Weekes helped you make friends and tried to stick up for you when your mother screamed at you" said Atticus. 

Camille's eyes widened. "Monsieur Weekes... loves me?" 

"He probably does. He'll confirm it himself" said Atticus.

"You think so? But if he loved me... he would confirm it by rushing back to me" said Camille.

"You're learning fast, luv" said Atticus. 

"And perhaps Monsieur Leicester is not trying to return to Angelique because he loves her. He cannot bear to see her in trouble" said Camille. 

"And she probably feels the same for him" said Atticus.