For as long as Firmin and Cecile have been married, she could not remember him ever showing much passion or appriciation for her. When they had begun dating Firmin was quick to express his emotions, and would lavish her with flowers and candies. He had painted a world of ideas in her mind, creating skylines that never seemed too far. She realize now that it had only been dreams, and that once married, he stopped showing much emotion towards her. He became indifferent to all that surrounded him once he was forced into the working world. He found a home that suited them and a job that was adequite for their needs. He would be reluctant to passion and rarely mentioned her beauty. That was one of the most potent shocks, for Firmin, while dating, had smothered her with rhyming poems of his devoted love and her vast beauty. All of that faded quickly once they moved and a ring was placed on her finger. She fell into a despair, thinking herself ugly and unworthy of his great knowledge and love. She was satisfied to mantain her job as a simple housewife. She spent her days not thinking of adventures and romance, but rather of chores, money, and hopefully a child. Firmin never thought himself handsome, and once he had suceeded in sweeping her off her feet, he felt ashamed that he had nothing to offer. The moment when their lives changed for the worse was a day Cecile would never forget. After they moved in, she filled her days working on music, which she loved to do. She would create a rembrant for the ear within a week. Firmin tried desperately to find work, but only small jobs were available. And so, he felt himself beneath her and stupid when she would present more scores that she had just "whipped together." He noticed her nonchalont voice and the simple, naive way she tossed the masterpieces about. He demanded her to stop, not wanting to look like a fool if it would ever be revealed that she was the Richard genius, not him. She gave a careless toss of his demand and he found himself too angry. He struck her, and since then she became nothing but a drone in everyday life.
"Firmin, what a pleasant surprise!" Cecile's bright eyes lit up at the sight of him. " I wasn't expecting you until after supper.....where's Armand?" Cecile asked as she stood in the parlor. Firmin remained seated in Armand's easychair with his eyes cast downward. He didn't bother to look up when she called. He sat and stared blankly at the floor.
"I decided to come home early." He lied as he shifted in the chair and looked the other way.
"Oh," She said in a surprised tone. "Well, I had the costumes made today. We have matching costumes.....they're cats." Firmin's brow furrowed. "Don't be upset...they're fancy cats." He shook his head.
"No, it's not the costumes....I have a lot on my mind." She walked over to the back of the chair and rest her hands on his shoulders.
"My dear Firmin, I told you not to worry while we're on vacation." He gave a short laugh and raised his head.
"Oh....that's right! Sorry, I had forgotten. I'll try better next time!" He mentioned sarcastically. She pinched his shoulders.
"Firmin? Did you even notice that I went to the salon today?" She asked as she rubbed his shoulders. He gave a look of confussion and then turned his head to look at her. His eyes lit up in surprise of her beauty. Her once stringy blonde hair now fell delicately around her shoulders in a wavy bounce that illuminated her eyes. He couldn't stop staring at her. She wore some makeup that accented her features, and complimented the well worn dress that caressed her delicate curves. Firmin sat amazed. He hadn't noticed her being this beautiful since their wedding day. She smiled at his stunned face.
"My God, Cecile, you look....." He suddenly stopped the sentence and stood, violently glaring at her. "I thought I had told you not to spend any of Armand's money here. It's bad enough that we're guests in this huge home, but don't feed from his extra income, Cecile, it makes us look like beggars!" He stated while punching the chair in anger. Cecile stepped back frightened. Her manicured hands covered her mouth as she began to cry.
"So, you don't think I look good at all?" She asked as she backed away in fear.
"No, you look fine!" He said in a disgusted tone. He sat harshly in the chair and picked up the paper as she ran from the room. Lisette met her half way down the hall and asked her if she'd prefer pheasant or duck for diner. She stopped suddenly with tear stricken cheeks.
"Where's Armand? We can't eat without him!" She asked as Lisette quickly produced a clean cloth and wiped the tears from Cecile's face.
"Oh, M. Moncharmin never returns before ten in the evening. You will have to dine without him. But not to worry, I always keep a snack warm for him when he comes in!" Cecile smiled. The poor little French girl always tried so hard to please everyone, but no one gave her much thought. Cecile smiled and gave her a small hug, which suceede in shocking her and forcing a much needed smile onto her pretty little face.
"Madame?" She asked in shock. Cecile smiled kindly. "You look....tres belle!" Cecile understood French and grinned, blushing.
"Merci. Pack up the diner and call the carriage if you would please?" Cecile asked and Lisette obeyed with a bow and a scuttle towards the kitchen. Cecile donned her bonnet as she pinned up her hair. Lisette informed her that the carriage was ready. She entered the parlor where Firmin still sat reading.
"Firmin, I'm going out for the night....don't wait up!" she demanded and rushed out before he could post his arguement.
As Cecile sat playing with the ribbon that adorned the dress she heard the timid voice of Lisette talking to her.
"Madame Richard, why do you sit there and pout when you look so beautiful?" Lisette said as she sat in the seat across from Cecile, clutching the basket of food.
"You think I'm beautiful?" Cecile asked as her eyes lit up and a smile stretched across her face.
"Oui, most definitly!" Lisette said and Cecile knew she wasn't fibbing, because Lisette could never tell a lie.
"Thank you." Cecile said as she then sat there smiling. Throughout the 13 years that both she and Firmin have been married, he only said she was beautiful once and that was their wedding day. She never understood why Firmin never told her that he thought she was beautiful, or even pretty. It wasn't something he was accustomed to saying. She had always tried to give him hints by telling him he was handsome, only to receive a simple 'yes, thank you, Cecile.' She wasn't ugly at all, in fact, with the makeup and hair, she was absolutely breathtaking. She sat there in a bright green dress that matched her eyes. It was low cut and hung off the shoulders, exposing the lily white skin which was adorned with ribbons on the sleeves and lining the skirt. It fell to her ankles and gave her a look of supreme authority from beauty. She felt like a queen.
The carriage lurched to a halt in front of the grand castle. Lisette helped Cecile out of the carriage and then was specifically instructed to stay there. Cecile rang the bell and instructed the butler to take her to her destination.
"Cecile! What a pleasant surprise I wasn't expecting you!" Armand said as he quickly removed his glasses and stood to meet her. He stared at her for she was amazing. "You, my dear, you look absolutely stunning." She gleamed in delight. "In fact, I don't think I'll be able to let you go home after this!" He joked while embracing her. Once she found her voice through the rouge in her face, she kissed Armand gently on the cheek.
"Why, thank you, Armand, you're such a dear man!" She looked around the small room and then down at the desk. "I don't suppose I could pull you away for an hour to eat dinner?" She asked with a hopeful look. Armand melted under the spell of those green eyes.
"Well, I am terribly busy, but never for you!" He said while shuffling papers together and blotting others. "What did you have in mind?" He asked and she arched one eyebrow slyly.
"That was exquisite!" Armand said as he patted his lips with the napkin. He leaned back against the tree and rest his hands on his belly.
"Yes, it was quite good!" Cecile mentioned as she sat gazing at the river. She had set out a blanket and brought the basket so that they could have a nice quiet dinner together on the bank by the river Thames. Armand and Cecile had subconsciously sat, and moved closer to each other during the entree and now they sat with their weight against each other. Armand carefully placed his arm around Cecile as she looked up at him lovingly. He gently stroked the fine lines of her face and kissed her brow as he presented her some of the freshest, and most plump raspberries that she'd ever seen. She gasped and opened her mouth slighly so that he could place it directly into her mouth. She enclosed her lips on the juicy berry and moaned in delight. Armand gazed at her with excited eyes and watched as she fed him a couple of the berries. She leaned into him and kissed off the juice which ran down his chin. Armand smiled at her, he was truly in Heaven.
The wine bottle was emptying and began playing with their emotions. Armand pulled her against him and placed a raspberry into his mouth. Cecile would place her lips against his while stealing it quickly while brushing his tongue with hers. Eventually, she found a place there and began kissing Armand deeper and deeper untill his hands wandered to the clasp upon her dress. He stealthfully unhooked it as she was caught in the moment. She gasped as the bustier suddenly dropped from her, exposing her heaving breasts to the world. She clutched onto it and Armand began coaxing her with his charm that had once captivated her in college. Something in her mind told her not to do this, but her body longed for someone who longed, and lusted, for her. She pressed up against him and unbuttoned his shirt and vest. He grabbed her hands before they passed to his pants.
"Wait, please Cecile, I need to know if this is right for us?" He pleaded not wanting his heart broken again. She reached up and pulled out the hairpin, allowing her thick hair to come tumbling down in such a fluid motion that Armand groaned with pleasure.
"Oh yes....quite sure!" She said as she slid off his suspenders.
"But, what of Firmin?" He asked, pleading once more. Her expression turned dark.
"He doesn't love me....doesn't care for me. It's you I should have married! I love you, Armand!" She said as she kissed him fully on the lips and ran her hands down his belly. Armand caught the smell and taste of her breath. He knew she was intoxicated and would give herself fully to him if asked. He pulled away and she looked at him with hurting eyes.
"What's wrong? Don't I please you?" She asked as she felt the dizziness of her head and the fire in her belly. Armand wanted her so badly and knew she wouldn't put up a fight. He struggled internally, debating each side.
"You're drunk, Cecile....I-I....I can't!" He said as he pulled up his suspenders and buttoned his shirt. He struggled inside, his mind verses his heart, but eventually both lost to his conscience. As he sat back looking at her, he realize how pitiful her life was. She had begun to button up her dress, but was failing at it. He hadn't realized it, but the night had taken it's place in the sky. And so, he gathered her up in his arms and carried her almost unconscious body to his carriage. Lisette made herself busy cleaning the picnic as Armand wrapped a blanket around Cecile's exposed torso and comanded they be taken home.