Shay.

The Rue de Rivoli was bustling with carriages. Their driver tutted and shook his head. "Madame, I will have to find a place near Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel to let you out safely."

Madame Le Fleure nodded her approval. They could walk across the beautiful park to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs to visit the art exhibition for up-and-coming artists, which they had been invited to, by the Marquis of Cordo. It was his life's passion. The Musée des Arts Décoratifs specialised in ornate ceramics and crystal. The marquis had acquired one section to display the work of struggling artists, so they could be introduced to people of wealth.

The head mistress ushered the girls from the carriage. "Come, come Ladiez." The six young women hastily got out of the carriage and stood in front of her. Today was special. Being in their finishing year of school, only they had been invited to attend. Madame Le Fleure clapped her hands together. "Girlz, girlz, hush. You must carry yourzelvez like ladiez. Thiz iz a great opportunity to meet a pozzible future husband."

She looked the girls up and down as she walked around them. "I would like you to uze your French. It will imprezz ze gentlemen very much."

Shay had to bite on her tongue when this was said. She was just happy to be getting out and seeing the works of some wonderful artists. Meeting a possible husband was not on her list of 'to do's'.

The Madame coughed into her gloved hand and patted Hannah lightly on the shoulder. "Perhapz, not you, Mademoiselle Lytton. English will be better for you."

"Well. I never." Hannah watched the teacher walk away, and then hooked her arm through Shay's as she whispered, "The nerve of the woman. There is nothing wrong with my French."

"Of course, there isn't, Hannah. Just the small matter of getting the gender of nouns mixed up and perhaps your pronunciation needs a little work. Other than that." Shay grinned. "Nothing."

"Shay. You are such a beast." Hannah put on a serious face, lifted her head proudly, and then winked at Shay as they moved off. "Besides, I don't need to find a future husband. I have one waiting for me back home who prefers I speak English."

"That you do." Shay giggled. "Oh my, Hannah. Look at the arch. Isn't it beautiful?"

"Shay, Shay, Shay. If only you were interested in men as you are in architecture and animals."

Hannah gave her a squeeze. "I suppose it's the horses on the top that you are most drawn to."

The girls laughed together, and then hurried to catch up with the others. Madame Le Fleure was scurrying around them like a sheep dog.

As they were about to pass through the Place du Carrousel arch a man's gruff voice cried out, ""Arrêtez-la ! Arrêtez cette enfant !" Stop that child!

A little girl ran smack bang into Shay. The child grabbed her skirts and looked up at her with big sad blue eyes and said, "S'il vous plaît mademoiselle, aidez-moi. Je n'ai rien fait." She looked over her shoulder at the well-dressed man coming towards them.

Shay immediately pushed the girl behind her, held her chin in the air and spoke in her best French, "What business do you have scaring this poor defenceless child? She says she has done nothing wrong."

"Nothing! The scamp has just tripped my wife." He went to grab the girl.

Shay blocked him. "Perhaps it was an accident, Monsieur." Shay held up her hand before he could speak again, turned and crouched in front of the tearful grubby little girl. Her long black hair was thick and knotted; her clothes threadbare and her shoes just barely wearable. "Little one. Can you tell me what has happened?"

"You're going to take the word of a street brat." The man made to grab the girl again.

Shay stood up. "Monsieur. Just because the child is not of your class does not mean she is a liar. Do you have no heart? I will not tolerate this kind of behaviour from one such as you. Please be quiet and let the child speak."

A crowd gathered. Shay didn't seem to notice. Madame Le Fleure stepped forward. Hannah put her hand on her shoulder and shook her head.

"So little one. Please tell me." Shay wiped a tear from the girl's cheek with her finger.

"I was sitting, Mademoiselle. Waiting for my brother. The lady was not watching where she was going and stepped on me." She lifted her hand to show a graze caused by the heel of a shoe. "It hurts me."

"Oh, sweet child. Everything will be set right." Shay pulled the girl to her and looked up at the man. "Your wife should take more care where she steps in future, Monsieur. If anyone needs to apologise, it is she. This poor child has a hard enough life without you causing her more grief." Shay stood up and held the girls hand out so he could see her wound. "Where is your kindness to one such as she? Perhaps you would do better to help the poor, instead of bullying them."

"Well. I never..."

"Never what, sir?" Shay jumped in before he could say more. "Helped a person of poorer circumstances. Perhaps you would like to do so now." Without a pause Shay added, "The child needs new shoes. What do you say to buying her a pair?"

"I... I..." The man looked around at the crowd who were murmuring and nodding. He took out his pocket book and thrust two francs at her. "Here. And be done with it."

"Thank you, Monsieur. You are very kind." Shay curtsied and watched him storm away. The small crowd dispersed as Shay crouched in front of the child again. "Where is your brother? I do not want to leave you alone."

"I am here, Mademoiselle."

Shay stood up to see a young man holding a worn cap in both of his hands.

"I am so sorry if she has caused you trouble."

"Oh." Shay sucked in a sharp breath. He had the bluest eyes she had ever seen. Her heart skipped and she felt her face heat. "No trouble." She quickly gathered her thoughts and lifted the little girl's hand. "She has been hurt. The man's wife..."

"Yes." He smiled at her. "I heard, Mademoiselle." He pointed behind him. "As I came through the Arch. I don't know how to thank you. She was waiting for me. I had to be at my work. Belle is not allowed to be with me." He held out his hand to his sister. "I am Amaud." He bowed. "You are very kind. Thank you for taking the care to look out for her. Sadly, not many people are like you." Once more he tilted his head, and then started to move off with Belle.

"Wait, Monsieur." Shay trotted after him with the money held out. "The man. This money is for Belle. A new pair of shoes."

Amaud stopped and shook his head. "We cannot, but thank you."

"Yes. You can." Shay smiled and took his work hardened hand. "I asked for this so Belle might have a new pair of shoes." She put the money in his palm and closed his fingers over the coins. "My name is Shay." She looked down at Belle who was smiling up at her. "Your sister is very beautiful." Shay took off her shawl to give it to her. "I would like you to have this so that we will remember each other."

"Oh." Belle looked up at her brother. "Amaud, may I?"

"Mademoiselle, we do not need your charity. I don't wish to offend you, but I am able to look after my sister."

"I'm sorry. I have offended you." A lump caught in Shay's throat. When she looked into Amaud's eyes, she could see sorrow and pride. "Please. I was once a girl like Belle. A very kind man took me in. I can see you are a proud person and a hard worker. It is a gift. Nothing more. But I do understand." Shay lowered the shawl and brushed her finger over Belle's cheek once more. "Thank you, little one."

"Please, Amaud." Belle peered up at her brother.

Amaud looked from his sister to Shay, and then took the shawl. "Thank you. Shay." He tipped his head. "Perhaps we shall meet again one day."

"Perhaps."

To Shay's surprise Madame Le Fleure gripped her hand and gave it a squeeze. "You, Mademoiselle Lytton. You are. Spécial. A little strange, perhaps, but very spécial." She lifted Shay's hand, kissed the back of it, and then turned abruptly and clapped her hands together. "Come, come, girlz. We do not want to be late."

Pascale Le Fleure led the group through the arch and onto Rue de Rivoli with a big smile on her face. Shay Lytton was not like any other girl she had come across. Well, not if she didn't count herself. She was high spirited, independent and not self-absorbed. All fantastic qualities for a school teacher much like herself.

Shay is so wonderful ♥♥♥

Huge thanks goes to @Katiabtk for the French translation for this chapter and the next. xoxo

Top photo taken from Public Domain Vector

Middle picture - Alamy