Loved by the Beast

by T E Elliott

  Léa read for a good two hours when there was a knock at her door. Gasping in surprise, she looked down at her nightdress and hoped it wasn’t Audric.

  “Who’s there?” she called out.

  “It’s me, Lisette,” a young voice returned.

  “Come in, Lisette.”

  The girl came in and shut the door, she was in her nightdress as well. “Do you mind if we sit and talk for awhile?” she asked hopefully.

  “I don’t mind at all.” Closing her book, she set it on her night table and patted the bed in front of her. Lisette didn’t hesitate, she smiled wide and hopped onto the bed, immediately chattering and asking questions.

  “I’ve always wanted a sister! How old are you?”

  “Twenty. Oh, wait, twenty-one. Today was my birthday!” she smiled.

  “What! Did you have a celebration before I came?”

  “No, no one knew.”

  “Well, that must be remedied. Wait, why didn’t Audric know?”

  She looked down, “I didn’t tell him. He was anxious about your visit, and I didn’t want to make him feel guilty for focusing on you. But it really is no trouble, I don’t mind. It is my first birthday away from my family though.”

  “Do you miss your family? And your mother?”

  “Yes. But I’ve come to accept my life here.”

  Lisette studied her face for a moment. “Do you love my brother?”

  Léa was surprised by the question. She attempted to answer carefully, “I have an admiration for him. He is very kind, but I still have known him only a short time.”

  “But, you will take care, won’t you? To…not hurt him.” She watched Léa wide eyed, waiting for an answer.

  “I would be very sorry if I hurt him,” she answered softly.

  Lisette seemed satisfied with that answer, so she continued, “I’ve missed him dreadfully, and Father, and Mother too, though she can be insufferable. I was so angry when they sent me away, it felt like they didn’t want me, that I lost my whole family that year.” She lowered her eyes.

  Léa touched the girl’s arm, “Your brother has spoken to me about sending you away, and I know he did what he thought was best for you. He was worried that you might blame him for the decision that was very difficult for him to make.”

  The girl’s eyes softened as she said, “Thank you for saying so!” Her face gleamed. “I’m seventeen this year. Aunt is anxious to further introduce me to society, but I don’t know that I want to be introduced. When I heard about you, I thought perhaps I’d be permitted to return home, that we could be a real family. You wouldn’t mind that, would you?”

  “I would be delighted for your company, but I’m afraid I would have very little say in the decision. Your mother has some very definite ideas about things.”

  “Yes, Mother,” her voice turned to disappointment, “She has always favored Audric. In part I see why, and of course I do not blame him. I guess I don’t blame her either, she’s known many disappointments in life. I just don’t understand why she refuses to live the life she has to the full. No, circumstances aren’t ideal, but why can’t she see that her children love her and be happy about it?”

  “Grief can be a heavy burden to bear, and she’s carried more than one kind of grief. Some, like your brother, are strengthened by it, while others may turn bitter. But we mustn’t give up on her, she may come around yet.”

  “Oh, I am glad you’re here!” she exclaimed, then went on to talk about her life in Paris and the people she knew there, all her friends and the many parties she’d attended. She went on for so long without requiring a response that eventually Léa lay her head on the pillow while she watched and listened to the girl. Before long she was asleep, and some time after that when Lisette realized the fact, the girl curled up next to her and wrapped her arm around her soon-to-be sister.

  Chapter 15

  A flurry of feet and the sound of several voices in the hall woke Léa the next morning. She found Lisette asleep beside her, snuggled close. Pulling back the covers carefully, she crept out of bed and picked up a nearby dressing gown. Slipping it on, she peeked out the door. Several servants were opening all the doors on her floor and others were coming down the stairs. She walked out to the stairway and caught Audric as he was coming down.

  “What has happened? What’s the matter?” she asked him.

  “Beatrice went in to check on Lisette this morning and she’s not in her room, and her bed is unslept in. We’ve searched everywhere.” He ran a hand through his hair and drew in an anxious breath.

  Léa closed her eyes and put a hand to her head, “She is safe; she is in my bed. She came to chat last night and we must have fallen asleep.”

  A bleary-eyed Lisette came out of the room. “What’s going on?”

  Audric rushed to her and hugged her close, “We were worried, Sister, we couldn’t find you anywhere.”

  As realization dawned on her, she hugged him back, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to worry everyone. But, truly, where would I have gone?” She wanted to laugh, but knew no one would see humor in the situation just now.

  “I don’t know, we just panicked when we couldn’t find you,” he brought her to arms’ length, “I’m just glad you’re safe!” He let out a relieved laugh.

  Léa came toward them and before Audric could think better of it, he pulled her close, hugged her, and kissed her cheek. “Thank you,” he whispered in her ear. The hair on his face tickled her cheek. She reached up, touching her cheek and laughed softly, a bit surprised by it all.

  “All is well, we’ve found her!” he called down the hall and up the stairs.

  Lisette pulled his arm around her shoulders and started walking him down the hall, “Now that I have you here, there’s something we need to discuss.” She turned her head back and winked at Léa, who shook her head and went back into her room to dress.

  After Léa finished breakfast, Francine came to deliver the message that her presence was requested in the hedged garden. She made her way there promptly and was delighted as she opened the garden door to find flower petals dispersed on the path leading to the little cottage where a garland of flowers hung from the doorway and a large quilt was spread out on the grass. Lisette and Audric stood in front of the door and announced birthday greetings as she approached them. Lisette held a bouquet of starburst blue cornflowers interspersed with other wildflowers. She handed them to Léa, who drank in the scent of them and glowed with appreciation.

  There were games to play and stories told. Lisette gifted her a fan with a pastoral scene painted on it, and Audric presented a simple but elegant necklace with a single ruby pendant attached. Léa smiled tenderly at him and clasped the necklace around her neck. After gifts, a rich assortment of picnic foods were brought out, including a variety of dainty desserts.

  All fit to burst, they laid out on the blanket side by side and watched the clouds. After several minutes Audric turned onto his side and rested his head in his hand. Lisette was quietly watching the sky with her hands clasped in front of her. He looked over her to find Léa fast asleep. He smiled and turned his attention back to Lisette.

  “Lizzy?”

  “Hm?” She turned her head to him.

  “Do you…blame me for sending you away after Father’s death?”

  She shifted so she could see his face more clearly, “I didn’t blame you, but I was angry and hurt for many years.”

  “You aren’t any longer?”

  “No. I couldn’t be after Aunt brought me to a masque last year at Comtesse du Barbary’s house. As entertainment,” she emphasized the word with disdain, “they brought out a man with a deformity. He was ogled and laughed at. I couldn’t think of anyone but you and how easily it could be you that was considered entertainment for those fine ladies and gentlemen. When we returned home, I cried and cried and knew that, however misguided,” she gave him a tearful smile, “you were trying to protect me from the life that you needed to live. A life that would become even m
ore restricted for me when Father died.”

  He lowered his head and answered barely above a whisper, “You must know how much I struggled to make that decision, to know what would be best for you. I was still young myself. But it was you alone that I thought of in making it.”

  “I know, and I understand.” She sat up and turned to look down at him, “But, now that I’m old enough to know what the world is like, please let me come home. I don’t want to be anywhere else except with you and mother, and Léa.” Audric sat up and leaned against the bench that was behind him. They both watched the sleeping beauty next to them.

  “I love her already, you know,” she told him.

  “Lizzy…” He looked away and searched for words.

  “Before you say no, please just think it through, I know what I’m asking.”

  “It’s not that, of course I want you to stay if that is your wish. It’s Léa, she doesn’t…I don’t know if…”

  “What is it, Brother?”

  Before he could say more, Léa stretched and turned over in their direction.

  “Hello,” she smiled up at them, “Did I fall asleep?”

  “You did!” Lisette stood up and reached down to pull Léa to her feet. Léa stretched again.

  “We have one more thing planned, are you ready?” Audric reached up an arm to Lisette and she strained to help him up as well.

  “I’m ready if you are.” Léa grinned and clasped her hands under her chin.

  Audric led them inside the cottage where he seated himself behind the harpsichord. Lisette directed Léa to the chaise lounge by the far window and joined her brother. Audric played while Lisette sang. Together they gave a delightful performance that Léa clapped enthusiastically for.

  After the evening meal, Lisette and her mother continued to the sitting room, while Audric stopped Léa, taking her hands in his. “I have one more birthday surprise for you. Now, close your eyes.” She gave him a suspicious look, then closed them compliantly. Opening a door, he led her inside and positioned her just so, then told her to take a look. She opened her eyes and immediately brought her hands to her mouth. Scanning the room, she let her eyes wander over the glorious beauty of thousands of books. An elaborate staircase began on her left and rose above them, wrapping around the top as a landing, then coming back down on her right, completely lined with bookshelves. On the ground level were more bookshelves lined on the right and the left, and straight ahead was an enormous fireplace with several chairs one could curl up in, a settee, and a few small tables with candelabra on them.

  “It’s magnificent!” she cried, her hands on her cheeks.

  “It’s yours,” he grinned.

  “What?” She was in a daze.

  “Mother has her own small library, so she has no occasion to come here. Father began the collection and it has been added to over the years on my behalf. Now I give it to you. It can be your haven.”

  Before he realized what was happening she leaped into his arms and hugged him tight around the neck. “Truly?” She could hardly believe it.

  He laughed, “Of course. Happy birthday, Léa.”

  She squealed like a schoolgirl and ran up the stairs, running a hand over the books as she went. She scrambled up a ladder and pulled a book out just because, then ran back down the stairs with it. She pulled out a few more books from the shelves below, piling them on a table, and climbing into one of the chairs to test it out. “Oh, I could stay here for hours.” She leaned her head against the back of the chair.

  “Just remember your friends from time to time,” he smiled.

  Léa sat up, “Oh, of course you and Lisette should join me!”

  Jumping back out of the chair and taking his hands, she said, “Audric, I could never thank you enough for something like this. It’s not just the library—I mean who else could give me a whole library! More than that though, no one but Father and Madame Beaumont have ever taken the time to know me so well.”

  “I’m glad you like it,” he answered.

  “Like it?” she laughed and spun around, “It's wonderful!”

  One fine morning, Lisette decided a ride around the property was in order and went in search of Léa to join her. Once on their mounts, they rode toward the open fields of the Rousseau property and found Audric coming from the hedged garden. They pulled up before him and he stepped back quickly, he seemed uneasy.

  “We’re going for a ride, Audric, you should join us. Afterwards we’re going to visit Grand-mère Helene,” Lisette told him.

  “No, you go on. Enjoy your ride.” He smiled anxiously and moved to return to the house.

  “Wait, don’t tell me you still don’t ride!”

  Audric eyed the horse and jumped when the creature nickered.

  “Do you dislike horses, Audric?” Léa asked him, surprised.

  “I don’t know if dislike is the right word. My parents have always been a little...sensitive when it came to my associating with animals. I was never allowed a horse or pet of my own. I admit, they make me rather nervous now.”

  Lisette burst out laughing, a little too hard.

  “Lisette, don’t make fun, I don’t think your brother meant it as a joke.”

  “I’m sorry, Brother, but it’s just so ridiculous. You couldn’t have an animal because of rumors spread by villagers? Was Mother afraid you’d start acting like a dog if you were given a puppy?” She started laughing again.

  Audric lowered his head then gave her a rueful look. “Anyhow. I believe you were about to go for a ride?”

  “Oh, just come with us, you can ride with me,” Lisette urged. “It’s been ages since I’ve seen Grand-mère Helene, and I’m sure you owe her a visit as well.”

  “You’re right. But I’m walking!” He held up a finger. “I’ll cut her some flowers and meet you there when you’re finished with your ride.”

  “Flowers? But she’s blind, Audric!”

  “She may be blind, but she can still smell.”

  “Oh, right. Very well, we’ll meet you there.”

  Lisette and Léa rode off together while Audric turned back to the garden.

  “Is Grand-mère Helene your grandmother?” Léa asked.

  “Oh, no, of course not, she’s Devereux’s mother. She lives with them in the servants’ cottages. Sweet as can be, but very old and very blind. Without fail, she always told Audric he needed a haircut even when Devereux explained.” Lisette giggled. “But she enjoyed our visits as much as we enjoyed seeing her. She has the best stories to tell.”

  After some time of riding through the open fields, they noticed Audric on the path to the cottages, so they reined in the horses and galloped to meet him there.

  A dozen or so children gathered as Léa and Lisette dismounted. New faces were always cause for excitement. As Audric approached, they all scattered giggling and whispering. All of them except three small stair-step children who stayed planted in place to greet him.

  “Bonjour, Monsieur!” they all called out.

  “Bonjour, Adeline, André, Gabriel.” He tussled the youngest boy’s hair. “Would you children be so good as to let Grand-mère Helene know we wish to see her if she’s feeling up to visitors?”

  Adeline and André ran off immediately, but Gabriel stayed and stared shyly at the two women. Seeing where the boy was looking, Audric lifted him up and brought him to them.

  “Gabriel, this is Lisette, my sister, and Léa.”

  “Bonjour, Gabriel,” they both greeted him.

  The boy buried his face in Audric’s neck. Audric patted his back and whispered, “It’s okay, Gabriel, they’re nice. Except for the small one, she’s only nice sometimes.”

  Lisette smacked her brother in the arm.

  “See, I told you.”

  Gabriel peeked out and giggled. The two other children returned and told them they could come in.

  The group entered a cottage and found the older woman sitting in a comfortable chair, knitting. Two more children sat close by, one with a b
ook, another with knitting of her own.

  “Grand-mère Helene, I’ve brought some visitors to see you today,” Audric told her.

  “Ah, come here, my boy, you’ve not come to visit me yourself of late.”

  He set down the small boy and knelt before her.

  “I could smell those roses from outside. What color are they today?”

  “Pink and yellow.”

  “Mm,” the lady brought them close to her and drank in the scent. “Adeline, would you take them and put them in some water? Thank you, child.”

  Once the flowers were taken away, she reached over and ran her hands over Audric’s face.

  “Still not cut your hair?” She clicked her tongue. “And no wife yet either, I’ll wager. The hair makes the man, my boy, mark my words.”

  Audric lowered his head and smiled. “Not yet, I’m afraid, but I have brought someone to meet you.” He reached a hand to Léa, who came forward and knelt down as well. “This is Léa, Grand-mère.”

  The grandmother reached over and gently felt the girl’s face. “Mm, she’s young, this one.” She caressed Léa’s cheek with her thumb, “Why are you sad, my darling?”

  Audric looked up at the pair abruptly then over at Lisette, who gave him a worried look.

  Léa didn’t speak, but a tear ran down her face and she started to sniffle.

  “There, there, Darling,” Grand-mère Helene leaned over and kissed her cheek, then whispered something in her ear. With the woman’s hand still on Léa’s cheek, the young woman nodded. Léa dried her tears and stood up, leaning over to give the grandmother a hug. She then stepped aside with her back to the rest so she could gather herself again.

  “Now where is the smiling one I haven’t seen in so long?”

  Lisette smiled and bounded over, hugging the old woman tight then kissing her cheek.

  “I’ve missed you, Grand-mère!”