Moody and the Beast

by Kristen Painter

  The dress had a good shape and was made of heavy silk, giving it structure. Might as well start here, she thought.

  She stripped down to her underwear and got into the dress, then went to the three-paneled mirror at the back of the closet for a look.

  She stepped onto the platform and smiled, despite all the nonsense sewn onto the dress. She hadn’t seen herself in anything this fancy in…pretty much ever. But whether the dress fit well enough to work was what mattered, and it did.

  The green was a possibility. It kind of matched her eyes, and with her dark hair, a jewel tone seemed like a good choice. Plus, her mother’s starstone-and-emerald necklace went perfectly with it. Satisfied, she took the dress off, laid it over one of the chairs near the mirrors, and went back to digging.

  Almost everything in Vesta’s closet was over-embellished, too ruffled, or spangled with abandon. Thankfully, Theo felt confident that in most cases, the excess could be removed without harming the actual garment.

  After what seemed like forever, she made her way through the day-length dresses and ended up at the gowns. She didn’t think she’d need a long dress, but just in case, she picked through those as well.

  About a quarter of the way into them, she came across a gown that stopped her in her tracks.

  The strapless gown hung by ribbons from its hanger. The color shifted from steely blue to dusky silver in an ombré effect that repeated over and over. Same-color sequins dusted the fabric with subtle sparkle, reminding Theo of stars in the evening sky. The dress was absolutely beautiful and shockingly understated, which made it seem out of place in the sea of wild gowns.

  Maybe that was why this one still had the tags attached. She reached for the little rectangle of white paper to look at the price.

  She lost the ability to breathe for about two seconds. Nearly five figures? Was that right? Could a dress be that expensive? That kind of money could have given her another year of schooling.

  She dropped the tag. Suddenly, not touching the dress seemed like a good idea. How did anyone leave such a thing behind? It had to be that Vesta had simply forgotten about it. But who forgot about a gown that had cost so much? Theo couldn’t fathom it.

  And yet, here the gown was, buried in a closet of things that had been abandoned nearly twenty years ago. Robin was right. None of this clothing meant anything to the queen anymore. Otherwise, she’d have come back for them. Or asked him to send them to her.

  And if this dress had cost so much, what did that say about the rest of the things hanging here?

  New anger sprang up in Theo. Perhaps because of the excess of it all. Of course, Vesta was the queen, and excess and royalty seemed to go hand in hand. What did a gown like this mean to her? Probably nothing. Or perhaps Theo’s anger was because her own wardrobe barely filled two drawers. The inequity was staggering. But then, Vesta didn’t have a father who gambled away most of the money required to maintain even a minimal standard of living.

  A new thought came to Theo. One that felt rebellious and a little wrong, but also like something that needed to be done. This dress didn’t need to be left untouched and unappreciated. It needed to be worn.

  Theo grabbed the gown’s hanger and pulled the dress free.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Robin had read the same page three times. Actually, he’d tried to read the same page three times. Each attempt he’d only gotten about halfway through the first sentence before his mind wandered to Theo.

  She’d been in Vesta’s quarters for a bit now. It was pretty quiet over there, too. Not once had she called for him or come over to see him about anything. Did that mean it was going well? Or was she on the verge of giving up, completely put off by the idea that she wear something that had once belonged to the queen?

  Either way, his curiosity demanded he find out. He put his bookmark between the pages, set the book on the small table beside the chaise, and went to check on her.

  When he got to the doors, he knocked softly, even though they were already open. He didn’t want to startle her or catch her undressed. “Theo?”

  She called back, “In here.”

  He stuck his head into the room but didn’t see her. She sounded muffled. Was she in the closet? He took a single step into the sitting room. He could just see the open closet door. “Just wanted to see how you’re doing.”

  She peeked out from the closet. “I’m, um, okay, I guess. Probably a little overdressed at the moment.”

  “Oh?” He could see her only from the neck up. The rest of her was in the closet. “Can I see?”

  She hesitated. “I guess so. Please don’t laugh. I’m not wearing this for the dinner. I just wanted to try it on.”

  “Okay.” He couldn’t wait to see what she’d picked.

  She stepped out into the bedroom, and he lost the ability to speak because of how beautiful she looked. He couldn’t even close his mouth, which currently hung slightly open with all the grace and dignity of a swamp dweller.

  “Isn’t it pretty?” She did a quick twirl, holding up the dress just enough for him to see the heels she’d chosen. “I know, I look silly, but this dress is just so spectacular, and it still had the tags on it, so—”

  “Silly is the last word I’d use for how you look right now. Amazing would be my choice.” The strapless dress showed off her shapely shoulders and arms. And bust. It hugged her figure down to the waistline, where the skirt flowed out around her. She looked as regal as any noblewoman he’d ever seen. “You’re not wearing that for the dinner party?”

  “I think it’s too fancy, don’t you?” She stopped twirling, looking very confused. “You really think this looks nice on me?”

  “Not nice. Amazing. You’re beautiful in it. But you make that dress. Without you in it, it would just be another evening gown.”

  “That’s very kind. Thank you. I’ve never worn anything like this in my life.” Then she laughed as she glanced toward the closet. “I’ve never worn anything like most of those dresses in there.”

  “Vesta liked a certain style of clothing, that much I remember.”

  Theo nodded. “She definitely went for the flashy stuff. But I’ve never been a dress girl either. Which brings me back to this one. Don’t you think this is too formal? What are you going to wear for the dinner?”

  He hadn’t thought about it really. “I guess a suit with a dress shirt? No tie. That would be too formal. So yes, the dress would be, too.” Such a shame. She needed to be seen in that dress. Seen and admired. Maybe he should host something grander than a dinner party.

  Had there ever been a ball in Shadowvale?

  She frowned at the closet. “That’s what I figured. It’s fine. There’s a lot in there, and I have a few other things that will probably work. Like I said, I just couldn’t resist trying this on. Especially because it still had the tags on it.” Her brows lifted conspiratorially. “Do you have any idea how much this dress cost? I probably shouldn’t have it on at all.”

  “No idea. Vesta spent money like the kingdom had an unlimited supply.” Which was almost true. The kingdom was wealthy enough because of their mines, much like Shadowvale, but that didn’t require Vesta to spend it all. Ruling responsibly was apparently not her style. Shocking, that.

  Theo’s voice was low and serious. “Nine thousand dollars. And that was twenty years ago.”

  His brows lifted. “That is quite a sum. Chances are it was given to her, however. Lots of those clothes were.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded. “That’s how being royal works sometimes.”

  “So those who need the least are given the most.” She rolled her eyes. “That’s just great.”

  “Well, the dress is yours now.” He couldn’t imagine another woman in it. No other woman could do justice to it the way Theo did.

  For a moment, she looked shocked. Then she spoke. “Thank you. But what on earth will I do with it? I don’t have any place to wear a dress like this.”

  “Wear it for
a stroll in the garden for all I care, but it’s yours. When you look like that in something, you should have it. And that’s that.” But already, a new idea was percolating in his head. If this dinner party went well, there was no reason not to attempt something bigger and grander.

  He sat on the bench at the end of the bed. It was the same hideous white velvet as the headboard. “Now, if you’re not going to wear that to dinner, what do you think might work?”

  Her brows lifted. “You want to see the dresses I’m considering?”

  He sat back, resting his elbows on the bed. “If you want to show them to me, I’d be happy to have a look.”

  Her smile broadened. “Okay. Give me a few minutes to change.”

  She disappeared into the depths of the closet. A short time later, she reappeared in a heavily embellished green number.

  He took a moment to choose his words carefully. “I like the color. And the dress fits you very nicely. But…” He waved his finger at the gold braiding that looked like some kind of wayward sea creature attempting to devour her neck. “That’s a lot.”

  “Yeah, I know. It needs some decluttering. Most of them do.” She spread her arms. “Otherwise, it’s not too bad. Thankfully, most of the sizes are compatible.” She glanced down at the simple black pumps she had on. “And some of the shoes are too small, but I’ve found a few pairs that work.”

  “You know,” he said, “you would look good in a flour sack.”

  With a little laugh, she put her hands on her hips. “Maybe I should see if Mrs. Applestock has one.”

  He grinned. “She might. But how about you try the next dress on instead?”

  They spent another hour or so like that, and he would have been willing to stay longer, watching her parade out in Vesta’s abandoned things. The queen had never looked as good in them, and in the end, Robin gave all of it to Theo. Not just the things she’d tried on, but everything that Vesta had left behind.

  He put her in charge of getting rid of it, too. Whatever she didn’t want, she was to let Mrs. Baton know it needed to be cleared out.

  “I can do that,” she said. “But would you mind if I let her, Lolly, and Mrs. Applestock have a look through, too? There might be something in here they could use.”

  “Lolly I could see, but Mrs. Applestock is a bit rounder and shorter, and Mrs. Baton is too tall and grumpy.”

  Theo laughed. “Grumpiness doesn’t affect size.”

  “No, but can you see her in any of those exuberant things?”

  “Not even remotely, but much like I plan to do, she might be able to remake some of them. And Mrs. Applestock might like a handbag or a hat. Possibly a blouse.”

  He shrugged good-naturedly. “Do whatever you like. It’s your project. When you’re not working on your lapidary lessons. Which start next week, by the way. I’ve set it all up with the local guild in town. Henry will drive you to their hall, and you’ll do your lessons there.”

  She took a breath and put her hand flat on her stomach. She was wearing a navy blue dress with giant red and pink silk flowers on it. “I can’t believe that’s actually happening. I’m so excited to get started. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Sir?” Elswood’s voice rang out in the foyer.

  “In here, Elswood.”

  The man came in. Not the briefest hint of curiosity showed on his face, but Robin had to assume he was wondering what was going on. After all, Robin hadn’t set foot on this side of the apartment in at least a decade. Probably longer.

  Elswood gave a short bow. “Dinner will be ready in an hour, sir. Does that suit you?”

  Robin hadn’t realized how late in the day it was already. “That’s fine, but I’d like it served in the family dining room this evening. Two place settings, you understand.”

  Something—whether it was the dinner’s location or the addition of a place for Theo—caused a modicum of a rise in Elswood’s brows. “I understand. Very good, sir. I’ll let Mrs. Baton know. Also, if I may?”

  “Go on.”

  “As per your suggestion, two new staff have been brought on. A second housekeeper and a footman. We may only need them part time, but Mrs. Baton and I thought it wise to at least get them trained and ready.”

  “That’s fine.” Robin looked at the mantel clock. The time seemed right. Baton must keep it wound. “We’ll be down for dinner in an hour.”

  Elswood nodded. “Very good.” Then he bowed and left.

  Robin made a note to remind the staff that he didn’t want them bowing to him anymore. But that could be done later. Right now, he had news to share. “Theo?”

  She popped out of the closet, back in her jeans and T-shirt. “Yes?”

  “You have about fifty-five minutes to put that ball gown and shoes back on and do whatever else you need to to get ready for dinner.” He stood. “I’ll meet you by the Gallow crest then. I have to get myself dressed, too.”

  “Is it dinner already? I feel like we just had lunch.”

  “That was almost five hours ago.”

  “Really? Time flies.” She made a face. “Wait a second. You want me to wear a ball gown to eat in the kitchen?”

  He smiled. “We’re not eating in the kitchen. We’re having dinner in the small dining room. Just you and me. In nice clothes.” He shrugged. “Why not?”

  She blinked twice before answering him. “All right. Fifty-five minutes.”

  * * *

  Dinner with Robin in a dining room sounded lovely.

  But she didn’t need fifty-five minutes to put that dress and those shoes back on. Maybe with the extra time, she’d do something with her hair. Maybe dig through the rest of Vesta’s stuff for some earrings or a bracelet. Both good ideas.

  Which didn’t explain why she was just staring at herself in the closet’s three-panel mirror. Was this a date? It sounded like a date.

  But no. Definitely not. She was Robin’s companion. He just wanted company for dinner. But that didn’t explain why she was putting on a ball gown and heels and why they were eating in one of the dining rooms.

  Because that bit sounded very much like a date.

  She’d gone on a date once. Three times, actually. All with Pinter Crossgrove, an apprentice fishmonger. He was, as her father had joked more than once, a good catch. Despite the fact that he was an apprentice, the shop was his father’s, so eventually he’d own it.

  Fishmongers made good money. Pinter was a decent-looking fellow and had nice manners. Plus he’d been able, as her father had also joked, to overlook Theo’s crabbiness. So she’d gone out with him, thinking she’d eventually get used to the constant scent of salt and sea.

  But Pinter had wanted a wife, and Theo couldn’t leave her father. Nor could she expect Pinter to take her father in, because that would mean taking on her father’s debts. Those burdens were hers and hers alone.

  So as nice as Pinter was, things between them had disintegrated quickly. All for the best, she’d told herself.

  But her inability to make things work with him somehow made her tarnished goods in the eyes of the other eligible men in town. At least those who’d been willing to put up with her attitude for a date.

  Or maybe they’d realized the truth about the breakup. Theodora Middlebright came with a heavy paternal burden.

  What man wanted that? None, apparently. And that realization had added to Theo’s bad attitude and bitter outlook. Her nickname had taken on new strength after her breakup with Pinter.

  Tonight was different, though. All Robin wanted was company. She could do that. And if things seemed to be going in the direction of a date, then she’d gently remind him that no matter what happened, she would leave in a year.

  Back to Limbo. Back to her father. Back to her life.

  In that moment, she understood perfectly what Robin had meant when he’d said this house had become his prison. He was bound by magic. She was bound by duty.

  Chapter Nineteen

  With that unpleasantness
still whirling through her head, Theo made herself put the magnificent dress back on. Then she slipped her feet into the simple black heels she’d found and went off to the bathroom to see about a brush.

  She found one in a drawer of other beauty utensils. Most of it, including the brush, looked unused. How long had Vesta actually lived here? Theo was starting to wonder. Maybe she’d ask at dinner.

  She dug around a little more and found a pair of jeweled hair clips. She perched on the vanity stool and did the best she could with her hair. She ended up with a couple of simple braids, pulled back and clipped together. Overall, a very nice effect. Certainly nothing like a lady’s maid or a hairdresser could have pulled off.

  More searching and she came up with some cosmetics, again almost all untouched. She broke the seal on a few and found them in decent shape even after so much time. She didn’t want much anyway. Just a touch of liner and a swoop of sparkling gray over her lids. The cake mascara worked fine after wetting the brush, and the rouge, something she barely touched, was enough after one swipe.

  The pot of sheer silver glitter was open and a little messy, but that didn’t stop her from dabbing the slightest bit of it along the points of her ears. She turned her head side to side in the mirror. Maybe she didn’t need earrings after all.

  Finally, she found a sealed pot of rose gloss for her lips, and she was done. She’d never imagined a day would come when she’d be wearing the queen’s clothes, shoes, and makeup.

  She wondered what her mother would think. Probably have a good laugh. Then tell her to have fun.

  Theo touched the starstone-and-emerald necklace. “I plan to, Mama.”

  Surprisingly, her fifty-five minutes were almost up. She stood, gathered her skirts, which made the loveliest rustling sound when she walked, and headed for the foyer to meet Robin.

  He was already there. And so handsome, her breath caught in her throat. In his dark suit and steely blue shirt, he looked every inch the warrior king.