Beauty's Cursed Beast

by Mary E. Twomey

  Belle smiled politely and took his coat, hanging it on Thomas’ arm. She was sad to see the coatrack stuck in an immobile prison, but tucked away her melancholy for the moment. “Slightly smaller than spiders, though not by much. It’s good to see you again, your majesty,” she said with a curtsey.

  Henry put on formal airs to match hers, only he added a slightly snobbish stuffiness to his tone. “Ah, yes. Good to see you again, too, Lady Belle.” When he took Belle’s hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it, Adam snarled at his friend.

  “Paw at your own date. Leave mine be.”

  Henry straightened at the threat, a wide, wicked smile claiming his face. “Your date, eh? And here I thought she was the housekeeper who transformed this crypt into a livable space.”

  “You’re a housekeeper?” Henry’s date asked, the corners of her mouth lifting with hope.

  “I am,” Belle said proudly, her chin lifting as Henry looked around at the vast difference in the castle since the last time he’d been over. “Belle. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Ella. This place is amazing.” The blonde beauty with a heart-shaped face and delicate features blinked at Belle, her shyness keeping her tight to Henry’s side.

  “She’s not the housekeeper,” Adam argued, his brows lowering.

  Belle turned her head to him, her lips pursed inquisitively. “I’m not?”

  Adam huffed. “Well, I guess technically you are, but I don’t like the way he said it.”

  Henry frowned. “And how did I say it?”

  “Like she’s... Stop doing this thing, and being your way. You’ve only been in the castle a minute, and it’s already taxing.” It wasn’t until Belle touched the small of his back that Adam realized how caustic his words were. His shoulders slumped as his body angled toward her. “Maybe that was harsh.”

  Belle tilted her head up at him. “Maybe?”

  “I think I might be nervous,” Adam admitted.

  Belle didn’t scold him, but rubbed her hand in slow circles over the back of his hips, loosening his grip on his acerbic nature.

  “Don’t be nervous, old boy. I’m very handsome, but approachable. My PR people tell me so all the time.” Henry didn’t take offense, but offered Belle a wink. “This should be fun.” He waggled his eyebrows at Ella to make her laugh.

  Belle smiled at him, her hands clasped in front. “You’re just as I remember you. Prince Charming, indeed.”

  “Yes, well, he farts every time he drinks beer, and he’s a terrible driver,” Adam groused.

  “I was only joking, Adam. What use would I have with your date when I brought one of my own? This is my Ella.”

  The woman beside Henry was stunning. She had bright blue eyes and long, blonde lashes to match her wavy locks. While Henry looked as if he belonged with the rich and famous, his date’s nervous expression looked like she was worried she might not belong in a setting like this. Though, she certainly looked the part. Her ballgown had a white bodice with a baby pink flowing skirt, boasting of expensive material that Ella wore like a model. There was one glaring problem – Ella was clutching a tissue and sneezed three times upon entry. Her eyes were lightly rimmed with pink, cluing Belle in to the fact that the woman wasn’t quite recovered from a bad cold.

  Belle smiled kindly at Ella. “Are you alright? I can make you some tea. Looks like you had an eventful week.”

  Ella’s gaze locked in on Belle’s with a hopefulness that someone understood that some things were too painful to examine up close. The woman didn’t appear bothered by her cold, but seemed to have a greater cloud of doom behind her that wouldn’t go away with a little over-the-counter medicine. “It was. I’m hoping to have fewer of those in the future. I’m fine, though. Thank you.”

  Though Belle didn’t know the woman, she took a chance and stepped forward, foregoing a handshake and wrapping the stunned woman in a hug. “I hope that for you, too. I’m a nurse, if I can be of any help.”

  Ella’s shock melted under Belle’s sweetness, her chin resting on Belle’s shoulder. There were a few beats where the girls exhaled their nerves without speaking of the things that were clawing at their insides. Finally, Ella pulled back with emotion sparkling in her eyes, but it refused to fully surface. “Now I’m glad I’m here. I think I was a little anxious before that,” Ella admitted, her shoulders straightening.

  Henry threw his arms in the air. “That’s all it took? I could’ve hugged you.”

  Ella and Belle exchange a quiet smirk that bonded them quicker than either of them anticipated. Then Ella reached out her hand and shook Adam’s with the hearty grip of the working class, and not the reserved featherlight touch of the upper-crust. “Amazing place you’ve got here. It’s nice to meet you.”

  Belle shifted the red cloak Simone had made her, moving the fur-lined cap back so it didn’t tickle her neck. The heavy cloak concealed the dress she was to wear that night for dancing; she was too nervous to show it off. It was so fancy, so ornate. So very far above anything she could’ve afforded on her own. She kept the gown tucked inside the red velvet, hoping she could get away with wearing it the whole night.

  Rory wanted in on the hugs and instant friendship the moment she stepped over the threshold. Though she was demure to the point of looking pale and frail, she greeted Belle with a hug and a kiss to both her cheeks. “I’ve so wanted to meet you. Anyone who can get Adam to…” She seemed to catch herself, and straightened, pulling out of the hug with a smile. “I’m so glad you’re in his life, which means you’re also in mine.”

  Belle let out a nervous breath. “Thank you.” She shook Cordray’s hand, noting his gloves. Though she knew Rory’s husband was on the pill that muted his magic, he still wore black driving gloves just to keep his Lethal abilities in-check. “It’s nice to meet you, sir. Congratulations on your wedding.”

  “Thanks.” Cordray glanced around the foyer and whistled, scratching at his ebony forearm absentmindedly. “Wow. This is a far sight better than it was the last time I was here. It’s like a whole different castle.” He glanced over his shoulder twice, and then moved to the side, as if he was afraid someone might sneak up behind him. He shut and bolted the door, just in case.

  Belle had read the paper and knew all about how Cordray Phillips had been abducted to keep him from waking Aurora Johnstone with true love’s kiss. He’d been tortured, kept in isolation, and who knows what else by Malaura and her band of rogue Lethals. Though it had been almost a year, Belle wondered if a prisoner ever truly lost that dodgy, caged look after going through such trauma.

  Adam took the rest of the coats from Belle and hung them on Thomas. “I hope you’re hungry. Belle outdid herself.”

  Belle took the compliment with a slice of guilt, since she hadn’t had a hand in preparing the night’s dinner at all. Adam couldn’t credit Chef Bouche, so Belle took the praise with a humble downward turn of her chin, making a mental note to pass along the kind words to the chef in the morning.

  Rory’s eyes were wide as she moved out of the foyer, her grand gray ballgown swishing behind her as she walked on her husband’s arm toward the dining room. “I can’t believe it. I mean, I’ve always known this place was stunning, but I guess I played down the details over the years. I barely remember the chandelier without all the cobwebs. I’ve been imagining it hot pink in my mind.” She stared up at the elaborate fixture and shrugged. “I guess gold is better.”

  “You saw this place before Adam’s curse?” Ella asked, causing Belle and Adam to stiffen. She drew to Adam’s side, her arm looping through his as a sign of solidarity while the others walked ahead, listening to Henry and Rory tell the story of the last grand party that was held in the castle.

  The four talked while Belle kept her steps measured next to Adam. “Please, Adam,” she whispered. “Let me try to break your curse.”

  Adam patted her fingers that were latched to the crook of his elbow. “Not another word about it, Belle. I’m serious. Tonight, my curse doesn’t exist.
I don’t want to be the beast. I just want to be the man in a tux who’s lucky enough to have the most beautiful woman in the world on his arm.”

  Belle’s frustration melted at the sweet compliment. “Thank you. But this conversation is not over.”

  He laughed through his nose. “That you think you’re more stubborn than me is simply adorable.” He smirked at her bristling. “That cloak is to wear outdoors, you know. Let me see your dress. Give a man something to rush through his meal for.”

  Belle shook her head, a slow smile spreading across her face. “Not a chance. It’s too fancy. I feel like someone’s going to think I stole it or something. Or worse, I’ll spill something on it and Simone will murder me in my sleep.”

  Adam frowned down at her. “When will you understand that you deserve the finest things life has to offer?”

  Belle shrugged, not noticing that the others had stopped talking, and were listening in on their hushed conversation. “When will you understand that the finer things mean nothing to me compared to you?”

  Adam stroked the golden gloves that covered her hand. He’d specified to Simone that Belle should wear gloves, just in case Cordray forgot his. “Don’t think I don’t know what Simone is trying to do, dressing you in the red cloak. She’s reminding us that there’s hope. That after I turn, you’ll remain with me. The girl in the red cloak, with her wolf by her side.”

  “You know I won’t leave you. Stop breaking my heart with this kind of talk.”

  “It’s only fair, since you’ve stolen mine.”

  At Rory’s small intake of breath, Adam straightened, reminding himself that their conversation may not have been quiet enough to escape eavesdropping. It was the longest Henry had ever been silent.

  When they entered the dining room, Belle was enraptured at the trouble the staff had gone to for the meal. The finest china had been broken out, polished and laid out with too many forks to indicate several courses to the meal. Lucien was standing in the center of the table, frozen, but able to take in every bit of conversation to dissect to the others later. Bosworth had set himself on the shelf in the corner, his face looking out at them so he didn’t miss a detail. Belle inclined her head to them both as Adam escorted her to her place at the foot of the table.

  Henry’s eyes widened, and he glanced at Rory with barely contained glee when Adam pulled out Belle’s chair for her, and slid it beneath her when she sat. They watched as he brushed her fingers before taking his place at the head of the table. He caught her gaze and winked, brushing a furious blush through her cheeks.

  The salad course was served, and the six made polite chit-chat once Henry and Rory muscled through their utter shock.

  “This place is magnificent in the fall,” Henry told Ella as he ate. “Adam can actually enjoy his castle. You can explore the grounds and do whatever you like, unlike my palace, which has a full staff, guards, and far too many rules.”

  “It’s beautiful,” Ella agreed. “I bet cleaning it is a full-time job, though. Do you use one of those extenders on your duster for the ceilings? They’re so much higher than a normal home.” Then Ella clamped her mouth shut, as if she’d said something damning. Henry touched her arm, brushing his fingers across her palm to calm her nerves.

  Belle shrugged. “Actually, the duster’s got a double extender. Good eye.” It was true. The castle did have one, but Vivienne did most of the areas she couldn’t reach, so the extender hadn’t been put to much use. “It’s not so bad. Once I make my way through all the rooms, it’ll just be upkeep, which is the usual dusting and sweeping and whatnot. I’ve already finished with the first floor.”

  “It’s never looked so amazing,” Rory offered with kind eyes. “You really outdid yourself. Henry mentioned that you’re a nurse. Is that right?”

  Belle nodded as she speared a tomato. “I was a housekeeper through nursing school. Then when I graduated, I did mostly in-home care. Adam’s castle is a dream job.”

  When the doorbell chimed, Belle looked to Adam, who frowned. “Excuse me,” he said as he stood. “I’m not sure I’m expecting anyone.”

  When he left the room, Cordray leaned toward Belle and talked with his fork. “Okay, what’s Adam’s deal? The last time I saw him, I had to electrocute him to keep him from attacking.”

  “That’s not the whole truth, Cord. Jeez,” Henry muttered. “We showed up with an unconscious Rory. Of course Adam flipped his lid. We handled the whole thing wrong.”

  “Still, did you see him push in her chair? Are you two…” Cordray made a crude gesture with his hands that Rory gasped at. She covered his fingers with hers and blurted out a string of apologies. “What? It’s not like we all weren’t thinking it. When was the last time you saw Adam so calm? He’s doing something different, that’s for sure.”

  Henry shook his head. “I’m trying to think back to the last time I saw him in anything other than pajamas. Did you finally get him to take his meds? We’ve been on him for years about it.”

  Belle took her time chewing the mushroom from her salad, hoping she could get away with not answering them at all. “I can’t really discuss a patient’s treatment with non-family members. Adam’s doing great because he’s a good man. He just needed a little push. He gets dressed every day now, and he’s not as angry because there’s less to be angry about.” Belle hoped they would accept this as the whole truth.

  Henry and Rory leaned in with a slight eagerness to their teasing tones. “You’re sure there’s no other reason he’s done a complete one-eighty?” Henry asked, implying all sorts of things.

  “You’ll have to ask him about that.” Belle kept her eyes on her plate, embarrassed that they could see her crush plain as day.

  Henry whistled and then chuckled at Belle, pointing at her cheeks. “Look at that! She’s blushing! Oh, there’s definitely something there that wasn’t there before. I see it. Deny it all you want, but I know Adam, and he’s never played the role of the gentleman.”

  Belle straightened and tried to change the conversation. “So Ella, where are you from?”

  “Out of town,” she replied evasively.

  “I’m from the West Village,” Belle offered, knowing that her lowly zip code would soften the stigma that you had to be born with a fortune to be accepted around their table.

  “I hear there’s a fantastic ice cream shop there.”

  Belle nodded. “I’m glad you’re here. You too, Rory. Adam’s wonderful, but it’s nice to have a couple of women in the castle. Brightens up the place.” When Cordray and Henry guffawed, feigning their affront, Belle smiled and amended, “You guys are lovely, too.”

  Henry shot Belle a sulky look. “Wouldn’t hurt you to say it once in a while.”

  The five finished the salad course, and when Belle announced that she was going to bring out the soup course, Ella rose from her chair. “I’ll help you.”

  “No,” Henry ruled with sudden seriousness that was uncharacteristic on his usually playful features. “You are not the help here.”

  Belle raised her eyebrow, but said nothing to his odd statement. Ella’s unpolished, short nails matched her own. She had the look of playing dress-up in her fine gown, with a quiet out-of-the-way demeanor that looked as though she was trying to fit in without raising any suspicion that she never would. When Ella made to help with serving dinner without being asked, Belle knew that Henry was dating a woman who was far below his station in life. The way he was attuned to her every movement, making concessions every time she shifted in her seat, told Belle that the prince was very taken with the sweet Ella.

  Belle was giddy over the prospect of something incredible happening for Henry. He’d stuck by Adam for years when he’d been off the rails and lost in hermit-dom. That Henry was willing to risk the king’s possible disapproval meant that Ella must be something special, and Belle reasoned that the prince deserved something special.

  Belle served up the soup, still with no sign of Adam. She wanted to excuse herself, but the lively c
onversation detailing Rory and Cordray’s wedding was in full swing.

  “Of course I was her Maid of Honor. Are you suggesting there’s anyone more beautiful than me to strut down the aisle?” Henry said to Belle, tossing his imaginary locks over his shoulder. “Rory and Adam are my best friends. I would do anything for them.”

  When it was time to bring out the main course, Belle took a chance and jumped on the opportunity to talk to the girl in private, since Adam was till tending to the visitor. “Rory, would you help me in the kitchen?”

  “Of course,” she replied with a gracious smile.

  “I can help, too,” Ella offered.

  Henry’s smile fell and his jaw tightened. “No, you won’t. For one night, Ella. Please. It’s my turn to plan it all, and this is what I want.”

  “You want me to be unhelpful? You know that’s not me.”

  “I want you to believe that you’re good enough to sit at the table with me. I want you to know what it feels like to let other people be kind to you. Belle wants to be generous to us, so let her. Stay with me, Ella. Please.”

  Cordray shot his wife a look that was filled with a glimmer of sadness at things that might just be unfixable in Ella’s interpretation of the world, to which Rory offered a bob of her head, and then went into the kitchen with Belle.

  27

  The Serious Nature of Girltalk

  As soon as they were alone, Rory touched her forehead in confusion. “I don’t know what’s stranger – the fact that Adam’s acting like a gentleman, or that Henry’s finally seemed to have grown up. You and Ella both must have some deep-rooted magic in you.” Rory commented as she leaned against the counter.

  “If only it was as easy as murmuring a simple spell.” She pulled a pan from the oven and set it on the stove, running her hand over the backsplash to let Chef Bouche know that just because he couldn’t speak didn’t mean she couldn’t see him. “There’s something about Ella that… I can’t put my finger on it. Is she alright?” Belle’s Pulse often imbibed her with a wave of Discernment without her meaning to call upon the gift.