Deceit: A Beauty and the Beast Novel (18 page)

Blushing, I sat on the bed.

“Sir?” I called after a few moments. “It’s
cruel to lock me in my room without telling me what I did wrong. I
thought...what we did...” I sighed, suddenly uncomfortable with the
thought that I may have asked him to do something he hadn’t wanted
to do.

“I apologize if I insisted on something that
wasn’t appropriate.”

A mist filtered into the room, blocking out
all light.

“Is this really necessary? We are capable of
talking, aren’t we?”

Just as quickly as the mists came, they
left. Next to me on the bed, lay a tray stocked with food, drink,
books, and a letter.

Dearest,

You did nothing wrong nor is there any need
to apologize. I’m asking you to stay in your room for your safety
while I work in the study on estate business. If you have further
suggestions for distraction, please speak them aloud. I will need
them.

Please refrain from hanging out windows
unclothed. It upsets me.

Forever your servant.

I finished reading with a small smile.

“The ledgers and records are a fount of
knowledge as are the books in the library. These lands used to be
productive beyond the growth and sales of flowers. I think that is
why there are so many books on farming and such.”

Picking up a book, I reclined on the bed and
settled in to read.

* * * *

He left me in my room for three days. The
relaxed ease I felt after he had tasted me quickly disappeared
until I paced my room in agitation.

“This afternoon is my sister’s wedding
feast,” I called, looking out the window at the colorful dawn. I
felt like throwing something again. Instead, I marched over to his
door and kicked it.

“You said I could go. You promised to
provide me with everything I needed.”

When I turned around, the large tub from the
laundry sat near the end of my bed. Curls of steam drifted up from
the water. Marching over to it, I slid in with a hiss and quickly
washed, using the hair oil from Ila.

A towel rested on the edge of the tub when I
opened my eyes. Rising from the water, pink from the heat, I
toweled my skin. My mood improved only slightly with the bath.

I walked to the wardrobe and opened it.
Inside waited a single dress, exquisite in its simplicity. On the
floor was a pair of matching slippers. No underclothes were
present.

I lifted the gown over my head and let the
delicate material drift down my arms and body. It fit perfectly,
but I frowned at the scooped neckline and the puckered outline of
my nipples through the fabric. Though the material was not
see-through, it was so fine it hardly seemed appropriate. Yet, he
had given me no other options.

The door to my room unlatched and creaked
open. I quickly stepped into the slippers and drifted to the
door.

The hallway stood empty. Disappointed, I
made my way to the kitchen and opened the outer door. Just outside,
Swiftly waited. Again, there was no sign of the beast. It was so
unlike him to allow me to leave without saying farewell and asking
for assurance that I would return. Yet, given our last encounter, I
understood his reason for staying away and applauded his progress
in self-denial and control.

Swiftly quickly knelt, his ears flicking
forward and back in apparent agitation. I smoothed a hand along his
neck and mounted, wondering at his mood. However, his huff as my
bare bottom settled on his back with only the skirt separating us
wasn’t a mystery.

“Sorry,” I whispered. The creature shook his
head and set off.

I rode straight to the Sisters. I needed
help with my hair and assurances about the dress. Even though they
didn’t wear clothes, I trusted they knew what was fashionable.

Ila met me at the door with a wide
smile.

“You look stunning. For your sister’s
feast?”

I nodded as I drank down the tea.

“Come to my room, I will do your hair.”

Sitting on Ila’s dressing stool, I relaxed
as she wove my hair into several beautiful, twisting braids.

“Everyone there will forget your sister is
the focus of the evening,” Ila said, tucking the last braid. I
smiled at her compliment and hoped Bryn would have no issue with my
appearance...or Father’s.

“Is Father here?”

“He asked not to work today. You will find
him at home.”

Standing, I hugged her and thanked her for
her help. Before I left, I looked back over my shoulder.

“Is it too daring?” I asked, letting the
uncertainty I felt show. “The dress?”

“The dress is beautiful, as are you,” she
assured me.

I glanced down at my breasts. Though the
material was not transparent, I could still see details, not in
color, but in shape.

“I don’t want to shame my father,” I said
softly.

She smiled sadly and walked me to the door.
Just behind it rested a fine black cloak that complemented the
silver of the dress. “Here. Take this for today, until you feel
comfortable. You will see that your dress is not so unusual.”

I thanked her with yet another hug and
placed the cloak around my shoulders before walking to my father’s
home. He answered the door with a happy smile. Thankfully, Bryn and
Blye were both absent.

“I’ve been waiting for you.” He pulled me
into a tight hug. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’m sorry I left before we could speak,” I
said, referring to my last visit. He waved off my apology and
motioned for me to sit. I kept my cloak on, but he didn’t
comment.

“How have things been for you?” I asked,
noting his healthy weight and complexion.

“I enjoy teaching the sisters,” he said
openly. “They are kind and gentle.”

“And Bryn and Blye?”

He sighed.

“They are well but have learned where I
teach. Blye has moved into a small room above the seamstress’s
shop, and Bryn is staying with Dana, Edmund’s cousin, until the
wedding.”

“What a relief,” I said with an impish
smile. “Finally, you can eat your own food and relax in your own
home.”

He nodded, but a sad smile crossed his
face.

“If only he would release you to come back
home.”

His comment caused an odd pang because, even
for my father, I didn’t want to leave the beast. Over the course of
our weeks together, he’d won my affection; and through his progress
to becoming a better man, he’d won my respect.

“The baker mentioned his visit,” I said,
changing the subject and pushing thoughts of the beast from my
mind. “He said he spoke to you about several options if I didn’t
want to be a maid anymore.”

“He offered for your hand.”

I made a face, and he nodded.

“I know your feelings about the man and told
him I could not accept his offer. He insisted I speak with you of
his wealth and the position he would guarantee you.”

The image of Sara on the dough table rose in
my mind, and I knew with certainty that he offered a position I
would not like.

“His wealth makes no difference in my
aversion of the man,” I said.

Father agreed, and we chatted for several
hours before he asked if I was happy.

“I am, and will be even more so if you
accompany me to the feast.”

“I don’t think I have a choice.” He stood
and fetched a box and letter. He handed me the letter.

Guard your daughter carefully in my absence.
She must return to me before sunset.

It bore the same seal the beast had used
before. I looked up as Father opened the box. Inside rested a
dignified suit coat, crisp shirt and neck cloth, and new pants to
match. I smiled at the beast’s thoughtfulness.

“When did this arrive?” I asked.

“Three days ago.”

I insisted Father go dress. While I waited,
a rapid tap sounded at the door. Opening it, I was surprised to see
Mr. Crow hopping around on the ground outside. A small white piece
of parchment was tied to his leg. I bent to remove it, ignoring his
squawking.

The heavy scrawl on the paper was almost
illegible with ink spills and rips where the beast had written too
forcefully.

Return at once.

I turned the paper over, but the other side
remained blank.

“I don’t understand,” I whispered to Mr.
Crow.

He tilted his head at me and hopped forward.
His beak gently worried my dress.

“He agreed I could go. He sent my father
clothes. He can’t ask me to return before the ceremony. Assure him
I will return before sunset. I will keep my word.”

The crow cawed loudly then took flight.

Closing the door, I waited for my father to
emerge.

“You look so dapper,” I said when he
did.

He grinned at me and gave a little bow. No
one would find fault in his appearance; the jacket was fashionable
and fit him well.

“Let’s dine together,” he said, offering his
arm.

We strolled down the market street to a
small pub that served respectable families. Father offered to take
my cloak as he held out a chair for me. Not wanting to draw
attention, I surrendered it and quickly sat. When he took the chair
across from me, his eyes swept my dress.

“I understand his warning now,” he said.

I blushed and remained quiet. Though worry
shone lightly in his expression, I saw no real rebuke. Cautiously,
I glanced at the other women in the room. None wore a dress woven
as fine as mine, and I caught their envious stares. No one’s regard
held any censure.

After our meal, we made our way to the
Head’s home. In the backyard, many had gathered to see Bryn wed
Edmund. Near the back of the gathering, Father helped me from my
cloak and caught my nervous look.

“Head high, Bini. You are lovely.”

With his approval, I walked by his side to
our seats near the pretty flower arch where Bryn would say her
vows. Murmurs quieted as we passed. I kept a polite smile on my
mouth and held my father’s arm tightly.

Once we sat, we only had to wait a few
moments before a sweet soprano rang out in a merry song about
joining and love. When it quieted, the crowd turned to see Bryn and
her fiancé walking down the aisle toward the arch. The Head
followed them.

The simple ceremony didn’t last long, but
the well wishes and speeches took until the evening meal. I held
myself still through it all, even though I wanted to fidget and
shift on my seat to bring the blood and life back into my
buttocks.

Bryn glowed with happiness as she clung to
Edmund’s arm. He looked equally pleased.

Father and I rose and followed the new
couple from the Head’s yard to the public room where Dana hosted
the feast. I stopped to hug Bryn, bringing her attention to Father
and me for the first time. Her smile hardened at the sight of us,
but she did not turn away.

“I’m so happy you came. You look lovely,”
she said to me.

Then, she looked at Father and complimented
him on his handsome garb. I could see the calculation in her eyes
and suppressed a sigh.

Father and I sat and watched many others
pour through the doors. Bryn hadn’t lied about the merchants who
would attend. Many saw me sitting close to the bride and groom and
asked for an introduction. Their unwelcome attention just served to
irritate my sister further.

Finally, everyone sat and the meal began.
Course after course slowly emerged from the kitchen. There was a
time when I would have appreciated spending hours eating the
wonderful dishes set before me. However, I couldn’t find any joy in
this meal. Instead, I watched the shadows shift in the room as the
afternoon progressed.

With relief, I leaned toward Father when it
was time for me to go. He guessed my purpose before I spoke.

“It is time for us to take our leave,” he
said softly to my sister.

She paused in her conversation with a
merchant who had stopped to talk and nodded her farewell. It was
brief and uncaring.

I turned to Blye and gave her a hug,
whispering good-bye. At least Blye didn’t seem resentful of my
presence, though she didn’t speak to Father at all.

On our way to the door, several men of
influence stopped Father. He politely ended the conversation as
soon as he could, but the sun never paused its sinking progress.
When we finally reached the door, the golden orb hovered
dangerously close to the horizon.

“I must hurry,” I said, giving Father a hug
outside.

“I didn’t realize how late it was. Will you
be all right?” Father pulled back to look at me with concern.

“I’ll be fine.” I kissed his cheek and gave
him the cloak.

“Return this to Ila, please. Thank her for
me.” I turned away from him and called for Swiftly.

His hooves thundered nearby, then he was
kneeling before me. I quickly climbed up and clasped his mane.

“Good night, Father,” I said as Swiftly
stood. “I’ll see you soon.”

I leaned low over Swiftly as he turned and
galloped through the streets.

“Before the sun sets,” I said, encouraging
him to lengthen his stride.

The wind cooled my skin under my gown and
tugged at my hair. I kept an eye on the sun the length of the
journey. We made it through the gates just as the last light
faded.

The sight of the waiting, roiling cloud of
mist brought fierce joy to me. I’d missed him and hadn’t known it
until just then.

I slid from Swiftly and sent him away with a
pat on the neck. He shied around the mist while I walked straight
toward it.

“I’m going to fall and hurt myself,” I
said.

Suddenly, I was up in the beast’s arms,
cradled against his chest. I sighed and leaned my head against him,
content to close my eyes and run my fingers through his fur. I was
home.

He brought me into the kitchen and set me on
my feet. The continued silence and mist worried me.