Beauty and Her Beast

"Come in," Lord Beauchamp's deep, gravely voice said from the shadows.

Trembling in fear, Anna moved into the center of the room and waited for whatever was coming.

"Do I frighten you?" the voice asked.

"Yes," she breathed, her whole body visibly shaking now.

"Why?" he asked, "I've done nothing to give you reason."

"Nothing?" she laughed, unable to stop herself. "I've been taken away from my family, been told I'm useless, and then brought to you even after you made it clear my very presence displeases you."

Unable to say more, Anna dissolved into tears, hugging herself to try and find some comfort in herself.

"Leave me," the voice in the shadows said softly.

Without a backward glance, Anna ran from the room leaving Agnes to catch up to her on the way to her room.

Anna woke the next morning to find that all of the fine clothes and shoes that she’d shunned the day before were replaced with dresses that we simpler in style, gone were the precious stone and pearls, but still made from fine fabrics, and sturdy leather shoes instead of the silk slippers.

She wasn’t sure if it was meant to be a punishment or if Lord Beauchamp was acknowledging her personal tastes, but she was grateful for the change.

Dressing and braiding her hair, she hummed happily seeing her reflection. She was herself again.

At breakfast she ate heartily enjoying not only the food, but the strong tea that was served with it.

Entering the study that morning, Anna’s smile was radiant.

“Before I read this morning,” she said effusively to the dark corner as she swept into the room, ”I want to thank you for changing my clothes.”

“It was nothing,” Christian said, intrigued by how happy she was by having the fine clothes he’d given her replaced with something so plain.

“No sir,” Anna replied, her hands clasped over her heart, “it does mean something.”

“Please,” Christian interrupted, uncomfortable with her gratitude, “it is unimportant. Just pick a book and read.”

Inspired by his kindness, Anna took time choosing what to read. She finally settled on a collection of Shakespeare’s sonnets and settled into the window seat to read.

Christian watched and listened to her, the words washing over him in wave after wave of sensation. Her voice was pleasant and she read the verses in a steady tempo that soon he’d lost track of time.

It wasn’t until she’d reached the thirty-fifth verse, and her throat was dry that she paused in her recitation.

“Should I keep reading, sir?” Anna asked, looking toward his darkened corner.

“No,” Christian sighed, coming out of his reverie. “You’ve spent enough time with me this morning.”

“Would you mind if I take the book with me?” Anna asked, rising from her seat. “Or would you like me to save the rest to read this evening?”

“It doesn’t matter to me,” Christian replied, annoyed with himself for actually enjoying her company. “Take it if you like.”

“Thank you” she replied, clutching the book to her chest.

“Good day, my lord,” she continued, giving a deep curtsy.

As Anna opened the door, she paused and looked back.

“Have a good day sir,” Anna said softly.

Crestfallen when he didn’t reply, Anna curtsied once more to the corner and left the room.

“Were things better today, my lord?” Agnes asked, entering the study carrying his lunch tray before the door had even closed behind Anna.

“I think so,” he sighed, looking out the window. “Anna was almost overjoyed that I took her elaborate dresses away. She looked so much more at ease in the simple cut.”

“I believe she felt more herself in it,” Agnes replied, taking an empty seat.

“Such an odd girl,” Christian sighed, picking at his plate. “What happened to the women who like satin and silk?”

“I don’t think she’s ever had any experience with such finery,” Agnes explained. “She mentioned that most of her life she’s been treated like a servant instead of a member of the family.”

“Damn,” her master cursed, slamming his fist on the tabletop. “That bastard had three daughters and he sent me the most useless of them.

“I should find him and rip his throat out,” he finished, his mouth foaming in in rage.

“Do you really think either of his other daughters would have suited you better?” Agnes asked, unperturbed by his outburst. “What makes you think you would have liked any of them better?”

Rising, Agnes left without another word leaving Christian alone with his own thoughts. There had been no reason to tell him she was going, she could see by the look on his face that he was deep in contemplation and had no wish to discuss things further.

Christian stayed in his seat, thinking of the way the sunlight had shown that Anna’s hair wasn’t just brown. He’d seen hints of reds, bronze and even copper as her head moved slightly while she read.

Even pinned in those ridiculous braids he could see how lovely she’d be if she let her hair hang loose around her shoulders.

Sighing, he shook himself free of his imaginings and moved around the room feeling a need to be doing something, anything.

Standing at the window he saw Anna walking through the gardens, a shawl pulled tightly around her shoulders, a basket hanging from her arm.

Curious, Christian hurried through the manor wanting to see what she was planning on doing.

No doubt she was off to pillage his jeweled garden just like her thieving father.

Instead he found her sitting on a bench one of the servants had moved into the lavender grove reading the book she'd taken with her when she'd left him that morning, a small picnic laid out next to her.

Seeing a small clump of goldencrests hopping on the ground at her feet he watched her speak softly to them before crumbling bread from her own meal and tossing it on the ground for them.

Soon the birds were landing on her hand, eating contentedly from her palm while she chatted with them.

Leaning further forwards, trying to hear what she was saying, Christian lost his balance and fell tearing branches from the bush he'd been hiding behind.

Suddenly the birds took flight, frightened by the noise he'd made.

Christian watched the joy on Anna's face as she watched them fly away, free.