Beauty and Her Beast

Christian was soon joining Anna in the garden daily, his time alone growing shorter and shorter.

He was surprised when one day she presented him with a cravat that she had stitched with such intricacy that he was at a loss for words.

“I know it’s not much,” she said as she handed it to him with a deprecating smile, “you could probably snap your fingers and twenty like it would appear, but sewing is one of the few things I’m actually accomplished at.”

“It’s very nice,” Christian replied, taking it gently so as not to tear it with his claws.

Seeing him awkwardly trying to put it on, Anna gave a soft musical laugh and rose to help him.

Reaching her arms around his wide neck, her body mere inches from him, Christian couldn’t help but breath in her scent. She smelled of lavender and book dust. It was an odd combination but he liked it on her.

Finally she managed to get the fabric to lay just right and quickly tied it into place.

“There,” she smiled, stepping back to look at him nodding her approval, “that looks very nice.

“I’m glad I guessed the measurements correctly,” she added, reaching out to tweek the fabric just a little. "I was afraid I'd gotten it wrong."

In return for her gift, Christian made her a pair of the softest calfskin gloves his magic could conjure and presented them to her with a pair of silver gardening shears and a new collecting basket.

She tried to return them, claiming they were too grand a gift for herself, but with gentle coaxing he managed to get her to accept and use them.

“If you are going to cut flowers, you need better shears than the ones you’ve been using,” he said, pushing them back as she held them out to him, “please, accept them. It’s the least I can give you.”

Soon, the entire manor was filled with the rich smell of flowers Anna had cut and arranged, and with them a new light seemed to shine in the entire dwelling. The servants smiled more, Agnes hummed as she worked, and the house itself felt happier. Everyone was positively affected by this new light.

On the sixth month anniversary of her arrival, Christian asked Anna to join him for dinner.

“I understand if you wish to continue eating alone,” he said, wishing he had the courage to look into her eyes, but afraid of what he would see there.

“No, no ” Anna exclaimed, excited by the idea of having someone to talk to during her meal. “I would love to join you.”

“Good,” he replied, his face beaming with excitement. “I will see you at seven then?”

“Yes,” Anna replied, barely able to contain her emotions. “I look forward to it.”

With a quick courtesy, she hurried up to her rooms, excited at the prospect of having a dinner companion. Pulling open her closet, Anna’s heart fell seeing the plain gowns. For the first time in her life she wished for a fancy silk or damask gown and jewels.

Sighing deeply, she fingered each one in turn trying to decide which one was nice enough for an intimate dinner with Christian.

Finally she settled on a deep blue dress with grey lace at the bodice. Laying it out on her bed, she pulled the cord for Melissa.

When the her maid appeared, Anna asked for her tub to be readied.

“I’m having dinner with Lord Beauchamp this evening,” Anna explained, barely able to hide her excitement, “and I’d like to bathe and wash my hair.”

“Of course ma’am,” Melissa replied with a quick courtesy.

In a flash of blue the large copper tub appeared filled with steaming, lavender scented water.

Still unhappy with the dress she’d chosen, Anna ran her fingers over the skirts.

“Is something wrong, ma'am?” her maid asked, moving to stand with her.

Anna sighed wistfully, “For the first time I’m wishing that I had kept at least one of the silk dresses I had when I first arrived. I want to look nice this evening, but the best I could find was this blue one.”

While she bathed, Melissa quickly snipped the grey lace off and replaced it with silver, her fingers nimbly stitching the replacement in place. She also added the same lace to the cuffs and hem.

When Anna saw the changes, she couldn’t believe her eyes.

“Melissa, it looks wonderful,” she exclaimed, amazed at the transformation.

“I know you prefer simple styles,” her maid replied, helping her put it on. “But nothing says simple has to be boring.”

“Thank you,” Anna said looking at herself in the mirror. “It makes such a difference.”

Hearing a knock on the door, Melissa left her long enough to let Agnes into the room before returning to dressing Anna's hair.

"I understand that you are dining with the master this evening," the older woman said, looking at Anna's reflection in the mirror.

"Yes, ma'am," Anna replied, her face glowing as she rose and kissed each woman on the cheek.

"I know you care fore jewels and other finery," Agnes said, reaching into a pocket hidden in the folds of her dress, "but I thought perhaps you would accept this."

The housekeeper held out a thin gold chain with a small gold rose set with a single sapphire.

"It's beautiful," Anna sighed, reaching out to caress it gently.

"Would you wear it tonight?" Agnes asked earnestly.

"I would love to," Anna breathed, turning so the older woman could place it on her neck.

"It's perfect," Agnes said, her hands clasped over her heart.

"Thank you," the young woman replied, kissing her on the cheek once more.

"You are more than welcome my dear," Agnes said, returning the kiss. "Enjoy your evening."

Melissa held open the door for her as Anna hurried to her dinner with Christian, her eyes seeking out the housekeepers.

Neither of them needed words to express how much the hope of everyone in the manor had for this young woman.