Beauty and the Beast (Faerie Tale Collection) (4 page)

Many times a day she would be drawn back to the peculiar short conversation with the wolf in the forest. Her memory would naturally settle on them both chuckling at one another and his soft wit and wry sarcasm. There was something strangely magnetic about the beast that drew her thoughts toward him far more than she was comfortable with. And yet, once she was away and had examined the incident with him more fully, she did believe truly—not just with jaded instincts—but truly believed, she could trust him. Which is perhaps what worried her most and kept her away from him, until now.

With shaking hands she placed her mother’s delicate pink rose upon the small boulder she had been sitting on the night she’d met the wolf. The sparkling sunlight broke through the leaves of the trees surrounding the brook and caressed the flower, causing it to glow upon the dark stone. It was simply beautiful, and looked to be a magical good omen of things to come.

Cecelia hastily hurried back toward the house. Her mother had invited another of her brother’s friends to dinner and she would have to change soon. She would have naturally dreaded the evening, but the promise of tonight, with the hope of a new friend, altered everything.

She wondered if he would really come.

CHAPTER FIVE

ALEXANDER WANDERED PAST THE rose without really noticing it at first. It was a couple of hours before nightfall, and he found himself pent up in the castle and needing to roam while he was still in his human form. Since he first saw Miss Hammerstein-Smythe sitting near the small stream, he had come here often. He made sure it was always during a time when the family would be sitting down to eat, so as not to disrupt her, but he enjoyed feeling the commonality of spirit with such a peaceful place.

The prince had often wondered how she was doing and if she still found the need to cry all alone. He’d nearly given up hope she would ever call for him so did not notice the flower at first. When his brain processed what it was he saw and recognized there was something out of place, he turned around and stared at the rose.

Alexander did not move for a full minute as he absorbed the fact the delicate pink petals and thorny stem were indeed in front of him. And then it hit.

She needed him! She had left the sign he’d asked her to.

With as much haste as possible, the prince sped back to the castle and put the rose in a vase with water. He was eager to do a lot for her, but what? He needed to think. He needed to plan and prepare. She required him. She required a friend. This was his chance to actually become a true companion as a wolf. If he could communicate and get someone to trust him as a beast, then it gave more optimism for the future than he dared hope for.

The fact this was a girl, who trusted him, was not lost on the prince either. However, he had seen his face in the looking glass as an animal enough to diminish any thoughts of her falling in love. He’d long given up that hope. There simply was not a woman in the world who could love such a hideous monster.

But it didn’t stop him from determining to help her in any way he could. To guarantee she see him as someone to depend upon. Someone who was good and kind and all things normal on this earth, if he could not give her his soul, then please allow her to see his true heart. Allow her to see he can be decent, there was some hope left, and that the witch was not wholly right.

If he could prove this to someone who desired his aid, perhaps there would be more he could do for others later. Much, much later.

***

While Prince Alexander was preparing for their upcoming meeting in anxious excitement and wonder, Miss Cecelia Hammerstein-Smythe was anything but excited. William’s friend, Mr. Velmayne, was as obnoxious and as proud of himself as all of her brother’s friends proved to be. He was more interested in sporting events and racing than the cares of those around him. She absolutely refused to be associated with idiotic buffoons. And he, in his brightly colored green and yellow waistcoat, pantaloons and jacket, with his ultra-high starched collars looked more of a buffoon than most.

By the time Cecelia saw Mr. Velmayne to the door, she was exceedingly eager to escape to her little brook. Any reservations she had about meeting the beast were long gone with the arrival of her brother’s friend. There was nothing she desired more than to vent out her frustrations to someone, anyone with a listening ear at this point.

She was desperate for a friend.

Once the family settled down for the night, and the house quieted, she slipped a gown back over her head, and fastened her boots. Fetching a woolen cape, she was quick to escape the confines of her home and make her way down to the stream. She wondered if the wolf would truly be there.

He was there, waiting for her, and reading a book in the moonlight, no less.

Cecelia was sure he could hear and smell her coming long before she made it close to him, but she decided to announce her arrival anyway. “Well, hello there! You did come and you’re reading.”

He smiled as well as a wolf could smile and said, “Well, of course I’m here. And did you not think I could read, then?”

She laughed, happy and pleased he continued to be as calm and surprising as he was before. “I’ve never given it a thought.”

“What?” He pulled back and shook his head. “You’ve never imagined a wolf reading before? I’m appalled.”

Cecelia spread her gown around the small boulder and sat down across the brook from him. “So is there anything else you can do that I should be aware of?”

“Miss, are you saying speaking and reading are not enough for my beastly form? I must now perform in other ways as well?”

“Yes.” She giggled, lifting her chin and looking down her nose at him. “Yes. I demand that you sing and dance as well.”

He grimaced teasingly and glanced back down at his book. “Let me assure you, my howling was not meant for ears as delicate and refined as yours.”

Cecelia leaned forward and put her elbows on her knees. “And your dancing?”

Alexander looked up, his eyes mischievously twinkling in the bluey-darkness. “Now my dancing is something else altogether.”

“Really?” Intrigued she wondered what a wolf looked like when he danced.

“Yes, really. Are you perhaps familiar with the expression, ‘two left feet’? Well, I have four—paws that is.” He waved one for emphasis while Cecelia laughed again.

She loved the charming maturity about him, so very different from William’s friends. They would’ve never admitted to any fault, and yet the wolf did not seem to mind at all. He simply set his paw down and continued to read.

Studying him for a moment she asked, “How do you turn the pages?”

“Very carefully,” came the mumbled reply, with his head still down.

“No, I mean honestly, how do you do it?”

He glanced up meeting her eyes briefly. “If you wait, in just a bit, I’ll show you.”

Cecelia waited. True to his word, less than a minute later, she watched as he used two paws, one to hold the book down on the grass and the other to bow the page and flip it over the other. It was utter brilliance.

“What are you reading?” she had to ask him, curiosity was killing her.

“Something for you. I’m trying to find a passage.”

“For me?”

“Yes.”

“But why?” She stood up and crossed over the little stream to where the wolf was and sat down next to him, peering over his shoulder.

“Because I thought you needed it, that’s why.”

“Ugh.” She nudged his side with her arm, relishing the soft fur that met her touch. “Are you always this obtuse?”

“Only when being harassed by impatient females.” When she smirked out loud, he added, “While I’m looking, will you do something for me?”

“I suppose so, as long as it doesn’t involve me chanting to the fairies.” Her hand trailed softly over his thick mane.

Cecelia felt the deep rumble in answer and knew he was trying to hide a chuckle. “Well, that spoils the plan then. Now what should I have you do instead?”

“I know. I could read what’s got you so captivated.”

“No, I have a better plan. How about you get comfortable while I search and you tell me what’s wrong and why you sent for me.”

She sighed and tucked her legs up further under her gown. “Does there have to be a reason? Couldn’t I just want your adoring company?”

The wolf looked up and over at her, she swore she saw his eyebrow rise. “Tell me what ails you, and then I’ll share what I’m searching for.”

“That’s blackmail!” She laughed, pretending to be scandalized.

“No, my dear, I prefer to call it an even trade. You tell me why you’ve forced me to sit here at all hours of the night. What would make a beautiful girl so desperate that she would call upon a scary beast for aid? And once this is revealed, I will then show you what I’ve brought to brighten your mood completely.”

Her heart dropped and her hand paused, hovering over his fur. Cecelia’s voice was much quieter when she asked, “Have I disturbed you? Do you not wish to be here, then? You don’t have to be. It is fine. I’m sure there are many other things you wish you could be doing right now.”

“Miss Hammerstein-Smythe, let’s get one thing straight.” Alexander looked right into her worried eyes. “There is no place I would rather be than right here with you at this moment.”

“Really?” She searched his features.

“Yes. Now stop stalling and tell me what’s wrong.”

CHAPTER SIX

CECELIA LEANED AGAINST THE wolf’s soft fuzzy shoulder. He felt so warm and wonderful. “Do you mind if I lay my head upon you?” she asked.

Alexander’s heart skipped a beat; she was beginning to trust him. He had to clear his throat before he answered in an even tone, “If it makes you feel more at ease, then by all means indulge yourself.”

She turned fully on her back against his thick coat and took in the great forest canopy above her, the stars and moonlight filtering in on little enchanting streams all around them. It was breathtaking and so tranquil. She needed this. She needed serenity more than anything right now.

After a little while of silent contemplation, she asked, “What is your name?”

“You’re stalling again,” came the mumbled reply.

“Do you have a name?”

He looked up from his reading, not really wanting to answer the question. “Miss Hammerstein-Smythe—”

“Cecelia. My name is Cecelia.”

His deep voice vibrated through her as he repeated the name. “Cecelia.” He liked the way it rolled off his tongue. It suited her.

“What’s yours?”

“I, uh—I don’t have one.” Alexander was quick to add, “That translates in a language you would understand, of course.”

“Oh.” She turned her head towards his. “Can I think of one for you?”

“After you tell me what’s wrong.”

She snorted a very unladylike snort and laughed. “Fine. You win. Where should I start?”

“At the beginning is usually best.”

Cecelia took a deep breath. “The beginning.” Her hands clinched the sides of her cloak. “Well, it’s not the finest story, I am sure.”

“It doesn’t have to be. All it has to be is your story. Now, tell me what happened, please.”

She took another deep breath and willed herself not to cry as she began, “It’s silly really. I must be the most silliest girl in all the kingdom.”

“And why is that?” the wolf prodded.

“Because I believed Lord Willington loved me and wanted to marry me.”

The imbecile broke her heart? Alexander froze, his ear twitched in agitation, but she did not notice.

“But he did not. He never planned to marry me. All those days, all those dances, all those letters we sent one another were for naught. While I was living in oblivious harmony, he—he was courting, truly courting, his intended—a lady five or ten times my consequence. They are to wed before the summer is over.” She paused and blinked back a few stubborn tears. “I feel so foolish. I do not know how it was I could have been so deceived. How could I ever believe he would look twice at me? Of course he would search higher for a bride! Of course he would find one to love who was so much more worthy of him than I.”

The beast dared not move, he dared not say a word. After a few moments of silence he was rewarded again with her frustrations.

“Do you know the most humiliating part? I thought—” her voice wobbled, “—I thought he was taking me out to propose. We all did. The whole village believed I would become the intended of Lord Willington when he took me driving in his open carriage. Except it was to announce his intentions to wed another, not me. I had no idea until that moment when he crushed all of my hopes and dreams in a matter of seconds. I did not let him see me as a watering pot, I held in my tears until much later that night. The night you found me all alone here. My world had ended that day. Everything and everyone I’d ever trusted dissolved in front of my eyes.

“I loved him enough to want him happy. I needed him happy, but at what cost? I would give anything to rewind the past and not allow my heart the freedom it so willingly took in attaching itself to Charles.”

Alexander’s chest was cold. He felt for the girl, but did wonder at her stupidity in choosing such a fop as Lord Willington.
The man was more ego than brains
—

The wolf’s thoughts ended abruptly when he realized he used to be just like the man who shattered Miss Hammerstein-Smythe. And five months ago, had he been so inclined, Alexander would have had no qualms in doing something in a similar fashion to her as well. In fact, hadn’t he been more cruel than most? He winced at the memory of their last meeting. She in the town hall aiding the pianist, who was to perform later that evening, with some salve for her arthritic hands, and he on an errand to deliver papers to the mayor and hoping to catch a quick word with him. Alexander had stumbled upon her quite easily enough; he was told the man had last been seen in the concert room. So when he interrupted Miss Hammerstein-Smythe rubbing the old woman’s hands gently he began to snigger—loudly.

Cecelia’s head had snapped up and she glared at him over the pianoforte. She was the only person who was not afraid to put him in his place. “Will you kindly reserve your usual lack of decorum for those who appreciate it?”