Beast and Beatrice

Chapter seven - Beatrice

  The sound of the door opening startled Beatrice out of a light doze. She hadn't intended to fall asleep, but with her hunger quenched, and nothing more to occupy her mind, she soon succombed to fatigue. That pallet looked so comfortable. She told herself she would only sit down and wait for her host to return. She sat with her spine against the cold stone wall, intending to remain vigilant. When her host returned, she wanted to be ready. She wanted answers and had every intention of obtaining them. But the warmth of the fire and her recent illness worked against her. She must have nodded off at some point.

  And now, apparently, he had finally chosen to return, catching her completely off guard. Beatrice jerked upright, clutching the rough grey blanket to her chest as she watched the huge man enter the room. From where she sat on the pallet, craning her neck to look up at him, he seemed to loom over her and she couldn't help feeling small and intimidated. Their eyes met for a moment before he turned away and dropped the load of wood he carried into the box beside the door. He then returned to pull the door shut and pivoted back to face her.

  She couldn't take her eyes off him. The man wore no shirt. His hair was wet and slicked back. Water dribbled from his beard down that broad, hairy chest and Beatrice felt her jaw drop in awe. The man was gorgeous. She had never in her life seen anything like this statuesque Adonis. No, not Adonis. More like Heracles. The man was simply massive. She couldn't help but admire all those manly muscles. Then she realized she was staring and, irritated with herself, she quickly forced her gaze away.

  Deciding she was at a disadvantage by remaining seated, she tossed aside the blanket and struggled to her feet. Not that this changed anything. The man still towered over her. She scowled, eyeing him suspiciously. Did he do that on purpose? Did he enjoyed making her uncomfortable by utilizing his massive size to his advantage or not. She couldn't decide. But, to be fair, the man could do nothing about his size. He was simply a big man.

  Nervous and uncertain, she folded her arms across her chest and shifted her weight from one foot to the other. As he continued to stand there, silently staring down at her, she desperately tried to gauge his mood. Was he a danger to her in any way? She just couldn't decide, and her gaze dropped to the floor. True, he watched her but his expression remained neutral. He did not seem to eye her covetously as Mr. Narwhal often did. Nor did he seem angry or even concerned.

  Thankfully, he kept his distance. Though she couldn't decide if that was in consideration of her obvious discomfort, or for some other reason. Perhaps he was simply guarding the door in case she should take a notion to escape. Still, he remained silent and it was beginning to fray her nerves. Finally, unable to bear the silence between them any longer, she began to babble.

"I thank you, Sir, for your generous hospitality. If you could please tell me where I am? I confess I have no memory of how I came to be here. It really is very disconcerting to wake and discover oneself in a strange place. I'm sure you understand." She paused, flicking a glance at him through her lashes, but when he gave no reply, she continued. "Not that your home is unpleasant. I'm certain it is quite comfortable. But I am equally certain you would prefer your privacy. I would be very glad to see myself home, if you could just point me in the proper direction. I wouldn't want to impose upon your good graces any longer than necessary."

  Still, the silence continued. Beatrice's nerves were beginning to fray in earnest and irritation was setting in. Why didn't the man open his mouth and answer? Obviously he was no longer ignoring her. He was staring right at her. She knew he couldn't be deaf as he had heard and understood when she had shrieked at him earlier. Perhaps he was simple. And yet, that too seemed unlikely. Those eyes were too bright with intelligence, his gaze far too intense. So why would he not answer?