Demons'll Charm You

Chapter 4: A Night of Spirits

Belle was seated at the sitting room window in her aunt's home, watching the carriages rattle by on the cobblestone streets outside. A book lay next to her, untouched. Tonight, her aunt, Elizabeth Marsden, was at a dinner party and was not expected to return early, which allowed Belle to have a quiet night in. She was grateful not to have been invited, however, as she'd much rather be at home reading than attending a stuffy dinner party with people who would only converse with her about whether or not she had found a suitor to marry.

Belle sighed wistfully as she left the window and wandered about the grand sitting room. The heavy velvet curtains were the deep and rich color of wine, as was the rug beneath her feet. Her aunt had an ornate taste in decor, as their fireplace mantel displayed vases of fine Chinese porcelain and other figurines from her travels in her youth. A large portrait of her aunt and her father, along with her grandparents, hung over the fireplace. It was one of Belle's favorite portraits in the house because it captured the happiness of her father. His charming smile and the slight crinkle at the corner of his eyes, which were always a comforting sight for her, were details that the artist included. How she wished she could see him again.

With thoughts of her father on her mind now, Belle felt the ache of loneliness. Her hands hovered before the fireplace for warmth, and she glanced down at them, remembering how gently Tobias Ragg had kissed the back of her hand when they parted that afternoon so many days ago. She sighed and curled her hands to herself. It had been over a week since she last saw him, as it had rained constantly and she couldn't get away, but also, she worried that knowing the truth would change everything. She didn't want anything he told her to tarnish what she thought of him.

Belle had to return to see him eventually since she did not want to lose his friendship or whatever was blossoming between them. If only she could leave without the risk of being seen by someone. If someone saw her and her aunt or sister found out, Belle would surely be forbidden from ever leaving again. She had the Marsden reputation to uphold, and while the Marsdens were not exceedingly wealthy, they were welcomed within upper-class circles, having built their wealth on her grandfather's past business ventures in steel and the like. It was expected of Belle to marry well, yet all the men with titles and tycoons that were introduced to her were not ideal matches for her, though in her family's eyes, they were. Perhaps it was all the novels she read or the knowledge that her parents married against her grandfather's wishes due to class differences that Belle dreamed of marrying for love. She craved a place that truly felt like home with someone who loved her and accepted her for all she was; in turn, she wanted to give them all the same and more. It was just difficult to get to know someone in such a way with society breathing down your neck and pressuring you to marry the first person you got along with.

Sneaking out and being caught would surely put a rift in her and her family's reputation, and it may even deter the affections of any bachelors she may meet, but if she were careful, Belle could get away with it. She glanced at the mahogany grandfather clock and saw that it was almost time for Toby to close the shop for the night.

Anxiously wringing her hands together, Belle paced before the fireplace, contemplating if she should even attempt to leave. Tonight was the perfect opportunity for her to venture out alone, but also, leaving to meet Toby meant that she would be alone with him for quite some time. She had never been alone completely with a man before, having always been chaperoned or in a group of people. She trusted Toby would not make any advances on her and trusted her judgment of his character. He was too much of a gentleman to put her in any compromising situation, though she knew she could be naive. The sudden thought of his kindness toward her being false to purposefully ruin her came to mind, but she ignored it as she felt no malice from Tobias.

She had to go. Her curiosity and interest in him was far too high. Finally making up her mind, Belle left the sitting room and peered into the hall, and she heard light footsteps from above her. Beth. She had forgotten about Beth, their maid. She trusted Beth and considered her a good friend, but Beth also told her aunt everything. If she were to leave now, Belle realized she had to lie. Lying was not something she enjoyed doing, but apparently, the small lies she gave to escape conversations at parties were believable enough that no one ever questioned her.