Demons'll Charm You

Chapter 7: A Better Future

In the weeks following the dinner, Toby and Belle became inseparable. Elizabeth Marsden had given in, allowing this now apparent courtship to ensue, despite the protests of her niece's husband, who had avoided the couple altogether.

When Toby had spare time during the morning before opening the shop, he was sure to stop by Belle's home to see her, and perhaps be invited to dine with her and her aunt for breakfast. On other days when she was out in town with her family, Belle would stop by the shop to see him. They would talk and laugh together, or go on quick walks through the town, anything to be in each other's company. Those who cared were aware of the relationship, and gossip began to ensue, but Elizabeth was sure to put it to an end before it could reach Belle or Toby's ears.

Like a proper courtship, Toby and Belle were not allowed to be anywhere unchaperoned. Beth was never too far behind them when they were together. Toby faced no poor treatment from Beth or Elizabeth, though she remained rather aloof to him. He felt welcome by them, however, and they grew quite used to seeing him so often.

Belle's feelings for Toby had grown immensely since the day she had met him. She held no objections within herself regarding him, and though his past made her feel a bit uneasy, it was more so an uneasiness toward the suffering he had experienced rather than an uneasiness toward him, himself. He made her feel safe and wanted. She adored his smile, his charm, and the ambition he had to achieve success. In her eyes, he was her perfect match. She never cared about wealth or titles; she knew Tobias Ragg could make her happy whether he was a prince or a pauper.

Toby had never been in such high spirits before. He believed he was in love and though rushed it may have been, he knew they were simply meant to be. Being with Belle gave Toby even more purpose and he too felt safe with her. Everything about her in his eyes was perfect and he was beyond grateful that he even had the chance to meet her in the first place. They always parted ways with a smile and he could not get her from his mind, not that he wanted to.

Since being released from the asylum, Toby had noted how many wonderful things had happened to him: he had met Belle, the shop was more successful than it ever had been, and he had felt comfortable in society once again. Toby was so satisfied with his life that he knew he just needed to take one more step to make life perfect: he had to ask for Belle's hand in marriage. He just needed to know if she was ready to take that step with him.

"I finished Frankenstein," Toby announced to Belle as she slipped her hand through his arm. It was a chilly gray morning and the shop was closed. The two decided to take a stroll through the park together. It had been almost three months of their courtship now, and neither one had tired of being with the other. Each time they saw one another, it was filled with something new, or they could just be silent together and be content.

"Did you?" Belle gasped and looked up at him excitedly. "What did you think of it? Heartbreaking yet frightening, isn't it?"

Toby paused and took the book from his coat pocket. As he handed it to Belle, he met her eyes and said, "Indeed. I found it fascinating, though, that the Creature wasn't the true monster at all. It was Victor Frankenstein himself. His arrogance and thirst for power caused him to lose everyone he loved. How can one not realize that actions can have dire consequences?"

Belle gently took the book from him and held it against her chest. "People can truly be the worst kind of monster, I suppose. Those like Frankenstein are few and far between, though. We have nothing to fear." As soon as she spoke the words, she realized her mistake. She saw as Toby slowly turned his head to her, his eyes clouded with what looked like concern.

"That thought may give you some comfort, darling, but it's a false comfort," Toby began. "Monsters of men lurk at every corner. Believe me, I know. I pray you never meet one."