A Beast's Tale: Act 1 (His Maid)

Chapter 87

"I want to see her."

"No."

Gilbert drew his eyebrows together, feigning injury. "That isn't very fair, Chevalier. I've given you plenty of time alone with her, and if I need to leave, I'll be entrusting her to your care until I return. I could keep her safe with me in Obsidian, of course, but having someone interrupt my plans..." He smiled. "Let's just say my methods can be rather unpleasant when I'm forced to handle matters personally."

I stood with my back against the door and my arms crossed over my chest, unmoving. "Then you agree it would be safest for her to stay here."

"Yes. I mean no offense to Cyril, but our two best men are out on other assignments, and given the uncertainty of the situation, one dedicated bodyguard and extra patrols aren't enough. I'd feel much better if she remained surrounded by the entire palace guard behind fortified walls. So you don't have to worry about me trying to convince her to go elsewhere. I'd just like to express my condolences and give her this." He reached into his coat and removed her green hair ribbon from a pocket. "Did you know this was a birthday present from her mother? Well, part of a birthday present. The other part was a matching dress. She wore it all the time—until LeBeau ruined it. You wouldn't deny her this treasured memento, would you?"

His insurance policy. He could have dangled it in front of her, withholding it unless she returned to Obsidian with him, but this was an effective use of it as well. I glanced down the hall at Cyril, who had moved out of hearing range while Gilbert and I spoke. I gave him a slight nod. He returned the gesture. Then he turned his back on us, guarding the intersection anyone had to use if they wanted access to this hall and my bedroom. Gilbert was not a threat at the moment. Just an annoyance.

"Don't keep me waiting too long," Gilbert said as I let myself into the room, adding to my irritation. Then the bathroom door opened, and I forgot all about him.

Ivetta's hair hung over her right shoulder, the long damp strands following her figure down the bodice of the dress and past the point where the red skirt flared out with the gentle curve of her hips. A wide gold belt of fabric around her waist separated the red from the black material wrapping around her bust, which was covered in part by a white ruffled collar. White sleeves billowed out from the shoulder until they reached the buttoned cuffs at her wrists. She was twisting the ends of her hair around her fingers. Her eyes met mine, and she blushed and averted her gaze to the floor. A shy smile completed what made a beautiful picture.

"Thank you, Prince Chevalier. It's really pretty."

"It suits you." I pulled her chair out for her, a smile tugging at my lips as well, and then I took the seat beside her and lifted the cloche from my plate.

Gilbert could wait until after breakfast. It would be a quick affair anyway. She was self-conscious with me here, and as anticipated, she had little appetite. She tried at least one bite of everything for my sake, but she was forcing herself to do so. It wasn't long before she gave up and set her fork down.

"Prince Chevalier, I... need to go home. There are some things I need to do."

"The situation has changed. You're staying here for the time being. I'll send someone for your things."

She lifted her eyes to me for the first time since she exited the bathroom. "I appreciate that, but I need to apologize to my neighbor, Mrs. Stotts. I wasn't very nice to her this—yesterday morning."

"She sent that boy you mentioned before to check on you."

"Jason?"

I nodded. The gangly teenager had arrived on his mother's behalf not long after I'd left Ivetta asleep here in my room. It seemed his mother had tried to prevent Ivetta from leaving her house in such a distressed state, but Ivetta had been insistent.