Beauty and the Beast

Chapter 12

Baylor's question caught me off guard and made my heart skip a beat. My body tensed as the weight of my recent interrogation settled in. Since that dinner with Gaston's family, I had been awakened to the reality that a woman's ability to read could instill fear in others

My father's cautionary words echoed in my mind, urging me to guard this newfound knowledge about myself. Yet, in this moment, Baylor stood before me, piercing through the facade of ignorance I had hoped to maintain

As I struggled to find the right words, anxiety prickled at my skin, knowing there was no avoiding the truth. "Yes," I admitted, my voice barely audible

Baylor's response was swift as he reached for the recipe book, his actions a silent confirmation of what he already knew. I cursed my own carelessness, understanding all too well the societal norms that deemed it unnatural for a woman to possess intellect or the ability to read

"Why do you say it like it's a bad thing?" he asked, placing the book on the table before stepping around me to inspect the chicken I had simmering

I moved swiftly and hurried over to him as he lifted the pot lid. I tugged at his arm, attempting to halt his movement, conscious of the fact that dinner was meant to be a surprise, and I preferred him not bother my cooking space. Typically, he respected my solitude in the kitchen, only coming to collect his plate

"Don't touch that," I interjected sharply, preventing him from glimpsing inside

"Isn't it illegal?" he added, stepping away from the stove and towards the fridge, which I had recently cleaned out, leaving only enough for tonight's meal

"Yes, but it's how my parents taught me," I muttered, switching off the heat now that the chicken had finished boiling

"I was just about to mention the empty fridge," I responded, observing him retrieve the water pitcher and pour himself a glass

"I'll head into town tomorrow," he grumbled, and I offered no further comment, simply acknowledging his statement

We went into silence once more as he sipped his water, the bot began to sizzle signaling that the meal was ready, prompting me to prepare a plate for him. Having him linger for so long felt unfamiliar, as I was accustomed to cleaning and cooking alone. I retrieved two glass bowls and filled them with the potatoes and mixed vegetables. Then, from the pot, I retrieved two drumsticks for him. Initially, I pondered if this was excessive, but memories of Julian and Knox devouring multiple bowls during dinner flooded my mind. Men tend to have hearty appetites, so this should suffice

"This is a new recipe," I mentioned as I handed him the bowl

Baylor's countenance remained inscrutable, offering no hint of his thoughts. He took the bowl without a word of gratitude. A simple "thank you" would have been appreciated, I mused silently. Carrying my own bowl, I made my way to the dining room, where I dined alone every night

The curtains, draped in dark red, shrouded the windows, blocking out any external light. The candles in the room were always lit upon my arrival, casting a warm glow amidst the castle's otherwise dim corridors. Seated in silence, I savored each spoonful of the meal, which turned out to be exceptionally satisfying. Tonight, I celebrated in solitude

After finishing my bowl, I placed it in the sink along with the other dishes, intending to tackle them first thing in the morning. For now, exhaustion weighed heavily upon me, and all I desired was to retire for the night. As I exited the dining room, the candles extinguished themselves, leaving the hallways engulfed in darkness and silence as I ascended the staircase

As I headed upstairs, passing Baylor's room in the west wing, I couldn't shake the nagging curiosity about what he might be concealing. My own quarters lay in the east hall, and though I knew it well, a persistent urge gnawed at me to explore further someday.Upon entering my room and sinking into the comfort of the queen-sized bed, my thoughts swirled. Julian and Knox occupied my mind—did they long for me as deeply as I did for them? And what of my engagement now? Though only three weeks had passed since my entanglement, it felt like an eternity

With a sigh, I closed my eyes, seeking solace in the quiet of the moment. As I drifted into sleep, I clung to the belief that maintaining a positive outlook would guide me toward freedom