Beast and Beatrice

A lost maiden, a castle in the woods and a reclusive Lord. Tragedy has stolen everything Gilbert ever loved. A devastating fire stole away his wife and child and left its mark on him, staining his skin and damaging his voice. He can never forgive himself for not rescuing the most important people in his life. Now he lives in self-imposed isolation, eking out a living by bartering his skills as a woodworker. Until this strange woman comes banging at his door. Now he has a chance to redeem himself, even if only in his own eyes by rescuing a damsel in distress. If she will allow him.
Beatrice has been living a half-life ever since her parents died. She doesn't mind being relegated to nanny, nurse and governess to her sweet nieces and nephews but now her sister-in-law is trying to marry her off. One night, mad with fever, she runs off into the forest to escape and suddenly finds herself trapped in a castle with an intriguing stranger. He never utters a word and yet she finds him intriguing.

This story is a work of fiction. It is set in a fictitious version of the 19th Century. It is not historically acurate.