The Beast's Bride (10 page)

"Little to the left. No, more left. Up now. Up. Ahhhhh." The ceramic face of the teapot crinkled. "So much better. Thank you."

"You're a weird fairy godmother, you know that?"

"Comes with the job." Muffin gave a little shiver, and then cleared her throat. "So basically what you're telling me is that you're not getting anywhere with Belle or the beast. You need to try harder, girl. Find a common interest that will draw them together. You haven't got weeks and weeks on end, you know."

"I know," Pippa said glumly. After a moment, she brightened. "I guess I could always teach Belle to play chess with Duncan."

"Yeah, good luck with that." Muffin's snort was loud and derisive. "All right, well, I'll check back in after a few days and see what kind of progress you've made. Keep pushing them. They're bound to weaken at some point!"

"I'll push," Pippa promised.

6

The next few days fell into a routine.

Pippa would awaken and dress. She'd suggest that Belle accompany her to visit the beast.

And, every day, Belle had an excuse. This day, it was cramps. The day before it had been a migraine. Before that? A stomach bug. One thing was adamantly clear—Belle was not interested in seeing the beast. At all. She was content to stay in the room, lounge in bed, and work on piecing together the cut-out bits of yellow fabric to make herself a dress.

Which was ultra-frustrating to Pippa, but she couldn't force Belle to go.

Nor did she have to stay in the room with Belle. For one, Belle wasn't the best company. She chattered and talked, but it was about nothing that interested Pippa. And she found herself wondering what Duncan was up to. Was he lonely? Waiting for her and Belle to arrive?

So she went and visited him regardless.

She'd expected him to be disappointed that she showed up each day without her lovely sister, but that never was the case. He was pleased to see Pippa each time. They'd play chess for hours, laughing and teasing each other. When they needed to stretch their legs or get some air, he'd take her for long walks around the castle itself. One day, she’d mentioned that his room would be more enjoyable to visit if it were clean and the next day it was sparkling, the broken furniture mended, shelves dusted.

He went to such lengths to please her that it made Pippa feel warm inside. And delicious.

She loved his company, too. He was smart and intelligent, with a quick rapier wit. His earlier surliness had been a mask for intense loneliness, she suspected, because he was never like that in her presence. She began to look forward to each visit with excitement, and spent longer with him every day, until the servants started to bring her dinner to his room instead of hers, as they would still be arguing over a particular chess move.

They hadn't practiced flirting again. Ever since that first day, Pippa had backed off. She didn't feel right encouraging him like that, not when Belle couldn't be bothered to show up.

Still, she knew things couldn't continue. She had to do something to bring the two of them together.

6The perfect opportunity showed itself when Pippa rose and began to braid her hair for the day's visit to Duncan. Normally Belle was up with her, but this day, she only rolled over in bed and pulled the covers over her head.

Pippa laced up the front of her dress and headed to Belle's side of the bed, frowning.

"Everything all right?"

"No," Belle said in a sulky voice.

Uh oh. "What's wrong?"

With a watery sniff, Belle pulled the pile of brilliant yellow silk from a nearby stool. She shook it out, showing Pippa her progress. "This is what's wrong."

Pippa sat down on the bed next to Belle and studied the dress. She didn't see a problem. In fact, it was gorgeous. The dress had a low, square bodice that Belle had cleverly ruffled. The sleeves were long and tight to the wrist, and the skirt was a long series of flounces that would look incredible once finished. The only thing missing were the hems, which were still ragged and unfinished. "What's wrong with it? It looks lovely so far."

"What's the point in finishing it, Pippy? What's the point in making a pretty dress if no one will ever see it?" Her beautiful eyes watered and she gave another sad sniff. "We're stuck in this creepy castle with no one to talk to and no one will ever see us again."

Guilty, Pippa smoothed a hand over the bodice that Belle had taken such care with. "You could wear it to visit Duncan," she suggested after a moment. "I know he loves to have company."

Belle looked at her blankly.

"The beast?" Pippa asked. "His name is Duncan. I've told you that already. Twice."

"Oh." Belle's lower lip wobbled. "But this is a party dress, Pippy."

Guilt at Belle's unhappiness warred with irritation at her attitude. "So why don't you come with me this morning and ask Duncan if you can throw a party? He's got this big castle and it's practically empty. I'm sure if you asked him nicely, he might consider it."

Belle's face lit up. When she wasn't sulking, she was incredibly beautiful. Her full, pink mouth stretched into a brilliant smile and she leaned in to hug Pippa. "That is a wonderful idea!

Give me a minute to get ready!"

"Really?" Pippa watched as Belle sprung from the bed, throwing her dress over her head.

"That was all it took to get you to come with me?"

6Belle laced the front of her dress with nimble fingers, ignoring Pippa's sarcastic comment.

She thought for a moment, then loosened the laces at the top of her bodice and plumped her breasts, giving her breasts a deep vee of cleavage.

Pippa blinked.

Belle finger-combed her blonde curls, looking delicious and tousled without much effort.

"All right. I'm ready. Let's go say hello to the beast."

"Duncan," Pippa corrected, and followed Belle out into the hall, wary. As she walked behind her sister, she noticed Belle's hips sashaying in an exaggerated fashion, and she frowned. So after days and days of ignoring Duncan, Belle was going to saunter in, flash a little cleavage, and demand a party? Part of her hoped that Duncan would see through Belle's guise and turn her down flat. After all, her sister was being extremely obvious about what she wanted. She wasn't even trying to hide it or be clever.

They arrived at Duncan's suite a few moments later, and he looked surprised to see two women at his door instead of just one. His smile of greeting disappeared, as if he realized that Belle wouldn't enjoy those bared fangs, and he bowed deeply. "Ladies. It is a wonderful surprise to see you this morn."

To Pippa's surprise, Belle adroitly extended her hand for him to kiss. "It is a wonderful pleasure to see you."

Oh, barf. Seriously?

But the beast took Belle's hand and delicately kissed the back of it. "Would you like to sit, my lady?" He gestured at his now spotless chamber.

Now spotless thanks to my request
, Pippa thought sourly. And she clenched her jaw when he escorted Belle over to Pippa's favorite chair.

All right, now she was starting to get annoyed. But she bit back her frustration because, for the first time since they'd arrived at the beast's castle, Belle seemed to be paying attention to where she was and what she needed to do.

So why was it bothering Pippa so dang much to see Belle beaming at Duncan as if she were thrilled to be there? Why did it get under her skin that her sister was seated at the chess table with the man she was supposed to marry?

Why did Pippa feel like she should have been the one sitting with him?

6Duncan cast a curious look over at Pippa as she sat on one of the chaises on the far end of the room. His golden eyes gleamed with something that looked a bit like amusement, but it was hard for her to tell. He leaned in toward Belle. "To what do I owe this honor?"

"Well," Belle said in a soft voice. "I just wanted to stop by and thank you in person for the lovely fabric that you sent me. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

"Not the most beautiful thing I have ever seen," he told her, and then gave Pippa a thumbs up behind his back.

Pippa rolled her eyes.

Belle gave him a sweet smile that had just a hint of sadness. "It's just a shame I'll never be able to wear the beautiful dress I've made." And she leaned forward, as if to display her cleavage.

That little hussy.

Duncan's eyes drew to Belle's chest and he looked over at Pippa, then back at Belle. "Why would you not wear it?"

"It's a party dress," Belle said breathlessly. "Unless you would let us throw a party…here?"

Say no
, Pippa thought.
Say no and she'll return every day to beg you to change your mind
.

When he looked over at Pippa again, she gave a subtle shake of her head.

"If you would like a party, my bride, I do not see why we cannot have one."

Pippa groaned under her breath. The man had been dazzled by cleavage.

"You are too kind," Belle said in an excited voice. Her gaze fell on the chessboard, where their game from the night before had been stopped. It was Pippa's turn and she'd been considering her next move all night. Which was why she had to bite back her screech when Belle lifted one of the jeweled rings that passed as a queen and examined it with wondrous eyes. "This is lovely. Is this yours?"

"It belonged to my family, once," the beast said in a grave voice. "Would you like to see the rest of the jewels?"

Belle's eyes widened prettily. "Jewels? Oh yes!"

Pippa crossed her arms and sat back on the couch. To think that she'd been frustrated that Belle wouldn't come with her to visit Duncan? Now she was finding herself annoyed that Belle had ever emerged from the room. And a little part of her wished that it wasn’t Belle that had to marry the beast. After all, Pippa would suit him so much better…

But she squashed that feeling, like she always did. She had a job and she had to stick to it.

6Even if it did irritate her. Belle was a nice girl, but Duncan was special. He was smart and quick-witted and lonely. He deserved better than Belle, who would only show up and jiggle her (admittedly impressive) cleavage if she wanted something.

Pippa couldn't complain, though. This was how the fairy tale was supposed to go, wasn't it?

~~***~~

A few hours later, a chattering and excited Belle was meeting with the kitchen staff to describe what kind of foods she wanted served at her party. Afterward? She planned on dictating invitations and instructing the staff to send them out via messenger pigeon. After that?

Overseeing a full cleaning of the castle from top to bottom. That left Pippa in the beast's quarters, unless she wanted to return to her room. Which she didn't, particularly.

"You are angry," Duncan observed as Pippa paged through one of the large books in Duncan's personal library. She couldn't read the writing, since it was loopy and written in a hand that made no sense, but she enjoyed looking at the pictures.

"Why would I be angry?" Pippa said in a stiff voice. "I wanted you to spend time with Belle, and you did."

"And yet you feel neglected," he observed wisely, moving to sit next to her on the couch. His large, ungainly body sat gingerly next to her. "Did I neglect you, my sweet Pippa?"

Warmth curled through her as he reached for her hand and turned it over, then lightly kissed her fingertips. Shivers of delight crept over her skin. "Are you practicing your flirting with me?"

He bared his teeth in a wicked grin. "I might be. Is it effective?"

"Effective enough," she breathed. "You hardly need my help anymore."

"Nay, not true." Duncan leaned in closer, until he was practically looming over her on the couch. "Now that I have agreed to a ball to please your sister, I will need advice on a great many things."

"Such as?" His nearness was distracting her. He smelled…good. Like soap and freshly washed hair and lavender.

He brushed a furry knuckle along her jawline. "Would it surprise you if I confessed I have never kissed a woman?"

She looked up at him, her pulse fluttering. He was so near. "You've never kissed anyone?"

6Duncan shook his head, that lion mane shifting with his movements. "And I fear your sister's response if I have not practiced beforehand. You have seen before how she reacted to me, yet today she was sweet and doting. Your lessons have certainly paid off."

"Oh please. Belle was sweet and doting because she wanted something from you."

"But not frightened?"

"No," Pippa grumbled after a moment. "Not frightened."

"Then your lessons are, in fact, working," he said with a delighted grin. "And you should continue to give me more of them, so I may win your sister and claim her as my bride." He leaned closer. "Unless you have changed your mind and wish to take her place."

She could feel his breath on her nape, and it was making her nipples stiff with response, her pulse pounding low between her thighs. "I can't," she said in a soft whisper. But at this moment?

Oh god, she really wished she could.

"Then you must help me practice, sweet Pippa." And he placed one finger under her chin and turned her head toward his, and then lowered his mouth to hers.

As the beast gently gave her an unpracticed kiss, a myriad of things went through Pippa's mind. That this was wrong. That she shouldn't be kissing Duncan because he was meant for Belle. That he didn't feel like a beast—that the lips on her own were soft and human and the teeth that gently nipped at her lip were square. That the enchantment only seemed to be for appearances and underneath, he was very much human.

That she shouldn't be slutting it up with Belle's fiancée.

That Muffin was going to kill her if she found out.

But then his tongue lightly, hesitantly grazed the seam of her mouth.

And Pippa gave herself over wholly to the kiss.

She parted her lips beneath his, letting his mouth explore her own without giving him direction. For a man that claimed to not know how to kiss, he was doing an admirable job. His lips brushed over her own, his teeth nibbling at her lips, and then his tongue would slick into her mouth, sending pulses of desire and need through her body. She remained quiescent for a moment, then tentatively touched her tongue to his, checking his reaction.