Devastation: A Beauty and the Beast Novel (22 page)

The general gaiety of the crowd had me
smiling at everyone who stopped to say hello. I spotted Sara and
her family in the crowd and followed Tennen’s narrowed gaze to
Bryn, who stood beside Edmund. Edmund had his arm around Bryn’s
waist, and she was looking up at him with complete focus.

“Miss Hovtel,” Alec said from behind me,
“you look lovely.”

I turned to look over my shoulder and found
him just inches from me. He wore a dark jacket and matching pants.
Like Mr. Crow, his shoes were highly polished. His neckcloth was
precisely tied and set against his neck. He was devastatingly
handsome and looked every inch a lord. However, the heated gaze he
raked over me stole the respectability given by his clothes. And it
made my pulse flutter.

Tonight he must announce his intent to wed,
I reminded myself. The sting of that realization helped ground me
in the reality of our relationship. I would leave, and he would
wed. Hopefully, in that order.

“Might I return the compliment, Lord
Ruhall,” I said politely.

“Lord Ruhall,” a man I’d never met before
said, claiming Alec’s attention.

I quickly moved away and spoke with several
of the students my father used to teach.

Before long, the sounds of music drifted
from the ballroom, and the crowd slowly migrated that way. As we
moved, I caught sight of a woman in a pale pink dress tiered with
ruffles. The volume of the skirt was so much that no one could walk
too close to her. Though the dress was pretty—if one had an
affection for ruffles—it was far too overstated for such a simple
gathering.

The wide neckline set the sleeves from the
woman’s shoulders, and her side swept hair bared her neck, which
she held regally erect. She turned her head, and I caught sight of
her profile. Blye.

Her sewing must be lucrative, indeed, to
afford such a dress. When would she ever wear it again, though? I
watched her glide into the ballroom and look around. Her gaze slid
right over me and settled on someone not yet in the ballroom. I
turned to look back in the hall and found Lord Ruhall walking
slowly as he listened to what the man beside him said. I wanted to
shake my head at my sister for her wasted efforts.

“Would you care to dance?” someone said as
he gently tapped my shoulder. I turned to find Bolen, one of the
Kinlyn boys, bowing to me.

“I would be delighted, sir,” I said,
returning his humor and pushing Blye from my mind.

Bolen led me to the floor, and we joined the
others already there in a simple dance. He kept his hand politely
at my waist while he held my other hand.

“How have you been?” I asked. “I heard you
were able to fish.”

“I am well, thank you. We’ve been fishing
more now that the crops are in. Parlen finally got his wild pig
with Da’s help.” He regaled me with their story and had me
laughing. “He wanted to dance with you so he could tell you
himself, but Ma said...” A blush painted his cheeks.

His mother hadn’t wanted Parlen to dance
with me. But why? I could think of only one reason. The baker. Yet
why then let another son dance with me?

“Did your mother think me unsuitable to
dance with?”

“Not at all,” he rushed to assure me. “She
said it would be improper to dance with a woman so much taller than
him.”

I puzzled for a moment then laughed aloud as
I realized young Parlen would have been level with my breasts.

“Well, there are many girls here who are
very close to his height. I hope he asks some of them.”

The dance ended, and before I could leave
the floor, I had another offer to dance. I vaguely recalled seeing
the boy while I’d attended school but could not recall his first
name. His family lived on a patch of land to the south, like the
Kinlyns.

Another song saw a new partner waiting for
me; and as I danced, Blye’s words about how unsuitable I would be
rang in my ears. How could I be so unsuitable and dance with so
many while my perfectly suitable sister stood on the side without a
single offer to dance? Blye circled the ballroom, chatting to those
she knew and casting long looks at Lord Ruhall.

When the song ended, I found myself facing
Henick. He took up my hand and gently held my waist as I rested my
palm on his shoulder. A new song began, and he led our moves.

“Did you know there is a line to dance with
you?”

“Surely not,” I said, looking around. I
caught Alec’s thunderous frown before Henick’s laugh returned my
attention.

“It’s true. Not an obvious line, but it’s
there all the same. Bolen was smart to grab you first.”

“Your brother was a fine dancer. As are you.
I hope the other women here find the same attention as I’ve
received.”

He smiled.

“A few might. But none are as pretty.”

I blushed and glanced away. My gaze collided
with Alec’s again. He tracked my dance with Henick, clearly
unhappy. When he saw me looking at him, he jerked his head to the
side, a motion to show me he wanted me to leave the floor. I
returned my gaze to Henick, determined to ignore Alec and his
threats.

“Perhaps you’ll allow me to introduce you to
a friend who might be one of those few?” I asked.

“I would be honored.”

On the next turn of the room, Alec wasn’t
where he had been. Before I could worry, the dance ended; and I
asked Henick to walk me to the drink table rather than let another
partner sweep me into the next set.

Drink in hand, I turned back to observe the
room and caught sight of Alec weaving his way through waiting
dancers. Unbeknownst to him, Blye moved toward him from his right,
their paths set to intersect. She stepped in front of him just as
the music started. He frowned at her then, glancing about, held out
a hand.

Ila approached Henick and me and noted the
direction of my gaze.

“Your sister is bold,” she said.

I nodded slightly then focused on my
friends.

“Henick, this is my friend, Ila.”

Henick smiled and bowed over her hand.
Within moments, they were fully engaged in conversation. It gave me
time to observe Lord Ruhall and Blye.

He swirled her around the room at an
aggressive pace. His gaze wasn’t on her but was searching the
dancers around them. She didn’t seem to notice his distraction for
she tilted her head back, laughed, and moved closer to him.
Everyone turned to watch them. Her skirts flared out prettily, and
I had never disliked my sister so much as in that moment. She only
wanted him for his wealth and would ruin all the hard work Alec,
Father, and I, along with the rest of the old staff, had put into
this affair and the estate.

I wished he would announce his intent to
wed. Blye certainly wasn’t an option for him.

As soon as the song ended, I excused myself
and approached the pair, planning to pull Blye aside to speak to
her.

“Lord Ruhall, might I have a moment
with—”

“Of course. We can speak as we dance,” he
said, releasing Blye abruptly and pulling me into his arms. He
twirled me onto the floor before I could protest. We moved together
as we had to the sweet bird song that day long ago. I couldn’t deny
I felt a thrill being in his arms. I tilted my head back to study
him. His deep blue gaze remained locked on me, and I struggled to
keep my wits about me.

“I meant to speak with my sister.”

“Whatever for,” he said, pulling me
closer.

His body brushed against mine as we moved. I
tried to gain distance but his hard hold wouldn’t yield. So, I
gripped his shoulder, fighting to remain upright during the
dizzying pace he set.

He leaned in and breathed in near my neck,
sending a shiver racing through me.

“That scent...”

“My hair,” I said. I hadn’t oiled my hair
since the enchantment had broken.

Knowing it was dangerous, I allowed myself
to relax. Just for a few moments, I wanted to pretend he truly
loved and cherished me above all else. That he and I were together
and happy like we’d been before the baker.

“I need you,” he whispered. “More than the
air I breathe. More than my freedom.”

My heart thumped painfully at his words,
which were so close to what I’d just been thinking. I pulled back
again, searching his gaze for answers I so desperately needed.

“Don’t forget that in the next few moments,”
he said with a wild look.

We stopped twirling and before my world
righted itself, I was alone in the center of the room.

“Your attention, please,” Alec called from
near the drink table. “Everyone take up your drink for I would like
to toast this feast.”

While I wondered how he’d crossed the room
so quickly, those on the floor left to obtain drinks; and those
crowding the edges of the room, moved closer, filling in the empty
dance floor around me.

“Raise your cups,” Alec said, raising his
own.

My pulse leapt. Would he announce his
intention to wed now? My stomach gave a sickening twist.

Alec’s gaze met mine, and my heart shattered
all over again.

“To a merry harvest feast,” he said loudly
and clearly. “The first the North has seen in too many years. And I
owe the success to Miss Hovtel, the beautiful, kind, and
intelligent woman who has just consented to marry me.”

My mouth dropped open as cheers erupted
throughout the room. Alec’s serious and slightly angry gaze held
mine as he drank deeply. It was almost as if he were daring me to
refute his claim. Suddenly, his words made his plan clear. He had
just said that he needed me more than his freedom. He had warned me
he would ruin the feast if I acted out against him in any way. If I
rejected him here, now, he would do as he’d promised. He would ruin
the feast and force Rose’s hand.

My first reaction was anger. He’d planned to
snare me all along. Then, I began to wonder what he had to gain by
doing that. Me. Just me. Could he truly care for me so much? Hope
spread like wildfire, worrying me. I needed a moment to think.

Well-wishers pressed close, blocking Alec
from my sight. I nodded, smiled, and thanked those who
congratulated me. The music struck up once more, and most of those
around me moved away to clear the floor.

Purposefully, I made my way to the open
garden doors. The sun had begun its descent, casting long shadows
in the garden. Overgrown as it had been, there wasn’t much to see
as my gaze swept the area. A movement to my right caught my eye but
before I could focus, someone stepped out of the ballroom behind
me.

I turned and saw Alec by the door. Behind
him, dancers moved in time with the music, a bustle of motion
compared to his still watchfulness. We eyed each other for several
long moments.

“Why?” I said. “You lied to everyone and,
through your threats, forced my silence. What kind of Lord does
that make you?”

“A desperate one, I should think.”

“Desperate?”

He let out a frustrated sigh.

“I’ve asked you to be my wife countless
times to which you always answer no.”

“With reason,” I said in exasperation.

“Reasons that can be overcome. You care for
me. You admitted it. Yet, you stubbornly refuse to believe I care
for you. You have fears about being a wife but won’t trust that I
can be patient, though I’ve spent the last fifty years practicing
patience.”

“I would hardly call that patience.”

He ran his hand through his hair. I watched
him struggle to control his temper.

“Your unwillingness to see reason forced
this lie. Have no doubt I will carry through with my threat.
Whether as the man you loathe or the beast you once loved, I will
have you.”

Again, pretty words. Could I trust them?

He turned and strode once more into the
ballroom, and suddenly, Aryana’s words rang in my mind. “Lies are
necessary when truth fails.” What truth had failed? My heart wanted
to swell at the answer I found there. His love for me, because of
my shattered trust in him and in men.

I turned away from the door and watched the
sky change from blue to azure. High above, the first star sparkled
in the darkening sky.

“Do you think this will change
anything?”

I whirled at the sound of Tennen’s voice. He
stood just outside the door, partially hidden by the growing
shadows. Surely, he wouldn’t be so foolish as to try something with
so many nearby to come to my aid.

“Yes, I do,” I said, answering his question.
“It will make you hate me more. A hate I do not deserve.”

He snorted in disbelief and walked back into
the ballroom.

Inside, the lit pillars and fire gave the
large room a soft light. Near the food tables opposite the door,
Alec watched me. His gaze followed Tennen briefly before returning
to me. His observation made me feel safe, and I considered our
engagement once more. If I were honest, it relieved me that he’d
taken the decision from me. My heart hadn’t forgotten his
affection, though I’d desperately wanted it to. Could I dare allow
myself to love him once more?

“You will make a fine Lady,” Otta said
softly, “if you can stop seeing innocence in everyone.” The
unexpected sound from behind startled me, as did the familiar
words. I spun to face her.

Her small face began to transform, and I
gasped as I recognized Aryana. I grabbed her wrist and quickly
pulled her into the shadows.

“Speak your mind then leave,” I said once I
knew we were out of Alec’s sight.

“You invited me.”

“As yourself. I tire of your games. When
will you leave the north and Lord Ruhall in peace?”

“When he is wed and settled. I’m not so
certain you will be his wife, as he so clearly desires.”

“And I’m not so certain you will leave us in
peace when we are finally wed.”

“Despite the trap he’s laid for you, I could
help you leave if that is what you wish.”

I stared at her for a moment.