Devastation: A Beauty and the Beast Novel

by MJ Haag

  Whisking out of the ballroom, I went in search of Alec. I found him in his study. He sat behind the desk and stared at his arithmetic book. He still wore his soot stained shirt, but his jacket and neckcloth were missing. Sweat dampened hair stuck to his forehead.

  “The stands are very nice. Thank you,” I said from the doorway.

  He didn’t look up, and the furrow in his brow did not ease in the slightest. I felt pity and sorrow for him. I wished Rose would leave him alone. He’d suffered through so much, already. And the injustice of her latest decision only added more.

  “I saw the letter from Rose.”

  His jaw clenched and the grip on the book tightened.

  “I’m sorry, Alec. I went to her to see if she would rescind her edict. She would not.”

  His gaze remained locked on the pages.

  “There is time,” I said, trying to console him.

  He threw the book aside and rose from his chair to stalk toward me, his temper unsubdued by the recent hard labor. When he reached me, his expression shifted through emotions too quickly for me to attempt to understand his precise mood. He was angry, but more. Frustrated. Desperate. Weary. It all flashed in his gaze.

  “Time for what? For you to change your mind?”

  I swallowed hard and looked away. He still wanted me as his wife. Though I’d told him I didn’t trust him to love me, which still held true, there was much more.

  “Alec, the idea of marrying anyone upsets me. I cannot endure what the baker—”

  He pulled me into his arms and hushed me. Cautious of his turbulent mood, I allowed it for a brief moment before I pulled away.

  “You’re spending too much time in here,” I said. He was too active a man to remain sitting and studying for so long. He needed to moderate his pursuits to include activity each day. It might help with his temper.

  “Would you consider helping with the harvest? According to what Egrit said, the apples should be ready any day.”

  “Will you be harvesting?”

  “Of course.”

  A curious expression flitted over his features then disappeared.

  “I will help. Will you read to me tonight? We can eat in the library.”

  I nodded. “I’ll let Kara know we’ll need a tray.” I turned to go but looked back. “Don’t give up hope.”

  I left him by his desk and went to the kitchen. When Kara saw me, she pointed to the table.

  “Sit. You never came back for your biscuit and left before midday meal. I saved you some food.”

  Her concern had me smiling and dutifully following her order. While I sat, she went to the oven and pulled out a plate full of fish, carrots, and biscuits. My mouth watered as she set it before me.

  “Thank you,” I breathed just before taking a large bite of warm fish.

  Bryn moved quietly about the kitchen, ignoring me. Her disregard allowed me to focus on my meal. It was only when I had a few crumbs left that I recalled why I’d come to the kitchen.

  “Kara, Lord Ruhall has requested a tray for three for dinner.”

  Kara nodded and came for my plate. As I rose, I noticed Bryn’s annoyed glance in my direction. I left without giving it thought.

  * * * *

  My belly was still satisfied when I joined Father in the library a while later. Alec read in the study.

  “I heard there was a disturbance this afternoon,” Father said discreetly.

  I nodded and sat near his desk.

  “Rose told him he needs to marry by winter solstice or suffer enchantment once more.”

  “We’d best start considering what preparations need to be made. Two feasts in a season will be a strain on the estate.”

  “The wedding feast must be simple, then. There were no requirements made by Rose. Only that he marry.”

  Father nodded and studied me for so long I looked away. Thankfully, Alec joined us and spared me from further scrutiny. As we ate, we discussed the estate coffers, which hadn’t changed and shared reports on the feast’s progress.

  “I sent a note to the Head asking for suitable family entertainment,” Father said. “He referred several local musicians who are happy to play for food, drink, and a bit of coin.”

  Relieved we’d managed yet another piece of the affair, I reported that the lower level was clean and ready for guests and the menu was tentatively planned.

  “Tentatively?”

  “Smoked fish, meat pies, apple pastries, and cider. I haven’t thought of anything else we might offer without incurring an unreasonable expense.”

  “I think the menu will suffice,” Alec said. “She seems to know exactly what we do. If it wasn’t sufficient, we would have heard from her.”

  I knew he referred to Rose.

  As soon as I finished, Alec stood.

  “Would you read to me, Benella?”

  He handed me a thin volume, and Father moved to go back to his desk.

  “Of course,” I said, accepting the book. I went to recline on the lounge, and Alec took his usual place on the floor. His hands tugged at my hair before I began.

  He’d chosen poetry, sad pieces that brought melancholy more than cheer. I only read a few before closing the volume.

  “Finished already?”

  “Egrit has bath water heating. A warm bath would be more welcome than a cold one,” I said, sitting up.

  He accepted the volume from me.

  “Will you read to me again tomorrow?”

  I nodded and left, wondering what Father thought of how we behaved. It wasn’t inappropriate, exactly. Yet, I still felt Alec’s fingers in my hair.

  * * * *

  The bed dipped. Alec pulled me close. I sighed and sank deeper into sleep as his fingers trailed my arm.

  * * * *

  Tam had baskets waiting at the base of the trees when Alec, Swiftly, and I joined him. The other men were fishing, trying to catch as much as possible to smoke for the feast. With only four of us to harvest, the task before us was daunting.

  Alec stripped off his coat and neckcloth and rolled up his sleeves as Tam started to explain how to use the poles. I found myself glancing at Alec too often and missing bits of the instruction. The marks on his shoulder and the reason behind them were never far from my mind.

  Tam handed us our poles, and Alec followed me as I selected a tree on which to start.

  Within minutes, it was obvious I would be of little help with the pole, so I set it aside and picked from the lower branches. Alec worked the top branches. He never moved far from my side, and our time together was reminiscent of our times before the enchantment broke.

  It was well past midday before we had our first tree picked clean.

  “We’ll carry the baskets to the wagon,” Alec said, looking at me. “Will you ask Kara to prepare us something to eat? We’ll join you after we finish.”

  I willingly left them to carry the heavy baskets and walked the distance to the manor. Kara wasn’t in the kitchen this time. Hiding my reluctance, I turned to Bryn.

  “Could you please prepare four servings of something? We’ve finished with the first load of apples.”

  She glanced at me, marched to the stove, and pulled four biscuits from the oven. Setting them on a single plate, she handed them to me.

  “Perhaps you should have eaten a few of the apples.”

  I will not break this plate over my sister’s head, I thought to myself. I took a calming breath before I spoke aloud.

  “I’m sure Lord Ruhall will be grateful for the lunch you’ve provided.”

  Her eyes narrowed slightly, and she snatched the plate back.

  I watched as she grabbed three more plates and put a biscuit on each. Then, she sliced thick wedges of cheese and placed them along with pieces of smoked fish on the plates. By the time she finished, Swiftly had joined us.

  “I’ll bring them to the table, Miss,” he said to me. “Go sit.”

  He joined me at the table and set a plate before me. Tam and Alec came in a moment l
ater. Alec sat beside me. Bryn brought us water and fawned over Lord Ruhall, asking if he’d like more of anything. She had obviously forgotten his disdain of her when he’d been a beast and had us all hanging in vines.

  As soon as we finished eating, Tam, Alec, and I returned to picking while Swiftly delivered the apples to Edmund. It didn’t take Swiftly long to return with the empty baskets.

  “He said that was more than twice what he needed and thanked us for it.”

  I eyed all the trees that still hung heavy with fruit. Letting the harvest fall to waste on the ground wasn’t an option. What we couldn’t use, we would sell.

  Alec came to stand behind me as I stared up at the heavy branches.

  “Are you tired?”

  “A little,” I admitted.

  “We can continue without you.”

  “No, I prefer this over dusting,” I said, reaching for my next apple. In truth, I didn’t want the men having to work harder because of my absence.

  When we returned to the manor several hours later, Alec went directly to the study, assured by Tam and Swiftly that they no longer needed his help. The two then brought the baskets of apples around to the kitchen, and I followed. Kara knew of our plans to press them for cider and directed the men to take them into the cellar. While Bryn prepared a tray for me to take to the study, Kara pulled me to the side.

  “Your sister is very helpful. However, with all these apples, I’m not certain the two of us can prepare meals, smoke fish, press cider, and—”

  “I will speak with Egrit and see if she and Mrs. Palant can help. The rooms on the first floor are clean, as are a few on the second floor. It should be enough to suit our needs.”

  With relief, Kara thanked me and went down to the cellar to check on Tam and Swiftly.

  I turned to get the tray from Bryn. She stared at the door in shock. I followed her gaze and found Patrick and Sara there. Sara kept her attention on the ground.

  “We’re here to see Lord Ruhall,” Mr. Coalre said. “My wife is seeking a position.”

  Anger heated my face. They’d stood idly by as the baker rutted over me and now wanted help? Hate had me clenching my fists at my side as I stood there stiffly.

  Mr. Crow stepped from his office and eyed the pair.

  “There are no positions currently open,” he said.

  Sara’s face fell while the smith’s grew red.

  “I asked to speak with Lord Ruhall.”

  “Mr. Crow handles Lord Ruhall’s staff,” I said, drawing his attention. “There is nothing for Sara.” Her face flushed. I noted the tears starting in her eyes, and I hated myself for the pity I felt. “However, there is work for you and your sons.”

  “And what would that be?”

  “There are apples to harvest. We’ll pay a copper for a filled basket.”

  “My time at the forge is worth more than that. As is Tennen’s. I’ll send Splane to help. Sara, too.”

  “It’s the three of you or none. The forge lies cold most days, and Tennen has too much time on his hands.”

  The look Mr. Coalre gave made my knees weak with fear, but I didn’t stop.

  “Work for your bread or don’t eat.” I turned and left the kitchen before he could respond.

  When I reached the laundry door, I stopped to lean against the wall and catch my breath. My hands shook.

  “Miss Hovtel?” Mr. Crow approached me with concern, and I quickly straightened from the wall.

  “Yes?”

  “The smith and his sons will be here in the morning. Why did you offer them work?”

  “Why did you and Father invite them to the feast?”

  “Your father suggested them. I had the impression he was unaware of their involvement in what transpired and didn’t speak out against it, fearing he’d want to know why.” He glanced down. “I’d thought it the right thing to do. Was I wrong?”

  I knew his doubt not only stemmed from his worry about me, but also from his past silence.

  “I apologize if I sounded harsh. You were not wrong. I chose not to burden my father with all the details. I am glad you did not, as well.” I sighed as I considered how to answer Mr. Crow’s original question. “I offered them work because they should feel what it’s like to labor for so little. The smith has not been a good husband and helpmate to his wife, and his sons are learning from his lazy and disrespectful ways. If they work hard, they could easily earn a blunt silver tomorrow. The choice is theirs.

  “But warn Tam and Swiftly to keep close watch on them at all times and have Kara prepare a simple meal for Tam and Swiftly to take with them in the morning so they have no reason to leave the Coalre men unattended.”

  “You’re concerned they will do something?”

  “My past experiences have taught me to be cautious of them.”

  “Very well. I’ll bring the tray to the library, Miss, if you’d like to wash first.”

  He left to fetch the tray; and after a hasty wash in the laundry, I joined Alec and Father in the library where the tray already waited.

  “We’ve made such wonderful progress harvesting that Kara has asked for extra help in the kitchen tomorrow,” I said, sitting. Father served me a plate, and we began eating. “And, interestingly, I also found help to harvest tomorrow. The smith and his sons.” I held Alec’s gaze as I said it and witnessed his grip tighten on his fork. “I agreed to pay them a copper per filled basket. After we press what we need for the feast, we can bring the rest of the apples to the Water to sell, making the expense of their labor profitable.”

  Alec studied me for a moment then nodded.

  “A splendid idea, Benella,” Father said. “I was thinking of having Kara press three times as much as we might need or as much as she can before she thinks they will go bad. I’ve come across a book on making wine and spirits, and it has detailed instructions on making hard cider. We could use the drink for future feasts or sell it to local taverns.”

  He was thinking of Lord Ruhall’s commanded wedding. Such a celebration usually required wine, but a hard cider would do.

  “You’re right. We should use whatever we can. I plan to stay here to help Kara in the kitchen tomorrow.”

  “I’ll do the same,” Alec said. “With five men harvesting, it will likely take the three of us pressing the apples to keep up.”

  “Three?” Father said.

  The genuine smile Alec gave my father warmed me.

  “You have the knowledge, sir. We wouldn’t know what to do without you. Kara and Bryn would be able to keep on their tasks with our help.”

  We ate the rest of the meal; and after reading to Alec, I excused myself and retired early. The day had exhausted me. I had barely lay in bed before sleep claimed me.

  I only roused slightly when Alec joined me. And again later, when the languid caress of his fingers shifted from my arm to my exposed stomach. Too tired to speak, I simply rolled away from him, and his touch returned to my arm.

  * * * *

  Father, Alec, and I ate early in the study. We listened to Father explain the pressing process and then went to the small courtyard outside the laundry. While Alec brought up the baskets, Father and I worked the press. It was an interesting contraption with a large metal wheel and connecting crank. The apples went into the top holding chute; and as the wheel turned, the apples fell into the inner workings that crushed them. The juices and fine pulp slid down the exit chute and the peels and seeds fell into the waste bucket.

  We all took turns working the wheel and feeding apples into the chute. When it was my turn at the wheel, my arms grew weary quickly, and I paused to watch the ease with which Alec lifted a full basket closer to the chute.

  He caught me watching him and gave me a quick grin. Looking away, I tried to ignore the warmth that spread in my middle from his simple smile.

  Tennen and Swiftly returned around midday with more apples, which they left outside the kitchen.

  “How many baskets will we need to do?” I asked, feeling the bu
rn in my arms.

  “I’ve noted that we gain a bucket of cider for every three baskets. Estimating the servings for the evening, we need to press at least one hundred baskets. More would be better.”

  “How many trees were out there?” I asked Alec when he carried out some of the baskets the men had just delivered.

  “Perhaps fifty in that field.”

  I stopped turning the handle.

  “That field? There are more apple trees?”

  “Tam mentioned there is another grove. A different apple. Green. Too tart for cider but he thinks they might store well over winter.”

  Even if we didn’t need to turn the green apples, we still had the rest of the red to consider. I did the calculations in my head and decided I would end up pressing cider until my arms ceased to function.

  “Interesting,” Father said. “I’d like to try just a few baskets of green apples to see how they taste as a hard cider.”

  Something must have shown on my face because Alec stopped loading apples and walked toward me.

  “Let me turn the wheel for a while,” he said. “See if Kara knows where the old barrels are to store the cider.”

  * * * *

  By nightfall, we had several barrels of cider stored in the cellar and many baskets waiting for the press the next day. Mr. Crow had paid the Coalre family and reported that the men would return the following day.

  I went to bed weary. My arms didn’t want to cooperate enough to undress, so it took much longer than usual, and I was still awake when Alec quietly entered my room. I pretended to sleep as he pulled me against his chest.

  His fingers trailed along my arm. I sighed sleepily, soothed by the motion...until I felt my shirt lift. A moment later, his fingers trailed lazily along my stomach. They moved from bellybutton to ribs, blazing a little further south and north with each pass.

  My thoughts scattered, and my pulse quickened as I recalled the last time he’d touched me like this. Remembered sensations swamped me anew, and my breathing grew shallow as my body heated.

  His fingertips skimmed the underside of my breast. The raw need that ignited startled me enough that I sat up in bed and twisted to stare down at him.