The Beast by Lindsay Mead

Author:Lindsay Mead [Mead, Lindsay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Science Fiction
Goodreads: 17205118
Published: 2015-06-21T22:00:00+00:00

Warmth shown in Laramie’s eyes when he came to escort Belle. He complimented her beauty, saying that the Prince had done well in his choices for her attire. Being reminded that Aleksander was behind all of this sent her heart into a tizzy of flutters and her mouth into a grin that she couldn’t force away.

All the while they walked, Laramie instructed her on what to expect from the night and slipped in a few tips. Belle could hear the crowd of guests on the floor below as they neared the final staircase. Only then did Belle begin to grasp the large number of people in the castle who weren’t servants. Over the past weeks, she’d only seen a few in passing and met even fewer.

They came to the top of the stairs. Men, women, young, and old, all mulled on the floor below, waiting for the call to dinner. Like Belle, they were dressed in their finest clothes and jewelry. The atmosphere was charged, the very air vibrated with their excitement.

Keeping Belle’s hand rested upon his own, Laramie guided her down the stairs. Belle’s heart beat painfully within her chest. Most everyone was too preoccupied with their conversations to notice her, but some did and they gestured for others to look as well. Soon half the guests were gawking at her with interest.

Reaching the last few steps, Laramie subtly indicated for Belle to wait. He stepped over to a servant dressed in a fine royal uniform, holding a large golden staff. Laramie whisper to the man who then banged the staff on the ground. The racket it caused echoed off the marble and stone walls, silencing everyone.

Then he shouted, “Mademoiselle Belle LeClair of Glace!”

Time seemed to stop as all eyes turned to her. Belle clenched her teeth, unsure of what to do. Laramie stood off to the side, watching her. Belle took hold of her skirt and carefully walked down to the crowd. Whispers reached her ears and redness crept up into her cheeks.

“Excuse me, your Lordship,” said a familiar feminine voice. Belle searched for the owner of the voice and Liv appeared, as she ushered a man out of the way. Beaming from ear to ear she came over to Belle, as though it were perfectly normal, and grabbed both her hands. She then spoke so that only Belle could hear. “Let us look like we’re the best of friends. Then they’ll stop gawking like fools and I get to look like I’m in on something that they are not. Does this agree with you?”

Belle squeezed the woman’s hands back, beyond grateful for her aid. The guests indeed went back to their conversations and only those closest kept turning an eye her way. “I am much accepting of this arrangement.”

“Wonderful.” Liv stepped back, not letting go of Belle’s hands. “Now as proper friends, we must compliment each other’s attire. Yours I see comes with a rather royal set. Am I correct?”

Belle glanced away, feeling slightly sheepish. Was it

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