Kill the Beast by Serena Valentino

Author:Serena Valentino [Valentino, Serena]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Published: 2024-07-30T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER X

THE ENCHANTRESS IN THE ROSE GARDEN

Gaston was surprised he had time to spare after he dressed for the ball, and he was rather glad Francis had been there to help him after all. It was no wonder royals needed valets and lady’s maids—their clothing was so overly complicated, with little buttons and hitches he wouldn’t have been able to manage on his own, especially with his large hands. He laughed, imagining himself having to fumble with all that himself. Thank goodness for Francis.

He had some time before he was expected in the drawing room, so he decided to take a walk around the gardens. He felt quite stylish, and perhaps even a bit dandyish (at least for Gaston) in his new outfit, which he didn’t hate. Another surprise. Who knew he would enjoy dressing up and feeling so handsome. Of course Kingsley would pick out something perfect. Or at least give the instructions to someone whose business it was to procure Gaston’s natty new clothing. The colors, fit, and style were perfect for Gaston. Red was Gaston’s color, and Kingsley knew it. He picked out a handsome, deep red fitted frock coat that made Gaston feel like a gentleman without all the fuss Gaston detested in royal fashion.

And if the numerous compliments Francis heaped upon him were any indication, Gaston looked quite dashing in his new fashionable ensemble. Of course, such was what you’d expect a valet to say, but something in the way Francis gushed once Gaston was fully outfitted made Gaston feel he looked rather smashing.

He was off to a good start.

He was thankful for this time alone to think and walk in the gardens before he was thrust into a social situation in which he quite frankly had no idea how to conduct himself. But the new set of clothing did help. At least he would look the part, if nothing else.

As he was walking, he heard ladies’ voices coming from within the rose garden. It was beautiful, abloom with pink rose bushes and enclosed by tall hedges with a circular stone path that led to the center, where one could sit and enjoy the view. Whoever was in the garden seemed to be arguing, unaware that Gaston was on the other side of the hedge wall and could hear everything they were saying. He knew a gentleman wouldn’t linger to listen, but then again, he wasn’t a gentleman, even if he was dressed like one.

“Please, sisters, stop trying to break us apart. He’s done nothing to deserve your contempt!”

“He’s not worthy of you, Circe.”

“We’ve seen it in—”

“The Book of Fairy Tales.”

Gaston could swear he heard three, maybe four different voices chiming in on the conversation. And how odd some of them sounded. So shrill, with such an awkward cadence to the way they spoke, finishing each other’s sentences. These were voices he hadn’t heard before, so he was almost sure they must have been Circe and her odd sisters. Plumette had said Circe’s sisters were strange, and she was right.

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