Bewitching The Beast

verardly

ne of the most affluent to

th its woods which was rare to find anywhere in The Town. There

Wickhurst was known for the same things as other equally successful towns such as Willowfair in

hurst had its own share of scandals and interesting stories to tell. Yes, the p

hest families in Wickhurst would be an honor, most

wn with it. Their family was among the first who came with the Founders belowground centuries ago.

ious jewels, the Everards were the best in producing exquisite and elegant jewelries worn by many all over The Town and

ot be in a hurry to bear their living mother, Lady Alice Everard, a grandchild. And to make matters worse, th

this season, dears, you w

wide with horror. "But, mother!" they both chorused, aghast. "Agatha has merely been with us for

o well if you don't go running around like children," their mother said with ease and calmness as tho

not have had wanted to be called a governess for she was but a mere servant before her form

, not a governess. And she knew the twins were very much aware of that as well. She had not given them a ton of lessons on proper manners or decorum. She never scolded them on how to use the different forks or knives on

onths shorter than expected. But alas, the ever adventurous, witty and loud Emma lived and started causing havoc with her elder sister, Ysabella. Everyone referred to them as twins and they seemed not to mind. The

r third season," Lady Alice's voice was saying, drawing

nty. The lady's beauty was far better than anyone Agatha had ever seen-black hair and emerald eyes consistent with all Everard children, delicate nose, well-shaped brows and radiant skin not so often seen aroun

ected with, "We need not marry, really," rolling her eyes. "W

iced, standing to her feet. "Which is

uggested, her eyes twinkling at the idea.

nion if she opts to be a c

nd I do agree that my service as a governess is no longer

ha!" they

on, ladies," Agatha told them in a very calm voice. "

as I have said," Margaret sai

talking about the eligible bachelors in Wickhurst before these two decided to veer the c

not believe you would think of such thing! Surely there are enoug

ing voice made everyone wince. She fanned herse

rder is the l

rl closed her mouth and huffed. "I may opt to f

yone except La

ight Everard children, Benedict, scanned the room with his piercing green eyes, an eyebrow cocked high in question. His eyes hovered over Ag

ill unmarried," Margaret lied. "Becau

his face almost translucent under the light of the parlor. His thick brows were slightly raised as though he was expecting his family to

t had tried to be comical. And it was with great regret to say that none of those moments caused anyone to react with spontaneous laughter or amu

not one of them. And it was not as though Benedict Everard had tried to engage her in a conversation. She could, again, count in her fingers and toes the moments when he had turned his head at her and asked her a direct question. And all those questions were always about his youngest sisters. He did not know anything about her and she had somehow led o

He was domineering in many ways. He rarely raised his voice, but his words could be as piercing as his eyes most days. He r

nt from the others. And it was only Benedict Everard whom his family feared, his mother most definitely incl

f Devonshire for too long that it may have rendered him as hard as the jewels they mined. He had taken all responsibil

y Alice who finally took the risk for no one was yet r

rately searching for any hint of what

alantly said it that made it quite hard for everyone to believe. But it

iling. "That is all," he uttered at the gaping ladies, a

d gather their thoughts back

Emma who finally broke the silence. "Ys

be married to Fr

she had gone stiff unti

t and sauntered out of the parlor, followed by Margaret and then the twins. "Benedict

hile the gleeful voices of the Everard ladies suddenly erupted from some

ly getting married. He had always opposed to th

etting married,

e!" Lady Alice was sho

Ysabella whined. "And she's too

could never associate their name with the wicked Everards. But somehow Benedict had changed hi

t could give their family what they ha

roat. She blinked a few times before she atte

was gettin

omeone she could n

and took a deep breat

en in love with Benedict E