Bewitching The Beast

ip to Mad

by the Everards the very next evening. And the ve

nd Benedict knew his sisters were just starting. He decided to

not say I do not like them, of co

white," Ysabella c

further, her voice growing confident when Benedict

nd from the corner of his eye he saw her gauging his reaction. "But that can never m

hide his amusement as Ysabella

me. Why did

abella a mean

the two young ladies straightened in their seats a

comment slip and asked, "Wh

e-the mother, of course. Mother wanted

I informed of t

he announcement of his engagement with Frances Highmore for this very re

e our lessons," Agatha spoke from her customary corner and am

hich was tightly and neatly tied at her nape barely moved and he had always wondered how

verness and back to his forthcoming wedding, Ysabella tur

g a question ought to be treaded care

rying to practice proper decorum,

se, you may, my lady." He matc

d with a giggle. "I would like to a

e elaborate answer, Benedict sighed and tried to explain. "The law does not prohibit mar

s marry a lord?" Em

d without causing society to rai

ry a gentleman if

es

ggled with excitement. Benedict frowned and studied them though

thought of the best reply. It was Emma who finally swallowed and looked him

he twins started to grow anxious. "Are

ion of their heads changed and they nodded. "She ought to be married. She

sle was a picture he could not entirely put to mind anytime soon.

h the situation had reversed and he was the one being reprimanded. "We merely w

do something you always do-

ted out as Emma said, "We do not even tell you we do not like your fianc茅e!" to which Benedict

ant to hear anything bad said against my future wife, Emma, Ysabella." He narrowed his eyes at them, making them see that he was utterly serious. "And if I happ

widened w

governess, ought to put you in your place. You are both seventeen and ought to act and think like ladies and I demand that you start today." While saying those words, he had

er a year. That was followed by two more servants marrying two of their footmen. Their fourth and their biggest accomplishment was their fifth governess, Lady Belinda Carrington, now Haverston. That, too, was a success after Ysabella and Emma wrote McKenzie

bothered him. She always looked at things as though she was dissecting each part and she rarely spoke what was on her mind. She was too stiff and never carried herself in such a way that would spark interest in anyone. No hidden mischief in her eyes,

ng of interest. It had always been about the twins. In fact, he could not recall a

eling anxious or even fearful. But there were also times when he observed the governess without her kno

r spoke when not spoken to, save for the moments when she had to remind the twins of their behaviour, and she never expressed any opinions on any topic where she could have im

ther had tried to suggest he marry the woman, to which both he and Belinda had strongly disagreed. Haverston, like

may not express it to the twins, but he was looking forward to their greatest chal

*

and she had always been too wise and outspoken for her own good. The Haverstons knew that very well and in fact, it was them

ness for Emma and Ysabella. She managed to get the Everard's approval and hig

a governess of the twins. And Agatha would never mar Mary Haverston's good name by being the servant Agatha. Sh

gazed at herself in the mirror. She studied her face and practiced a small

The blonde woman was perfect and she was gentry. She was born with riches and

of Devonshire? He was not handsome. He was boring and domineering. He could be

Agatha knew he had more in him than most people thought. He may not be charming like his brothers, but he was responsible and calm whenever a problem was at hand. His family may fear him, but they loved him all the same.

y she fel

why she had

She saw how the lady's eyes would always travel to Benedict's scars. Did they bothe

been good, even asked for her name, last night. She deserved a man such as Ben

d and ought not be praised that much. He was but a mere man and he could very w

and face the door. The twins, as always, never learned that knockin

day as their governess. A respite meant that the three of them could drop all formalities and proper

?" she aske

to find

frown. "I don't think I

e," Ysabella said, stepping into her room. "But you ought to

surprise. "Me? Why w

a dress. Come, we must hurry! It is rare for Benedict to say yes to take us s

ut

ll gowns, Agatha," Ysabella was saying, pushing her

*

take them shopping for gowns even until when he was sitting across

t gown, and a y

The two had been discussing the colors of their

by his mother and Margaret. But the two had not come home since they went to Highmore estate that mornin

ounded out with excitement. Benedict had almost forgotten Agatha was

ely threw him a disapproving look before she scurried behind the girls. She had never thrown him such look before. Benedict

de and he sat down beside Agatha w

s a big woman and it took her merely three steps to approach him with an awkward curtsy. Benedict m

edict mere

s on seasons, Vernice," Emma ut

to face his sisters. "

f a season. We have always been curious!" Ysabella offered

to do once the season starts," h

d talking about gowns and fittings and that he was talking to her. "I am afraid I will h

t the shop was rather small to do anything else and so he asked, "I h

informed corr

anion and she believes you are the best

atha swung her restless gaze away from him. She had topaz eyes and he was quite startled to find out they were quite...stunning. He erased the thought from his mind and was about to say somethi

king, answering his question. "I do not wish for

e had been no question that a governess ought to know many subjects so

s sisters tried different gowns and asked for his opinion. It was one thing to provide an ho

you. No. Should it not

d I would not receive such great reputation if we cannot provide the best, darlings, so please be assured t

inally going back to the manor, his sister

. She had gone crimson, most definitely embarrass

er to stand before Vernice. The large modiste stared at Agatha with curious

ore gowns than this gr

rey and black and white. Nothing

for the balls. She ought to have new gowns," Ysabel

wil

s sisters

er mouth to protest, Benedict

to do and what colors to use. Agatha merely stood there with naught to say

er to fit and see if it would look good on her, Agatha s

abella and E

ion a mixture of desperation, frustration a

in

ther on

in

ne for a long time and they could hear Vernice almost yell an order that she

ut

let them see,"

ened beside Benedict, exci

arms over his chest. A great part of him wanted to shout for the woman to hurry along so they co

gatha Blair stepped out from behind the

gasped i

's heart