Many thanks to MarieQuietContrarie in editing this.
Chapter I: First Impressions
For as long as she could remember, Belle French had longed for adventures.
Growing up in the suburbs of Melbourne, Belle believed she had a fairly normal childhood. Her parents were a writing and illustration team who wrote a series of children's books about the adventures of a tempestuous goblin and his human assistant. While the books had not given the French family financial security; they allowed Belle to spend her free time either reading her books or enjoy her hobby of photography in the hopes she would one day be able to tell stories of their own.
However, shortly after her sixteenth birthday, tragedy struck. Belle lost her mother to a terminal illness, her father followed nearly two years to the day after of her mother's passing. People in their circle of acquaintances whispered that Maurice French had died of a broken heart.
Alone in the world with few financial prospects, Belle decided to pack her bags and head to Europe, fulfilling her dream of seeing the world.
Two months into her travels, Belle answered an ad from an American socialite named Cora Mills. An older woman, Ms. Mills wanted a paid companion to accompany her throughout her travels. Belle happily complied with the job as it meant free room and board, a steady salary and learning how to become a proper lady through her interactions with societal matriarchs.
The only downside to the position had been Cora Mills: her idea of a paid companion meant a secretary at best and a personal maid at worst. Belle's duties involved answering the mail, dressing Cora, scheduling appointments and making sure her life ran smoothly. Essentially, Cora treated Belle as nothing more than a servant occasionally reminding her friends that she was an absolute saint for taking a stray under her wing.
"Perhaps" she said, "Belle would one day become a proper society butterfly under my excellent tutelage."
Nevertheless, the perks of the job outweighed any personal humiliation Belle endured. Service to Cora offered a decent wage, the ability to see Europe, (even if most of her sightseeing happened form inside a drawing room) and access to high end dress shops and expensive restaurants (only at Cora's discretion). But the position also meant free-range for Belle to go about her life when her presence was not requested.
On their current trip to Monte Carlo, Cora was spending the afternoon playing at the casinos giving Belle the opportunity to visit the sights. Her planning lead to the hiking trails near the alps and she spent hours taking allowing her to spend time taking photos throughout the terrains of Mont Agel. She could hear the waves not too far into the distance where each step the trees became replaced with shrubs connected to the jagged rocks. The trail was not as steep as she had expected where Belle had mentally thanked herself for deciding to wear comfortable footwear for hiking rather than her usual dress shoes that made her appear at least six inches taller. Belle continued walking and taking photos until she approached the precipice, a man stood on the rough outcropping of jagged rocks, skirting treacherously close the edge.
"No stop!" shouted Belle without hesitation. Startled, the man turned towards her. Picking through the rocks, Belle approached him quickly, her senses on high alert.
"What the devil are you shouting about?" He is tone was sharp, but his eyes were sad and lost. Belle crept closer, hoping she wouldn't startle him. He did not dress as though he was going for a hike, his attire was more business oriented, further alarming her.
"Who are you? What are you staring at?" Still staring at her, the man backed away from the precipice, now towering above her with a thunderous expression on his face.
Belle felt her cheek redden, embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stare. I only thought…" she pointed toward the cliff, and the man backed further away from her, an annoyed expression on his handsome face.
"Oh you did, did you?" the man barked. What are you doing here?"
She could see his hands were shaking. Clearly, he wanted to be left alone. "I was only walking." She said defensively.
He calmed visibly, then snapped. "Well then go about your walking, don't go about screaming."
Belle complied as she left, turning to find the man rooting to the spot, still staring at her. "If it helps, the high tide won't come into the beach until next week," she offered, trying not to make the situation any more awkward.
He looked at her ferociously, and Belle was inclined to cower. Why she scolded herself, did she always open her mouth at the worst moments?
She could not help but smile at the back of him as he stabbed the ground with his cane walking the opposite direction she had come from. She continued to watch after him until he disappeared from her sight. The idea that she'd saved him from certain death gave her a sense of accomplishment as she walked back down the trail and through town trail until she found a bus stop.
One day you will be thanking me...
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The hushed atmosphere at the hotel Cote d'Azur was to be expected during the off season. Belle sat by the sofa near the lobby trying to multitask between reading her book while being alert at Cora's demands as they were playing one of Cora's favourite pastimes. This involved Cora sitting in the lobby and waiting to see someone who deemed as important, meaning recognizable "someone" from the society papers. Afterwards, she would request Belle to collect an item from their suite as a means in making their acquaintance. Throughout her time in working for Cora, this practice would mainly leave Belle shocked and embarrassed for her employer as Cora's snobbery resulted in her acquaintances laughing behind her back or giving Belle looks of pity. But she endured the scorn without comment, as she would receive abuse from her employer if she didn't obey her instructions to the letter.
At times Belle wondered how was it possible Cora never been put in her place by any of her acquaintances or even by her daughter, Regina. Cora would go on about her disappointment in Regina due to her tastes in partners or lifestyle, she said they were a disgrace to her noble blood. She assumed that Regina and Cora resided in different parts of the world so that Regina could live her life without her mother constantly berating her about not being the perfect daughter.
Should Belle ever get a chance to meet Regina, she wanted to proclaim this woman as her hero.
Belle and Cora were in the lobby enjoying their coffee before retiring for the evening. Belle was amazed that Cora had not yet insulted her this evening, but rather allowed her to read her book in peace.
Her thoughts crept back to the gentleman from earlier. She hoped he hadn't decided to the edge of the cliff after she had left. He seemed determined to be left alone, but that purpose would have been defeated if his body is ashore within the next few days. Perhaps he hadn't been serious in his endeavor at least, that was what Belle wanted to believe.
"Such dreadful stuff! Belle, go tell that waiter our coffee is completely cold! What do they think I'm paying to be at this hotel for if the simplest luxuries can't even be at comfortable standards." Cora tossed her cup towards the table, then fumbled in her small purse for a cigarette.
"Yes Mrs. Mills" Belle looked up to see the gentleman from earlier heading out of the elevator.
He was still dressed in a three piece suit. Had he changed his tie? He looked straight at her, his eyes wide with disbelief. Belle smiling back at him.
"Oh my word, that's Robert Gold." Cora said.
Belle turned back to her employer and stared.
"You know the one who owns Eurwyn? The big castle in Scotland. I'm sure you have heard of it."
Before Belle knew it, Mr. Gold was approaching them. Belle noticed Cora becoming increasingly charming, patting her hair and smirking. Embarrassed for their guest, Belle cringed, He was heading straight into Cora's trap.
"Why Robert it's a pleasure to see you again, and in Monte of all places. I trust you are in a good health?" She left Gold no choice but to kiss it. Belle began to wave her arms at him in an effort to warn him to quickly leave.
"Thank you for your concern Cora, it has been far too long. How are your husband and daughter getting along?" he asked.
"I'm afraid dear Henry passed on two years ago, heart attack in his sleep. Can you believe it? Although Regina is doing fairly well, the wretched girl lives in New York now. She was off conquering Wall Street last I remember. Do sit down and join me for coffee. Belle, go tell that stupid waiter to bring a hot pot"
Belle complied, standing up but Gold stood up at the same time causing her to sit back down. "I'm afraid you're mistaken; let me invite the both of you."
He ordered a new tray. They sat down with Cora attempting to be flirtatious in a unsubtle matter as she leaned forward to refill her cup, giving Gold a good view of her cleavage. Belle was horrified at the display and tried her best to focusing on her book, waiting for Cora decided to dismiss her for the evening. She tried to drown out the conversation with her book, but she kept getting sidetracked by the low timbre of Mr. Gold's voice.
"Is the book quite interesting?"
"Belle, Mr. Gold just asked you a question…" Cora snapped.
Belle startled at the sound of her voice. Cora looked annoyed but Mr. Gold's smile was warm and friendly. His kind brown eyes weren't frightening at all, in fact, they put her quite at ease.
"Uh…somewhat, it's currently becoming frustrating to root for the heroine; the decisions she makes defy logic." Nervously smiling, Belle placed her book to the side taking another sip of her coffee.
"Yes I can understand. I take it you like to read, miss?"
Cora cut her off before she could respond. "Belle is a complete bookworm, sometimes I have a hard time getting her attention. I keep trying to tell her that girl her age should be out enjoying herself rather than spending all her time indoors."
Cora gave Belle a malicious smile, then placed her hand over Mr. Gold's. "I hope they've given you a good room, the place is half empty so if you are uncomfortable mind you only need to make a fuss. You valet has unpacked for you I suppose?"
Never has Belle seen Cora been this brazen when making an acquaintance, she was bordering on the lines of becoming too inappropriate. She looked at Mr. Gold for a reaction.
"I don't possess one," he said quietly, "perhaps you would like to do it for me?"
He pulled his hand away from hers. Cora gasped and Belle suppressed the urge to giggle.
Cora laughed awkwardly "Why I hardly think…." Turning her attention towards Belle, "Perhaps you could make yourself useful to Mr. Gold, if he wants anything done. You're capable child in many ways"
Stricken, Belle looked back at Mr. Gold.
"A charming suggestion," he said, smirking, "but I cling to the family motto. He travels the fastest travels alone. Perhaps you have not heard of it."
Without waiting for a response, Gold left heading towards the lobby door.
Belle looked at Cora, suspecting her to drop her jaw in outrage at any moment. The ladies gathered their belongings and headed back to their room.
"Do you suppose that sudden departure was a form of humor?" They walked from the lift towards the suite. "By the way dear" she said as Belle began opened her bedroom door, "I don't think I mean to be unkind, but you put yourself just a teeny bit forward with Robert. Your efforts to monopolize the conversation quite embarrassed me and I'm sure it did him. Men loathe that sort of thing."
Belle froze unable to speak. There was nothing she could say without effectively placing some of the blame on Cora.
"Oh come, don't sulk." Cora laughed shrugged her shoulders. "After all, I am responsible for your behavior and surely you can accept advice from a woman old enough to be your mother."
"Yes Mrs. Mills"
"He looked ill didn't he?"
Belle turned back towards her employer, unsure what to say. She assumed Cora had not paid attention to her and was thinking out loud. "Of course it has been a few years since I last saw him, but it seems he must have not gotten over his wife's death."
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Next Chapter: apologies and an awkward trip down memory lane
