Title: La Belle et La Bête
Author: Shelby
Summary: Lady Blair Waldorf has been wed to Lord Charles Bass. She knows little of him since he has been kept in his castle by his father practically all his life. Others tell her he is an awful man. Then how has she fallen in love with him? (Historical CB Series)
A/N: PUT A/N HERE.
Background on this chapter: The story of "La Belle et La Bête" is actually quite different from the Disney/American version as well as other ones. I am using the one of the original French stories in my reference (located in this chapter).
I was very much inspired by this piece of artwork for the first part of the chapter (take out the spaces when you put it in as the url): http : / / veralya . deviant art . com / art / lost - 146107205
This piece inspired the second scene: http : / / moonlit flame . deviant art . com / art / Secret – Lovers – V – 2 - 54214182
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Blair wandered down the dark hallway in her almost shear, white night gown. It was floor length and almost like a Greek Goddess style. Her footsteps were silent against the floor as her eyes drifted into the room of whatever door was open. She never allowed these glances to linger too long unless she saw him. She had not found him yet though, and wondered where he was. Today he had been rather distant and she wondered why.
Finally she came to a large oak door that a male servant stood outside. She looked at him with curiosity.
"Have you seen Lord Bass?" Blair asked him, not the least bit shy. The man's eyes flickered to the door and then back at her.
"He has business to take care of, your Ladyship. He will be in his study for most of the night," the man responded with a small type of nod/bow.
"Oh," she said with a shrug, "alright then. Well if you see him, tell him I said… good evening." Her voice took on an awkward tone. She then turned around and went down another hallway, the servant's eyes on her. As soon as she entered the bedroom she went to her bureau and fetched the key to the garden.
"I'll just have a moonlight stroll myself," Blair sighed and excused herself from the bedroom. She found her way to the large doors with ease and put the key in the lock. With small struggle, she opened up the door and stepped inside.
When she came through the doors, the garden looked practically magical. Everything was lit by the light of the full moon and had a whitish glow to it. She smiled and looked around as she went further into the garden. Instead of the pathway taken last, that she knew circled around, Blair decided to go about the other one.
It was different. The pathway wasn't as cleaned and the trees were thicker. But it was almost more beautiful because of it. She kept moving until she came upon something she didn't expect. It was a pond, but still rather deep. The water was almost a teal color and it was filled with lily pads and water flowers that looked like roses.
Blair moved closer and sat down be the edge. Everything around her seemed to shine more than before, it was so peaceful. Even her white dress was glowing. The ground was comfortable and the grass was so thick she didn't even see dirt. Her eyes flickered to the pond and she fixed her curls that hung loosely past her shoulders.
She sighed and brought her knees to her chest. Once she stilled she noticed something flutter out of the bushes and around her.
They were butterflies, white ones, which too glowed in the moonlight.
She felt her heart flutter at the sight of them. They were so pure and striking. She had never seen anything like that imagery before. It was all very surreal. She was so distracted that she did not notice the dark set of eyes that watched her from the shadows.
"Some would think it unwise to take strange, abandoned pathways in the dark of night," his voice told her from behind. She immediately snapped around, the butterflies around her fluttered away in panic, and froze. He leaned up against a tree with a sly smirk.
"How long were you standing there?" Blair asked, her tone that of nervous and demanding. She did not like that he was able to sneak-up on her. No one was ever able to come within her radar without her feeling it. She knew when someone's eyes were upon her, always. Yet she didn't detect his in the slightest. That both irritated and intrigued her.
"That is extraneous, my love," Chuck sighed with a shrug of his shoulders. He did not move forward, but remained where he was and continued to gaze at her. His body stayed within the shadows and out of the moonlight.
"I do not fare well when people sneak up on me," she responded and turned back to look at her reflection in the pond.
"What if we branded it as I admiring you from afar, then?" he suggested with a chuckle. It was a very dark and deep chuckle though. She felt goosebumps, but also the fluttering feeling in her stomach.
"Are you not supposed to be in business, Lord Bass?" She turned back towards him and quirked her eyebrow.
"Lord Bass?" His smile flashed amusement.
"Chuck," Blair sighed and rolled her eyes.
She then turned her back to him again. After a few moments of silence she felt his eyes on her back. That was good. At least she realized he was coming towards her that time. Her eyes zoned in on the pond, her reflection. She actually found herself to look flattering in the moonlight.
"Tell me," he whispered huskily against her ear. His eyes looked at her through the refection of the pond. She stilled her body and forgot to breathe. His lips were on her neck, his hands around her arms.
"What?" Her breath finally released itself and her word came out in a rush.
"What exactly do you think my business tonight entailed?"
"That is your business," Blair spat and shrugged him off of her. She went to stand to her feet, but forgot how close to the edge she was. Her body fell forward towards water yet again. Chuck's hands reached out to grab her and yanked her back.
"What need do you have within you to drown so badly?" he spat and shook her by the shoulders. His nostrils flared. She stared at him in shock. Then the anger built in her stomach and she smacked his chest.
"What need within in you beckons you to save me each time?" she countered. Slowly his eyes looked from hers and his tight grip loosened. When he backed away it was she who now moved towards him. His back hit the tree and he looked to her strangely.
"What?" Chuck bit out. His brow furrowed in confusion.
"You do not wish harm to come to me. It frightens you, does it not?" Blair smirked and reached her hand up to caress his cheek.
"What if it does?" he breathed. His body was tense and he seemed ever so nervous.
"Then it would give me yet another glimpse at the heart we both know you have." Her hand moved to his chest, to rest atop the skin.
"You're making them flutter," he mumbled and closed his eyes. She smiled knowingly and leaned to kiss him softly on the cheek. Her hand wrapped around his neck and he wrapped his hand around her waist.
"Butterflies are extraordinary creatures, are they not?" Blair whispered. She felt as if she had him at her mercy. He seemed so vulnerable, so captivated by her.
"Goodnight, Chuck." With that she pulled away, but did not miss his hand that reached for her. Her eyes nodded to it and he quickly pulled back.
"I'll be up shortly," he called back to her. She stopped momentarily and turned to face him.
"I'll be waiting," Blair smirked. With that she left.
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Blair sat on the large fur rug in front of the fireplace, located in the master bedchambers. She had a long, silk white night gown on and her knees brought to her chest. She had been here for almost a month, nearly four weeks, but she had learned within the first week of her stay there that it was the warmest part of the house. It also was where the moonlight from the window met the light from the fireplace. It was unique in its beauty and soon became her favorite place to sit.
After their talk in the garden, Blair had learned a lot more about Chuck. She of course told him about herself as well, but to her surprise he knew quite much already. He had admitted her friend Nathaniel, the only child allowed to visit him when he was younger, was his best friend and told him much about her and her best friend, Serena Vanderwoodsen. His father apparently had business relations with Nate's and sometimes there was no other option, but for Nate to tag along.
Lord Charles Bass, her husband, was not what everyone thought him to be. For years she had heard stories of him being a horrid child and awful man. But with her stay there she now believed differently. He got more affectionate with her each day. He also allowed her to fight with him, not physically of course, but they had a few verbal storms. That was unheard of and if her mother were there, Blair knew she would have slapped her across the face. Chuck had permission by law to do so for her talking back, but he never laid a hand on her in a violent matter.
As for other matters… she had still not surrendered her virtue to him. It made her worry he had grown tired of her, but she did not ask him that. Instead she kissed him, more and more each day. The butterflies in her stomach had gone mad. She liked living with him very much and he appeared to thrive off of her company. But now she wasn't sure what to do. She felt more than fond of him.
Was it possible she loved him in such a short time?
He just seemed to understand her so well. They thought alike, he had even said that. And she agreed, with the exception of his sometimes often heinous thoughts. She had thought she had been in love before, once with Nathaniel when they were younger, but then discovered it was much more just an infatuation. With Chuck though, she felt… It was love.
She laughed softly. It seemed silly. Blair actually loved her husband. That wasn't very common in society. One was lucky if they didn't loathe the person whom they were arranged to marry. She felt like a young, naïve girl all over again. He did call her love. Did that mean he loved her too? She felt giddy with excitement.
"What has you so happy, love?" Chuck's voice filled her ears. She blushed crimson, thankful her back was to him. Then she felt him wrap a blanket around her shoulders and pull her into his lap. He rested his chin on her shoulder and kissed her cheek gently.
"I just felt rather… warm is all," Blair responded, with only the slightest of hesitation. They silenced for a while and she then heard the waves outside become angered. When the loud crash of thunder came next she screamed.
"Shh… It is just a noise," Chuck soothed and turned her into him. She buried her face into his chest and grasped tightly onto his shirt. Once she calmed, she felt embarrassed. Her eyes slowly looked up to his.
"It just staggered me was all," she defended.
"It is okay to be afraid, Blair, although there is no reason for it. I'm not a knight in shining armor, but I vow to always protect you," he breathed.
"I know." She rested her cheek against his chest and he rested his chin on the top of her head. His hand stroked her back soothingly and she closed her eyes. The storm raged on outside, but then it started to sound almost rhythmic and soothing.
"Chuck?"
"Hmm?"
"Why did you continue to live up here all alone, even after your father passed?" Blair asked carefully. She did not wish to upset him, but wanted to know. His father had kept him up here when he was little, but when he was older she thought he would have finally come down. But he never had, well with the exception of when their story started.
"It is like the story," he responded. Blair frowned in confusion and turned to him in question. He smiled at her softly and nodded.
"La Belle et La Bête," Chuck told her, "Although it has a many editions, the main plot remains the same. Perhaps you have heard of it?"
"You are not a beast," Blair shook her head and scrunched her nose.
"But people think I am. Down there, many have not seen me, but only heard stories. I may not look too horrendous…"
"You are very handsome," she cut in.
"Then I am a handsome Beast," he chuckled. She still protested though. She did not want him to see himself that way.
"I do not think so," Blair sighed.
"But it is true," Chuck nodded, "although not precise to the story I did convince your father to give you to me. You came here and I graciously accepted you into my home. I have given you lavish clothing and food. We have had conversations, far more personal than either of us has shared with others. The only differences are I do not ask you to marry me each night and I hope you do not dream of princes, but that could be connected as well. Each night I ask you if you are ready and each night, you have refused me. I only hope you will not leave and find me dead by the rose bushes when you return."
"But my tears would bring you back to life as a handsome prince," Blair protested. Her eyes lit up as she listened to the story like a child.
"I thought you already found me handsome," he smirked. She hit his chest playfully and smiled. Then with a sigh she shook her head.
"I still refuse to think of you as a beast. Blair Bass is married to a handsome Lord, not an animal. Even if some that leaves his lips is not very Lord like…" Her eyebrows rose to indicate what she meant. He chuckled and stroked her cheek.
He leaned in and kissed her strongly on the lips when she said that, unable to resist. Blair kissed back as always and soon found her back on the fur rug. Chuck's body was over hers and he began to kiss up her legs. Her body reacted like never before and she moaned and twitched at the kisses. Under her panties she felt… warm and wet.
Then he took hold of himself again and fell on his back beside her. For the first time since this had happened, Blair felt not happy when he did this. Still she slowly turned to smile at him breathlessly.
"Thank you for bringing me here," she told him. Her brown eyes fell just below him and she stared at his lips.
Chuck looked into her eyes, but then looked down too. He seemed to stare into space, into a world full of contentment only he could see. He then shook his head with a smile.
"You were," he paused and their eyes connected, "you are, the only one who belongs here."
Her eyes flickered down and then back up to his again. His dark eyes looked so soft, but yet dripped with want for her. She waited for him to seek her, but when he continued to hold back she took it upon herself. Slowly Blair moved her body closer to him. Their shoulders connected and their heads leaned forward in union. When their noses touched she felt her heart beat take off like never before. Then his lips captured hers in a slightly open mouthed. It was so gentle, but at the same time his lips pulled with desire and hunger.
He broke the kiss shortly after it began. Blair arched her body and moved her leg, she draped it over his. His eyes twinkled and he chuckled. She smiled as his lips kissed her neck, sucking on her flesh to redden them with his mark. Then he moved down her body and came back up, kissing her legs. He was over her now, practically on top.
"Chuck," Blair breathed as her eyes rolled back into her head. He came up to her face and smiled. She leaned up, grabbed hold of his shirt, and pulled him into a kiss, this one much stronger and passion filled. Her legs spread apart while she did this, he took notice.
"Are you sure?" he asked, breathlessly and pulled from the kiss. She smiled softly and then moved in to kiss him with even more craze.
She gave him her answer.
His hands brought her back up and then she held her own above her head. He lifted the gown off of her, she was naked. Chuck slowly lowered her back down. The fur of the rug felt wondrous against her back. He smirked as his eyes grazed over her body. A nervous breath escaped her lips as he did so. Her inner self confidence arose at the worst moments.
"You are divine," he whispered and buried his nose into her curls. His legs straddled her body as he kissed her neck again.
Blair's hands found his shirt and she undid the buttons as fast as she could. Between her legs now burned with heat. It was amazing, but also made her anxious. How had she never experienced it before? How did she survive without for so long? A moan hit her throat as he trailed kisses to her breasts.
"Oh…" Her voice rose in volume and her back arched. He chuckled darkly, black eyes sinister. But she was not afraid of him. When his lips moved more South and he placed a kiss on her center she practically screamed in excitement.
"Chuck!" Her hands reached up to grip the fur rug above her head. Brown eyes flickered open and close. She then felt him lean up and undress completely. His hand pulled her up to straddle him as she sat in his lap. Her eyes widened when they roamed his body.
"Does my body gratify you, Blair?" he asked huskily into her ear.
Blair nodded and smiled when his lips grazed her neck again. Then she pushed a hand to his chest. He frowned, but then learned of her intentions. She placed her lips on his neck, like she had done it a million times, and repeated what he had done to her.
"You," his eyes rolled back into his head, "Have never done this before?" His nerves worked up as he awaited her answer. He felt it would make or break him.
"No," she whispered seductively against his neck. Her hot breath drove him wild as heart swelled.
"Good," he mumbled and lied her back down. His hands held hers above her head and pressed them into the fur rug. She giggled, but her laughter had never sounded as sexy as it did then.
After much more kissing she felt him press up against her. His hardness felt strange at first, but then she felt her wetness increase. It made a content smile grace her lips. He noticed and returned it. Then without word she felt him push inside of her.
"Chuck," Blair grasped and dug her nails into his back. He growled at the pain, but then smirked in pleasure. Tears trickled down her cheeks at the pain when he broke his way through. His hand reached up and captured it and then stroked her cheek. He pumped gently at first to ease it.
"It only hurts so greatly the first time, my love," Chuck told her.
"Promise?" Blair asked in shaky breaths.
"Yes."
Her breathing became rasps as he pumped in and out of her. At times he made her moan, but then if he would plummet into her she screamed. She felt her heart race as she came closer to falling off the edge.
His body over her seemed to twitch and he felt as if he'd burst. Then it happened, pure ecstasy.
"CHUCK!" Blair screamed as her peak hit.
"BLAIR!" Chuck came right after her. Gently he pulled out as her eyes blinked open and closed hazily. He fell beside her and pulled her to him. She felt him wrap the blanket around them, but the warmth of their naked bodies practically made it unnecessary.
"Chuck…?" she breathed, eyes closed. His opened, able to revive better. He had more experience, although he still wondered if any of it had been worth it. She was different, amazing.
"Yes," he responded.
Her hand gripped his chest hair and her eyes fluttered open. The color of mahogany never looked so content and fulfilled. He inwardly beamed that he was the cause.
"Do not leave me in the morning," she told him. It sounded as a command, but at the same time he sensed the fear she had of him doing so.
"I will be here when you awake," he promised. She nodded and then her eyes closed again. He pulled her as close as possible and held her as she slept. Finally he drifted into his own peaceful slumber.
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A/N: See any similarities in dialogue sweeties? Review if you liked.