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: So Thursday night I was swamped with homework and studying for tests. I'm extremely sorry guys, but since the update for Wednesday got out so late, I felt like a lot of you would end up reading that on Thursday anyways. I hope you enjoy the chapter. Enjoy!
IMPORTANT: Please listen to this when Chuck and Blair are dancing. Do not think of it as the music playing at the actual ball, since it is obviously not historically right for the times, but see it more as like music in a movie. I think it does wonders for the setting.
Link (Remove the Spaces): http : / / www . you tube . com / watch ? v = rBzcOUOY5YY
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"I wish for you to dance with me…"
Chuck stood directly in front of Blair and his dark eyes gazed down into her own. He had his lips parted slightly, but the evidence of a very alluring smirk remained. The intense chemistry between them made it seem as if no others were present in the very crowded ballroom.
"Dance with me," he stated. Dark eyes twinkled and his inviting looking lips tugged up into his infamous smirk.
"You cannot ask what I have already proposed," she returned with a light scoff. He always had to be difficult. First he made her wait in anxiousness for his answer, and then he disregarded her question and deemed himself the proper one to ask it.
He turned his head and moved closer to her. She thought to back-up, but found herself frozen with intimidation. With a swift movement, one of his hands took hold of hers and then slid her other hand up around his neck. He had her back into the dance floor. She was in a trance. Others simply cleared for them. All eyes were on the couple, but they only had eyes for each other.
"You did not expect me to come," Chuck whispered in her ear knowingly. He pulled back just enough so that their eyes connected again.
"Perhaps," Blair agreed and smiled softly, "but that does not mean I did not wish for it in every way my heart and soul could."
In reaction to her words, his eyes lit up. He did not need to speak of how they made him feel, she knew. Their bodies twirled in union on the dance floor. They were directly in the center now. It may have been an engagement ball for her best friend, but without intention, she and he had stolen the show.
"Every eye is on you, love," he noted with a small nod.
She bit her bottom lip and looked around. He was right. She turned back to him and blushed. Her eyes fell to stare at his chest.
"It is not within my nature to attract such attention." Her voice was small as her eyes rose to his.
"I refuse to allow such thoughts to taint your mind, Blair," Chuck said sternly as he pushed his body up against hers. She gasped slightly and had to remind herself they were still dancing. His hold on her tightened and his eyes burned deep into her soul.
"I… I have not meant to snub your viewings on me, Chuck. I just know it to be true," Blair stuttered. A solemn sigh left her lips.
"You know nothing to be true," he contradicted and shook his head. His volume threatened to rise in anger, not at her, but for her horrid thoughts. However, he pushed it back under control and spoke again.
"You have a resplendent and dazzling aura that no other woman can even hope to achieve. They are fascinated by your beauty, Blair. If you do not believe me, then take another look around," his eyes flickered around the room and back to hers, "perhaps then you shall see the reason behind the jealousy that rages within my heart when another man dares cast a look in your direction."
Blair stared back at him in complete awe. She felt the butterflies within her stomach flutter around at such great speed, she thought to see them burst through her skin and soar to the ceilings. Her ruby lips abandoned her previous pout and tugged into the brightest of smiles.
"Chuck," she breathed. What was she to say? He had literally stolen any protesting statements from her.
The music hit a single loud beat. Suddenly, he yanked her body completely against his. Her eyes looked up into his and their lips were only inches apart. They were still, in the middle of the dance floor, while others continued to twirl around them.
"Kiss me," Chuck commanded. His dark eyes filled with lust for the beauty before him.
The breath held her in her throat. Her body ached to grab him and kiss him with all passion that could be mustered. It seemed as if they were frozen in time. Blair closed her eyes and pushed her lips onto his. It was not a provocative kiss or distasteful, but most certainly the highest display of public affection many had ever seen. All eyes around the room drifted to the couple as whispers filled it.
Blair felt their eyes on her. She did not care what they thought and was certain they knew not of her identity either. But it was her reasoning of wanting more that caused her to break it.
"Let us leave here," she requested.
"Of course, my love," he nodded. His hand then took hold of hers and pulled her close to him.
People cleared a pathway off the ballroom floor as their eyes gazed in wonderment. Society had been baffled at such an intimate display from the mysterious couple. It was clear that both wore rings of matrimony, but that made it all the more odd to them, and of course, all the more jealous.
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Blair giggled absentmindedly as she snuggled against her husband. They walked out the back gardens in search of their carriage. She had made sure to have the orders carried out, which had been promised to Serena, before she did though.
"You seem rather content, my love," Chuck mused. His voice was so sweet, but at the same time sounded with more seduction than she ever thought possible.
"I am," Blair nodded. She closed her eyes for a moment and focused on only the feel of his body as it held her close to him. If it were not for her grand dress, she thought he may have tried to carry her back to the carriage. They came close to the end of the majestic garden and were about to turn the corner when the peaceful and deadly silent surroundings were disturbed.
Nate and Gabrielle stumbled from out of the shrubs. Her arms were wrapped around his neck and she giggled up a storm as he chuckled. His eyes looked down into hers and he had a goofy smile on his lips. Red lipstick was smeared across his face and had stained his white collar. He leaned down for anther kiss, but then saw the couple from the corner of his eye. He quickly stood up straighter and cleared his throat. The Duchess frowned in confusion, but then turned to see Blair. Her eyes lit up and she smiled, not the least bit ashamed.
"Blair!" Gabrielle chimed happily. Nate let go of her and started to straighten out his clothes.
"Hello," Blair smiled. Her eyes shot knowingly at Nathaniel, but then back to her new friend. The Duchess shrugged with laughter, but then halted. She became aware that Blair too had a man beside her. Her eyes wondered curiously to Chuck, but he looked away from her.
"I thought you had previously pledged loyalty to your…" the duchess came closer and whispered, "husband." Her tone was not at all judging, but just confounded.
It was then Blair realized she had no clue that the man that stood next to her, Chuck was in fact her husband. Gabrielle had assumed him to be a… mister. The idea flashed ridiculous in her mind, but if one was not certain, then it was reasonable.
When the Duchess's attempt to whisper had failed, Nate took a step forward. He narrowed his eyes for a moment and scrutinized Chuck. Well Nate had never been very bright… especially when he had too much to drink. The blonde's anger swelled at the thought of his best friend being mistreated in such a way.
"You, sir have fallen deeply out of line," Nate spat.
"Nate," Gabrielle gasped and turned to him. She flashed Blair a look of apology, as if it was her duty to keep him calm. Blair parted her lips to go about explaining, but never got the chance.
"I am not the one who was seen stumbling from the bushes with a married woman, Nathaniel," Chuck smirked.
Blair's eyes widened and she looked to him in shock. He had just… in public. Okay, so technically he only did not know Gabrielle, but still.
"Chuck?" Nate gasped. Both embarrassment and relief took over his features. He muttered something under his breath, shook his head, and looked down.
"So I take it he is not your lover," Gabrielle concluded. She still sounded with slight uncertainty.
"He is my husband," Blair confirmed.
"The one you are in love with," her friend smiled.
Blair felt her cheeks warm and blush crimson. Chuck turned to look at her, but she kept her gaze forward. The butterflies in her stomach swarmed nervously. His smirk appeared in the corner of her eyes. Quickly, she cleared her throat.
"Chuck, allow me to introduce you to my new friend the Duchess de Polignac," she motioned to the Duchess and then reversed the motioning, "and Gabrielle, this is Lord Charles Bass, my husband."
"Pleasure," Chuck stated with a brief nod. He then stood straighter, as if he wished to leave. It was not as if he wanted to be rude to the woman, but did not like the company of anyone from the public.
"I assure you meeting someone Blair deems so worthy, is completely the pleasure of my own. I have only arrived from France today and already have been enchanted by her entirely. If she spoke of you like any other woman does a husband, I would have been very tempted to kidnap her for my own keeping," Gabrielle told him with a smirk. No one intimidated her. That was certain.
"She is a cousin of the Rose family that Serena is to marry into," Blair explained as she looked back to her husband. Technically if Blair's plan worked out that was a half lie… but oh well.
"I am very fond of her," she added with a tint of hope in her voice. She wanted him to see that Gabrielle was someone she rather liked.
"It is true, Chuck," Nate added, "they have been inseparable for most the night. Perhaps they have become mistresses to each other." A light laugh escaped his lips as his blue eyes twinkled. The Duchess joined him while Blair rolled her eyes and smiled.
"Have you accommodations for your stay, Duchess?" Chuck inquired. He was not sure how to go about a conversation with someone he was not familiar with.
When he finally spoke, Blair felt the relief wash over her. It may have sounded stupid, but his approval of Gabrielle meant a lot to her for some reason.
"I shall have no other option, but the Rose's I'm afraid. My husband does not allow nor trust me to stay in rented houses of sorts," her eyes flickered to Nate, "some would say with good reason."
"Possibly during the day she could come and visit me…?" Blair looked to him with doe brown eyes.
"You know very well that is entirely up to you, my love. The only permission needed to be granted is that of yours," Chuck nodded.
The duchess looked baffled for a moment as she watched the exchange. Blair smiled brightly and then stroked her hand against her husband's cheek. He stared down lovingly into her eyes and whispered something sweet.
"Nate, I shall call on you to escort my new friend to the castle tomorrow," Blair told him.
"Of course," he agreed, maybe just a little too anxiously.
"Now, I fear I have grown rather tired and must be home, but my heart will not rest until I am to see you again," Blair giggled. She stepped away from Chuck and took hold of Gabrielle's hands. The Duchess returned the friendly gesture and pecked on each sides of her cheek.
"Au revoir!" she chanted as the couple got into their carriage.
Blair stuck her head out the window and waved. Chuck studied her closely. He had not seen such interaction from her with another. Sure there was the attention and love she gave him, Prince Edward, and Abby, but the Duchess received something with a much more sisterly feel to it. Hopefully that meant he would not grow jealous if the attention of his beloved was given to this woman she seemed attached to within one night.
"I love you," Blair whispered as she fell back inside. She kissed his cheek and snuggled up against him. He kissed her lips softly and pulled her into his lap. Her cheek rested against his chest and she yawned.
"Sleep, my love… I shall carry you to our bedchambers when we arrive to our castle again," Chuck whispered.
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A/N: Review with your thoughts.