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: And I'm back with this story! Please assure me you are still reading! Thank you for all the wonderful reviews! They are much appreciated. Tell me your thoughts on the chapter when you finish reading.
Blair's Breakfast Dress and Others:
(B's center pink striped, Duchess front left pale green, Isabelle's back left pink, & Kati's back right red)
http : / / www . costumers guide . com /MA/pinkstripes7a . jpg
(With fans)
http : / / www . costumersguide . com /MA/pinkstripes6 . jpg
Blair's "Mission" Dress:
http : / / www . costumersguide . com /MA/grace/blue1 . jpg
--
Midway into the afternoon, after everyone had slept off their hangovers, those who stayed over finally began to awake. They still planned to have breakfast on the deck, despite the late hour of the day. Chuck had surprised himself and been up early; he told the servants of the preparations Blair requested the night before. Then he came back to his bedchambers and found his wife. She sat on the bed, dressed for the day.
Blair wore a pale green and pink colored dress, but the pink dominated. It was decorated in ruffles and beautiful bows. She had on a matching hat that also had yellow cloth flowers and a baby-pink feather. Her curls were held back in a loose bun. Instead of earrings she wore a simple golden necklace with a pink colored diamond. She also had one of her fans gripped tightly in her hand.
"You look divine, my love. Tell me, has the dreadful hangover passed?" Chuck asked with a small laugh of amusement. Her eyes flickered up to his and her lips pursed. He did love to tease her so.
"Enough to keep something down I suppose," Blair returned with a sigh. She then took his hand and stood from the bed. He grabbed her lower back gently and then pulled her into a light kiss. Instantly, his teasing was forgotten and her lips reacted. When they pulled apart she giggled.
"You taste like chocolate and strawberries." Her eyebrows rose in good-natured suspicion.
"Perhaps I stole one early from the lovely set table," he admitted. His infamous smirk was present on his lips. He knew how much she adored it, whether she was willing to admit that or not.
"Let us go greet our guests for breakfast then," Blair sighed with a smile. She allowed him to lead her from the bedroom. When he held her like the proper gentleman husband, as they descended onto the deck, she had to stifle a giggle. All of her leftover guests looked up from the table with big smiles. However, someone seemed to be missing.
"Where is Serena? Did she not stay last night?" she questioned with a frown. Isabelle and Katie both shrugged their shoulders in union, one in pink and the other red.
"Oh Darling do not worry. Serena, simply had to return home early and visit with the staff, particularly those who work in the stables," the Duchess told her with implying eyes and a hinting tone.
"Oh yes, I do remember now," Blair nodded with a knowing smile. Gabrielle stood and Blair got a good look at her. She wore a beautiful pale green dress, decorated with bows and lace. A matching-colored hat with a huge feather rested atop her head.
"How lovely you look this morning, Lady Bass," Gabrielle smiled as she pulled her into a hug. The tone was of course playful since they never acted so proper.
"Morning Chuck, I must say that Leon and I were quite impressed when further inspecting your grounds this morning," Acel complimented with a nod. He sat next to the other Frenchman that had stayed that night, but on his other side had his arm slinked around Isabelle's shoulders.
"Thank you," Chuck returned briefly. He then pulled out Blair's chair for her. Once she sat down, he took his spot next to her. Gabrielle also returned to her seat.
"I hear your birthday party is already the talk of the town, Blair," Kati revealed. She always did love to be the first to reveal gossip information.
"Oh yes, as it will be for months I bet," Is added with an anxious nod.
"Well people may talk about whatever they wish. It shall not excite nor trouble me in anyway," Blair returned with a shrug. She then reached across the table and picked up a chocolate strawberry. As the other guests started to chat amongst themselves she turned to look at her husband. He smirked as she cast him a pair of seductive eyes and slowly plunged the strawberry into her mouth.
"You should not conduct such seductive behavior in front of our guests, Lady Bass," he whispered, his body leaned in towards her. His hot breath hit her neck and it took all she had not to roll her eyes back in pleasure and moan.
"You'd love it. The servants take over the house. It's-it's-it's superb! The best thing I've seen for years. You enjoyed it, didn't you, Darling?" Gabrielle's lively laughter caught the attention of both Blair and Chuck. They each turned to see her nudging Leon as she moved her hands in excitement and spoke.
"Yes, we did see it together. It was rather lovely," Leon nodded with a chuckle of his own. He then took a sip of his champagne and nodded to everyone at the table.
"What is it you are going on about now, Gabrielle?" Blair asked with a giggle. Chuck pulled her into him and she rested her back against his chest.
"Oh we were just speaking of some old Countess back in France. Her household is quite a joke actually, the servants seem to run both the household and the aristocratic couple living in it," the Duchess explained.
The talk continued along like that full of much laughter. The late breakfast lasted until the sun started to set, but then again had began in the afternoon.
"Cheers, everybody!" Gabrielle proposed and held up her glass.
"Cheers!" Everyone complied.
"Salut!" Leon and Acel said in union before they gulped down their drinks. Both Is and Kati giggled like children at their actions and ability to knock back so many glasses of champagne. It was quite the sight.
"And to Blair for having such a wonderful home and being such a gorgeous hostess!" the Duchess added with a nod and drunken smile.
"Awe, to Blair," Nathaniel nodded and raised his glass.
"And to Chuck for being so in love with her," Gabrielle continued.
"Love, how wonderful… Chuck," Acel commented. Everyone raised their glasses again to the couple. Blair turned to look at Chuck and then leaned in to kiss him on the lips. He happily complied despite the crowd at the table. Once they broke, the Duchess bounced in her seat and clapped her hands.
"I must show you this trick. Everybody, lick your finger and rub it around the rim of the glass…" she instructed.
Blair was the first to follow her. That gave the okay to Is and Kati who were eager to do the same. It took the men the longest, but they finally joined in.
The crystal glasses started to make a melodic sound.
"Beautiful," Blair sighed happily. She closed her eyes and smiled, well aware of Chuck's eyes watching her carefully. She felt his hand reach down and stroke her lower back.
"Doesn't it sound like angels?" the Duchess asked everyone.
"It does not," Nate laughed and shook his head. He then sat back in his seat.
"Oh hush, it is very pretty," Blair scolded and swatted him.
"It's so very spiritual," Gabrielle nodded in agreement.
"And when's the last time you went to Mass?" Leon said in a knowing voice. Gabrielle reached across the table to swat him, but then fell back into Nate's laugh. She pulled him into a deep kiss that caused Is and Kati to whisper while Nate kissed back, but blushed bright red.
"Thank you again for my birthday, husband," Blair told Chuck. She stroked his cheek affectionately and leaned into his chest. She now sat in his lap.
"I can think of a way for you to thank me later that both of us would enjoy much more, love," he smirked. She giggled and pressed her lips against his again. And each time it became much harder to break apart.
--
Blair stood in front of her floor length mirror as she examined her appearance. She wore an aqua blue colored silk dress with a light blue overcoat. Her chestnut curls hung down her back and she had a matching aqua blue colored headband in them. Her hands trailed down the fabric, shaking from nerves.
"It will be alright, my love," Chuck assured her. His hands wrapped around her petite form from behind and he kissed her jawbone. She turned her cheek and rested her head in the crook of his neck.
"I should not have allowed Serena to pull us into this. She will further damage your reputation amongst the public," she sighed with a solemn look.
Yes, tonight was the night that she and Chuck were going to help Serena and Dan escape. Since her husband was higher in rank if anyone found out he could not be persecuted legally, but all there was nothing to stop the horrid gossip that was liable to come.
"I am only worried about yours, Blair. The people will not change their opinion of me, but you have been regarded highly by them. I will take whatever blame they wish to give if it means keeping the burden off your shoulders," he vowed.
"I will not allow you to do so," Blair refused and shook her head in a stubborn manner. He simply nodded, knowing not to push her. Then he took her hand and led her from the room. They got into the carriage. It was very cold and dark outside. She was practically in his lap, in dire need of body heat.
"It's okay to admit you'll miss her," Chuck told her. He stroked her curls affectionately.
"No, it isn't. If I were to miss her it would be selfish and weak. She will be happy with Daniel, despite not having money. It would be self-centered of me to want her here, knowing she would be miserable," she replied. Her eyes fell from his and she blinked back tears.
"You could never be weak, perhaps a little selfish," he chuckled, but then became serious again, "but you know that I adore you that way. I love to spoil you."
"I know," Blair smiled softly and stroked his chest. The gloomy mood lifted from her with only a few words from him. He had that effect on her. He made her feel safe. They stayed like that in silence. He comforted her, even though she refused to address that she was upset.
--
"I will write to you once we settle down somewhere," Serena promised for the hundredth time as they hugged tightly. Chuck and Blair had met her and Dan off an empty road. It was pitch-black, but Dan had thought to bring a lantern. The carriage they had come in was returned home and Chuck gave them one of his. That way, the law would not catch them.
"Please do, S," Blair whispered. Tears streamed down her cheeks, but she buried her face into her best friends long, golden locks.
"We'll see each other again too. I know it, Blair. We will never stop being best friends," the blond cried.
"Never," the brunette agreed in a sob.
The two rocked back and forth as they held each other. Each was a mess. For so long all they had, was each other. Now Serena was leaving and Blair could not go with her. And in a bittersweet way, she didn't want to. She loved her husband. Blair refused to leave Chuck.
"Thank you, Lord Bass," Dan said quietly. He and Chuck stood off to the side. The man had not even greeted him, but kept close to his wife until she went to hug Serena.
"Nothing against you Daniel, but I have done this for my wife only," Chuck returned. He kept his gaze forward on Blair. It was as if even though she was close to him, he was still on alert to protect her if a threat came along.
"Then she is very lucky to have such a husband. I must admit that the rumors I have heard do no justice to your obvious kindness and affection for her," the servant told him.
"Not kindness, but love. I love her," Chuck corrected.
Dan turned towards him with shock clearly written on his features.
"Many men claim to love their wives…"
"Many men do not know what love is. They tell the world of it yet are so quick to take a mistress the morning after their marriage is consummated," Chuck interjected.
"You do not mean to say that you will never take a mistress," Dan laughed out of shock. He loved Serena, but knew the tradition of the higher class. Men always took mistresses. It was accepted. Even the wives knew of it.
"Never," Chuck said with zero hesitation. He then patted Dan on the back and pointed to Serena. She and Blair slowly parted.
"Now, you must leave before dawn," he stated simply.
"Thank you again," Dan nodded. He then walked over to where Serena was. He watched as Blair came back to Chuck. The cold exterior on the man vanished and he took his wife in his arms. He kissed her cheek and held her close to him.
"Goodbye Blair… and Chuck. Thank you for your benevolence," Serena called to them. She slowly looked from Blair to her best friend's husband. Blair turned to watch for Chuck's reaction.
"I ensure you that I am not at all benevolent. If you wish to thank someone then do so to Blair," Chuck responded with a nod of his head.
"I shall thank both of you," Serena replied.
"Thank you," Blair mouthed to her.
Chuck cracked the smallest of smiles, but the blond saw it. The couple then watched as Serena and Dan got into their carriage. Serena stuck her head out as it pulled away, crying and waving. Blair did the same. Once they were gone, they got into their carriage. Blair buried her face into her husband's chest.
"Shh, my love," he soothed.
"What if I am to never see her again?" she cried.
"You will, I promise," Chuck vowed. He then hugged her to him even tighter than before. After a while, the tears dried up and she looked up to him.
"I love you," she told him.
"And I love you more," he smiled.
"Let's go home to Abby," Blair nodded.
"Let's," Chuck agreed.
--
A/N: How was it's return?
