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: Hope you enjoy this chapter! Have fun.
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Blair's Opera Dress:
http : / / www . costumersguide . com /ma67 . shtml
Chuck's Opera Outfit:
http : / / ArcadiaDolls . deviantart . com /art/Il-Cavaliere-Misterioso-V-114387209
Blair's Meeting with the Duchess Dress:
http : / / www . costumersguide . com /ma62 . shtml
Blair's Playing with Abby Dress:
http : / / www . costumersguide . com/ma31 . shtml
The Mysterious Gift:
http : / / www . royalexhibitions . co . uk /images/The%20Queens%20Necklaces/70003%20The%20Godman%20Necklace . jpg
Chuck looked over at Blair, an adoring smile on his lips. His wife stared at the Opera with complete fascination. It didn't matter how many times she saw it, each time she loved it more. And although he was not as fond of it as she, if he were able to watch her enjoy it then he was happy. What a radiant sight she was. Blair wore an elegant, gorgeous, light pink satin gown. It had a full skirt, long sleeves, and a cleavage line he rather appreciated. It also had plenty bows and ruffles, which he knew she loved. Due to the large bow on her cleavage line, she did not wear a necklace, but instead large diamond earrings and her hair up with pink and white feathers.
Lady Blair Bass was the definition of perfection.
"Chuck, watch the opera not me," Blair giggled. Still her voice was the pitch of a whisper. She was very polite in public. She turned to him and nudged him playfully.
"I much more enjoy the sight that appeals to me more," Chuck drawled with a suggestive smirk on his lips. His hand then slipped onto her thigh. Despite the blockage of satin material, he still felt the warmth of her porcelain skin.
"Stop it. Someone will see us," she warned. Her eyes flickered around to make sure no one was watching. The Duchess and Nate were otherwise occupied, but there were a few across the Opera House who had wondering eyes. She quickly looked away from them and back to Chuck. Their foreheads pressed against each other.
"I do not care. You're too intoxicating to resist," he murmured. His lips moved to trail down behind her ear and kissed her neck. She blushed crimson and her eyes widened. He enjoyed every bit of it.
"Perhaps we should excuse ourselves to a more private area. Please, husband," Blair requested. He pulled back and she stared at him pleadingly. Finally, he sighed and nodded. His hand gently took hold of hers and they both stood up. Nate sent them a questioning glance, but they ignored him. The servant opened the door for them and they walked out into the hallway.
"There's a private room," Chuck pointed out. She shook her head as if to insist upon their carriage, but he was persistent. He grabbed hold of her petite waist and pulled her in. She screamed into his hand before a fit of giggles came. They both disappeared behind the large doors and the click of a lock was soon heard afterwards.
After the Opera finished, the private rooms upstairs reserved for the aristocracy were full. A sweet, soft melody from the harp floated around the room and the smell of pastries created a heavenly aroma. The voices of each guest felt like nothing, but a murmur on Chuck and Blair's ears. Despite the crowded settings, they felt secluded. None of the younger crowd was watching them in their corner, lounged on one of the pink sofas with a white fur blanket in Blair's lap.
"Is your headache gone, love?" Chuck asked quietly, but his worry was evident. She had been getting them often lately. He knew it was not normal, especially since they had started to abruptly. He convinced her to stay out of the sun and if she looked tired made her sleep, but they kept coming back. His hand massaged her head, fingertips surrounded with her mahogany colored curls.
Blair smiled with closed eyes. "Yes, but please do not stop. I do not know what has come over me, but between these headaches and me constantly being exhausted… I shall be happy when I am normal again," she sighed. Although, she did not exactly know what was wrong with her.
He eyed the man across the room that played cards. He dared to look appreciatively at his wife's bosom. Chuck sent a death glare and brought her into his lap. He turned her chest into his so that no one else could see it. The man looked away.
Then he spoke to continue the conversation as if nothing had conspired between it. "They shall go away soon, Blair. I know that they must. You cannot be sick," her husband clarified. His body stiffened at the word. He didn't want to imagine the love of his life, pale, and barely breathing in the bed. It made knots twist in his stomach and the bile rise in his throat.
She caught on immediately. Her hand reached up to caress his cheek and she kissed his chin. "Do not worry, Chuck. It could be my perfume or something I am eating. I shall figure it out soon and dispose of whatever it is. There is no need to be troubled by it," Blair assured him.
He nodded and both were silent. She closed her eyes and almost drifted off to sleep, right there, in his arms. But then, she felt him, or rather his hand. He subtly started to fondle her leg.
"Behave, Bass," Blair giggled. Her eyes opened and she glanced around. No once noticed. In fact, there seemed to be a lot of naughty behavior going on around the room.
"Forgive me, but you know by now I cannot keep my hands off of you. And there is something about the Opera…" Chuck trailed off with a heinous smirk.
"Clearly," she scoffed playfully. Her doe brown eyes then rolled and she shook her head. But deep down, she beamed. He loved her, so much that he showed it in public. She never felt more beautiful or secure than when she was with him. He truly was the love of her life.
Blair stared at herself in the mirror, ruby lips in a pout. She pulled at the mute pink satin material of her dress. Her corset had not been tightened all the way today, but she still felt as if the material was straining. The black belt helped some, but not much. And due to her hot flashes, she wore her hair up. Her fingertips brushed down the smoothness as she felt for fat.
"Lady Bass," Victoria greeted as she entered the room. The girl stopped in the doorway. She did a light curtsy and bowed her head in respect.
"Yes, Victoria?" Blair asked. She turned away from the evil mirror and walked across the room. The girl opened her mouth to speak, but didn't get the chance. The Lady of the house motioned her hands over her body. "Tell me, girl, am I becoming fat?" The word rolled off her tongue in disgust.
"Oh no, my Lady," the servant quickly answered. She shook her head fiercely and her eyes fell from Blair's. When her overseer still appeared displeased though her eyes averted up again. "Perhaps it is just the salt in the food. It can make you bloat," the girl offered. Her voice was so naïve and innocent.
"I suspect that won't make a difference to the Lord of the house when he finds himself sharing a bed with a newly rotund wife," the brunette muttered. Her eyes wondered back to the mirror and she studied her profile.
"Lady Bass," Victoria gasped. She blushed crimson and put a hand over her mouth. At first Blair did not understand what the matter was, but the moment she looked to the girl she realized how informal and inappropriate her statement had been.
"Well that will be all on that," Blair sighed. She browsed her drawer for a fan. "Now tell me, what have you come up here for. I have already have breakfast in bed before Lord Bass had to retire to his study for the rest of the day." Her eyes gave the servant a pointed-look.
"I know that, my Lady. I have only come to inform you that you have a visitor. The Duchess de Polignac is awaiting your visit in the sitting room." She recited her words carefully, as if she had practiced them before she entered the room.
"Oh," the Lady returned. She left the fans alone and made her way from the room without another word. With Gabrielle in the house, she always felt less need to be so formal. It was not like Chuck cared for her to be, but the servants were more comfortable if she was. However, the Duchess changed her mood and often personality entirely.
"Gabrielle!" Blair shouted with a delighted exhilaration. The brunette attacked the auburn haired woman and they stumbled across the room. She had not seen her in what felt like forever. It was not possible to help, but giggle in relief.
"My Dearest Blair," Gabrielle addressed. She looked to her with a small, polite smile. It was an immediate red flag that not all was right.
"What is wrong?" Blair pulled back with a concerned frown. She touched her cheeks, but they were still rosy. She seemed intact. Nothing on her was bruised, battered, or broken. But she did not mistake the sullen expression that her friend wore.
"It is nothing, silly really," the Duchess trembled. She wiped under her eyes and forced herself to stand strong. "I have just had a recent spat with my husband is all. He came to fetch me and when I refused left with his mistress. Of course, he did not part without telling me that eventually I would have to come home or he would drag me by my hair." She rolled her eyes and scoffed.
Blair shook her head and touched her friend's cheek. "Then let us show him he is wrong. You shall stay here for as long as you-"
"No," Gabrielle interrupted. A tear slipped down her cheek and she her eyes gazed to Blair in despair. She shook her head. "I cannot stay here. What am I to do? Lounge around while Nate is wed. I could not bear to watch it," she admitted.
"Nate is to marry? To whom?" the other woman questioned. Her brow knitted into a scowl. How could Chuck have not told her?
"There was a woman that has become with family. She carries the child of Nathaniel's cousin, but Tripp is already wed. He must cover for his family or otherwise be disgraced. He accepted at once and who am I to object. I am a married woman myself," the Duchess explained.
Blair could not accept it though. She shook her head in a stubborn, but confident manner. "There must be something we can do. Think, Gabrielle, what can we do?" She felt completely helpless when her friend's spirits did not instantly lift.
Gabrielle smiled with absolute sorrow. She took her friend by the hands and kissed them. "Do not fret, Love. Just be thankful for the life that you have here, one that others can only dream of. And keep me in your prayers always," she whispered. Her voice broke.
"I wish for you to have all that I do," Blair told her with complete honesty. She closed her eyes as the Duchess hugged her tightly.
"I know, Blair. Now, I am to go and meet Nate. I will see you soon though. Who knows how long wedding preparations shall take. They sent the girl away to have the baby and to return after it is born. I have time," Gabrielle nodded. She then kissed Blair on the cheek and disappeared down the road in her carriage.
She did not come out of her room the rest of that day. Chuck had to go away on business and returned only to lock himself in his study once more. She fell into a minor depression of sorts. She did not want to lose everyone. But finally, she pulled herself together. She dressed in a looser fitted material. It was a gorgeous yellow dress that would hide her melancholy mood from her child. Blair ventured out to see Abby. The little blond was playing in her cottage with Prince Edward. A servant girl kept a watchful eye, but was dismissed the moment the Lady arrived. The brunette sat down to watch her.
"Mama!" Abby cried. She jumped into Blair's lap. Prince Edward barked and wagged his tail. The child giggled and clapped her hands. Her big blue eyes sparkled as she kissed her mother on the cheek.
"How are you today, Abigail? Did you have fun on your adventures?" Blair asked sweetly. In reality, her daughter of course did not go anywhere, but she had the imagination to make up for the lack of grounds she was permitted to travel.
"Oh yes… except when Prince Edward ran away. He was being a bad puppy today," the blond pouted. She pointed to the puppy that ran and hid under the miniature beds. "You cannot pretend it did not happen, your majesty!" She pointed to him.
"Ruff!" Prince Edward protested. He then turned around and faced them with his rear. The little blond rolled her eyes.
Blair hesitated for a moment and then turned the child towards her. "Whatever do you mean, Abigail? Where did Prince Edward run off to?" She made sure to keep eye contact, basically the little girl's attention. Abby sighed and leaned forward. Only that made Blair hiss. "Oh, Abby, your mother is sore there. Here, sit up straight." She spoke of her breasts.
The little girl simply nodded. She then shrugged her shoulders. "I do not know, mama. But he ran off and then…" She jumped up and ran to her secret cabinet. She got out a silk bag and brought it to Blair. "He came back with this attached to his collar." She handed it to the older woman.
Her mother eyed it. She opened it up and looked inside. Her eyes widened and she gasped. There were family jewels inside, perhaps that of royal descent. At least, they had belonged to a Duke or Duchess. It was a golden, majestic necklace with several large white and green diamonds. The cost she could not even imagine.
"What is it mother?" Abby asked with an innocent, curious smile. She moved to look inside, but Blair pulled it away. Her mother shook her head.
"Nothing, it is-" She stopped mid-sentence when her eye caught onto something else. On the side of the bag there was a stitched engraving. It read: J.B.
She did not give her actions a second though, but snatched her daughter up. "Prince Edward, come. We must all go inside now," Blair urged. She quickly carried her out of the cottage. Both her and the puppy broke into the run.
"Mother, what is wrong?" The little blond got upset. She was scared at how her mother looked around anxiously.
"Do not worry, Darling. It is just time to go inside," Blair lied. The moment she entered the castle, she felt relief. She barked at the servants to lock all the doors and gave Abby to Victoria.
"Take her to her room. Lock yourself in and do not leave until if come for you," Blair instructed. Perchance, she was being overdramatic, but it was just a gut feeling she had.
"Of course, my Lady," Victoria replied.
"Good, now Abby, mother will be in soon," she said in a soothing voice. Her daughter nodded and kissed her mother on the cheek. She was then carried to the safety of upstairs. Blair gripped the bag and hurried towards her husband's study.
Blair stumbled into Chuck's study. She grabbed her chest, out of breath. Something was definitely wrong with why she had been so quickly anxious, but she'd address that rather later than sooner. Her doe brown eyes looked to him with livid worry.
"My Love, what is wrong?" Chuck questioned. He stood up and walked over to her. Before he got there though, she threw a silk bag at him. He caught it, although it did smack rather hardly against his chest.
"Did you send this to me?" Blair asked. Her voice was filled with hopeful doubt. She watched as he opened it and seemed to swallow a lump in his throat.
Chuck knew the necklace. It had been in his family for decades. Only, his father had not seen it since her death. It was one of the most precious family gems, given before the actions of Bart's father demoted their title from Duke to Lord. Who in the family stole it though, his father never said. But then his eyes caught hold of a button. It was engraved with the letters J.B. His uncle, of course.
He looked up in an angry manner and stormed towards her. "Where did you get this?!" Chuck interrogated. His eyes darkened for a moment. But as soon as she started to cry, his exterior softened again. She fell into his arms.
"Abby gave it to me," Blair explained. She tried to catch her breath as tears spilled down her rosy cheeks. She was scared someone had been so close to her child. She wanted Chuck to hold her and tell her that it was okay, but he didn't. When she moved to go to his embrace, he pushed past her.
Chuck shook his head and grabbed his coat off the door. "I need to contact the Captain," he asserted. His hands then pushed on the door.
Blair ran after him. He had hurt her feelings. Did he not see how upset she was? Still she pushed those feelings down though and grabbed onto him as he stomped towards the vestibule. "Chuck, tell me what is going on!" she demanded.
"No," he retorted. He refused to let her know how bad the situation could be. He did not realize it, but while he spat harsh words his hands pushed her away.
She stumbled back in shock, eyes widened. But he only continued towards the door. Servants behind her stopped to stare in fear. She glared at him and then ran towards him again. "Stop it! Look at me! I demand you tell me what is going on!" Blair cried. She pushed him with tiny fists.
"Stop it!" Chuck raged. His loud voice echoed around the castle. He spun around and grabbed hold of her roughly. "You do not have the right to demand anything of me. Listen to order and stay inside while I am gone. If I found out you have disobeyed me then you shall regret it," he seethed. His hands then released her and he went out the doors.
Blair released a loud sob. She had never been treated or spoken to like that from him. Her head shook and she backed up. She felt dizzy and her head hurt. If it had not been for two of her lady's in waiting, she would have fallen.
"Lady Bass!" Victoria screamed. Her and the other girl held her up.
"Just take me to my bedchambers," Blair whispered. She felt heartbroken and insulted. Chuck refused to be honest with her. He had ordered her like society expected him to. It was ironic that such a beautiful necklace seemed to have just destroyed the marriage she once knew. What life was she to lead now?
A/N: I will beta later. Of course if anyone wants to copy this and correct it and then email it to me, I would appreciate it greatly. I have so much to do in school right now with finals and such. Please understand and perhaps lift my spirits with a nice review? Come on, you know you want to.