Chapter One

Belle returned to the cottage as the thunder clashed overhead.

She knew immediately what she wanted to do and she wondered if this was the right idea. But Gaston didn't follow her as she knew he wouldn't. She kept her basket in her hands as the door opened and Harriet opened it. The woman's expression showed she known where Belle ventured off to but she didn't speak a word when she let her mistress in. Once Belle was in, she let Harriet take her cloak off. She kept the basket as she approached the table and noticed super.

"I take it Master Gaston is at the tavern?" Harriet asked as she placed the cloak on the rack.

"Yes." Belle answered but she didn't say anything about how the betrayal.
She offered a prayer of thanksgiving for the meal before she slowly ate. Belle smiled when she felt a flutter of feet touch her. Touching the unborn baby, Belle softly whispered.

"Yes, little one. Mama wanted something to eat! I see that you were hungry, too?"
Her response was another kick and Belle laughed. It was a reliever because Gaston's betrayal hurt her more because of the unborn baby. And the child was a result of their love... or dare she even hope... love was in the picture?
A thundering sound caused both Belle and Harriet to pause and they looked out the windows. It started to rain and Belle remembered how her horse, Phillipe, would react to the weather and she missed him! He'd been given away after Papa passed and she was left alone to marry Gaston. But now?

Then something inside Belle sparked. Turning to Harriet, she asked.

"Harriet? How long is it until Gaston should return?"

"Midnight, Belle. I'm sure you know that. Why do you ask?"
The idea which was entering Belle's mind was giving her chills but she also knew she going to like her adventure. Remembering how she loved books and daring sword fights: she felt her heart beat as the idea was developing in her mind. She peered at her meal...

"Harriet? Can you prepare another one of these?" Belle asked as she clasped her spoon. The baby had paused in kicking and Belle felt how the child stilled within her.

"I can! Is it for tomorrow?"

"No. It's for tonight." Belle replied and she rolled her shoulders.

There was a pause on the housekeeper's side and Belle knew she was staring at her. But Belle was devising a plan to do something about Gaston's unfaithfulness and betrayal. She told him before she no longer trusted him and if all he ever did was come home and sleep with her and not love her like a true husband...

"Tonight?" Harriet asked and Belle nodded.

"Yes. I want it prepared before Gaston returns home, Harriet."

Belle kept what she had in mind a secret as she rose. Turning to the housekeeper, who gave her a perplexed expression, Belle asked.

"Can you have it ready in an hour?"

"Yes... I can... what is this about, Belle?" Harriet asked but Belle held a hand up.

"I don't want to have questions asked, Harriet. Do as I asked and I will be in the bedroom."

She turned and didn't let the woman say anything more as Belle walked forward. She didn't glance back when she entered the bedroom, where she and Gaston made love so long ago, and closed the door behind her. She left the basket out in the main lobby and knew Harriet would place the food there. Making her way over to the closet, she opened the doors and peered at the dresses. Most of them weren't meant for a woman who was 5 months pregnant but Belle knew she would find a way to make maternity dresses as her pregnancy increased. Narrowing her eyes, she glanced at one of them and knew this one would do for her plan.

Taking this one, she placed it on the bed and nodded. It was perfect and then she moved to another part of the room. Here, she found a traveling bag and placed it on the bed. She kept a quick checklist in her mind as she continued packing what she knew would be necessary for the trip. Her heart thumped and she was sure it could be heard above the thunder that roared outside. She was so engrossed with her plan she wasn't aware at one point, a hard knock sounded on the door. She felt her heart almost stop beating when she stared at the door. Could it be Gaston?

Part of her hoped not but then she remembered he was going to return home at midnight and not before! Heaving a sight of relief, she made her way over, and opening the door, Harriet stood before her.

"The meal's ready. I put it in the basket." Harriet announced in a matter of fact tone.

"Thank you. I will go see to it later." Belle replied and shooed the housekeeper away. The woman's eyes had a suspicious look to them as Belle closed the door again. This time: she locked it before she returned to her packing.

Sometime later...

Belle stepped out of the bedroom in traveling clothes. She knew she didn't want anyone to know what she was doing and she was thankful Harriet did as she asked her to. When bounced her eyes back and forth, no one was in sight. Approaching the table, which was in the center of the room, Belle made her way over and feeling the unborn baby was asleep, she approached the table and placed her traveling bag on a chair. She remembered how Gaston and her used to have meals together... before she found out... this in mind, she reached for the basket and peering inside, she nodded.

"Do you suppose running away is going to solve your problem?" A voice asked and Belle turned and almost jumped when Harriet stood to the side, holding a candle in her hands. Belle blinked and was thankful the baby was still asleep as she asked.

"However did you know that was my plan?"

"I guessed as much when you returned from the tavern." Harriet answered and Belle wished she hadn't shown her "obvious" plan earlier. She paused as she turned and looked away from Harriet.

"I know about how unfaithful Master Gaston is, Belle, but..."

Belle stopped her by shaking her head.

"No, Harriet. I saw what he did at the tavern... along with those women he was..."

A clash of thunder made her look out the window. The rain was beginning and Belle knew if she didn't do as she planned: it wouldn't work and she'd be a slave to man who she thought no longer loved her. Turning to Harriet, Belle continued.

"I'm going to run away from him, Harriet. I can no longer see him the way I used to. I don't trust him the way I did before and he's dented all romantic feelings I ever had for him before and after we were married!"

"You know he's going to angry when you're gone, right?"

"Yes. I know that..." Belle replied as she tied the basket with some cloth.

"But I also want to test him. If he loves me: he will follow and try to find me. If he doesn't: than I will give birth alone."

"Do you know where you're going?" Harriet asked and she walked over and started to help Belle.

"No." Belle replied and she paused in her movements. She didn't think that far...!

Harriet suddenly surprised her by placing a hand on Belle's shoulder as she suggested.

"I know where you can go. Deep within the forest there's a friend of mine by name of Potts. I have a map and it should show you where you are to go. I know she's a kindly woman and has a son of her own, too. The rain outside won't affect the journey because the castle's not too far off. I know them and if you explain to the master your situation: I hope he'll be as understanding as my friend Potts is. If they ask you who you are, simply say, "I'm here looking for a woman by name of Potts.'"

"I never knew there was a woman by Potts, Harriet! You sure they will help me?" Belle asked and she felt she had an alley on her side.

The housekeeper nodded as she answered.

"Oh, yes, Belle! They're all going to love you and they're very open and kind! And the master would like you!"

For once, as Belle looked at the housekeeper, she felt a bit reluctant to leave as she and Harried looked at each other. She'd met the woman after her marriage to Gaston and she'd grown to love her as a mother. But when Belle learned of Gaston's betrayal, she knew she didn't want to endure any more of lost trust... especially someone as her husband.

"Where is the map?" Belle asked.

"I will give it to you. And do take care when you leave, Belle! The wolves are fearsome and traveling at night is when they like to strike most!"

"I will." Belle answered.

"Then wait here until I get you that map." Harriet replied and Belle nodded.

When the woman left, Belle was left by herself to think about her plan of testing her husband. She never knew running away was an option but when she remembered the betrayal... it was all she could do but wish she could throw a log into the fire! When Harriet returned, she placed the map in her mistress's hands as she whispered.

"Be careful out there, Belle. Follow the map and tell the servants of the castle if Potts is there. From there you and the baby should be taken care of."

"Thank you." Belle softly replied before Harriet gestured for her to make her exit. When Belle stepped outside, she wasn't surprised when Harriet's husband was standing there with one of Gaston's horses. He was strong and Belle liked how he appeared to be in the mood to travel as she was. Beside him, Harriet's husband stood and when he looked into her eyes, he said, against the cries of the storm.

"I'll help you up, Belle. Then I will point in the direction of the castle."

"Thank you." Belle answered as she made her way over. She only briefly glanced back and captured the cottage and Harriet standing in the doorway. The woman must have informed her husband about Belle's runaway plan as she nodded. Belle looked back at Harriet's husband who said.

"Hurry if you want to get to the castle in time!"

"On my way." Belle replied as she walked over. The baby started to move a little so Belle paused and placed her hand on the movement. She felt her throat twist when she thought of the baby's father...

"No." She thought as she looked at Harriet's husband.

"I'm ready." She said against a clash of lightning.

"Alright. Put your foot here and up you'll go!" He answered.

Soon, Belle was seated on top of the stallion and when Harriet's husband pointed in the direction where she was to travel, Belle thanked him and giving Harriet a final farewell wave, turned the stallion and entered the path which was pointed to her. Riding side saddle was a little challenging but when Belle remembered what her run away plan was: she knew she was going to follow through with it!

Entering a glove of trees, Belle remembered what Harriet informed her about a woman by Potts. Regardless of the rain and roaring thunder, Belle kept her focus forward as she narrowed her eyes. She wanted to go to her destination before Gaston found her! If anything: she wanted to get away from him and she hoped her running away would work!

"If he still loves me: he will follow." She reminded herself as she pressed her ride to travel a "If not: I'm giving birth alone."

Then she continued her ride. Unknown to her: a pair of eyes watched.