Chapter Three

Monday, May 4th – 1896.

The following morning…

Belle opened her eyes as the birds in the trees chirped. As she slowly Rose, she couldn't push away the Weston Brothers' words which seemed to sear through her – "Beast! Look at your queen in the eye!"

As she slowly Rose, she used her hands to steady herself, as their words echoed through her soul. She couldn't help but remember how "the Beast" looked when he'd heard this. Unknown to Phillip or Henry Weston but when "their surprise" tripped and landed on the floor, she'd captured his attention and what she'd witnessed made her soul jump. The manner in which he accepted the mockery… how he stared into her eyes… an unspoken message of pain told her something she never seen before… something which stood out… a feeling which none of the other suitors gave her.

Pushing aside the sheets, Belle wasn't able to keep her mind off of how "the Beast" appeared as she rang the bell for Oliva to come to her. When the woman arrived, Belle heard her exclaim.

"Miss Keene? You look as if you've seen a ghost or something! Was it the ball last night? As the Queen of Beauty – it would make sense your look exhausted! Shall I help you dress in a more comfortable gown? I know the local seamstress sent more over."

"Did she, indeed?" Belle asked and she disliked how she was talking. The memory of "the Beast" haunted her and when she made her way over to the wash bowl, she splashed the water on her face as Oliva made the bed. The morning birds continued to chirrup outside but all Belle could think about was him… or the Weston Brothers' "surprise" as they addressed him.

When she was finished, she narrowed her eyes and turning to Oliva, she asked.

"Olivia?"

"Yes?" The woman answered.

Unlike the other day, she seemed to be in better spirits and Belle was thankful for this. With the towel in her hand, Belle asked.

"What do you know about 'The Beast' of Diamond Springs?"

"The Beast?!" Exclaimed the woman as she made her way over to the chamber pot.

Pretending she didn't notice, Belle answered.

"Yes, Oliva. The Beast… I saw him last night! Seems to me you know something about him?"

When she eyed the maid, the woman's expression was undaunted when Belle added.

"Unless I'm wrong…?"

"No, Miss Keene. You're not. I do know something about 'the Beast.'"
Inwardly satisfied, Belle turned away when Oliva retrieved the chamber pot but she didn't want to let the woman leave before prying some information out of her. Seems her own household servants' knew something about 'the Beast' or that was what Belle thought. As she returned the towel to its place, Belle managed to make Oliva stop in her work as she asked.

"Olivia? The Beast of Diamond Springs… what do you know about him?"

The woman didn't hesitate to answer as she responded.

"Only that he's the brother of the older Weston Brothers, Miss Keene."

This was a piece of information which startled her. Spinning around, Belle stared at Oliva as the woman used her foot to open the door. Belle's heart pounded in her chest as she watched the lady leave. She blinked when the maid only started to hum – as if what Belle asked was only a "matter of fact" question when in reality – Belle's brain was gathering everything she could! As if papers were spread on a table, she thought.

"So…. The Beast is their brother! I didn't know that!"

Then another thought entered.

"And I always knew there were only two Weston Brothers! No one ever told me there was a third! But why was the family so secretive about him? Was it because of…" she narrowed her eyes when she walked over to her closet and opening the doors, stared at her dresses. The normal colors of spring were there – light and feminine. Belle prided herself with one of shades – a lovely pink and Victorian style. Recalling how the fashions were beginning to change a bit if not – on a high level – Belle declined wearing this one. As she placed it to the side, she talked to herself as she selected another gown instead.

"I want to wear this one. It's not the normal shade for the season but I plan on paying someone a visit."

As she held the Victorian dress out, which was of a lovely blue, with some black lace, Belle stared out the window when she heard a gentle tapping on the sill. When she turned, she was surprised to witness that it was the state's Yellow Breasted Chat. He seemed to tap on her window and when Belle saw him do this, she gently approached, holding the dress to her chest. As if she were once again, a little girl, she smiled when the bird continued to tap on the window. As if he wanted some attention but Belle also knew that if the animal was startled – he would fly away but it was the first time she had a little visitor greet her on this morning!

The Yellow Breasted Chat, as Belle approached, didn't seem bothered as he raised his head and when she paused, he titled his head to the side and Belle noticed the color of his chest. He made a soft noise in his throat when she asked.

"Your chest is of the loveliest color of yellow I have ever seen! Are you swooning a lady?"

He titled his head to the other side and he chirped in response. And for once – Belle chuckled. A bird and she was talking with him! The bird, as Belle watched, puffed his feathers before he turned and flew off. Feeling a little disappointed, she turned as she waited for Oliva to reappear to help her dress.

"Where shall you be traveling to today, Miss Keene?" Norman asked.

Seated in the dining hall, Belle held a piece of the cold meat to her mouth, as she blinked. A bit stunned, she took a moment to recover herself before she replied.

"Yes, Norman. Would you care to prepare the coach? I wish to visit someone today."

"Very well, Miss Keene, but I also need to remind you that the early post arrived. You were quite…" he turned and raised his brow at her, "the center of attention last evening. It's in the newspaper! And you have some invitations to respond to."

"More letters to future social gatherings; I am not surprised." Belle replied as she resumed her meal. It was early but Belle knew the day needed to be progressing along. After Norman approached and placed her early mail on the table, she thanked him, before she reached out and taking hold of the local newspaper, narrowed her eyes when she read the social section.

"The Queen of Beauty meets the Beast of Diamond Springs."

"But he's the brother of Phillip and Henry." Belle thought as she sipped her tea.

She read what the locals wrote about her "Meeting of the Beast" and it wrote about what took place and simply put it: a replay of what the evening prior consisted of. Merely word in the papers didn't bother her as much as she knew she would be the center of information the minute she stepped out later. She wanted to make sure no soul knew of her intention she planned on accomplishing later and she even hoped Norman wouldn't object to her traveling. Once she finished her breakfast, Belle Rose, before she gathered her letters and retrieved to the parlor. The manor she grew up in was hers but she was also alone. She kept this to herself when she remembered how her father, Anthony Keene, passed away not too long ago; leaving her by herself under the care of the family servants. Her mother also passed but Belle had been in her youth when this took place. And papa been her only source of relation after her death. But Belle pushed this in as she entered the parlor. The family fireplace, the windows to the right, how they stared out towards Newport…

"No time to reflect on what has passed." She thought as she approached her writing desk.

"I need to be moving along with what I intend to do."

She placed the letters down and after she nodded, Belle turned and hurriedly exited the parlor. When she was in the main lobby, she then retrieved her hat, which Oliva supplied, and once this was on, Belle heard the sound of the carriage wheels on the brick gravel outside. When she made her way out, she opened the front doors just as Norman re-appeared and he was somewhat out of breath when he announced.

"Miss Keene? Your carriage awaits!"

"Thank you, Norman." Belle replied in the most manner like tone she could.

In reality – her heart was pounding. When he took her hand, he escorted her out and across the path which led to the front. Belle could hear the cries of the horses as they stomped their feet impatience. She knew that the other servants of papa helped him with preparing the coach for her travel but she also didn't want suspicious eyes or followers wondering where she was going to. When she stood beside the drive, she turned to Norman as she whispered.

"Take me to Diamond Springs Manor."

And without allowing him to speak another word – Belle opened the carriage door herself and soon seated herself. The butler merely stared at her with a slacked jaw. Then he closed the door with a simple sentence which Belle knew well.

"Very well, Miss Beauty. To Diamond Springs it is."

The familiar manor appeared as Belle's carriage came to a halt.

She made sure she kept her composure tall and fine when Norman leapt down and opened the door for her. As usual – she didn't bother to glance around her. She wanted to make sure she presented herself well to meet the Weston Brothers' "other brother" and she found it strange that they kept such a secret hidden. Especially from society which ached for a little fun here and now. But when she remembered how they'd called him "the Beast", the manner in which they treated him hurt Belle. Though she never mentioned it, how the mistreatment didn't feel right and Belle felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment when she remembered she been the one "the Beast" was asked to serve her wine. It was also mentioned her newest gown was in the process of being cleaned back her manor.

"Here we are, Miss Keene," Norman spoke.

Feeling the butler's hands around hers, Belle turned and stared up at the Weston Brothers' Manor. From the evening before it felt strange to be back. The gate, which opened for them, was behind and Belle was pleased knowing none of the other friends' followed behind her. This morning – she wanted to see someone and she tightened her grip on Norman's as she answered.

"I can see that, Norman. Thank you. Would you care to escort me to the front? I believe I know what I will ask when they open their doors."

A few chirps from the morning birds sounded but Belle didn't pay much attention. She remembered having seen someone on the second floor. As the two approached, Belle kept her pounding heart in check but she couldn't push aside the voices of the two Weston Brothers.

"Beast! Look at your queen in the eye!"

With her hand still in Norman's, Belle waited for the butler to ring the bell. The structure of the Renaissance manor didn't intimate her. It felt quiet as the two waited outside. A gentle breeze brushed past the two and Belle reached up to grasp her hat. She wondered how some of her lady friends' admired such things but Belle would only put these on for "social occasions" or to put it fairly: Queen of Beauty always was asked to put this on.

"Something I never liked." She thought to herself as footsteps were heard.

Then the doors to the manor opened and the butler, Francis, stood before them.

"Why…! What a pleasant surprise! The Queen of Beauty!" He exclaimed as he took a step back. He made a bow before he drew himself up as he asked.

"Are you here to see Master Phillip or Henry, Miss Keene? I'm afraid that both of the brothers' are out but will return shortly! Shall I leave them a note which will inform them you were here?"

Her arm was linked with Norman's as she replied.

"No, Francis. I am not here to see either of the brothers. I have come here to see…" she briefly paused before she finished.

"The Beast."

The butler's reaction wasn't one Belle wasn't accustomed to seeing. He countenance dramatically changed to someone who was fiercely protective and this wasn't something she was used to. She was thankful she had her hand linked with Norman's as she felt the man's hands tighten around hers as the Weston's butler replied.

"Master Adam isn't seeing anyone today, Miss Keene. I would suggest you let yourself loose and never request to see him ever."

Then he stepped back and with fast motions, slammed the doors with a dramatic bang.

"Of all the neve!" Exclaimed Belle.

As she quickly recovered herself, she released her hand from Norman before she approached the door and raising her hand, pounded on the handle as she cried.

"And dare you address the Queen of Beauty in such a way, Francis?! I have come here to apologize to the Beast for the mistreatment he suffered last night!"

"Miss Keene!" Norman's voice exclaimed and Belle felt her familiar temper spark.

She'd used this whenever she didn't get her way and placing her hands on her hips, feeling a little powerful, she nodded as she replied.

"Yes, Norman! I have come here to say I am sorry to the Weston Brother's brother!"

Here she turned and shaking her head, added.

"And I never knew they had another brother! And I always knew them to only have two brothers! Not three!"

An answering voice boomed from within.

"Miss Keene! Leave Master Adam alone! He's not seeing anyone and pounding will do you no good! Norman?! Would you care to take the Queen of Beauty," Belle could hear the butler wasn't pleased with her act, "away before the elder Weston Brothers return!"

"Would you care to not let him speak to me so?" Belle chided back.

Then a voice, which seemed to come from the side, asked.

"Pardon me? But if you don't mind… would you care to explain why you're talking in such tones? The birds got frightened when they heard you. And I came over to know what the common was?"

When Belle turned, her eyes widened and she let out a gasp when Norman exclaimed.

"Adam Weston!"