Author's note: Hello lovely readers! Things are starting to pick up, I think! I'm quite proud of myself that I've managed to get a few Downton lines in this chapter, lol. As always, thank you so much for the reviews/follows/favourites/support.

Enjoy :)

Kent

November 1912

Snowfall in London was a strange thing. On one hand, it was beautiful as the flakes glittered in the sky and fell over the city, covering the trees and buildings in a thin layer of white. But of course, the motor cars and smog caused the snow to become dark and slushy, and generally unpleasant.

That wasn't the case at Theron.

When the first snows covered the estate grounds in sparkling white powder, it seemed as if Theron were in a dream.

Gazing out his bedroom window at the snowfall that morning, Adam felt as if he were seeing the grounds for the first time. It felt rather silly, but after spending close to eight months trapped at the country estate, that early November morning felt like everything was new, that the snow had covered all his past mistakes.

Of course, Adam knew it didn't work that way. No matter how hard he tried, he could never recover the money he'd lost gambling, or the favour of the people he'd crossed too many times. And though he wanted to respect Belle's request to stay at a distance, he found it reminded him of yet another mistake he'd made. At least she hadn't handed in her notice. For that, he was truly grateful.

Just as he was about to enter the breakfast room after getting dressed, he remembered he'd left the book he was currently reading (Twelfth Night, for the fifth time) in the library, and went to fetch it.

It wasn't surprising, of course, to see a maid in there already, dusting the chandeliers or polishing the windows. But the maid happened to be Belle, and instead of cleaning, she was leaning against one of the shelves in the corner.

Reading.

Adam laughed, he couldn't help it. Thankfully, the girl was too engrossed in the story to notice he'd entered. He watched her, how she smiled at every line, how her eyes practically glowed in excitement, and he almost admired her for it. Not many servants would be brave enough to do what she was doing. Finally, he spoke up from across the room.

"I pray Cogsworth or Mrs. Potts haven't caught you reading in here," he said.

Belle gasped as her gaze jolted up. She fumbled with the book as she closed it rather quickly. "I'm so sorry, sir, I wasn't thinking–"

Adam held up a hand to stop her. "There's no need to apologize. I quite understand the temptations of being surrounded by books but not getting to read any of them." Well, perhaps he didn't exactly understand, but he knew he would be terribly frustrated in that position, in any case.

Belle smiled and returned the book to its proper spot on the shelf, and then smoothed down her dress. She stood very still, and worry still covered her face. No doubt she was still expecting some sort of verbal lashing, or for him to tell Mrs. Potts about her behaviour. But Adam only smiled to hopefully dissolve any of those worries.

"What were you reading?" He asked, approaching her slowly.

"Romeo and Juliet," she said, smiling softly. "It's my favourite play."

Adam fought the urge to roll his eyes, but he failed rather spectacularly. Why was he not surprised? "Surely you can do better than that," he laughed. Judging by Belle's hardened gaze, she did not agree.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" She asked, her tone growing a bit louder and a bit more confident.

"Well, all the heartache… and the pining, and…" he made a slightly disgusted noise. He couldn't find the right words to describe who much he detested that play. "There are so many better things to read."

"In case you haven't noticed, I hardly have enough free time to read the books here."

Adam realized that were true, and the village didn't even have a library. There was a schoolhouse, of course, but he doubted the strict headmaster ever allowed her to borrow the books. He gazed over at a list on the large centre table beneath one of the windows and his eyes lit up with an idea. "You could… if you borrowed them."

Belle gave him a confused look. "What are you talking about?"

"My father uses a ledger to keep track of who's reading which book. I could always sigh a few out in my name for you."

Belle's face lit up with glee, and Adam couldn't deny the same feeling swelling in his chest. "His Lordship doesn't let the servants sign books out themselves?" She asked.

"Heavens, no," he replied. It was sad, but true. Adam's father never trusted any of the servants that worked for him, not even Cogsworth who'd been working at Theron since Adam was a very young boy. His father thought they would all succumb to the temptations of theft. "My father prefers the servants to read the Bible and letters from home."

"How unfortunate."

"It is, quite," Adam sighed. "This number of books should never go unread." He gazed around the library thoughtfully, taking in all the books even he hadn't read. He really must get on that. He looked back a Belle. "But I'm glad you've taken an interest. Extremely glad. Now, do you accept my offer?"

"Of course! I'm ever so grateful." Belle was practically jumping for joy, he could tell.

"Wonderful. You can usually find me here so just tell what books you want to borrow and I can sigh them out for you." He walked over to the bureau and fetched the book he'd come to get. "Now, I should be going to breakfast for Cogsworth will think I've run away. Good day."

"Good day," Belle replied.

As he left the library, his lips curved into a smile at the sound of a soft cry of delight from Belle.

"But why must we polish the silver again?"

Lumiere rolled his eyes at the young footman's complaint. Jasper was new, and had never been a footman until June, when he was taken on. Before then, he'd been working at a hotel, but it had downsized its staff and Jasper had paid the price.

He was a good worker, to be sure, though Lumiere did find it mildly infuriating that the young man was over six foot two. Jasper was a whole four inches taller than him, and even taller than Cogsworth. The butler never would have taken him on, but his Lordship had been in a rush to get the estate back up to scratch now that Mr. Adam was entertaining young women and their families.

While Lord Villeneuve and his son spent most of the year in London or traveling, the staff at Theron had been minimal, mainly because his Lordship didn't want to pay for staff that had nothing to do (though Cogsworth would no doubt prove there was always something to do). After it was announced Mr. Adam would return for the foreseeable future, the staff increased. One footman turned into three. Three housemaids turned into seven.

"It's only Mr. Adam in the house, and he hasn't used it since we last polished it," Jasper continued. "And it's not like his Lordship will be inviting anyone here, not after Mr. Holloway died in his own bed."

Lumiere paused his vigorous shining of the silverware to face the footman. "Because," he started, "Cogsworth wants to keep Theron up to the mark, and I quite agree with him. Once we start slacking it all goes down the drain."

"Do you really believe that?" This time, Jasper wasn't complaining, but sounded genuinely curious.

Lumiere considered what he'd said. Truthfully, life in service was all he ever knew. Both his parents had been in service, and he started working at Theron at the age of fifteen, as a hall boy. Over the years, through hard work and diligence, he managed to make it up to first footman, and hoped someday to be a butler. Since birth, the ideals of working in service had been drilled into his mind, and to Lumiere, they were very good ideals.

"I think so," Lumiere said, finally. He picked up an intricate candelabra that belonged in the dining room and started to polish it. "I'm not too anxious for change."

"I seem to be surrounded by it," Jasper admitted.

"Oh, really?"

"Well, my father had one of those jobs that requires you to move around a lot, so we were never in the same place for more than a year or two. Then when he died my mum and I set up in London. She had a flower shop, and I worked there for a while. After that I got a job at a hotel and now I'm here."

"And your mother is fine with you having a job away from the city?"

"I think she was thrilled that I would be working in a great house. She said I could make it all the way to the top, though I doubt I want to take it that far. I don't think I'm meant to be working in service for my whole life."

Lumiere nodded, though admittedly the tiniest bit disappointed. He knew service wasn't for everyone, but he would have though anyone would be proud to be employed in a great house such as Theron. The two footmen polished in silence for a while until he spotted Cogsworth passing by.

"Cogsworth!" the footman called, putting down the silver. The butler stopped and peeked into the small room, wearing his usual unamused expression.

"Yes?"

"Do you have a minute? I… need to ask you something."

Cogsworth thought for a moment. "Come to my sitting room, and it better be a minute."

Lumiere nodded anxiously and followed the butler into the small sitting room at the end of the passage. Though it was called a sitting room, it was more the butler's office. Inside were ledgers, books, bottles of wine, and anything else that had to do with the running of the house. Lumiere, he was glad to say, never really spent time in the room. Those that did were either Mrs. Potts or in trouble, and it was not pleasant to be on the receiving end when you were in trouble with Cogsworth.

The butler closed the door and took a seat behind the bureau. Lumiere remained standing only because he would be too fidgety otherwise.

"Now what seems to be the problem, pray tell?" The butler asked.

"Not a problem, so much, as a request."

"Oh?"

"Now I know you don't necessarily… approve of the relationship between Plumette and I, but we are genuinely in love."

Cogsworth raised an eyebrow. "Yes, it has been noticeable on one or two occasions…" he said rather dryly.

"Well, Plumette doesn't talk to her parents, so I was wondering if I should ask you for permission to marry her?"

The butler blinked. It was not reassuring. "You what?"

Right as he thought he was done for, Mrs. Potts opened the door of the sitting room. "Oh, sorry, I didn't realize you were busy," she said and made to leave.

"Lumiere wants to marry Plumette," Cogsworth spoke up, causing the housekeeper to stop in her tracks. She looked out into the passage, and then entered the sitting room and shut the door.

"And why shouldn't he?" Mrs. Potts asked, a smile creeping up on her face. "To be honest, I'm surprised it took you this long."

The footman's face lit up at the housekeeper's response. "So can I ask her?"

"Lumiere, may I remind you that you answer to me, not Mrs. Potts?" Cogsworth said stiffly.

"And Plumette is under my command," Mrs. Potts said. Cogsworth remained unconvinced. "Oh, let them," she continued. "It would be nice to have one wedding to look forward to instead of waiting a decade for Mr. Adam to choose a bride, and that's if he does."

The footman smiled at Mrs. Potts, and then turned to the butler, praying he would relent. Finally, Cogsworth relaxed.

"Oh, all right," he huffed, making Lumiere breathe a sigh of relief. "And only because you would find a way to get married without my permission anyway."

The footman couldn't help but laugh, and knew it was true. He didn't know what would've happened if Cogsworth had refused him, but he would have found a way to marry Plumette anyway, even if it meant eloping.

"When are you going to ask her?" Mrs. Potts asked.

"Heavens, I don't know," he confessed. "Sometime special."

"Well, don't put if off too long."

"I don't think I could even if I tried."

Belle found Mr. Adam in the library later that day, before the dressing gong, just like he said. She had a short break from her work, and no one knew she was up here, not even Plumette. She figured she would tell her that evening. After all, it would be obvious when she brought a few books that were clearly not her own back to their room.

It almost felt odd, entering the library not to work, but to meet her employer. It was practically a scandal in the making. Luckily, the papers never seemed interested in the happenings on of Theron Hall, at least, not for some time.

His face lit up as she entered the room. "I was starting to think you weren't coming," he said, setting down his book and rising from his seat.

"I was able to get away for a bit, now that I don't have your coats to mend," she replied, making him laugh.

"Have you thought about what you want to borrow?"

"I have thought about it…" but in truth, she didn't know where to start. The library contained more books than she'd ever seen in her life.

"Do you have any suggestions?" Belle asked, gazing around the room in awe. Even though it all wasn't hers, it almost felt like it was.

She gazed back at Mr. Adam, whose face lit up. She wanted to borrow Romeo and Juliet, of course. It would be nice to read it in peace and not worry about who might enter the library every five minutes.

"If you love Shakespeare so much, I recommend Hamlet, one of my favourites. And, of course there's Lancelot and Guinevere, and Sense and Sensibility..." He was practically darting across the room to find these books, most of which surprised her. She laughed at his enthusiasm, he was as giddy as a schoolboy.

"I wouldn't take you for a lover of romance novels." She couldn't help but smile.

"I'm allowed to be sentimental every once and a while, I think. And besides, it's nice to read about relationships so much better than your own. It almost makes you forget..." He trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence. His expression dropped, and he looked away from her, almost in shame.

Belle looked at him curiously. "Forget what?"

"I guess they haven't told you why I'm trapped here." He laughed a little, but sadness laced his tone as he stared at the small stack of books in his hands.

"Plumette told me that you'd been spending a lot of money, but I didn't think it was my business," she replied.

"That's something you don't typically here from the downstairs staff. I think there's more gossip in the servants' hall than there is in the drawing room."

"Not in our servants' hall, I'm afraid," Belle said. "Lumiere likes to gossip when he can, but in truth, there's not much to gossip about. And, of course, the topic the late Mr. Holloway has been exhausted beyond belief."

Adam nodded, but she couldn't tell if he was pleased with the lack of gossip. He set the stack of books down on one of the small side tables, thinking carefully.

"The thing is," he started, "sooner or later, my father will force me to marry. I've put it off for half a year and he's determined to saddle me with a wealthy woman to bring more money into the estate. My marriage will be just as loveless as my parents', something I was determined to avoid. And, of course, my aunt seems bent on replacing me as heir with her son."

Belle nodded, taking in the confession. It wasn't normally something for an employer to tell a staff member their secrets, particularly a junior staff member.

"I'm sorry," she said.

"I should have expected this though. I wasn't exactly a saint in London, and now I've resigned to living like ghastly father."

When Belle didn't respond, Mr. Adam clearly understood why.

"But don't tell Mrs. Potts or Cogsworth I've said those things," he added with a laugh, trying to lighten the mood.

Despite her better judgement, Belle approached Mr. Adam, but not so close as to cause a scandal. It was clear the topic was bothering him, and she felt as if she caused it by bringing it up.

"Can't you get away from it all? Leave it all behind and just live?" Belle asked, thinking of the countless places she wanted to travel to, to experience. Mr. Adam scoffed.

"And do what? I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm not exactly cut out for a middle-class life." She knew he was trying to play it off as a joke, but his expression was hardened, and his words becoming sharp.

"I'm sorry if I've angered you," Belle said.

"My life makes me angry, not you," he sighed and gazed at her, offering her a warm smile. Belle smiled back, and the two were silent for a moment. It was an odd thing, just staring into the bright blue eyes of her employer like he was a lifelong friend. And in some ways, especially now, she did feel as if she'd known him all her life. They were two kindred spirits in the Theron library, marveling over their mutual appreciation for it.

After a moment, Belle caught herself and broke eye contact, looking away slightly flushed.

"Please, take these," he said, handing her the small stack of books. "I promise you'll enjoy them."

Belle took them gratefully, and once again her fingers lingered when they made contact with his, but only for moment.

"Thank you," she said sincerely. "And thank you for letting me borrow them, truly."

"You're welcome," Mr. Adam said, smiling warmly. "It's nice to have someone else to appreciates it."

Belle nodded, and as she left the library in a quick saunter, she ran into Mrs. Potts who was at the door. The housekeeper looked down at the books, and then back up at her. Her expression was hard to read. It was a mix of understanding, worry, and warning. She clearly had a good idea of what had happened.

"Careful, my girl," Mrs. Potts said in a low tone. "Or you'll end up with no job and a broken heart."

The housemaid knew the warning was to her benefit, and it made her wonder how long she'd been listening.

"There's nothing–" Belle tried to explain, but was cut off by the housekeeper raising her hand.

"I know, but others are quicker to spread gossip than I. Now, you're needed in the dining room. Cogsworth is about to ring the dressing gong." The housekeeper offered her a smile to reassure her that she was on her side, to which Belle smiled back and rushed off to her room to drop off the books.

It still seemed unbelievable she would be able to read those books in peace, without the terror of someone walking into the library. She would enjoy these books very much indeed.

Moments after Belle had left the library in a happy rush, Mrs. Potts entered, taking slow steps towards him. The skeleton keys attached to the skirt of her dress rattled together as she walked, reminding him of the toys his mother let him play with as a child.

The housekeeper usually didn't need to bother him with anything during the day, which made Adam wonder why she was seeing him now.

"Was that Belle I saw leaving?" She asked in a soft voice. At once, Adam knew what was happening. There wasn't any anger or shock in her tone – which was normal, she was strict but Mrs. Potts wasn't one to be angry – which he took as a good sign.

"How much did you hear?" Adam asked. There was no use putting off the topic or denying it.

"Enough," she replied, sighing. "I just want you to be careful. I know you know this, but if you try to make a go of this relationship, it'll only end in tears."

"I tell myself that every day," he confessed. "But is it so wrong to have a friend in the house, someone who will appreciate all this as much as I?"

"Of course not, sir, but… others may get the wrong idea, and if it gets back to his Lordship…"

There was no need to finish the sentence, Adam knew what the consequences were if his father were to find out about any relationship between him and a housemaid.

"I just can't bear to see you heartbroken," Mrs. Potts said earnestly. "Losing her Ladyship was terrible enough for you, I don't want to see you go through it again."

Adam nodded solemnly. He didn't remember much of his childhood after his mother had passed away, only that he'd hardly been at Theron.

Mrs. Potts offered him a comforting smile. "I won't betray you to Cogsworth," she said. "You know he'd make a right mess of things."

He couldn't help but laugh a little. While the butler might not betray him to his father, he would find it very difficult not to reprimand Belle for what he'd done.

The sound of the gong filled the house, and Mrs. Potts excused herself.

"You know, times are changing," Adam said to her as she made her way to the library's exit.

She looked back at him with sympathy in her eyes. "They are, sir. But not fast enough for you, I'm afraid."

"You seemed very happy during dinner," Plumette said as she braided her long brown hair for the evening. She smiled at Belle through the mirror, and she couldn't help but blush a little.

It was true that she had been terribly happy during dinner. The excitement of being able to relax with a book before bed made her burst with joy, though she tried to hide it from the other servants. While they had been going on about some such fair later in the month, she'd been in her own little world, pulled out only a few times by Plumette.

Belle smiled at her as she climbed into her bed and pulled the covers over her knees. "Mr. Adam has let me borrow some books from the library," she said, feeling like it was almost impossible to not smile.

Plumette's eyes widened, in both a mixture of shock and surprise. A smile grew on her lips. "He never!" She exclaimed. "Why did he do that?"

"He… he caught me reading some of them when I was supposed to be doing my chores. I almost had a heart attack when he came in, I thought he was going to sack me on the spot."

"You're lucky," Plumette said, climbing into her own bed. "Mr. Adam's not usually so generous when it comes to his books." She almost winked at her.

Belle rolled her eyes. "He's not sweet on me," she insisted. "He's just being generous. He said it was nice to have another person as interested in the library as him." She paused for a moment, thinking. "And besides, Mrs. Potts gave a warning to be careful, but nothing could happen even if I wanted it to. It could never happen."

Plumette shrugged. "Stranger things have happened."

Belle scoffed and rolled her eyes. "In novels, perhaps."

"Well, don't stay up too late."

"I'll try not to." She'd try, but how hard she would try, that was another question altogether.

Plumette turned off her oil lamp on her bedside table and laid back on her bed, while Belle picked up the book on the top of the stack – Sense and Sensibility. She opened the cover, which revealed a small note inside. She thought it might something left there long ago, but it was addressed to her.

Belle –

I do hope you find this story enjoyable, as it's one of my own favourites. I find myself sympathizing with Mr. Edward Ferrars, and I'm sure you'll see why once you read it.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts,

– Adam

Belle blushed as she read the note over, and tried to contain any noise to not disturb Plumette. He knew that she would ask for suggestions, she realized. Or perhaps, he would have recommended the books either way. It doesn't matter now, she thought as she opened it to the first page. She couldn't wait any longer to discover Mr. Adam's kinship with this Mr. Ferrars.

Over the next few days, Adam saw more and more of Belle as she continued to borrow books from the library. More often than naught, he would just so happen find himself in the library while Belle was cleaning, and they would talk and talk about the books she was reading.

"What a horrid family that Mr. Ferrars has," Belle had commented one morning while polishing the windows.

"You see why I empathize with him," Adam replied, laughing softly.

"But he was quite honourable, as he intended to go through with a marriage even though he clearly loved Elinor Dashwood more. Not many people would do the same," she added.

"Luckily for him, Lucy Steele was not so honourable."

"Lucky for Elinor, too."

By the time Belle was done with the library for the day, it felt as if they had been talking for hours, at first about books, but gradually, as the days passed, their conversations drifted into much more personal topics. He had told some things to Belle that he'd never told anyone, and she told him her wishes and dreams. They were quite intimate conversations, to say the least, though Mrs. Potts's warning was constantly ringing in his ears.

Times are changing, but not fast enough for you, I'm afraid.

Nevertheless, it had become Adam's favourite part of the day, and as Belle borrowed more books and they spent more time together, he started to feel less and less trapped in the house.

Of course, he wanted to do more with Belle than just talk about books. He wanted to take her riding, to dance with her in the front parlour, to take her to London. All these things he couldn't do without, at the very least, raise suspicions, and at the most cause Belle to lose her job without the hope of a decent reference.

Adam couldn't do that to her, she deserved too much to lose her job because he was being a reckless fool.

One morning, as snow was falling in thick flakes outside the window, Adam entered the library to find that Belle was not in. He had half a mind to ring for her, or to ask Mrs. Potts, but decided against it.

As he sat in his usual chair below one of the windows, he eyed the copy of Hamlet he'd lent to Belle. It hadn't been there the previous night, so she must have returned it early this morning, perhaps even before he'd come down for breakfast.

Adam ran his hand along the book's leather-bound cover, upset at the missed opportunity to discuss the book with Belle. He wondered if he might have been able to convince her that this play was far superior to Romeo and Juliet, though he doubted it. Even he couldn't change some things.

He opened front cover, and a folded piece of parchment tumbled out. Furrowing his brow, Adam picked it up and saw that it was a note, a rather short note, written in an elegant script.

Remember this, above all – to thine own self be true.

Heat rushed to Adam's cheeks as he read the note. Though it wasn't sighed, it was obviously from Belle. He handled the note delicately, as if it would disappear before his eyes or turn to dust, and tucked in into the inside pocket of his coat.

It wasn't a subtle message, not in the least, but all the better that it was one of his favourite lines from the play. Adam knew she must be referencing his marriage ordeal. He'd once said to her that marrying a woman for her fortune was so unlike him, even though his father thought differently. He couldn't be what his father wanted him to be, or his aunts, or anyone else for that matter.

Adam pulled out the note and gazed at it again, smiling uncontrollably. He realized it was the first possession he'd received from Belle, and it felt just a precious any of the books in the library.

There was a knock at the door, and he was quick to tuck away the note as Cogsworth entered with a silver tray.

"A letter for you, sir," the butler said. "From his Lordship," he added, his voice grave.

A chill ran down Adam's spine as his mind raced with a thousand thoughts of what the letter could contain. It was the first letter he'd received from his father since he informed him his relatives would be staying for a few days. His heart pounding, he took the envelope and letter opener from the tray, and after he tore the paper and set the letter opener back on the tray he dismissed Cogsworth. It was never ideal to be in Adam's presence when he read letters from his father.

As he read through the letter's contents, his heart dropped to the floor.

You've been wasting too much time at Theron…

You must marry a suitable woman with a significant dowry within a year or the estate, title, and inheritance will be forfeited to your cousin, Edward…

I won't tolerate anything less…

Adam couldn't move. He couldn't think. It was all happening too quickly. He suspected he'd be forced to marry sooner or later but… within a year… He couldn't do it, but he couldn't let the estate and title fall into the hands of his scheming aunt. Of that, he was certain.

If he were alone in the house, he would have screamed until his lungs gave out. How had his father gotten the idea to make Edward his heir? How? He'd burned the letter Plumette and Belle had given him. Unless… unless that wasn't the only letter. Aunt Margaret must have suspected something like this would happen and had sent out a second letter herself.

Good God almighty… he had to marry within a year. He had to marry a woman with good prospects, a woman he would never love.

"Are you alright, sir?" A voice came from the entrance of the library, and Adam jolted around to see Belle, looking worried and carrying a mountain of cleaning supplies.

Adam didn't say anything, but he knew the look in his eyes betrayed him. The letter felt hot and heavy in his hands and he had to set it down on one of the side tables to keep it from burning a hole through his fingers.

"Sir?" Belle asked again, setting down her supplies and approaching him.

"A letter came. From my father," he said, his voice almost cracking. Belle didn't say anything, just stared at him with a worried expression. "He says…" he closed his eyes, as if he could will the words not to be true. "He says I have to marry within a year, or everything will go to Cousin Edward. It seemed Aunt Margaret was able to send that letter to him after all." His tone was harsh and bitter, and he sat on one the chairs, his face in his hands.

"What am I going to do?" His voice was trembling now, and his eyes were on the verge of tears. Normally, he didn't like to cry in front of the servants, or anyone for that matter, but it felt so normal with Belle, it felt alright.

"Maybe it'll be fine," Belle said softly, moving closer to him. She didn't sit next to him as he would have liked, but he understood. The servants weren't to sit in the presence of their employer, that would've be drilled into their minds from their first day.

"Perhaps, you'll meet a nice woman, and all will be well," she continued.

Adam shook his head. "It would never be honest. I have to marry a woman for her fortune. I'm a fortune hunter, just like my father was." Tears were rolling down his cheeks now, and his quiet sobs filled the library.

"I'm sorry," he said after a moment, rubbing away his tears with a handkerchief. "I'll pull myself together."

"Don't apologize, you have every right to be upset. And perhaps you'll be able to convince your father otherwise."

"Not likely," Adam scoffed. "Knowing him, it's probably been written into his will." Despite the situation, Belle laughed, and it made Adam feel a little better. "I would appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone about this," he added. "Cogsworth and Mrs. Potts will find out soon enough but other than that… I don't want this to be the topic of discussion downstairs."

"You insult me if you think I was going to tell anyone," she replied. Adam nodded gratefully, but soon his gaze shifted back to the letter on the table. It still didn't seem real to him. One moment he'd been so blissful reading Belle's note, and then the next, it had all been taken away.

"Well, you've got the rest of the year to worry about it," Belle said, moving back towards her cleaning supplies. "Now, shall we discuss Hamlet, or are you going to spend our precious time together moping?"