Chapter Three

Down at the other end of town, Louis was in a panic. He had hightailed out of there the second Beau had learned that Rosie was married, and therefore, unavailable. He thought, Beau's surely going to kill me this time! What am I going to do? Then he thought of the bookseller, Stephan. Maybe he can help me.

Louis started in the direction of the bookseller's house, when something caught his eye. What is that, he thought, and turned to look at it. Louis stopped dead in his tracks, when he saw what it was. He grabbed at the railing, unbelieving. It looked like Beau, but he was dressed in the clothes of an earlier time. As he ran up the stairs, he heard the ghost cry, "I can rest, I have been avenged at last!"

By this time Louis was scared to death. He hastily beat on the door, hoping that the LePages were indeed at home. Inside the house, the two were chatting about how wonderful it had been to see Rosie again, and how happy they were for her and her new husband. Stephan was in the middle of recounting his story of how Rosie had spent a half-hour joyfully reacquainting herself with the bookstore when the sudden pounding startled the two.

"Mercy!" said Celeste. "Who could that be at this hour?"

"I don't know," he said. "I'll find out who it is."

"Careful, Stephan. It could be anyone."

"It's probably some pranksters having fun, but I'll be careful anyhow."

He moved towards the door and called out," Who is it?" He was surprised when Louis answered in a shaky voice.

"It's Louis. I wonder what he wants." Stephan opened the door and led Louis in.

"Why, Louis, you're shaking. What's wrong?" Celeste was concerned about him. "You look like you've like you've seen a ghost."

"I-it-it's because I-I just did," stammered Louis.

"What?" the two replied, astonished.

"At-at least I-I think I-I did, but I'm not sure."

"Louis, what's going on?"

"M-maybe-maybe it's better if you look outside and see if he's still there."

"Who?"

"The g-ghost, of course."

So for the second time in minutes, Stephan opened the door and peered out. The streets were quiet; no one was out there. "I'm sorry Louis, but there's no one out there now."

"I swear that there was some one out there, honest!"

"Tell us what you saw then, all of it."

"Well, I was coming over here to see if you could help me out with a problem I have. You see, Rosie's back in town."

"I know, she stopped by earlier today as a surprise. It was great to see her again. Isn't it wonderful about her news? We were so pleased to hear that she had gotten married to Ian. I knew when I first met him that there was something special between those two. It was a joy to see them so much in love. Those two are going to be married for a long time, I can tell," Celeste said.

"Well, that may be good news for you and them, but there's someone who's not too happy about those turn of events."

"Who?" Stephan asked.

"Who else but Beau? You know how he has always had his sights set on making Rosie his wife since the second he saw her. This has put a slight crimp in his plans and he's a little peeved to say the least. That's why I came to seek your advice, Stephan."

"What can I do for you?"

"The moment he learned that Rosie was married, I got the heck out of there, because I knew he'd find a way to blame it on me."

"Why?"

"Because I told him that Rosie was back in town. I didn't know anything about her being married at the time."

"How is this any of your fault then?"

"You know Beau. Anything that doesn't go his way, which is rarely, is not his fault, so he has to find someone to blame it on."

"Oh, of all the pompous, idiotic…"

"Madame LePage!"

"That's my opinion of him, take it or leave it. Always getting his way and not caring who he hurts in the process. It's good Rosie came into his life, and presented a little challenge for him. I'm happy that she ended up with someone who will treat her with respect and dignity, and who loves her for herself, not because of her appearance. Rosie has found her perfect match and I'm happy for them both!"

"Enough, you two! We've gotten off the original subject. Louis, describe the ghost in detail for us."

"Well, when I first saw him, I did a double take because he looked exactly like Beau only with longer hair, and he was dressed in clothes of a different era."

"Did the ghost say anything?"

"He said something to the effect of being able to rest, that he had been avenged. Why? Do you know anything about what I saw?"

"Yes," Stephan told him, "What, or rather who, you just saw is the ghost of Gaston, Beau's ancestor."

Stephan proceeded to tell Louis the story that happened two hundred years ago. He told him how, just like today, Gaston had pursued the 18th century Belle, determined to make her his wife, but that she would have nothing to do with him. He also told him that one stormy night Gaston went with most of the men folk of the village to destroy a monster known only as the Beast, so that he would not threaten the little town.

"In truth, he went to kill the Beast, to destroy his rival for Belle's affections. Most of the men ended up coming back, but not Gaston. The villagers mourned him, thinking he had died; however, he had survived that night. Humiliated by the latest events and unable to show his face in this village ever again, he disappeared and went to another village, married the local beauty, and went on to produce several sons. However, he was unhappy because the one he wanted most had eluded him, and so on his deathbed, swore that his ghost would roam the village until a direct descendant of his married a direct descendant of Belle's. And so he has, for there has been many a tale of the ghost throughout the years.

"Belle ended up marrying the Beast who turned out to be a prince under a spell. Her love broke the enchantment and she lived, until a good old age, happily with him, and the faithful servants of the castle. They ended up raising three children, two daughters and a son. In fact there is a painting of her in my bookstore, and the resemblance of our Rosie to her is remarkable. No wonder both men pursued their respective women," Stephan finished.

"Something's not right here. The ghost said he had been avenged; yet Beau is still single. It doesn't make any sense."

"That's what puzzles me as well. I'll have to do a little research on the subject, maybe even talk to Rosie because she too knows the story of what happened here. One way or another, we'll get to the bottom of this. Louis, don't let Beau get to you. You're not to blame for this."

"Thank you. Stephan, Madame LePage, good night to you both then." Louis opened the door and headed out into the night towards his apartment, hoping that Beau was not out there waiting for him.

"Goodnight, Louis," the two said and then headed off to bed.

Louis had nothing to fear at that moment because Beau was in the tavern by himself, brooding about the night's events. He still couldn't believe that Rosie was married. Married…to another man! He was furious, which why everyone was leaving him alone right now. They all knew of his infamous temper, and knew it was best to not to disturb him when he was in one of his moods. Even the LaFemme sisters were leaving him alone, despite his earlier invitation to each of them. They were too excited about Rosie's news and were all talking about it, unaware that Rosie and Ian were in the restaurant next door.

"Mmm, that was a great dinner. Think you can measure up to that, Rosie," Ian teased his bride.

"The French do know how to prepare a meal," Rosie replied. "I know I can, but the question is can you?" she teased him back.

"Humph! You're asking me? Come on! You know me better than that, Rosie girl. Now, unfortunately on to a serious subject. I think we need to discuss something that occurred earlier this evening. What happened with Beau concerns me."

"Ian, you have nothing to worry about. I love you and nothing will change that," Rosie assured him.

"I know your love for me is strong, Rosie, and I trust you, but it's not that. It's what might happen while we're here. I don't trust him and he looks like he'll try something with you. I've known guys like that and they think if I can't have her, then nobody else will either. On that note…"

"On that note, Ian, I am aware of Beau. As I've told you I've dealt with him before. You know I dated him for a little while and have a good idea of what he's like, what he's capable of. However, I'll be careful. Besides since it's our honeymoon, I didn't think you wanted me out of your sight and no farther than arms length from you."

"I don't, now that you mention it. Come on let's get out of here and go to a more private place. What do you say to that, my love?"

"I'm with you!"

"Then show me the way home, sweetheart!"

They got up, paid the hostess, and were leaving the restaurant through the tavern, when all of a sudden the bartender stopped them.

"Ah, you can't leave without being toasted. It's a tradition here." He winked at them and then whistled for attention, saying to the patrons, "Raise your glasses to the newlyweds, lads and lasses!" Every one did so. "May you and your life together always be blessed!"

"Here! Here!" the people cried in response.

"Thank you very much," Ian replied "This means so much to us. Don't you agree, Rosie?" Rosie was speechless and had tears in her eyes, and every one in the bar could see how it touched her heart.

Then all the customers starting chanting "A kiss, a kiss, we want a kiss! A kiss, a kiss, we want a kiss!" The couple looked at each other and then at the bartender. He shrugged his shoulders and chuckled. "Guess you'll have to oblige them."

"I guess we'll have to, in order to get out of here. What do you think, Rosie?" Rosie didn't say anything, but instead wrapped her arms around him and kissed Ian very passionately. The patrons and barmaids cheered.

"There's your answer, sir. Goodnight, and enjoy the rest of your stay here," the barkeeper responded, laughing.

"You can count on that! Bon nuit. Ready, Rosie? Rosie?" Ian looked around when she didn't reply.

"Looks like she's one step ahead of you," the bartender told him. Rosie had left the tavern already and as the crowd looked on, Rosie turned around and winked, flirting with Ian. The barkeeper watched, chuckling to himself, as the two honeymooners headed back to their suite, Ian eagerly chasing after Rosie.

There was one person who had missed all this and that was Beau. He had left the tavern earlier, because this mood hadn't helped him. He needed to think, so he walked through the town. Usually he didn't like to think, but this was an emergency. How to get Rosie? That husband of hers would be near her at all times, now that he knew who he, Beau, was. He could tell that by the look that Ian had shot him earlier. Rosie had probably told him all about their short relationship and all the times Beau had pursued her after they had broken up. Correction, she had dumped him, he thought bitterly.

Rosie would not be easy to get close to, he thought. Somehow I've got to come up with a way to get those two apart and then grab Rosie when I have the chance. Beau was feeling better about all of this. I'll return to the tavern and see if the triplets still want their private meetings with me, he thought. He could even forgive them their transgressions earlier on that evening; he was that good of a mood again. Better round up the boys, find me a judge, one that could easily be bribed, if the joyous occasion was going to take place.