First to my reviewers:
Aerinha: Yes, it is kind of like the Disney version. You may find bits and pieces of random "Beauty and the Beast" stories scattered throughout because I have a tendency to be influenced by other books/movies. And yes, Raoul is a werewolf type because I figured he has to be good-looking and Piper has to overcome the beast inside more so than his outer appearance. At least, that's my reasoning.
anomaly and Phoebe Holly: Thank you. I will try to keep updating.
TrudiRose: Thanks for commenting on the descriptions. I'm always afraid I'll take too long describing stupid things but I'm glad someone liked them.
And yes, I sometimes think that "Beauty and the Beast" versions take too long to get started although most of them are brilliant once they get going.
Helpful: blushes Sorry if it's in bold. I didn't realize that until today. Oops.
Chapter 4
Bewilderment was a feeling Raoul had hardly ever experienced in his life and it had taken him aback for a moment. He had not been expecting the girl to openly refuse his request to join him for breakfast. When he had heard it, he thought perhaps a little brute force would show her who was the master of the castle, but when she had opened the door and looked up at him with eyes both frightened and determined, he could not bring himself to rip the door from the hinges. It had puzzled him even more than her refusal; he, who had torn apart the castle without a thought, couldn't attack a single door. The feeling of helplessness irked him and he slammed his fist against a wall, satisfaction flooding his malevolent eyes at the hole that had appeared in the wall.
"I am the master of this castle," he murmured, his dark eyes flinty.
"Yes, of course you are," said a man's voice, soothing. Invisible hands began massaging the knots between Raoul's shoulders. He relaxed, sitting down in a chair.
"She shall not contol me," he said, eyes closed.
"Of course not."
Raoul smiled. The girl could die of starvation if she chose. What did it matter, anyway?
The hallway was empty when Piper finally emerged from her room clothed in the green frock. The invisible woman, whose name was Mrs. Lamphrey, followed Piper nervously, wringing her unseen hands. If the master found out that Piper was wandering the halls against his wishes there would be blood on his hands by tonight. He had told Mrs. Lamphrey specifically that 'the girl' as he called her, was not to leave her room except to dine with him.
"This is dangerous, child," Mrs. Lamphrey whispered.
"I know," Piper said and her voice shook a little but she stared bravely into the infinite length of darkness that stretched out into the bowels of the castle. "But I shan't let him think I will let him win this fight."
Piper was surprised by her own courage. Normally she would have been content to stay in her room until the end of her days. Still, there was something about this place that piqued even her curiosity in a way that forced her to leave her room and journey through the frightening halls.
"If the master finds out ..." Mrs. Lamphrey said, ending the sentence there. Piper's knuckles whitened around the door handle but she closed it softly behind her instead of running into the alleged safety of the room. The click was thunderous in the silent halls and Piper jumped. She stood motionless for a moment, straining to hear the sounds of the wolf-man running toward her to tear her to shreds, but only heard the frantic beating of her heart.
Cautiously, Piper walked through the halls, peering through this or that door. She didn't know exactly what she was looking for but was sure she would know when she found it. She passed many rooms that looked identical: the drapes were slashed, the carpets pulled out, the paintings thrown to the ground in a fit of wildness. Closing one door softly, she looked in the direction where she suspected Mrs. Lamphrey was.
"I would very much like to put these rooms back in order," she said, her voice small. "Do you think I may?"
Mrs. Lamphrey stared at the girl in wonder. What an odd request! Surely she knew the master would wreck the rooms as soon as she could get them clean, if only to spite her efforts.
"The master forbade you to leave your room ..."
"Please? I must have something to do or else I shall go mad."
"But what will you do?"
Piper's sad grey eyes darkened. "Scrub windows and throw things away that have been broken beyond repair. If I enlist the help of the servants we may even repair the walls and carpets."
Mrs. Lamphrey paused. The master would be very displeased if he knew. But there was something about this girl that Mrs. Lamphrey felt was different from any of the other women she had known, in the 'Before' time. Something that made her clear her throat and give an affirmative nod before she realized Piper could not see her.
"Yes, you may clean the rooms," Mrs. Lamphrey said. "The master will not be pleased but these rooms are in need of a good tidy-up."
Piper's eyes shone with purpose. "I shall begin tomorrow," she said.
Mrs. Lamphrey bit her lip and followed Piper back into her room. Tomorrow would be a day of reckoning, she thought. If the master finds out ... She shook her head and entered Piper's room. She would deal with the master when that time came.
