Gold yawned. "I was told Sir Maurice knew that I was coming."
Belle quickly stood and brushed off her skirt. "Of Course. I'm sure he was. He just did not mention it to me," She looked him in the eyes and pointedly offered her hand out for the book.
"You've just come at a bad time for us."
Gold returned the fairytales, letting his touch linger longer than necessary on her hand. He was rewarded with her adorable blush.
"Not that you're not welcome here. Papa just hasn't wanted to worry me to much with the anniversary coming up." She took several steps away as if to lead him along.
He caught her arm and turned her to face him. "I am sorry for your loss."
"Thank you." She tugged her hand through her brown curls and blinked her beautiful blue eyes. "I'm sure our caretaker, Mrs. Potts has a room prepared for you. If you would just follow me. " Lady Belle almost danced away from him, her steps light and graceful. Gold knew he was going to enjoy this trip.
The room was obviously one of the best Sir Maurice could offer, with its tapestries and dark wood paneling. Gold sighed and dropped onto the bed. At least this was already a step above the Jefferson expedition. This was definitely better than the dank cottage.
His accommodations were not the only thing better than his previous missions. This wasn't about madmen. The only mad man in this situation was his overly suspicious father. It was basically a vacation. Gold had no true interest in capturing any of the Society. They couldn't even come up with a proper name. They couldn't possibly be that big a threat.
Still, if he was able to make a major break through, Malcolm might allow him a bit of freedom. This could be the boost to his reputation that proved to both his father and the public how firm his allegiance was. Gold might even be allowed to leave the Royal Service, disappear from the public radar entirely.
And it wasn't a bad mission. Every day he could interact with the lovely Lady Belle. Her beauty had certainly not been mentioned in the file. Gold was certainly more interested in getting her to smile again than how well she had memorized his Father's propaganda in school. And although she definitely seemed the type to linger in libraries, Gold couldn't imagine someone so innocent involved in the Society.
Malcolm's voice echoed in his head that "No one was above suspicion." So of course, Gold would bug her room and do the necessary observations, and he knew he would gain some of his most valuable information from his interactions with her. It just wouldn't be the information his father wanted. He needed to know the way to woo the Lady of Avonlea.
Belle sagged against her door as soon as she closed it. She took several deep calming breaths and glanced around the room. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary, at least not yet. Her heart was pounding uncontrollably. Why was he here now? Were they getting sloppy or was this just routine?
It couldn't have been routine. Her mother had never mentioned it and Collette had tried to be as open as possible about the Society. It had always been common knowledge that Belle would take over as Colette. And any controversy about her appointment had died after the fire.
The Society had been in chaos. None of the nobles had even wanted to continue. What did they even have to lose? The nobles were free to read as much as they liked (as long as it was a part of Pan's approved literature list.) Why risk death just to help the masses?
The first meeting after the fire had been nearly empty. Granny Lucas had almost sent Belle home as soon as she got there, mask already firmly in place.
"Dear," She had given the look that had made it painfully clear she didn't approve. "Isn't a bit early for this?"
"I'm not-" Belle paused. She sounded too much like herself. She cleared here throat and put on the voice that would soon be synonymous with her Clarisse identity. "I'm not sure what you mean. This is the only way to show remembrance we have. We cannot stand divided."
Granny wrapped an arm around her shoulder, holding her close, so she could whisper even though no one else was around. "You don't need to do this, Belle"
Belle stood up straighter. "I'm the proper Clarisse. I have the book and the mask. It's what they would have wanted."
"That's not what I meant, child." Granny said holding her close and rubbing gentle circles on her back. "I don't doubt your qualifications. It just hasn't even been a week yet."
"We said we would meet on Tuesday, so we meet on Tuesday," Belle escaped the comforting arms and began to set out books on the old wooden table.
"Belle," The older woman nearly barked.
Belle shot her a glare.
Granny rolled her eyes. "Clarisse then. I just don't want you rushing into this. Colette wouldn't want you putting yourself at such great risk."
"You knew?"
Granny laughed, although her eyes were watering. "Of course I knew child. Not like I couldn't recognize my own lady. Plus I've been around a lot longer than you have. I remember her when she was young and giggling with my Anita over boys."
Belle, even in her grief was able to pull out a small smile. "That's why the Society has existed for so long. We remember because no one else can."
Belle awoke with a jerk. Light was streaming in her bedroom window. It was still early, but she sighed and got out of bed anyway. She had to prepare. They were in dangerous territory now.
With Gold here, any meetings might need to be postponed, at least for a little while; it was only a week. Besides he would be gone for their remembrance on the 12th. It was simply prudent to remember all those they had lost on the anniversary of their memorial instead of the actual fire, less suspicious.
Belle didn't bother waiting for Ruby to wake. She tugged on one of her finer garments. She had to look respectable for Gold, especially because he had seen her so indecent the night before. It was a necessity as he was Pan's son and had the power to execute her even for hints of her disloyalty. It had nothing to do with the way his hair had curled or his eyes had been that deep warm brown that made her melt or-
Belle stopped that train of thought. It didn't matter if he was even the slightest bit attractive. He was the enemy.
She smoothed the gold dress out. She would need Ruby's help with a few of the buttons on the back but otherwise she was ready.
Noticing her friend was still asleep, Belle searched the room for anything incriminating. Her mask, the history of the society and Fahrenheit 451 were hidden behind a false wall of her bookcase, concealed alongside frivolous Romance novels in case they were discovered. The bookcase was taller than she was but not large enough to be against regulation. It also displayed all of the government approved Pan biographies and histories, although these were too high for someone of her petite stature. Belle hoped that wouldn't be enough to indict her for treason.
She felt a hand on her shoulder and she jumped.
"Just me," Ruby giggled. "Why are you up so early?" Ruby tilted her head as if she were a dog. "What's wrong?"
"We have an imperial visitor."
Ruby sighed. "Please tell me this one's at least interesting. I'm not sure I could stand another Duke lecturing on the importance of child rearing. If I have to listen to that drabble, he at least has to be cute."
Where as a normal Belle would have simply raised an eyebrow, she pretended to be affronted. "Miss Lucas, those lectures improve the lives of all of this realm's citizens." Belle bit her lip. Her room couldn't be bugged already, unless of course he had been here while she was sleeping. That thought made her shiver. But Belle was not willing to take any risks. The Society couldn't take that risk.
Ruby nodded, knowing the game they were playing too well already, although they had never been tested by such an important opponent. "Of course, Milady, I meant no harm. Will you please sit so I may finish your dressing and hair?" Ruby's gentle hand pushed her toward the bed.
"He should be down at breakfast. It would only make sense that Papa offer a place of honor at our table." It was difficult to spit out the words, but this was good practice.
"A suitor, milady?"
Belle gulped at that. Was there more to Gold's visit? She had assumed that he was simply here to spy but had Pan given him some sort of cover? Asking for her hand would strengthen Papa's loyalty (not that it truly needed it) and offer more opportunity to uncover the Society. She hoped it wouldn't come to that.
"Much too important for a suitor I think. We'll be joined by the Emperor's head of security. I met him last night in the garden. Mr. Gold seems to be a rather kind, curious man."
Ruby's slight intake of breath let Belle knew she understood. "Milady, you really shouldn't wander so late."
"I wasn't wandering. Simply reading," She rushed to find something else to say, something less inflaming, "remembering Mama. I can almost hear her reading the words."
Ruby nodded again, playing the part of an adoring servant to a t. "Lady Colette would be pleased to know her memories serve as a source of comfort."
Belle smiled. Her friend always knew what to say, even when they were confined to Pan approved lingo.
They sat in silence for only a few minutes longer as Ruby pulled her hair into something more elegant. "There you go Milady. Even if he is not a suitor, he will surely be amazed."
Belle patted the back of her head to feel the intricate twist. "I'm hardly impressing."
"Milady, I don't mean to disagree," Ruby wrinkled her nose in a way that indicated she certainly meant to disagree, "but I think any man would find himself lucky to have the privilege to court you."
They both resisted the desire to snort. They knew how much Belle hated all the suitors and how all the suitors would hate her if they knew she was so much more than some trophy.
Belle let out a shaky breath, "Well, I should be going. Breakfast awaits and I have a feeling it will be an eventful one."