I am so sorry guys! I am not used to posting on a certain day, but I will be sure to remember next Saturday. Thanks to Lily and lavadiamond10 for reviewing my story, to Drifter of the Mind for favoring my story and to Mandamoonrose and Teresa Martin for following my story. Thank you all for being patience. Here's the next chapter!

Chapter 2: Marquis Gaston Le Gume

Félicie and Adélaïde were rushing around to be in their best clothes, while Belle simply put her hair half up and in a simple blue and white dress; it wasn't grand like her sisters dresses, but it still made her look as lovely as ever.

They all stood outside, waiting for the Marquis. "I hope that he will have gifts for us! I desperately need a new dress, instead of this rag."

"Easy for you to say Félicie, I need jewels to look my best. Shh, here he comes."

A carriage pulled up and a servant hopped down and laid his jacket down on the ground. "Look out, here comes the poof-poof." Jean whispered to Belle, who, without meaning to, snickered with her brother. She at least patted his shoulder to tell him to control himself.

The Marquis strolled out of the carriage. He was one of the aristocrat nobles that always kept up to date with the latest fashion. He wore a powered wig and a power blue suit with gold leaf designs. To the sisters, he looked like a prince, but to Belle, he was only a beast in a fancy costume. There was something in his eyes that made her think that he was up to no good.

The family bowed down to him and Maurice went up to the Marquis and said, "Welcome to my rather humble home. It is an honor to have you here. Please come in, you must be weary from such a long ride."

"Yes, it was rather tiring." He said in his rather smug and high and mighty tone of voice. He winked to Félicie and Adélaïde, making them giggle, but he smiled a rather impertinent smile at Belle.

As they all filed in, the Marquis had helped Belle onto a seat and kissed her hand rather savagely. She had to steal her own hand back from him. He tried to sit next to her on the loveseat, but swift Jean took the seat next to her and made a face at Gaston. He was left to sit in the lone chair that Maurice would always sit in.

"So my dear Marquis, how is the city? I heard that the Duchess Pontmercy has had another lover. How scandalous!"

"Indeed, but she is an unsatisfied woman. But some people would never have to seek outside of their marriage to find pleasure." He stared at Belle as he licked off the jam off of his croissant. She turned away, not wishing to look into his eyes again.

Maurice added, "Yes indeed, but you told me that you have good news. Pray tell, what is the good news?"

"My dear friend, I have come here to tell you that I am willing to give you a position so great that it will outdo your old occupation; I am willing to make you the manager of all of my merchant shops."

Everyone gasped and Adélaïde had fainted. Maurice grabbed smelling salts to revive his daughter, as Jean asked Belle what it all meant.

"It means dear boy," Gaston answered for her, "That your father will be a wealthy man again, more wealthy than any other, since I owe the most merchant shops in Provence."

"Oh Marquis, this is all too generous. I wish there was some way I could repay you."

"Oh there is not- well actually, there is. I have only one condition in order to have the position."

"Name it, anything."

"I want to marry your daughter, Belle."

Belle gasped, the sisters scolded, Ludovic shrugged and Jean went in front of his sister as if to protect her. "You will not marry her, you fancy frou-frou!"

"Belle, control that brother of yours!" Félicie scolded.

"Jean, please sit down." Maurice asked as he placed a hand on his youngest. Jean sat as Maurice continued. "That is quite a condition. I am flattered but you see, Belle is my youngest daughter, she is only seventeen and I feel that it is not right to marry her off before her sisters are married yet. Why not marry Félicie or Adélaïde, as they are more suited?"

They smiled at him, but he was not swayed. "No. I have come to admire Belle and I shall have no other. She is perhaps the only one in all of Provence that would look the best upon my arm. It is Belle, or no job. This is my offer."

Maurice couldn't just marry his daughter off to a man, any man that she didn't love. He had made a vow the moment after Belle's birth that she would never have to live without love, and that included marriage as well. But this would mean a better life for everyone, so he came to a decision. "Marquis, I wish to have a few days to think about this. After all, she is the first of my children to be thought for marriage."

"I understand. I shall come back in a week and hear what you have to say. Good day, I will let myself out. Just think about Maurice, money and privileges again. Good day."

The whole family went into a stir once the Marquis' carriage had left.

"Why on Earth does he want her? She is nothing!" shouted Félicie

"I am the eldest! I should marry the Marquis!" complained Adélaïde

"Belle must marry, we need the money. Make her marry him Father!" demanded Ludovic.

"SILENCE!" They all were still and waited to hear what their father had to say. "Now, I know that the Marquis' offer is generous, but I will not allow my youngest daughter and your sister to marry just yet."

"Half sister." Murmured Félicie, a comment that Belle had only heard.

But she tried to ignore that comment. "Then what will you do?" asked Belle.

"I have been thinking for a while about selling some things."

"You mean that portrait of your wife? I always knew that little thing would catch a fetching price." Replied Ludovic.

"May she forgive me, but I feel that I must. Belle, Jean, I hope you may forgive me."

"Of course, Father. If ever I needed to see our mother, all I have to do is look upon Belle, as she looks so much like her." Belle smiled and kissed his cheek.

"That is true. I shall leave tonight, and perhaps I shall be able to bring you all gifts."

"Oh, if that is so Father, then please bring me beautiful gowns, all to the latest fashion." demanded Félicie.

"I must have jewels, Father, promise that you'll give me jewels to adorn myself in!" cried Adélaïde.

"I only need a heavy bag of gold coins Father, to spend it as I will." Ludovic replied.

"And what could you want Jean?"

"Perhaps, you could get me a fishing rod? Mine is near breaking, and I do so enjoy fishing. Will you please?" asked Jean.

"Of course. And you my Belle?"

"I only want you to come home."

Jean nudged his sister. "Come Belle, be selfish for a moment. Ask for something."

"Well, may I have a rose? There are no roses here, as I do very well miss the ones that we had in our old home."

The sisters laughed at such an innocent request, remarking, "Well, I suppose simple people ask for simple things."

But Maurice smiled. "I promise my dear."

That night, Maurice packed a bag of valuables that he would sell, such as a music box, a few silver goblets, a paint kit and lastly his small portrait of his wife.

Jean had saddled his father's horse while Belle packed a basket full of food for his journey.

They were the only ones to have waved their father good-bye. "Father, be sure to stay away from the dark woods. There is evil there."

Maurice chuckled. "The stories that your mother had told you. Yes, I promise. You remind me so much of her, as if she was standing right here before me." He rode off and yelled back, "I will bring you your rose my dear Belle! I promise!"

And off he went into the darkness.

Thanks to frais9 and XXPay4XtraShippingsXX for reviewing my story, to frais9, XXPay4XtraShippingsXX, lizzie10 and EyeSinc for following my story and to frais9, Always A Happy Ending, XXPay4XtraShippingsXX and Shay2012 for favoring. I promise not to forget about next Saturday. It is a date!