Belle's hands shook as she pulled the heavy woolen cloak tighter around herself. The costly satin trim lit up in the orange glow of the lantern, reminding her of the weight of her conformity. Belle cleared her throat against the knot that grew to the point of strangling and she tried desperately to peer through the blizzard. She usually found snow both comforting and majestic, but now it only served to obscure her view of the world around. Her path was dark. Bleak. Unknown.

The groans of the brittle carriage wheels shredded her nerves as it bounced along the mountain pass toward the duke's estate. The long unattended wheels just another reminder of why she was in such a predicament. More than once she had entertained the thought of slipping through the carriage door and disappearing into the wall of bitter, white frost. But the idea of surviving the cold was the first thought to stop the notion of escape. The second was her family. Her sisters were depending on her. Without this sacrifice. She shivered now more at her reflections than the cold. Though young, they were already being courted by some of the most vile barons and viscounts. Belle's stomach turned at the things she had seen and heard over the years. Her sisters, not being of acceptable marriageable age however bought her some time, she hoped, and she was going to do anything and everything within her power to keep them safe.

With a sharp cry, Belle reached out, clutching the seat as the carriage suddenly listed for a brief moment before coming to an abrupt stop. She wasn't sure why the terrain had grown more severe as they had ascended, but she could tell by the commotion they must be nearing the estate. Though Belle couldn't quite make out the words of those who spoke she heard the grating of iron against iron.

We must be at the main gate. She thought, tamping down a well of tears. Maybe Duke Beaston wasn't like the man of the stories told in the village below, she thought as the carriage groaned in protest to movement. Maybe they had him all wrong. She chastised herself. She was only nineteen, her next birthday still a few months away. What did she know? Nothing. A pang of fear struck hard at the word. She knew absolutely nothing of the world... of marriage, and there would be no one here to guide her. And the duke, he was no stranger to such things.

Bile threatened as she thought of the stories of his previous wife. She couldn't shake them. Would she meet a similar fate? It was far too late to run now as the carriage made its final stop and the door swung open letting in a flurry of cold and snow. Stepping out, her eyes scanned the sheet of white until at last they fell on her father as he released the hand of the man before him and accepted a heavily laden sack. With no comforting word or even a glance her way, he hurried back to the covered driver's seat of the carriage.

A crash of loneliness knocked the breath from Belle's lungs as the crack of a whip sent the carriage back into motion. It seemed to take all sounds along with it, as even the howling wind failed to reach her ears. She should just stand here, she thought. Stand anchored to this very spot until her body froze and gave way to the elements.

Through a daze, the man whose hand her father had been shaking rushed toward her and took her roughly by the arm. His lips moved rapidly but no sound seemed to come out. Indolently, she allowed his thin hand to lead her across a stone path, up several sets of stairs, and through a pair of wide oaken doors. Belle knew without a doubt the room must have been warm, as flaming orange and yellow light engulfed her, but she could feel none of it.

The man who had led her into the estate… into her new home at once disappeared, his long face replaced by one with round, pink cheeks.

"Oh dear, you must be freezing. That was such a long ride. Let's get you to your room. Where are your belongings?" The woman asked sweetly, but Belle didn't hear a word as her eyes fell on two stone griffins who loomed before her. They were massive, both flanking a wide, grand staircase and enormous, draped window. The view was exquisite, the griffins terrifying. What manner of man greets his guests with such alarming creatures?

The round-faced woman placed a hand gently on Belle's shoulder and tried once more. "Your belongings, madam?"

Belle finally turned toward her. "My?"

"Your trunks. Surely you've had them brought up with you."

"No, I'm sorry, this is all I have." Belle pulled the cloak away to reveal the plain blue and white cotte beneath. "I left everything behind for my sisters. Besides, there wasn't much to take." She added, her voice dropping away with embarrassment.

"Well, that's not a problem at all." The woman's voice grew comforting. "We still have a couple of days to get you all settled in before the duke arrives."

"You mean he's not here?" Belle asked with a wash of both relief and unease. Though she was thankful to have a few days to adjust before their meeting, she also wanted to be done with it. She swallowed hard, following as directed.

"We weren't aware you had no lady's maid," the woman said, either ignoring or not hearing the question. "Either way, I'm Ms. Garder and I'll be here for whatever you need. Oh, it's so nice to have a lady of the house again." She sighed and continued up the stairs, branching off to the left.

"This is your room," Ms. Garder said after prattling on all the way to an arched doorway. As the wide wooden doors swung open, Belle gasped audibly. An enormous four-poster bed dominated the center of the room. White gossamer fabric closed around it with shiny purple silks draping the top and sides.

Belle crossed the room slowly stepping into view of an expansive many-paned window. She couldn't help but rush toward it to peer out onto the snow-covered balcony. Even in her family's most affluent era, she had still never known such extravagance.

"The wardrobes are empty, but it won't take us long to get you some things," Ms. Garder said, offering to help her undress. Belle shook her head at first, attempting to do it on her own before relenting to the maid's prodding.

Belle dropped her eyes as her cotte fell away revealing very time-worn undergarments.

"Right then. We'll have the seamstress here right away. I'll make sure of it." The maid said without a hint of pity before making her way over to turn down the bed.

"The linens are all nice and clean. The finest silks from Villeneuve. The duchess just loved silk—" Ms. Garder stopped abruptly and cleared her throat. "Anyhow, the fire has been burning for hours now, so it will be quite toasty for you tonight.

"What happened to her?" Belle asked, turning toward the woman unable to hide her concern.

"We're not allowed to talk about the prior duchess, Miss." She cleared her throat again and brushed down her skirts. "If you need anything my room is just outside of yours here. You call for me and I'll be by your side quick as lightning," She added, making hurriedly for the door.

Belle nearly protested but thought better and let the woman scurry away. With a heavy sigh, she climbed beneath the blankets, which were indeed the nicest she had ever seen. She wished her sisters could be with her. It wasn't fair that some were able to live in such grandeur while those like her family suffered.

Falling back onto the luxurious pillow behind her, she scolded herself. Her family had once been a family of wealth. Never as much as the duke, but certainly more than others in town. Rolling onto her side with only the view of the snow beyond the window, she was relieved to have more time before meeting the duke and fully giving up the last of all she had left…herself.