Note: I believe I've found a facebook link for the duke's character inspiration that will work, no other links seem to work.
The duke bound up the stairs easily taking them two at a time though Belle draped his arms in a wet heap. Before he'd even reached the landing, he yelled for someone, anyone to open the door he rushed toward. He knew her room would likely be far warmer than any of the spacious areas on the first floor. Concerned he may actually have to burst through, he readied his shoulder, but it swung open as he neared.
"Turn them down," he called to the young servant woman. She stood, slacked-jawed, for a long moment. "Turn down the sheets," he barked when she nor anyone else in the room reacted. Snapping from her stupor, she hurried over, yanked them back, and barely stepped from his path in time to avoid being trampled.
Ms. Garder hurried in behind him, dismissing the servants as the duke lowered Belle onto the bed. She slipped from his arms like a damp dish towel. At his side, Ms. Garder reached out and gripped his large hand with hers. She gave it a quick squeeze and then the moment was gone entirely. He'd rather not have had any sympathy at all, but she gave him no time to reject as she quickly jumped into action, turning Belle onto her side and undoing the laces of her bodice with calm acuity.
"I saw you bring her in, and I've already told Lumiere to send for the physician at once," she said as she worked. "What's happened? Why is she unconscious?"
"I don't know. I found her by the bridge." He huffed, rubbing his thumb across his forehead, and turning away as Ms. Garder tugged Belle's dress to her waist. His anger at her had instantly turned inward as he watched through the small window to see her tumble out into the courtyard. What was she thinking? He thought, seeing her boots and socks scattered along the stairs.
"What in the world would make her dare the cold barefoot?" Ms. Garder asked, slipping away the wet layers and tossing them onto the floor.
The duke only sighed in response but didn't fail to catch the suggestion in her voice. Even if she hadn't heard the commotion, she could still rightly assume he'd been to blame.
"Her feet and fingers are terribly red, but it appears as though you found her in time," she said, pulling the blankets over Belle's cold body. She paused and the duke turned to see her regarding him with intense pity.
"If you'd like I could report to you once the physician makes an assessment." Her voice was painfully comforting.
"No." he snapped then cleared his throat. "Have one of the servants inform me of the doctor's assessment.
"Yes, Your Grace." She said, not attempting to mask the bite to her words.
Belle awoke to Ms. Garder tugging up the blankets, exposing her bare feet. She felt well enough, but her hands and toes itched terribly.
"How did I get here? What happened?" she asked, pushing herself up but suddenly realizing she was entirely naked. A look of horror crossed her face, making Ms. Garder giggle.
"You have a touch of frostbite, but everything appears to be back to normal."
"How long have I been out?" Belle asked, clasping the blankets to her chest.
"Not very long, actually. Can I ask what you were doing outside in this condition?"
"I—I don't know. It was foolish," Belle stammered, dreading what Ms. Garder might say, but she took a deep breath to steady herself. "I went upstairs, and the duke caught me. He was so angry I feared he might actually fling me down the stairs, but he didn't, and I ran outside. I guess I thought I might run home since the marriage is over, but then I couldn't breathe, and I fainted." Her words all rushed out at once. She stopped to see Ms. Garder staring wide-eyed back at her.
"The duke didn't mention calling off the marriage when he brought you in and—"
"He didn't bring me in like this, did he?" Belle gasped.
"No, child." She smiled, reaching out with a comforting hand. "And I assure you the duke would never harm you in any way. Calling off the marriage perhaps, but he'd never hurt you."
She pulled her hand back and her words took on a scolding tone. "What in the world possessed you to go to the third floor, anyway?"
Belle almost let the truth of her curiosity slip, but she felt she'd broken enough rules for the day and if the wedding wasn't yet called off, she need not press her luck. "I was a bit overwhelmed and just wanted to be alone." Belle paused to see if Ms. Garder believed the lie, then her brow furrowed.
"The duke knew I was upstairs because the hinges on the old door broke. How did you get past it?" she asked.
Ms. Garder sighed and narrowed her eyes at Belle. "I didn't take the tower. The servants' stairs also go to the third floor," she responded after a long moment.
Belle wanted to ask so much more but decided against it. "May I go down for dinner?" she asked instead.
"Oh, no, madam. You will remain in this bed until the physician arrives."
"Physician?" Belle asked, shocked.
"Yes, you said yourself you couldn't breathe to the point you fainted."
"But that's normal." She dismissed the woman's dismayed expression. "It's been happening for a while now. Sometimes it's because I get scared or worried, but usually it just comes out of the blue and when I don't get control of it, I faint."
"Control of what?" Ms. Garder huffed.
"Well, I don't know, but it's not the vapours or anything. Honest. My breathing gets fast, and my head gets dizzy and before I faint, things go black. Ms. Garder watched her for a long moment, and Belle worried how her maid might respond.
"Well, at any rate, I'd rather you stay in bed until you're examined. I'll have one of the servants bring you up something to eat if you're up to it."
"Just some soup and my chemise would be nice."
"Absolutely." Ms. Garder responded.
It had taken until the early morning hours for the physician to arrive. Belle refused to tell him of the reoccurring episodes and to her relief, Ms. Garder allowed her the secret. Dressed and unable to rest any longer, she decided against Ms. Garder's disapproval to accompany her downstairs to inform the duke of her clean bill of health.
"It'd be a good idea to apologize for breaking the rules while we're at it." Ms. Garder suggested. Belle took her time lingering behind and letting her maid walk several paces ahead. She'd simply wanted to get out of bed not apologize for simple curiosity.
"Did I not tell you to send a servant?" The duke growled as Ms. Garder entered his office. He eyed her coldly, sitting back from his papers and returning a pen to its receptacle, his jaws set hard.
"Your Grace, I only felt that."
"I do not need your feelings and I certainly do not need hand holding. This isn't like before. This is merely an arrangement that the queen has deemed necessary for my dukedom.
"Your grace!" Ms. Garder scolded and stepped aside for Belle to continue in behind her.
The duke's eyes dropped away briefly, though she stood resolutely before him. She hadn't known his reason for the betrothal, but she was certain it couldn't have been any more virtuous than her own. She waited until his eyes found hers before she spoke.
"I wanted to apologize for my actions yesterday. I hadn't intended to invade your privacy or break our engagement."
The duke let out a long breath and seemed to relax but his voice remained rigid. "The proposal isn't withdrawn though I imagine moving forward you will know your place?"
"Yes, Your Grace," Belle said with a slight nod before disappearing back through the doorway, quietly letting go of the tears she'd be fighting back. Once again, she was merely a commodity, a means to an end.
Still. Belle scolded herself as she raced back up the staircase. Why did she allow his brazenness to upset her so? She pushed open the door to her room, her new belongings still somewhat scattered around but at least she'd be alone.
It's upsetting because I'm nineteen. She nearly choked on the thought as she sank onto the bed. She was so young and had so very long a life, a marriage before her and this was how it was going to be. A guttural sob broke the silence though she tried to keep it at bay. How she wished she'd never allowed herself to dream of marital bliss all those nights before sleep took her. She knew the moment the proposal of their marriage had been made that a happy marriage wasn't in her future but she couldn't quite tamp down a hope buried deep inside herself. However, now she knew and she'd certainly have to adjust.