Beauty's Beast Read Online Free

but I feel we are on our way with this latest invention. It will revolutionize the cleaning of clothing and linens. The machine does all the work, you see? No more hours of scrubbing over bins of water and twisting it all out.”
    “Papa—” I paused. “There is nothing I want more than to see you succeed. But Gaston is a possibility for us to be safe and taken care of. In fact, it’s a guarantee.” My father’s inventions had once been remarkable, along with his mind. But it was a different time than this one and his moment of clarity wouldn't last. I knew that.
    “Oh, I see. Of course. Yes.” His blue eyes lowered, as did his mood. He nodded like he understood, but I could see the hurt on his face. But it lasted only a moment before he looked up, suddenly fighting for us. “If you don't want to marry Gaston then there is no reason for us to stay here. There is a fair in the small city nearby. It is for inventions exactly like this. It is a chance to find investors and benefactors who believe in the idea. I daresay I should at least go and see if my work will find some success before we throw in the towel.” He got up and walked to me. “One last attempt at this before we see you married off. If you remain here I will come and fetch you or send word for you the moment I know we are a success.”
    It warmed my heart to see him so clear and in his right mind. I nodded and let him have his chance, though I knew the reality. We had been down this road before. At least it was a way to run away, even if my father didn't know that was what we were doing.
    “I leave this very afternoon and when I return in a fortnight, we will celebrate my success or your wedding night.” He looked proud as a peacock and not tired or worried as he so often did.
    We spent the day packing his things and cleaning the invention as I plotted how to best use the fortnight to my advantage. I planned to pack the things in the house we needed and load the second carriage and horse, readying them for the moment I could sneak away.
    When he was done loading the carriage and harnessing Philip, our horse, he was off. Through the dust billowing up from the trail I could just make out his bright smiling face as he waved back at me, and I returned his wave.
    I busied myself, tidying and baking. When I was done and the sun was setting, I locked up the house with the locks my father had made, and hurried to the attic, making a small bed. I lit a candle and opened my favorite book.
    I read by the light of the candle, nibbling on fresh bread and the bits of cheese we had left. I read but my brain contemplated possibilities.
    I knew my best chance was to run away, following my father to the city. I could tell Gaston that my father had changed his mind. My father wasn't here for Gaston to torment. I would leave a note and then run.
    The sky was dark and I was nearly done my book when the loud bang at the door startled me. I lay perfectly still, my heart in my throat and my entire body tense. Moving as if he were watching me, I leaned forward and blew out the candle by my side.
    “Belle, Maurice, are you home?” It was indeed Gaston. He banged louder. “BELLE!”
    I closed my eyes as the pounding on the door worsened. In the dark I could pretend there was no banging and no Gaston. Perhaps he would suspect we had fled and turn his affections to another girl. That would have been the best outcome.
    I didn't know how long his carrying on lasted, only that it seemed to go on forever. Eventually, he stopped. I curled into a ball and fell asleep.
    Many days passed this way.
    I had evaded him by hiding out in the house, not moving around the windows, not going outside at all during the day, and packing our things at night. I guessed my papa would need a week to sort his devices out at the fair. I would leave on the ninth day and hopefully meet him on the road as he returned for me.
    But eventually I ran out of luck.
    It had been eight days since my father had