Breaking the Beast by Nicole Casey
Étienne
Once a month,Bernard and I left the castle to spend a day browsing local antique shops for new pieces to bring back to Jacques.
Though I was disappointed that this month’s outing had fallen on the day Isabel was set to arrive, Bernard was a stickler for routine. When I’d suggested that perhaps we could skip antiquing that weekend, he’d shaken his head, jaw set stubbornly. “She’ll be here when we get back,” he said. “Jacques will be expecting us to go.”
Now, we were on our way back to Villeneuve, a set of handcrafted end tables in tow. “It’s getting late,” I remarked. “She might be in bed by the time we get back.”
“Then we’ll have to meet her tomorrow,” Bernard said shortly. I glanced at him. He wasn’t usually this irritable.
“Something bothering you, friend?” I asked.
Bernard chewed on the inside of his cheek, eyes on the road ahead. “This could go poorly,” he said.
“Of course it could,” I said. “That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try it.”
Bernard shook his head, scowling slightly. “I don’t know if he’d survive another failure.”
“Of course he would,” I said, shocked. “You really think he’s that fragile?”
“I know he is,” Bernard said simply. “I’ve known him much longer than you, remember.”
Neither of us spoke for a few minutes. “I just don’t want to see him hurt,” Bernard said, finally breaking the silence.
“Neither do I,” I reminded him. “None of us do.”
“Then maybe it’s better to just forget it. Let him do things in his own time.”
“He’s been doing things in his own time for five years,” I said. “Do you think he’s any closer to moving forward than he was when we got here?” Bernard didn’t answer. “I didn’t think so. This is our only option now. You’d do a lot better to relax and enjoy it, rather than constantly worrying.”
“You’re right,” Bernard conceded. He sighed. “I guess it’s just been so long since I’ve been able to fully relax, I’ve forgotten how to do it.”
I nodded sympathetically. “I think we’re all feeling that way, on some level.”
Bernard grimaced. “I’ve been around just you men for so long, I don’t even know how to talk to a woman anymore.”
I grinned. “It will come back to you, just relax and have some fun.”
“I still can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” Bernard said. “I must be crazy, thinking this might work.”
“It’ll work,” I assured him. “We just need to ease Isabel in, we don’t want to scare her off.”
“And then there’s the tiny matter of Jacques,” Bernard reminded me, as if I could forget.
“Jacques will come around,” I said. “Just wait. It will all turn out fine in the end.”
Bernard hummed noncommittally. “I wish I had as much confidence as you.”
“That’s all right,” I said cheerfully. “I have enough confidence for the both of us.”
* * *
Back at the castle, the rest of the men, Jacques excluded, were waiting for us in the drawing room. I examined all of their faces carefully, searching for some hint as to the day’s events. Bernard took a more direct approach.
“Well?” he asked, carefully arranging himself in an armchair close to the fire. “How did it go? I take it she hasn’t run screaming yet?”
Alexandre looked at Isiah and grinned. “Not exactly,” he said. “Why don’t you tell them, friend?”
Isiah smirked, looking pleased. “We kissed,” he said simply. Alexandre and Raphael cheered like schoolboys and were quickly shushed by Vincent.
“That’s excellent,” I said. “So things are moving even quicker than expected.” I looked around at the rest of the men. “What about all of you?”
“Nothing like that,” Vincent said. “But I had a chance to speak with her for some time this afternoon, and I believe we formed a connection. She’s a perceptive young woman.”
“I’ll say.” Alexandre grinned. “I probably could have had her in the rose garden today, but thought it best not to rush things.”
“Very prudent of you,” Bernard said sardonically. “I’m glad you were able to restrain yourself.”
“Just wait ‘till it’s your turn,” Raphael put in. “See how well you can restrain yourself then.”
“What is she like?” I asked, eager for new information. “Will she be receptive to our plan?”
The other men exchanged glances. “I believe so,” Vincent said finally. “We’ve all agreed that she’s felt a spark with each of us thus far.”
I looked to Isiah. “Do you agree?” I asked.
Isiah nodded. “She was … extremely receptive to our kiss,” he said. “I got the feeling that she has a great deal of restrained passion inside her. I do not think it will be difficult to get her to unleash it.”
Raphael elbowed Vincent suggestively. “I don’t know, I kind of like the idea of restraints.” Vincent rolled his eyes affectionately.
“Maybe Bernard and I should try to move things along when we meet her,” I said.
Vincent nodded. “I think that’s a good idea.”
I looked to Bernard, who appeared to be lost in thought. “Bernard?” I prompted, and he started. “Are you ready to move forward?”
“I am,” Bernard said, though he looked none too sure.
“That settles it,” I said. “Bernard and I will meet our guest tomorrow and see just how receptive she is.”
