Beauty and The Beast: Chapter 5

Summer gave way to autumn and The Beast’s attitude towards Rose slowly mellowed, although the moments of genuine cordiality between them never quite returned. He made awkward conversation, took occasional walks with her in the garden, and started sitting beside her again during her reading lessons, which now focused on a book called The History of Miss Betsy Thoughtless. Even now though, he would often depart her company with sudden urgency. Rose noted that he did this not only when his hunger or anger seemed to be emerging, but also when their conversation became livelier or friendlier. She understood why he was being careful to control himself, but it was a mystery why he would not allow their friendship to fully heal.

Once they had settled into this new rhythm, Rose resolved to put the second phase of her plan into action. If she was to change the way The Beast viewed her she had to show him that she could be a refined lady. To that end she had been working to alter the gowns The Beast had given her so that they would fit her petite frame, and one evening she arriving in the dining room dressed for the occasion.

“Good evening,” she greeted him, suppressing her shyness and attempting to project an aura of demure reserve.

“Good evening,” he replied solemnly. “That dress suits you very well. I am glad that you liked it enough to give it the benefit of your talent as a seamstress.”

“Well I just thought it was high time I started dressing as a lady rather than a common girl,” said Rose. “I don’t want to give the wrong impression, after all.”

The Beast responded only with a small, sceptical hum, and paused to take a couple of mouthfuls of his venison bourguinon. “I wouldn’t mind some help in the orchard tomorrow,” he said. “Can I count on your aid in the name of bringing some fruit into the house?” And with that he steered the conversation to other subjects, leaving Rose feeling like she had been subtly rebuked for something.

After that, Rose abandoned her attempt to put on airs, which she guessed had been the cause of The Beast’s displeasure. She was nonetheless careful to use her best manners on all occasions, and took to finishing her cleaning a little earlier so that she could change into a gown before The Beast returned from his gardening. She vowed that he would never again see her in clothes that did not convey elegance and poise.