Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

ALEXANDER WANDERED PAST THE rose without really noticing it at first. It was a couple of hours before nightfall, and he found himself feeling pent-up in the castle and needing to roam while he was still in his human form. Since he had first seen Miss Hammerstein-Smythe sitting near the small stream, he had come here often. He made sure it was always during a time when the family would be sitting down to eat, so as not to disrupt her, but he enjoyed feeling the commonality of spirit in such a peaceful place.

The prince often wondered how she was doing and if she still found the need to cry all alone. He had nearly given up hope she would ever call for him, so did not see the flower straight away. When he recognized there was something out of place, he turned around and stared at the rose.

Alexander did not move for a full minute as he absorbed the fact that the delicate pink petals and thorny stem were indeed in front of him. And then it hit.

She needed him! She had left the sign, as he had asked.

With as much haste as possible, the prince sped back to the castle and put the rose in a vase. He was eager to help her, but how? He needed to think. He needed to plan and prepare. She required a friend—this was his chance to become a true companion as a wolf. If he could communicate and get someone to trust him as a beast, he would have more optimism for the future.

The fact that this was a girl, who trusted him, was not lost on the prince. However, he had seen his beastly face in the looking glass often enough to diminish any thoughts of her falling in love. He had long given up that hope. There simply was not a woman in the world who could love such a hideous monster.

But it didn't stop him from determining to help her in any way he could, to guarantee she saw him as someone to depend upon. Someone who was good and kind and all things normal on this earth. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to wish a bit. If he could not give her his soul, then please allow her to see his true heart. Allow her to see he could be decent. That there was some hope left, and that the witch was not wholly right.

If he could prove this to someone who desired his aid, perhaps there would be more he could do for others later. Indeed, Alexander was all excitement as he prepared for their upcoming meeting.

***

MISS CECELIA HAMMERSTEIN-SMYTHE, however, was anything but excited. William's friend, Mr. Velmayne, was as obnoxious and as proud of himself as all her brother's friends proved to be. He was more interested in sporting events and racing than the cares of those around him. She absolutely refused to be associated with idiotic buffoons. And he, in his brightly colored green-and-yellow waistcoat, pantaloons, and jacket, with his ultra-high starched collars, looked more of a buffoon than most.

By the time Cecelia saw Mr. Velmayne to the door, she was exceedingly eager to escape to her little brook. Any reservations she had about meeting the beast were long gone with the arrival of her brother's friend. There was nothing she desired more than to vent her frustrations to someone, anyone, with a listening ear.

She was desperate for a friend.

Once the family settled down for the night and the house quieted, she fetched a woolen cape and was quick to escape the confines of her home, making her way down to the stream. She wondered if the wolf would truly be there.

He was there, waiting for her—and reading a book in the moonlight, no less.

Cecelia was sure he could hear and smell her coming long before she made it close to him, but she decided to announce her arrival anyway. "Well, hello there! You did come, and you are reading."

He smiled as well as a wolf could smile and said, "Well, of course I am here. And did you not think I could read, then?"

She laughed, pleased he continued to be as calm and surprising as he was when they met before. "I have never given it a thought."

"What?" He pulled back and shook his head. "You have never imagined a wolf reading? I am appalled."

Cecelia spread her gown around the small boulder and sat down across the brook from him. "So is there anything else you can do that I should know about?"

"Miss, are you saying that speaking and reading are not enough for my beastly form? I must now perform in other ways as well?"

"Yes." She lifted her chin and looked down her nose at him. "Yes. I demand that you sing and dance as well."

He grimaced and glanced back down at his book. "Let me assure you, my howling was not meant for ears as delicate and refined as yours."

Cecelia leaned forward and put her elbows on her knees. "And your dancing?"

Alexander looked up, his eyes mischievously twinkling in the bluey-darkness. "Now, my dancing is something else altogether."

"Really?" Intrigued, she wondered what a wolf looked like when he danced.

"Yes, really. Are you perhaps familiar with the expression, 'two left feet?' Well, I have four—paws, that is." He waved one for emphasis while Cecelia laughed again.

She loved the charming maturity about him, so very different from William's friends. They would never admit to any fault, and yet the wolf did not seem to mind at all. He simply lowered his paw and continued to read.

Studying him for a moment, she asked, "How do you turn the pages?"

"Very carefully," came the mumbled reply, his head still down.

"No, I mean honestly, how do you do it?"

He glanced up, meeting her eyes briefly. "If you wait, I will show you in just a bit."

Cecelia waited. True to his word, less than a minute later, he used two paws, one to hold the book down on the grass and the other to bow the page and flip it over. It was utter brilliance.

"What are you reading?" She had to ask him—curiosity was driving her mad.

"Something for you. I am trying to find a passage."

"For me?"

"Yes."

"But why?" She stood up, crossed over the little stream, and sat down next to the wolf, peering over his shoulder.

"Because I thought you needed it. That is why."

"Ugh." She nudged his side with her arm, relishing the soft fur that met her touch. "Are you always this obtuse?"

"Only when being harassed by impatient females." When she sighed, he added, "While I am looking, will you do something for me?"

"I suppose so, as long as it does not involve me chanting to the fairies." Her hand trailed softly over his thick mane.

Cecelia felt the deep rumble in answer and knew he was trying to hide a chuckle. "Well, that spoils the plan, then. Now what should I have you do instead?"

"I know. I could read what has you so captivated."

"No, I have a better idea. How about you get comfortable while I search and you tell me what is wrong and why you sent for me?"

She sighed and tucked her legs up further under her gown. "Does there have to be a reason? Couldn't I just want your company?"

The wolf looked up and over at her. She swore she saw his eyebrows rise. "Tell me what ails you, and then I will share what I am searching for."

"That is blackmail!" She laughed, pretending to be scandalized.

"No, my dear, I prefer to call it an even trade. You tell me why you have forced me to sit here at all hours of the night. What would make a beautiful girl so desperate that she would call upon a scary beast for aid? And once that is revealed, I will show you what I have brought to brighten your mood."

Her heart dropped and her hand paused, hovering over his fur. Cecelia's voice was much quieter when she asked, "Have I disturbed you? Do you not wish to be here, then? You don't have to be—it is fine. I am sure there are many other things you wish you could be doing right now."

"Miss Hammerstein-Smythe, let us make one thing clear." Alexander looked right into her worried eyes. "There is no place I would rather be than right here with you at this moment."

"Honestly?" She searched his features.

"Yes. Now stop prolonging the inevitable and tell me what is wrong."