*~*Forbidden Lust*~*



*~*Chapter Two*~*



Andre led Beatrice up another flight of stairs which ended at the back of the mansion. A carriage awaited them, the driver staring out in front of him. Andre, being the gentleman, helped Beatrice into the carriage. "Ciao, bella. I will not forget this night, or you. I hope you will do me the same courtesy." He bowed, flourishing as he went. He looked in Beatrice's eyes again as he kissed her hand once more, a sly grin on his face.

"My parents will see what you have done to me, you creature...." She glared with malice at him, her green eyes clearly showing hatred. "And I'll tell them everything. They'll hunt you down, and I'll have your head on a platter."

"Au contraire, Milady. Look at the wound in your neck..." He handed her a small mirror from inside his shirt. Beatrice searched, the bite mark in her neck nowhere in sight. She checked the other side, and no sign of any foul play was apparent. She stared at him, shocked that there was nothing on her neck.

"Remember when I licked your neck? I cleaned and healed the wound. Therefore, you are good as new, and none will be the wiser. Again, ciao bella." He turned on his heel, disappearing in the fog. Beatrice looked around, seeing no sign of life. She sat back and sighed. How am I going to tell my parents about this?

"Where to, ma'am?" The driver asked as he peered around to see her.

"Maison LaVerre, sir." She pulled a blanket from the seat, holding it around her to keep herself warm. It began to rain as the carriage started moving. On the way, Beatrice looked out the window. They passed the cemetery that lay on the outskirts of town. She watched the grey monuments pass, thinking about whether or not Andre had a grave. They soon passed a farmer's pasture, where the only livestock outside was a lone horse that walked to the stables.

When they reached the gates of her house, Beatrice exited the carriage. She held out three gold coins for the driver, and he waved them away. "Your gentleman friend has already paid, madame." With that, the carriage was off, moving into the fog.

*~*-*~*

Lady Charlotte rushed out of the gate, embracing her daughter. "Oh, darling! How did you like the party?" She handed Beatrice a cloak, which she put on to shield her from the rain. "What of Andre? Was he hospitable?" Charlotte said those last words with a hinting wink.

If I say I was with a Vampire, she'll think it absurd. Beatrice thought to herself as she entered the palace. "He was courteous, and made sure I was comfortable."

"That's great!" Charlotte squealed with delight. "It's about time you took an interest in a future husband. Could this be it?"

Beatrice shivered. "He's very mysterious. He has this air about him....Like he's from some other world. We only spoke briefly, and he was more interested in giving me a tour of his estate." Beatrice hoped that little white lie would save her from future questions.

At the dinner table, Charlotte kept pressing Beatrice to tell her more about Andre. She wasn't listening, however. She was off in her own little world, daydreaming about him. The tilted hat on his head, the long black hair waving down his face, the bright blue eyes, his soft lips...

"Beatrice! What on earth are you daydreaming about? Honestly, girl. There are some days I wonder about you." Charlotte waved a finger at her.

"Sorry, mother. I just...I feel a little tired. May I be excused?" She wiped her eyes gingerly.

"Oh, sweet, you've barely touched your dinner. Can't you at least eat something?" A look of concern crossed Charlotte's face.

"I'm sorry, mother, I'm just not hungry tonight. I'd love to eat it, but I can't. You know how much I love roast lamb..."

"It's alright, darling. If you can't eat it, then I'll see if Jaques can save it." She rang a bell, and the chef came to fetch the meal. "Place this on ice for me, Jaques. Beatrice is not well."

"Oui, majesty." He turned to face Beatrice. "You do not like it tonight, mam'selle?"

"It's not that, Jaques. I'm very tired. I have no appetite, I am afraid." Beatrice smiled at him. She envied his loyalty. It was people like Jaques who gave Beatrice hope of finding the right man to please her mother. "I love it, m'sieur."

A smile decorated Jaques' thin face as he carried the platter into the kitchen. Beatrice looked at her parents. "Papa, I am very sorry I cannot eat with you tonight."

"It's perfectly fine, darling. Go and rest. I shall see you in the morning, and if you are well, we will go riding together. Alright?"

"Merci, papa." Beatrice hugged her mother and father and turned to go to her chamber.

"Is she alright?" Armand turned to his wife, a look of expressed concern in his emerald eyes.

"I'm sure she'll be fine. She probably danced too much at the party, that's all." Charlotte took a sip of wine and leaned back in her chair. They both finished their supper and had the maids clean the table.

*~*-*~*

In her chamber, Beatrice took off her dress. She placed it on the end of her bed, too tired to place it in her wardrobe. The maids would come in and tidy up. Normally she did it on her own, but she was so tired from the night's events she could barely move. She lay down on her bed and very quickly fell into a deep sleep.



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