Beauty's Beast

By Jess James

Bella was always cleaning up after her father, but this time he had gone too far. Although she loved him dearly, she was forever making amends for his gambling and drinking debts.

Roman Bestia has a reputation, yet no one has really met the man. The infamous man who lives in Bestia Manor was not likely to take a simple ‘I owe you’. Everything they owned was on the line, and Bella had nothing else to give, but herself. How far was Bella prepared to go to save her father’s reputation?

Would she sacrifice her happiness and her freedom? What would her on and off boyfriend, Gaston say when he really found out where she had gone?

Will Roman Bestia be her downfall or her saviour?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jess James
• Release date: Jul 8, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311066947

Jess James

Jess James grew up in the United Kingdom and has always enjoyed writing. It wasn't until she faced one of her biggest challenges in life, trying to get pregnant, that she felt passionate about finally publishing her work. The Path to Conception was Jess' first book, a memoir detailing her journey to pregnancy. Jess is now concentrating on fantasy fiction stories, with Little Red being the first in a series of Flirtatious Fairytales she intends to publish. With the ease of self-publishing, she has been inspired by similar authors who have written and produced works and she hopes to continue writing and releasing more work in the future.

Book preview

Chapter One

Damn him to hell! Bella cursed under her breath as she looked through the large iron gates to the imposing manor home behind it. She didn’t want to be here, but she had been left with no choice. The dark building sent shivers down her spine, as she pushed the heavy gates open. It looked deserted. The gardens were overgrown and the long path leading to the front door was covered in moss and weeds. I should have sent him here to do his own dirty work, she muttered wretchedly, as she pushed the heavy gate open to enter the grounds.

Bella had saved her father plenty of times before. His drinking and gambling often led them into a myriad of problems, with Bella always running in to fix the situation. This time, however, her father had gone too far. Their house and livelihood were now on the line. Of course, he had assured her that he had been certain it was a ‘sure thing’.

There is no such thing! Bella had scolded her father that morning, as he pleaded with her not to do what she was about to do. You’ve given us no option, she accused bitingly. It’s our only hope of keeping this roof over our head.

She had looked around the small cottage before leaving. They hadn’t much left. All the valuables had been gambled, or worse, sold to pay off gambling debts. The bricks and mortar was the only thing that remained, and now that was in jeopardy. Her father looked at his feet, ashamed. He knew, she thought angrily, yet he couldn’t stop himself.

Last month she had been forced to sell her mother’s jewellery to pay off his last gambling endeavour. It had broken her heart to hand over the beautiful gold ring and emerald necklace. It had been something she had held onto, the only true tangible memorandum she had left of her mum, and now that was gone too. Now she only had her memories to keep, and those were sadly fading with time. Her mum had died tragically when Bella was only ten years old. It had broken their small family of three when the village policeman had arrived at their door with the news that her mother had been brutally murdered.

Her father was bitter and angry about what had happened, and at first he had worked tirelessly with the police to help with their investigations. Bella remembered the police at their house, often eavesdropping on their conversations. She was of course too young to provide any help at the time. It was just over eighteen months later when they finally landed a suspect, and Bella could never forget the face of the man who was considered the prime suspect at the time. The report had detailed that her mother had been violently stabbed to death. Just as it looked like the investigations would lead to an arrest Bella and her father were advised that the man suspected of this heinous crime had been caught in a fire and died. With no other leads, the police soon closed the case as unsolved, and the broken family never did get their closure.

Nothing had been the same since, and at only twelve years of age Bella was forced to grow up quickly, often left to fend for herself as her father dealt with the shock and grief of what had happened. Bella had thrown herself into taking care of both of them, becoming both housekeeper and cook. If it were up to her father, they would have starved!

In recent years, however, her father had become much worse. His gambling had increased, and any money they did have left seemed to be spent on alcohol. He had become self-destructive and Bella was getting caught up in his downward spiral.

At nineteen, Bella should be thinking about settling down with a husband and starting a family of her own. But how could she even think about that, when her father was such a mess? It couldn’t keep going on this way, she thought grimly. Bella slowly walked up the long gravel drive, careful not to trip on the weeds and vines which had overgrown onto the pathway. The house itself made her shiver nervously. Even in the sunlight it seemed dark and gloomy. She had come to see the man who owned this monstrosity, but she couldn’t even be sure he would want to see her. She had invited herself and had not given any notice of her arrival, although to be fair, she didn’t even know how to contact him in advance.

Roman Bestia has a reputation among the village, yet no one had ever claimed to have met the man personally. He was reputed to be a recluse, a cold and callous man. He owned half the land surrounding the villages and had shared in many of the small businesses, yet he never frequented any of the village meetings and all business transactions were completed through his business associates. He was a mystery, and many who did speak about him only did so in hushed tones. He had eyes and ears all over the village, and had been known to ruin and bankrupt the townsfolk if he was wronged. For someone who seemed to barely exist but in name, he was the most feared person she knew. Trust my father to get mixed up with the likes of him, Bella thought condescendingly as she slowly climbed the stairs that led to the large, imposing wooden front door.

Here goes nothing… she mumbled to herself, as she lifted the large brass handle, giving it a firm slam against the door three times to announce her arrival.

Chapter Two

She stood outside for at least ten minutes, periodically rapping against the door, wondering if anyone was actually home. Just as she was about to give up, she heard the slightest sound of footsteps moving inside. The door cracked open and an old, thin man peered out curiously. He looked Bella up and down, assessing her, clearly unsure of who she was and what she was doing here.

Mr Bestia? Bella asked, trying to sound confident, but hearing her voice waver slightly at the question.

Who’s asking? the man enquired. He was old and frail looking, and spoke with a French accent. He was certainly not what she had imagined Roman Bestia to look like.

My name is Bella. I’m the daughter of Maurice Vickers. I’ve come to discuss what he owes you, she replied politely. He looked her over again, curiously. I just need a few moments of your time Mr Bestia, Bella pushed, stepping forward and placing her foot over the threshold, hoping it would stop him from slamming the door in her face.

I am not Mr Bestia, the Frenchman said abruptly. It is best you leave. Mr Bestia does not like visitors.

You don’t understand, Bella protested. It’s important that I speak to Mr Bestia today.

Write him a letter, suggested the man, and his eyes almost pleaded with her to obey.

She wouldn’t have any of it. Knowing she may not get this opportunity again she moved forward swiftly, pushing the door open and standing in the threshold. He would have to physically throw her out, and Bella decided that he was too frail to do so, and hopefully too much of a gentleman to try.

Is Mr Bestia home? she asked, trying to peer inside the house.

The man was still trying to hold the door ajar, but he couldn’t meet Bella’s strength and she was able to open it a bit further, giving her a view of the expansive reception room.

I’m sorry miss, but he really doesn’t like visitors, the man protested again desperately, as Bella started to push past him.

I understand, but this concerns my livelihood, he must see me, she said firmly and loudly, hoping her voice would carry. If Roman Bestia was listening, he might take pity on her. The man shook his head helplessly, clearly unsure of what to do. May I ask your name? Bella looked back at him, showing him her most gracious smile.

My name is Louis. I’m Mr Bestia’s assistant he responded politely. Miss, please I must warn you, this is not a good time.

Bella nodded politely but decided she would