A Beast Sees No Beauty

Chapter Twenty-Two

Serena and Juliet hugged one another for several moments, long enough for Vincent to become jealous. It was an odd feeling, something he wasn't quite used to. Sure, he felt spite towards other people who grew up under normal and loving circumstances, but this was a different form of envy. It was one that clawed its way up to his throat, begging to be released into the malicious words and phrases that would make any man or woman fall victim to an offense.

Instead, he gave a charming smile towards Serena, who gave a pointed look that translated her meaning. Take care of her.

Jeremiah pat Vincent on the back, eyeing the two women as they spoke their farewells. They could all hear the train coming down the tracks, as well as the crowd that was gathered around to board the locomotive.

"Do you remember when we were boys? We would play games and make-believe and pretend we were knights saving a princess?" Vincent nodded his head, listening to his friend but focusing on Juliet as she smiled and laughed with Serena. "You went down a dark path, Vincent."

The two men made eye contact for the first time since they arrived an hour before. Vincent couldn't help but hold his breath for a moment, hoping to forget all the terrible things he had done... How close he was to becoming his Father.

No. He would never be as awful as his old man. Never.

"I know," he began with what he hoped came across as sincerity, "I became some-some beast ready to attack anyone or anything that came too close, but I'm ready to change. I'm ready to become better."

Jeremiah nodded, patting his old friend on the back in approval. "She'll get you through this. She's gotten you this far, hasn't she?"

Vincent chuckled but didn't respond before the conductor called for the next passengers to board. "That'll be us, we'll be back to visit before you know it."

The two men shook hands, giving small smiles and polite farewells while Juliet and Serena rushed their last few sentences to one another. Even as Vincent came to her side and picked up her bag, Juliet talked. It wasn't until he gently cupped her elbow and tugged her arm that she finally said her last goodbyes.

Her green eyes met his dark ones, brighter and happier than they had been a week prior. Her face was no longer swollen and bruised, and her rib had healed enough for her to travel. Overall, she was back to being the stunning beauty of the South.

"Alright, alright, I'm ready to go now." Juliet waved one last time to Serena and Jeremiah before turning to fully face Vincent. He stood a head taller than her, but her piercing gaze and straight back made the height difference diminish.

They boarded the train without incident, taking seats that allowed Juliet to lean out the window and wave as the locomotive began charging forward. She remained in an uncomfortable position until the New York couple disappeared and the station was nothing but a dot on the horizon.

"Alright now, you've already made your hair a mess. You should sit yourself down now." Juliet scowled at Vincent but sat herself down nonetheless. She crossed her arms with a huff and stared out at the passing scenery.

"You're a fine one to talk, you hardly ever comb your hair! Honestly, why do you keep it such a floppy mess?" Vincent couldn't help but smirk at her from across the cabin, slowly leaning forward so she could see the devilish going in his eye.

"I keep it 'such a floppy mess' because some women, like yourself, find it utterly attractive." He smirked upon seeing her flushed cheeks, but neither said another word on the matter. Instead, Juliet gave him a playful glare before staring out the window to watch the world go by.

Hours passed. The comfortable silence had stretched out between them, but Juliet was too engrossed in her novel and Vincent was too tired to care. Food came by once or twice and the two ate when they were hungry, but no words needed to be exchanged. It was odd.

To Vincent, this is what married life should be like. He shouldn't have to entertain his wife. If there was no conversation between them, then that was alright. He was completely content just sitting there and watching her read. He could even imagine them back home, with Juliet curled up in a chair with a good book in his office, waiting for him to finish going over whatever paperwork he had left for the day.

That was the life he wanted to fight for, but he needed to find some way to make Juliet love him. She was close - that he could tell. Just one little push was all she needed. But what exactly needed to be done? They had kissed, shared a bed on several occasions, he had even cared for her in her time of need. What more could she possibly ask of him?

"I was thinking," Vincent began not long after the sunset, "about holding a party for your recovery. Of course, not everyone needs to know about that reasoning-"

"That sounds lovely, but who would we invite? Last I recall, you don't have many friends in the South." Juliet's response could have been hurtful in many other scenarios, but Vincent knew she was right. The best way to make friends isn't exactly taking over their plantations and kicking them out onto the street.

"Well, you have many siblings, and they're all married, so that would make fourteen. I'm sure you have some friends and other families you must miss very much," Vincent watched Juliet mark her page and stick her book back in her bag before staring him straight in the eyes. "If that's something you would like, of course."

"I... I would like that very much actually. Very, very much." Her voice was soft, but her eyes watered from both excitement and tenderness. She expected many things of Vincent McCoy, but kindness had not been one of them. When he swept her away from her home all that time ago, she expected to never see her family again. Maybe that's a tad over-dramatic, but she didn't know when she'd see them again. "Thank you."

Vincent gave Juliet a tender smile, already planning out all the little details that needed to be done. The parlor needed to be cleaned, as well as the dining hall, and the old ballroom that hadn't been used in about a decade. Then there were the decorations and the food, as well as entertainment for the evening.

Most of all, he needed to get Juliet a dress. One more fitting of a well-educated, well-traveled, and very beautiful young lady. No more of those bright colors that belonged to a child, she needed something mature and sophisticated. She needed to be the belle of the ball.

She was already the belle of the ball in his mind. Very little needed to be done for her appearance. Once she was dressed in the appropriate color palette for a woman of her age and experience, she would be unstoppable. He couldn't wait to throw that awful yellow robe into the fire.

He watched her for a moment more before deciding to rest his eyes for an hour or so. There was so much to do in such little time. Perhaps he may be willing to let her go...

He should. After the party, he'll let her go back home to her father. Even if he has to tie her down and force her into the carriage. She'll always be welcome to visit, at least until she gets married. After she gets handed off to the highest bidder there will be no time for him. She'd have a household to care for, a husband to see to, and children to feed.

The thought disturbed Vincent. It was then he had to truly question his strength. Could he let her go knowing she'd find happiness with another man? Would he be able to live with himself if she's stuck in a loveless marriage all because he forced her to go? Would she remain happy if she stayed with him?

His thoughts were almost too much to bear, so he shut them out before trying to rest once more, visions of his lovely Juliet filling his mind.