Belle frowned when he left, unsure what he was up to. She hoped he wasn’t slipping back into his melancholy. Belle finished her breakfast with Bosworth chatting her ear off about the grand plans he had for the quaint ball that evening. He followed her around the castle as she cleaned, taking notes on everything she wanted done, and assigning duties to the staff, who grumbled and asked under their breath how exactly he was planning to help. Bosworth huffed with a haughty air, arms akimbo as his hour hand and second hand screwed up on his face, as they usually did when he was working up a good indignant rant. “I’m tending to the Lady of the House, if you don’t mind. If she needs something, I’m first to know.”
Belle sniggered while she swept the rooms and hallways, as she did every morning after breakfast. Vivienne started first, dusting each room, and then Belle followed behind with the broom. The first floor was so vast that it usually took her until noon to get just that task done. She started in on the second floor, picking the first two rooms in the east wing at random to scrub from top to bottom.
“Milady, I believe it’s time for you to get ready. The guests will arrive within the hour,” Lucien said to her with a bow from the doorway.
“Oh, wow. I guess I lost track of the time. Let me just finish up this room, and I’ll hop in the shower.”
Lucien paused, and when Belle turned to glance at him, she saw his arms crossed and a frown tugging at his features. “Surely you don’t think you can get rid of me that easily. Vivienne can keep working, but you need to wash up. This is a grand occasion, and it was your idea.”
“I know, I know. In my head, it sounded better than me making a fool of myself on the dance floor in front of Adam’s closest friends. It’s not like they’re a big deal – only the Prince of Avondale and the Sleeping Beauty. Not intimidating at all.”
Lucien scoffed at her insecurity, and then ambled over to her and tipped the broom from her hand. “You already know Prince Henry, and Rory’s no one to worry yourself about.”
Belle followed Lucien out the door and down the steps after Vivienne swooshed her feathers in Belle’s face to get her moving, making her sneeze over and over until Belle forfeited her claim on the cleaning equipment.
Belle showered quickly. Each minute that passed by built her nerves up into a dam of anxiety. Thomas brushed her hair for her, taking his time with the chestnut tresses as he dried and curled them, fixing it all into an ornate bun atop her head. “Beautiful,” he declared of his masterpiece.
Belle was too nervous to look in the mirror to confirm or deny his assessment. “The Chancellor’s daughter, is she nice? I’ve only seen interviews with her.”
“Rory is wonderful. If it weren’t for her and Prince Henry, Adam would never have seen the sun. Their fight was hard on the master, though he would never admit that. Reuniting Adam with his oldest friend is the kindest thing you could’ve done for him, though I know it cost you your car.”
Belle swallowed hard, wondering when she would have enough saved for a decent down-payment towards a gently used vehicle. She’d received the call that between the crash and the damage to the interior from the snow, her rickety vehicle would be better off totaled. “After I get a little more saved, then I can think about replacing my car. A couple months.”
After a few minutes of fiddling with the hem of the slip Simone had made her, a knock drew her attention away from her current nervousness. She slid on the silk rose-hued robe and cinched it around her waist before opening the door.
Before she could stem her reaction, a gasp flew from her lips. “Adam!” She’d never seen him in a tuxedo before, but knew she’d never forget the sight. He was dapper, and though his clean-shaven face would only last a few hours before his beard would grow back in, she drank in every inch of his features with unguarded appreciation.
It didn’t even dawn on her that equal amounts of shock were radiating from him as his eyes combed over her form, which was clad only in silk. He clutched a folder in his hand, but seemed to forget its purpose. “You… I wanted to talk to you,” he finally worked out, swallowing thickly.
“Sure. Make yourself at home.” Then she grinned and mimed laughing at her own levity. “Get it? Because you already are at home.”
“Indeed. I… There was something, but I can’t seem to remember anything at all right now.”
A demure smile lit Belle’s face at the blatant compliment. “You’re doing that tux all kinds of favors.”
Adam’s hand brushed down his abdomen, as if only just then realizing what he was wearing. “Is that so? I would say you should just wear that, but there’s something alluring about me being the only man to see you in your robe.”
Belle stepped back, ushering him into the room. “What is it you wanted to talk about?”
Adam’s eyes narrowed at Thomas, who bowed and skittered out of the room, shutting the door behind him. Simone did her amazing disappearing act, shutting her doors to give the two the illusion of privacy.
“Did Thomas see you naked?” Adam asked with a frown.
Belle grimaced. “No. I don’t think so. I put on my slip in the bathroom.”
“So he’s seen you in your slip?” Adam shook his head and tried to focus on the folder in his fist. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve been thinking about the woman with the red cloak. You were right. I didn’t see it at first, but it was there. They were communicating. The white wolf acted separate from the pack and stayed with her. I want that. When I transition, I want to be able to stay here with the staff, and with you.”
Belle sat on the edge of her bed while Adam took the chair and rested his folder on the desk. “I think that’s great. Transitioning to the Lupine doesn’t mean your life is over. It’s just a new chapter. We can figure it out and make it work for you.”
Adam nodded once. “I’m glad to hear you say that. Unfortunately, there are legal matters to address before I turn. I don’t have any heirs, so the castle would be sold off, since the Lupine don’t have rights and can’t own property.”
Belle hung her head, chiding herself for not thinking about that crucial detail. “Maybe you and the staff could move in with me and Papa in the West Village.” She glanced around her long room and grimaced. “It’ll be a bit tighter than what you’re used to, but if you’re okay sharing my bedroom, we can make it work.”
Adam froze at the desk, watching her slight fidgets as she exposed her plan to help him. “You couldn’t possibly mean that.”
Her neck shrank, chagrinned. “I know it’s small, but it’s something. A step up from being out in the cold, for sure. You don’t have to, but think it over before you say no.” She shook her head, a look of angst pinching the bridge of her nose. “The thought of you living out in the woods all alone just kills me.”
“You really think about that kind of thing? Of ways to save me?”
“Not well, obviously. I didn’t think through the fact that you won’t have legal rights. But if you need someone to make sure you have a roof over your head and a bed to sleep on at night, I can do that for you. I can keep you safe, Adam. Whatever you need.”
Adam blinked at her, never more certain that he was making the right decision. “I may have a better plan, if you’re up for it. I’ve been on the phone with my lawyer, and he drew up a few documents for me.” He flipped open the folder and handed her several pieces of paper. “This first one is making you my Power of Attorney, so you can sign for things on my behalf when I’m considered not of sound body and mind when I turn.” He paused for Belle’s gasp, but then continued. “This one is willing you the deed to the castle and all of my personal assets. When people transition, it’s considered a death, and their things are passed down or forfeited if there’s no will. You’ll be my sole beneficiary, with the understanding that you’ll take care of the castle and everyone in it.”
Belle clamped her hand over her mouth, dumbfounded. “Adam, you can’t be serious!”
He lifted a third document, paying her shock no mind. “This is giving you my seat on the board of Fontaine Mortgage, and controlling shares of the company. Then this here gives you control of my smaller companies - the security business I acquired, a restaurant and a few others.”
“I’m a nurse! I don’t know anything about running a loans company, or one that… Adam, you’re not thinking clearly!”
“I’m in the process of writing out step-by-step instructions, in case it takes us a few beats to figure out how to communicate after I turn. I can teach you all you need to know. And I assure you, the board is quite capable.”
Belle stood and shook her head, her hand over her heart to stem the rapid syncopation that quickened her breath. “They’re all going to think I swindled you into this! Can’t you see that I’m underqualified? The stockholders will revolt.”
Adam smirked at her. “They’ll be stupid if they give up their shares, and we’ll scoop them right up if they run. Fontaine Mortgage is the most profitable home loans company in the state. If you do things as I’m instructing you, then there won’t be more than a few small bumps in the road.”
He took in her skittish fear and reached his hand out to her, beckoning her toward him. They both exhaled when their palms touched – his fur against the silk of her skin.
“Adam, this is…”
“I can’t let my family’s legacy be stripped for parts. If anyone else gains control, they won’t know what to do with it. They’ll change the fundamentals that make the company great. Of all the things I cannot stand, that would be one of the worst. Please, Belle. I can’t let my father down in this.”
Belle ran her free hand over her face, her eyes wide and her head still spinning with confusion. “What about Henry? You trust him.”
“I trust Henry to be my friend, but he can’t hear the staff speak. He still thinks I’m mentally ill. He won’t understand how to look after all of them with the same care you have.”
Belle let Adam pull her down to sit on his thick thigh. She leaned into him and rested her head on his shoulder. “Okay, then yes to being your Power of Attorney, and yes to the house. I can keep things running and make sure you all have a safe place to stay.”
Adam put the papers down and curved his arm around her hips, his other hand wrapping around her to trace his claws slowly up and down her arm. It was of great satisfaction to him that he could make goosebumps erupt on her skin. He loved how pliable she was in his arms. She trusted him, and what’s more, what he discovered that morning as he started to put all the documents in motion with his attorney, is that he trusted her. “And what about the businesses? Can I put those in your hands, as well? It would pay you more than you’ll need to provide a comfortable life for you and your father.” He dangled the carrot, hoping she would take the offer.
Belle chewed on her lower lip, contemplating all she was signing up for. “You need this? You’re sure I’m the one for the job? Adam, my degree is in nursing, not finance.”
“I’ll teach you all you need to know. I’ll be with you every step of the way. You’d run it in name, but we’ll be making decisions together.”
She wrapped her arms around his thick neck. “Tell me that I won’t be the person that breaks everything that’s important to you. Tell me I won’t wreck your great-grandfather’s legacy.”
Adam smiled, his cheek pressing to hers. “Does that mean you’ll help me?”
Belle paused, steeling herself, but then finally nodded. “Yes. If this is what you need, then I’ll help however I can.”
Adam’s gentle embrace bloomed into a full-blown hug of relief. “Thank you,” he whispered. “I feel so much lighter, knowing the staff and myself will be taken care of after I turn. Thank you. I won’t have to live in the woods without you.”
“You love them.”
“I do. They’re only in this position because of me.”
When the doorbell sounded through the house, Belle stiffened. “I’m not dressed yet!”
Adam gave her another squeeze before letting her go. “Take your time. It’s only my attorney and a notary. They’re going to make everything official. Henry and Rory are on their way, but it’s a long drive for them both.”
Belle stood and cinched her robed tighter, making sure she remained covered. “You want me to sign everything right now?”
“As soon as you’re decent.” He stood and, without thinking, pressed a kiss to the crook of her neck. They both reveled in Belle’s shiver of longing, taking in the new advance that welcomed them to another level of their complicated relationship. “Thomas saw you in your slip?”
Belle closed her eyes, her cheek brushing his. “Only a little.”
“Mm. I’ll be waiting in the receiving room, wondering how undressed I’m allowed to see you.”
Belle’s intake of breath caused a seductive smirk to play on Adam’s features. It had been so long since he’d been able to make a woman’s body shiver for him. He stood and touched her hand before he left, leaving them both wanting more.