Beastly Beauty

Seventy-Nine

“Take some rolls!” Camille whispered, pressing a warm, cloth-wrapped bundle into Beau’s hands. “Do you want some jam?”

“Camille, what are we going to do with rolls and jam?” Beau whispered back.

“Eat them?” Hope ventured.

“You should never go anywhere without rolls and jam,” Faith advised.

The five of them were standing in the kitchen, trying to keep their voices down. Camille had made sure both Beau and Arabella had warm hats, scarves, and mittens, too.

“The sun’s already up. Soon the court will be, too. We need to go,” Beau said. “What happens when a curse is broken, anyway? Is there lightning or something?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never broken one before,” Arabella said.

“They’ll come back to us, the ones in the clock. That’s what will happen,” Camille said. “You come back to us, too, mistress,” she added, taking Arabella’s hand.

“I will, Camille,” Arabella said, covering the baker’s hand with her own.

A thump was heard from overhead. Everyone’s eyes flicked up to the ceiling.

“It’s Percival,” Camille said. “He’ll be on his way down soon. He makes a tea tray for the mistress and carries it to her chambers.”

“Lady Espidra takes it from him,” Arabella added. “She meets him at my door. If he’s up, it’s later than I thought. She’ll probably be there now, wondering where—”

“Lady Arabella!” Espidra’s voice, shrill with alarm, carried from the great hall. “Percival! Valmont! Where is the mistress? She’s not in her bed!”

“Time to go!” Faith whispered, grabbing Hope’s arm and heading for the back door.

“Go, mistress! Hurry! I’ll stall her,” Camille whispered.

Beau and Arabella started after the two girls, but then Arabella stopped and turned back, Camille’s words echoing in her ears. They’ll come back to us … the ones in the clock …

“It was you, wasn’t it?” she said to her. “You’re the one who raised the portcullis.”

Camille nodded, bracing herself for Arabella’s anger.

Instead, Arabella threw her arms around her. “Thank you!” she whispered in her ear. And then she was gone, running out the back door after the others. Toward the gatehouse. And freedom.