The Beast by Lindsay Mead Read Free Book Online

cup?”
    When all declined, Belle’s father turned a rather well-concealed knob. The metal arms retracted, taking the pitcher with it. The door then flipped shut to hide the compartment once more.
    “Confound it!” Henri nearly shouted, suddenly glaring at the hearth. Belle discreetly covered her mouth, stifling her snicker. Her father slammed his fist against the wall. “Blast this thing, give me my pipe!”
    Noisily the hearth clunked and moaned. With a sigh, a different compartment door popped open. Inside, held up by two small pedestals, was Henri’s smoking pipe. He reached in and snatched the pipe with vigor, placing it between his lips and softly inhaling.
    A smile quirked the corner of his lips. “Now let us open presents!”
    In no time, the presents were all opened. The boys had worked together on her gifts. Andre had bought her the design plans for a dress. Jack purchased ribbons for her hair. Jean, Delano, and Nicolas had selected the fabrics. Then with Gastone’s present of a lovely burgundy top hat, an outfit was in the works.
    Jack was just thanking Jean for his new cowboy hat when the last present beneath the tree started to slide out. Pixie, Belle’s childhood mechanical fairy, pushed from behind. Her metal was green, her eyes slanted black opals, and she was small enough to fit in a woman’s hand. She huffed with mock effort and left the gift at Henri’s feet.
    “Well merci, Pixie.” He reached down and picked up the small brown parcel.
    Pixie parted her lips and a string of musical notes tumbled out—in lieu of a “you’re welcome”. Her voice box was a tiny version of the cylinder and comb mechanism used in music boxes. When Pixie opened her mouth, the instrument could be seen turning at the back of her throat. Leaping, her metal wings carried her over to the fire where she pretended to warm her tiny hands and posterior.
    “The present is from you, Belle.” Henri smiled, ruffling his thick white mustache. He tore off the heavy paper. Beneath was a polished wooden box with the words,
Liberty Watch Co.
, engraved on the lid. “Oh, the famous watch company in America?”
    “Open it,” she prompted.
    Needing no further encouragement, Henri drew back the lid. Sitting safely among white satin was a pocket watch. The timepiece’s face was brass with a leaf-etching design. Pulling out the watch, its chain dangling around his fingers, Henri pressed the top and it snapped open. The numbers were elegant and dainty. But the thing that made this watch unique was its back. Instead of brass coverings, the inner workings were protected by clear glass. Henri was likely already imagining the little cogs ticking away behind their glass wall.
    “My fille, this is wonderful. Merci.” He tugged Belle into a hug. “It’s your turn now. Come everyone!”
    Henri ushered them all out of the parlor and into his workroom. Every inch of the space was taken by tools, gadgets, spare parts, and gizmos. There were a slew of strange, abandoned inventions on one counter. On the wall were blueprints for projects yet to be undertaken. Henri walked over to a large, covered object; his invention for the World Fair. Everyone gathered around, eager to see it for the first time.
    “I’d like to present to everyone the Responsibly Fiscal Currency Counter—Or just Currency Counter, as I’m sure they’ll call it.” With a flourish, Henri then ripped the white sheet off of his invention.
    The brass machine was beautiful. The front was made of glass, with tubes inside for each sized coin. The gold tinted sides were decorated with fauna accents. A large man-shaped hand rested at the top.
    “Will you demonstrate it for us?” Nicolas asked with eagerness.
    Henri held up a finger to stave him off. Pointing to another covered object, this one much smaller, he said, “That is for Belle.”
    Feeling so proud of her father, Belle took hold of the sheet and whipped it away. There was a miniature version of Henri’s invention