Alexis and Béatrice were looking at Ben with nervous expressions again.
Gabriella needed to put them at ease so she pulled them aside. “Ben had a rough time growing up and we don’t really know the full extent of it yet. There must have been some abuse but it’s locked deep in his mind. We shouldn’t talk about that around him because he becomes extremely protective.”
“So, he’s not a danger to us?” Alexis whispered.
“God no! The man will walk through fire to protect a woman. His mind takes him someplace dark when he sees a woman being hurt or abused in any way. It’s frightening and brutal what he’s capable of but it’s always in the defense of someone in danger. When he comes out of it he can’t recall what happened. That’s disturbing for him. He’s seeing a doctor back home but he needs more treatment. We’re recording the blackouts for his doctor.
“Would he have killed Arsene just on our say so?” Béatrice gasped.
“Killed him? No. Beaten him unconscious? Definitely. That’s why we have to be careful what we say around him,” Gabriella explained as she saw the appraising looked they were now giving the big man.
He walked back to them with the ladies accompanying him.
“Sorry about that,” he mumbled looking at their hosts.
“It’s quite alright,” Alexis said with a smile and looked over to Gabriella.
“Can I go see Stephanie?” Gabriella asked.
“Why don’t we get you and your friends situated in your rooms then I’ll take you to see her.” She paused for a second with a thoughtful expression. “I think you should bring Ben with you when you see her. Tell her he frightened away Arsene. That might help her,” Alexis suggested.
Gabriella nodded and smiled at Ben. They went back to the vehicles and everyone grabbed their luggage. Ben was once more given the largest and most luxurious room on the top floor. The view from its windows was spectacular as it faced the valley below. The massive bed looked inviting and the private bath was nicely appointed. He immediately noted some beautiful sculptures of dancers. There was also a bright and colourful impressionistic painting of a dance studio on the wall.
“The room is gorgeous and these pieces are lovely!” Ben enthused gesturing to the art.
Béatrice beamed at him. “Thank you. It is one of my favourites as well. Stephanie did the sculptures and I did that painting about two years ago.”
Ben moved closer to the painting. “I’m no expert but I love this! I can almost hear the music they are dancing to!” Béatrice smiled broadly at Gabriella.
They moved to the next room which had a more feminine feel to it. It had softer colors and lots of colourful throw pillows. This would be Catherine’s room which she’d share with Sophia. Next was the flower room which Rachel and Megan would share. Gabriella and Miriam’s room was furnished with French antiquities much like they saw in Versailles. The last and smallest room painted in oranges and yellows with rich, dark wood furniture went to Daniel and he was delighted.
“Are we the only guests? Gabriella asked her cousin.
Alexis looked a little embarrassed. “For now. We’ve been having trouble getting local tradesmen to come to the property to finish off the renovations. I think Arsene is frightening them off.”
“What exactly is his problem with you?” Ben asked.
“We’re gay. He’s homophobic and has a particular hate for Lesbians,” Béatrice growled. “He’s also made a nuisance of himself to the owners of another chateau in town. Richard and Henry run a beautiful B&B not far from here and they’ve told us he’s also shot holes in their sign.”
“Is that why your sign isn’t up? Did Arsene shoot your last sign?” Ben exclaimed.
“We can’t prove it was him as he does it at night but we heard a loud boom and in the morning we saw our sign had a huge hole in the center. It happened the same way with Richard’s sign.”
“Have you reported him to the police?” Gabriella asked.
“The man in charge of this area is Arsene’s cousin. He won’t do anything to stop him. Arsene is a bully and has no friends in town but no one stands up to him,” Alexis said.
Ben was getting that grim look in his eyes again so Gabriella hugged his arm and that distracted him. “You know, Ben is a master at renovations. Maybe he could take a look at what’s left to do?” Gabriella suggested and Ben’s eyes lit up.
“I wouldn’t want to impose on you during your vacation!” Alexis protested.
Gabriella and Catherine snorted in unison as they saw Ben’s eager expression then started to laugh. “Ben is something of a reno junkie. It’s something he loves to do,” Catherine explained to their puzzled hosts.
“Let’s visit Stephanie first though,” Gabriella insisted and Ben nodded.
“If you don’t mind I will just bring in Gabriella and then Ben if she is up to it,” Alexis said. They nodded and followed the cousin down to the main floor and through a door with a ‘Private’ sign on it. At the end of the hall was a door and Alexis gently knocked. She announced herself and entered. Moments later she brought both Gabriella and Ben into the room.
Stephanie sat in a chair by the window with her hands in her lap. She shared a lot of features with her older sister. She wasn’t as stocky though and her chest was more modest than her sisters. She had long sandy blond hair worn loose and pale blue eyes which Ben immediately saw weren’t tracking their movement in the room. He glanced at Alexis who nodded at him. Stephanie was blind.
“Stephanie? It’s Gabriella!” she said as she took her cousin’s hands and held them up to her face. She released them and Stephanie ever so gently ran her fingertips over the contours of Gabriella’s features.
“Hello Gabriella. Beautiful as ever!” Stephanie said with a gentle but sad smile.
“I’d like to introduce you to my good friend and neighbour Ben Shepherd,” Gabriella said and gestured for Ben to step forward.
“Hello,” Ben said taking her delicate long fingered hands in his thick ones.
“Hell- oh! You’re big!” the woman said in surprise as she ran her fingers over his hands and up his arms.
“Yes, he certainly is! He just scared Arsene into running away!” Alexis said.