Chapter 17

   "Get it away from me! Oh the treacherous creature!" The lady screeched as she fled from the room, not caring about her gown which was half way off, or how her hair was no longer elegantly styled. Following close behind her was a man in an equally disheveled state. Thankfully for them, their masks were still intact, hence their reputations were safe, for now.

   The people in the ballroom had yet to comment when another screamed filled the room.

  "How dare you take me in such a horrendous chamber?! What was that? My lord, that was a creature! A dead one as well." The lady cried in hysterics as the lord in question tried to surreptitiously edge away from her. His face turning an ugly shade of red as he saw gossiping eyes.

  "Most entertaining, wouldn't you say?" Edward chuckled as he watched the lady turn towards her audience in horror, finally realizing they were not alone. Mercilessly, her horror was short lived, as yet another scream echoed in the silence. But by now the guests were more amused than afraid. Their eyes eagerly awaited as their tongues began to spin tales of scandalous gossip. Within the hour, the ladies of the event would be ruined. And the men would walk away unscathed, that was the way of the world in which we resided. Where two would sin, but one would be punished, and that too, greatly so.

   "Blood! There's blood everywhere. There's been a murder!" It was a man who screamed this time around, running wildly from the chambers as his shirt lay open for all to see, along with a smear of blood. The lady was no where to be seen, smart woman.

  "Why are you all standing there? There has been a murder!" His voice broke at the end as his eyes glossed over.
   
    "End your charade." The voice was quiet yet hard.

   Edward glanced to his left to see the annoying blond chit from earlier. Rolling his eyes, he stepped towards the empty space left in between the victims and the dancers.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention." Edward's voice boomed throughout the ballroom. But due to the mask, it was slightly unrecognizable.

  "These lovely people before us are not of nobility. They are stage actors and actresses hired by the lord of the manor for your entertainment and to remind the people present to live their lives virtuously while you are under his lordships care. Our apologies to the gossip columns and ladies; there shan't be a scandal tonight. Enjoy the rest of your evening."

   Quiet whispers began as Edward and Jonathan both headed towards the group of people.
  
  "Next time we shan't be so kind as to hide your mistakes." Jonathan growled.

   "There would be nothing to hide if you hadn't indulged in such atrocious behavior." One of the ladies hissed low enough so only the people in their small circle could hear.

   "If you wish to fornicate, fornicate elsewhere, my lady." Edward smiled coldly before turning on his heel. Jonathan was quick to follow.

  "A pity we had to clean their mess." Jonathan sighed.

  "Aye." Edward grunted. "If they hadn't made such a scene it would have been quite entertaining."

   "That was very kind of you."

  Edward inwardly groaned as the blond chit smiled at him. He needed not another wench to swoon over him! And where had she appeared from? Where was Annabelle?

  "Funnily enough, I didn't have your approval in mind while performing the deed."

   Annabelle laughed openly. Edward thought she was flirting but the look of vexation on his face was too much for her to handle.

  "If not, then why did you end your charade at my words?" Annabelle purred.

  Edward looked at her with disgust. "Do not flatter yourself. I was merely doing the right thing."

   "Do you pretend to be vile to all the ladies, my lord? Is that your way to have them fawn over you?" Annabelle lifted a brow as her scarlet lips curled into a slight smile.

   "I do not relish in the attention of people such as yourself." Edward snarled, his face turned a slight shade of red as his cobalt gaze took on a darker hue.

    Annabelle smirked, not needing to see the face beneath the mask to know the anger which was tangible in the air.

  "A temper is not a good trait to possess."

  Edward smiled coldly, "my characteristics aren't here to please you."

   "There you go being vile once more, my lord."

  "You wench! I'm tiring of your presence. Be gone."

   "I am no peasant you can command away, my lord." Annabelle's face colored in affront.

   "I would rather spend years with a peasant than an hour with you." Edward all but snarled.

  "I see my company is boring you." Annabelle had no intentions of leaving.

  "It seems you do have a brain in that head of yours. Marvelous. Run along now."

   "I would much rather enjoy your company." Annabelle whispered sultrily as she stepping closer to Edward.
He stiffened in response
  Once there was barely an inch of space between them, she lifted her hand to run it along his chest. Although Edward caught her hand in one of his before she had the chance.

  "I am not yours to touch, my lady. If you care for yourself, refrain from touching me."

  "Why don't you become mine." Annabelle whispered seductively, surprising even herself. This game was becoming dangerous. She was only to harmlessly flirt with him, not seduce him and see what the outcome would be. She could destroy herself in her asinine charade.

  "My lady, hear me very carefully."
 
  A sudden chill ran down Annabelle's spine. His voice was frigid, his posture tense, and his lovely eyes, she knew, without seeing them, she knew, could turn scorching fires into ice.

   "I have never raised my hand on a woman, but I shan't shy away from the task if you try to touch me or make lewd advances towards me which I have no desire for. I shall discover the face behind the mask and I shall ruin you. I shall ruin you to such an extent you shan't be able to show your face in the entire England and Scotland." Edward menaced as he held her gaze through their masks.

  Annabelle swallowed, a chill covering her person.

  "I have a lovely wife, one I shan't betray for a bint like yourself. I pray you find someone to love just as dearly, for parading your body and heart for all to devour shall only ruin you."

  He didn't wait for an answer as he turned on his heel and stalked away. He was done with the arrogant chit.

***
  
   Katherine nearly groaned at the pair of them. They were such children at times. Surely no adult in their right mind would do such a deed? Mayhap the two were not right in the head. Katherine frowned slightly. There could have been serious damage caused by their jest.

   "A drink for the lovely lady?"

  Katherine blinked her wide eyes as she tore her gaze away from the lout.

  "My lord?"

  "A drink, my lady. Would you like a drink? There's one with alcohol and one without." The man smiled down at Katherine. His mask only covered the upper portion of his face, leaving his clear blue eyes for all to see.

  "That is quite generous of you, my lord." Katherine commented as she took the non alcoholic drink in hand.

  "Not so, my lady." There was a strange glint in his eyes, and his smile a little forced, as he answered her. "You see I had an ulterior motive."

  "Oh?" Katherine raised a brow, the drink stopping at her lips as she saw who she assumed was Lord Rivers walk away from the ballroom with the younger two lords in tow.

   "Aye. You see, I needed an excuse to approach you." Not that Katherine noticed, but the smile he gave her was anything but charming.

  Katherine finished the drink, not realizing how thirsty she had been. She was beginning to feel light headed. Mayhap another drink would help.

  Katherine smiled politely at the lord. "You needn't have bothered yourself, my lord." She hesitated before continuing, "I do not want to be rude, but may you pardon me,  I shall quickly go fetch myself another drink, tis quite warm."

  "Worry not my fair lady, I shall get you a drink." The man offered a bow.

  "Nay, 'tis not necessary. I am quite capable of getting myself a drink."

  "Capable you most certainly are, my lady, but as a gentleman, I can not have you doing such a mundane task. Allow me." He took one of her gloved hands in his own and placed a kiss upon her knuckles.

   "There's color in your cheeks, it's quite becoming on you." His voice was a soft whisper as he grazed her cheek with his knuckles.

   Katherine blinked thrice before realizing what he was doing. She was beginning to feel unusually warm, almost feverish.

    "That's not very appropriate behavior, my lord. 'Tis against propriety."

   Katherine didn't notice the way his eyes hardened slightly before taking in  her petite form encased in her fitted gown.

   "I apologize, my fair lady. Allow me to make it up to you. Would you prefer sherry or something stronger?"

  "Preferably something non- alcoholic, my lord." Katherine giggled. What had gotten into her?

   "Anything for the lovely lady." He bowed before offering her a quick wink. Katherine giggled again before hiccuping.

  "Tsk, mustn't hiccup. Tis improper." Katherine scolded herself. She looked around, bouncing on the balls of her feet. Where was her lout?

  "Here you are, my lady."

  Katherine blinked in surprise. "There's two of you?"

  "I beg your pardon?"

  "You have an identical sibling? I see two of you." Katherine said as she took the drink and quickly drank the entire glass in one gulp.

  "Nay, my lady. Perhaps some fresh air shall help you. Would you like a walk in the garden?" He leered as he took her hand and placed it in his, not giving her the chance to protest.

  "My lord," Katherine began, annoyance clear in her voice, "tis rude to simply take my hand. You must patiently await my answer."

  "Bloody hell." He hissed as he lead her across the floor. His strides were quick and brisk, lest the lady should find something else to scold him with.

Almost there... two more steps...

   ''Tis improper to walk so fast. A lady must walk quickly yet elegantly, as if she is gliding along the floor but not running. Oh! The night air feels wonderful! How thoughtful, my lord. Thank you!" Katherine gushed as she turned to peer at her companion.

  "T'was most kind of yo-"

  The lord who had pretended to be a proper gentleman could no longer hold the charade. He wrapped his arms around her tiny waist and pulled her toward himself, placing his lips directly above hers, thus effectively preventing her annoying chatter. He had other things to occupy her mouth with.
   
   His lips were hard, brutal even, as they moved over hers. There was no gentle coaxing, no soft bites. It was lust, but not lust for her, but rather, lust for her body, a means to get away from his own trails and tribulations. Katherine was frozen in place, her mind too muddled to fully comprehend the situation.
   The stranger pulled away, his breathing harsh and his mask slightly askew.

  "That was a horrendous kiss, my lord. I advice you to take lessons on the art of kissing." Katherine reprimanded as she wiped her mouth, scrunching her pert nose in the process.

    His face turned an ugly, blotchy shade of red with the attack on his ego.

"You bitch."

  "Really, my lord. Such foul language should not be used in the presence of a lady, much less directed at a lady. Tis not only highly improper, but 'tis rude." Katherine thought she took a step away from him, but in reality, she took a step toward him, her world slightly tilting.

  "Listen, you bint," he grabbed her injured hip harshly as he pulled her flush against him, his entire body rigid with anger.

  Katherine hissed in pain as tears clouded her vision. Through her muddled brain she felt a trace of fear before it gave way to annoyance. "Unhand me, my lord. Not only are you hurting me but-"

  He kissed her once more, more harshly than the last, and brutally squeezed her hips as he grinded his groin against hers.
   Katherine moaned in pain, giving him the chance to slip his tongue into her mouth. As his tongue snaked into her mouth, something in Katherine snapped. She lifted her knee as hard as she could, aiming for  his family jewels. It seemed to do the trick as the man let her go and doubled over in pain.

   "I apologize for the inconvenience and pain I just caused you, my lord. But really, you shouldn't have behaved in such a loathsome manner. It was your fault if you look at it from my perspective."
   Katherine took a moment to breathe in deeply as she eyed the two men. Wasn't there one before?

  "Now if you gentlemen would excuse me, I must be on my way. I shan't have my betroth ruin your appearances." Katherine assured reassuringly as she slowly made her way past the fallen man. She had gotten him good, he was still moaning on the ground. Katherine smiled widely before turning around to the man once more.

  "A word of advice, my lord. Do not kiss anyone in the future. You are horrendous at the deed. Mayhap after you have taken lessons you may have some luck." Katherine grimaced. She doubted all the lessons in England would help this git.

  "Audacious man... trying to kiss me...felt like a fish inside my mouth, that to a dead one." Katherine mumbled to herself as she reached the doors leading inside the castle. She took a deep breathe, placing her head against the stonewall. She felt warm and fuzzy inside. But at the same time her stomach felt strange. As if it was full and empty at once.
    A wave of dizziness washed over her, causing her to moan slightly. Couldn't someone come and carry her to her chambers? She wanted to sleep.

    Katherine clucked her tongue, the berk was awfully vocal regarding his pain.

Katherine opened her mouth to protest but then shut it. A lady never raised her voice. She sighed heavily as she made her way back toward the git.

   "May you please shut that damn mouth of yours, it's hurting my head."

   Katherine tried to stand still as another wave of dizziness washed over her.

  "My stomach hurts." Katherine mumbled before she emptied the contents of her stomach... on the man withering in pain.

      ***

   "What was the meaning of that charade!? If you two do not end your ridiculous behavior I shall... I-"

   "We did not do anything, your lordship. Those people were indulging in fornication, we were merely putting an end to it." Edward's cold voice interrupted. 

  "Aye, because you have not indulged in the act? How holy of you. ''Tis hypocrisy what you were doing."

  "I am a bachelor, my lord, unlike yourself. Women are not the only ones who need to guard their virtue." His words were coated in steel as his cobalt eyes murderously gazed at the older lord.

   "My lord, we saved your guests and your damn ball. We are not wee lads you must scold around the hour. Now if you would excuse us, I shall go be a hypocrite and commit the act of fornication." Jonathan grabbed Edward's arm, pulling him along with him. He did not await for his father's response.

  "You can not go to a tavern wench, you're betrothed. Annabelle will have our balls." Edward hissed.

  Jonathan rolled his eyes. "You may be an untried man, but I am not. How could I let such an opportunity go wasted?"

  "Bastard."

  "Git."

  "Berk."

   "Chicken."

  Edward stopped in his tracks. "Chicken? Bloody Nora! What has become of your tongue? We need to take you out to sea."

  Jonathan laughed as they arrived by the ballroom.

  "Alright. I need to find my Kitten, and you need to find Annabelle. I haven't seen her all night."

  Edward headed left while Jonathan went straight. Where was he to find her?

  "Pardon me, my lady." Jonathan took the woman into his arms and began to spin her around the dance floor.

  "You are an excellent dancer, my lord." Her voice was a soft whisper as she looked at Jonathan through the lashes.

  "I can dance with you all night, my lady. But I'm afraid I have a slight problem."

  "Oh? May I be of an assistance?" She pressed herself closer to him, watching coyly as she did."

  Jonathan pretended to sigh heavily. "I'm afraid I've lost my ward. Unless I find the chit I won't be able lavish my attention elsewhere. I was searching for the wench when I saw you, but I'm afraid I've indulged enough." Jonathan whispered as he took her knuckles and kissed them gently.

   "Mayhap if you describe her appearance I may ease your troubles." She breathed as she swooned ever so slightly.
   Jonathan grinned.

  "She was wearing a red gown. A petite woman she is and I believe her hair is fair. My apologies, I consider her a child. Therefore I often forget her."

  The woman giggled. "No need to worry, my lord. Was she wearing a lace blank mask?"

  "I believe so, but I can't be so certain."

    "I saw a woman go out to the gardens with a gentleman earlier, perhaps t'was her?"

   "A brilliant goddess you are. If tis her then I shall return to you posthaste, my lady."
  
   The woman giggled as Jonathan practically ran to the gardens.

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Sorry
This chapter is supposed to be much longer. I doubt it's edited plz excuse those grammatical mistakes, wayyyy to tired. Anyways, so the chapter is supposed to be longer but I felt horrible abt leaving u guys this long so here is a portion of it. Next part will be up hopefully soon.
Really tired
It's like past midnight here

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