Katherine slowly opened her eyes before quickly shutting them. Her head pained her something fierce this morn. Such fierceness, all her mother's attempts at redeeming her seemed like a blessing in disguise. Why would her head be pounding. As far as she remembered, nothing would have warranted such immense pain.

"Oh." Katherine moaned softly, her heavy fingers moving for her temples. As her eyes squeezed shut.

"Feels like a bitch. This tonic shall help. Here."

Katherine's eyes flew open, her pain forgotten. There was a man in her chambers!
She willed her head to turn towards the voice. Her body sagged in relief as she saw her Lout. Albeit, her relief was shortly lived.

"You ought not be in my chambers, my lord. Tis befitting."

"Damn everything to the seven hells." Jonathan muttered darkly as he gently sat Katherine upright. Even now she could not let go of her propriety. Dark circles covered her eyes while her skin was a deathly pale shade. And her eyes, her bewitching eyes, usually filled with a depth of emotion were filled with immense pain. Still, she spoke of propriety. Propriety be damned.

"Firstly, my beautiful bride to be, you are in my chambers, not your own. Secondly, you seemed not so keen on propriety when you attempted to seduce me last night." Jonathan smirked inwardly as he felt her body tense.

"You lie!" Katherine screeched, wide eyed. She winced as the action hurt her already throbbing head.

"I lie, most certainly, but not to you.
Jonathan chuckled as he pressed a cup to her lips. "The tonic tastes vile, but it shall help with your head."

"Did I hit my head?" Katherine inquired as she took the cup and drank the tonic. If it was vile, one would never know. For Katherine's face remained impassive. Completely stoic, as the vile tincture made its way down her throat.

"Nay, my lady." Jonathan tried in vain to hide his laughter. Drunk Katherine was certainly amusing.

"You had one too many to drink."

"It is unbefitting for a lady to be lost in her cups." Katherine snapped, her ears reddened in embarrassment. She didn't know what the Lout was saying, but she most certainly had not been lost in her cups.
"Unbefitting or not, I find this particular lady equally beguiling." The heat of his gaze did strange things to Katherine. She felt very warm suddenly, it must be the effect of the tonic she assured herself. Yet, she knew it for the lie it was.

"You do not remember anything from the night?"

Katherine scrunched her pert nose for a moment before recognition colored her pale face.

"That treacherous man! He put something in my drink. A most immoral trait for a person's character." Katherine frowned looking into her cup. There was only one sip left. How could anyone do such a vile act?

"Rule of life. Never trust anyone to bring you a drink at an affair. Ever." Jonathan instructed as he took away her now empty cup before returning to his chair beside the bed.

"What if it were a friend?" Katherine patiently waited a response.

"A friend today is an enemy tomorrow, Kitten. Never drink from anyone."

"And yet you take a glass offered by Lord Dracmore?" Her voice held a hint of childish anger.

"Edward and I have a bond thicker than blood." Jonathan answered dismissively.

"What else do you remember?"

Katherine looked upward, trying to look through her memory. "He kissed me. It felt as if a fish was put to my lips. Then you came and carried me. I kissed you, even when you tried to stop me." Katherine whispered, horror struck. Her eyes were wide and filled with dismay as she recalled her behavior from the night before. Dear lord! What had she done!

"Fear not, my lady. I loved your advances and they're most welcomed and equally as appreciated in the future. My only condition would be that you're not inebriated." Jonathan smirked.

"No doubt you would, my lord." Katherine handed the now empty cup back to him.

"Anything else?" He looked down at the cup, trying to reign in his anger. He couldn't let her see how angry he was.

"Nay." Katherine shook her head.

"I see your head is better." Jonathan remarked.
And surprisingly it was true. Katherine had not noticed but her head was fine. As if it had never known pain.

"Your tonic is very strong." Katherine looked down, only now realizing she was not in her own clothing.

"My lord! Did you remove my gown from my person?" If he did... so help him God!

"Nay, my sweet lady! You undressed yourself. That was part of your seduction. I, being the gallant and honorable man I am, quickly gave you my tunic." Jonathan smirked at the horror on Katherine's face. He would never let her live this down. Life was a joy.

Katherine hid her face in her hands. "Never again will I accept the drink of another." She mumbled.

Jonathan laughed as he pulled her towards him and kissed her forehead. "Tis alright, Kitten. He shall suffer for touching you."

"Nay! My lord you mustn't. The masquerade hid my person. You seeking retribution would not honor me. But rather, it would ruin me." Katherine pushed away so she could see him.

"Do you take me for a fool?!" Jonathan growled.

"Well, at times, yes. You overcome with emotion too quickly." Katherine replied matter of factly.

"Nay, you do not show the right amount of emotion." Jonathan grunted before continuing, "I am not daft. He will be punished, but he shan't know why he is being punished." He grinned, his eyes twinkling in mirth.

"You do not even know who he is." Katherine sighed in exasperation. The Lout did not behave English, more so a berserker.

"I do not take lightly to those whom hurt what is mine. You would do well to remember."

"You do not own me." Katherine hissed. Her hunter gaze was like molten liquid, daring him to defy her.

"Ownership is not the word I used. You are mine as I am yours." Jonathan smirked before stealing a quick kiss. It was too easy to rile her.

Katherine looked down and began to finger the tunic she was wearing, eyeing it thoughtfully. How would she ask him? Would he answer her? Did she want to know the answer?

"Did you see my person without clothing, my lord?" Her voice soft and quiet, not giving anything away.

"A hint of your person. I daresay, before I could even chance a glance you were kissing me senseless. My poor head could only handle so much."

Katherine glanced up sharply, her wide eyes filling with mortification. She would not do such a deed! But one look at Jonathan's smug face said otherwise.

"Dear lord." Katherine breathed.

"You may discard your clothing for me anytime, Kitten. I would find it most enjoyable."

"Of course you would, my lord."

Men found the most horrendous of tasks enjoyable, which included the bedding. Katherine shuddered. Mayhap her lord husband would give her some time before the bedding.

"We have a long day ahead of us, Kitten. We need to practice your letters and I have a surprise planned this evening."

"Alright, my lord." Katherine stared at him pointedly.

Jonathan did not get the hint.

"My lord, I can not leave the bed. I do not have appropriate attire."

Jonathan's heated gaze traveled over what little he could see.
"I agree. You should be wearing less clothing."

"My lord! Tha-"

"Yes, yes highly inappropriate." Jonathan cut her off as he stood.

"A maid will be up posthaste and help you dress." Jonathan smiled before stealing a quick kiss from Katherine. Much to her disapproval. Although she loved his kisses. A fact she wouldn't even admit to herself.

"I look forward to seeing you below." Jonathan whispered against her lips before standing and heading towards the door.

Katherine was still staring at the door when there was a lite tap.

"Enter." Katherine called out, finally breaking out of her trance.

A young maid with kind eyes and a warm smile entered the room.

"Ye be Lady Katherine, aye?"

"Yes." Katherine smiled tentatively.

"Your name?"

"They call me Tiny." She answered with a toothy grin.

"Tiny is a lovely name." Katherine complimented.

"Thank ye." Tiny smiled bashfully before remembering why she was here.

"His lordship has sent a fair amount of dresses for her ladyship to choose from. I shall help ye dress and assist ye with yer hair."

"Thank you." Katherine smiled politely as there was another knock on the door.

"That would be the dresses." The maid nodded as she went ahead to open the door.

Four men entered with two large trunks.

"Dear lord." Katherine breathed. She only expected one or two dresses. Not two full trunks worth of clothing.

"His lordship apologizes, my lady. He could only make as many in such a short time. The seamstress at Rivers is very talented. We hope the styles would be to your liking." She chatted away as she placed the dresses across the bed.

"They're all very lovely." Katherine felt dizzy. The Lout! This was all too much.

"This peach one will be pretty on ye."

  "You may dress me as you like, Tiny."

  "Truly?" The girl dances on the balls of her feet, giddy with excitement.

  "Aye truly." Katherine smiled.

*****

"We must hurry! The feast is but hours away." Cook snapped at three maids sitting and chattering away. One of them quickly took her leave, but the other two stayed put.

The kitchen was bustling with activities. With everyone being in a frenzy to get this and that done.

"Aye, Cook. But we're truly very hungry."

"Truly hungry!" The second one joined the first as they both nodded their heads earnestly.

"'Tis tiring keeping Lord Dracmore occupied." The taller of the two filled her trencher as she spoke.

"Speak for ye self. He growled at me every time I came too close to him. As much as he is charming, the man is ruthless." She shuddered.

"Aye, well did ye try to flirt with him?" Cook looked sternly at the younger woman.

Her face turned a bright shade of red as she quickly jumped off her chair. "Ye would have done the same thing! The man is sinfully handsome."

"He is also betrothed to Annabelle." Cook stated firmly and began cutting onions. She had to have all the cooking done posthaste.

"Aye... well 'tis easy to forget." She admitted bashfully as she took her seat once more.

Cook spared her one quick look before resuming her work. "Quickly have your meal. There is much to be done."

The maids nodded as they finished their meal. No sooner were they done that the kitchen door opened and in walked a face they least expected.

"Is it alright if I may take a seat?"

The staff of Rivers were too well trained to have anyone discover their discomfort.

"Help ye self, child."

"I am no child." Leslie spat.

"She's the age your mother might as well be. We do not know regarding your castle, but here in Rivers, we respect those that are older than us." Henry shook as he glared at the maid.

Leslie calmed herself. She would ruin her mistress if she did not regain her composure. She had not seen the man as she entered. She shrugged it off and walked towards two maids.

"I apologize for any misconduct." She took her seat, warily looking at the food before her. Must she carry out the charade of eating?

"Are you not going to eat?" The taller maid smiled sweetly as she filled her trencher.

"Do not trouble yourself over him. He's a sourly one." The shorter of the two smirked at Leslie.

"I would never loose sleep over the likes of him." Leslie replied coldly as she put a grape to her mouth.

"I like ye," She winked. "What are your thoughts on Lord Dracmore?"

Leslie chewed her food thoroughly. Everyone in the kitchen carried on with their work, some even going as far as to make idle chit chat. But in reality, all ears were on the newcomer.

"He's brutish." Leslie shrugged. She looked over her trencher trying to find the smallest piece of cheese.

"Aye he is. But he is also very handsome. Makes my heart forget how to beat." She stared dreamily into space. The taller one turned away her face, trying in vain to stifle her giggles.

"What of Lord Rivers?"

"Lord Rivers is old enough to be me father." The shorter of the two scoffed.

"I meant his son." Leslie rolled her eyes.

"Aye he's handsome as well. But Lord Dracmore makes my heart flutter."

"No matter, his lordship is to be married." The taller one quipped, finally turning to face them.

She really ought to learn the maids names but she could not be bothered. Leslie looked around the kitchens, once she was sure no one was paying them any mind, a mistake really. She leaned in closer before whispering, "do you know to who? I've heard an earful regarding that one."

"Do continue!" The shorter one leaned in eagerly.

"''Tis wrong to gossip, Jane."

"Aye well then ye can find something else to occupy your time with, Mary-Anne. I shall spend me time as I please." Jane hissed as she turned her full attention to Leslie.

Cook took a step closer towards the group. All the while pretending to look for something.
Mary Anne pretended to be offended.

"I see I'm not welcomed here." Mary Anne stood and walked out the kitchen.

Jane watched the door shut before looking towards Leslie once more. "Her ladyship is cruel?"

Leslie shrugged her shoulders. "I do not know about cruel, but she is cold." Leslie moved in closer, lowering her voice further. "And I heard my ma say she is a loose woman. But I do not know what that is, but tis bad."

"Oh Aye." Jane nodded enthusiastically, "tis very bad. Worst thing a woman can be is loose."

"Truly?" Leslie faked a frown. "What does it mean?"

Jane eyed Leslie. "How many summers are ye?"

"Fourteen summers."

Jane nodded understandingly. "Ye shall learn in due time. What else can ye tell me of this lady?"

"I don't know much. She never looks at the servants. Always acts as if she's better than us. I hardly see her. My ma tells me I'm too little to hear her ladyships tales." Leslie furrowed her brows as she perfected her faux thoughtful expression.

"Aye. Ye are young."

"Not so young!" Leslie snapped.

"Of course not." Jane soothed.

Jane shot a quick look towards Henry, who stood a good distance behind Leslie, before looking at her companion once more.

"How is his lordship?"

"Honestly I don't pay him much mind. I have eyes only for Lord Dracmore." Jane fluttered her lashes for added effect.

"He's brutish." Leslie snarked, turning in her seat.

"But he's sooo handsome!"

"Jane, you should be working not gossiping!" Henry barked.

Jane rolled her eyes before standing up.

"We shall finish our conversation later." She promised as she walked away.

Leslie smirked. Her work here was done.

"Are ye full, child?"

"Aye."

@@@

"Since you or your father decided not to call off the wedding, I need to know how many people you would like to invite."

Katherine stared blankly at her mother. She wanted to help with the wedding? More so, she wasn't trying to make her miserable and ruin it? Something was amiss.

"Well?" Savannah snapped as she impatiently tapped her foot by Katherine's writing table.

"I do not know, mother. I have been surrounded by people my entire life. But not once have I ever been given the chance to speak to anyone of them."

"Do not run your mouth with me, child." She hissed, her body trembling as she stood up.

Katherine looked away. "Very well, mother." She had an awful feeling in her stomach. Something was amiss. Her mother was being far too kind for her character.

&&&&
Vote
Comment