Katherine moaned as she rubbed her stomach.

  "I apologize, my lord. I shouldn't have emptied the contents of my stomach on your person, but fate has a fine way to extract revenge." Katherine mumbled as she wobbled away. Worthless man was still on the floor. She couldn't have kicked him that hard, could she? Nay she could not have, Katherine consoled herself as she tipsily made her way towards the door.

  He groaned again, causing Katherine to wince. She looked around. She needed something to empty the contents of her stomach. She feared the first time hadn't been enough. She rubbed her temples, debating what to do.
  Katherine turned in a circle until she spotted a flower pot beside the wretched man. She made her way towards the pot, making certain to leave a wide berth from the berk.

  Katherine bent down and tried lifting the flower pot. It was too heavy. But she needed it. She bent her knees, sent a silent prayer and tried again. This time she was successful although not for long.

  "Bloody hell! 'Tis heavy." Katherine gasped as she wobbled with the object. She needed to take it with her, just incase. She did not wish to soil the Rivers estate with the contents of her stomach. But even then, she swayed slightly to the left, then to the right, and a bit backward before adjusting herself. She walked not but two steps when her fingers began to feel clammy.

  "I do not think I'll be able to carry this." Katherine gasped before dropping the pot on the ground.

  "Oh dear..." Katherine's wide eyes turned to saucers as she stared at where the pot had landed. She might have killed the lord. What should she do? First her retching and now this.

  "My lord? Are you dead?" Katherine kicked his side with the tips of her toes. The pot laid shattered atop the lord's head. With the dirt, Katherine could not make out wether he was hurt or not. And the contents of her stomach. It made a most awful sight. She prayed he didn't remember who had caused such calamity upon him.

  He did not stir.

  "Please don't be dead." Katherine whispered as she bent down to check his heartbeat, not aware that she was being watched.

Katherine lifted her head, sighing in relief as she heard the steady rhythm of his heart beneath her ear. Now she could go inside and...sleep. Yes sleep. She had a mind to sleep.
    Katherine got to her feet and slowly turned around. The ground was spinning. She had to keep an eye on it so she wouldn't fall. Katherine was so intent on keeping her eyes on the ground that she did not notice the slightly bemused figure until he spoke.

   "My lady?"

  Katherine lifted her head and tried to focus on the figure ahead of her, who, mind you, was currently blocking the entrance to the ballroom. How was she to enter if the mammoth of a man did not move?

  "Pardon me, sir, but you are blocking my path."

    Jonathan arched a brow from beneath his mask as his eyes narrowed into slits. His Kitten was at least five footsteps away from him and she had raised her voice. Raised her voice. She never  raised her voice.
    She made her way towards him, stopping only when she was less than a hair's width away from him.  Katherine tilted her head upward, causing herself discomfort in the process.

   "My lord?"

  "Kitten." Jonathan growled as he smelled the alcohol on her breathe.

   Katherine sighed heavily. "About time you arrived, my lord. I have no desire to walk, and the world is spinning. May you please carry me to my chambers." She stared at him expectantly. She had not asked him, but simply told him what had to be done.

  "You want me to carry you to your chambers across a ballroom full of guests?" Jonathan whispered as he played with a loose ringlet. He looked into her intoxicated gaze as he awaited an answer.

  "I believe that is the request I made not moments before. 'Tis rude to make a lady repeat herself, my lord." Katherine admonished as she swayed on her feet. She clutched onto Jonathan's shoulders as she rested her head against his chest.

  "As you wish, my darling." Jonathan whispered as he lifted her in his arms. Her head rested in the crook of his neck while he held her petite form close to his.
   

  
  "Use your secret passages, my lord." Katherine instructed, slurring slightly.

   "There are no secret passages."

  "Lying is not a good start to a relationship, you Lout. There are secret passages in every castle. Kindly, take me through one." Katherine instructed.

  Jonathan laughed but did as he was told. He walked around the gardens towards the kitchens and entered from the back door.

  "A moment, my lord." Katherine mumbled as she motioned for him to put her down. Jonathan obliged. She walked towards the table, her eyes seeking. Once she found what she was looking for she smiled widely.

  "Kitten?" Jonathan frowned as he watched her. She looked daft to put it mildly, smiling to herself.

   "I need a drink." Katherine giggled as she grabbed the first glass she saw and chugged it down.

  "Bloody Nora! You are drunk." Jonathan whispered as he watched her throw back  three more glasses of sherry.

  "Kitten, what are you doing?" Jonathan asked in dismay as Henry walked into the kitchens with a smirk before looking slightly bemused.

  "I emptied the contents of my stomach not moments ago, my lord. My mouth has a foul odor, I must get rid of it." Katherine explained before walking towards him once more.

  "You may lift me now." Jonathan raised a brow while Henry tried in vain to keep his laughter at bay.

   "Charming lady ye have there, m'lord." He snickered as he placed a pastry in his mouth.

  "Charming indeed." Jonathan mumbled as he lifted Katherine into his arms once more.

  "Henry, there's trash in the gardens, if you may take it out for me I'd be very grateful." Jonathan turned towards the wall on his right and pressed a lever, making the wall move and reveal a hidden passage.

  Henry continued to look at the woman in his arms and nodded his head.

  "Would we be practicing shooting later, I presume?"

  "Of course." Jonathan smirked before darkness claimed him.

Henry glanced around the kitchens, surprisingly it was empty. Where was everyone?

&&&

Annabelle started after Edward's retreating form. The berk had called him his wife. Bloody Nora! He had called her his wife. Wife! Annabelle felt slightly giddy. And he wouldn't be unfaithful to her.
   She had started this charade as a jest. But it seemed fate had other plans. Annabelle smiled. She loved goading Edward. She watched him walk towards the kitchens. If her estimation was correct, he would be going towards the stables next. Annabelle smirked. She needed to follow him. But before she could do so, a tall, slightly burly man walked towards her, blocking any chance of escape.

  "A lovely lady at such a dreadful event." He cooed as he took Annabelle's gloved hands and placed a kiss on her knuckles.

  Annabelle tried not to wince. She didn't want him to touch her. The man reeked of drink.

   "A lovely lady which has to leave." Annabelle smiled coyly as she extracted her hand.

  "Come now, one dance. Surely you have time."

  Annabelle looked at him through her lashes. His leery smile would make any sensible woman cautious.

   "I'm afraid not; sir. I have other obligations to attend to."

  "I shall pay you more than your current obligation." He stepped closer to her, making  Annabelle's heart start to beat faster.

  "I'm afraid there is no payment involved in my obligations." Annabelle retorted coldly.

  "I have no interest in you or your company, sir. I advice you to bear that in mind and clear my path." Her voice was like shards of ice as her eyes burned with fire.

  "Very well, bint."

Annabelle walked away, unaffected by the name. She had been called far worst. As long as he didn't touch her she was alright.

She lifted her skirts slightly as she ran after Edward.

   "My lord!"

  Edward stopped in his tracks as he begged for patience. The sodding wench would not let him be! Mayhap he should show her how much of a rogue he could be...

   "I though I had lost you." Annabelle smiled coquettishly, batting her lashes.

   Edward looked at the rouge applied to her lips, then to her eyes which were hidden, and then finally at the powder which caked her face.

  "You must be quiet the fishwife to need an aid for your appearance."

  Her lips thinned considerably, and her eyes danced with anger.

  "Your wife wouldn't be so pleased to hear you speak to a woman in such a fashion."

  "My wife would not pleased to know your attempts at  whoring with her husband." Edward snarled.

  "I am not whoring. I am simply trying to have an intelligent conversation with you. Come, let us go to the stables. That is where you were headed, was it not?"

   Edward ignored her as he continued towards the stables. Mayhap one of the horses would trample her. Or he could outrun her.

   "These beasties are a wonder, are they not?"

  "Unlike yourself." Edward grunted as stomped to the back where Annabelle and his stallion resided.

   He smiled fondly at his stallion. "How is my boy today?" Edward whispered as he rubbed the beast between it's ears.

  "And you, my darling?" Edward looked at the mare fondly as he moved towards her. He had gifted it to Annabelle when their contract was signed.

   "Mighty fine beast you have."

  Edward froze before looking in her direction. His stallion was dangerous, and he didn't take kindly to strangers.

   "I suggest you step away from my animal."

   The wench ignored him as she began to scratch him between the eyes...
An area where only Annabelle would touch the beast...
   Edward watched his horse's reaction, the way he leaned into her... urging her on...

  By Nora!

&&&

   "Where am I?"

  "My chambers." Jonathan answered as he placed Katherine on his bed.

  "Sleep, Kitten. I shall fetch a tonic for your head."

 
  "I do not want a tonic." Katherine grabbed his hand, sitting up in bed. Her wide eyes only half open. She was in the throes of intoxication, not being aware of her actions. Even so, a person in his cups spoke  sober thoughts.

   "I want you to kiss me." Katherine smiled as she tugged on his hand. Jonathan came willingly, like a moth to a flame.

  "You're not in your senses, Kitten."

  Katherine shrugged. "I may not be in my senses but I know what I want. And I want you to kiss me. The wretched  man from earlier kissed horribly." Katherine scrunched up her pert nose.

  Jonathan became very still, reigning in his anger. Slowly, he bent towards her and kissed the side of her mouth, running his tongue over the corners lightly.

    "He kissed you?" Jonathan whispered as he sat beside her before lifting her on to his lap.

  "Aye." Katherine sighed as she ran her fingers through his hair.

  "Properly, my lord." Katherine whispered as she placed her lips atop his and began to kiss him. Really kiss him.
  Jonathan tried to hold extremely still, he tried to let her explore, he really did. But as her soft lips ran over his, and her tongue slipped out to meet his, he couldn't bear the torture. He tilted her head sideways, deepening the kiss.
   They both moaned in unison, sending spikes of pleasure throughout their most intimate places. Jonathan's hand skimmed the curve of her spine, stopping by her hip and giving it a squeeze.
    Katherine's lust filled brain cleared momentarily as pain shot through her body, demanding to be felt, to be acknowledged. The alcohol didn't seem to dim that part of her brain.

  "What is it? Did I hurt you?" Worried brown eyes stared at the tears running down her cheeks. His heart filled with dismay.
   If it were not for the drink, perhaps Jonathan would never have seen Katherine cry. Only drink could break her icy resolve. A blessing in disguise.
     "Not really, my lord. An old wound. I would advice you against touching my hip." Katherine smiled as she wiped away her tears, looking bemused at the liquid.

  "Let me see."

  Katherine raised a faint brow. "Commanding me shan't have your will fulfilled, my lord."

  Jonathan blew an exasperated breath before grabbing her face and kissing her once more. His kisses now held a mixture of urgency, annoyance, and hunger. Katherine moaned softly, her fingers tangling in his fair locks.

  "You're hair is soft, my lord." Katherine whispered as Jonathan trailed kisses down her neck, stopping to give extra attention to her jugular.

  Jonathan laughed rather harshly. "Kitten, I'm a man."

  "Men can have soft hair, my lord. Tis would have been awful if your hair was filled with grease." Katherine stated matter factly.

  "As you wish, my lady." Jonathan looked at her tenderly, smiling softly as he ran his thumb over her bottom lip.

    He laid her on the bed, ready to cover her body with his own.

  "I do not have a mind to lay down, my lord." Katherine sat up and began to move off the bed.
 
   "Kitten?" Jonathan looked perplexed as he watched her walk towards the basin and use the left over water to wash her face.

  "'Tis rather warm, is it not?" 

  Before Jonathan could speak Katherine had unlaced her dress, dropping it to the floor. Now she stood before him in naught but her chemise.
  Jonathan visibly swallowed as he stared at her petite form.

   "Kitten?"

  "Aye?" Katherine smiled as she walked towards him, a tipsy smile on her face. Lines surrounded her eyes while a lingering sadness stared at him.

  "The world is a strange place, is it not?" Katherine smiled as tears filled her eyes once more but did not drop.

  Jonathan caressed her cheek, a frown covered his face as his eyes filled with worry.
  A drunk mind spoke sober thoughts. He did not stop her.

  "Aye, it is." He whispered.

  "Love doesn't exist." Katherine giggled as a tear quickly ran down her right cheek.

   "We have to find it." Jonathan whispered, his eyes searched her face, not understanding.

   "Why must we find love and yet pain comes to us willingly? If love is to be beautiful and sought after, why does it evade us? And yet pain shall be our welcomed companion."

   "Do you like to feel pain, Kitten?" His voice broke as he questioned her while his heart beat a tattoo in his chest.

   Katherine snorted, something which would have caused her to faint were she sober.
   Her eyes shone with mischief as she looked at him, all traces of sadness gone.
   "I like to feel you kiss me, my lord. I like the feeling of you holding me tight. I like the feeling I get in my chest when I see you laugh. I like the feeling I get when I see you with lord Dracmore and Annabelle. I-"
   Jonathan didn't let her finish her sentence as he seized her lips in a tender kiss. He slowly moved his mouth over hers, pulling her close, plastering her body against his as he worshiped her mouth.

   "Oh my, that was a wondrous kiss." Katherine struggled to get the words out with her harsh breathing.

    Jonathan laughed without humor as he pulled her atop him and laid on the bed, his legs dangling on the floor. Taking her head, he kissed down her neck, making Katherine moan softly.

    "Wait."

  Jonathan stilled, looking at her perplexed.

   Katherine sat atop him. "I need to remove my chemise." 
   Before Jonathan could could stop her, Katherine had her chemise off and thrown across the room.
    Jonathan inhaled sharply. He looked his full, his eyes slowly traveling downwards. He squeezed his knuckles hard enough for them to become a deathly pale shade, if he had nails his palm would be filled with blood.
    Before Katherine could comprehend she was laying on her back as Jonathan hovered above her.

   "I'm going to kiss down your body, is that alright?"

   Katherine grinned.

  Jonathan kissed her eyes first, then he tenderly kissed her right cheek, before moving on to the hallow of her throat. There he  placed an open mouthed kiss  before trailing soft kisses down the valley of her her breast, traveling down towards her navel. Once there, he turned his attention to the blood soaked cloth.

    "Kitten," Jonathan began softly while sitting up, "I shall remove this cloth, is that alright?"

  "Why?"

  "I would like to see your skin better."

  "If you must. But I shall remind you, my lord, there's more than enough skin to see." Katherine muttered petulantly.

Jonathan slowly removed the cloth, and bent to see her wound, hissing softly.

  "Where are you going, my lord?" Katherine called as he left the bed and walked away. She felt too tired to move and follow him with her eyes. Her head felt... heavy.

"A moment, Kitten." Jonathan called as he rummaged through his armoire, searching for his medicinal bag. Once he found it, he walked towards the basin and soaked some linens with the left over water. He worked silently, lost in thought.

   "I'm tired." Katherine yawned.

  "Are you now?" His voice held a hint of  melancholy.

  "Yes, very."

Jonathan walked back to the bed, sitting beside her.

  "This may hurt, Kitten."

  'Tis alright, I'm used to it." Katherine mumbled sleepily.

  Jonathan frowned as he cleaned away the blood, blowing gently on the wound while doing so.

  Seven.

  She had seven stitches of which four had reopened.

  "Kitten?"

  A soft snore was his only answer.

  Jonathan smiled wistfully as he dipped the needle in whisky before efficiently restitching her wound. Then he applied a turmeric based salve to fight off infection before beginning to bandage it. 
   As he bandaged the area, his mind thought of many ways she could have attained the wound. Even then, the conclusion to the different scenarios was the same. It had to do with the bitch.
   Jonathan put away his medicinals and looked through his tunics. The lady would be most angry with him if she awoke in his bed, in the buff no less. Pulling out a beige tunic, he walked back towards his bed to dress his bride to be. Jonathan made sure his gaze stayed solely on her face as he gently lifted her into a sitting position. He kissed her forehead gently before placing the tunic over her head and then hugging her towards him.
    Her head rested in the crook of his neck while his head gave him a perfect view of her back and the scars which crisscrossed from her shoulder blade to her lower back.

&&&
  🙈🙈🙈
Sorry
Here's an update
So forgive me maybe
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