"Can you believe the nerve of that man! How dare he? And he had the audacity to say he was involved in another brawl! And when I ask with whom, he thinks he could stay mum." Annabelle fumed as she paced Katherine's chambers.

Katherine smiled weakly, not knowing how to respond. After all, Lord Dracmore had gotten involved in a fray because of her. Annabelle did not seem too pleased with her lover's tendency to attract injuries. Although Katherine supposed she had every right to be angry.

"I should kill him myself! How dare he! Going around and hurting himself as if it's perfectly acceptable. A worthy cause, he had said. A loss at cards is a worthy cause according to that berk." Annabelle ranted.

Katherine squirmed. Mayhap she should inform Lady Davidson that Lord Dracmore had in fact battled for her honor? He was angry when Abbot had insulted her, but he was blinded by rage when Abbot had dared to take Annabelle's name. Something told Katherine that would only worsen matters, so she decided to stay quiet and listen.

"And then Albert! That man is all about propriety and then he goes and fills Abbot's trunks with blood."

"The butler, Albert?" Katherine questioned in astonishment. The man was kind, but a stickler for decorum and rules. If he went to the extent of despoiling the lord's propriety, he must care for Annabelle a great deal. Katherine tried to squash the petty ripple of emotion in her chest. How would it feel to have someone care for her in such a manner? These people were indeed blessed.

"Aye. No doubt Jonathan had a hand in it. Albert becomes soft when it concerns Jonathan." Annabelle froze as a thought struck her.

"Consarn it! Why didn't I go to that git?"

"What git?" Katherine furred her brows in confusion. The lady had a colorful vocabulary.

"Jonathan. He would know why Edward entertained a brawl, and I shall make him tell me the truth." Annabelle marched out the room before returning not a second later.

"You shall accompany me."

"Me?" Katherine squealed.

"Yes, you, Katherine." Annabelle rolled her eyes before pulling her new found friend in tow.

"When I get my hands on him..." Annabelle muttered angrily. Katherine was not certain who she was talking about, but she was glad she was not on the receiving end of the lady's ire.

***

"Are you certain then?"

"Why so many questions? I thought this is what you wanted." Jonathan taunted.

Albert could be seen frowning from the corner of the room, silently reprimanding Jonathan with a glare.

Jonathan rolled his eyes but obeyed the silent order nevertheless. The old geezer would only make his head hurt later.

Lord Rivers frowned, toying with the feather upon his desk. His study was his sanctuary, a safe haven, never failing to instantly calm him. But it seemed even the walls of his study quaked in the presence of his son. When had he grown into a young man? And why couldn't he be that little boy once more?

"Tis a wee soon, is it not? You have only known the guests for barely a week's time."

"Aye, twas enough time for me to see who hid their true colors and who did not." Jonathan answered with a shrug. He stood with his arms crossed, his feet shoulder width apart.

"Very well. Would you like me to speak to her father and draw up the contract?" Lord Rivers offered, a twinge of hope coated his words.

"No need. I shall have Albert draw up the contract. You need not bother yourself with such tedious tasks. Regarding her father, I shall speak to him now."

Jonathan turned to Albert, missing the brief look of hurt and regret which covered his father's features. Only time could heal old wounds, and sometimes, even time was not enough.

"Which chamber does the lord reside in?"

"The mahogany chamber in the left wing, my lord."

"I thank you." Jonathan smiled before taking his leave.

He hadn't fully shut the door to his father's study when a pissed off Edward greeted Jonathan.

"How are you this fine morn?" Jonathan grinned cheekily as he put his arm through Edward's and began to walk towards his destination.

"Annabelle saw my face." Edward growled.

Jonathan winced.

"Och, I certainly do not wish to be in your position. On the bright side, she has yet to learn of your arm."

Edward grunted, not at all pleased.

"She shall learn soon enough. No sarding thing is hidden from her. It's as if the walls themselves do her bidding."

"They probably do." Jonathan muttered thoughtfully as his pace quickened.

"Where are you taking me?" Edward growled. His temper was something foul this morn and he did not fancy being dragged about.

"We are going to have my marriage contract arranged."

"Took you long enough." Edward stated tartly.

"Careful now, you don't want me to ruin your pretty face any further."

"Even with a bruise I am much more fetching than you could ever dream of being." Edward scoffed.

Jonathan snorted.

"Let's have a wager, shall we? Whichever one of us has the most women swooning within the first hour of the ball tonight will be considered the handsomer of the two."

"Give over, Annabelle will have my balls. And that shan't look good in your future father by marriage's eyes either."

"Consarn it!" Jonathan sulked. "This is a most troublesome feet. I think I am having second thoughts." Jonathan stopped in his tracks, two steps away from one of the doors, contemplating the matter. Perhaps he had been a wee bit rash in making a decision.

"I think not. I had to kiss the wench in the middle of the night for your bruised ego, you're speaking to her father." Edward snorted as he dragged Jonathan further.

"You don't even know where we are going." Jonathan chuckled.

"You were walking in this direction, were you not?" Edward snapped.

"Aye but-"

Before Jonathan could finish his sentence, the door opened to reveal a man with fair hair and very familiar hunter green eyes.

"May I assist you gentlemen?" Lord Atkins arched a fair brow, awaiting a response. The two looked rather comical to him, one clinging to the other. No matter, he had to be polite. They had most likely lost their way; confusing his chambers with one of their lover's.

"Aye, we came to speak to you, my lord." Edward answered smoothly.

Lord Atkins looked over the bruise on Edward's face, his body giving nothing away, as Jonathan studied the older man.

"Very well." He moved aside to let the younger lord's entry. Edward walked towards the hearth, picking a chair, he sat furthest away from the door, while Jonathan stood a bit awkwardly before his future father to be, silently cursing Edward to the pits of Hell for forsaking him.

"My lord, may I introduce my companion, Lord Edward Dracmore."

Edward nodded his head before looking away.

"I am Lord Jonathan Rivers."

"Our host, a pleasure." Lord Arkins acknowledged.

"I presume you already know who I am since you sought me out, am I correct?"

The man did not waste time. Jonathan had yet to decide whether he liked him or not.

"You are Lord Atkins, aye?"

"Aye." Andrewson nodded his head as he waited for Jonathan to go continue.

"How do you like the stay here thus far?"

The side of Lord Atkins mouth queried up ever so slightly. The lad did not seem the bashful sort to him, but looks could be deceiving, as he should be well aware of.

Edward snorted from his place by the fire while Jonathan tried very hard not to feel embarrassed.

"It has been a refreshing change." Andrewson answered purely to humor Jonathan. He could toy with the lad, but something told him refrain from such behavior.

Jonathan willed himself not to make a debacle of himself.

"I would like to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage." Jonathan went straight to the point from there. There was no use in delaying the matter especially seeing as he was no good at it, he would only make a fool of himself.

"My daughter?"

"Aye, Miss Katherine Andrewson of Atkins."

Atkins nodded as he studied Jonathan.

"Why?"

"I find her intriguing."

"So you what to marry my daughter because you find her intriguing?" Anderson asked slowly, not buying the tale.

"Amongst other things, yes." Jonathan couldn't help his slight smile as he thought of the many ways to vex Katherine.

"Should I be alarmed by your smile?" Atkins questioned with a straight face, his hunter gaze trying to look past Jonathan's facade. What he didn't know, was, there was no facade to look past. Jonathan was the same person outside as he was inside. One could not unearth something which did not exist.

Edmund watched Jonathan closely, debating the matter.

"You have brought your friend to champion for your cause?"

Edward snickered from his position by the hearth.

"Not really. I simply did not want to discuss the matter with you alone. He's here more for my benefit than yours." Jonathan answered lazily.

"You could have sent your father. Or he could have sent for me." Andrewson pressed. The lad did not need to come himself.

"I could have." Jonathan nodded, not elaborating the point.

They silently tried to bend the other to their will, neither managing to succeed. It was Edward at last who decided to intervene, solely because he was hungry. He did not fancy waiting for eons for his belly to be filled.

"I haven't broken my fast as yet."

"I hear Annabelle's in the kitchens." Jonathan informed his friend without breaking eye contact with Lord Atkins.

"Mayhap not breaking ones fast could be a good thing." Edward mumbled as he stood up and walked towards Jonathan.

The corner of Lord Atkins lips curved upward slightly.

"Not championing for your cause?" Andrewson remarked as Edward stood beside Jonathan.

"Nay, my lord. I shall not convince you to give your daughter's hand to my friend. That is for you to decide. A man's worth is proven through his actions, not what others view him as. Being his friend, I can either praise him like a poet does of his lover, or I could tell you all his flaws. Neither would be of any help towards you."

Atkins shifted on his feet ever so slightly. The boy could be no older than six and twenty. His insight was fairly disarming.

"How did you come to know my daughter?"

The corner of Jonathan's mouth tilted upward slightly. "It is my home after all, my lord. Introductions were in order."

"This is the first time I have seen you, let alone been introduced to you." Andrewson awaited a response.

"While that is true, my lord. You did not educate me on the correct term of pasty and pastry in the early hours of the morning upon our first meeting."

Lord Atkins stoic face broke into a slight grin. This was the man young Annabelle had spoken of.

"I suppose you are correct." He paused to gather his thoughts. He didn't know his daughter any more than he knew this man. It was pathetic of him, but that was his life. It was far too late to know his daughter but he could at least try to make her future one she would come to like.

"You want to marry my daughter because you find her intriguing?" Lord Atkins repeated, patiently waiting for a response.

"Intriguing as in I know my life with her shall not be boring and I shan't have to worry about what is on her mind. She shall be honest in her opinions and quite frankly, she won't take shit from me." Jonathan recalled the fire which lit her hunter gaze when angered, and how that same fire turned smothering when ignited with passion.

"My Katherine seems strong willed to you?" Andrewson danced on the balls of his feet, curious. He hadn't seen that side of his daughter the few times he stole the opportunity to spend time with her.

"Aye, she is." Jonathan tilted his head to the side, a muscle in his jaw ticking slightly. He knew his Kitten kept that side of her suppressed, he had seen it in the way she interacted with other people, but there was something about her father he couldn't quite place.

"Very well. I shall speak to her regarding this matter. You shall have your answer on the morrow."

Jonathan smirked. Unbeknown to the older lord, he wouldn't take no for an answer.

"I thank you." Jonathan said as Edward and he took their leave.

They walked in companionable silence for short steps before Edward spoke.

"You don't give a sard about his opinion, do you?"

"Not one sarding bit." Jonathan grinned wolfishly as they stepped into the kitchens. Edward quickly looked around for Annabelle, breathing a sigh of release when she was nowhere to be seen.

"You shan't be able to hide from her forever." Jonathan chuckled as he took a seat. Edward followed suit.

"I don't need forever, I only need a couple of hours, maybe days."

Jonathan snorted. "You wouldn't last an hour."

"Sod off." Edward grumbled as he took a bite of bread.

Jonathan laughed, looking at Edward fondly.

"Bastard had a good arm." Jonathan remarked gesturing towards Edward's cheek.

Edward grunted. "The berk got lucky, tis all."

Jonathan didn't comment. He was too busy watching as the door slowly opened to reveal Annabelle, followed by Katherine. Should he inform Edward? He decided against it, it shall be entertaining if he did not.

"Does Annabelle know the lucky bastard?" Jonathan smirked as Annabelle quietly made her way towards them.

Edward blanched. "Good God, nay! Are you daft? Why would I tell her such a thing?"

"Tell me what?" Annabelle hissed, directly behind Edward.

Edward stiffened; unsure how to act. Slowly, he turned around.

"Annabelle, love-"

"I'm not here for you." Annabelle cut him a look before turning towards Jonathan.

"I need to speak to Jonathan."

It was Jonathan's turn to stiffen. "Bloody Nora, by God's teeth, it wasn't me."

"Now who's afraid?" Edward taunted low enough so only Jonathan could hear. Jonathan kicked him from under the trestle table.

"Come with me, Jonathan, there's a matter I need to discuss with you in private." Annabelle instructed as she arched a brow, waiting for Jonathan to stand. He did so immediately.

"Annabelle, darling," Jonathan cooed as a number of scenarios ran through his mind. What had she caught him doing now?

"I assure you, I had no part in anything which has caused your ire." Jonathan's voice faded away as they left the kitchens.

"Pansy." Edward grumbled before noticing Katherine seated across him.

"My apologies, Pastry." Edward grimaced.

"No need. It has come to my notice your friend has a very colorful choice of words."

"I suggest you become accustomed to it." Edward smirked knowingly.

"I would rather not. It is not done to speak in such a manner around a lady." Katherine eyed Edward as if he was the one with a sailor's mouth. Damn Jonathan!

They sat silently, awkwardly watching the other.

"Would you like something to eat?" Edward nodded towards Jonathan's untouched trencher. The git wouldn't have a problem.

"No thank you. I am to watch you, not eat." Katherine informed Edward with an amused smile.

"Hell." Edward mumbled.

***

"You are aware that I adore you, yes?"

"Aye."

"And I have a wealth of love for you in my heart, yes?"

"I am humbled." Jonathan answered as he leaned against the wall.

"And I hold you of high opinion."

"And I you." Jonathan said earnestly.

"And if anything were to happen to you it would hurt me a great deal." Annabelle implored, needing him to understand.

Jonathan took her small hands into his own, kissing the knuckles.

"You would have Edward, darling, no need to grieve because of me."

"Jonathan Mckenzie Rivers, you audacious vermin!" Annabelle snarled.

Jonathan grimaced. "Vermin? You couldn't think of anything better than a vermin?"

"I could, but I chose to use something which would cause less damage."

"How very thoughtful of you."

"My point is, I love Edward dearly, but I also happen to love my idiotic friend." Annabelle snapped.

"Ever the charmer." Jonathan mumbled, irking Annabelle further.

"Jonathan..." Annabelle warned.

"Alright, alright, I shall behave. Go on."

"I care for you just as much, if not more. And I do not fancy seeing you in any sort of peril simply because of fleeting desires." Annabelle told him softly, standing on the tips of her toes to brush his hair away from his eyes.

"I understand, darling." Jonathan mumbled, chastised.

"Then may you please tell me what compelled Albert to put an animal's insides in Abbot's trunks." Her voice was slightly exasperated as she spoke.

Jonathan smirked. "Is that what he did with the beast?"

"Aye."

Jonathan sighed. "Abbot had made indecent remarks regarding you. Albert decided to seek retribution."

"I see." Annabelle was tight lipped, not at all pleased with the men in her life.

"Do not be upset with him, darling. He only did it because he cares." Jonathan hugged her towards him, willing her anger away. He knew Annabelle, and he knew how much she despised people arguing because of her.

"He could have lost his position." Annabelle mumbled into his chest.

"Could have but didn't. Even so, I would not have let it happen." Jonathan rubbed her back soothingly.

"I assume Abbot had a role in Edward's wounds as well?"

"Darling, why must you make me betray my brother?" Jonathan teased as he pulled Annabelle away and wiped her tears.

"Is it your time to be emotional?" Jonathan needled, amusement clear in the depths of his chocolate gaze.

"I suppose so." Annabelle laughed as she wiped away more tears.

"But you would hide secrets from your sister?"

"Hide and secret are such strong words. You know Edward loves you very much. The bastard can't stand it if anyone says a word about you."

Annabelle laughed, her eyes wrinkling at the corners as her head tilted back.

"I shall stop pestering you now only because Abu is to come today and you shall have your hands full."

"Good God, woman! Why are you telling me this now!?" Jonathan stared at her in horror.

Annabelle shrugged. "You two weren't being very nice to me."

"Good Lord, have mercy!" Jonathan mumbled as he checked his clothing, and then Annabelle's.

"Breathe, Jonathan. He's usually nice to you. It's Edward who has to worry."

"Aye, well, when he and Albert get together, we both suffer." Jonathan remarked dryly.

Annabelle giggled.

Jonathan's features softened.

"I'm engaged."

Annabelle scrutinized Jonathan, all laughter gone at the sudden revelation. Was he jesting or was he serious?

"To whom? And why?"

"The reason should be fairly obvious." Jonathan drawled as he led Annabelle down the hall and towards the gardens.

"Aye, but you aren't one to obey your father's wishes." Annabelle pointed out dryly.

Jonathan chuckled. "Fair enough."

"I do not know why, I find the wench intriguing."

"Fabulous way to start off a relationship, Jonathan. Call her a wench and say she is intriguing. My, aren't you the charmer." Sarcasm dripped from Annabelle's voice as she tilted her head backward, enjoying the small amount of sunlight.

Jonathan laughed once more. "When you have a face such as mine, one does not need charm." Jonathan winked. Annabelle hit the side of his arm, shaking her head indulgently. The berk was something else entirely.

They walked silently along the path, listening to the birds chirping in the distance. Annabelle slowed to smell a flower before moving on. Jonathan glanced at the sky, then the ground, before looking straight once more.

"I do not know the reason myself. She told me she was to wed someone else. She had no say in the matter. She simply accepted it as if that were the way of life; as if she was bound by its shackles. I couldn't just let her ruin her life." Jonathan whispered.

"Women often do not get a say in the matter." Annabelle reminded him gently.

Jonathan took her hand, playing with her fingers as they continued to walk.

"I understand that foolish concept. But her mother wants to wed her to an abusive, slugabed, penurious man. Not to mention he's sore on the eyes, they would not go."

Annabelle smirked in Jonathan's direction.

"But when she told me, there was this look of dejection and hopelessness, I couldn't let her..." Jonathan trailed off, remembering Katherine's shaking form as she cried herself to sleep.

"Therefore you decided to martyr your freedom for her cause, how very gallant of you." Annabelle finished dryly.

Jonathan grinned sheepishly, causing Annabelle to roll her eyes.

"Off with it, who's the girl?"

"She cannot be a lady? Do you think a lady is unworthy of my attentions?" Jonathan pretended to be affronted.

"You berk, I said girl because you do not care if the woman in question is a lady or a commoner. Now, off with it." Annabelle snapped.

"Is your guest not gone yet? Women!" Jonathan grumbled.

Annabelle glared at him. 'Guest' being her woman's time. As if that was the only reason she was angry or frustrated. Did these imbeciles not consider the fact that mayhap they were the reason for her ire? Bloody gits.

"Jonathan." Annabelle warned.

"Alright, alright. Tis Katherine."

Annabelle blinked, not fully comprehending his words.

"Katherine as in our Katherine? The pastry, kitten, kastry, Katherine?" Annabelle needed to be certain.

"Kastry? Who named her Kastry?" Jonathan raised his brows in surprise.

"Never mind that. Is she the one you're referring to?" Annabelle questioned impatiently.

"Yes." Jonathan answered slowly, more than a little confused regarding Annabelle's reaction.

"Thank the lord! I don't have to pretend to like her." Annabelle leaned into Jonathan, her tense body relaxing.

"Why were you so tense?" Jonathan asked bemused.

"Tis obvious. If it was any other chit I would have to pretend to like her and entertain her for your sake. But since you are to wed Katherine, I do not have to worry." Annabelle explained, an extra bounce to her step.

"I would not marry someone you do not approve of, Annie." Jonathan said solemnly.

Annabelle patted his arm as if he were a naive little child. "You do not choose who you fall in love with Jonathan."

"Aye, but love has not caused me to want to marry the chit." Jonathan reminded her.

Annabelle shrugged a shoulder. "Tendrè, affection, whatever you want to call it." Annabelle said dismissively as she pulled Jonathan towards the apple tree.

"My point is, Jonathan, you should not look for people we would approve of. We will not be the ones living with them, you are. Your happiness is our happiness. Regardless of the fact if you were to have chosen a harpy, which, thank the lord, you haven't, we would have stood by your decision. I happen to be fond of Katherine, I'm glad you chose her."

"Hmm, why?" Jonathan asked skeptically. He didn't need Katherine and Annabelle on his back all the time.

"What is there not to like?" Annabelle retorted as she stood on the tips of her toes, trying to reach for an apple. Jonathan reached up and grabbed one for her.

"I suppose you are correct." Jonathan let the matter go for now. It was a blessing in itself that Annabelle liked anyone, or rather, they liked her. The human race could be so irrationally prejudice, it was sickening.

"Did you tell your father?" Annabelle took a bite out of her apple.

"Aye."

"Did you speak to her father?"

Jonathan blew out a long breathe. "Aye."

"That did not sound pleasant." Annabelle coaxed.

"He is a pleasant man." Annabelle added.

"Aye, because you aren't the one trying to wed his daughter."

"I suppose." Annabelle agreed in between bites, smiling up at Jonathan.

Jonathan pulled another apple from the tree. He wiped it on his tunic before taking a bite. It was deliciously sweet.

"Speaking of daughter's and their over-bearing father's, when is Abu arriving exactly?"

"I told you, I know not. He said to expect him today, he never mentioned a time."

Jonathan pulled Annabelle along a tad bit hastily then.

"I need to see to Edward." Jonathan explained at Annabelle's confused expression.

"I must warn him of his future Father's arrival." Jonathan smirked.

Annabelle rolled her eyes.

***

"Katherine, darling, may I speak with you?"

"Of course papa." Katherine answered as she put away her needlework, giving her father her undivided attention. Lord Atkins sat on a chair across his daughter.

"I wish to discuss an important matter with you. Tis regarding a marriage proposal."

Katherine blanched, her palms began to turn cold. Her father wanted to discuss Abbot with her? Had her mother already spoken to him? She tried in vain to calm her rapid heartbeat, but it seemed it was determined to break free of her chest. How was she supposed to get out of the contract?

Edmund watched worriedly as his daughter's demeanor changed slightly.

"Are you alright?"

Startled eyes, so similar to his own, locked with his own before looking away.

"Nothing is amiss, father." Katherine answered timidly.

"Papa." Edmund said.

At her confused expression, Lord Atkins explained, "you never used to call me father, you always would say papa when you were younger."

"Mother said to not address you as such." Katherine replied tentatively, awaiting her father's response.

Edmund's forehead creased, his lips thinning, but he made no attempt to comment.

"What would you like to address me as, darling?"

Katherine observed him with large eyes before replying.

"Papa."

Andrewson smiled charmingly. "Then papa is what you shall call me. Pay no mind to what your mother has to say."

Gratulation washed over Katherine as she shyly smiled at her father.

"Now that that's settled, I wished to speak to you regarding a marriage proposal. Lord Jonathan Rivers has asked for you hand."

"The Lout?" Katherine questioned in startled confusion.

Edmund raised a bemused brow. "You've already given him a name."

Katherine's ears burned in embarrassment.

"Nay...tis... He is a galling character, as well as hubristic." Katherine added thinking of the man in question, although he did have a right to be, she supposed, he was handsome, a bit.

"So you do not wish to marry him?"

"I did not say I did not wish to marry him." Katherine hastily assured her father.

Lord Atkins lips tilted in amusement. One thing was certain, his daughter still hadn't schooled the art of deception. He felt a prickle of pride go through him. Indeed, character was stronger than blood.

"Then?" He prompted when she did not further explain herself.

"Papa, he is arrogant and... And... And why did he ask for my hand? He does not fancy me." Katherine finished petulantly at a loss on how to explain her inner turmoil to her father.

"Apparently he finds you intriguing." Edmund answered dryly.

Katherine eyed her father dubiously.

"He mentioned something regarding pastries and pasties."

Katherine felt her ears burning. The lout! How dare he? Katherine glared at nothing in particular as her father waited silently.

"Darling, if you do not wish to marry him, then you shan't. Think on it, and let me know your answer by the midday meal. If you want to marry the lad I must discuss the matter with your mother." Andrewson said as he stood up.

"Alright, papa." Katherine was distracted as she answered. Why did the Lout want to wed her? Did he take pity on her because she was to wed Abbot?

She felt blood rush to her face as anger fueled her veins. The audacious man thought... Argh!!! Her anger dismissed as quickly as it had come. Katherine felt herself become numb, as if she wasn't the one going through this experience, she was a bystander, watching a handsome rogue take pity on a wallflower. She did not want nor need his pity. She had dealt with worse than Abbot and she would do fine by him as well.

With jerky legs she stood up and walked towards the door. Her pale face was free of all emotion, a mask of serene perfection. But her eyes, they told a different tale. All one had to do was look past the shards of ice which coated her hunter gaze and they would see an anger which turned her orbs to chips of jade. But as she walked down the hall, her steps were calm, cool, and collected. She walked with the elegance of a queen, as if the she ruled the world and it had no control over her.

Katherine had not the faintest idea where to search for the pompous man, but a servant boy solved the matter for her soon enough.

"Pardon me, would you happen to know where Lord Jonathan Rivers may be?"

To a bystander it seemed Katherine looked down her nose whilst speaking to the servant, as if she were superior to him in every way. Very few would be able to see through the blanket of aloofness in which she shrouded herself so religiously.

"Why would ye be needin' the young lord?" The servant boy inquired suspiciously; he could be no older than eleven summers.

Katherine felt a tug in her chest. She ignored it.

Squaring her shoulders, she answered evenly, and quite coldly, "I have certain matters to discuss with his lordship. I highly doubt I need your approval."

The boy raised an incredulous brow, before he could respond, a different voice answered, settling the matter.

"Thank you, Charlie, I shall take it from here." Jonathan said as he kept his eyes trained on Katherine, a somewhat detached expression coated his features.

"If ye need me, I'll be around the corner, m'lord." Charlie bowed before walking away.

"I shall call for you if needs be." Jonathan spared him a small smile before cutting his eyes back to Katherine.

Katherine resisted the urge to fidget or squirm. The man did strange things to her.

"Why are you staring at me?" Katherine snapped after not being able to hold her tongue any longer. The way he was watching her it was as if she had committed a crime, as if she was in the wrong. And he had every right to be vexed by her. When it should have been the other way around.

Jonathan shrugged a shoulder. "I find your behavior bizarre. I've never seen that side of you."

"What side?" Katherine's voice still retained its earlier coldness as she straightened herself more, if it were possible, as if she was preparing herself for battle.

"This side. Cold, detached, arrogant, a bitch really." Jonathan answered carelessly, watching for a reaction.

Her hunter orbs flashed briefly, but Jonathan saw it nonetheless.

Katherine willed her hands to stay limply by her side and not clench. They obeyed. He had addressed her as a...well... As an undignified woman, to put it mildly.

"If I am a bitch, as you so kindly phrase it, why would you express the wish to marry me?" Katherine questioned with the same aloofness Jonathan was beginning to loathe. But he understood where it came from, he had a hunch.

"Shall we take this conversation somewhere private?"

"As you prefer, my lord."

Jonathan gritted his teeth. Why in the Devils name she was being cold and detached, he knew not, he had an inkling, but he wasn't certain. What he did know was he was going to put an end to it, now.

He led her to a room across the hall from where they stood, locking it as soon as they had entered.

"The door should be kept unlocked."

Jonathan ignored her, resting his forehead against the door.

Katherine watched the movement of his back; the tightening of muscles beneath the fabric which he wore. Her body slowly began to relax in his presence, her mind, not so much. She chewed her bottom lip, the door shouldn't be locked. They were alone in the room.

"My lord-"

"Why did you speak to Charlie in such a manner?" Jonathan interrupted as he finally turned around, facing her. He needed to gauge her he reactions.

Her brows furrowed slightly.

"Charlie?"

"The servant boy you were speaking with." Jonathan elaborated.

Her eyes flashed once more, however briefly, nonetheless, he caught the action.

"I had asked him a question and instead of answering me he had decided to-"

"To make sure you would not cause any harm to his lordship." Jonathan finished off dryly. His hands fisted at his sides.

"What harm can I cause to an oaf such as yourself?" Katherine scoffed, her aloofness shredding to make room for her ire. The corner of Jonathan's mouth tugged upward slightly.

"Why are you so angry? You're not usually pretentious, why begin now?"

"I am not angry nor am I-"

Jonathan couldn't stand it any longer. She was driving him mad, insane. He covered the short distance between them and pulled her flush against him, covering her mouth with his own.

His kiss was slightly brutal, but just as intoxicating. There was no coaxing her mouth open, his assault had been enough. His hand went to her back, pushing her smaller form more firmly against him. Lord, she was small. He lifted her up, urging her to wrap her legs around his waist. Jonathan's hands rested firmly around her hips, not moving. He wanted to enamor her with his kiss alone.

Katherine's arms went to the back of his head, tugging at his hair. Jonathan growled low in his throat, holding his raging desire by a tight leash.

He could feel her breasts pressed tightly against him, he wanted to touch her, but he couldn't, not yet. Her soft moan had him harder than he thought physically possible, so much restraint for this dainty female. He could be a bloody saint.

Katherine moaned, unaware she was making the sound as her hands left his nape and began to explore his chest.

"Why were you so cold?" Jonathan rasped as he kissed down the column of her neck.

"I wasn't cold. I have to behave...in such..."

She let out a breathy moan as he bit down were shoulder met neck.

"A certain... Manner... So... The servants do not... Do...not..."

He bit down slightly harder, licking the sting away. Katherine dug her blunt nails into his upper arm.

"You were saying?" Jonathan whispered as he licked the lobe of her ear before pulling it slightly in between his teeth.

"I... I... Have to act in a certain... Manner so the servants... Cannot... Report back." She finally managed to finish. She pulled at his golden locks, not knowing if she wanted him to stop or continue. Continue, she would think, what he was doing to her felt so...splendiferous.

"While you may have to act in that manner in your mother's manor, my home is far, far different. You need not worry about treachery here, they shall show their true colors upon first seeing you." Jonathan assured her as he nibbled along her collarbone.

Katherine tilted her head back, her eyes closed due to the onslaught of pleasure.

"Aye, But how do I know?"

Jonathan lifted himself until he was eye level with her. He placed a soft, gentle kiss on her lips before kissing her closed lids.

Ever so slowly, her hunter gaze, dark with desire, opened. God, but he loved her large, doe like eyes. They were filled with such innocent curiosity...the things he could do with her. Jonathan briefly squeezed her hips.

"Trust me. They're my people, I know them a great deal more than you."

Katherine watched him for a moment longer before the desire disappeared from her gaze to be replaced by a fierce anger, and another emotion Jonathan could not quite place.

"Why do you wish to marry? I do not need your pity, my lord." Katherine snapped, affronted. How dare he; she couldn't think clearly due to her anger. Even if he did assume she needed his help, marrying her would not be the way to go about the matter.

Jonathan smirked slightly. He kissed her once more, gently before pulling back, giving her waist a brief squeeze.

"Tis not, pity, Kitten. There are numerous reasons I want to wed you."

Katherine stared at him incredulously, her hunter orbs filled with doubt.

"I find that highly unlikely, my lord."

"Would you like me to say, I must marry therefore I'd rather it be you? Or would you like me to say, upon seeing you, and your beauty, I've decided to abandon my roguish ways?" Jonathan grinned.

"Neither, I want the truth, my lord." Katherine scowled.

"I told you the truth, Kitten." Jonathan sighed.

"I must marry and I'd like to marry you."

Katherine eyed him skeptically.

Jonathan rolled his eyes heavenward.

"Mayhap that is not the only reason." He sulked.

"What is the other reason, my lord?" Katherine questioned arrogantly.

Jonathan smirked. He took her bottom lip in between his teeth, watching as her eyes widened and her breathing became uneven.

He sucked gently, biting down slightly before licking the slight sting away; all the while his gaze held her own.

Her breathing became slightly labored.

"This is one of the reasons, my lady. I adore your reaction to my touch."

"You arrogant-"

One of his large hands left her hip to come and graze her breast ever so slightly. Jonathan smiled knowingly as her large eyes watched him.

He caressed just below her breast before moving upward, testing the weight of one breast before fondling it. Katherine moaned lowly.

"You were saying, my lady?" Jonathan took his hand away.

"More please." Katherine whispered as she took his large hand in two of her own.

Jonathan chuckled low in his throat, quite pleased with himself.

"Not until the wedding night." He whispered in her ear before easing her off of him. Giving her neck one last kiss, he stepped away.

***

Tired😴😴😴

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