* I only take DM's @desilikearnaz all others will be ignored
Sookie, the Faery Princess of all the Fae had seen her great grandfather Niall just a few days ago. He'd given her advice. It wasn't like having Gran around. Now she was always was what Sookie needed for a sounding board.
But back on topic.
Warlow had not received the True Death. He had escaped just in time to avoid the stake by being pulled back into the void by Niall. Jason and Sookie aided in Niall's escape. Only to hope and pray Warlow was gone for good. But if he'd gotten out once, they no doubt concluded he would get out again and seek out Sookie as his Faery Vampire bride.
They had to be prepared for it. However they didn't know how or when to prepare for this attack. She had no way to keep him from entering her home, Warlow was impervious to silver. And worse yet, if she were to kill him she'd be "Fae no longer" as Claude put it. And the barmaid had come to accept who she was and didn't want to lose that side of herself.
Her normal routine of sunbathing in the morning on the hot late spring morning she was thinking of her best friend, Tara and how she couldn't be here talking to her in the sun anymore. "That's my own darn fault. She didn't want to become a vampire and now she hates me." Tears sliding down her cheeks could be seen streaming down under her sunglasses.
She began to fall asleep. Something Gran would kill her for. She'd get burned. Sook awoke to her own laughter wondering if Gran hadn't come and woken her up. Wondering how she and Granddaddy were doing. Did Gran give him a real what for like he thought she would?
It was sudden. Almost a rush. A wave of bright light emanated throughout her body. Much like when Claude and his sisters checked her light in the Faery club. But this was intense giving off a sudden knowledge that Sookie felt something had occurred in which had gone remarkably askew. Askew was the word of the day on her calendar.
Unaware of the presence of Claudellen and Claudewina Crane, the "sunshine in a pretty blonde bottle" sat up to look over herself. Different. Something felt different. "Sookie." A voice came directly from behind her. Jumping she turned to see the Crane Faeries. "You must come with us quickly! It is urgent. Your life may depend upon it! All of Faery depends upon it!"
Rolling her eyes as stood and gazed her beautiful eyes at them. "Would y'all stop doing that? Gosh darn it, between you and Bill I'm aimin' to die of a heart attack." Trekking towards her porch, she mumbled how sick and tired she was of all this.
Claudellen appeared before her when Sookie exited Gran's room dressed for the day. Only then when the woman bowed before her, she stopped. "What are you doing? Save that for Great Grandpa Niall." Upon saying that, Sookie propelled Claudellen to the side and walked down the stairs. Claudwina took a gander at her sister. "She doesn't know. She didn't feel it. Or didn't understand it."
A more than frustrated Sookie Stackhouse turned to both of them. "Know what? Tell me right now!" A Fae who seemed to have looked death in the eye spoke. "Warlow has escaped. Sookie, Your great grandfather Niall is dead. You have become 100% Faerie and are now Queen of us all."
Shaking her head in disbelief, Sookie thought back to the surge of energy she received while sunbathing. "Is that what that was? And No I ain't going to Faery. Last time I did that I went missing for 13 months. Whoever needs to talk to me can meet me on the graveyard plane. It's my day off so you go tell them to meet me there."
Sookie made way out of her ancestral home. She would not be leaving Bon Temps. A home she'd had for almost 30 years. Her house had been standing for almost 150. This was her home. Queen or not. She could make her turf on the graveyard plane. If they didn't like it, too bad.
As she entered the plane, the elders were there. Including Mab. They all bowed to her. The two Cranes were told to leave. Sookie held up her hand. "The remaining Cranes stay with me as my Faery Godmothers. Claudellen, please get the rest of your sisters." 13 other Crane sisters appeared.
Sookie turned to Mab. "What is she doing here? She is an elder my Queen." Came a voice of Claudia Crane. "Are we not almost extinct thanks to vampires and now Warlow?" A nod came from all around. "She has killed or ordered the killing of our kind as well. Come night fall, Mab you will be escorted by my brother and my friend Lafayette to my home. There you will meet a friend of mine." There was a gasp as they knew her fate. Sookie would take no rebellion seeing that great grandpa Niall was murdered.
"If Warlow were here I would do the same. Better yet I would stake him myself. When we meet it will be here. Do we have any Faery that can build us a meeting table? If not, I have a werewolf friend will do it for us."
Sookie attempted to maintain her body and her voice from shaking like a leaf. She was scared as all get out. She needed to talk to Jason, Sam, Bill and yes even Eric. After all he was going to be the one she asked to kill Mab. Just then she turned to the Cranes. "I want you out of sight on the human plane. I can't risk you dying." Her voice so caring. The Sookie Stackhouse everyone knew and loved. "Open the portals. NOW!"
With that, the newly appointed Queen, left the plane and made her way home. It was barely 11:00. As she started lunch, Jason walked in the door. As always. It was almost as if he was Pavlov's dog.
Summary: Georgiana Stafford has just become betrothed to a man older than her father. Her last chance to enjoy society on her terms comes the night that court celebrates the birth of Princess Mary. She was prepared for just about anything, but she hadn't been prepared for him. Charles Brandon.
CharlesxOC,
Rated: NC-17
Warning there is Smut in this chapter.
A/N: Here is Chapter Three. Thank you to everyone who liked and showed support on those first two chapters. I really appreciate it :) Let me know if you would like to be tagged.
“Katerina, have you seen my green ribbon?” Georgiana frowned as she picked through her belongings on the vanity. She swore she just had the blasted thing in her hand, “I wanted to dress my hair with it.”
The older woman looked up from folding the strewn garments of Georgiana’s trunk with a cursory glance before shaking her head, “No, milady. What shade of green is it?”
Georgiana blinked and shrugged, “It was a dark green... Oh, it’s no matter. I don’t know why I’m trying so hard to look nice anyway.”
The maid suppressed an amused smirk. She knew well why her current mistress was fussing with her appearance. Georgiana had disclosed a good deal of her night of revelry to Katerina and she was hoping to gain the attention of her recent dalliance. Katerina had to give the young girl credit – she had done well to conceal her identity. Most didn’t realize the danger of rumors in court, no matter how true or false those rumors be, and for a woman, there was no more harmful a reputation than one of loose morals. Yet, Georgiana’s moment of wisdom seemed to be dissipating as she unwittingly caved into the desirous fantasies that were only home to young women.
“Perhaps to capture the attention of a certain blue-eyed devil, milady.” Katerina uttered coyly and felt her lips twitch as Georgiana flushed faintly.
“Don’t be foolish. I’ve had my fun and he had his. I must find other games to play now.” Georgiana said stoutly and by the miserable glint in her icy bluish-green eyes, Katerina knew she thought of her intended.
“Milady, there’s hardly any harm in a little flirting.” Katerina stated softly, she liked Georgiana. The girl was a little spoiled, but she didn’t put on airs like many of the ladies of court... she seemed lonely and Katerina feared this marriage to Lord Somerset would only make her bitter, “Even if it’s not with your blue-eyed devil... there’s still many that could fit the bill here.”
Georgiana frowned and resisted the urge to shrug again.
Flirting had been easy when she had a masked tied to her face. If she had been foolish, who would know? She hadn’t had the chance to become familiar with anyone yet... Now, with her introduction and subsequent engagement she had become more of a curiosity than she had anticipated. She blamed her Aunt Eleanor. The old witch had to implant the seeds of Georgiana’s good reputation with every woman of power in these forsaken walls. She had hoped to remain relatively unknown during this excursion. Anonymity made getting away with unladylike behavior far easier, but the Duchess of Buckingham was wise to her niece’s wild ways and had torn that protective shroud from her. She was liable to stutter her way through a conversation now, much less flirt.
If anything, her aunt’s machinations had made Georgina even more grateful for her night of revelry – such actions would be impossible to get away with now. And as for Charles Brandon....
Well, she had no business to be mingling with a courtier, no matter how close to the king he seemed. Though, that hadn’t stopped her heart from lurching at the sight of him. It had been slightly painful when he had only regarded her with mild curiosity the night after their parting, but not unsurprising.
What had surprised her was her desire to be recognized. It was a desire that had yet to vanish and she wished it would dearly.
“I’m not sure it’s worth the risk.” Georgiana finally murmured before readjusting her collar. The faint glimpse of her diminishing love bites made her ache, but she forced her thoughts in another direction. The tea that Katerina had forced on her the past three mornings, “Katerina, would it be possible for you to show me what herbs you use in that tea? ...Please.”
Katerina paused as she let the implications of the younger girl’s request settle in her mind. The blue-eyed devil must have been good in bed indeed if the lady was considering more illicit affairs. She nodded serenely, “Of course. I need to pick up more herbs from the market tomorrow. I’ll show you on my return.”
Georgiana’s eyes lit up as she gave her servant a hopeful smile, “May I accompany you?”
“You need not ask, lady.” Katerina replied bemused, “You may oversee your servants as you see fit.”
“You’re not my servant, Katerina, you belong to the court.” Georgiana stated blandly before smiling almost sheepishly, “Besides I ask as I do not wish to accompany you as a lady, but more an equal.”
Katerina smiled kindly as she pointed out, “Milady, one only has but to look to know we are not of equal station.”
Georgiana barely glanced over her elegant gown as her smile turned impish, “Oh, that’s easily fixed.”
Katerina’s bemusement with the young noble deepened for a moment before a dawning light shined on her thoughts. She reached back into the Lady’s trunk and removed a gown of simple make... too simple for a noble, “I suppose that explains this dress then.”
Georgiana’s smile only grew, she had planned for every eventuality before leaving home.
She was kept from replying as a knock at her door sounded and Katerina hurried to answer. Georgiana held in a sigh as she stood to receive whoever was calling. Her father appeared a moment later with Lord Somerset in tow.
“Father.” Georgiana greeted as she dipped a shallow curtsey, “My Lord.”
A grim satisfaction lit Henry Stafford’s gaze at his daughter’s manners as he gestured to the Earl of Worcester, “Lord Somerset has requested a stroll with you, my dear. Your uncle and I will be in attendance as well, of course.”
Georgiana tilted her head subtly to note her uncle lingering in the common room before meeting Lord Somerset's stare. They were awaiting her acquiescence, but she wasn’t sure why. Her father had already made her participation a forgone conclusion. Biting back at the tide of bitter resentment that threatened to swallow her, she nodded faintly, “Of course. My Lord, it would be an honor.”
“Please, we are to be married, Lady. Call me, Charles.”
Georgiana blinked and wondered at the sense of humor of the world. Until this very moment, she hadn’t known her future husband’s Christian name and it seemed to be a cruel mockery that it was shared with the man who had taken her maidenhood. When she had children, she would pick strange arbitrary names for them, she had met four Thomas’s and three Mary’s in the past three days, “Then you must call me, Georgiana.”
Lord Somerset nodded pleasantly, “Shall we, Georgiana?”
She nodded and turned to Katerina, “My cloak, please.”
Katerina pulled a deep midnight blue cloak from the trunk and hurried to wrap it around Georgiana. A pang of pity sprung through the servant as she viewed the other’s intended for the first time. Somerset’s hair had long since grayed and he had a portly belly, likely from too many nights drinking, but he had a kindness in his dark gaze that was absent from the Lady’s father – perhaps there was a small hope for a complacent marriage, if not a love match.
Somerset offered his arm to Georgiana and quickly ushered the party out to the gardens. With the chilly weather, few people were mingling outside. Though Georgiana suspected that was why the Earl had wanted this stroll. He paced the two of them far enough from her guardians to be out of earshot, but within sight. They danced on the lines of decorum by doing so, but she found that she didn’t mind. She had always found it hard to speak freely in her uncle’s presence, much less her father’s. Somerset, she had yet to make any strong judgements.
“It occurred to me, Georgiana, that aside from our introduction before the King that I haven’t taken the pains to get to know you. Of course, I feel like I already do, based on the word of your family, but I wondered if the same courtesy has been bestowed to you.” Somerset began quietly.
Georgiana looked up with light surprise, “Barely anything, my Lord. Your name and title... not much else.”
A glimmer of something like disappointment crossed his features before he smirked sagely, “I can’t say I’m surprised. I have an estate near Wales that I hardly ever see. My son, Henry, sees to its running." Another Henry, she thought dryly, "My time is spent here at court as Lord Chamberlain of the Household. Yours will be, as well.”
“The Lord Chamberlain?” Georgiana asked, recognizing the position as important, but not what it entailed.
Somerset hummed and nodded, “I act as spokesman for the King with Parliament and organize any major ceremonies with a council of mine and the King’s choosing.”
“That sounds...” Georgiana trailed off realizing the word she had in mine was less than flattering.
He seemed to sense this as he smiled sardonically, “Boring?”
She smirked, “I was going to say tedious.”
The Earl’s chuckle was warm and genuine as he regarded her, “You’re not wrong. My position was also the reason I was seeking a wife.”
That gained her attention as she raised a brow. What role would she have to play as wife to the Lord Chamberlain, “Oh?”
“Having a woman’s touch in the detailed planning to some of these events goes a long way in adding elegance to an otherwise garish affair. Also, many of the foreign ambassadors with which I must meet and attend bring along their wives and daughters. Their entertainment will fall to you.” He explained quietly with a hint of hesitance as if he was expecting her to baulk at the task presented.
In truth, his explanation answered many questions she had in regards to him. She hadn’t understood why he was looking for another spouse when he seemed to have achieved everything a man of wealth and status was expected to achieve. The thought of playing hostess made her feel queasy, however. Even she knew that she wasn’t the most elegant or charming. Her sister, Elizabeth, would attest to such... so would her mother, actually.
“You don’t know me, my Lord. You may find that I am not the most suitable for these tasks.” Georgiana stated softly.
Somerset raised a brow, “Are you not the Georgiana Stafford who bested Lord Marlty at fencing?”
“Y-yes.” Georgiana stuttered in surprise, holding back a wince at the memory. She had received a sound thrashing for that particular feat. Her father had made it clear she had embarrassed him and Lord Martly with her display.
“The same Georgiana Stafford that engaged the Marquess of Pembroke in a lively debate on the merits of Porphyry's Universals?”
That had only earned her a heavy lecture on arrogance from her mother. These were not tales her father or uncle would impart. Georgiana pursed her lips, “Mmm, yes. How do you-”
Somerset smiled benignly, “Your brother, Thomas, is a good friend of mine. He’s spoken highly of you for years.”
He could have told Georgiana the sky was purple and she would have been less disbelieving. Her eldest half-brother hardly spent any time with her and when he did, he had seemed rather indifferent to her presence. God knows that he absolutely despised her father. The fact that he spoke up for her now made her a little leery.
“Look Georgiana, I need a wife who can think for herself. Not a child that needs handholding.” Somerset paused as he chose his words carefully, “From what I ‘ve been told and the way you’ve portrayed yourself that past few days, I believe that may be you. If anything, you’d make a good court spy with the way you’ve snuck around your father. Your uncle is no obstacle, bit oblivious that one.”
Georgiana paled slightly, “My Lord?”
Somerset chuckled and lowered his voice, “Charles, my dear. Blue is a lovely color on you, Georgiana. You’ll have to tell me what you took away from Princess Mary’s celebration.”
There was a distinct sinking sensation in her gut as Georgiana fought to keep her expression impassive. Somerset took no notice of her struggle as he continued to lead her through the gardens, though he seemed to sense her hesitance, “I told you, my dear, I’m the Lord Chamberlain. I organize all the ceremonies and celebrations around here which means I know everyone who attends... Whether they were invited or not.”
“My Lord -”
“Charles.”
“Charles...” She choked out with a quick glance towards her father. She was thankful that he had remained out of earshot, “Please don’t say anything to my father.”
Somerset softened at her pleading gaze, “Oh my dear, I wouldn’t dream of it. Your father is a cad. The only reason I parlayed with him for your hand was because of Thomas. Otherwise, I believe your father would have married you off to Lord Buxton and no one deserves that fate.”
Torn between hilarity and mild horror, Georgiana wasn’t sure how to respond to him. The faint sound of sniggering interrupted further conversation as the couple glanced down the path. A small group was heading in their direction and their presence only served to deepen her mixed emotions.
A light touch to her elbow guided her to the side as her father and uncle come to hover behind them. She felt like she was being sealed in as the group of gentlemen approached. She wondered at this protective stance as she recognized both Charles Brandon and Anthony Knivert, but the third was unknown to her.
The dynamic between the trio was curious. Brandon was the easiest to read as his countenance was one of barely contained exasperation that Georgiana had only witnessed on riled siblings, while both Knivert and the stranger appeared duly amused... though there was an undercurrent of anger in Knivert’s gaze as she swore, he sneered thinly at Brandon before taking note of her presence.
It was if a bell had chimed as the trio slipped into more benign expressions and performed a faint bow of greeting. Lord Somerset either didn’t realize that the Duke had come to stand behind him or didn’t care as he took over introductions with Georgiana, “Mr. Compton, Mr. Brandon, Mr. Knivert.”
“Lord Somerset.” Came a mumbled return.
Somerset allowed a faint smile, “Allow me to introduce, Mr. Anthony Knivert and Mr. William Compton. I believe you’ve already met Mr. Brandon.”
Georgiana nearly blanched for a moment fearing that Somerset knew everything that had occurred the night of Princess Mary’s celebration before recalling that Brandon had been present for her courtly introduction.
“Gentlemen, my intended, Lady Georgiana Stafford.”
She nodded to each man in turn as they once again murmured their conscripted greetings. She stalwartly kept her gaze fixed on Mr. Compton, not willing to give the other men a chance to recognize her. She needn’t have worried as Somerset picked up the thread of conversation again, “And what brings you, gentlemen, out on so fine a day?”
Compton’s eyes flared with suppressed amusement, “Oh, it seems that Brandon has lost a lamb.”
Knivert snorted as he avoided the baleful glare of his friend.
“A lamb?” Her uncle drawled incredulously.
This time it was Georgiana who barely held in a snort as she caught a flash of derision on Somerset’s face. Even she knew that Compton spoke of a woman.
“Yes, it seems he thought he had ensnared the little pet, but she managed to slip away.” Knivert continued almost jovially.
Brandon sighed, “And now my friends are finding great joy in my misfortune, milord.”
Unable to help herself, Georgiana turned a purposefully naïve expression on Brandon, “And what would you do with a lamb, Mr. Brandon?”
Knivert and Compton seemed to stiffen in merriment as Brandon’s stormy gaze met hers. A mocking light entered his mien that Georgiana found all too familiar, “Why... devour her of course, milady.”
Her father shifted behind her, but she ignored him and the way heat pooled in her stomach at his words and smiled unaffected, “Then it is good she slipped away. Her fate, I’m sure, is much more favored away from you, sir.”
“Quite right.” Somerset murmured amused as he watched Brandon’s eyes narrow. He gently prodded Georgiana forward, “If you’ll excuse us, gentlemen.”
The two companies parted, but Georgiana could feel a familiar stare burning into her back.
She smirked.
༻✦༺ ༻✧༺ ༻✦༺ ༻✧༺ ༻✦༺
“Kitty.”
Katerina suppressed a sigh as she hefted her basket of laundry to her hip before glancing over her shoulder. A silky smile and smugly twinkling eyes greeted her, “Is there something you need, sir?”
Charles leaned against the only exit to the linen closet and crossed his arms, “I hear you have a new mistress.”
She merely raised an unimpressed brow at him, “Yes.”
When she didn’t move to him, Charles stepped away from his perch and into her space. His long fingers reached out to twine in her soft brown locks, “Lady Georgiana?”
“Yes.” Katerina iterated again with a huffed laugh. She already figured the courtier had a new target for his bed... she almost felt sorry for her charge. Charles Brandon was a hard man to resist. Lord knows she hadn’t been able to when he had set his sights on her.
His fingers drifted from her hair to skim the line of her décolletage, “Tell me about her.”
He should know better. Katerina was one of the few servants who didn’t sell information on those she served. She has seen that particular trait come back to bite said servants more than once... it simply wasn’t worth the risk.
Katerina blinked slowly before trapping his exploring hand beneath hers, “You are not as charming as you think you are, Mr. Brandon.”
Charles smiled almost sweetly before turning his hand to grasp hers and bring it to his lips, “You wound me, Kitty.”
Katerina felt herself flush under his heated gaze and tried to remember she shouldn’t be so enchanted by a man seeking out information on another woman. She swallowed tightly, “Yes, you appear absolutely wretched, sir... If I may take my leave. I do have chores to finish.”
His gaze dropped to her basket of linens before somehow impossibly he moved closer. His other hand moved to brush loftily over the knuckles clenching her basket, “Your chores can wait.”
“Mr. Brandon...No.” Katerina stated stodgily as she found the strength to meet his gaze. Her message was clear, she would not consent. Yet, she should have known that her resistance was like waving a flag at a bull.
He studied her a moment, removing his touch from her body, but she felt no relief. His stare scorched her in ways that were more arousing than any touch. A dark glint of satisfaction glimmered at her and she bit back a whimper as he spoke, “Your lips say no, but the lovely blush to your skin and the way you're biting your lip tells me, yes. Why deny yourself, Kitty?”
She sucked her lip further between her teeth and nearly smiled in triumph as his gaze darkened at the sight, “There is another for me, sir.”
Charles raised a brow, unsurprised that she had someone courting her interest. Kitty was an attractive girl, despite her station, but poaching on another’s territory had never stopped him before and it wasn’t about to now, “I won’t tell if you don’t.”
“Hardly incentive, sir.” Katerina countered dourly. She placed a hand on his chest to push him back, but he was built like the bull he emulated and didn’t budge.
Charles smirked, “I’ll let you pass if you grant me but a kiss, sweet Kitty... For old time’s sake.”
She shouldn’t indulge him. His request was nowhere near as innocent as he seemed to think it was, but unbidden her green eyes sought his mouth. She remembered those talented lips and his equally talented tongue. Suddenly, one last taste didn’t seem so harmful. Katerina bit the inside of her cheek, “Just a kiss?”
Charles nodded gently, already feeling her capitulating.
She sighed and shrugged, “Fine, just a kiss.”
He smirked and fell to his knees much to her surprise. Katerina almost couldn't react as he swiftly lifted her skirts and tugged down her small pants. She dropped her basket and grasped his shoulders in shock as she squeaked, “Charles! You said a kiss.”
“And I’m taking that kiss.” Charles murmured with a sinful grin before his lips and tongue pressed into her mound. She jerked startled, heated, and uncertain as she felt his tongue lathe across her entrance and to her rapidly swelling nub.
A choked groan spilled from her mouth as her fingers dug into his shoulders, “C-Charles.”
He didn’t let up, merely hummed and suckled heartily, pulling more lewd noises from her as she shuddered and trembled. She felt a familiar pressure rising in her core, pleasure tingled and teased as she was brought closer to the edge. It wasn’t until he had her perched precariously on a euphoric precipice that he abruptly stopped his ministrations and pulled away.
A frustrated whine tore from her throat as she stared at him in outrage. Charles grinned at that look as he wiped at his mouth, “Delicious as always, sweet Kitty. You may pass now.”
“You!” She huffed unable to form the angry words she needed to insult him.
He chuckled as he mocked her, “Me?”
Her green eyes blazed and instead of responding she shoved him back. Still on his knees, he went down to the ground quickly, but not before grabbing her thighs and toppling her onto him. He arched a brow at her, well aware that she could feel his arousal pressing against her now.
Angry and wanton, Katerina cursed him before pressing her mouth to his. Charles wasted no time as he pushed her skirts back up and rolled her onto her back. Her legs parted easily for him as hurried fingers tugged at his breeches. In the span of a breath, he pressed into her warm welcoming heat. Low moans fell from them both as he began to rut harshly against her. This was her punishment for denying him earlier.
She didn’t much care as she arched and met him thrust for thrust. The slap of skin was loud in her ears as it mixed with the squelching wetness of their coupling. Sparking heat ignited through her legs as she felt the cord of her arousal pull tight and break heavy and hard around his cock. Katerina cried out and curled her legs around his hips in an attempt to prolong the heady pleasure. She needn't have bothered.
Charles groaned as she clamped tightly around him, but continued to thrust through her orgasm with hard, staccato movements. He wasn’t ready to be done. Reaching back, he gripped her ankles in either hand as he splayed her legs up and open, forcing her back to arch steeply as he continued to fuck into her. Katerina gave a choked scream at this new position as she felt his cock drilling into her cervix. Her body was too sensitive and it wasn’t long before she was toppling over the edge again, this time pulling him with her. Charles came with a roar as he spilled his seed deep into her womb.
Breathing deeply, he sat back on his haunches and viewed the blissed-out servant below him in prideful pleasure. It wasn’t until he pulled her skirts back down and tucked himself away that she found the strength to speak again, “She’ll be at the markets tomorrow.”
Charles paused and leant over her, “The markets?”
She nodded with a hum, only to smile faintly as he pressed a light kiss to her mouth. She latched onto his shirt when he went to pull away and he stared down at her curiously. Katerina knew their interaction was over. They were both sated and he had gotten all that he wanted, but that didn’t mean she was entirely thrilled with having given into him so easily. She glowered lightly at him, “Don’t ruin her. She’s one of the good ones, Charles.”
He pressed another kiss to her lips, this time lingering, “I won’t do anything, she doesn’t want me to.”
That was what Katerina was afraid of...
He stood then and finished fixing his clothes before making for the exit, “Tell Humphrey I said hello.”
Katerina pressed a hand to her cheek and slowly sat up as he disappeared. Somehow, she was unsurprised that he knew who she was courting, but strangely that was the least of her concerns. She felt she now had to warn her new mistress of the bull heading her way.
Grunting quietly, Katerina moved to her feet and grabbed the basket of linens. Sometimes, she loathed her job.
