looking away he let go. "a shame you are a river-bred heathen, your lovely face is marred by your wicked tongue. god has sent down me a lilith who knows not her place in the world"

Allowing for his hand to daintily drop to his side, his attention for the prince fell away just as easily. Focusing his sights on the profile of his lord’s face in the pale moonlight he found nothing. His gaze fell opposite of the other as his hands met in front of him again. “Not all know their path in life, nor do they have choice over their lineage.”

he could not help but snort at the lines issuing from the woman's mouth. "your words expose your heathen ways woman, you speak ignorantly and it does not become you." this time he gave her no chance of retaliation and dipping in kissed the teasing white neck before flashing a smirk and leaving her in the garden

Had the other not been so quick in his endeavors to steal a kiss he would have been caught, but the feet were already dashing away. Brushing a hand across the skin of his neck where the prince’s lips laid, the marquess pursed his lips discontentedly. Lifting the skirt, the man made his way back up to his chambers with the vision of the smile in his mind

he did not see her again until halfway through morning prayer though he had no mind for god once he saw her. that she seemed to have a different outfit each day was a crime, that each made her look more beautiful than the last was surely a sin. though which ever it was more of did not matter because he was slowly being charmed by both. he did not stop staring until she was seated and lost from view, only pale fabric and paler hands could be seen

The prayers came easy to him, each word coming to him quickly from years of reiteration. Though, he could not say his mind was as focused as his tongue. The previous night’s activities in the garden had taken over his thoughts through the evening, and even persisted through the morning. He hadn’t yet found the prince amongst the halls of the castle before leaving for the morning prayers, though he knew they’d run into each other again. Collecting another bead on his rosary, he spoke his latin along with the priest.

the hours dragged on after that though as soon as they were free he chased her down and tugging lightly on the cream fabric of her sleeves pulled her away from the main hallways. when they were far enough away he pushed her against the wall. "you torment me woman, i do not wish to wait through the trials of this wedding." blushing furiously he quickly kissed the pale neck again before trying to once more escape

He hadn’t any objections to being tugged away, being given the opportunity to speak to the prince without needing to hunt through the castle to locate him. Still, with the audacious words being spoken, and another kiss offered on the sly he was speechless. Only this time he would not wait behind as the prince made his cowardly escape. Dashing after with heels clicking loudly against the floor, he managed out stretched an arm, trying and take hold of anything usable to halt the man. Feeling the smooth fabric slipping between his fingers before he could get a strong enough grip, he watched in disappointment as the prince managed to get away

he felt breathless and excited when he finally stopped, she had done something noone else had attempted. she tried to get him to stay. he was not sure if this was a good thing or a bad one only that the oddness of it, like the other habits she kept, made her much more appealing than he would have credited her to be two days ago. looking around he saw nobody and slipped down to the kitchens

Even being able to slip easily back into the crowd with so much as a second glance from anyone he still felt as though his small trip to the side proved to be much less than expected. Schooling his face into something that would keep any and all from noticing his disappointment, he quickly found his maid mingling amongst the crowd looking for he just as much he was looking for her; Even if she appeared much more stoical about it than he. While her face offered no urgency about locating him, nor much of any other emotion, the man could still see the smallest twinge of acknowledgement for where he’d been- though how she figured it out he’d never know. With a fraction of an affirmation on the edge of his lips, he said nothing and motioned her to follow behind on his way back to the castle’s main hall for the first meal

he stayed hidden until it was time to stand with his brother to listen to the peasants whine about land and money and food. he did not hear the complaints and instead went over the memory of the dark dress. he wondered when the next time would be that she would wear it. he liked the idea of it

He silently brooded through the first meal, and the afternoon, knowing that the soonest he’d be able to see the prince would be in the late afternoon, but even then it was not a sure thing, for his evasiveness was truly one of skill. Having nothing else to do, he joined some of the women of the manor for tea in the communal gardens

the noon meal was not eventful though he did catch a glimpse of her as she left with her maid and another when he saw her in the halls. it was not until the sun was glowing orange like a spilled egg and dinner was just being started was he able to think of something which gave him all of maybe three hours to catch her alone again

While he knew the importance of attending dinner, he could not bring himself to get dolled up simply to sit through the lengthy dinner before having to follow the twittering women all about. After all, his last evening with them left his feet throbbing and covered with blisters. Emitting a soft huff to the nearly silent room, he kindly asked his maid to fetch him something to eat from the kitchen while he tried to decide when to find the prince tomorrow morn.

he was angry. he had waited and looked and watched but she was nowhere to be found. he was enough put out by this distressing development to leave dinner early and sulk back to the garden in the unlikely chance she would come there instead

His maid had gathered him bits of dried fruits and cheese, but in the end he was unable to eat little of it. Through the day he’d heavily thought about the kiss in the morn, and while his original thoughts were one of it being childish and meaning nothing, the continuous ponderance left him irritated at the Prince’s way of flight after committing such actions. Glancing to his maid for any sort of guidance she may offer, he was met with nothing, and directing her to prepare his dress from the previous eve he went to fetch his wig and shoes.

as if just to be cruel she came, like always, just as he was tired of waiting and ready to give up though unlike before it was nearly pitch and only her hands and the bare skin between breast and hair-line were visible though like before they simply radiated a soft moon-bright glow as if she were a reflection of the celestial body and the dress were the heavens on the darkest of nights and her face the moon. only the queen of nights outshined her in brilliance though like the stars against the moon even the brightest of them were only there to accent not overwhelm. he found it apt that the first flowers of the year would wait for her if as to validate her beautiful earthy heathen ways. standing from the stone he plucked one of the flowers and went to greet her

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/3862/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9L0W9Ep9Ss

To see the prince weaving through the rows of flowers towards him was shockingly beautiful. With grace in each of his strides the man seemed to nearly float closer with each step. It was truly a sight to behold. If anything enhanced the scene of it all, was the flower being held between pale hands with such a delicate touch he did not believe it possible. A smile managed to irk its way onto his face as the blossom was handed over, the large white bloom seeming even more beautiful when being held. Managing to lift his gaze from the flower to look at the prince, he offered a true smile

the smile seemed brighter than than the woman's white skin and he felt the urge to touch her and make it grow. tipping forward he tried a kiss but it was not what he wanted and pulling away he kicked off his shoes so that they were nearly the same height. with the added inches he could see where he wanted to kiss and leaning in lightly pressed against the spot most like the pale blooms in her hand

The lips were soft and tickled his neck as they brushed against his skin, though he knew the prince’s intentions were well. Even so, he could not help but break away before the other managed to draw a laugh from him. Lifting a hand away from the soft bloom, he placed it against the clothed chest. In an attempt to alleviate his rude action of pulling away, he offered the prince a smile and apology so faint it was near inaudible

the kiss was cut short though he half expected it, she was too delicate of body despite her cruel mouth. more sweetly this time he placed a kiss just above one small breast nearly on her heart

It was not so much flattery that brought the blush to his cheeks so much as the fear that struck him. While he was sure the prince would have no way of either seeing or recognizing the fake bosoms that were hidden beneath his garb, it still frightened him. Silently willing for the blush to recede from his cheeks so as not to appear over-flustered at a mere kiss, he lifted a hand to rest against the pale jaw, lifting the face level once again

he lost his nerve as she pulled his face up to look at her once more and not even bothering to put his shoes on he fled the garden

It was almost painful to see the prince abandon him in the garden, but he knew it wouldn’t have ever lasted in the first place. Not that he particularly wanted it to, knowing that it would have only lead to trouble for him, but still. Allowing his eyes to fall to the path the first thing he noticed were the shoes the prince managed to leave behind. Allowing for a soft huff to cross his lips, he lifted the bloom closer for a quick smell. At least he still had the blossom

he was woken early to be ushered into his mother's wing to be measured for his wedding-mass clothes. he endured the poking and twisting all without complaint though when he was shown the bolts of yellow and sage they were to both wear he let them know quickly his opinion of the color they were to make the clothing in

Being woken before the sun had barely risen high to shine into his room was not one he took lightly, but as soon as the maid informed him of his family’s arrival his obliviousness was knocked away, and he became aware of the meaning of the day. Quickly working to dress with the aid of his lady in wait, he scurried off to greet those he’d been longing to see since he stepped foot into the carriage, as well as get a glimpse at the dress his mother had been working on even before he left.

he was not freed until mass bells were already ringing and though he felt no more loyalty to the church than usual he played the part of the pious and quickly hurried to go see his soon-to-be bride

The sight of his parents offered such a reassurance that it seemed impossible to explain. Pulling his mother into a tight hug he was given a sweet peck on the cheek and told that the dress had been sent to his chambers. Only a mutter of a thank-you escaped him as he returned the peck before letting her go. Turning to his father he was met with the decision of offering a handshake, or hugging him as well, though the man seemed to make the decision before him. Firmly squeezing the hand in his own, he briefly felt as though he were back at home. Only the moment was short-lived as his mother grasped his attention again, gesturing to the prince hurrying closer to the beat of the church bells. “Fancy to see you so early my lord,” he said with a flourishing curtsey. “May I introduce you to both my father and mother, Duke and Duchess of Swanson.”

he saw the strangers but paid no mind to them in his hurry until a familiar voice called for him and halting he caught sight of the woman and was riveted. the dress she wore was simple but played so well to her frame he was lost in looking until the second time she spoke and pulling from his daze he turned towards the two she introduced as her parents

He watched with curious eyes as the both of his parents responded as they should have. His mother had offered a proper curtsy and a light bow of her head; His father clasped the prince’s arm though it wasn’t returned. The smile of the marquess’ face fell away, leaving one of scorn and disappointment left in its wake. Before his tongue managed to let slip words that he knew neither his parents nor the prince would look at favorable, he let his attention be swayed by the church bells in the back, already signaling the beginning of morning mass. Kindly gesturing for his parents to head to the church, he only offered a glance back at the prince before he continued on. He had nothing to say anymore, mass was more important than idiots like his husband-to-be

the look felt like an assault and following quickly he overtook the duke and duchess and reached out for the girl. angrily he jerked her back to face him. "you will not look at me like that anymore!" gripping harder at the soft flesh of her arm he tugged her closer as she began to struggle in his grasp, "you will never look at me like that again, do you understand me?" he felt sick as the soft lips formed a soundless 'o' of pain. he quickly let go and mindless of the two behind him brushed past her to continue on to the small church

The word of the Lord meant little to him that morning, and by the looks he’d received from his parents they had thoughts of the same. Badly he wished he wasn’t stuck as his sister, in the damn dresses that made everyone look at him in ways he never wished to be looked at. If he were himself at least he have the option of defending himself, but as a woman he couldn’t strike back, he had to take everything the arrogant threw at him. Biting his lips harshly he brought his attention back to the lord as they were asked to stand for the gospel, and gripping his rosary so harshly in his hands he swore he’d break the chain, he recited several extra prayers as repentance for his poor thoughts

the rest of the day was spent catching glimpses of the lady avery and her course parents but with no opportunity to catch her alone. by the end of the second meal he was tired of being avoided and slipping free of dinner waited for her at the door

In truth the day had gone by incredibly smoothly. Not having to deal with any more of the prince aside from caught glances or passing-bys left him in an elevated mood. Which was promptly knocked back down halfway through the next meal. He’d simply been excusing himself for a brief step away from the busyness of the second meal when the moment he stepped free of the dining hall he was roughly tossed over a shoulder, sending him back into a sour mood. Making sure that the one who decided to abduct him truly was the prince, which was confirmed with only a glance, he crossed his arms over his chest as best he could and allowed for himself to be carried off

she put up no fight as he rushed down the halls. he felt as if he had stolen a prize from his brother and was looking for a place to hide it. he nearly laughed at the thought and seeing the library door he sharply turned and opened the door to enter. inside he locked the door and set her down before pinning her to the closest wall. he could not help but find her beautiful, brown gold and white against a wall of brown and gold with all the white hidden behind. finding his angry words slipping through his fingers like water he dipped in and kissed her beautiful neck. she smelled of vanilla-plant and sweat and he could not help but shiver as it mixed with the smell of leather, ink, and hide. kissing the girl's neck again he let his hand slide over one thin thigh through the slit in the dress

He would have much rather been yelled at in the library than the silent sexual abuse he received instead. The kiss on his pale neck seemed so innocent, like it did the previous evening in the moonlit garden, but as it grew bolder with the slightest addition of heat behind it, and the hand began to ghost along his thigh it was already too much. Turning his gaze down towards both the hand sliding against his thigh, he calmly reached down and pulled it away, casting it off to the side where he felt it needed to be. In the same smooth way of moving he gently laid his hand on the prince's shoulder and pushed him away. Skimming along the wall towards the door, he started for his lackluster escape

her actions shocked him and he was unable to form a thought in his head until she was nearly to the door, quickly he commanded her to stop though when he made it over to pin her back to the wall she took up struggling. he did not try to kiss her this time and remained with his arms blocking her escape until she calmed down

It took him a moment or two to collect his thoughts and see that the prince truly was not trying to seduce him any more, but rather wait for him to calm down. Ceasing his struggling, he remained pinned to the wall as the prince questioned what had possibly possessed him. Turning as best he could manage with the man standing firm at his back and the wall of the library, he cast an incredulous look at the man. "You were acting like a selfish heathen, trying to take me here in the library." Watching the look incomprehension of his words spread onto the prince's face he was left with his own of aggravation. "You stole me away to the library against my will and you started to touch me in ways that no woman should be touched lest they are married. Simply brutish."

he did not understand and had to go over her words twice to make sure he was not mistaken, even so he could not grasp it. "......you will be my wife tomorrow......and i.." he could not finish the thought and so redirected it instead. "...you are beautiful lady avery, you were given to me to do with as i pleased, am i expected to not enjoy my things because of the the technicality of the date?"

Schooling his face into a dry look, the marquess stared at the prince for a hard moment. His mind was slow in processing the words and it left him several moments of silence and calm breathing before he managed to speak. “Yes, you are expected as so.” Nudging the prince back just enough to allow him room to turn ‘round, he continued to stare incredulously. “Because I am to be your wife in the span of a day does not mean I am here to please you, to pander to any sexual whim you desire. As the Lord has declared one must wait until marriage before committing such acts, and because you are the prince does not excuse you.”