The next morning started with breakfast like any other day. This day she took her meal down in the dining room, Blair had wanted to see what kind of state her husband was in after their previous night encounter.
" Will his Grace not be joining me this day?" Blair asked with a slight hint of sarcasm.
" No, your Grace, his Grace Grand Duke wasn't feeling too well this morning." A maid had replied.
Blair saw this coming, she was expecting Price to be too embarrassed to see her the day after their nights 'meeting'.
" I see." Blair replied, a hint of amusement in her voice.
She continued her meal in silence thinking of some way to torture him further, wondering how tortured he felt at the moment.
She chuckled, then stood up finished with her meal.
"Ladies, shall we take a stroll?" Blair addressed her ladies in waiting, they bowed in response before following behind her on her way to the garden.
" I wonder which sextter he'll pick." Blair mumbled to herself.
" What was that, your Grace?" Anne asked, her eyes curious.
" Oh, nothing, just talking to myself." Blair waved the question away.
After all, she had written him nine sextters, so if he remained steadfast in his task, he would have to pick one of them.
' Steadfast' Blair chuckled at the word.
She had already assumed which one he would pick, the shy guy that he was she couldn't see him picking any of the more outgoing ones.
A shame, really, she was hoping to show him the fun of the male p-spot.
Her and her ladies continued to walk in the garden, the weather had taken a turn, with some clouds rolling in, the air slightly cool as it blew by.
-----
Price was busying himself with paperwork, having not taken a break even when the maids had brought him breakfast.
It sat untouched on a tray next to his desk, Brooke had noticed Price's angry disposition but said nothing.
*Snap!* Price's quill broke in half, the sound loud in the quiet room.
" Goddammit!" Price emitted, throwing the pen across the room, hitting the wall next to the door.
" Your Grace, is something troubling you?" Brooke spoke in his monotonous manner.
" Troubling me?" He spat, then started laughing maniacally.
" Ah ha ha HAHAH!!" It was a unpleasant laugh that sent shivers down Brookes spine.
Price jumped up, his laughter subsiding, circling around the desk to walk to the studies window.
" Have you ever had, woman troubles Sir Brooke?"
It sounded like it should have been a sarcastic question but Brooke knew Price was very serious.
" You and I both know I have strict standards for whom I will spend my life with." Brooke stated.
Brooke was looking for a quiet, dignified woman with a good family title, who would make a good mother to their children; Someone he could leave the house affairs to and not need much affection.
With such ridiculous standards, he had yet to even court a woman.
" Right, what would you know of this unsated feeling." Price let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair.
Brooke looked at his master, confused at the despondent look in his eyes.
' What had happened?' Brooke was aware of Prices night visit with her Grace and the unseemly incident of his rushed exit, but what had made him so unlike his usual composed self.
Brooke couldn't understand it, his world and beliefs were set in stone, unchanging, much like his expression.
He was about to press on the matter when he saw Price go still, his back going straight as a rod, something had caught his attention outside, Brooke already knew who he had seen to make him change so abruptly...
------
Price hadn't been able to sleep, after his visit with his wife, he had paced in his room to try to get their sizzling encounter out of his head.
When that hadn't worked he had to fight of the urge to take care of himself, so she would keep her promise a week from now; so he had decided to try to lose himself in work.
That lead him to where he was now, sitting behind his desk, frustrated and tired, neck deep in work.
Brooke had joined him a little after his breakfast was served, it hadn't appealed to him and now sat next to his desk untouched.
There was only one thing in his mind right now that would sate his hunger, and she had left him naked outside her door only hours before.
*Snap!* there went his quill, and with it, the last of his sanity that his exhaustion could handle.
He threw it across the room where it ricochet off the wall next to the door.
" Your Grace, is something troubling you?"
That was Brooke, his monotonous uncaring voice raised Prices hackles.
" Troubling me?" He spat out these words, feeling attacked at that moment.
He couldn't help but laugh, the sound manic even to his ears.
He stood up abruptly, walking around his desk only to go to the window to look out at the garden, the weather overcast and gloomy matching his mood.
" Have you ever had, woman troubles Sir Brooke?" Price asked, not really expecting an answer.
" You and I both know I have strict standards for whom I will spend my life with." Brooke stated, to Prices suprise, and annoyance.
" Right, what would you know of this unsated feeling." Price mumbled.
Then there she was, walking in the garden, she was all smiles, laughter, and beauty, God did he want to hate her for it, instead his body responded to her like the night before.
Exhausted as he was, physically and mentally, he almost felt pride in his stamina but that was numbed by his unquestionable thirst.
" I need to step out for a moment." Price all but growled walking out his study door, not waiting for a response from Brooke.
' I need to speak to her.' Price thought on his way to the garden, anger intent with each step.
------
Blair sat under her favorite tree, the weather had a slight chill to it, the possibility of rain evident in the air.
" Shall we head back inside, your Grace?" Ellie asked.
The ladies were under the same impression as her that the weather was about to turn.
" Yes, let's..." Blair had started to stand up from the table set up for her, when she heard hastened footsteps headed towards her entourage.
The dark haired handsome figure that approached them was none other then her husband.
His presence made the ladies instantly change from their usual relaxed manner to prim and proper in an instant, now they all stood in a bowing stance.
" We greet his Grace, the Grand Duke." They said in unison.
His sapphire eyes found Blairs emerald ones, his mein showing emotions somewhere between confusion, excitement, and impatience.
" Leave us." he clipped out.
Trixie braved a look at Blair to which Blair nodded, her relaxed demeanor showing she wasn't against Prices demand.
They shuffled away gracefully.
With just the two of them left, a moment filled with tension passed.
" Were you having fun?" Price growled out.
His emotions had settled on anger, it brought about a heaviness to his question.
Blair wasn't sure what Price wanted from her but it didn't seem like anything she could say in that moment would change his mood.
" Yes, I was, until this man suddenly came and ruined my mood." She clipped back at him.
Blair knew not to fight anger with anger but she didn't like his tone.
In a motion too quick and otherworldly for Blair to follow, she suddenly had her back pressed against the large tree, Price infront of her, caging her in with his arms.
She wasn't sure what had just happened but looked behind Price to realize in that one second between them standing opposite eachother then the next he had thrown the table to the side to hold her against the tree.
A shiver of fear shook through her, realizing that she may not have taken her ladies warning seriously enough, this man was supposed to be the height of power in this world.
She tamped down that fear, steeling herself before meeting his eyes with a haughty look.
" What.Do.You.Think.You.Are.Doing?" She whispered out, anger in every word.
Prices blue eyes widened in suprise at her unwavering reaction, her anger seeming to take him back.
Blair pushed him with both her hands, but the man didn't budge.
She continued to try to break free, kicking with her trapped legs.
" Stop,...please." Price whispered this in her ear.
His heavy body pressed heavily into her, his muscular thigh between her legs, trapping her more.
Her body was now flush against his, every part of her body pressing up against his.
She realized just then that there was something large and hard against her upper thigh where Price was pressed up against her, his body holding her off the ground.
Blair stopped moving realizing why he had asked her to stop.
He was panting heavily in her ear, resting his head on her shoulder, his arms resting on either side of her, almost crushing her against the tree.
It was in that moment rain began to fall, slow at first then heavily.
Seconds turned into minutes as they stayed both pinned against the tree, one prisoner the other jailer.
It didn't take long for both to be soaked even below the protection of the trees cover.
"Price." Blair moved her head so she could say this in his ear, his head still tucked in her neck.
He didn't answer.
Blairs impatience made her start to try to break free from the large man again.
She heard Price let out a moan as their wet bodies slid sensually with every movement she made, Blairs breath hitched when his wet thigh slid against her sensitive place, her nipples hardening the cold and stimulation bringing a dangerously sexual spark to the air around them.
Blairs mind became clouded, her better judgement starting to leave her.
The angry part of her told her to stop moving and let Price gain back his composure, but her other more sensual and naughty part of herself just wanted to keep rubbing against his thigh.
The latter part of herself won.
All thoughts left her head as she started to move her hips against his thigh, pleasure shot through her, as her skin began to heat with every roll of her hips.
That was all Price needed before he groaned hungrily, snaking his strong arms around her, gripping her ass with one and the other at the back of her neck.
He kissed her then, it was frenzied and primal, all teeth, tongue and uninhibited.
He ground her ass against his thigh, every grind moving her shapely thigh against his throbbing erection, and every grind moving his thigh against her bundle of nerves.
They were both lost in sensation, both moving frantically against one another, Blair grabbed at his waist, where his shirt was tucked in, she ripped it free and started to explore his wet hot skin with her hands.
She scratched at his back, she bit at his lips drawing blood.
Price moved his head away clouded eyes meeting her own, he licked at the blood she had drawn, he growled then bit at her neck painfully.
Blair let out a cry, sense coming back to her with the pain.
Blair hated pain, she realized with anger that this man had marked her without her consent.
She used the moment of clarity to push him away with all her might, and succeeded.
Price stumbled back, his eyes dazed.
" You bit me!" Blair yelled, the sound slightly muted from the loudness of the rain.
Price shook his head, seeming to slowly come back to his senses.
Price looked at her neck where he had bit her, a red garish mark swelled.
A look of guilt passed across his face before it was taken over with anger.
" I was just returning the favour, wife." He spat the word 'wife' like a cuss word.
Blair placed a hand over the bite mark, her body begun shivering as the heat from their passions ran cold, making the chill from the rain more apparent.
" There's a difference, husband," Blair spat back, "mine was made in pleasure yours was calculated to show what's yours."
Price raised an eyebrow at her remark, then a look of realization passed over his face.
" That wasn't my intention, besides," Price began a blush coming to his cheeks, " I've heard that ladies like being marked.."
" Do i look like I like it right now, Price?" Blair replied chilly.
Her green eyes all but flashing daggers.
Prices own anger started to climb but stopped in its tracks when he saw a tear escape from the corner of Blairs eyes, and her bottom lip trembled.
" Blair, are you crying?" Price sputtered out in disbelief.
Blair went still, then her demeanor changed, she stood tall, fixing her dress and hair.
" Excuse me, your Grace, Grand Duke Blackoak." Blair bowed not making eye contact with Price before walking passed, she felt him grab her arm, she tore it out of his grip.
" Don't touch me!" She screamed, a hysterical sound.
Blair picked up her skirts running towards the mansion.
Price stood in the rain, a look of hurt and confusion as he watched her run, but didn't follow her.
----
" Your Grace!" All three of her ladies in waiting had met her at the door to the manor.
All wearing a similar look of confusion at her disheveled appearance.
" Mind readying a bath for me, loves?" Blair said calmly as her body shivered; a smile, not reaching her eyes, was plastered across her face.
They exchanged looks with one another.
" Of course, your Grace." Anne turned to walk towards Blairs chamber hastily, as Ellie and Trix held her on both sides to escort her.
They had been watching the couple candidly from the door into the garden, unsure of what his Grace had wanted from their mistress.
They had turned away from the scene all blushing heavily when the scene had turned steamy.
They were following the hallway back to their ladies chambers, peaking looks out the windowed corridor into the garden at the romantic scene when Anne had tapped on each of their shoulders.
They followed her gaze out into the garden through the window and saw their mistress running back toward the house, a desperate look to her gait.
They all ran back down the corridor to meet her at the door, and that lead them back to where they were now, leading her towards her chambers.
All three were confused by their normally regal, free spirited mistress with this haunted look to her eyes, but none of them could ask what troubled her so.
When they got back to their mistress' chambers they grabbed at her outfit to undress her.
She put her cold hands on theirs, making them stop.
" I'd like to be alone, please." Blair whispered, her eyes empty of any emotions.
This look was breaking their hearts.
" Of course, your Grace." All three of them turned to leave the room, watching as their lady stood in the center of the room, still.
The door closed quietly behind them.
Anne, Trix and Ellie shared a sad look as they stood at the door.
They heard soft sobbing from behind the door.
Their usual strong mistress was crying.
" What happened to her Grace?" Trixie said with a trembling lip.
Anne and Ellie shared a look, Trixie was the younger of the three.
" It's not our business." Anne said, sadly.
Trix let tears fall from her eyes, her chin trembling uncontrollably.
Ellie pat the top of Trixie's head in comfort.
" We can't help her Grace when it's matters of the heart." Ellie spoke sadly.
" Don't worry Trix, her Grace would always cry before her sickness, remember?"Anne said positively.
The three went silent, all having the same thought that that wasn't the mistress they knew now. She used to cry because she was spoiled, and wanted attention.
Their current mistress would never cry for such minor reasons which is why they were more worried for her.
" His Grace is terrible..." Trix mumbles.
" Shhhh, you can't say such condemning things against his Grace!" Anne whispered.
" You could have your tongue cut out for such things!" Ellie whispered frantically, looking around worried hoping the knight stationed down the hall hadn't heard.
Trixie glared at them, " I don't care, that bastard hurt her Grace, our mistress."
Trixie may have been the youngest but she was still an adult she should know better.
Ellie smacked Trixie angrily on her forehead.
" What was that for?" Trixie said angrily.
" You don't think we feel the same?" Ellie glared at Trixie, tears threatening to spill over in her eyes.
Trixie realized that the two were elegantly holding back their anger, she was the childish one letting her emotions show.
She wiped her tears with her hands.
" Sorry..." She whispered to the two.
Anne and Ellie wrapped Trix in an embrace.
" We forgive you." They said in unison, holding back their tears.
---
Blair stood in her room unbeknownst to her the touching scene going on outside her door.
She had the look of confusion and hurt on Prices face stuck in her mind. She hadn't meant to hurt the man, it wasn't his fault she had some bad flash backs after he bit her.
It wasn't as easy as a bad ex boyfriend, this was a hurt that she had thought she had fought through with the help of her psychiatrist, but she realized childhood trauma could only be fought through and not forgotten. She thought she had forgiven the man that had hurt her so she could move on with her life, there was a reason she had moved away from her loving mom, a part of her blamed her for bringing that man into their home. Protecting her sister from that man while her mom remained ignorant to his wickedness.
She was glad every day that that man was in jail, not from her years of abuse was he captured and tried, but from his negligence in keeping proof of his abuse.
Some sick trophy in the form of pictures and video.
She tried gathering her thoughts, remembering to breathe in between sobs, tamping down the poisonous memories.
Regaining her control, she stripped down walking into the bathroom and sliding her chilled body into the hot water.
She had lost control with Price, and had taken out her anger and hurt on him.
She wondered if she would ever be able to give any man control over her, giving a man those reigns meant giving them her trust, something she had lost in men before she had even reached adolescence.
She tucked those useless thoughts away, trying to think of a way to apologize to Price.
Before she could even think of seeing him, she had to get her control back.
She needed always to be in control, lest she would be tossed back to that time as a child when she had none.