"Sigh."
Blair was at her desk in her study, her usual beautiful posture now showing dejection.
" What should I do to apologize?" she asked, a question not meant for anyone but herself.
Trixie overheard the question and piped in, " You shouldn't have to apologize, your Grace." She huffed out.
Blair realized that Trixie must have misunderstood the situation she had had with Price, it had painted him as the bad guy since she had been crying upon her return.
" Ladies come here please. " Blair spoke to the three women in her study.
Trixie, Anne and Ellie all circled around her, waiting for her to speak.
" Price did nothing wrong, my tears weren't because of him."
Not a lie, it wasn't Price who left a scar deep within her soul.
" He was simply with me at a bad time." Blair continued.
A silence took over the room as her ladies pondered over her words.
The silence was broken by a knock at the door.
Ellie went over to the door, upon opening, it revealed a bowing Sir Brooke.
" Sir Brooke, what do I owe this pleasure?" Blair asked.
" His Grace, the Grand Duke of Blackoak, was wondering if you would join him for breakfast this morning."
Price had been asking for her every meal the last couple of days, not surprising since he must still be quite confused after their rather awful parting under the tree.
" Tell his Grace that I will dine in my study today as well."
Blair said sadly.
Sir Brooke didn't seem surprised by this answer, he bowed once more.
" I shall relay the message." Before he could turn to leave he added a footnote to the conversation.
" His Grace was wondering if you have everything you need for tomorrow's Birthday banquet?"
' Huh?' Blair drew a blank at the question.
Brooke looked at her confused expression,
" Surely, you didn't forget about The Crown Prince's birthday," Brooke smirked, " The one all nobles, and especially his Grace the Grand Duke MUST attend?"
" O-Of course not don't be snide Sir Brooke, how could I forget?" Blair laughed half-heartedly.
She had completely forgotten.
--------
There was a heavy thump, and a splintering sound as Price's fist met the dining room table, wood flew into the air as if in punctuation to his strength.
" Again she refuses to see me?" Price's tone was one of anger and hurt.
It had been three goddamned days since their regretful parting in the rain soaked garden.
Three days of not knowing why she had reacted so angrily to his lustful bite. Three days she'd refused to see him, he had only wanted to apologize (?) to her for losing his control.
Would he have done it over again if he could.
' Yes.' He thought.
Would have lost control again, just to feel her writhe under his touch.
' Without a doubt.' He thought, then sighed aloud.
It was no matter now, they were going to be forced to see each other again tomorrow, they would have all the time during their carriage ride to the capital, a long 4 hour ride to get there, assuring he would have time to make her forgive him for his transgressions against her.
" Does she have everything she needs for tomorrow's party?" Price spoke softly, quelling his anger.
" She assured me, she was fine." Brooke bowed.
Brookes eyes were keen, not missing any of Price's facial expressions.
Price was curious what Brooke saw upon his obvious scrutiny, but said nothing.
" Very well, make sure you prepare a matching outfit appropriate for me as well." Price rose from his untouched plate of food.
Brooke paused at that then replied, " As your Grace commands."
Price walked past an amused Sir Brooke on his way out of the dining room, Knights followed behind him as he walked down the long corridor to his study.
He stopped abruptly to look out the window to the garden, the flora was in full bloom, the sun shining down in beautiful rays as if to mock him, the weather opposite to his dark mood.
He suddenly decided to take a stroll through the garden.
" Leave me." He said to his knights.
They bowed then left him at the entrance to the garden, standing at attention.
He strolled, his long legs took him to the tree where they had been that day.
He put his large gloved hand to the trunk.
It was only three days ago that he had his wife pressed against it, remembered her eyes gleaming from lust, then quickly filling with tears; a look of anger and betrayal was the last he'd seen before she fled.
He sighed, turning to press his back against it, then slid gracefully to the ground, his hand at his temple.
He still kept her promise, he still hadn't touched himself.
It was day four of the seven he had promised to keep from release.
He had seemed to have a permanent cockstand ever since, even now he wished to see her playful eyes on him, glistening with mischief.
She hadn't left her room or her study since they had met here, which meant he hadn't spied on her; hadn't seen even a glimpse of her seductive continence, her swaying hips as she walked the grounds, her throaty laughter echoing through the garden or courtyard.
How had things changed so drastically between them the last couple months, it seemed only yesterday she had been at death's door and he had thought,
" Good riddance."
Now, he couldn't seem to get enough time with her, she seemed to have lit a fire of lust and desire so deep in him he hadn't thought he could ever feel, or want to feel.
His awareness piqued as he felt eyes on him, his instinct wasn't alarmed of danger, instead a shiver shook through his body as if someone was watching him with intense desire.
He looked up to her study window.
He found her standing on the balcony, her green eyes watchful on him, her loose red hair blowing softly about her softly boned face framing it in a red halo, her white plain dress did nothing to hide her figure as it clung to her from the gentle wind.
He blushed softly under her hungry stare, scanning his body with that heated gaze she seemed to always have around him.
He lifted a hand gently to wave at her, moving slowly as if she were some gentle fawn that may spook at the slightest movement.
In response she lifted her small hand, waving, her face changed, he realized, she must have done so unconsciously as she looked at her hand incredulously.
The look of disbelief on her usual calculated facial expressions was enough to make him laugh out loud, the sound echoed through the garden before he covered his mouth in surprise by his reaction.
He looked up at her with a blush on his cheeks.
She looked down at him eyes glinting with surprise then laughed as well, a hand covering her smiling mouth elegantly.
He couldn't help himself, he was transfixed by her, her beaming face was lovely to behold.
She suddenly stopped, he wasn't sure what she saw in his expression but she looked away suddenly, then looked back mouthing words he couldn't hear.
" See you tomorrow."
She nodded gently then went back into her study closing the door behind her.
Prices head fell heavily in his hands, his face felt heated, but then again he had seen a soft blush to her cheeks as well before she had turned and left.
She still desired him, which meant their week-long bet was still on the table, now he just needed her forgiveness, with what had transpired in the short time in the garden, he knew she would forgive him for that one stolen bite.
------
THE NEXT DAY
Price stood at the entrance of his home, a high ceilinged room that opened to meet a long marble twin staircase that separated the stairs at the bottom then joined at the top to a landing at the second floor of his mansion.
He adjusted his shirt collar and black tie, then his wrist cuffs anxiously, he awaited his wife this early morning, the carriage was prepared with gifts for the Crown Princes Birthday and sat outside in the courtyard for their departure.
The outfit he had on was modest for the day's travel his more elegant outfit was saved to be changed into upon their arrival in the capital.
He felt like pacing but knew that would make Brooke raise a brow, and heaven forbid, if Blair were to see him anxiously awaiting her like that he knew she wouldn't let it go. He didn't know why he knew but he just felt like she would thrive from his anxiety.
So he stood still, arms crossed over his broad chest, the sound from the grandfather clock against the wall loudly ticking away the minutes that felt like hours.
He suddenly heard the clicking of heels up the stairs and he tried to calm his heart and seem non-chalant when his eyes moved up to see Blair descending the stairs gracefully.
She also wore a rather modest dress, black cotton that covered all the way up to her neck with subtle embroidery in white over her breasts, and little to no jewelry. The cloth was clinging to her hips and breasts seductively then flared out at the bottom, it was also sleeveless, making her look almost witchy her crimson locks loose, cascading over her bare shoulders.
" Darling, don't you look dashing." Blair said as she joined him at the base of the stairs, eyes twinkling playfully.
Price let out a breath he hadn't known he'd been holding, he bowed taking her hand and kissing it, his lips lingering against her knuckles as he looked up meeting her eyes,
" Lovely." He whispered simply at her knuckles.
Blair jerked slightly at his heated gaze and roughened voice.
' Was that my voice?' Price thought to himself.
She removed her hand from his lips, then cleared her throat looking away,
" Shall we?" Price took her elbow steering them out the door to the carriage.
Sir Brooke, the knights, the maids as well as Blair's Ladies stood in rows on both sides like a parted sea, bowing as the couple left the mansion.
Price helped her into the carriage, appreciating the view of her ass before reluctantly letting go of her hand then joined her inside the carriage.
They both sat facing each other, silence filled the cabin after the door was shut behind them.
The coachman gave a gruff "Hyah" then they were on their way, every groove in the cobblestone path making the carriage rock.
" So, wife." Prices' sapphire gaze locking with her emerald one.
" Did you..sleep well?" Price asked, then instantly wanted to take back the useless question.
It was like bringing up the weather, nothing but words to fill silence.
" Oh yes like the dead, and you?" She returned his question almost mockingly.
" Uh, oh, yes." Price muttered indistinctly.
Price had in fact, not slept well.
He hadn't had a good night's sleep since the little promise he had made.
She must have known as she stifled a laugh behind an elegant hand.
Prices mood darkened momentarily,
" Do you, perhaps, find my suffering, amusing?" Price all but growled.
" Absolutely." Blair said bluntly.
Price was taken aback, yet again, from this woman before him.
She sat with a calmness and certainty, always while saying such embarrassing things, even now her eyes didn't stray from his, an amused turn to her sexpot lips.
Before he could retort she continued.
" I have something I wish to do, in order to forgive you for your... previous indiscretion." Blair said seriously.
Price perked up, then shielded his expression quickly.
" Continue." He waved his hand trying to seem disinterested.
Blair all but scoffed, eyes missing nothing.
" I wish to bite you in return." She stated.
Prices' body wracked with tension, all but vibrating with it.
'Her lips, her teeth, sinking into him.' The thought made his adams apple bob on a dry swallow.
Blair continued, " If you allow me this, I will take a day off the deal we made but there's a catch."
Prices' hands gripped his knees tightly at that statement.
It was day five of the promised date meaning he could have her in a days time if he allowed her this 'catch'.
Price peered at her hungrily before replying,
" What is this catch?" Price's voice was roughened at his reply.
Blair smiled mischievously, feline, a cat playing with it's food.
" I must leave it in a place where people can see it." Blair stated.
Price didn't like the thought of people seeing HER bite on him.
Knowing that his Duchess was as lustful as she was beautiful.
" Why must it be this?" Price asked sounding annoyed.
Blair's eyes turned stark before she replied,
" You tried to mark me," her eyes flared with emotion all amusement gone, " ME, It's only fair I do the same."
Price realized this topic meant more to her then he had realized.
A bite for a bite, an eye for an eye, he did always repay the trespasses against himself so why not her.
' If this is what it took for her to trust him...' He thought simply.
Price nodded, " Very well, do what you must."
Price elegantly loosened his tie, unbuttoning the collar of his shirt, turning his head to the side offering his exposed neck to her.
His eyes not leaving hers he said, " Mark me, wife."
----+
Blair was not expecting Price to agree to her terms so readily,
' Then again..' she thought, ' I did take a day off of our agreement.'
Price's eyes watching her greedily, his exposed neck a sensual offering.
She stopped herself from fanning herself from that heated look, but what a view.
His legs spread wide, one hand at his shirt collar holding it open, the other tightly gripping one knee, she could see his knuckles whitening from his grip.
He had gotten much better at hiding his embarrassed reactions, the only thing that gave him away was the tips of his ears were reddened.
She would nibble him there when she got a chance, those hot ears under her lips, ' Soon' she thought.
She freed he mind of that thought planning to focus on the topic at hand, this beautiful man waiting for her bite.
She moved towards him, one knee going between his legs the other straddling his thigh, she leaned in close to his reddened ear, blowing into it teasingly.
She heard him suck in a breath.
" Here I go." She whispered at his ear.
She bit the side of his neck hard, almost drawing blood.
His carnal reaction surprised her, one of his hands gripped her ass, pulling her towards him as his legs undulated beneath her, hips rolling unconsciously.
Groaning softly as his growing erection made contact against her knee.
She licked her bite then pulled away before he could complain, the warmth from his hand on her ass left her feeling needy.
If the view before had made her all but sigh, this scene before her made her mouth water.
Half lidded blue eyes stared at her, muscled torso rising and falling from panting, disheveled clothes, an erection straining his pants, and lastly her bite mark, red and bright like a badge for all to see.
" Delicious." She couldn't stop herself from saying.
Prices half lidded eyes glittered happily, his mouth curling into that world shattering smile.
Blairs neck heated.
It was that look again, the one she had seen after he had brought her to orgasm on his mouth, that male like pride radiating off him in waves.
Blair didn't know how to feel at that look, it was sinfully delectable but also urked at her own pride.
' Was I always this competitive?' She thought.
Her pride had soared when she saw him looking discheveled, but had dwindled at that look of his.
" Why do you look at me like that?" Blair blurted out, unlike her usual calculated replies.
Price chuckled as he fixed his tie back into place, adjusting himself in his pants with his big elegant hands.
'The one that had just been on her ass.' She couldn't help thinking.
Price touched her bite mark at his neck, hissing in at the painful contact, but his smile didn't waver.
" I feel as if I've taken more than you have taken, " Price grinned wider, " I'll have you on me again in a day and all I needed was this." He motioned to his neck.
Blair almost sputtered at his reply, checking herself quickly replacing her mein with a look of amusement.
"On you, you say?" Blair said simply.
There was a pause between them.
" You've clearly missed the meaning behind my sextters." She said.
Blair already had guessed which one of her sexual letters he had chosen, he knew she'd be on him but didn't realize the extent of her needs for control.
" How could I when I've re read them so many times?" He snapped, looking out the window then, a small blush on his cheeks.
"Oh, have you then?" Blair replied softly.
Their trip continued in silence, as time passed Blair watched as Price began to snooze softly.
She noticed the small dark circles under his eyes, realizing just how sleepless his nights must have been.
She watched him sleep, his light breathing a balm to her ears.
Her eyes began to grow heavy, realizing she must have been more tired then she realized; the lack of sleep from the last couple of days having caught up with her, before she knew it the world was replaced with one of dreams.
----
" Knock! Knock!" Banging awoke Price, realizing he must have drifted to sleep, surprising him.
Years of war campaigns had made him a light sleeper, waking at the tiniest noise, so of course he was startled that it had taken a loud banging on the coach door to awaken him.
" We're at the Imperial Palace your Grace's!" The coachman stated loudly.
" Yes, give us a moment."Price replied, his sleepy mind awakening slowly.
He looked over where Blair was sitting, her head leaned on the back of the coach's seat, large eyes closed, she slept soundly.
' Just how heavily did she sleep?' Price thought.
A mischievous thought came to his mind just then, one worthy of this very woman's own.
He loosened his tie, disheveled his hair, figuring that was enough to look the part he wished to play, he picked her up bridal style then kicked open the carriage door exiting it.
Shocked expressions met their sillouette, a husband carrying his sleeping wife.
It was sure to make some newspapers and Price couldn't wait to see Blair's reaction when he saw her next, he hoped it would bring some retribution for how much she had embarrassed him.