An Unusual Engagement [for Silvery_Lady]

[Brat Prince]

The marriage of the Sterling family's only heir to the only daughter of the Hammersmith family was the talk of much of the town. It wasn't every day that a Lord's son married down after all, for although the Hammersmith's were quite a bit more wealthy due to their business with iron and industry they had no title to speak of and were considered by the gentry to be that most awful of things... new money. Still, money was what the young Lord Sterling's family was sorely in need of -new or otherwise- so betwixt these two families a bargain had been made. The Hammersmith's would be brought into the folds of elite society through the eternal bonds of matrimony, and in return the Sterling fortunes would be replenished and better managed. The truth was far from the romantic ideals that both families were pandering to both public and friends perhaps, but both parties were happy and that was what counted.

Dustin Sterling, the groom, was at the moment very overly happy. At 24 years old he was still a young man; he was reasonably tall at 5'7" with a slim frame well suited to fencing or dancing, with pale blond wavy hair that tumbled just to his shoulders in natural waves that most women envied, and eyes of a startling icy blue. He was handsome in that fine featured and sharp way of the aristocracy, with a wit and tongue the finest critic might envy, and enough charm to talk a leopard out of it's spots.

He was overly happy -as he and his blushing bride finally clambered into their chauffeured car- because the whole affair was finally tied off with a bow and the reception had been a major hit. (He was also perhaps more than slightly tippled by both champagne and some very fine scotch.)
Regardless of the reasons, Dustin was all but giggling as he and Mabel finally sat back and relaxed against the fine leather of the semi-open aired back seat. Putting and arm jovially around her narrow lace covered shoulders the young groom leaned over and stole a swift kiss on her cheek, "What a wedding hmm Mabel darling? Bet you're glad now that we managed it, it'll be the talk of the gentry for a few years to come that's for sure, and you look like a queen." He spoke with real affection in his voice, though perhaps the sort that one might express to a finely coiffed poodle than the love of one's life. It was an arranged courtship and marriage after all, and while the black haired beauty beside him certainly appealed to Dustin, it was not quite yet a great love affair in his mind. More of an appealing duty.

With a flick of his unoccupied wrist he produced a silver pocket watch from his silk waistcoat, blue eyes passing over its jeweled face as his eyebrows arched with mild surprise. "Good lord is that the time? Nearly three am?" He chuckled softly and shook his head as they bounced over cobblestones, headed for his family's summer cottage which they were to have all to themselves before leaving the following afternoon for a honeymoon cruise to Italy. "Not much left of our wedding night I'm afraid; sorry darling. At least we can say we were a smashing success on the dance floor though. I can't feel my feet." Dustin sighed, still smiling, tipping his head back and lounging with his arm still around his bride.

[Silvery_Lady]

Mabel took a seat next to the young man that was now her husband, making sure that the long skirt of her wedding dress didn't get caught in the car door, then she simply stood there, with a little smile on her face, observing Dustin's movements and listening to his words.
She was a thin, beautiful young lady and even if she wasn't born in high society, she had some kind of noble bearing, with her emerald big eyes, thick lashes and her hair, dark as the feathers of a crow.

The bride allowed him to surround her shoulders with his arm and she smiled a little wider at his kiss, but she didn't said anything until the man pulled out the clock.
-Yes, my dear, almost three am.- she confirmed, and there was something odd in her voice, something like a hint of reproach -I've tried to tell you that the hours were passing by, before, at the party. You probably didn't heard me, with all the music.- she added, keeping her voice low and calm.

After that, she turned her face toward him, to look into his eyes, just like if she was seeing him for the very first time, now.
-Oh, don't you worry about that, we'll have plenty of time to spend together. The rest of our lifes, actually.- she told him, before that she gently tapped his hand with her own a couple o ftime, apparently comforting him -Well, when we will arrive, you can ask to one of the maids to fill a basin and you can have a nice hot footbath.- the woman concluded.

Mabel smiled once more, then she relaxed against the leather seat, looking outside the car, while the night was passing over, thinking about many things.
There were a few issues that she felt the need to solve as soon as possible, before starting this new life with her new husband.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

When they finally reached the cottage, the young woman's eyes widened a bit, and she suddenly looked a little more pleased than before; the house was very nice, all the forecourt in front of the building was full of torches and the servants were awaiting them out of the main door.
She could clearly see how the younger maids were trying to suffocate the yawns and she felt sorry for them: they were expected a few hours earlier, but she had to almost drag Dustin away from the party, in the end.

The car eventually stopped, and she turned her face to the valet who came to open her door and to help her getting down, smiling at him.
-Thanks.- she told him, while the tip of her white shoe touched for the first time the ground of her new home, even if was something just temporary, as a married woman; now the game had officially started.

[Brat Prince]

Dustin might have been too jovial to notice his new wife's seemingly stiff manner, or hear the gentle reproach in her soft voice but the comforting tapping of his hand got him to look at her again. His lips were curved in a slightly crooked smile, as though he were trying to contain his mirth but not quite managing it. "Yes you're right of course. I just know that the first night can be, important to some ladies." he said awkwardly. True they had courted and she was now his bride but the whole affair had been just as chaste as could be (he'd never even seen her leg till they did the garter toss), though he did at least have experience from chasing chamber maids as a teen he had no idea what Mabel knew or didn't. Certainly the car wasn't the time to bring it up, might embarrass her. He cursed in his own mind and vaguely wondered if he'd perhaps had too much to drink.

"Regardless darling, if you're content then so am I," Dustin said, recovering quickly. The buildings of the city outskirts and its cobblestoned roads had given way to dirt and rolling open grounds with smatterings of fine old summer homes dotting the landscape. <Nearly there now> he thought to himself, still leaning onto Mabel slightly and barely catching what she had said about a footbath. "Hmm? Oh yes, splendid idea. Assuming I don't fall asleep first of course." He chuckled. His own mind was hardly occupied with their marriage now, rather he was concerned with the wonderful downy four poster in the master bedroom were they would shortly be blissfully asleep. Tomorrow could take care of itself as his father so wisely said.
_____________________________

To Dustin's eyes his family's summer cottage looked quite as he remembered it as the vehicle turned gently onto the flagstone drive with its circular end around a small but beautifully maintained flower garden and fountain. The Sterling family called it 'quaint' though many others might disagree. It was a three story affair -with the walk up attic finished into a gaming room- with large windows and a heavy but still elegant craftsman style. It's most prominent feature on the outside was the covered wrap around porch, now glowing with lanterns as the drive a court had been done up with torches. The household was, naturally, all out on he porch and ranging both sides of the double front doors where the honeyed glow of the candlelight inside gleamed.

Dustin could hardly have cared less about the staff as he swaggered out following his bride, managing not to need any assistance himself. He barely glanced at their valet or driver as he took Mabel's arm in his own with a warm smile that set his eyes glinting. Ruffling a free hand through his pale hair to shake it back off his shoulders he then gestured to the grand cottage. "Welcome home Mabel dear; at least for the next... twelve and a half hours till the ship I believe? Then of course when we get back our real home will be ready but," the young man shook his head as he guided them to the steps and up them. <Rambling again, idiot> he chided himself mentally. "Let's just worry about what's left of tonight." He said smoothly, before halting them at the door with a brief "Permit me my darling, bit of a good luck tradition." Before he swept her off her feet to carry her over the threshold (and to his credit he did not wobble in spite of the world tipping sideways a moment).

He turned with Mabel still in his arms to address the only servant who seemed genuinely amused and not about to doze off; a taller man in his mid forties with a boyish bearing and curly dark brown hair. The majordomo. "Charles, if you'd be an even better sport than you already have and have the girls send up some tea for Mabel and I as well as a hot footbath, then you can all go to bed. I'm sure we'll have a lie in in the morning too so I don't want anyone rushing to get breakfast on alright? It's been a long jubilant night so, make sure you get some sleep to eh?" After Charles had given him a pleasant assurance Dustin tipped his head to him in thanks before setting his wife back upon her feet at last. "Best if I don't try and take both of us upstairs I think." He joked, offering Mabel his arm again. It was the proper thing to do, and he quite liked the feel of her slender limbs around his. (Besides which she would steady him too, funny how having a bed get nearer seemed to make sleep press down on him harder.)

[Silvery_Lady]

Lady Sterling let out a small laugh when her husband lifted her up, she couldn't avoid that, before stepping inside the cottage; it had been something predictable, but still a part of her found it pleasant.
She knew that, before sailing to Italy, she will had to have a long and serious talk with the man about their new life as a couple, now that she had plenty understood what kind of man he was, but a little voice in her head was keeping saying that, after all, maybe their relationship could work...somehow.

The woman let him talk with the butler, smiling at the man and at the whole house staff, before following Dustin upstairs, with her hand on his, walking next to him.
-I agree.- was her only commentary at his last statement, and she didn't add anything else until the finally entered the bedroom.

Mabel took a look around, then she left his arm to walk to the bed, sitting down on it and taking a relieved sigh; it was like if, in less than a second, the perfect, polite and beautiful young girl that had danced with him at the party, suddenly turned into a tired and serious woman, glad to be far away from everyone's sight.

-I'll need help to undress, so i would appreciate if you can call one of the maid for me, Dustin.- she said then -I was planning to ask you to do that, a few hours ago, but now it's pretty late and you seem very tired, so it's better if we just go to sleep.-
Her voice now was a bit colder than before, despite the fact that she had so blatantly admitted that she had planned to have him undressing her...and without a single hint of embarassement.

-I was also hoping to have a little chat with you about some issues, before we leave tomorrow, but i guess that i can wait the morning.- Mabel turned her pretty face toward him now, smiling again, but this time her smile was less childish and more provocative -Tell me something, dear...do you like surprises?- was her final question.

[Brat Prince]

Dustin was not very much in a state of deep thought as he and his new wife made their way up the open front stairs and to the lavish master suite at the back of the home, but he briefly reflected that he dearly liked her laughter. It was so light and girlish; pleasant on the ear, and he felt he would quite enjoy coaxing it out of her again. He would have been very surprised if he could have read the girl's mind, full of serious matters instead of buzzing and pleasantly lightheaded like his own. As she let go of his arm and made her way to the bed the young Lord heaved a sigh of his own and shut the door before stretching until his narrow shoulders cracked.

"So you are as tired as I am." He grinned, looking at her as she allowed herself to relax instead of seeming the prim darling. It was almost like watching a flower wilt, if wilting could be a beautiful thing to see. He began loosening his tie, arching his brows as she asked him to get her a maid to help her undress. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask her if she were shy, before she hinted that he'd apparently lost his opportunity a few hours back. A wounded look crossed his bright blue eyes as he seemed to hold a hand to his heart before chuckling again and fumbling with his waistcoats buttons. "Ouch, punishment for keeping you waiting my darling? I'll have to take care not to do so in the future. I'd still like to help but if you insist..." he trailed off at a soft knock on the door.

He was just about to open it when he caught her tone, looking back with a few stray flaxen curls falling into his eyes. There was no mistaking the mischief in his own curving lips as he smiled back at her. "I like surprises so long as you continue talking in that manner about them my Lady." Dustin said with a purr in his voice before he allowed a couple of maids to enter, one with a steaming basin for his aching feet and another with a tray of hot herbal tea. He thought the one with the basin was slightly less weary looking and quietly asked her to help the Lady Sterling in the dressing room. Meanwhile for himself he took to the large loveseat by the window which opened to a small balcony, baring his feet of both shoes and dress socks to let them soak. Until the maids left he couldn't undress any further himself, just having his waistcoat open was nearly unseemly to him.

Dustin slumped back with a sigh as the hot water went to work on his feet, clearly relieved, and then picked up his cup of tea. "All right then ladies?" He called after several moments, with humor in his tone.

[Silvery_Lady]

She observed him stretching his arms and she couldn't avoid thinking that he was, after all, quite good looking; all her childhood she had dreamed of marrying some handsome man, she had hoped to have a perfect marriage and maybe, just maybe, her dream was a bit closer now.
But the way he was going to react at her "rules", in the morning, was going to make all the difference in the world.

He could be just the husband she had fantasized about or he could be the wrong person, simple as that.
Mabel was wishing for the best but she was ready for the worst; she knew how to act in both cases.

Sat on the bed, the young woman gave him one inquiring glance when he playfully pretended to be hurt by her words, like if he had said something capable to wake up her interest.
-Curious choice of words, my dear...- she told him, in a soft whisper -But yes, we could say that it's a punishment, after all.- Mabel added, her thin smile turning into an amused grin for a second -Open the door for the maids, Dustin.- she concluded right after, when someone knocked.
And, even if she had used the most polite voice tone, it was clearly not a request; it was more like a gentle order.

But she threw him a pleased gaze when he stated that he loved surprises.
-Good. Remember that, because i've got feeling that i will be the biggest surprise of your life, my darling.- she told him, before that the two girls entered the room.
And so, Lady Sterling went to the dressing room with the maid, leaving the man alone for a little while.

A few minutes later, the couple of women returned to the bedroom.
-Everything is perfectly fine, dear.- Mabel answered him, before turning toward the main, smiling at her -Thanks for your help, now go and get some sleep. Tell the butler that you have permission to sleep one hour longer than the others, tomorrow morning.- she concluded, sending away the sleepy girl.

Once alone with her new husband, the woman walked to the table where her cup of tea was awaiting for her and she took it, slowly sipping from it, before heading toward the other window in the room, on the other side of the bed; it was alla planned.
She wanted him to see her, but she also wanted to stay out of his reach, for the moment.

So, Mabel stood there, looking outside and drinking her tea in silence.
She was now wearing a long night gown, white and almost impalpable, the outline of her slender body clearly visible through the fabric.
She was barefoot and, for the first time since they had met, her long and wavy hair was loose on her back, like a shining curtain of black silk.

-Didn't you said that you were really tired, Dustin?- she broke the silence a moment after -Maybe we should go to bed and have some rest. I don't want to make you lose your sleep...-
Her voice was low but provocative; she knew that she had to give him one good reason to want her to stay, after what she was planning to tell him on the next morning.

[Brat Prince]

Dustin, even as tired as he was right now, could not help being insanely curious at his new bride's manner and this surprise she was speaking of. He couldn't begin to guess at just what she was planning but the brief grin that she had flashed him brought a soft flush to his face that had nothing to do with his overindulgence at the reception. The soft command in her tone quite slipped over his head he was so preoccupied, and did as he was told (and was going to do anyway) without taking note of it at all.

When Mabel reentered the bedroom with the young maid who looked half asleep on her feet Dustin smirked at her, waiting for the servant to leave before gently saying, "The 'butler' is actually a majordomo, the head servant of this household. He's got a lot more responsibility and is right under you and I when it comes to running things. Think of him as a second in command." Dustin rose to his feet nimbly enough now that they had been soaked long enough, dispensing with his tie and waistcoat. "If Charles and the staff here please you, Mother and Father have said that we may have them for our house when we return from Italy. It will save us some trouble, and I'm sure they'd rather work in a functioning household than a summer retreat anyway."

His frosty looking blue eyes did indeed follow her as he spoke, dropping his own garments onto an ottoman for one of the servants to take care of later since they couldn't be put down into the laundry chute. It wasn't escaping him that she was purposefully staying out of arms reach, but he found that looking at her silhouetted against the window in her translucent gown with those thick ebony waves falling down her back from across the room was strangely more arousing than one might have thought. While her back was to him he lowered his trousers braces to remove the starched dress shirt before letting them fall to his own bare feet, the slightly cool air of the room washing over his bare skin before he slipped his own pajama bottoms on.

Dustin smiled when Mabel spoke again, her voice warm and somewhat teasing, creeping up behind her on the plush carpeting to hug her about the middle from behind. He skillfully removed both cup and saucer from her hands as he tucked his chin over one of her dainty shoulders, kissing the side of her neck gently but playfully. "I think I may have gotten a second wind my darling, and besides," the young man said setting the cup aside so he could turn her in his arms and embrace her properly, "Any sleep lost with you would be a dream."

[Silvery_Lady]

Mabel simply gave him one little smile at his explanation about the servants, nodding.
-Why not, i'm sure that they are great workers and that they are lovely, but i won't be really able to judge until tomorrow morning, when i'll see them awake.- she told to her new husband, before focusing on her herbal tea.

Apparently, she then totally ignored him while he was getting undressed, before putting on his pajama bottom, like if she had no interest whatsoever in seeing him naked; that wasn't true, not even a bit, but she knew that they would have all the time in the world to discover their bodies...there was no rush.

So, the young woman stood there, slowly sipping her hot beverage, until she heard his footsteps getting closer; at that point she lowered the mug a bit, allowing him to grab it, once he had hugged her from behind.
Mabel took hald a step back at that point, slightly pressing her body against his and when Dustin tried to make her change her position, she turned to face him with a graceful spin, her cheeky grin once more on her beautiful face.

-So, did i've just married a poet? Or simply a romantic man?- she mocked him a little, in a cheerful way, about his last statement, while lifting her tiny hands to put them on his naked chest.

Then, she bent over her head a bit, enough to reach the skin at the bottom of his neck, laying down a sweet kiss right there, then another one, then a third...and then, suddenly, she softly bit him on that same spot, before looking up at him, batting her thick eyelashes on her big eyes.

-...i can play the shy and clumsy girl's role, if you prefer.- she whispered, smiling again.

[Brat Prince]

Holding his new bride in his bare arms, gently crushing her sweet soft body against his own and smelling her sweet clear scent, Dustin knew a kind of contentment he hadn't wholly expected. Arranged marriages could be so cold after all; even to kind and caring girls like Mabel, and yet here he was standing with her so close and feeling so very warm. Her teasing made him chuckle even as her small doll-like hands roamed over his chest and his own slipped down to cup her waist.

"You simply bring out the best in me. Or at least make me want to try to be my best." He told her rather honestly, inhaling sharply at her little kisses and then letting out a surprised 'Ah!' as she bit him. He looked down at her wide-eyed at first, his hands nearly leaving her hips and seeming to be on the verge of shifting back... before grasping her more firmly at the small of her back with one hand and burying the other in her glorious mane. "I would never ask you to be anyone other than who you are." Dustin said with a purr, before leaning down to her...

💛💛💛💛💛💛💛

Late the following morning Dustin awoke somewhat groggily, laying amid a tumble of sheets and blanketing and scattered pillows and wondering why his arm was asleep. The reason was clear as soon as he turned his head, seeing Mabel's raven head pillowed on the limb in question, sleeping tucked up beside him like a little kitten. The sight made the young man smile while very pleasant memories drifted back into his mind of the night before. They'd certainly made quite a mess of the bed before finally tumbling down upon it for some actual sleep, and both of them had their hair fanned out around them.

Wanting to linger and watch her awhile longer as she slept Dustin turned to see the time and softly cursed at the lateness; it was nearing noon. After carefully extricating his arm from beneath his bride's head he slipped to his feet and shook out his blond wavy tresses before sneaking on bare feet towards the bath and dressing area. He didn't bother with his pajamas since he wasn't sure exactly where they had been thrown during their... activities. He just wanted to run a fast shower before waking Mabel and getting her started as well so they could make their ship. Thank heaven they had already had their things packed days in advance, missing your own honeymoon would be very embarrassing.

Dustin sighed and stepped into the large shower before pulling the curtain behind him and starting the water up, as hot as he could stand it at first and then cooler to wake up more, lathering a bar of soap while the sound of falling water filled his ears.

[Silvery_Lady]

Mabel showed her wider and warmer smile to her new husband, looking up toward him and nodding her approval at his latest statement, with a spark of cheekiness in her eyes.
-Remember these words, my dear...- she whispered -Remember them very well, they will make all the difference in the world, after tonight.- the young woman concluded, before allowing him to lead her to the bed.

Apparently, the game had started.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The next morning, the woman woke up when she heard the door of the dressing room closing after Dustin, and she rolled on her back, staring at the drapery of the canopy bed, letting out a sigh.

She was feeling happy and quite peacefull, but she knew that she will have to talk with the man about her true nature before leaving; it was something that she couldn't avoid and she also felt almost forced to be sincere with him, after the glorious night they had spent together.
Besides, she was aware that something like that could not be kept as a secret.

Still, Mabel was wishing that, since she had already proved him that she liked to take control under the sheets, maybe he could accept to embrace her life style a bit more easily, even if she knew that the whole process was going to require a long time.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Once the man went back to the bedroom, his wife was graciously sitting in front of the dressing table, slowly brushing her hair, her body hidden under her white night gown again.
She needed him to focus during the conversation that was about to start, so she had decided to cover up any possible "distraction".

Mabel smiled, turning her head to look at him.
-Good morning, darling.- she said, cheerfully -I hope that you've rested well, i slept like a baby.- she added, before finally putting down the ivory hairbrush -...can we have a word, before moving on with the day? Like i told you yesterday, there is something that i need to tell you. Remember the surprise?-

The young lady gave him one serious glance, at this point, while she was starting to look for the right words in her mind; she had to make him understand since the very start, to avoid troubles later.
-Sit down on the bed, Dustin, please.- her voice sounded again -Since we don't have to pack, we have all the time that we need, to reach the docks in time. And i really, really need to have this conversation with you before we leave.-