Not a real update on this chapter but someone recently mentioned to me that I have to do a disclaimer to avoid any trouble with copyright infringement and the lot. So, here goes, I DO NOT OWN CAT ROYAL, IT'S CHARACTERS, IT'S CONTENTS OR IT'S STORYLINE OR ANYTHING ELSE TO DO WITH IT. CAT ROYAL IS THE SOLE PROPERTY OF JULIA GOLDING AND I DO NOT OWN ANY RIGHTS TO THE STORY WHATSOEVER. :D
I looked up as Syd entered the room, his face like thunder. Billy Sheperd, no doubt, would be the cause of his anger. I sat perched on the sofa in Frank's library. There was a book in my hands but I did not pay it much heed. I'd been too preoccupied waiting for Syd to return.
"I take it your little meeting didn't go so well after all?" I said. Syd looked up suddenly, noticing my presence for the first time.
"Sheperd is refusing to give up his claim on the gem. He says he'll give it up for something… or rather someone else." He said, looking rather defeated. I felt my body involuntarily stiffen. I could already anticipate who Sheperd would have asked for. I asked anyway.
"And who would that someone else be?" I asked, trying not to let my panic show. Syd looked pointedly at me.
"You know damn well who that someone else'd be Cat. 'E wants you." Syd said.
"He wants me to go retrieve the gem, or he wants me in exchange for the gem?" I asked, knowing the answer very well.
"In exchange of course!" Syd's temper flared as he tossed a book on modern literature across the room, scattering some of the loose pages across the library. I tentatively picked up a sheet that had landed at my feet.
"Now, Syd, there's no need to tear up the duke's library. I doubt he'd appreciate that." I said, smoothing out the wrinkled sheet of paper on my lap.
"Bloody 'ell Cat! We've got more important things to worry 'bout! We ain't got time to be thinking of no up and ups library!" He said as he came over to me and looked me in the eye. From where I sat, it was like looking up at a giant. I was short next to him when I stood up, but he'd grown in the last year, and I had to tilt my head at a fair angle to have any way whatsoever of seeing into his eyes. I smiled and placed my hand gently on his cheek, stroking gently.
"It will be fine, Syd. We can negotiate with Sheperd. Clearly he'll know that you won't give me up anytime soon and think of a compromise. Until then, you need to calm down, and pick up that literature book." I said with a smile. Syd gave me one of his adorable half-smiles as he bent down and gently placed a soft kiss upon my lips. The Latin book in my lap was forgotten, falling to the floor as Syd lifted me off the chair and into his arms, deepening the kiss as I wrapped my arms around his muscled neck. I felt him smile against my lips as he gently began to pull away, setting me down on the ground gently.
"I need that gem cat. The only thing more valuable than that gem to me is this gem right here." He said, ruffling my hair affectionately. Syd and I had been openly in love for nearly 5 months and he still continued to treat me as a child. It was probably a fair enough act, considering I had no clue how old I really was. For all I know, I could be less than 15 years old! But most girls my age already had children, and I had been very fortunate. Syd was about to press his lips back to mine when we heard someone clear their throat. I blushed as I recognized Frank's voice.
"Busy are we?" he asked, eyebrow raised. I felt the blush in my cheeks deepen as Frank gave us a stern look.
"I take it the negotiations with Sheperd must have gone very well if you two are celebrating so much." He added. Syd shook his head, suddenly serious.
"That bloody idiot wants Cat in exchange for me mother's gem. Well 'e can't 'ave 'er if she's what 'e's after. I'll make damn sure of that." He said, his voice suddenly hard. I took his great hand in mine, looking up at him and smiling gently. He was just trying to take care of me, I knew, but he needed to calm down.
"Well what do you propose we do?" asked Frank. Syd looked down at me.
"I could see to it that the Butcher's Boys take care of him." He said darkly.
"Oh yes, Syd, waging a gang war is DEFINITELY the way to resolve this issue." I said sarcastically. He grinned cheekily.
"Why not? It would add some excitement to this dull place. We 'aven't 'ad us some fun in a while!" Syd crowed.
"No, Syd, that is not the way to do it." I said. "We must act diplomatically." I insisted.
"Oh yes, it was very diplomatic of you when you came charging into that tavern on a horse, Cat." Frank said. Syd laughed.
"If it weren't for that horse, and this lady, your cousin would have found a way to do away with you Frank!" I argued.
"True. But it's not very ladylike to barge into a tavern dressed like a mad Red Indian on a crazy horse." Frank retorted. I clamped my mouth shut. "But alas, Cat is right. Diplomacy is the way to go." Frank relented. I smiled, proud of myself. It wasn't often that Frank admitted that I was right.
"Alright, so what do I do then?" asked Syd. Frank looked at me.
"What? Why me?" I asked.
"Well it WAS your suggestion!" he said. I bit back a scream of frustration.
"I shall retire to my chambers and give you an answer in the morning. Good Night." I said, before sticking my tongue out at the two of them and storming out of the room.
"Yes, storming out. Very ladylike." Frank remarked. I did not deign to turn around as he and Syd burst into peals of laughter. I would probably just trip on the hem of my gown. I hit the floor with a resounding thud as I did exactly that. Syd was by my side in moments, biting back a chuckle as Frank fell to the ground, laughing hysterically while clutching his sides.
"Are you alright, Cat?" Syd asked. More of a formality than anything else. I looked up at the towering figure kneeling over me. I shook my head.
"Carry me?" I said, looking into his eyes. Syd gave an affectionate smile before lifting me off the ground and carrying me the rest of the way to my chambers. As he laid me down on the bed, he leaned over me and gently placed a soft kiss on my lips. I pulled his head closer to mine, hungry for more as he kissed me again, harder this time, lingering longer. I smiled into his kiss as I ran my fingers through his hair. I tilted my head sideways as he started planting soft kisses along my cheeks and jaw line, before he gently kissed my neck, right below my jawbone. I felt a shiver run down my spine at the contact, encouraging Syd to repeat his actions, trailing a line of soft kisses from my shoulder blades all the way back to my cheeks, sending chills down my spine at the intimacy, the closeness. I turned back to give him easier access to my lips as his soft pair once more pressed against mine. I responded in kind, feeling his arms wrap around my waist as he lifted me closer to him. I sat up as he leaned back, slowly, our lips never breaking contact, before I wrapped my arms around his neck. I pulled away from him and leaned my head against his shoulder as he planted another gentle kiss on my neck, making me shiver with pleasure.
"You should sleep." He whispered in my ear.
"Stay with me?" I asked. He nodded as I lay back down, shuffling over to make space for him next to me. I rested with my head on his chest, using his arm as a pillow as his other hand gently clasped mine.
"Goodnight, Miss Royal." He said.
"Goodnight." I whispered, as sleep claimed me, and I drifted off into a dreamless slumber.