Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters involved in this story. I am simply playing. Blue Eyed Beast is set in Victorian England. I will do my best keep the personalities as close to original as possible, this is only an AU. Eric is very much a vampire and Sookie still has her gifts. Also, special thanks my awesome Beta HopeStreet! Thank You!

Sookie peered out the window of the brisk moving carriage. What a Christmas it had been. She expected a new pair of gloves and perhaps some French perfumes. She had not expected an engagement ring. It was not a Christmas gift, simply a token she had acquired over the holiday. Eric Northman was to be her future husband. He had left the night prior to their return to London. Sookie tried to banish any insecurity she had, scolding herself for thinking it was at all possible that she was the reason why he left early. Nevertheless, the night before his departure, Christmas, was scorched into her mind. Heat rose to her cheeks as she reflected back on that night.

Seeing Eric casually saunter downstairs had been a welcoming sight. Although she still felt discomfort around him, it was nothing compared to the painful scrutinizing thoughts of the women around her. His absences during the day had fallen on harsh judgment, especially from their female guests. According to her brother, Eric had been known to stay up to all hours, working steadily through the night. She had not realized how accustomed she had grown to the late hours Eric kept as she spent time with him those evenings. Her brother had remained the chaperon during the weekend, busying himself with books and papers as he sat in a corner. Receiving a letter Saturday, she had read that Amelia wished to spend the holiday with her father. Having lost her parents so young, Sookie could hardly deny Amelia her wish. She could hardly wait to see her companion again. She needed her now more than ever.

Dinner had come and gone quickly. She was happy to see Eric eating more. Everything was going well until Eric and her brother stopped in the hallway en route to the music room. Eric wanted to meet with her momentarily. He needed to tend to a matter he had neglected in Jason's study and then requested she speak with him in private. The meeting was to be upstairs in a small sitting room, far from guests and possible scandal. She was not pleased with the idea one bit. Not only did the thought of being alone with Eric make her hair stand on end, but it would be extremely harmful to her reputation if they were caught. She agreed, or rather, her brother assented for her after Eric assured both of them no harm would come to her.

After Eric exited down the hall, Sookie and Jason took in a few minutes of music being played by a popular London pianist who had been staying in Hampshire for the holiday. Feeling antsy, Sookie left her brother to meet Eric. It had been nearly ten minutes; he should be upstairs waiting. Her plan was to speak briefly with him and return to the group of guests. By order of her brother, a footman would escort her from the music room to the upstairs sitting room. As Sookie followed behind the man, her eyes gazed out the windows looking onto the white frosted greenery. A moving shadow caught her eye, and she slowed her steps. She stopped when a breeze whipped to reveal a golden lock of the being outside.

"Stop," she ordered the footman, as she walked to a set of French doors. They led out to one of the many terraces attached to the estate. "There is someone out there."

The footman stopped her. "Miss, you cannot go out there. Perhaps it is a couple wanting a bit of privacy?"

Sookie frowned and opened the door. They looked at each other when she heard the distinct sound of choking. The footman followed closely behind Sookie. She lifted her skirts and quickly hurried over the small patches of snow. As she descended the short staircase of the terrace, Eric came into full view.

He was leaning against the house. His whole body spun to face her as she spoke. Sookie noticed some matter behind him that could only be one thing. Eric had been sick. Stricken with worry, she quickly removed her glove and closed the gap between them. If he had a fever, she would call for a doctor immediately. The sudden concern for Eric's wellbeing bothered her to a degree. Why did she care for a man who would most likely be a selfish and unloving husband?

Sookie's thought was silenced when Eric snatched her naked wrist in his hand. She gasped at his abrupt movement. After convincing her that he had simply eaten something that had made him temporarily ill, they went back inside. Using discretion, Eric led her to the upstairs sitting room. A tea tray had been placed on a nearby settee that sat before a small fireplace. She assumed Eric had requested it, as well having a fire lit.

As Eric poured her a cup of tea, Sookie busied herself with replacing her glove. Sookie's brows came together as she realized that her gloves were one of the many items of clothing she owned that required an extra pair of hands. Eric set down his cup and saucer and aided her in fastening the tiny buttons above her right elbow. As he gingerly handled her slender limb, she focused her attention on his calm face. He had just called her Sookie. He must have overheard Jason call her that. It was odd to her that he would use such a private name when speaking to her. They had spent much of the weekend together, but she hardly thought he would be so comfortable to use a nickname. After he explained his discovery of her name, he asked if he could call her Sookie as well. For some unknown reason, Sookie felt her lips pull into a small smile. Much to her surprise, she wanted him to call her by her less formal name. Addressing her as Sookie seemed to ease some of the underlying tension surrounding the two of them.

Sookie's eyes had wandered a bit while she was lost in thought; the room had been silent for a moment. When her eyes focused back on Eric, he was staring at her intently. Any ease she had just felt was diminished. She cleared her throat and addressed him, inquiring of the purpose of his request to speak with her.

Without stopping, Eric retrieved a tiny satin box from his coat pocket. He quickly and gently removed the glove from her left hand. 'Oh, dear God!' she thought as he plucked the sparkling gold band and slipped it on her finger. "It fits," he said, sounding pleased with himself.

Sookie's eyes remained focused on one of the most beautiful pieces of jewelry she had ever received. She should have been overjoyed at Eric's thoughtfulness, but in that moment the ring only signified one thing, defeat. Before this moment, everything regarding her engagement to Eric had been words. As the diamonds sparkled on her finger, it made everything real. "Do you like it?" she heard.

"It's lovely," she muttered.

Her own self-pity shattered when her face drew up to Eric's emotionless face. She realized she had hurt him as he spoke to her in a slightly thwarted tone. Franticly, she thought of something to say to aid his mood. She smiled at him brightly, complimenting her ring and suggesting plans for after their return to London. She was pleased to see that her efforts had aided his mood. Almost as soon as his pleased grin transformed into a sweeter smile, it was gone. Anxiety began to course through Sookie's nerves, and he slid an arm behind her and leaned in closer to her. The way he was staring down at her gave him the resemblance of a hungry wolf. How angry was he that she had not thanked him, even when she tried to repair her negligence, he did not believe her? She did not understand.

"I am sorry, but I'm afraid I don't know what else to say." Her heart was hammering in her chest as she fought to keep her body from trembling. He slid even closer to her as his cool finger and breath danced over her mouth.

"Who said that I wanted you to say anything?"

Not a second later, his mouth was on hers, muffling her cry of surprise. As his strong cool mouth moved expertly over hers, everything registered. For the first time, a man was kissing her, not because of platonic or family affection, but because he wanted her. She felt tiny as she melted into his strong muscular embrace. An unfamiliar ache began to build from deep inside of her. Her fingers bit into his soft wool coat as Eric deepened the kiss. Her inner ache heated as she felt the cool intrusion of his skillful tongue. His tongue moved deliciously along hers, shamelessly she reciprocated his movement. Up to this point in her life, it was the single most erotic act she had ever taken part in. Needing air, she broke from his mouth, flushed and gasping for air. She rested her head against his solid chest and asked if the way she had just been kissed was normal. It could not have been, as far as her knowledge went. She knew kisses were not supposed to cause your insides to ache with need.

He slid one hand up from her back and angled her mouth back to his. She gazed into his hot blue eyes as he asked if she enjoyed being kissed in such a way. A new flush rose to her cheeks, and his mouth took over hers before she could form a response.

They never made it back to the other guests that night. After a countless number of kisses and pointless conversation, Eric delivered Sookie to her room. Her lips were swollen slightly as she wished him a good night and closed the door behind her. With the exception of ravaging her mouth, Eric had been a perfect gentleman. She had a feeling he wanted more. For heaven's sake, what would their wedding night be like? The very thought of it made her dizzy.

***

The carriage jostled over a rough patch of road, and Jason was roused. He raked his fingers through his heavy blond locks and settled his head in his hand with an irritable groan at the offensive light coming from Sookie's side of the cab.

"Good afternoon, Jason! Only a few more minutes, and we should be home."

He glowered at her bright smile. "For heaven's sake, woman, cover the blasted window!"

Sookie could not help but smile at his self induced pain, served him right for drinking so much the night before. Ignoring his demand, she looked back out the window. She would not be going back to school now that she was engaged to Eric. Her heart jumped at the thought of him. Jason had said he would be over tonight to review the new accounts they had taken on during holiday. Her nerves settled as she looked over to her pickled brother.

"I would not fall asleep again if I were you. Remember Eric is meeting with you in only a few short hours." She played casually with the ends of the ribbon from her bonnet. "I cannot have my future husband thinking my brother a drunkard."

Jason rolled away from his sister's smooth face, groaning as he begged her to shut out the light. Just as Sookie was about to show him pity, they turned down their street. Amelia was to be home now. She could hardly wait for the carriage to stop, and let her out. As Jason's London home came into view, she tapped her brother's knee. "Wake up, silly, we're home."

Jason lazily sat up as the carriage slowed to a stop. Quickly, familiar faces emerged from the home, one face in particular Sookie was elated to see. "Amelia!" After the footman assisted Sookie to the walkway, she hurried up the steps to meet the warm embrace of her friend and governess. Sookie's eyes misted a little, realizing how much she had missed her.

Amelia held her for a moment before righting her. Sookie was not offended. Although Amelia was her friend, she was also her governess, someone who instructed unruly –or in Sookie's case, American– girls to become ladies. "It is so good to see you again; you must tell me everything about your stay in Hampshire." Amelia escorted her inside and led her upstairs to her room. "And I do mean everything."

The emphasis on the last word piqued Sookie's curiosity. She took a glance into Amelia's mind. Apparently, everyone had caught wind of the engagement between the crazy American girl and the devilish rake who was her brother's business partner.

"Amelia, Mr. Northman is a respectable man." She felt Amelia's hand take hers and bring it to her face. Her eyes widened at the sparkling bauble on her left hand. "Devilish, he most definitely is, but I would rather be aware of who he is now than find out after we marry."

Amelia paused at the doorway of Sookie's room. Her eyes narrowed, "You seem a little too calm about all of this. Americans, pardon me for saying this, think of arranged marriages as to being a bit passé. I have a difficult time accepting that you are content with this agreement."

Sookie's cool front melted slightly as she removed her coat and gloves. She slumped on the edge of her bed, not able to look at Amelia as she toyed with a wrinkle of her travel-rumpled gown. "It is not like I have another option. I have considered life as a spinster or governess, but I have come to the conclusion that even if Eric was a scoundrel, it would be better than being alone forever."

Amelia took a seat next to Sookie. Silently, she loosened the ribbon of her bonnet and slipped it off her sandy crown. As a fresh tear rolled down Sookie's cheek, Amelia scooted closer and used the edge of her sleeve the blot her tear. "My friend, you will never be alone, arranged or not. If this man doesn't fall in love with you, he is a fool." Sookie could not help but smile at her friend.

Amelia smiled back, appearing slightly girlish. "Now, you must tell me, is he as handsome as they all say?"

Sookie giggled, happy Amelia could find light in the subject. "Wickedly so, as if the devil himself had blond locks and blue eyes."

"Oh my," Amelia bit her lip smiling. "Perhaps we should increase our church attendance? For your sake, of course."

"You shall meet him tonight if you wish."

"He calls tonight?"

"Yes, to meet with my brother."

"Did he not just see…Oh, never mind."

Sookie watched as Amelia hopped off the bed and rang for a maid.

"What are you doing, Amelia?"

"Ringing for tea and a bath. You cannot possibly be seen by him in your current condition, poor man might ask for his ring back."

"Amelia!"

********AN: EPOV Snippet

Dearest Lord,

I hope this letter finds you well. My stay in Scotland has come to an end. Jeremiah is aging, and I no longer wish for his company. With your permission, I wish to return to London for a fortnight and then continue on to France. The years we have been apart have been adventurous, but if you will have me, I would very much wish to see you again.

Fondly Yours,

Pamela Ravencroft.

My Pamela,

Your consideration is greatly appreciated. My child, you are always welcome to rejoin me, wherever I may be. You will leave Scotland and join me in London without delay. I look forward to seeing how my child has managed her first hundred years. Now that you have made your desire known, do not keep me waiting. There is someone I wish for you to meet.

Din fader,

E