A/N: Thank you to all who reviewed, alerted, and favourited this story, as well as those who are reading it!
Sorry I've been AWOL, but my move was a bit nuts fraught with all sorts of problems and craziness, but I finally have internet up and running and can post this chapter. It's shorter than usual, but it's all I can manage right now.
Oh and did you see the interview with Askars, Kristin Bauer, Nelsan Ellis and Alan Ball at Comic-Con? So cute and funny! There is also a 2 minute long preview of the weeks ahead on TB on HBO. You should definitely watch it if you haven't already. There are some very promising scenes between E&S!
Anyway, here's chapter 7! I hope to get the next one up by Friday. let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: I do not own SVM or True Blood nor am I affiliated with HBO in anyway. SVM and True Blood belong to Charlaine Harris, Alan Ball and the good people at HBO. I am only using these characters for the purpose of this story.
Chapter 7: Are You Flirting With Me?
That evening was a particularly nice one. Hadley came downstairs leaning heavily on her brother-in-law's arm, looking beautiful and frail in a soft cream satin gown ruffed about the neck with Belgian lace. She was seated at the head of the candlelit table, flanked by her son and Sookie. Tara sat beside Hunter in case he should begin to fidget. The marquess not unhappily found himself seated next to Sookie. Hadley looked about the table with content. The only face missing was Remy's, but even that could not dim her pleasure in being able to come downstairs and join her family, she thought.
Hunter was thrilled to sit at dinner downstairs rather than being brought a tray in the nursery. Hoping that this evening would mark the end of his nursery days, he was mindful of both his manners and his deportment. His thick unruly hair was carefully combed and his attire clean and sharply pressed. He fairly glowed when his mother complimented him for his gentlemanly conduct.
Sookie was pleased for the boy and she signaled her approval to him with a conspiratorial wink. She little knew that someone at the table noted her sparkling eyes and soft beauty with admiration. Sookie had chosen a deep lavender gown of silk that brought out the dark shade of her eyes and highlighted her golden skin. The square bodice was low cut across the bosom, to reveal a glimmer of shadow between her well-formed breasts. She wore her shining hair in a plated chignon that set off her slender neck, adorned with a double string of her grandmother's pearls that matched the pearls gleaming in her ears.
Eric's eyes often strayed to the tantalizing glimpse of Sookie's shapely bosom and he was acutely aware of the warm feminine scent of her perfume. He found her vivacious speech pleasing to his ears. Idly, he contemplated her full, plump lips, his thoughts wandering pleasantly from the conversation.
'And Eric, I wish to see you enjoying yourself more as well.'
Eric dragged his attention from Sookie's beauteous bounty and back to the conversation. 'What, Hadley?'
'Oh, Eric! Surely you are not woolgathering tonight over business. Sookie has told me how hard you are working with the estate and though I appreciate it, I do not want you to bury yourself in the study. It cannot be how you planned to entertain yourself at Hardgrove Chase,' said Hadley.
'Hadley, you know me better than that, If I did not enjoy it I should not do it,' said Eric. He intercepted a swift glance from Sookie and wondered at her expression. Surely he had not seen annoyance in her eyes. He looked at her more closely, but she had lowered her lashes and he could no longer read her expression. 'Perhaps Susannah feels that entertainment is scarce at Hardgrove Chase, but I do not,' he said quietly.
Sookie glanced at him, startled. Surely he did not expect her to believe that he wasn't pining away for London and all its attractions. He met her gaze steadily and Sookie was the first to look away. The marquess had shown remarkable concentration in pulling the estate together. According to what she gathered from Jenkins, he rarely sat long over his wine, preferring instead to work into the night.
Perhaps I have done him an injustice, she thought reluctantly.
'This is just my point, Eric! Both you and Sookie are sitting here bored to tears, and I shall believe neither of your claims to the contrary. I know what it is like to spend week upon week with idle time on one's hands. So not another word of protest from either of you. Once it is learned that I am well, I expect to have invitations from about the neighbourhood. Sookie, I insist that you accompany me to whatever functions we are invited to, and as for you, Eric, I expect that we may rely upon you for escort,' said Hadley.
'In short, you insist that we are to be civilly entertained,' said Eric. There was a smile lurking in his eyes.
'Yes, Eric, I do so insist,' said Hadley, laughing at him.
Eric sighed and with a shrug turned to Sookie. 'Our fate is sealed, Susannah. It is of no use to beg off, for our captor is heartless and will no doubt lock us in our rooms and feed us thin gruel until we capitulate.'
His nephew's eyes rounded. 'Really, Uncle Eric? Will Mama really do that?'
That brought laughter from around the table. Still grinning, Eric nodded at his nephew. 'I am sorry to say so, but yes. Your mother can be a very stern lady when she chooses.'
Hadley leaned forward and put an arm about her son's shoulders and hugged him. 'Your naughty uncle is funning again, Hunter. Not that I won't feed him thin gruel if he does not behave himself, mind. Now, poppet, I think it is time for you to go up to bed. Your eyes are nearly closing. Miss Thornton, if you will be so kind as to accompany him?'
Tara nodded her head and rose. Hunter dutifully kissed his mother and went out of the dining room with Tara. Hadley looked after them a moment then turned to Eric.
'There is one detail you may look into for me, Eric. I should like a regular governess or tutor to be engaged for Hunter. It is not right that Tara should be obliged to look after him when she has her own duties to attend to.'
'I can assure you that Tara does not mind it in the least,' said Sookie. 'And between her and Jenkins, as well as myself and Eric, Hunter is far less likely to fall into mischief than before.'
'Yes, I know. You are all marvelous with Hunter. But Tara is also your companion and maid, Sookie, and Jenkins also has a position to maintain. It is not fair to expect such double duty for them,' said Hadley.
'I agree, Hadley. I shall look into it immediately and see if I cannot scrape up a proper bear-leader for Hunter,' said Eric.
'What a thing to say! Bear-leader indeed! Of course, Hunter can be – nevertheless, Eric, I take exception to your term,' said Hadley, half-laughing and half-serious.
The marquess chuckled, his eyes dancing wickedly. 'I bow to a mother's blind eyes, Hadley.'
Hadley had the grace to blush. 'I suppose I do think of Hunter as being more saintly than he is.'
'Hunter is hardly saintly, cousin. I would say he is a normal, spirited, and lovable child,' said Sookie.
Her cousin flashed her a beautific smile. 'Thank you, Sookie,' said Hadley.
'How admirably you have smoothed the maternal feathers,' murmured Eric in Sookie's ear.
Sookie pretended that the warmth of his breath against the tender flesh of her ear did not send tiny shivers dancing up her spine. She rose from the table saying, 'Hadley, why do we not leave his lordship to enjoy his wine?'
Hadley agreed and the ladies shortly made their way into the drawing room. Hadley settled into a deep armchair near the fire with an exhausted sigh. Sookie looked at her with concern.
'Shall I call for Jenkins?'
Hadley shook her head. 'No, no. I am fine, truly. I am only a little fatigued by my first excursion. I shall be better presently.'
'Very well, cousin. If you do not mind it, I shall play a little on the pianoforte,' said Sookie.
'Oh, I should like it above all things. Music is so soothing to the ear after sitting at table, do you not think?' said Hadley.
Sookie sat down at the pianoforte. Playing softly, she soon became engrossed in the music and her thoughts floated with it. Without being conscious of it, she began to sing in a low rich voice, a song which was the favourite of her grandmother. A song of lost-love and broken-hearts, filled with such longing and sorrow.
So lost was she in the music, she was not aware of it when Eric entered the room and paused, his expression registering surprise. Quietly, he crossed the carpet and seated himself behind her to listen. A few moments later Jenkins came in with the tea urn. The marquess silently gestured for him to leave the service on the sideboard. Jenkins did so and departed, softly closing the drawing room door behind him.
Eric listened in awed silence as Sookie's melodious voice washed over him. He watched with pleasure as the candlelight flickered and bathe her magnificent form in gold as her fingers glided over the keys with mastery. He heard the longing in her voice and a longing, unbidden, rose within him. In that moment, he desired above all else to answer her siren's call, to take her in his arms and lose himself within her.
Where have these feelings come from? Eric thought. How have I lost myself so completely to this slip of a girl? Tis madness…
Sookie had played for some time before she chanced to look up at the clock mantel. She was startled to see that it was ten o'clock. She had played uninterrupted for an hour and a half. She was dismayed she had neglected her cousin for so long. Immediately she stopped and turned on the bench.
'Hadley–' She was startled to meet Eric's penetrating gaze.
'You are quite accomplished, Susannah. It has been a long time since I have enjoyed a musical evening half so well. If I were a man free with words, I would say you sing like an angel,' said Eric quietly.
Sookie felt warmth rise in her face. It was disconcerting to realize that he had been listening. 'Thank you, Eric. Hadley–' Her glance went to her cousin and she saw that Hadley was fast asleep in the chair.
'She was asleep when I came in and I did not wish to disturb her. I suspect that your lovely voice acted as a soothing soporific,' said Eric.
Sookie blushed again at his compliment. She wondered why he honoured her so extravagantly when there were probably many musical events that filled the marquess' usual social schedule. 'I knew that Hadley was more exhausted than she let on. She wouldn't allow me to call Jenkins,' said Sookie.
'I do not think Hadley will take any harm from falling asleep in a chair. We will rouse her in a few minutes,' said Eric. He indicated the tea urn. 'Do you care for tea?'
'Yes, I would.' Sookie rose from the pianoforte bench and followed the marquess over to the sideboard. She was surprised when he insisted upon serving her.
Eric gestured to the settee in front of the fireplace. Sookie accepted his invitation and gracefully seated herself. The marquess sat at the other end of the green damask-covered settee and balanced his cup and saucer on crossed knees
'You are a singularly unusual female, Susannah. Have I told you?'
'Not in so many words, no. I believe that you have touched upon my abominable manners and head-strong tendencies,' said Sookie dryly.
'And I swear that every word I uttered was true. You and I are so often at loggerheads that I have been behind in noticing that you are also a lady of wit, talent and great beauty,' said Eric with a charming smile.
Sookie looked at Eric, startled for a brief moment by his praise.
'Thank you, my lord. I am sure that is a high compliment, coming from you. I could almost suspect you of setting up a flirt with me,' said Sookie with a smile. She picked up her cup to put it to her lips.
Eric set aside his tea on an occasional table before moving closer. He leaned back and stretched one arm across the back of the settee. His fingers softly stroked Sookie's shoulder. His gaze dropped briefly to her deep décolletage before he spoke.
'I believe that I am… Sookie.'
Sookie's cup rattled loudly in the saucer. She stared at him, disconcerted. There was an intensity is his ice blue eyes that made her heart begin to race. With a wavering laugh she tried to pass over the moment.
'Once again, my lord, I fear I must correct you for I do not think we are at the point of our acquaintance where you may call me that,' said Sookie with a shaky voice.
Eric seemed to take no notice of her interjection. He moved closer, bringing up his hand to gently touch her silken cheek. 'Ah, but you see, Susannah, I fully intend to remedy that,' Eric said in a seductive tone, moving ever closer, their lips but a few short breaths apart.
For a long moment Sookie was transfixed by his expression, his rough touch upon her cheek, allowing herself for the briefest moment to drown in his eyes. Eric drew closer still and as she felt the bare whisper of his lips upon hers, she gave herself up to the sensation, until a vision of her former fiancée rose before her mind's eye. Abruptly she leaped up, her nervous hands letting go of the cup and saucer. The china shattered across the Oriental carpet.
Eric also stood, reaching out a hand to Sookie. 'Susannah, I –'
'No, Eric, please,' Sookie said, as she backed away further, bumping into the side of the occasional table, causing Eric's cup and saucer to rattle loudly.
The noise awakened Hadley, who roused slowly. 'Oh, I do say, have I been asleep? So rude of me, I am sure.' She blinked at her cousin, who stood motionless with an odd expression on her face. 'Why, Sookie, you have spilled your tea! And your skirt is stained. Why, it is positively ruined!'
Sookie recovered herself. 'It is of no consequence. I am sorry for the cup and saucer, Hadley. I do not know how I came to be so clumsy. Pray excuse me.' She said in a distressed voice, quickly leaving the drawing room, passing Jenkins in the doorway. The butler had heard the sound of breakage and had come in to sweep away the pieces.
Hadley was a bit startled by her cousin's hasty departure and obvious distress. 'What on earth? It was only a bit of china.'
Eric endeavoured to turn her attention. 'Hadley, allow me to escort you upstairs to your room. I am on my way to bed myself. It has been a singularly pleasant evening, but I believe that we are all a little fatigued,' he said, bending over his sister-in-law and offering her the support of his arm. Hadley accepted his aid with a smile.
The marquess chatted companionably to his sister-in-law as they climbed slowly up the stairs and made their way to her door. He handed her into the care of her maid, Amelia, before going on to his own apartments.
As he passed the rooms given over to Sookie, a faint smile crossed his face. I have her, he thought to himself. He had felt it in that brief moment when their lips met. And then she'd bolted. Susannah Stackhouse had bolted like a startled doe. He found that curious. Perhaps she is as affected by me as I am by her? As he entered his rooms, Lord Eric Northman, Marquess of Huntley, was whistling to himself.
Sookie lay with her face pressed against her pillow, willing her tears to subside. After dismissing Tara, she had flung herself on her bed and unleashed a torrent of tears. Eric's startling announcement had thrown her into a state of confused anguish. She was astonished to discover within herself regret that she had rejected his advances, pushed him away when he'd kissed her. Sookie touched her lips and remembered the way his lips felt against hers. How his breath warmed her cheek, his smell enveloped her lungs and the way his wheat-coloured hair shone in the soft candlelight.
But she was also angry with herself. Angry at how easily she could set aside the wariness that her last experience with a gentleman's professed regard had engendered in her.
Sookie thought it best to keep Lord Northman at arm's length. He was a London beau and obviously an accomplished flirt. She could not shake the conviction that he was toying with her.
'I will be damned if I allow myself to be fooled by another William Compton! Eric Northman will not tempt me. I swear it on Gran's grave!' exclaimed Sookie aloud as her tears finally subsided.
R&R! Next chapter: the neighbours, a country dance, and more flirting...