Ciel stood erect in the misted of wandering guest. He wasn't fond of attending parties or socials. They were crowded and noisy. This social was rather small. It mainly consisted of friends and people he briefly knew, the number somewhere around fifty or so people. He was pleased that guests were taken by Katie's magnificent cake. Of course he was confident that Katie would make something mouthwatering and unavoidable, distracting attention from the young earl. Something suddenly caught his eye. A young man with long blonde hair and gray suit slowly made his way through the crowd towards Ciel. As his face came into view, Ciel clenched his teeth together. It could be none other than Lord Williams's butler, Alfred. Ciel glanced over at the stair case praying that Sebastian and Katie would emerge to save him. He had no such luck.
"Good evening, Earl Phantomhive," Alfred addressed him as he approached.
Ciel gave in a concerned smile.
"I am surprised to see you here, Alfred," he stated somewhat playfully. "Is Lord Williams here as well?"
Alfred grinned wickedly and threw his hands up.
"My lord was worried that Miss Katherine would do something drastic, knowing that his request was so heavy for her to bear," he explained wearily. "So when he caught wind of this social, he sent me to keep an eye on her."
Ciel graced the butler with a smile.
"Well I don't know if Miss Katherine will be attending," he said quickly. "Sebastian ran to fetch her a while back. I haven't seen either of them since."
Alfred's eyes glistened in the brightly lit room.
"Well then I shall leave to find them," he grinned and slunk away.
"So Lord Williams is convinced that the situation is dire," Sebastian said quietly. "Thus he decided to send his butler rather than appear himself."
Ciel frowned at his butler who had appeared at his side, accompanied by Katie.
"Just goes to prove that he's too much of a coward to face me in person," he hissed.
Sebastian smiled and gestured to the crowd of guests.
"Would you like to join them, Miss Katherine?" he said gently.
Irritation burned in the young woman's blue eyes and did her best to control her temper. Ciel smirked. It was as if because of the way they continuously fought was a cover up for their actual feelings. Knowing how prideful Katie was, Ciel knew she'd never admit to liking Sebastian even a little bit.
"Oh my goodness," a high pitched chirp made Ciel's stomach churn. "That dress is absolutely adorable on you!"
It was none other than his fiancée, Elizabeth, otherwise known ask Lizzie around the household. Lizzie ran over to Katie, nearly knocking her over. She grabbed the servant's hands and shook them up and down wildly. Katie tried to fake a smile but one could tell she was slowly losing patience with the blonde child.
"I knew you'd look fabulous, Miss Katherine," Lizzie beamed. "I hardly recognized you for a moment."
"T-Thank you, Miss," Katie stammered politely.
Ciel groaned and decided to let Sebastian get on with completing his orders.
"Lizzie, leave Katherine alone," he murmured. "Even though she is not officially working, she still represents the Phantomhive staff."
Lizzie pouted and slid over to Ciel, clinging to his arm.
"I apologize for my behavior," she mumbled.
Katie smiled and gingerly put a hand over her stomach.
"It's alright," she replied.
Her gaze turned to Ciel now, expecting orders now that she had appeared before her master. Ciel waved his hand at Sebastian and Katie.
"Go socialize with the guests," he snapped. "I have no need of you tonight."
Katie curtsied and walked away from the earl. Sebastian smiled gallantly at Ciel as if asking for permission to track his prey. The look made shivers climb up and down Ciel's spine.
"You have your orders," he growled.
Sebastian bowed slightly and disappeared into the crowd in the direction Katie was heading.
"I heard that Lord Williams is anxious for an heir so he's desperately trying to get Miss Katherine to get married and return home," Lizzie said sadly. "Poor Miss Katherine must be torn between staying at the estate and going home."
Ciel stood up taller and gaze across the sea of people, easily spotting Katie in her sea green dress.
"She has worked her for so long already that everyone here is precious to her," he stated thoughtfully. "She's put so much effort into everything she does; her blood practically clings to everything she touches. This place is universally her sanctuary from her previous life."
Lizzie smiled at his side.
"She picked a wonderful place."
Katie moved graciously across the dance floor. It had been years since she had been in a social. When she was younger her father had always made her go with him to them. Back then she was in love with the idea of dancing and meeting new people. But now she avoided such events. Since this social was put on by none other than her lord and master, Katie knew she had no choice but to behave and represent the Phantomhive household properly.
It wasn't long until Katie was completely surrounded by a mob of young men. They would throw questions at her and she did her best to smile and answer their questions. After a while though, she became irritated with the commotion and she bid the group of men farewell. She wandered around the crowd of people, avoiding any and all possible pursuers. A few loud feminine shrieks caught Katie's attention. She soon found the source of the trouble.
The Viscount Druitt.
Being with so many young men must've caught the Viscount's attention. His steps were quick and graceful as he approached Katie. She had met the Viscount Druitt one with Ciel and never wished to meet with him again. As quickly as she could, Katie tried to move deeper into the crowd only to find herself in the outskirts of the party.
"You certainly move quickly, my little kitten," the Viscounts voice sent a chill up her spine.
Katie turned to her opponent.
"Large groups of people displease me," she said flatly.
Druitt's eyebrow raised and he smiled.
"An elegant lady like yourself needs her space," he replied.
Katie smiled as sweetly as she could.
"Thank you, my lord," she said softly. "But alas I need to find some sort of entertainment."
The Viscount drew closer to her, taking her hand quickly in his gloves.
"I'd be happy to give you some, kitten," he cooed.
Katie's irritation was at its peak. She hated men that thought they only existed for the world to admire. They were vain and full of arrogance. For Katie, enough was enough.
"I hate to be rude, Viscount Druitt," she said, pulling her hand back. "But if I spend too much time by your side, people will talk."
Druitt's smile widened.
"I do not mind being thrust together with a beautiful lady," he chortled.
Katie smacked his hand as it ventured to her waist.
"My lord, I am already spoken for," she said innocently. "I cannot allow myself to be distracted."
Druitt caressed her face with his gloved fingers.
"Then shall we pretend that I am your beloved?" he inquired, moving closer.
Katie pulled his hand away gently.
"I do not wish to be caught in an affair," she said quickly, a tad of malice in her voice.
Druitt only continued to smile.
"Then we will not be caught," he promised.
Katie backed away, trying to distance herself away from the Viscount.
"I am not someone to be trifled with," she stated firmly.
Druitt ignored the threat.
"You fierceness is alluring, kitten," he beamed. "I feel as if I do not wish to part with you."
Katie felt cold stone against her back. She glanced up at a towering pillar holding up the ceiling. Her attention turned back to the approaching Viscount. He looked innocent enough but through his illusion. She was stuck in a social situation that could not be easily resolved. Her other alternative was violence but she was representing the Phantomhive household. Violence was out of the question.
"There you are, Mistress," the word sent a chill down her spine, stronger than the one Viscount Druitt gave her earlier.
Alfred's soft, relaxed face would have normally reassured her if she didn't despise her father. It only brought irritation and fear.
"I told you not to wander off," he said respectfully, taking her into his arms. "You're fiancé would be heartbroken to know you were injured."
Katie threw a glance at the Viscount. He was in confusion and couldn't grasp the situation completely.
"It's alright Alfred," she said gently, pulling away from the butler. "Viscount Druitt was accompanying me until I found him."
Alfred turned to the Viscount.
"I thank you from the depths of my heart," he smiled. "Lord Williams will be pleased to know his daughter is still well."
Druitt's noble appearance seemed to be restored.
"It was a pleasure," he cooed. "If she had not been spoken for I would have asked for her hand."
Katie looked away as if embarrassed but in reality she felt sick to her stomach. Alfred took her hand gently.
"Shall we, Milady?" he ventured.
Katie wanted to smack the butler's hand and run into the mist of the crowd but with the Viscount standing near, she simply took the hand. She let Alfred lead her into the sea of men and women. The moment she was out of the Viscount's sight, she pulled her hand away. Alfred's brown eyes narrowed.
"No need to be so cold, Mistress," he hissed.
He grabbed her hand again. Katie glared at the butler and wrenched her hand back.
"What are you doing here, Alfred?" she demanded.
Alfred didn't go back for her hand.
"My lord has instructed me with your protection," he stated. "I'll do just that."
Katie's eyes narrowed.
"But that's not really why you are here," she responded.
Alfred's hand was suddenly behind her neck and his other around her waist. Katie's arms had nowhere to go but being pressed tightly between Alfred's chest and hers. She froze as the butler grinned slyly at her. He rested his forehead against hers and chuckled.
"I keep forgetting that you're so smart, Milady," he said lightly, hiding the darkness of his voice behind a smile. "I must watch my footing more closely."
Katie struggled against Alfred but it was in vain; his strong arms kept her elegantly against him.
"Of course you would figure out my hidden motive, Miss Katherine," he continued. "You of all people should know me the best."
Katie smiled politely.
"I know that you and Father can't leave me alone to save your lives," she threw back at him. "Even if he didn't send you, I knew that you'd come crawling to take me back."
Alfred pulled his prisoner closer, caressing her face towards his.
"You will always be my mistress," he whispered, his voice dropping an octave. "No matter where you go or who you marry. We will always be together."
Katie writhed against her captor as if his touch burned her skin. Alfred wouldn't have it; he held her firmly, keeping her face inches away from his.
"Always, Katherine," he repeated. "You'll always be mine."