A/N: So we have jumped ahead two weeks just to make the time line more believable. Here is the link to the album with pictures of her dresses and jewelry. Just take out enter real dots.

/biteme84

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters they are the genius of Charlaine Harris and I play with them.

Chapter 12

Sookie POV

The next two weeks seemed to fly by. Eric and I had been taking daily strolls in the park and dancing every dance we could at the balls we attended. We had continued our physical relationship but it hadn't advanced at all which was making me very anxious. I wanted more. My body needed more. What he did with his hands was amazing but I needed something more.

Compounding that problem was the fact we hardly had any time alone. Only a few stolen moments here and there. I could tell it was taking its toll on Eric as well. We needed to do something quick so one of us didn't jump the other in a ballroom full of people. The only two pluses had been that all contact with Bill had ended and he had taken off for the country according to his friends and that Arlene had been sick with a fever and had no contact with Eric yet.

That would all change tonight. Eric was coming over for dinner and then she would ride in his carriage to the ball. Her parents would follow them. Eric would stick around for the first three dances, enough dances to send the ton a message. That message being he was going to propose to Sookie. Then he would take his leave. About half an hour later I will develop a headache and head home. Eric would meet me there soon after and we would spend some quality time alone together.

The next afternoon Eric was taking me to see his Ducal estate and we would be spending one night under the chaperonage of Amelia and Godric. I couldn't wait to see his estate. One day it would be our home, where we would have kids and be a family. I would marry him today if he asked. I wasn't expecting him to stop by until the evening, until I heard his voice in the morning room speaking with Amelia. I walked into the room and they both quit talking at one time. That was peculiar.

"Sookie, I stopped by to let Amelia know the last minute details of tomorrow's trip and to see you for a moment. I have to leave in about ten minutes but I couldn't go all day without seeing you," he said as he backed me into the corner.

I noticed Amelia had left the room and shut the door almost all the way, basically telling us to have fun.

"Eric I need you," I begged as I pulled his head to mine and ground my abdomen into his erection.

"Soon, Little One, Soon", he replied.

That was always his reply. Soon. Not bloody soon enough. Then he attached my mouth and his hand attached themselves to their favorite places. One attached itself to a breast and the other to my butt pulling me into himself. I lifted my legs and wrapped them around his waist grinding into him. I pulled his shirt out of his pants and rubbed my hands on his up and down his chest.

All too soon he pulled his face away and I lowered myself to the ground. He fixed his clothes and kissed me on the forehead.

"I have to go but I will see you for dinner and then after the ball we get some alone time."

Just the two words alone time made my stomach do flip flops.

Eric POV

I had stopped by Sookie's to talk to Amelia about tomorrow.

"So you and Godric will get the picnic set up by lake, under the shade trees, while I introduce Sookie to the staff? You will get the food, blankets, everything set up right? I will have everything else I need with me. Then you and Godric just need to make sure none of the staff come looking for me."

"We have it under control, Northman. Don't worry about it. Just worry about making through dinner with Arlene tonight," Amelia stated.

Just then I saw Sookie walk into the room. God she was beautiful. Everything I had ever wanted, yet something more. Amelia left us as I stalked toward Sookie and backed her into the corner, kissing her. Before I knew it we were attacking each other and her legs were wrapped around my waist. Bloody business meetings. I could have stayed like this all afternoon. Well not just like this but with her.

As I left her house I began to worry about tonight. Hopefully Arlene would become ill again and it would be the three of us at dinner. Wishful thinking. After tonight there would be no question about the relationship between Sookie and myself. Once I claimed the third dance in one night and she declined all other dances but those with Niall no one would wonder.

Then I just had to ask her to marry me and she just had to say yes.

Sookie POV

I took a nap because I was hopeful that it would be a long, late night and when Amelia woke me she had a bath drawn with honeysuckle oil in the water to scent my skin. After I stayed in the bath until my fingers and toes had pruned, I got out and the primping started.

This is one of the best things about Amelia. She does not do my hair the way that society deemed acceptable but in the way I liked it. She used the hot iron to make curls and pulled the left side towards the right so it was flat against my head and curls cascaded down my right shoulder.

Then she helped me dress into my dress for the ball tonight. It was not of current style but a Grecian style gown that had one strap and draped across my body beautifully. It was red which was Eric's favorite color.

There was a knock at the door and I went to answer it. I was surprised to see my father at the door and invited him into my room. He sat down with me on the bed and took a black velvet pouch out of his pocket.

"When you came back for your first season your mother knew she was ill. She had a couple things she wanted you to have when the time was right. Since your duke is coming for dinner tonight, I am guessing the time is drawing near."

My eyes teared up at the mention of my real mother. The woman who taught me to be the woman I am. He opened the drawstring bag and first pulled out a necklace. It was a three strand pearl necklace with a heavy silver clasp. Niall motioned for me to turn and I did and he placed it upon my neck and closed the clasp.

When I turned around he already had a five strand pearl bracelet out with a similar clasp and he put it on my wrist. He kept a hold of my right hand and placed a pearl ring on it. It was a large pearl, surrounded by small diamonds. It was beautiful. I thought he was done and went to give him a hug, but he stopped me and placed a set of pearl earrings in my hand.

He stood up and I rose from the bed. He encircled me in a big hug and looked up at me.

"You look so much like her. So beautiful. Like sunshine in the dark. She wanted you to have these. Put the earrings in and come down. It is close to dinner time."

With that he walked out of my room and I went to put the earrings in. They were beautiful. Several baguette cut diamonds at the top and a large pearl underneath. When I looked into the mirror the woman staring back at me was simply stunning. It was me but I was glowing. I imagine that was partly because I was in love with Eric. I hadn't told him yet but I planned on doing it tonight.

I took a deep breath and prepared myself for dinner with Arlene. Please don't let her ruin this too.

Eric POV

I was sitting in the sitting room with Niall waiting for the ladies and dinner to be announced. Since I had him alone I figured I would get it out of the way.

"Niall as you know Sookie and I have become quite close in the last two weeks, and I believe I am in love with her. I wanted to propose to her tomorrow at my estate and wanted to ask for your blessing." I said, hoping I sounded as sincere as I felt.

He smiled at me, "I knew you had it in you, young man. Of course you have my blessing as long as she says yes I am more than happy with your match. In fact I pulled this from my safe earlier because I was almost sure you would ask me tonight for my blessing. It is Adele's ring. Is it your wish to give her this or to pick your own?"

He handed me a box and I didn't even look at it right away, I knew it was important to both Sookie and him.

"Niall I would be honored to use this ring and am beyond pleased you trust me with it. The ring is for her and I know it would mean the world to her to have this ring."

I opened the box to look at the ring and it was beautiful. There was a large round diamond in the center. It was flanked by small square cut emeralds that encircled the diamond. The band had round cut diamonds that got smaller in size the further they got from the center of the ring. There were also more diamonds in a design around the outside of the ring. Words couldn't do it justice. It was truly a beautiful ring and it screamed Sookie.

"Niall it is perfect for Sookie. I couldn't have designed a better ring for her."

I took the ring box and walked outside quickly and passed it off to Godric for safe keeping. He smiled and nodded.

I returned into the sitting room and Niall and I were making small talk and I heard footsteps in the hallway and I just knew it was my Sookie.

She walked into the room the very picture of a Greek goddess. She was in red with beautiful pearls adorning her neck, wrist, ears and finger. I made a note to shower her with jewels. They made her glow even more than she normally did.

I walked to her and couldn't help but take her into my arms and I gave her a hug and inhaled her scent. She smelled like flowers. Always so beautiful. I released her and she smiled at me.

"You look absolutely amazing," I told her as we sat and waited for dinner to be announced, or Arlene to show up.

Suddenly the butler appeared and announced that dinner was ready. The three of us walked into the dining room and I helped Sookie into her seat and pushed her chair in and sat in the chair beside her. So far dinner was going well and then I heard the sound of another pair of shoes on the floor.

Arlene walked into the dining room, barely sparing anyone a glance, and slid into a chair. She poured herself the largest glass of wine I had ever seen and gulped it in one drink. Fabulous.

"Well, Eric you seemed to have age well," she said as her first words in the room.

"I do not believe I have given you leave to use my name in such a casual manner. You may refer to me as Your Grace or Northman, but nothing more familiar."

Sookie POV

It had felt so wonderful to be in his arms when I walked into the sitting room. When we made it into the dining room with no sign of Arlene I was praying we were in the clear, until I heard her shoes coming down the hall.

I could not believe she called him Eric. Firstly, it was impertinent because he was a duke and secondly he was mine. I was going to retort something back but Eric firmly put her in her place. He could put Arlene and Amelia both in their places. He was a bloody genius.

I put a hand on his thigh under the table and squeezed to let him know I approved and a small smile graced his lips.

"Eric, didn't you say that you had matters to attend to tonight and wouldn't be able to stay the whole ball?" I asked, using his name just to irritate Arlene.

"You are right, Little One. I have to finish a few business matters before we go to my ducal estate tomorrow. I received a missive today from the butler letting me know that four rooms had been prepared and are waiting for us."

Arlene couldn't just keep her mouth shut and had to jump in, "Niall, I do not believe our daughter she be going over night with this man. They are both unmarried and will be unsupervised for an entire night."

With that Niall seemed to snap, throwing his napkin down onto the table and standing up.

"Arlene everyone in this bloody room knows she isn't your daughter and we all bloody know why as well. They will be chaperoned by his butler and her ladies maid. Plus I trust her alone with him a lot bloody more than I trust you with him. You have already made one pass at him. She is going tomorrow and that is my final decision. I also desire a nice dinner so you will take the rest of yours in your rooms and the rest of us will have a nice dinner."

I looked at Eric and raised my eyebrows at him. The butler removed Arlene's place setting and pulled her chair out. I believe she made the loudest exit possible and then dinner was served.

When the butler returned Niall told him to cut Arlene's supply of wine off so she would be sober at the start of the ball and the rest of dinner passed in an amiable way. Conversation flowing freely and evenly.

After dinner Eric helped me into my wrap, Niall told us to go on ahead and Arlene and him would be along shortly.

Eric helped me up into the carriage, letting the footman know his services were not needed. Sometimes I like it when he got a little possessive. It made me want him. Well, want him more than I already did.

Eric POV

God I loved my little vixen. After I dressed Arlene down for using my first name, Sookie promptly used it. Then Niall gave her quite the what for. After that dinner was nice and Niall sent us along ahead of them to the ball.

One of my newer footman looked at Sookie's breasts just a little too long for my liking so I decided to help her into the carriage myself. As she stepped up, her breast brushed my arm and I had to bite back a groan.

I knew it would take twenty minutes to get to the ball so as soon as we pulled away from her house, I pulled her into my lap so she was sitting sideways and started kissing her. Her face, her neck, her arms and she repositioned herself so she was straddling my lap. She started returning my kisses with greater urgency and grinding into each other.

Before I knew it the carriage started to slow and I knew we were almost there. I pulled away from her and lifted her off of my lap.

"Later Little One. Later." I said over and over. I don't know if I was trying to convince her or myself. She giggled and felt the back of her hair to make sure it was smooth and smoothed out her wrap.

I helped her down from the carriage and into the house. Before we could make it to the ballroom to be announced, I grabbed her dance card and scribbled my name on the first three lines. She grabbed her card, looked down and smiled. I prayed to everyone god and goddess I had ever heard of that the next couple hours would go by quickly.

Sookie POV

The carriage ride ended too quickly. I wanted more and his telling me later did not make me feel any better. When he scribbled his name on the first three lines I knew a proposal was imminent. I just had to wait. I hoped he didn't get me a normal ring. I wanted something antique. Maybe a family ring. I really loved my mother's ring but I knew that was far away in Ireland.

I wasn't paying attention until Eric stopped suddenly and I almost fell. Then I heard a woman's voice. A voice I had come to hate over the last two seasons. Yvetta Davis, Visountess of Rhodes rubbed me the wrong way. Every chance she had she rubbed it in my face that she had married a titled man and I was still single.

"Your Grace how wonderful to see you. Oh, you are with Lady Susannah again. I came to see if you would like to put yourself down for a dance before my card fills up for the night," she said in a flirtatious voice.

I was livid. The entire ton knew that Eric and I were courting but she had always wanted what I had. Eric grabbed my hand and squeezed.

"Actually, I have to leave early this evening and I have already promised Sookie three dances before I take my leave."

The look Yvetta gave us told me she knew exactly what the three dances meant and she flounced off with a hmph.

"Sookie I am sorry. At one point Yvetta and I –"

I interrupted him and turned to look at him. "I know you have a history Eric and Yvetta made it well known she had a liaison with you. As long as you are mine now, I can deal with it."

I must have shocked him because he stood there mute for a about thirty seconds and was saved from coming up with a response by the start of the first dance of the night.

Eric POV

I took her into my arms and I was just blown away that she hadn't freaked out about the little run in with Yvetta. We danced in the first two dances, there was a quick intermission and we grabbed some watered down punch to drink.

Surprisingly I wasn't nervous about announcing to the ton my intentions toward Sookie. I just wanted to get the dance over with so the rest of the night could get started. I was ready to progress past where we had been hovering the last two weeks.

Tonight I would show her that my mouth was good for things other than kissing her mouth. I was hoping she didn't balk and stop me, but knowing my little fire cracker she would probably welcome it.

The third song started and I looked at Sookie. She looked so serene and calm. The third song happened to be a waltz and I swept her into my arms. I noticed Niall in the corner, and heard whispers around us about a wedding being imminent but as soon as I looked into Sookie's beautiful green eyes everything else fell away.

Sookie POV

I felt like I was floating on air. Three seasons I had waited for this moment. The moment when the ton would know I wasn't going to die an old maid but the only thing I was aware of was Eric's blue eyes staring deeply into mine.

I was so in love with him and I couldn't wait until later on to tell him. I pulled his head down and pulled his ear toward my lips.

"I love you Eric Northman. I have for awhile and I planned on telling you later on tonight but I couldn't wait any longer."

I pulled back to look into his eyes and I saw him smiling. He didn't even try to be quiet when he said it, he just looked into my eyes.

"Lady Susannah I am so in love with you. I have been waiting for you all of my life and am so lucky to have met you."

I heard several gasps from around us but had no idea who they had come from.

Three dances turned into four and when he finally pulled away and led me towards Niall.

Eric POV

When she told me she loved me I was so happy. I hadn't been this happy, well ever. I didn't care who heard me. I told her I loved her.

I stayed another dance before I was able to pull myself away. As I led her over to Niall I leaned down to whisper into her ear.

"Stay another half hour or so and plead a headache. Tonight we move things forward. I need you, Sookie. I love you and I cannot wait until I can show you all of the ways I can please you. Tonight we will move on to something new and different."

She smile and leaned her lips up to my ear, "Don't think you are the only one with ideas in mind for tonight, Your Grace. I will see you soon."

I laughed and left her with Niall. I took the carriage home, changed into something more comfortable, had a glass of brandy and had Godric drive me over in an unmarked carriage and we went to wait in Amelia's room.

Sookie POV

I dance once with my dad before I told him I wasn't feeling that well and wanted to get enough rest for the trip in the morning. He asked if I wanted him to take me home and come back for Arlene but I begged off, telling him Amelia could see to me when I got home.

When I got back to the house I went straight up to my room where Amelia was sitting on my bed.

"It is about time you got here," she said and began to help me undress. "I put the wine and glasses on your side table and some fruit to snack on. Your lingerie you had commissioned is all hanging in your dressing room. I will leave you to dress and sneak Eric up when he gets here."

I nodded and smiled nervously, praying I could go through with my plans.

Amelia smiled, sensing my nervousness, and said, "Just remember to hollow out your cheeks and use your hands if you can't fit all of him in your mouth. We have talked about this. He will love you just for trying. You will do great. Knock three times at 5:30 which will give him time to get dressed and leave before the household starts moving in the morning."

"Thank you Amelia. I appreciate this so much. Tomorrow night you and Godric get to have it all to yourselves. I told Eric not to bother opening up four rooms so he only opened two. One for him and myself and one for you and Godric. You two deserve to be happy as well."

I hugged her and headed into the dressing room closing the door. I heard the bedroom door close and knew Amelia had gone. I was looking through some of my new nightgowns trying to decide which one to wear tonight and which one to pack for tomorrow.

I chose a light blue sheer nightgown, trimmed with lace. It had an open back and was one of the newest designs in from France. I put it on and pulled the pins out of my hair and removed my jewelry. I fanned the curls around my face and looked at myself in the full length mirror in my dressing room. I looked sexy and sweet at the same time.

I stepped out into my room and noticed the lone candle that was left lit. I poured a glass of wine and heard a voice from behind me, before I could take a drink.

Eric POV

Amelia ran into her room, grabbed my hand and shoved me into Sookie's room shutting the door loudly behind herself.

I sat in a chair in a dark corner of the room. I heard her moving around in the dressing room and I had to keep telling myself she would be out soon because my feet were itching to move in the direction of the dressing room.

After a few minutes she opened the door and she was beautiful. She looked like an angel with the light from her dressing room shining behind her. She was wearing a sheer blue gown and I wanted to tear it off of her. She moved toward the wine and I realized she had not seen me.

After she poured her glass I decided to reveal to her that I was there.

"Are you going to pour me a glass too?" I said.