"And why would you reveal this to me, you her confidant?" I asked watching the old woman.

Her irises were yellow with age and too many bouts of malaria and when she spoke it was as if the wind had been given a mouth. "Yours is not the first life she's taken. And I had a dream," the last part is cryptic but unimportant.

I assumed that Felicia had murdered others who had drawn my intended eyes. "I thank you for the warning. I will deal with this. What is your name?"

"Elysian, Mistress," she rose and bowed stiffly. "She'll pepper your food with poison most likely since you eat different foods than the Master," she croaked.

I nodded and she departed. I had Minnie to see to it that Felicia didn't get anywhere near my food. That she had the same name as the home I stood in wasn't lost to me.

Minnie was standing in the doorway between my sitting room and bed chamber. "So you heard?"

"Every word," she replied. She sat down and her lashes rose and her brown eyes were fierce. "You got a plan?"

I tapped my fingers "No not yet," I rose and got my trunk that had been stored under the bed. Inside was a hidden compartment and I pressed the spring of it and it came open to reveal a small revolver with a pearl handle and my initials engraved. Father had given it to me on my seventh birthday when he'd seen my fascination with his collection.

I was a crack shot with it. It was an unusual gun as it was a Colt Paterson and it held five rounds. It was small enough to fit into one of the pockets of a dress. I got dressed in the mourning gown that I hadn't worn since mother died. It still smelled of the lavender that had been in the air around her coffin. The reason I chose it was because the cut of it and the depth of pockets would conceal the pistol.

Minnie saw me stow it in my skirts. "She won't be able to get within a quarter mile of your food," she told me. I smiled at her and kissed her cheek. "I am quite certain of that much Minnie."

We left the room and I went down the stairs and saw Eric emerging from some room down the hall. He was resplendent in a tightly tailored black coat and blue shirt that set of the color of his eyes. His trousers were form fitting as well outlining his powerful legs to great advantage.

He seemed vigorous and hale as his eyes met mine. "Good morning dearest," he murmured.

I curtsied to him and he took my arm and we went into the hot house to my surprise where a small table had been set up. The sun was nearly white with the clouds that draped it. The air was full of moisture and I felt my hair began to turn to even more riotous curls.

Eric flicked two fingers at waiting slaves "Bring in the food please."

I noticed that he sometimes used courtesy with them, when he wasn't throwing things at them. Minnie delivered my food personally and winked as she set my favorite food before me; bread pudding. That there wasn't a drop of poison in it I was certain.

Eric had been looking at us and he frowned when she winked. But he said nothing as he picked up a piece of bacon and chewed with a brooding air. I had noted that he had an unusual fondness for bacon, in fact he had it with every meal.

"Why are you dressed in mourning?" his voice broke through my thoughts.

I toyed with my pudding "I had a dream of death," I said.

He seemed intrigued but as if he'd decided not to pursue the matter. "I see."

I considered telling Eric then and there of Felicia's intentions but something stopped me. Was it pride? I'm not certain.

Breakfast was over then and Eric took me to the study where a different dress hung on the mannequin this time. It was a vivid shade of emerald shot through with beads of amber when I checked it had a back. It was nearly demure compared to the other one. But exquisite nonetheless. "This is the other one, you won't be wearing this one today though, this is for the last evening."

He patted my backside "Run along and get ready, I will send Felicia up."

I straightened "No, Minnie will be doing my hair from now on."

Eric stared at me for a long moment "Very well, although she doesn't have the skill set necessary to style a lady of your standing."

I bristled "That's not true."

He stepped close to me and his hand went to my long curls "It's like autumn," he said softly, slowly he gathered up a handful to his face and drew in a deep breath.

He released it and left me without another word or glance.

I retrieved Minnie from the kitchens and we made our way to my chambers. Though I usually didn't wear a corset I did this time to bring fullness to my rather small bust. The dress was like a flame in the dimness of the room. The sleeves were narrow and long with points at the wrists. So unlike any dress of that time. Most had sleeves of an exaggerated fullness with two layers one short and the other long.

I wore pantaloons under the hoop that would bell the skirts out around my waist. My back was milky white when I turned without flaw. The neckline was high just at the base of my throat the gold lace of the top bringing out the same hue in my eyes. Minnie hated the fashion of the day with hair as did I. She took a length of lace in a cream color and wove it into my long French braid along with pearls. My braid hung down past my waist and she pulled long curling strands to frame my face.

When I peered into the mirror I knew myself to be exquisite. "I wish I could see the look on the men folk's faces when they see you," Minnie said wistfully.

I glanced over "I will make certain that you are in attendance." Minnie flashed me a big smile and I knew that the lust they would have for me would make her day.

A bell rang from the front of the house. The first guest had arrived. It was customary for a picnic before the ball but Eric had made no mention of such a thing. But surely we wouldn't commence dancing until dark.

When I came down the stairs with my Mammy besides me a man stood in the foyer. He was beautiful in a strange way. His eyes were gray, his hair black. The whole of his face was arresting rather than traditionally handsome. He was engaged in a heated conversation with Eric. I could have sworn I heard Felicia's name. He had a look of boredom and interest both on his face.

He heard me when I entered the room. He went absolutely still. "This is your betrothed?"

Eric glanced over at me and his face whitened "Indeed," he breathed. He moved towards me and kissed me deeply and inappropriately. I wanted to kiss him back and smack him at the same time. I stepped back and Eric glanced over at the man. "She's in the chamber," he said softly. I stiffened and knew he spoke of the room that I'd been forbidden to enter and that he was referring to his mistress.

"Come the afternoon meal will be set out soon," he took my arm and led me from the foyer past the room that I'd been forbidden to enter. I could hear two voices speaking softly. "Who is that man you spoke with?"

Eric wasn't looking at me but an air of amusement infused his profile "A friend and enemy."

We went to the east wing which I'd never entered and he'd never shown. We came to a vast dining room where a table so large filled my vision. Eric led me to the head of the table where he sat.

He gestured to his left and I sat. "Mustn't we greet our guests?"

He cast me a look full of mirth and disdain. "I greet them? Why would I do that?"

I toyed with the bright silverware "Because it's customary, they will think us rude."

Eric shrugged and flicked a hand to a slave that stood nearby "Bring me cheeses and wine," then he turned the full power of his eyes on me. "I will not be ruled by convention Sookie," his voice made the statement at once educational and a reprimand.

"They can be greeted by slaves," he added curtly.

"You look so delicious," his words and his tone sent shivers through me. His hand went to my back and one fingertip trailed from my neck down to where the fabric began again near my backside.

I nearly moaned before I remembered myself. I would be the one person who wouldn't become a fool of desire for him. Even if the whole of me longed for his touch.

He watched me for a long moment; his eyes speculative. The cheeses and wine arrived. It was a white wine appropriate for day time consumption. It was if I wasn't mistaken a French Chardonnay.

The door was thrown open and when I looked up I saw Felicia gaudy and brilliant in a bright green gown with a plunging neckline and a slit going up the side. Next to her stood the black haired man from the foyer. He had eyes only for her and hers were only for Eric.

Eric glanced at her dismissively and possessively with one hand he gestured for Felicia to sit at the other end of the table with her companion. "You would have her dine with us?" my voice was a hiss.

My intended gave me an amused look "I have my reasons dearest. It amuses me to do so. Do not question me."

I bowed my head and felt the cold burning of her gaze. Hazel eyes met green and I knew that soon I would empty the gun in my purse fully into that poisonously beautiful face. That I would win was never a doubt.

AN: I hope this chapter was good for you all. This is the third version and I simply can't rewrite it any longer. I might if I get the chance and she is with me, write another chapter today. This story is trying to hide from me as Virtue once did. I realize that my chapters are short and I can't seem to make them longer. Felicia will be dealt with soon I swear.