-/-
Dracula ignored Mycroft's messages for as long as he could, which for him meant until the next morning. He had known there would be political fallout from his actions, but whatever it cost him, Agatha was worth it. So, was it any wonder that he wanted to savour every possible moment with her, before the shit hit the fan?
For a day they had been able to pretend they were just like everyone else.
They had taken the Thames Clipper down to Greenwich, earning Dracula an eyeroll about his continued obsession with holding their dates on boats. Then when they got there he had tried to drag her on the Cutty Sark exhibit. Agatha tolerating his boyish enthusiasm, for the ship that was so similar to the boat they had travelled to England on. Still she had indulged his love off all things seaworthy, even smiling as he recalled the differences, between travelling on a ship of comparative luxury like the Demeter, to the earlier sea faring vessels he had travelled on.
Of course, turnabout was fair play, and Dracula hardly objected when Agatha dragged him up from the parkland to the Royal Observatory. The amateur scientist in them both, found it amusing to play with the historical instruments, that were for them more familiar. Dracula enjoying more than anything the broad smile on Agatha's face when she worked out how something worked, almost babbling her words in her excitement as she explained something to him. That he got to hold her hand through most of it, even getting to kiss her under the stars in the planetarium and take her in his bed that night; well that made any fallout worth it.
It was that feeling Dracula held onto as he sat in Mycroft's office and tried not to squirm under Mycroft's flat gaze. Mycroft didn't even have try to look disapproving, it was his natural expression.
"I do not need to apologise."
Holding off answering, allowing the uncomfortable silence to linger, Mycroft let his eyebrows do the talking.
"It would show weakness and Clan Dracula is not weak." Dracula insisted, his discomfort only growing as Mycroft, steepled his fingers and leant his chin on them.
"It wouldn't do any good, you know how Italians can hold a grudge."
"I think…" Mycroft began only stop and once again allow the silence to curdle a little. Waiting until Dracula's eye seemed to twitch. "I think apologising to Elder Pazzi will not appease him, he will continue to hold a grudge now no matter what you do…"
"Ha…"
"But it is not about saving that relationship it is about how the other Elders will see you." Mycroft cut off Dracula's gloating. "You are still a relative unknown to them, some will view you as a threat because of that. The alliance with the Pazzi family would have bought us credibility…"
"Are you daring to tell me I have made a mistake?" Dracula growled, his anger barely appeased when Mycroft shook his head. "I will deal personally with any man that dares to say such a thing. Agatha Van Helsing is perfect for me and this Clan…"
"Sir I completely agree on that point." Mycroft placated. "It is most unfortunate that this situation with the Pazzi family even happened."
"Yes, well, it has happened Mycroft, and it is your job to strategize how we can minimise the damage."
"Something I am trying to do Count Dracula." Mycroft retorted sharply, the closest Mycroft had come to losing his temper with the Count, yet instead of being offended by his tone, Dracula merely smirked.
"Oh, so there is more than ice water in those veins, I was starting to wonder."
Choosing to ignore Dracula's baiting, Mycroft focused on practicalities. "We need to spin the story our way, make it seem planned, that you always intended to choose between the two potential brides but that you wanted to see them side by side, in action in a social situation first. I think we can both agree, of the two Agatha managed to hold her own quite well.
Oh, there will be a little social scandal associated with choosing a turned bride over a natural born one, but since you turned her yourself, there is something tangible there to work with. Most of the other Elders have done similarly. Once the betrothal announcement comes out, Pazzi will grumble about being used, but we can imply he was played…nothing overt, but enough to get people wondering…yes that could work. Then by the time Agatha is old enough to marry this whole situation will have blown over."
Mycroft was right, it could work. They would lose Pazzi's goodwill forever, but the vampire was a recluse, with little other than his lineage going for him. He wasn't well connected to any of the major power blocks…Yes in a few years' time, people might remark on it with amusement, especially since Dracula, and he doubted Agatha, wished to spend their time as society butterflies…
There was only one glaring problem.
"We aren't betrothed."
"Oh, there is time enough for that, we can drop hints until the presentation ball, as long as it is formalised by then. People will assume, you have chosen to wait to announce it, until Agatha is formally presented to society. Of course, it will put her under more scrutiny on the night, she will have to do everything perfectly."
"Mycroft that is only two months away."
"I am sure with your help as well as her teachers she will be ready…"
"That was not what I meant. How am I going to get Agatha, to agree to marry me in two months? She turned down my first proposal."
"Yes, but that was before…" Mycroft trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid like the Victorian born gentleman he was. His own eyebrows only rising, as Dracula continued to scowl. "Oh, my apologies. You haven't I only assumed because Ms Westenra heavily implied…"
"Oh no Lucy is correct on that score; damn girl must have a sixth sense for these things." Unless of course Agatha and her had been gossiping about it, the idea of which left Dracula more than a little unsettled.
"The problem is Agatha is quite adamant about not becoming betrothed. She had some complicated logic thing going, that she will agree when I do ask, but I am not allowed to ask yet, or consider the promise of a promise to be the same as a betrothal. I'll be honest she was naked at the time and I was tired…"
"That is more than enough detail, thank you sir." Mycroft could feel a migraine coming on.
There really was no other way around this without causing a complete scandal. If Dracula turned up to the ball with Agatha on his arm, and they did not announce their betrothal, then society would assume Dracula had just been toying with the Pazzi family. It would undermine his credibility, and by extension's Mycroft.
Worse for Agatha, as Dracula was physically incapable of being in a room with her and not showing his feelings for her, everyone would assume she was merely his mistress. After all what self-respecting woman turned down a proposal from an Elder? They would all assume Dracula was using her, that he had never proposed or had any intention of doing so to either women, and her and their reputations would be sunk.
"Sir I'm sorry but you have to get her to agree to marry you before the ball. There really is no other way…Would it be easier if I explained things…"
"No, I am not proposing by proxy…I will talk to her, when the time it right, until then you will not breathe a word." Dracula instructed Mycroft, and the younger vampire could only bow to his will.
Yet Mycroft couldn't shake the feeling that Dracula was making a mistake. Agatha was a sensible woman, and it wasn't like they would be sprinting up the aisle, but keeping this situation from her, well that could only end in tears. Still they wouldn't be his, and if there was anyone who could pull this off, it would be Count Dracula.
Plus, there were things Mycroft could do to help the situation along, a rumour here, a strategically dropped hint from the right person at the right time…what Mycroft needed was an ally, and he could only hope she would agree to help him out of her own volition, otherwise it was going to cost Count Dracula a fortune.
-/-
"Some come on Aggi spill." Lucy goaded as she dodged Agatha's lunge, keeping on the balls of her feet as she avoided all attacks.
"Spill what…and don't call me that, how many times do I have to tell you?"
"Always one more." Lucy retorted all teeth, as she danced out of reach once more. "And you know what very well what I mean, the girls are all want to know, only I'm not too afraid to ask. Has Drac slipped you the big D yet?"
"You all need to mind your own business." Agatha snapped back, all but confirming everything.
"Oh, but where is the fun in that, you're the only one of us that gets to have a sex life. It's your job to tell us all the gory details."
"Yeah right." Agatha scoffed. "Cause when you slip out to visit that young doctor of yours, you just go to talk?!"
"We do most of the time." Lucy huffed, barely avoiding Agatha's next strike, it seemed goading her had made her meaner. "He's a little gun shy what with my being a vampire now, oh and because I broke his heart that one time…men are so sensitive."
"He's probably just afraid you will bite it off." Agatha sniggered, recalling the memory of Dracula's face, when her fangs came a little too close to his cock for his comfort.
"Agatha Van Helsing!" Lucy was almost impressed.
She knew first-hand how persuasive Dracula could be, but she also knew how stubborn Agatha was, if she had gone down on him it was because Agatha had wanted to…and honestly Lucy wouldn't have thought she had it in her. Something that she blamed for her lapse in attention when Agatha swiped her legs out from under her and slammed Lucy none too gently to the floor.
"Ow." Lucy grumbled, it wasn't like she needed to breathe, but it still hurt to have all the air knocked out of her lungs.
"Up again from first position." Agatha instructed her, returning to her own opening stance.
"Can't I just lay here for a bit?"
"Lucy did you ask me to train with you today, just so you would have the chance to gossip?"
"Well not just…" Lucy began, but Agatha's glare had her dragging herself back up into position.
They traded blows for a moment in silence, Lucy barely manging to defend herself, she was much better at simply avoiding the attack than she was defending against them. It didn't take long for Agatha to have her pinned once again, and to be honest Lucy really couldn't be bothered to get back up this time.
"So, when's the wedding? Please tell me I get to a bridesmaid…or better yet maid of honour, I would throw you the most wicked hen do."
"Why is everyone obsessed with the idea of me getting married?" Agatha all but screeched, pushing herself up off the floor and heading over to a nearby punching bag, giving it a punch and then a round kick for good measure.
"Wow touched a nerve much." Lucy chided her slightly, before reaching out to put her hand on Agatha's shoulder. "I'm sorry ok sis, I just well, you were a nun and Drac's like a prince or something important like that. I just thought the two of you would want to get it all nice and formal. I mean you weren't born in this century, I just assumed you wouldn't go to bed with him, without at least being engaged."
"Double standards Lucy Westenra?"
"Are still real no matter what anyone says." Lucy countered. "And this society is at least 50-60 years behind the mortal one, on a woman's place and rights, you know that better than anyone Aggi. Besides it's not like there is ever going to be anyone else for the pair of you, I saw that the first time I saw him come to your rescue. He has it baaaaaddd."
"I know…I know he loves me, and I love him too, but its not as simple as that."
"He wuves you." Lucy retorted, her voice all falsely cute and her expression all hearts eyes. "Dracula and Agatha sitting in a tree…" She began singing only for an exasperated Agatha to drag her into a headlock. "Uncle…uncle…ok no…singing."
"And no making fun of my relationship." Agatha added, squeezing a little harder for good measure. "Dracula is your Elder Lucy, he lets you all get away with a hell of a lot, but if he heard you making fun of him like that he would rip your throat out."
"Ok…ok no teasing big D."
Shaking her head Agatha knew that was the best she was going to get. Lucy might be a pain in her arse, but she wasn't an idiot, she knew the deal they had cut and wasn't a fool about showing Dracula the proper respect in public…it was in private that they had a problem…she really just didn't care.
Releasing her Agatha padded over to the bag of her belongings she had left by the wall. Luckily vampires didn't really sweat from exercise, picking up her change of clothes, Agatha couldn't help but notice she had gotten several messages.
MEET ME FOR LUNCH?
ARE YOU IGNORING ME AGATHA?
YOU'RE BREAKING MY HEART WITH THIS SILENCE MY LOVE
I AM PINING AWAY
WITHOUT YOU I HAVE NOTHING…I AM GOING TO THE ROOF TO THROW MYSELF OFF IF YOU DON'T RESPOND
FAREWELL CRUEL WORLD…
Snorting in amusement at his dramatics Agatha checked the times of the messages, unsurprisingly there was barely any time between the first message and the last, which was little more than five minutes ago.
If you are still alive, you can meet me for lunch in the refectory at 1, it would be nice for you to spend some time with the rest of your kin…
I'M NOT SURE THE ROOF WOULDN'T BE A BETTER OPTION…I WAS HOPING FOR SOMETHING MORE ONE ON ONE 😉
Refectory or starve, up to you my love XXX
Agatha texted back, before putting her phone in her pocket. Turning to a pouting Lucy, Agatha decided to show the girl a little mercy.
"If you promise to be very subtle about it, I might have persuaded his high and mightiness to join us all for lunch. Where you can address your impertinent questions to the big chief instead of tormenting me."
Unable to restrain her grin Lucy bounded over and looped her arm through Agatha's. "You really are the best big sister, letting me rag on your boyfriend."
"As long as you don't let on it was my idea we have a deal." Agatha laughed back. Allowing Lucy to drag her along.
"So, is this the two of you going public?" Lucy asked as they reached the refectory area, pulling Agatha along to select something for them all from the blood bank, before they headed over to Clan Dracula's usual table.
It was an excellent question, and not one that Agatha had even considered, when she suggested dining in public.
"I…I suppose." Agatha offered, nodding politely at some of the mortals she used to work with, but not stopping to make conversation, as Lucy's question had made her feel suddenly nervous.
What if Dracula didn't want people to know? Lucy was right he was a nobleman and an Elder, he wouldn't want all and sundry gossiping about his love life…
Agatha was so preoccupied with pondering that question that she didn't realise Dracula was behind her until he was pressing a kiss to her neck.
"Hello Darling." He added for good measure, taking her tray as though it were the most normal and natural thing in the world.
Slightly stunned and pleased Agatha allowed Dracula to escort her to their table, even laughing off his attempt at chivalry by pulling out the awful plastic chairs. Then he pushed their chairs together and naturally draped his arm over back of hers possessively. She was hardly a piece of territory that needed marking and defending, but if it made him smile like that, Agatha could make allowances.
"Well I guess that answers that question." Lucy sniggered, earning her a warning look from Agatha, but an amused one from the Count. Clearly Dracula was in a fantastic mood and was prepared to tolerate Lucy's cheek if that meant he could spend time openly with Agatha.
He even greeted the other members of their clan warmly, barely even complaining about the poor selection available in the refectory, even if he took little more than a sip or two. He was surrounded by family, the woman he loved by his side, what did he care in the eyes of the room kept sliding towards them.? He was Count Dracula. Even when that little mortal rat Anderson, had the nerve to glare at him in disapproval, Dracula merely smirked back. For the first time in five hundred years, things were going perfectly, and he wouldn't let anyone, mortal or vampire take that from him.
-/-