I know, I know! It's about time I updated, right? I'll admit it. It is about time. I won't bore you with all of my excuses, all of which are good ones I might add. Instead I'll give you the major cause of the delay of Chapter 14. Writer's Block. It just hit me one day! It's the worst! I knew what I wanted to happen and what I wanted to say but couldn't figure out how to say it! Talk about frustrating! So I took a break as Lady Cassandra noticed. I had to get away from this story for a little while and do something else. I edited Make it a Double, a short Sailor Moon fic I wrote about a year or two ago and posted it. (I urge you to check it out! ^_^ )

Anyway, the juices began flowing again soon after and I was able to finish this chapter. So without further gilding the lily and no more ado, I give you Chapter 14! I sincerely hope you find it worth the wait.

Sweet Revenge

By Tatiana

Chapter 14: And One and Two, Three and Four, Five, Six, Seven, Change Partners and One…

" And one and two, three and four, five, six, seven, change partners," Kate counted off as she and Germaine demonstrated the farandole. Count Adhemar sat on a tall wooden barrel watching them; his leg was propped up on the rim and his elbow resting upon his knee.

" Your turn." Kate declared, turning around to face him.

" I don't know why I agreed to this." Adhemar muttered to himself, shaking his head.

" You didn't," Kate interjected with a smug smile. " I did." Adhemar merely looked at her. " Well?" she demanded. " I'm waiting." To emphasize her expectancy, she tapped her foot on the ground impatiently.

Adhemar reluctantly pushed himself off of the wood and iron cask. He took a deep breath and looked around him. They were in the stables. The setting was much like it had been when Kate taught William to dance. No one else was around except Kate and Germaine, but Adhemar was still very wary.

" Is something the matter?" she asked him.

Adhemar regarded Germaine with dissatisfaction. Kate followed his gaze.

" Germaine?" Kate questioned him.

Adhemar did not answer her. He merely tilted his head towards the exit. Germaine took the hint immediately and hurried from the stables.

` Kate watched him go with a disapproving expression on her face. She turned her eyes back to Count Adhemar." Was that entirely necessary?" she demanded. Adhemar turned his gaze to her; his eyes viewed her as though he'd never seen her before. " It was only Germaine. Surely he could have stayed." Kate defended the herald.

" It is not his, nor any other of my men's place to see me in this position." Adhemar supplied with cool authority.

" But it's Germaine!" Kate exclaimed flabbergasted. He regarded her with a look of mild forewarning. Kate put her hands out in front of her. " Never mind. I'll not go into that conversation again."

" You can imagine my delight," Adhemar said dryly. His expression turned to one of distinct disinterest.

" All right," Kate let out a heavy sigh and chose to ignore Adhemar's sarcastic comment. " Let us begin."

He shifted from one foot to the other and glanced around the stable setting.

" There is no one here but us." she assured him. He looked doubtful and made no move to begin the lesson. Kate's hands went to her hips. " An hour ago you could not wait to begin with these instructions! Now you are dragging your feet!" she admonished him. " What is wrong this time?"

" I have changed my mind," Adhemar responded.

" Oh, no you don't!" Kate asserted firmly. " You stopped my work for this. You will learn to dance before this evening is out so help me!" she swore with great zeal.

His eyebrows arched inquiringly. " Are telling me what I am going to do?"

" Aye, I am." Kate confirmed brazenly, her accent thick. " So get your noble arse over here and start learning!"

The corners of Adhemar's lips turned slightly upwards. His eyes sparked with something akin to amusement as he absorbed this new side of Kate. He had never before had anyone speak to him in that sort of tone. Kate took the opportunity to step towards him. Grabbing his arms, she pulled him to where she wanted him to stand. She stepped back a few feet from him. Adhemar watched her closely with curiosity in his eyes and a smirk upon his lips. Her forehead was wrinkled with thought as she contemplated on where to begin.

" So, how did you learn to dance?" he asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

Kate looked up in surprise. " Huh?"

" How did you learn to dance?" Adhemar repeated the question. She stared at him, not answering. " What?" he demanded with a defensive shrug of his shoulders.

" Nothing." Kate returned. "It's just that you seem to be awful chatty when you are nervous."

" I'm not nervous!" he protested.

" Then what are you?" Kate cocked an eyebrow.

" Curious," Adhemar replied carefully. " I want to know how you learned to dance."

Kate smiled, shaking her head. "Didn't anyone ever tell you that curiosity killed the count?" She slapped her knee, grinning at her own cleverness.

Adhemar rolled his eyes but couldn't keep his lips from tilting upwards. " No, I have never heard that." he replied flatly.

Kate shrugged, still grinning to herself. She let out a long, wistful sigh. " I tried."

" I'm waiting," Adhemar prompted.

" To begin with the lessons?" Kate asked hopefully.

" To hear how you came to know how to dance," Adhemar corrected her.

Kate eyed him with exasperation. " If I tell you, then will you let me begin the dance instructions?"

" I suppose," Adhemar conceded with a sigh.

" Your enthusiasm quite takes my breath away," Kate said, her tone mockingly satirical.

Adhemar folded his arms over his chest, his eyes full of expectation. Kate shook her head and glanced behind her, searching for something to lean back against. She settled for a wooden fence that made up part of an empty stall. Taking a deep breath, she began.

" My father," she started. " was a blacksmith for a low-ranking nobleman in Scotland. The nobleman had a young daughter around my age. My mother had passed away when I was very young and my father could not watch me and run the forge. He offered me as a playmate for the nobleman's daughter. Every morning, before he began work, my father took me to the manor and every evening he came to fetch me." Kate explained, staring at the ground as she spoke.

" The nobleman wished his daughter to marry well when she came of age. He hired tutors to educate her so that she would have the means to make a good match. As her playmate, I was educated along with her. I learned to read, write, sing, dance, and to do needlework, among other things. It went on like that until she was engaged and married. I was left behind with no companion, no duties, so I helped my father in the forge." Kate finished. She glanced up to find Adhemar studying her closely.

" A daughter and wife of blacksmiths," he observed casually. " I cannot help but wonder how you had time to meet your husband while you were busy being educated."

Kate couldn't help but be puzzled at his sudden desire to know her life story. She eyed him skeptically. He continued to gaze at her, waiting for her reply.

" He was my father's apprentice." she answered. " He and I spent much time together in the forge with my father. We became very close. So naturally, when his apprenticeship ended, he asked for my hand in marriage. After we were wed we traveled to England. We ended up traveling with the tournament circuit. The rest is history. " she finished with a shrug and a sigh.

Adhemar's eyes went to the ground as he stood silently. He drew his lips in thoughtfully.

" How did he die?" he asked quietly.

Kate's expression became guarded. " Now it is my turn to say that it is no business of yours," she stated firmly.

Adhemar observed her for a few moments. He nodded slightly. He did not push the sensitive subject any further. The sudden change in her disposition left him unsettled. He had no desire to dig any deeper. Kate took a deep breath and set her shoulders.

" Do want to learn to dance or don't you?" she demanded.

It was Adhemar's turn to take a deep breath. " Yes."

Kate straightened herself from where she was leaning on the fence. " Good! Then let's begin." She approached him.

" What do I do?" Adhemar asked.

" First," Kate replied. " You would lead the lady onto the dance floor." Together they moved to the center of the wide aisle. " Now, what you must do is find the beat. It isn't very hard to do. Just begin counting silently in your head when the music begins." she explained.

Adhemar nodded to himself.

" With the beat you'll count one and two, three and four, five, six, seven, and one and two, three and four, five, six, seven, etc." Kate counted in rhythm for him.

" All right," Adhemar breathed. " What comes next?"

" The steps," Kate responded. She extended her hand. "Take my hand in your hand. " she ordered. Adhemar grasped her hand with his own. She smiled shaking her head. " Not quite like that. As Geoff would say, "your hands should alight like a birdie on a branch."

Adhemar eyed her skeptically. " Geoff who?"

" Geoffrey Chaucer," Kate answered. Adhemar gave her a blank stare. " The writer." she supplied. His expression did not change. " Never mind. It doesn't matter." She gave a quick shake of her head. " It should be done like this." She demonstrated by grasping his fingers lightly in her own. She looked up to meet his eyes. " You see?"

Adhemar held her gaze for a few moments. Silence hung thick on the air. " I see," his voice was low and smooth. Her hand was still holding his. Kate cleared her throat and in quick, abrupt motion withdrew her hand. " Shall I try again?" Adhemar asked, there was a hint of amusement in his tone.

Kate, slightly flustered, nodded and extended her hand once more. Adhemar took her hand gently, in the exact manner that she had shown. His fingers were cool and smooth as they touched hers. Adhemar captured her eyes with his. Kate encountered his gaze but quickly averted her eyes. A tiny smile crept across Adhemar's lips but disappeared by the time Kate looked at him again.

" What is next?" he asked her.

Kate swallowed and thought for a moment. " Next you bow at the waist, your forehead over the lady's hand." Adhemar bowed. " And the lady curtsies." Kate curtsied. " Now you take a step to your right and bow once more." Adhemar followed her instructions. " And the lady will curtsy." Kate curtsied again.

" Done easily enough," Adhemar remarked.

" Next, you and your partner will step forward with your left foot and then again with your right. With the first step, bring your left arm behind your back and your right across your stomach. Then switch your arms directions with the next step." Both Adhemar and Kate stepped forward. " Now turn to face your partner." They faced one another once again.

"All right," he nodded.

" Now extend your hand once again but this time hook your little finger around your partner's little finger. Bend at the knee in a sort of bob and then step slowly around in a circle opposite your partner." They went through the steps together.

" What now?" he asked.

" Now you would turn and change partners. With the new partner you repeat the last series of steps. Then with that partner you will do the polonaise. You need to change your grip back to the way you held your partner's hand at the beginning of the dance. Then, side by side, you and you partner will take two steps forward and then in the next step, kick with your left foot and turn your head to your left. Then take two more steps and with the next step, kick out to you right and turn your head in that direction. Your partner will do the opposite." Adhemar and Kate did the polonaise. " Those series of steps will be repeated several times. It will depend on how many times the musicians play the set through."

Adhemar nodded. His expression was thoughtful as he tried to remember all of the steps. Kate allowed him a few moments to gather his thoughts.

" Are you ready to try it in rhythm? I'll count aloud with you for the first few times and then we'll try keeping the time in our heads. All right?" Kate asked.

" Very well," Adhemar agreed. They walked back to their original starting positions.

Kate began to count. " One and two, three and four, five, ouch!" she exclaimed when his first step forward was onto her foot. He stepped back off of her foot. Kate held her breath against the brief, shooting pain in her foot; her eyes were squeezed tightly shut. She exhaled slowly. " Let's try again." she suggested with a carefully maintained tone of patience.

Adhemar nodded and they began again. " One and two, three and four, five, six, seven, and one and two, three and four, five, six, sev- uhhg…" she let out a grunt of surprise as Adhemar's shoulder slammed into her head. Kate looked up at him, stunned.

" Shall we try again?" he proposed without apology.

Kate bit her tongue to keep back a retort. He was just learning after all. She thought that he could have at least apologized. She stifled a hopeless sigh when she remembered that Adhemar had probably never apologized for anything in his entire life and he wasn't likely to start now. She nodded and they took up their starting positions once again.

" One and two…" she counted and they went without mistake until the polonaise. After they took the first two steps Kate extended her leg to her right. Adhemar who was on her left, instead of kicking out towards the outside as he was supposed to, kicked inward and struck her shin with his foot.

Kate clenched her teeth together to keep from crying out. She extracted her hand none too gently from Adhemar's grasp and bent down to clutch at her wounded limb. Adhemar stood, gazing down at her while she nursed her sore shin. After a few moments she glanced up at him.

" Again!" he pronounced in a firm, commanding tone. He turned on his heel and moved toward their original starting point.

Kate eyes bore fiercely into Adhemar's back as he walked away. Her nostrils flared as she tried to calm herself. She pushed herself up off the ground and, shaking her head, marched over to where he stood waiting. They started once more. This time they made it all the way through without mishap.

" Very good," she praised, even though she was more relieved than pleased. " Now we will keep the beat in our heads." Adhemar looked a little uneasy at the suggestion. " You can do it." Kate stated firmly in an attempt to motivate him.

So they began once more, silently this time. Adhemar's brow was furrowed in concentration as he counted and tried to remember the dance steps. They went through the steps without any mistakes. Adhemar was visibly surprised. His eyes were wide.

" I danced," he said in disbelief.

" You danced," Kate confirmed, his amazement at his achievement made her smile.

" Come!" Adhemar said with enthusiasm and grabbed her hand. " We will do it again." He pulled her back over to where they had begun.

" Wait!" Kate cried in protest. " I'll only do it on one condition."

Adhemar's eyes hardened and narrowed with suspicion. " Condition?" he eyed her warily.

Yes. I don't want to dance with a partner who looks as though he has indigestion." Kate replied, trying hard to keep the laughter from her voice. " Relax."

Adhemar snorted. " I suppose I can try." he replied with great dignity.

" Good. Then let's do it again." Kate said.

They started the dance once more, this time repeating the series of steps several times through. As they did the last few steps, Kate looked over at Adhemar. His mouth was spread in a wide smile. Kate's eyes filled with soft surprise. She had never her seen him smile, truly smile, not one of his smirks. His teeth were straight and a startling white. His eyes sparkled with delight at his triumph. Sensing her gaze, Adhemar glanced down at her. They were now standing face to face with one another. Her hand was still in his.

" What is it?" Adhemar charged in a low tone, his smile fading. Their gazes locked.

" Your eyes," Kate said softly in realization. " They're hazel."

A look of mild astonishment passed briefly over his features to be replaced by an expression that sent her pulses racing. He came close, looking down at her intensely. His eyes melted into hers. Silence hung heavily upon the air. Adhemar's gaze fell for a moment to her lips. Kate's heart skipped a beat as she took note of the action. He still held her hand in his.

" Kate," he murmured deeply.

Adhemar pulled her towards him slightly and leaned gently forward. His other hand went to grasp her upper arm. Kate remained still, finding that she couldn't move. His eyes probed hers before he bent his head. She leaned lightly into him, tilting her face towards his. Her eyes slid shut as though they had a will of their own. The stable noises around them disappeared. Kate held her breath. Time seemed to stop as Adhemar's lips neared her own.

" My lord!" a distant call came.

Kate's eyes flew open. Adhemar released her. Smothering a groan, he stepped back. Kate, somewhat shaken, turned her head sharply in the direction the voice had come from. Seconds later Germaine appeared down the stable aisle. The herald stopped short upon seeing them. He looked from one to the other as though he sensed something was amiss.

" What is it?" Adhemar demanded his voice grating harshly.

Germaine flinched at his master's rough tone. Composing himself, he answered Adhemar in a cheerful manner." The wagons have arrived and I've been told the feast will commence within the hour."

Adhemar sent a quick glance to Kate. She was standing rigidly still, staring at the ground in front of her feet. He turned his attention to his herald.

" I shall ready myself at once." Adhemar informed Germaine. He moved towards where the herald was standing. " Take her to Marcus and have him keep an eye on her. Then come and see me. I'll give you your orders for the rest of the evening."

" Yes my lord," Germaine inclined his head respectfully.

Adhemar looked over his shoulder at Kate once more. She did not look up. The muscle along the side of his jaw clenched tightly. He turned and strode determinedly from the stables.

Kate moved her eyes upward to watch him go. When he was out of sight she felt her tense body relax. Her legs felt weak and her stomach was filled with an empty, fluttering sensation. She was shaken by what had nearly just occurred. What disturbed her most was not Adhemar's attempt to kiss her but her reaction to it. Had she really been about to let him?

Kate glanced up from her musings to find Germaine watching her with interest. Exhaling a long breath, she stepped forward. Silently the two of them walked from the stables. The courtyard beyond was buzzing with activity and excitement for the upcoming banquet.

The noisy atmosphere helped to bring Kate back to reality. She swallowed and collected her bearings. It had been a moment of weakness. Adhemar was a cruel villain. He was a man of the worst kind. How could she have even for a second considered allowing him to kiss her?

It hadn't actually happened anyway, Kate told herself. A near-kiss was not the same thing as a real kiss. It meant nothing. She bit her lower lip between her teeth. At least she hoped it didn't.

* * * * *

So how was it? I'd love you hear what you think. I obtained the spellings of the dance names from the English subtitles off of the DVD. I don't know if the spellings are accurate of not. If they aren't I apologize.

Oh, I nearly forgot! Adhemar's being tone deaf was not of my creation. If you have the AKT DVD or if you get the chance to view it, check out the deleted scenes. There is a scene that was supposed to be interjected in the big dance/banquet scene. Count Adhemar leaves the banquet after calling upon William to show them a dance of Gelderland. Adhemar reveals to someone that he never saw the point in dancing or music and that he was " deaf to the tones." Music always sounded like "children squabbling" to him. I used that previously unused information to my advantage.

Oh, and I wanted to thank you all for the reviews! They are what kept me motivated. Thanks!

Well, anyway. Back on track. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Sorry it took me so long to finish it! I'll begin on number 15 immediately. I promise!