Once Upon a December
Chapter 4
St. Petersburg 1874, The Kuragin Palace
Outside the winter was blazing and violent and Violet had never seen anything so beautiful. She stood in a large sitting room, decorated with large momentous portraits of people from somewhere within the Russian royal circle. There were torches all around which gave the room a warm sparkling contrast to the white and blue landscape outside. The crackling sound of the large fireplace filled Violets ears, as she stood there by the large window, letting the beauty of her surroundings hypnotise her. Then the peace was broken, as the door opened and a tall, handsome and strong figure entered. Her heart started beating almost uncontrollably, and she whipped out her fan in an attempt to hide her heaving bosom. He closed the door firmly behind her, and then he just stood there, staring at her. She felt her face redden and she curtsied deeply before him. "Your Highness" she said and he couldn't help but smile at her. She was so sweet, so correct every time he saw her. He bowed his head slightly to her and then he walked over to the sitting area by the fire "Good afternoon Lady Grantham. Please have some tea" he gestured toward the splendid display of treats that had been put out for them. She walked over to him, fighting her hesitation, and tried not to show any signs of the extreme nervousness and admiration she felt in his presence. She couldn't remember having ever felt this way in a man's company, not even when she was first courted by Patrick.
The Prince made her think and behave completely silly and she wasn't sure she liked this side of herself. Se was so used to being in control of everything, most of all her own feelings, but now.. Now she didn't have control of anything. "Thank you" she said and picked up a cup. "Have you had any news from your husband?" He asked as they both sat down "I have. He arrived in Moscow two days ago and seems to be very well. It's hard to tell exactly what he'll be doing there. He doesn't talk much about it to me" she immediately regretted reviling so much of her and Patrick's relationship, but she was glad when he simply carried on "there's not much to tell anyway. He'll probably be calling on everyone in the royal court and attending social gatherings around the clock. Are you anxious for him?" he put down his cup in front of him "Oh no. I'm sure he's alright. I'm quite used to being apart from him. As a matter of fact, I almost didn't come here. I wasn't sure about leaving the children for several months" He smiled at this and kept his eyes on her "Do you regret coming?" this made her eyes shoot back to his, and now she blushed even heavier "Certainly not" she tried to sound firm, but she couldn't hold back the smile he had brought on. "I'm very glad" he said and stood up. He walked slowly and thoughtful towards the window, and fixed his eyes on the magical scenery outside "I used to think the winter in St. Petersburg was the most beautiful thing in this world.." he said, and Violet wasn't sure if he was talking to her, or to himself. "Until I attended Prince Alfred's wedding" Violet felt her heart act out again, and her hands were shaking slightly as she nervously played with the rim of her sleeve. She both feared and anticipated what he'd say next. And then he turned around and looked straight at her, but he wasn't smiling anymore, he had some sort of new expression on his face, an expression Violet had never seen before. "Do you realise how beautiful you are, Lady Grantham?" she almost choked on the tea, she wasn't even drinking anymore. "I beg your pardon, Your Highness?" then his smile returned "I'm sorry, I don't wish to offend you, but I have to say, these daily afternoon encounters we've shared since the wedding, has been the highlight of my day". Suddenly Violet felt herself regain her composure, as if the discomfort of the situation forced her strength to return. She stood and turned to him, her head lifted the way it did, when she put on the Countess act. "That's very kind, Your Highness. I'm not sure this conversation is quite appropriate though" She kept standing this way, even as he moved in closer "I'll end it right away, if you can tell me you haven't felt the same way" Suddenly he was dangerously close, and Violet's breath got caught. "I'm…" she couldn't speak. All words went from her mind, and all she could do, was to stare at his strong brow, his full beard and his burning eyes. Then he extended his hand and took hers. Through her glove she could feel the warmth of his masculine hand flow right through her arm and down her entire body. She let out a slight gasp, but didn't pull away.
He drew her hand up, and pulled at her glove while he searched her eyes for approval. She just looked at her hand, as if she was simply waiting for what he'd do next. Then he pulled it off in one quick and steady movement, and what followed left Violet breathless. He left traces of sweet kisses all along her long fingers, the palm of her hand and when he reached her slender wrist her eyes closed while she held back the moan that was forming in the debt of her throat. His eyes met hers as he closed the distance between them. His lips were now on hers. Her mind screamed at her to back away, but her body was demanding something else. She let her fingers slide through his thick black hair, and he murmured something into her mouth, which she couldn't quite make out. His hands were now at the hollow of her back, suddenly pushing her hard up against him. She let out a breathless sigh, and he kissed even deeper now. She felt the passion growing violently from the core of her abdomen, and she was almost frightened of the sensation that was flowing through her. Never had Patrick made her feel this way. He had kissed her passionately, yes, but the passion was all his and to her it always seemed like something you just had to do, before you fulfilled your duty. It was simply another duty, and when it was all over, they would sleep. This was different. This was certainly not a duty, far from it, well actually the exact opposite. But she found it was impossible for both of them to stop. He was so strong and muscular, and the way he held her was like he was meant to do so. He guided their mutual movements as if he was a puppet master, and she his puppet. He had absolute control, and she loved that. Suddenly he spoke against her cheek "What is your name, Darling?" his voice was lower than ever, even hoarse and she found her own too had dropped an octave. "Violet" she sighed into his neck. "Say it again" He kissed her hard on the lips, and when they parted she repeated "Violet". Then his hand cupped her breast while his lips were now on her collarbone "Again..", "Violet" she could hardly hold herself together now, and she felt as if she was going to explode, if he didn't just take her. "Yes.." was all he said and then he returned to her lips. This time he barely touched them. They were closer than Violet had ever been in an embrace before, their eyes were closed, and their lips touched softly before he took a step back. "Come to me tomorrow. After dinner. Here" Her face was flushed and her lips swollen and wet from his tender yet passionate kisses and all she could do was nod. A smile crept to his face "I'll see you tomorrow" he started walking towards the door, but turned towards her before he exited "Violet." Then he was gone.