Chapter 8

"I'd like to speak with you in private, my dear." A tense voice sounded in my ear. The warm breathe tickled me, and I shivered slightly in revulsion.

"Apologies, my Lord, but I feel it is my duty to congratulate the new Lord of Winchester." I replied softly, silently praying for Dimitri to notice me and come and save me. Currently, some noble woman with black hair was talking with him. He seemed to be very into the conversation. I didn't like to admit it, but I was feeling slightly jealous seeing the easy interaction between the two.

"Understandable your Highness, but as you are to be my Wife, I demand you obey me. And now – we shall speak in private." There was a strong emphasis on the word wife, and the message came through loud and clear, I was still betrothed to Adrian, and I had to obey him and show him courtesy even though I was not yet his.

"Of course I shall speak with you, but I am not yet your wife, and I am still, above all, a princess of England. My duty says I must pay respect to Dimitri. I shall meet you outside in just a moment." I began to walk towards my lover, when a strong hand grabbed me and stopped me from moving further forward.

"No. My love, you are quite right of course. We shall pay our respects together." With that, he began to move forward towards Dimitri, towing me along with him. Annoyance rose up in me, how dare he treat me like his own possession? Well, you did just humiliate him in front of the royal court... a small voice spoke up. I restrained at hiss at it with some effort.

We approached Dimitri and the unknown woman quickly; I noticed we had the courts full attention. Maybe probably expected or hoped for a fight between the two men, while others were just curious to see Adrian's reaction to the man that his fiancée had just pledged her love too. The volume dropped dramatically, as everyone waited with baited breathe to hear what was to be said.

"My Lord Winchester! Congratulations on your new lord ship! We must speak soon, about your marriage to my daughter, Lady Ozera, I am sure you do not share the feelings that my fiancée has for you, and I am aware that you will do the right thing in this situation. We shall speak soon. I shall visit you in Winchester; expect my arrival within a week! And now, I believe I am preventing you from your packing so I and my betrothed shall wish you well and bid you goodbye." Adrian turned, he had thrown a match and he knew it. Marriage? He was betrothed...? No... I ignored Adrian's attempts to steer me away and I spoke up.

"Dimitri, how delighted I am that my father has given you position. I was unaware of any betrothal..." I trailed off and attempted to raise an eyebrow, I needed information, and I couldn't care less that this conversation was in front of the royal court. All that mattered was that it was happening.

"Ah yes, I am currently un-betrothed my sweet, your fiancée, Lord Ivashkov wishes me to marry his daughter Lady Ozera-" Here he smiled at the woman next to him, who returned the smile cautiously; she shot me a look filled with venom the second he looked away. So this is Adrian's daughter... and she's crushing on my love. I don't like her. "However, I do feel that is a good idea as I am completely in love and devoted to another." He took my hand and bent over it, gently his lips touched it and electricity flashed through me.

"This pleases me greatly. I shall see you soon as I must speak with Lord Ivashkov. Congratulations once more, I shall visit you with my fiancée soon." I winked at him and with a parting scowl for dear old Lady Ozera I followed Adrian out. His face was stormy. He had listened to and watched the whole thing, and to say he was majorly displeased, was quite a big understatement.

He didn't speak until we reached the same deserted room as last time. I was nervous, I remembered what had happened here then, and now, when I had humiliated him in public...I can honestly say that I am greatly afraid for my life at this current moment in time.

"So," His voice was so cold and sharp my fears may not be completely unjustified. "You think you can just humiliate me out in front of the English royal court and expect to get away with it? No, you are a whore Rosemarie! A whore and a deceiver! I will marry you, I assure you, your father will insist on it soon! And my daughter shall marry Belikov." Tears threatened to fall, and furiously I blinked them back.

"Why do you care? Why do you want me? Why do you want your daughter to marry Dimitri? Why? Don't you know that I-" abruptly I silenced myself. I had been about to say 'slept with Dimitri and could be carrying his child'. I knew I wasn't, I had felt something warm between my legs and had known it was the start of my course. But, it would have given him something to think about.

"Don't I know that you what? Slept with Belikov? Of course I do you stupid girl!"

It's really short today and I'm sorry! I'm staying at my grandparents' at the moment and I'm trying to do my homework before I go back to college Wednesday. It will be longer soon! Counting on the fact that I get the work done fast...

I'm sorry to the reviewers that wanted Rose to be pregnant! I didn't think it was the right time. She may have a child one day though...

Thanks to all my reviewers! Keep on reviewing! I love reading them they make me smile... =D

Oh a disclaimer – No I am not Richelle Mead and I do not own Dimitri or any other character. I will buy Dimitri one day though! ;D

DarkRomanceAddict