It had been days since Blaise had been to visit his fiancée in France and he knew that if he didn't return soon, his mother would take action.
The control she had over him rankled considerably. He had had to talk fast just to return to London to oversee the release of his new game, The Trials of Hercules.
"Who cares about a silly game," Ophelia had stated bluntly. "Besides, if you don't become a bit more attentive to Jacqueline she may decide you aren't worth the effort. We wouldn't want that would we?"
Blaise had bristled in anger. The silly game, as she called it, was six months of tireless work. It was the first game that he himself had designed since Mirage's debut game, Merlin.
"Mother, regardless of what you think, I don't intend to let my business run to pot for your whims. I would like to still have a business after I deal with this mess you have made."
Or until he found a way to wriggle out of the situation. It pissed him off that he was letting his fear of losing Prospero define his actions, but there it was. The fear had even successfully goaded him into proposing to Jacqueline, presenting her with a five carat Edwardian style oval cut diamond ring. He meant to make it look real, until he didn't have to pretend any longer. Perhaps his mother would be struck with an onslaught of latent motherly affection and rescind her blackmail? Not bloody likely. It would be easier to get Crabbe and Goyle to start a Muggle rap duo.
Jacqueline, herself, really had everything going for her. She was smart, engaging, and had a witty sense of humor. Not to mention that she was absolutely beautiful. She had large blue eyes surrounded by surprisingly dark sooty lashes. Her blonde hair was thick and lustrous. Her body was slender with just the right amount of curves.
Her kind personality and charm made him feel about an inch tall. He felt awful. It seemed that she had managed to pull from him some bit of chivalry that he hadn't known he possessed. It led him to the conclusion that he would have to make her want to break things off, and he was finding that it was bloody difficult to think of a way to make her want to do that without hurting the sensitive witch.
He couldn't tell if she really cared for him or if it was just that she was in love with the idea of love. He hoped it was the latter. Maybe since she was practically a princess, she wanted the princess wedding with all the trimmings? Blaise was flabbergasted at the amount of detail that went into a wizarding society wedding. None of his mates were married yet, though Draco seemed on that course with Astoria Greengrass, so he hadn't realized the sheer amount of things involved. A wedding cake and a groom's cake? He wasn't even that fond of cake, so why did he need his own? At least he had until after her society debut before she sprung more wedding details on him. She wanted to meet and greet and make a splash before the wedding date was set. It was a bit unorthodox that she would be making her entrance already engaged, but at least it would give him more time to come up with a plan.
She deserved much better than what she was getting.
More than a wizard that still had lurid dreams about another woman. A woman with soft, jasmine scented skin, and a body made for wet dreams. He still wanked at her memory. He hadn't shagged another witch in months and to be honest, the break was completely out of character. Blaise had always been very sexual; a fact that many a Hogwarts witch could attest to. They had simply loved him. Blaise was an attentive lover that knew how to not to kiss and tell. He was content to let Draco be known as the Slytherin Sex God, but he knew he was the one that lingered on a witches mind.
The absence of sex, made him feel more than a little unsettled. It wasn't that he couldn't get it up. It got up just fine, it was his mind that was the problem. He simply didn't want any other witch other than his sexy Jeanette.
It all pretty much boiled down to the fact that he was up shit creek without the paddle.
"Good evening, Monsieur Zabini," Ansel said as Blaise Apparated into the chateau.
"Good evening, Ansel. Is every one at the table already? I think I am just a bit late." He had forgotten his pocket watch on his bedside table, and judging by the sun outside he knew that he was cutting it a bit close.
"Oh non, Monsieur. You have time to get there and be seated before the first course is served. They are in the petit dining room."
Thanking the house-elf, Blaise walked down the white marbled floors to the small dining room used for intimate, more casual dining.
The walls were painted in a peachy, terracotta color. The dark oval table and chairs were set over a beige and golden Samarkand rug that softened the effect of the dark table.
Surprisingly, there were three occupants sitting and awaiting dinner.
Bernard smiled engagingly at his soon to be son in law, his plump cheeks exposing dimples. He was a short portly man that had a perpetually surprised look upon his face.
Jacqueline, wearing a mint green dress, with her hair pushed back with a simple headband smiled and rose to greet him. She kissed him softly on the cheek and led him closer to the table.
The last occupant was Hermione Granger, who stared at him with a shocked look upon her face.
Blaise raised his brow in question and saw her visibly change her composure. She looked good. She was wearing an ivory dress, sleeveless that showed off her slender, toned arms to advantage. Her insanely curly hair was pulled into a top knot and looked a bit damp. Her face was devoid of makeup, besides the blush that rose to her cheeks.
Blaise was pulled from his inspection when Jacqueline spoke, "Mon cher, I am so glad that you are 'ere. May I introduce you to my English tutor, 'Ermione Granger?"
Blaise bowed slightly. "We know each other already. That is to say we went to school together."
Jacqueline beamed. "Ah, so you are friends, no?"
"No," Hermione barked.
Jacqueline blinked.
That was odd, Blaise thought sitting down at the table. They hadn't exactly ran with the same people, but he had never really spoken to her. Draco had always had the biggest problem with the Muggle-born witch, but Blaise himself hadn't been back to school for over a year. What was with the strange reaction?
The prospect of a quiet dinner, while meeting her new employers had seemed enjoyable.
Her hair was still damp and drawn into a top knot when Hermione arrived to the main house. She had been running a bit late and only had about fifteen minutes to find the dining room. She headed toward where she was sure she had seen a large dining room earlier.
She took one step forward before jumping back and whipping her wand out before her.
"Oh, mademoiselle. Liddy is so sorry she startled you."
Hermione pushed back the surge of adrenaline and finally noticed that it was only a house-elf in front of her. The elf had large brown eyes and a dress made of what looked like a three or four white doilies sewn together.
"It's okay, Liddy," Hermione had sighed. "Just please make sure that you give me warning before you pop in." Hermione's reflexes were hard earned during the war, and she found that it was difficult not to act accordingly when startled.
"Please forgive me, I lost track of time. I had meant to be here to show you the way to dinner. If I may have your hand we can Apparate to the petit dining room," Liddy answered apologetically.
Grasping Liddy's hand, Hermione soon found herself outside a small dining room. Since the occupants hadn't noticed her yet, she had the pleasure of scrutinizing them before they could do the same to her.
She was so occupied with her perusal that she barely noticed when Liddy left.
Jacqueline was everything physically that Hermione was not. Blonde and tall with a runway model figure. She was wearing a chic, strapless, mint green dress that ended a bit over her thighs. Her hair was pushed from her face with a simple matching headband, the curling ends ending just above her derriere. The effect was an innocent yet sexy vibe.
Her father, Bernard, couldn't be more opposite. He reminded Hermione of the little animated clock in the Muggle movie Beauty and the Beast. He was short, portly, and Hermione was sure that his brown hair was a toupee.
Clearing her throat, she entered the room. Immediately, Jacqueline rushed forward and began talking to her in a burst of lilting French.
Hermione answered her questions one by one. "Yes, my trip was nice. I do like the cottage and I find it very comfortable. I agree that I think we are going to have fun together." She made sure to speak in English, silently letting the girl know that she would be speaking primarily in English.
Jacqueline blushed. "Oh, excuse me. You see, I do need your 'elp so much." Her accent was very thick. Hermione had her work cut out for her.
They all sat at the small oval table in the center of the room. Hermione was pleased that she wasn't having her first dinner with the Forsberg's in the austere, intimidating formal dining room.
The small dining room was cheery, with peachy walls and small table. The large windows showcased the setting sun on the chateau's gardens.
Jacqueline was charming. Thank goodness that we will be able to get along, Hermione thought to herself. She had been afraid that she would be dealing with a snooty, pampered, rich girl for the next two months, but was pleasantly surprised. Oh, Jacqueline was pampered, but it seemed that she didn't have that sense of entitlement that so many rich people cultivated.
They chatted amiably for a bit before Jacqueline abruptly stood, her face radiant with her smile.
Since she was facing the door, Hermione had to turn to see what had caused such a reaction.
The sight of Blaise Zabini was like a punch to her stomach. When Jacqueline introduced him as her fiancé, she wanted to run from the room. Belatedly, she noticed the huge ring on the girl's finger. How did I manage to miss that, she thought to herself. The bloody thing could probably sink the Titanic.
She forcibly removed the slightly struck expression from her face, managing to rasp out a no, when Jacqueline asked if they had been friends in Hogwarts.
Jacqueline looked nonplussed and Hermione quickly elaborated. "I knew who he was in Hogwarts, but we weren't what you would call friends. We were in different houses."
Blaise raised a brow at her simple explanation. So, she had chosen the easy explanation. Not the whole sordid deal of him being friends with Draco and Draco basically hating her guts.
Hermione was glad when the house-elves brought out loaves a fresh, crusty French bread and a bowl of sweet cream butter. She used the excuse to butter a piece of bread and stuff her mouth instead of participating in the conversation. Jacqueline had no problem keeping the flow of conversation going by herself.
Hermione wanted to shiver in delight at the sound of Blaise's deep voice as he answered Jacqueline's questions.
"Yes, my business dealings went well. I expect a nice turn of profit."
Jacqueline pouted. "You still 'aven't told me what it is you do. Is it illegal?" She looked a bit titillated at the prospect.
"Sorry to disappoint," Blaise replied dryly. "I just prefer to keep my business life business and my personal life personal," he ended with a grin toward the girl.
Hmm, so he likes secrets in his real life too, Hermione thought. She thought about dropping her doozy into his lap for a full second before dismissing the insane thought.
Damn her luck. Hermione was stuck here for the next two months tutoring Jacqueline and keeping the fact that she had shagged her fiancée secret from her and the fiancée as well.
Blaise reached for a piece of bread, his hand slightly grazing Hermione's. A slight shudder went through her and her body felt sensitized. She was just so very aware of him.
"Excuse me," he said politely a look of puzzlement on his face.
"Oooo, canapés," Hermione blurted out a bit too excitedly. She didn't even really like canapés, but after her inane outburst, she was forced to eat a couple. She suppressed her grimace at the taste of the anchovy butter.
"I am glad to see that you like French cooking," Jacqueline was saying.
Hermione was happy to grasp the straw that Jacqueline had just given her. "Oh yes, when I was a little girl my Grandmother and I would visit France during the summers. It gave me a nice appreciation of French cuisine."
The rest of dinner went by mostly silently on Hermione's part, though the food was excellent. Hermione mentally reminded herself to keep up her schedule of running in the mornings or she would be as fat as Millicent Bulstrode in no time.
"Would you like to go 'orseback riding with us in the morning? Blaise and I usually prefer to ride just after breakfast," Jacqueline said as they were leaving the dining room.
"Oh, I don't know how to ride," Hermione lied. There was no way that was going to be spending more time with Blaise before she came up with a game plan.
Jacqueline looked crestfallen for a moment before she perked. "Blaise is an excellent 'orseman. I'm sure you wouldn't mind giving 'Ermione a lesson would you?" She directed her question at the wizard.
"Not at all. I've given lessons before," he said in reply.
I bet you have. I'd love to take some "lessons" from you, a thoroughly naughty part of Hermione thought.
Hermione saw no way to get out of the outing and finally capitulated. "Okay, I'll see you both at breakfast. What should I wear? I didn't really pack anything for horseback riding."
"A pair of jeans and a sleeved shirt would be best," Blaise answered, yawning a bit. "If you don't mind ladies, I'd like to retire a bit early this evening."
"I will walk you to your room, mon cher," replied Jacqueline.
Hermione could see that the witch wanted to spend some time with her fiancée and with a murmured goodbye, she took her leave of them.