A/N Hello! I have returned at last and must apologise for not uploading sooner! After reading all the great reviews so far I decided that this story does indeed need finishing. So I would like to thank everyone who has either followed, favorited and reviewed my story so far, it has been extremely encouraging. Anyway I hope everyone will enjoy this chapter :)

She gasped into the kiss allowing Claude to push his tongue into her shocked mouth. He moved his position slightly, moaning as his tongue traced the outline of her pink bottom lip, causing Penelope to feel a mixture of warmth and dizziness. She didn't comprehend how long the kiss lasted but after what felt like a life time, Claude pulled back glaring at her with an intensity she had never witnessed before. it was as though his eyes were glowing with such ferocity that he could see into her very soul. Something which wouldn't have surprised her if he did.

The usually controlled butler was panting heavily, his shirt undone and blood staining his porcelain skin, it was a sight to behold and Penelope was finding it hard not to be in awe of the power he radiated. She moved from beneath him, sitting up more and took a shuddering deep breath. The man who was currently in the confined space with her was no longer the calm butler but a demon, a demon who she could see was lusting after her. She was not scared however, after all the past with Lucy trying to kill her had somehow made her feel more detached from danger. Instead she felt warmth pool between her legs and her eyes remained fixated on his lips, still wet from their last kiss.

As though facing a monster, which some would regard him as, she tentatively reached forward with her hand and cupped his face, amazed at how warm his usual cool skin was. Pushing herself up slowly, as though she did not want to alarm him, she watched as he only cocked his head to one side. She couldn't tell if he was trying to gain back control, after all he was being suspiciously still. Deciding that she may not have another opportunity to take her own control of the situation, she leaned closer and pressed her slightly bruised lips against his own, smiling into the gentle kiss when she felt him stir from his odd trance.

Two strong arms suddenly pulled her body closer, her chest pressed against his own and for a brief second Penelope wondered how bloody her dress would be, but that thought was stripped from her mind when she felt Claude growl deep into the kiss. The situation was beginning to take a serious turn, and Penelope was more than aware that Claude was not in the right mind. She wanted to continue but her mind reeled with worries. Would he hate her when he snapped back to reality? Was Lucy going to attempt something again? What would happen to their friendship now? To say her worries were killing the mood was an understatement and a sudden bump of the carriage against a rock caused the carriage to sway. This appeared to have gained Claude's attention as he broke the kiss and blinked a couple of times. Penelope would have thought the situation funny with his dazed expression, but she was far more concerned about the current consequences of their kiss.

Claude stared at her for a few seconds before moving completely away, quickly sorting his appearance out. Before Penelope could even speak however, the carriage came to a halt and she realised that they had reached the house. Within a blink of an eye, Claude had left the carriage, opened the door on her side and taken the sleeping body of Victoria in his arms. As Penelope exited the carriage, the lit candles above the main door finally showed the damage done to her dress and it was painted in a black substance. Claude's glasses glinted against the candle light and she watched him observe her.

"I will take Victoria to her chamber, in the meantime please go and get dressed and I will be back shortly". His voice was no longer dull, but instead sounded almost strained. Penelope did not need telling twice and practically ran into the building and up the stairs, not once looking behind her.

The minute she entered her bedroom and closed the door behind her, she leant against the door feeling an overwhelming amount of emotions. Grabbing a packet of matches that Victoria would leave on the side, Penelope clumsily made her way around the room lighting each candle, starting to think that the room had an unnecessary amount of the blasted things. When she finished the task of lighting what felt like the entire building she threw the matches onto her dressing table and sighed.

It was then that she allowed herself to giggle, it was quiet at first but the whole night started to get to her and seconds later she was in a fit of laughter. In a space of a night she had been in the company of a Lord (an annoying one at that), had someone planning to kill her and her own butler kissing her. She found the entire situation obscene but as she began to strip the bloody garments off, her apprehension returned. She was thankful the blood hadn't stained her skin or come through the clothes and she put on a fresh night gown which had been waiting for her on her clean white bed. She began to rehearse in her head what on earth she was about say to Claude. She had no excuses for her behaviour but what scared her the most was the knowledge that the kiss had caused such a response from her. A knock on the door broke her train of thought and she shouted for Claude to come in.

When he entered the butler looked completely calm, as though none of the events had even happened. He made his way into the room, gently closing the door with a soft click and finally made eye contact with her.

"So… urmmm… I…I suppose that we need to talk about this". Penelope stuttered nervously. In reply he walked closer until he was only a few steps away from her. He then moved around her to the bed and pulled back the covers, gesturing for her to get in.

"Oh… of course". She mumbled and shoved herself into the bed unceremoniously, the events of the day starting to catch up on her. She almost let out a shocked gasp when he just turned his back and began to leave the room.

"What do you think you are doing?" she suddenly asked with some unknown confidence that surprised even herself. She was not letting him just pretend like nothing had happened. He stopped his movements, his back going rigid and Penelope was almost glad she could not see his current expression. Very slowly he rotated his body and she saw the conflict in his eyes.

"I think you need to sleep mistress, we can talk tomorrow". His voice was back to his monotonous drawl and Penelope felt a wave of frustration wash over her as he said the word 'mistress'.

"No. We are not playing that game Claude. We will discuss it now and if you use the word mistress again when I have specifically told you not to…I…I will…." She ranted off, quite aware that she had nothing to threaten him with. He appeared to smirk and she watched him turn again and walk towards the door. Feeling the stinging pain of rejection, Penelope threw back her covers and started to get off the bed.

"Please Claude". She begged. As soon as the words left her throat she watched Claude suddenly grasp the door for balance and he gave a sharp hiss before nearly falling down.

"Claude!" Penelope exclaimed, running over to him. He had allowed himself to fall into a sitting position and she felt tears prick her eyes. He looked up into her eyes and she swore he grimaced as though he was in more pain. Not knowing exactly what to do, she felt a bit daft flapping about around him like a mother hen, and just as she was considering getting Victoria she felt his gloved hand grasp her flailing hand, pulling her to the floor.

"Will you stop that". He murmured, causing her to give him an affronted look. She was about to call him a cheeky so and so but it was not the time or the place. He then let go and leaned back against the wooden door, his expression returning into one of calmness. The candles which littered the room flickered as though a breeze had been present.

"You wish to discuss the event in the carriage?" he asked, as though it was the last thing on earth he would want to talk about. Penelope was tempted to drop the subject after his odd attack but knew that the situation needed to be discussed.

"Well yes, that and everything else that this eventful night has had in store for us". Using her hands, she tiredly rubbed her eyes, getting rid of any dampness that was once there.

"We kissed Claude". She stated, watching his face like a hawk for any emotion to appear. He didn't initially react, instead just stared back, but Penelope could see his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed and she could tell he was trying to find a way to respond.

"Yes, I am aware of that".

"Is that all you have to say on the matter!" She almost shouted, completely taken back at his attitude. "You also just collapsed nearly, do you want to explain that or are you content with just being aware of it?"

Sitting up, Claude's shoulder's sank slightly and he leaned away from the door. Very slowly he moved his hand to grasp her own and then brought it against his lean chest. Pressing her hand flat against his chest, she felt the muscle underneath the fabric twitch at the contact but she could not feel the heartbeat. His hollow chest was moving up and down with each breath and Penelope could only wonder what his point was.

"The debt I am in, our connection, means that I am bound by your emotions. If I cause you to be upset or in pain with the full knowledge of doing so I will pay the price. You were upset just now, I knew but didn't try to help and suffered the consequences. It is never your fault, only mine". For the first time in a long while Penelope felt as though Claude was being fully open with her. She pulled her hand away, feeling ever so slightly guilty for contributing to his pain and grasped his hand, attempting to pull him up. He allowed her to do so and carefully she walked him to her bed where she gestured for him to sit.

"How often has this happened?"

"It is a rare occurrence". He responded quickly, his eyes guarded by the glint of his glasses from the candles.

"And the kiss?" she asked, hoping he would reply.

"And?"

"What do you mean 'and'? I'm asking what it meant, what it means?" She snapped, giving him a pointed look wishing he would stop avoiding the question.

"Well I assume it means there is an attraction". She nodded in reply and cocked her head forward encouraging him to carry on.

"If I carry on Penelope there is no going back. What I am about to say will change things as you know it, are you prepared for that?" He warned, his golden eyes finally making contact with her own.

"Please do go on". And as the words left her mouth, she felt her heart thump against her chest, secretly wondering if she was indeed prepared.