CHAPTER 12:

Cecilia:

"We must host a dinner!" The thought had come to me one night in my sleep and I had made sure to be awake early enough to catch Rory before he left for the fields or his study.

He was certainly surprised to see me up and dressed before the sun had fully risen, I knew most ladies stayed in bed for hours on end but I for one hated idly lying in bed when there were things to be done. So it was with excitement and some sleepiness that I presented my idea to Rory at the breakfast table.

"What do you say? We have hardly done anything since we married and I'm sure it is expected of us to host some sort of social occasion." I tried to put my case as convincingly as possible, I had never hosted, or been to, a dinner before and I needed Rory to say yes so I could put my plan into action.

Ever since that humiliating day by the stream I had been plotting and planning the perfect way to exact my revenge on Rory and, after much deliberation, I had come up with what I thought to be the perfect plan.

Rory's eyes widened at the suggestion, "A dinner?" his eyes narrow at me and I tried to mask my face into an blank canvas of emotion.

It was like he was trying to find the reason for my sudden interest in hosting a dinner in my eyes and I was definitely not going to let him guess my motives.

I was also excited to host my first dinner as well as carry out my plan to embarrass Rory, I mulled over the preparations I would need to make as I awaited Rory's answer. First I would have to speak to cook and discuss the menu with her...

My thoughts were interrupted by Rory who still had his eyes fixed on me calculatingly. "Who did you want to invite?" He continues, not giving anything away. To be honest I had not completely thought through the guest list and as he was giving nothing away, I decided to be equally vague.

"Oh you know, friends, neighbours, people we ought to invite." He frowned at my ambiguity and I smirked slightly but returned my face to a look of impassive indifference when his eyes once more turned upon me.

I walked around the table and perched myself on the arm of Rory's chair ignoring the footmen placed around the room. Rory's eyes shot up to mine as I gingerly placed a hand on his chest, the other I looped around the back of his neck.

This had to work, and, if I knew anything about men, I was hopeful it would. I watched with silent mirth as Rory clocked all the staff present in the room and a struggle ensued on his face, luckily I won and his eyes returned to meet mine in confusion and something else I couldn't quite put my finger on.

I ran one of my fingers down his shirt slowly and leaned in so close that an inch more and our lips would meet. I battled to stop the thumping of my heart and the warm flutter inside my chest, for god's sake, I had a job to do and I was so close to accomplishing it. I would not be taken in by his devilishly handsome looks, I would focus on my aim.

I noticed smugly how my closeness seemed to be having an effect on him too. His eyes were wide and a dark walnut colour, his breathing had hitched as I shifted myself closer and beneath my fluttering fingertips I could feel the steady beat of his heart increase tenfold.

So, I thought gleefully, I affected him as much as he affected me... I knew arguing with myself and trying to convince myself that he had no influence on me or my body would be fruitless. The devil effected me in ways I had not known of before and it maddened me to no end.

Returning my focus to the job in front of me I twisted my head slightly to whisper in his ear, "Please?"

I watched with proud satisfaction as Rory mumbled the one word I had been waiting to hear, "Yes." I let a small squeal of excitement escape my lips and immediately jumped up from his chair, an enthusiastic smile on my face.

I turned to Rory who still seemed to be in shock, with the exhilaration still coursing through my blood I ran back to his side and placed a feather kiss on his cheek. "Thank you," I whispered breathlessly.

Rory's face blossomed red as he shook himself out of his daze and I couldn't help but laugh as his eyes widened in realisation understanding what I had done.

He stood slowly from his chair pushing it back slowly behind him, "Why, you little minx," he spoke menacingly, murder flashing though his eyes. I stood rooted to the spot for a second longer before picking up my skirts and running from the room without looking back.

"Ellis, the door!" I yelled as I turned into the main hall and sprinted for the door. I heard a humorous laugh from Ellis as he opened the door and I dashed down the steps, Rory only a few paces behind. I let out an unladylike curse as I heard Rory's footsteps growing louder, he had always been a faster runner than me.

I chanced a look behind me, Rory would soon catch up with me, I swore ungracefully again. Still clutching my skirts I willed my legs to carry me further from him but to no avail, within a few minutes he was right behind me.

One second I was running along the grassy ground and the next I had been flung up into the air as Rory snaked his arms around my waist. He plucked me from the ground, whirling me through the air before pulling me tight against his solid chest.

He shook his head at me trying to keep his face serious but his eyes were filled with a childish playfulness. "You shouldn't have done that dear," he growled at me as he held me pressed to him tightly.

"Oh?" I managed to say. I could feel every taut muscle in his body as he still held me firmly up against him and my heart was ricocheting in my ribcage so loudly I was sure he could hear it. I had to get away from him before I began to lose my self control.

God what was wrong with me. I had never felt anything towards Rory and as soon as I had started to pay some attention to him I was wanting to be held by him. I scolded myself but couldn't deny that there was something about being in his arms that felt right.

I groaned internally in annoyance, why why why did I have to be attracted to him of all people?

Although I would gladly have stayed in Rory's arms right then I followed my better judgement and tried to ease myself out of his powerful arms. "Now now now, where do you think you're running off too?" he teased. I let out a frustrated sigh as I searched desperately for an excuse to leave the good looking devil.

"Well, seeing as you oh so kindly agreed to let us host a dinner, I believe there is much to be done." Pleased with the excuse I smiled a satisfied smile.

Rory raised his left eyebrow, "Is that so?" He questioned, his grip still as tight as ever around my waist. I nodded confidently in response, it was so. "Before I've had time to teach you a lesson so as to make sure you shan't toy with me again?" He smiled a wide smile but his eyes held a wicked gleam.

"My sincerest apologies, but I fear I really must be going now." I attempted to peer around his broad shoulders to look back to the house, emphasising my haste to return. He ignored my statement and, capturing my chin between his thumb and forefinger, pulled my face back towards him.

"That is a shame indeed," he breathed, and before I could even register the movement I felt his lips on mine for the second time. I stood frozen for a moment before eagerly returning the kiss as a wave of heat seared through me.

\I felt his arms tighten around my waist and my hands slipped around his neck instinctively as I pressed myself closer to him. He suddenly pulled back, a smug smile stuck to his face, "You see, two can play at that game my dear, I do hope you have learnt your lesson."

He gave me a wink before turning around and walking off. I stood stuck in place as he walked away. I heard him laugh and turn back to me, "I thought there was 'much to be done'." He shouted mimicking me.

That despicable monster! How dare he kiss me like that! I refused to listen to the voice in my head telling me how much I had enjoyed it. I let out a groan of frustration as I spun on my heel and walked back in the direction of the house.

So that had been his lesson, the swine. He had just meant to teach me a lesson and I had acted so wantonly in response, I groaned again, how could I let him keep doing this to me.

I sighed in exasperation and tried to return my thoughts to the dinner party that I needed to organise, much to my annoyance though they seemed to constantly wander back to a certain brown eyed devil.

Hello dear readers!

Here is the second chapter as promised to make up for the shortness of the last one! Hope you enjoy it! Things getting slightly steamier... Have a good evening and please vote and comment!

Much love

xxx