PLEASURE AT HIS DISCOMFORT

CHAPTER NINE

“Energy is the essence of life. Every day you decide how you are going to use it by knowing what you want and what it takes to reach the goal and by maintaining focus”

OPRAH WINFREY

THE DUKE

I had almost let myself be consumed by her… I had watched her try to hide from me because I had hurt her. I wasn't one to feel sympathetic or sorry about anything but I was sorry I had made her cry. She was of the idea that I was going to kill her, I was but she did not need to know that.

The only reason I had Guinevere over at my place was because she looked like my dead wife, their resemblance so uncanny that if someone from that time saw her right now, they would mistake her for Katherine and have her killed right on the spot.

"Arthur!"

"Yes your grace, you called for me."

"Send a carriage to the account of Hemishire, let him know that the duke requires his presence."

"Am I to escort him myself, your grace."

"There will be no need for that, he is capable."

"As you wish" Arthur bowed before leaving

Arthur had been my servant since I re introduced myself to society. He was loyal and hardworking, two things that endeared him to me. His knowledge of who I was limited only to the fact that I was a rich duke, he had no idea of me being a vampire and I intended to keep it that way.

This was not because I was ashamed of who I was, I just did not want so many people knowing about my kind. It was better that way so we do not bring about the misfortune that had happened in the past.

I received a letter from Guinevere's father reminding me of the wedding that will be holding on Saturday and inviting me for dinner. I did not wish to honor the invitation but I was sure Guinevere would want to see her parents.

"Would you be coming with me?" she had asked when I informed her of the letter

"I am still thinking about it." I replied, watching her face

"I don't think you should." She announced

"Is that so, why not?" I smiled grimly

"It is quite obvious my papa does not like you and he's only inviting you for dinner to question and probably embarrass you which I do not want to happen." She had said blushing at her flimsy reason for wanting me to stay behind

I was touched by her concern for my person and name

"I am touched by your concern but you should know by now that I do not care what others say or think about me."

"I can see that now. If I may ask what exactly do you care about." She asked, staring up at me

"If I have to answer that I fear I would hurt your feelings."

"Oh spare me the concern, I know you care nothing about other people's feelings so you might as well answer." She exploded much to my surprise

"Feisty, now aren't you a feisty little bird. I'm beginning to see why I like you." I grinned

"You do not like me, what you like is your dead wife and I just so happen to be bearing her face."

"Katherine never talked to me the way you are now. She would never dare to talk to me in this sort of manner. So believe me when I tell you that I know the difference between you and Katherine." I blew hot, unsure of why I was angry at her statement.

"Well I'm not sure you do or you are just trying to convince yourself that I am not just some girl who was fortunate enough to be bestowed this face." She retorted

“The dinner is by eight sharp so we should be there by seven” I said and walked out

She was right and although it pained me to say, she was just some girl who was fortunate enough to bear my dead wife's face and even as I knew that she wasn't the one I still craved her. What did that make me? An animal no less

I did not want to have that discussion with her hence my sudden departure from her room, she just had a way of bringing out the worst in me and I barely knew her. If only she knew the thoughts that go through my mind whenever I see her, if only she knew about how I just wanted to just sink my fangs into her throat and empty the life out of her, she would run for her life to the far ends of the earth

The sight of her was enough to boil my blood and turn my eyes red. Centuries have I lived and never encountered one who elicited such feelings in me

I wanted to know who she was and her importance in my life and then I was going to get rid of her forever. She should blame it on her fate and blame it on the gods she worshipped that she had the misfortune to encounter me. I was not going to feel sorry when I finally killed her but first I must find out why she had my wife's face

GUINEVERE

He was running away from admitting to the fact that I was only here for experiments and the reason he wanted to marry me was to keep me all to himself to do as he pleased

He had said something about my scent, I could only dissect that to mean there was something about my blood he liked or maybe my scent was similar to his wife's. Whatever it meant it did not bode well for m

"My lady, his grace said you needed help dressing up." The maid entered my room

"No I don't need help…you're free to go."

She bowed and left my room

Why did he always feel like I needed help? Why did he consider me so fragile... I was going to show him that I was something more than his wife but first dinner with my family which I was sure was going to be a terrible affair

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"My lady, his lordship is waiting by the carriage for you." Arthur announced

"Let him know I shall be right down." I said to Arthur

Waiting by the carriage, I scoffed... such a gentleman.

I walked slowly down the stairs, watching so I did not trip as everywhere was so dark. He was indeed standing by the carriage in black looking like the most mysterious creature to ever live.

"Shall we?" He said bringing my hand to his lips and dropping a kiss.

I blushed

What was with me whenever I was around this man, all thoughts of reasoning flew out of the window just at the sound of his voice. I was hopeless where he was concerned.

"What are you thinking about with that frown on your pretty face." He asked

"I'm sorry, did you not want me to create frown lines on your wife's face?" I retorted

He did not respond but I saw his jaw harden, which pleased me immensely. I was finally getting to him just as he was getting under my skin.