I won?t keep anyone waiting, so here?s part two!
Disclaimer: I don?t own Gundam Wing. Simple, ne?
*~Upper Class~* Part Two
Relena was sipping from a glass of water. Sitting in the library as Master Winner had requested, she kept tipping the glass back and forth in her nervousness. Glancing around, she took note of all books
He was sure to be kind, as London society said. Surely Milliardo would not betroth her to a man that was cruel or wicked. Milliardo himself was a gentle soul and he would know, before all others, if such feelings would not be passed to her, would he not?
?Will you be taking dinner early this evening, sir??
?I don?t believe that will be necessary tonight, Peygan. Unless, of course, Miss Relena said she was hungry??
?No, she said nothing, sir. I was only wondering.?
Relena tensed a bit at the sudden tightness in the butler?s voice.
?Very well. Treize and Anne will be arriving in an hour or so; come six o? clock, we will dine. Thank you, Peygan.? Relena barely had time to straighten her posture before a tall, fair-skinned man with sun-colored hair strode in, a nervous-looking smile stretching a handsome face that bore eyes that had the look of the sea. The smile and eyes turned to Relena, and she drew a long breath.
But the smile only increased in its nervousness. ?Good afternoon, Miss Relena.? Before she could stand, he had taken a seat on the small couch next to her. She realized it might have been a good idea to start things off more relaxed than was usual upon meeting a person, but her upbringing forced her to raise her hand. Winner, it seemed, was also reflexive when he gently took it and pressed a close-mouthed kiss to her knuckles that lasted but a half-second.
?Lovely? was the word Quatre first thought of when he stepped into the library. But that adjective was soon replaced with another form of flattery until he decided that no word could describe her. Her face, angelic and healthy-looking had been enhanced with but the slightest amount of makeup. Her mouth was small and full and immediately enticing, he realized. Her golden hair was secured above her neck, and for an instant, he imagined what it would look like fallen about her shoulders, tousled and free, spread on a pillow, tangled in his own fingers. . . He halted his train of thought, and felt himself automatically smile over his mental embarrassment at catching himself thinking such things. It was with a soft tongue that he greeted her, and it suddenly felt only right to ignore the formal English self-introduction and lowered himself right next to her on the furniture. But he could not help the gentleman act his breeding called for when she lifted her hand. As he passed his lips over the back of it, he wondered briefly what it would feel like to kiss the bare flesh underneath of the glove on her hand, beneath the dress on her body. . .
For heaven?s sake, he was thinking like Treize! With a gulp, Quatre lifted his face. ?Do I find you well, Miss Relena? That is a lovely bracelet.?
?I am fine,? she answered politely. ?And thank you, Master Winner, it was what I found at the bazaar today.?
?You were safe?? he prompted gently, and she quickly nodded. As his butler had said, the governor need not know about the pirate in the pub.
Relena was now more than a little worried. Though she had never met the man before this moment, she had been raised to live up to expectation, and doing less could mean a ruined reputation for her and shame from Milliardo.
?Peygan was a very good escort,? she told him, forcing herself to smile. Before he could inquire further, she made a show of sweeping her gaze around the room again and changed the subject. ?You have a nice collection of books.?
Quatre felt his heart ease its frantic pace. ?Thank you. I always feel very comfortable here, in a chair reading. I?m quite fond of adventure novels.? He paused and his eyes widened. ?Forgive me, my thoughts have led astray.?
Relena shook her head. Although the governor looked as though a disturbance of any kind would put him in distaste, his voice was sincere. ?I appreciate the genre as well. Although I have always enjoyed Shakespeare.?
?Do you? I don?t blame you. The man was a genius; a master of his art.? Quatre started and gave a half-laugh. ?Mentioning art, I was sent this last Thursday.? Standing, he walked to an area behind the spacious desk that was placed in front of a window and lifted a massive framed portrait. ?I haven?t had the time to think of where to hang it yet, but now that I see you here beside it, the artist really did you no justice.? He turned the frame and let her see the painting.
She was sitting in an antique rosewood chair, gloved hands clasped in her lap over the skirt of an expensive teal dress. Sapphires hung at her ears and throat, and her hair was up in a style much like the won she currently wore.
Relena rested a hand over her heart. ?Oh! Yes, Monsieur Weyridge painted that about a month ago. I was never told why it was done, but I am glad to know why now, for I sat in that chair longer than three hours.? Like Quatre had, she paused and looked alarmed. ?Your forgiveness, sir, please. It is best of me not to complain.?
?Well, I would hardly describe those words as complaining.? Displaying it as well as he could for now, he leaned the portrait against the desk. Straightening, he nodded his head at her. ?I would not enjoy spending three hours in a chair either, madam.?
They shared a laugh, and Quatre could only think of how pleased he was that he and his bride-to-be had started on so well.
?Miss Relena, I should tell you. . .? But the Peacecraft woman raised a hand and his halted mid-revelation.
?Please don?t think me rude, Master Winner.? A soft smile shaped her lips. ?But if I am to marry you, I suppose we should drop such a formality as ?Miss?.?
At first he was shocked at the notion. They had, after all, just met. But then the thought was processed and he realized how reasonable it was. Oh, he thought with a grin, how dark his late father?s frown would be if he knew that a lady was charming him instead of he charming a lady. ?Very well, Relena.? And he liked how it sounded on tongue, closer, more intimate. Non-intimidating. ?I shall be Quatre, then.?
Her smile widened, and Quatre felt his heart jump and his blood stir at how utterly radiant she was.
He realized, so abruptly, and so terrifyingly, that he wanted her.
?What were you going to tell me, Quatre??
He started at her voice, spoken so suddenly, and he scrambled to remember what it was he had begun to inform her of before their formalities were dropped. When he did, he struggled to regain his composure over his brief frantic state.
?I?ah?yes. Duke Khushrenada and his wife will be joining us for dinner. They looked so forward to meeting you, so I invited them. I believe Lord Treize and you have met before??
A bit of the smile dropped from Relena?s face. ?Treize and my brother are good friends. Yes, I was introduced to him a few years ago, but he and Milliardo maintain correspondence more than anything. To be truthful, I. . .?
When she trailed off, Quatre encouraged her. ?You can tell me.?
?Well, it?s just that. . .? She lifted her head with bit of a smirk. ?I found Lord Treize to be quite the informal man.?
Quatre paused, and then burst out laughing. Once he had regained his breath, he met Relena?s wide eyes with his own. ?Yes, I do suppose he is,? he agreed, wiping tears of mirth from his face. ?But in all the years I?ve known him and heard gossip of him, never once have I heard him described so negatively. Oh, please don?t fret!? he exclaimed upon her expression moving to the floor. ?It was not at all rude. It?s only that everyone to come into contact with Treize has only spoke of him as a being more wonderful than God?s angels.? Walking forward, he took both of her hand in his. ?Please. I want you to feel relaxed here, Relena. I want you to be happy. And I hope that in time, you will like living here with me.?
Relena blinked up at him, undecided over whether she was thrilled by his words or the touch of his hands. A slow smile crossed her face, and she inclined her head respectfully. ?To be honest, Quatre, I am not sure if I do not like it already.?
Quatre?s cheeks warmed, and he damned his easy blush. But he released his irritation as her face only grew more pleasant to look at. ?I?m glad of it. Now, if you wish to prepare for dinner. . .?
Relena nodded and, saying nothing, she walked by him and disappeared from the room. The sound of her shoes on the marble stairs faded, and Quatre found himself wishing for her quick return.
His gaze landed on the portrait. ?Monsieur Weyridge is the worst painter I?ve ever seen the work of,? he said to himself and walked off to supervise dinner preparations.
***
?Well, that was nice,? Hilde commented.
?Agreed,? said Duo. ?And I am an expert on telling if a meal is good or not.?
Trowa frowned a bit. ?We did spend quite the sum, though.?
?Oh, don?t be a bad sport, Trowa!? Catherine ordered. ?After all, we can always earn back what we spent.?
Wufei paused. ?You call it earning??
?Shhh!? Sally hissed. Her eyes moved to her left. ?Oh for goodness sake! Look at you, Heero. Trowa may have his sister hanging on his arm, but you?ve thin air. When are you going to stop buying the whores and actually marry one of them.?
Heero?s brows lowered. ?The day you and Wufei settle down on land.?
Sally wrinkled her nose. ?Perish the thought of such foul living arrangements. I can hardly stand being on this spit of earth for a day. And why not, I?ve a mind to ask you? You can put a ring on a girl?s finger just as well as Wufei and Duo can.? She paused a moment, then sighed. ?Actually, my husband didn?t, did you, Wufei? He just. . .held it out to me and suggested I put it on my hand. You bastard.?
?You had egg yoke on your hands!?
?I?d?ve sword I?ve heard this argument before,? chuckled Duo before turning to Yuy. ?Well, then, Captain? It be a long trek to the Governor?s mansion. We could steal some horses??
?Too much time wasted,? Heero told him. ?We?ll walk.?
?Oh, that does sound delightful, Captain, to be sure,? Hilde said slowly. ?But I?m sure we women would just be in the way if we came along. All the walking. . .we?d only take up time.?
?Liar, Hilde, you three can keep up,? Wufei snarled.
?Perhaps,? Catherine admitted, ?but our time here would be much more well-spent if we used it to catch a chicken or two, eh, ladies??
Sally and Hilde nodded.
?It sounds promising to my stomach.? Duo rubbed said stomach with a grin. ?I say ?aye,? but I?m not the only account. Boys??
?I don?t want them alone,? Trowa began but his sister hushed him by revealing a handful of daggers from the depths of her skirt.
?Don?t fret yourself, darling brother mine. We won?t be caught by none alive.? She winked and the three women stalked off.
?Temptresses,? Wufei muttered, thinking of Sally?s grin.
Duo chuckled. ?Vixens, more like. What woman volunteers to bring our meat??
?Them,? Heero answered. He tilted his head back to get a view of the hill on which Govenor Winner?s mansion stood. ?We best start the hike if we?re to get there before seven.?
And so Heero, Duo, Trowa, and Wufei started their bothersome walk to the mansion.
***
Quatre emerged from the dining room into the foyer in order to check the time on his tall grandfather clock. Having just changed into a clean black suit, he saw five-fifty-eight on the clock.
At the sound of footfalls, he turned to the stairs and felt every muscle in him tighten at the sight of his fianc?e. Unconsciously, his mouth fell open much like the way schoolboys? in town did.
Relena was dressed in a brilliant green evening gown. The billowing skirt and the corset she probably wore beneath the dress accentuated her waist and hips. She was adorned magnificently with emeralds that sparkled against her throat and ears. Her hair had even been changed to hang in a long, loose French braid, and her high-heeled white shoes clicked pleasantly against marble.
?You look. . .? he began, but again, Quatre had trouble finding a proper adjective. ?Radiant,? he finished, although the word seemed unsatisfactory.
Relena smiled, and a blush stained the flesh covering her high, slashing cheekbones. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, he took her hand and kissed it again.
?Treize and his wife, Anne, should be arriving any minute. But just a moment.? He began to reach into his jacket pocket. ?Before they come, I want to give you this.? From the pocket, he pulled a very simple, very lovely gold ring displaying a pink diamond.
Awestruck, Relena lifted her hand and allowed him to slip in onto her finger. Once he had, she held her hand up to see the jewel sparkle in the light of the lamps around them.
?I thought it only right,? Quatre explained hastily. ?Even though we are betrothed, I have always been a bit traditional, and I want you to know how much I appreciate you, Relena. I couldn?t help but think. . .? The babbling governor trailed off when her eyes met his. For a moment, all he could do was stare; stare at the color in her face, the blue in her eyes, the ring on her hand.
?Thank you, Quatre,? she said softly, and his heart gave a tremendous leap. ?It?s beautiful. . .and so kind of you.?
Against his mind?s judgment, emotions caused him to raise his hand and touch her cheek with his own gloved hand. ?Relena. . . I haven?t ever met someone like you. . . I don?t know you well. . . But I really didn?t expect??
The door was knocked on, and a deep voice was heard booming jovially: ?Let us in, Quatre Winner, that I may set my own eyes on your bride!?
Quatre?s hand dropped to his side, and with a bit of a blush, humor lit his eyes. ?Quite the informal man.?
Relena silently chuckled.
?I?ll get it, Peygan,? Quatre told the old man who had bustled in. He grasped a door handle and pulled the large slab of oak open.
Duke Treize Khushrenada and his Lady Anne smiled at him.
?You?re looking well, Governor Winner.? Behind Treize?s pleasantry?s intended sincerity lay a certain tone of amusement. Leaning in close, he whispered into Quatre?s ear, ?The red in your cheeks goes well with your suit. What have you been thinking??
?Nothing that concerns you,? he replied evenly as he shook his hand. He drew away and said in a louder voice, ?Treize, Anne, do come in. I?d like you to meet my fianc?e, Miss Relena Peacecraft of London.?
?Miss Relena, it?s lovely to meet you,? Anne spoke up with a smile. Relena could only think that her smile had more cunning than most women?s did. ?The travel from London to Dover must have been just exhausting.?
?It?s good to meet you as well, Madam. I slept quite a bit of the way, so I was not very tired upon my arrival,? Relena told her.
Treize took in the sight of her for just a moment, then bowed low. ?My dear Miss Relena, what a pleasure to see you again after such long years. My, but my good friend Milliardo certainly did raise a fine and beautiful woman.? He straightened and kissed her hand. ?Tell me, dear, how if your brother? I hope his health is good.?
?He is splendid, my lord. His second child will be born in less than four months.? At the thought of Milliardo, her sister-in-law Luchrezia, and her little niece Agatha, Relena smiled. ?He sends his regards to you.?
?Excellent, excellent,? Treize acknowledged. ?I?m glad to hear of such joy. If no other man deserves as much, Milliardo certainly does. Dear me, look at both of you together!? he exclaimed. ?Your light hair, your eyes. . . You are sure to have beautiful children,? he predicted, making the pair blush deeper. ?Now.? He turned his handsome grin to the host. ?Where is this dinner you spoke of??
?Right this way, Lord Khushrenada,? Peygan said from the corridor and led them to the dining room.
Relena had not been in this room yet, and took note of the exquisite crystal chandelier hanging on the high ceiling above the long table that appeared able to seat at least forty people. Quatre pulled out a chair, and motioned her to sit. When she did, she made sure to send him a smile before he sat down himself.
Quatre?s eyebrows went up as he picked up a rather expensive bottle and couldn?t help his own grin back at her. ?Wine for our guest of honor??
***
?Is there others who think this the time??
?Oh, lovely moment for a disturbance, I?d say,? agreed Duo to Trowa?s suggestion. He grinned at the sigh through the window. ?Rather a shame, though, while the governor likes his eyes on that lass across from him. Poor bloke. She must be his fianc?e. Rumor on the street says she came today. Betrothed.? He turned to his comrades. ?Think we should rescue her, mate? That swine of a duke looks lecherous this night.?
Heero frowned. That sun-haired woman whose back was to them not far in front of the window blocked the sight of the other woman, but no doubt was in him of her being the duke?s wife. ?A lucky find; the Khushrenadas are with Winner. Perhaps we should double the work.?
Wufei nodded once. ?I?d agree to that. Our last opportunity like this was a year past; we should seize the chance.?
?We should seize the girl,? Duo insisted, shoving his braid over his shoulder in irritation at being ignored. ?Winner is obviously sensitive of her, by the way he watches her. You?re classy, Yuy, think of something.? At his captain?s silence, he grinned wickedly. ?We could always make a profit of her in Barbados. Auctions are quite prominent this time of year.?
Heero directed a glare cold as ice in whiskey at him. ?I?ll not be selling any woman to slavery.?
?It?s not always slavery,? Trowa pointed out. ?Sometimes they?re made into private treasures. But still.? He narrowed his eyebrows at Duo. ?My stomach disagrees with that. Why do you think this way, Maxwell, when you?ve a gentle wife that loves you??
?Gentle?? Duo instinctively gripped his braid in protection. ?Nay, she be not that. Loves me she does, however. And I was merely trying to motivate Heero into something.?
Heero did not reply.
?You want to,? Duo coaxed. ?If not for yourself, than for gold.?
?Ransom is quite profitable,? Wufei suggested. ?And we?ve never tried her.?
?I wouldn?t kill her so needlessly. We aren?t ruthless, Wufei,? Heero growled.
?I have the feeling,? Trowa murmured softly, ?we won?t have to.? He paused a beat. ?Does she look familiar to any of you??
?Probably strikes a look with a lass you bedded years back, Barton,? Wufei offered.
Trowa cast another glance at the back of the governor?s fianc?e?s head. ?Perhaps.?
?Come on.? Moving away from the window, Heero stood from his crouched position on the ground. ?It?s your idea, so I?ll leave the woman to you, Duo.?
?Aye, sir.? Duo?s grin grew wider. ?As you wish it,?
***
?That was wonderful ham, Quatre,? Anne complimented.
?Yes,? Treize agreed. ?A nice dinner to favor Miss Relena?s arrival. To add to the celebration, I propose a toast.?
With a blush, Relena the joined the others in raising her wine-filled goblet.
?To Relena,? Treize announced. ?To Quatre. May you both have a happy wedding day and a life together full of love, eventually.?
Quatre?s eyes narrowed. ?Treize??
?Hear, hear!? called Anne, and with nothing else to say, they all drank.
?I toast one more thing,? said a voice that was not Treize?s. The four turned to see a man with a cocky grin and a long, chestnut braid standing with a man who was obviously Asian. ?How ?bout you raise your arms,? he pointed a pistol, ?and let that little lass,? he nodded at Relena, ?come this way??
Treize tilted his head in curiosity. ?Pirates. You?re pirates, and you only want the governor?s fianc?e??
The Asian one smirked. ?Nay, think us that prideful, do you? Two more of us went off for your money.?
?Wait!? Quatre hissed when Relena started standing. ?Hold on, Relena, you don?t??
The sharpness of her eyes on him halted his speech. ?I?ll not have anyone harmed when it is possible for me to prevent it.? She smiled lightly. ?I?ll see you again, Quatre. Wait for me.?
?Come on!? Wufei barked and took out his own pistol.
Relena, chin up, posture straight, walked to Wufei. ?And now what will you do?? she challenged.
Wufei?s lip curled. ?Follow orders.? Bending down, he hauled Relena over his shoulder, earning a cry of outrage. ?I?ll take her down to the ship. You keep watch while Heero and Trowa work.?
?Aye, I?ll do so. Er,? Duo said to the girl on Wufei?s shoulder, ?Don?t bite him or anything. Please??
Relena was still astonished at the idea when Wufei carried her out the back door from which the four pirates had entered.
A horse?s whinny caused Wufei to look in the direction of the town. Hilde, Catherine, and Sally were riding toward the mansion. In Catherine?s satchel were two dead hens.
?Ahoy there, O man with a dame on his back!? Hilde called. Relena glared at her, and she laughed. ?What are you doing with that lass??
Sally stared down her nose at him. ?I?d like to know the same.?
?Take her from me.? Ignoring Relena?s protests, he easily shoved her on the horse behind Catherine.
?This is despicable! Evil pirates, I?ll have you know that once my brother knows I am not in the governor?s home, he?ll??
?Oh, shut up, girl.? Ripping part of her apron, Catherine gagged her with the cloth, knowing that if the woman released her, she would fall from the horse. ?What?s happening, Wufei??
?Maxwell wanted to rescue her.? Wufei lifted one shoulder. ?We?ll get gold from her somehow.?
?Go on ahead to the ship, Cathy,? suggested Sally. ?The others can ride with us. I?m sure we can fit three on these two horses.?
?Aye! Hold tight, girl.? Once she felt the pressure on her shoulders tighten, Catherine ripped down the road back to the dock.
Not much later, Trowa, Duo, and Heero emerged, carrying bags bulging heavily.
?I see they lack one occupant at the dinner table,? Trowa noted. ?Did Cathy take her ahead??
?Aye, she did,? Sally smiled. ?Do not scowl, Trowa. Your sister is quite safe ? and quite ready to make us a chicken dinner.?
Heero took his place with Wufei and Sally while Trowa joined Duo and Hilde. ?To the docks then.? He smirked. ?I want to know what kind of regal woman Governor Winner found for his bed.?
***
?Don?t look so frightened, lass,? Cathy suggested after pulling her onto the Ivory Damsel. ?We are not born killers.?
?Why should I fear you?? Relena questioned, although her heart beat much too fast for her liking.
Catherine grinned, her gray eyes dancing. ?Because my captain may. . .?approve? of you upon his return. But you need not worry. Captain Yuy is not that sort of man.?
Captain Yuy, Relena thought. Let him return soon. Then she would see what sort of man he was.
************************************************************************
Gundam Girl: Yup, that?s it for now, sorry guys! I didn?t want to make a huge ole? cliffhanger. . .but I guess there are cliffhangers worse than this, right? Hope you enjoyed, and please review!
The following is not necessary to the story. I?m just reply to all the wonderful review I got on FFN:
Maxine: Hey! I agree, dearest. Heero without a shirt definitely matches up to Orlando Bloom in the hat. *sigh* Both are hot. Glad you like it, thanks!
N: Yeah, sorry about that. . . FFN messed up.
Angel Yuy: Hey, thanks for R&R?n! Yup, ?Pirates? is like my fave movie now.
Kat-Tastrophe: Wheee!
Sweetangel4: Wow, hon, I?m really sorry this took so long. My Internet died, otherwise it would have been up a week ago.
Vampire: Thank ye gentle one!
Ka: Thanks. Don?t worry about pushing my borders, we all need a good kick in the arse.
Olly: You?re like my new best friend.
Noir de Soir: Heh, you have me just that kick. (see comment to Ka) Thank you!
Spence: Ah, yes! Sinbad was awesome, though it never crossed my mind to think of it as I wrote this. *shrugs* Oh well, thanks!
Kamira-ruki: Hon, you are awesome! I?m glad you think my works good enough to be on your fave AUTHOR?S list! You?re great, thank you!
Elyn Yuy
Duo can abduct me any day...