Taming the Demon

Then the first Date... Sorta

"You dance like a goat, Stephanie," Cassandra giggled.

But the kind blonde only smiled and replied as Tim's eyes fell in her direction. "Thank you, Lady Sandsmark, for goats are very nimble on their feet."

The girl's smile faded with annoyance: bested by a lowly commoner and turned to Lord Kent ruffled. Stephanie only grinned wider as Tim chuckled behind her, unable to help himself. The hum of his laughter was sweet music to her ears as she swayed before him and tucked herself into a clumsy, but endearing curtsy.

"Lord Drake," she greeted as he bowed before her.

"Mistress Brown, are thee as clever as a goat as well?"

Her eyes met his as they turned about each other. "When it suits me."

He smiled and placed his hand on hers. "You did manage to find my wretch of a brother a match," he conceded. "What other miracles art thou capable of?"

"I am no miracle worker, I just have a talent for match-making."

"If that be so, then maybe thou might help me?"

Stephanie paused and misstepped, nearly losing her place in their dance, earning a sting of laughter from Cassandra. "If it is a match you seek, I might be able to find one for thee."

"Aye, I know my match. 'Tis a matter of persuading her to fall in love with me."

"I'm afraid it is not that easy, My Lord," she stammered. "Love is a matter of the heart and the heart will feel what it wants. I simply find compatibility, I do not craft it. I am not a witch."

"You can't help me then," disappointment rounded on his face as he looked beyond her to the pretty blonde laughing at his rival's attention.

However, a plan bloomed in her fair head. "I never said that," Stephanie urged. "If it's love you seek, I can help thee find it," she smiled invitingly, seeing this offer as an opportunity instead of a defeat.

"T'is settled then. What do I owe thee in return?"

"Your heart."

"What?"

"Nothing," she squealed when she saw her mistress emerge from the crowd, beckoning her over with a cool expression. But why would she call on me and not Mistress Cain? "I fear there are shenanigans afoot."

Tim looked up in question and noticed the baroness approaching.

Stephanie briefly dismissed herself, letting the young Duke know she needed to attend her Mistress. She did her best to move among the dancing couples, trying not to collide with anyone, and made her way to Raven.

"What is it you require, my Lady?"

Raven paused, trying to think of how she was going to present this matter. Best to be out with it. "The prince and I require privacy."

Stephanie's eyes grew wide as a wicked smile graced her sly face, adding a hint of blush to her cheeks. "Why Madam, does the prince wish to know thee better before the wedding bed?"

Raven gave her a scolding look and gestured for her to keep her voice down. "The prince requires no such thing. It is simply a matter of getting better acquainted."

" Acquainted ?" Stephanie snickered in a hushed whisper. "If that's what thou wishes to call it--"

"Will you help me or not?" Raven asked through her unamused expression, as there was nothing she could say that would cleanse her tainted mind.