Viscount (Steve Rogers AU) 18+

28

"A new season...let's just hope this one isn't as vicious as the last"  Sarah noted as the carriage rolled through the familiar streets of town again. "I'm surprised that you both agreed to come?" Looking to Steve and Jocelyn who were sat beside one another. 

"Believe me I wasn't exactly racing to get here mother". He sighed, wishing that they were already back in the countryside. In the months that had passed by, he'd enjoyed the peace. He'd only agreed to attending Tony's ball because he was a friend, and he'd not seen him since he and Pepper had visited Jocelyn after everything had happened last year. 

If anything he was more concerned about Jocelyn, and coming back into town. She was nervous but had admitted that she couldn't hide away forever. It would have only shown everyone else that they had won, regardless of their apologies or not. "Are you sure you want to go? I don't want you stressed..." He began but she stopped him.

"I'm fine. If I find I'm not enjoying myself or anything is said then we will leave straight away. I promise". She assured him. If anything the past year had taught her to be stronger. She felt as though she had gained a lot more authority within her own household and was able to run it to the best of her ability. The servants certainly looked to her more and admired their mistress - not that they did not before, but she was certainly liked by them. 

Finally, the carriage came to a stop outside their residence, and Steve helped his wife from the carriage, greeting the housekeeper and butler, as well as the servants that had arrived a few days ago, again. 

"Finally! We wondered when you'd get here!" Bucky now strolled casually through the entrance hall with Sam. 

"Don't you have your own homes to go to?" Steve rolled his eyes. 

"Much fun here at yours pal, and you know it", Bucky smiled and looked to Jocelyn. "Please tell me he's not gonna be this miserable for the whole length of his stay". 

She smirked. "Three days, I am sure that he can cope". 

Steve looked to his manservant, Peter, who had know appeared. "Please tell me that you've brought me the bottle of brandy that I asked for". 

"Right here my lord". Peter smoothly opened his jacket and produced the bottle from where he'd somehow managed to stuff it into his inside pocket. In the other side he now took out a glass.

"Wow kid! You're actually proving to be useful this year". Bucky grinned and jokingly cuffed Peter round the head. His parents had died when he was a child and so he'd been sent to live with his Aunt May, who was Sarah's long standing maid. Peter had managed to secure a place in Steve's household, first starting off in the stables but then slowly working his way up. 

Peter grinned. "Learnt a few tricks from you and Mr Wilson though". 

Steve turned to his friends. "Really?"

"He brought you the brandy didn't he?" Bucky shrugged and then went to embrace Sarah. "My favourite second mother..." 

She shook her head. "James...stop leading the staff astray". 

"Peter's fine, it's just the women you've gotta worry about". He winked. 

Jocelyn threw him an unamused look. "I can't be losing staff because of your inability to keep it in your breeches". 

"Woah! Ok". And with that, Bucky was gagged. 

Jocelyn headed for the staircase. "I'm going to change and then rest, and when I come down I do not want to find that you are incapacitated by brandy". She looked back to the three men who just nodded. 

Sarah smirked and followed her daughter in law. "I should think that by now they have learnt to listen to you". 

"Steve certainly has". 

He watched his wife and mother go upstairs and then passed the brandy bottle to Bucky. "Peter, we'll be in the study if I'm needed". 

"Yes sir". 

**

"Now are you sure that you want to go". Steve had asked his wife for the fifth time in the space of half an hour. 

"We're outside the Stark's now, Steven. Of course I'm sure". She huffed.

She really did look beautiful tonight. He'd noticed the change in her as well as his mother. It was like she had grown into her role and knew her place instead of feeling out of it. And he applauded her. 

He got out first and then took her hand, helping her down. 

"Anytime that you want to leave, you tell me". He told her. There was no way she was leaving his side tonight. 

"I have endured much worse. I am sure that I'll be fine". She assured him yet again. 

It wasn't as that she wasn't nervous, because she was - but she knew that she could handle people and their comments a lot better now than before. Whether they dared to make them tonight would be another thing. 

Leading his wife inside, they headed to the ballroom where everyone was congregated, drinking, dancing, in conversation - however all eyes seemed to turn to them as they appeared at the top of the steps that led down to the room. Then the whispers began, but rightfully so - because it wasn't Jocelyn who they were shocked to see, it was her perfectly rounded stomach that stood out to them all...