SWEET CREATURE [ Ramsay Bolton ]

CHAPTER SEVEN

     When Ramsay steps into the room, the atmosphere noticeably changes. It's hard for Darren to pinpoint what it is about Ramsay that sets him on edge. He appears as polite as ever, tilting his head down in a respectful nod towards Katherine, hands politely clasped behind his back. Yet there is something in his eyes, brittle and cold, and the lines around his mouth that suggest something much more dishonorable.

"Might I have a word alone with the lady?" He doesn't question why she's alone in her chamber with another man. He doesn't look twice at the suggestive discarded cloak that still lies on the ground. He doesn't even bother trying to look appalled. He simply waits for the audience of his valued guest like a gentleman would.

When Darren leaves the room, Ramsay firmly shuts the door behind him. The clicking of the lock falling into place ominously sounds throughout the room.

"How can I help you, my lord?" She asks sweetly. It's always easy for her to slip into the role of Esme Ambrose. Propriety is a second nature to her; even before Esme, Katherine had mastered playing the part of the innocent highborn lady. It was a much different station than the one she had been born with, but that had been lifetimes ago. Katerina, now, was nothing more than a distant memory.

"I have a rather delicate matter to discuss with you." Ramsay walks towards her, hands still safely behind his back. How nonthreatening he presents himself. "Don't look so nervous, my lady. This shall be quite painless if you promise to remain honest with me."

Cocking a brow, he waits for Katherine to giver her promise, of course, before continuing.

"It's about your recent late night visitor," he reveals at last. "You've been upsetting my darling Myranda. We can't have that." His voice takes on a tone of condescension, as if scolding a misbehaving child. Katherine can admit that she has been a little naughty as of late.

"Oh, yes," she tells him, eyes going wide in apparent surprise. "We did have a... girl talk." She touches her lips, hiding her smile as she hesitates. "Pardon me for speaking so frankly but... Myranda isn't a partner I would have expected of you. Your infatuation with Fiona isn't surprising but Myranda... Well, she is pretty but her jealousy is a tad extreme."

His blue eyes darken to the point where they almost appear black. "Is it a habit of yours to converse with whores?"

Quickly turning her back, Katherine tries to hide her thrill at his thinly veiled aggression. He had made the first move, the first verbal attack. Now, at last, it is her turn.

When she turns back to face him, she looks confused. Sweet little girl, he thinks, lips curling up in a smirk. Has she even ever heard of the word? Yet, this is the same woman who had frightened Myranda away, Myranda who was never afraid of anything. This is the woman who understood what game he loved to hunt in the woods.

This is the woman who turns and casually asks him, "Is it a habit of yours to bed them?"

     She's wild. The sudden realization hits him and he wants her. He wants to own her, to tame her, and his body grows tense at the thought.

"Myranda isn't a paid whore and won't be treated as such." The delivery is flat and there's no passion to his declaration of affection when he says, "we're madly in love and I intend to marry her."

"I doubt you pay any of your whores," she laughs. "And I hope you're more convincing of your love in the after glow." She speaks with an air of nonchalance but her eyes carefully follow him as he stalks towards her from across the room. For a man who seems so much larger than life, Ramsay is actually a bit small. As much as he'd like to, he doesn't tower over her. They stand at eye levels, apparent equals.