The morning of the wedding found the castle in an uproar. Servants scurried through the great hall, depositing freshly baked bread and rolls of cheese among the dining tables, leaving jugs of mead for the patrons to serve themselves. For days they had been preparing the wedding feast, and no one had more than a few minutes to spare for the morning meal. Joey had yet to have the finishing touches put to her dress, the church still required decorating with specially chosen flowers from the gardens, the rings had not yet arrived from the goldsmith and the influx of wedding guests that continued to flood through Camelot's gates needed chambers, rooms for their servants and stalls for their horses. To say that the day was busy was an gross understatement.

Joey had scarcely a moment to herself. Everywhere she went the wedding was the topic of discussion. Only just now was she able to slip away to have a few moments for herself. The only good thing that came from the commotion was that she hadn't had time to think of what was going to happen.

"My lady," Lord Winchester's slightly nasal tone broke her solitude. "You look quite lovely this morn."

Joey glanced up from the rosebush she was inspecting, surprised by the intrusion. "Why thank you. I did not think anyone else was out here."

"I admit, I followed you." He smiled, his lips twitched into a tight smile, as though the muscles were not used to being stretched in such a manner. "With all the preparation for the wedding, we have not yet had a moment alone together."

"It has caused quite a stir," she conceded smiling faintly. "But I suppose there will be plenty of time after the ceremony."

"I must also admit, I seek to discover your feelings on the matter of our marriage." He approached her with measured steps. "I feared you sought to escape our union when you disappeared in the woods those days ago."

"The horse merely escaped from me," she lied. "It was a terrible accident."

"Good." He nodded decisively, and then frowned. "Not good as to say that it was good you lost the horse, but good that you were not fleeing. I should hate to have to track down a second wayward bride. Your father would be most disappointed. As would I. I should like our life together to begin happily and without strife."

"So would I," she murmured, demurely glancing away.

He took her unwillingness to meet his eyes as modesty, and it pleased him. He moved closer to her. "Perhaps it would not hurt to start getting to know one another before the vows."

She bit her lip. "I am fearful I would make the most disappointing wife."

"Do not fret," he reached out a hand and touched the unbound mass of her dark hair, his clammy fingers snagging on the strands. "I shall teach you what I expect from a wife. You will learn how to pleasure me."

"Oh." She smiled nervously. "Perhaps, I should be getting back inside."

"There is no rush. Stay a few moments."

"There is still so much that needs to be done in preparation," she explained and then lowered her eyes, gazing up at him through her lashes as she smiled. "And it would be unseemly to stay out here much longer unattended."

"'Tis good that my bride-to-be is so concerned with propriety, but I doubt there is any who would begrudge us a few moments in this lovely haven." He caught her hand and pulled her to him.

Brown eyes grew wide in astonishment and she nibbled her lower lip nervously, while she glanced around. "Please. It is not right."

"There is no one who would gainsay us." He didn't give her an opportunity to move away before he lowered his lips to hers in a hard, unforgiving kiss.

Her eyes widened in horror and she brought her hands to his chest, tearing her lips away. "Please, Lord Winchester, do try to control yourself."

He licked his lips, "Merely had to taste a little of what I purchased. You are a sweet little tart, aren't you?"

Joey frowned. "I do not think you should say such things."

"You shall learn to like the things I say," His eyes darkened.

She took an uncertain step back. "I really should be going."

"Go then," he waved a hand. "We shall be together soon enough." His lip curled into a sneer. "The sooner we are out from under your father's ever watchful eye the better."

Joey felt herself grow sick at his words. Oh, how she did not like that look in his eyes. It sent a chill of trepidation down her spine, and she did not want to think of what would happen when she did not arrive at the altar.

"Be gone with you, Josephine." He scowled at the fearful look on her face. She would learn...By God, she would learn!

Joey swallowed, it no longer seemed like playing the demure intended would get her anywhere. It was best that she stood her ground now and let him know exactly what he was getting himself in to. She was made of sterner stuff for goodness sake. She lifted her chin defiantly. "Address me properly."

"Be gone from here...*wife*." He replied, his dark eyes deepening to a cold black.

"I am not your wife."

"Soon enough."

She waved him off with a casual flick of her wrist. "I wish for you to leave me alone for the remainder of the morning."

"I have better things to do, my love." He made to leave, and then caught her arm, pulling her against him and then ravishing her mouth. "Something to look forward too tonight." He smirked and then left. Joey rubbed her sleeve over her mouth with disgust. She was quite tempted to turn him into a toad as she glared after him. The impudence of the man!