PeepHole.

[Johanna Barker]

Johanna caught her breath, then looked up at him. She coudn't blame him. There wasn't proof that he had actually gone out of his way to make Johanna unhappy. If she had refused his marriage proposal once more, she would probably be out on the streets. Sent away.

The young woman wiped her fallen tears off her cheeks. She sniffled. She needed a place to stay. Even if it included being the wife of such a man. The idea of marrying him repulsed her. But she could not refuse. She needed protection.

Johanna rose, and burshed off her dress. "Mr. Peter Turpin." She said, her eyes locked with his. "I accept your marriage proposal." She said, her lip trembling.

[Judge Turpin]

For Peter Roderik Turpin the world had come to a sudden halt. She had accepted? Why..he was sure that she would deny him again but now..then he realised why, she needed him and his care. He felt a smile tugging at his lips; clever woman.

He brought his hand to brush her cheek removing the tears that clung there "Very well Johanna." he cleared his throut and nodded to her "I shall talk with you in the morning about the new arrangments."

Now that she was coming to him willingly he had no need to further push his affections upon her. There would be time for that in due time.

[Johanna Barker]

Johanna felt his hand upon her cheek. She held back a shudder. It didn't feel right, she wanted Anthony's touch on her skin. Not the person she used to call "father". Even though, she needed him to protect her from harm's way.

She touched his hand that was upon her cheek. It was cold, but If she was to share a bed with him, she had better get used to him. "Why don't we discuss the arrangements now? I'm in no hurry." She said, forcing herslef to smile the smile she had given Anthony the first day they met.

[Judge Turpin]

Peter was intruiged by the feeling of Johannas skin beneath his hand and felt bereft to remove it from her person. "If that is what you wish Johanna then we shall. Primarily you will be given new quarters until the wedding more befitting to your future status until we share a bed." he felt a flash of emotion shoot through him at the words he never thought would leave his lips.

"And of course my servants will be at your beck and call at anytime of the day or night. As my finacee it would only be right for us to be able to take a stroll throughout the city so if accompanied by myself or the Beadle you have my permission to leave the estate." he added in the back of his mind 'Although i'd never trust that fool with Johanna on his own. I need someone I can trust.' "Also once we are married my funds will be open to you to buy whatever it is you will need be it makeup, dresses or songbirds." he knew that he was giving her too much freedom too soon but he didn't want to suffocate her as soon as he had won her.

"Anything to add my dear?" he smiled at her.

[Johanna Barker]

Johanna wanted to scream. Sharing a bed with him? She didn't want to lose her virginity to anybody... She had often dreamed that it would be her Prince Charming... or Anthony. "I shall be looking foreward to it." She lied. "Since the name "fahter" is not suitable to call you, what may I call you when not formally adressing you?" She asked.

"Am I not permitted to leave the manor unattended?" Johanna asked, with a sigh. How was she ever going to get a chance to see the world for what it truley was with Beadle at her side. That almost repulsed her as much as sharing a bed with her former guardian did.

[Judge Turpin]

"You may call me Peter and Roderik when we are with company if you don't mind." he pretended to think about her request; Let her leave on her own? There were men far worse than him out there. He supposed he could always have her watched after all in a place like London eyes and ears are always bought for a price.

"You may. If it is what you truly wish for who am I to deny my future wife?" The question had been meant to be rhetorical but it came out as if a question..he blamed the disbelief that still plagued his mind. She was to be his bride.

[Johanna Barker]

She nodded. "Then by all means, I shall always call you Peter." She said, in hear head cursing herself for accepting such a man to become her husband. She hung her head in shame. She would never forgive herself now.

She winced once he called her his future bride. She shook violently. She didn't love him. Or, at least that's what she felt at the moment. Why was this happening to her? All thoughts of being happily in love with someone who loved her back escaped from her mind. She sighed, hanging her head. "As you wish, dear." She replied.

[Judge Turpin]

He nodded at her comment on his name "Well then my dear is there anything else you would request of me?" he had seen the slump of her shoulders and heard the shudder of her breath and knew he should give her time to herself soon so as to avoid adding to her lack of adoration to his person.

She would learn to love him as much as he loved her, of this he was sure.

[Johanna Barker]

"Not at the moment," she chimed. "I would just like to know when we shall be wed? And where?'

If Johanna had any sense, she would shake off the feeling of misery and would just learn to accept this man who adored her. He offerered her property and protection, yet she was frightened to marry him. She still cared and adored him like a father. Johanna didn't know what to think of her guardian now.

[Judge Turpin]

He thought for a moment, his brow furrowed as he searched through his memory of a chapel suitable of his beloved..and then he remembered; St Velora. It was his families grounds and it was where the members of his family had been christened, married and buried for centuries.

His mother and father were not among the deceased as they had fallen from grace long ago, he had managed through deceit, fierce actions and hard work to free his family name from the hold the slums had it in. And it seemed only fitting that he should be wed to Johanna at the families most sacred grounds. "St. Velora my families grounds. It is a very handsome porperty surrounded by woods and fields, even the cemetary is pleasant. I shall leave the amount of time till our marriage with you to decide my dear.."

[Johanna Barker]

"It sounds lovely," Johanna said, reaching her hand up to stroke his face. She still had a twinge of feeling for him. He was the only thing close to a father she had. Throughout the years, Peter had become very dear to her. He was her only companion she had ever had, besides her stolen hours outside of the house when she would spend it with Anthony and Erik. "I'm sure our wedding will be perfect," she said, leaning in to kiss his cheek in a daughterly fashion. "You seem to always know how to make everything perfect, Peter." She said.

"How do you put up with me?" She asked, enveloping him into a tight embrace like she used to as a little girl. Marrying him wasn't all that bad, was it? It could be worse.

[Judge Turpin]

He felt her hand against his skin and the warmth that flushed through him felt almost pure. He raised his hand to place over hers and as her lips brushed his cheek he smiled a rare but true smile down at her. She was all that mattered, if he could have her then no other woman would do. but now he did have her and for the first time in a long time he felt complete. "When it comes to you my dear Johanna perfect doesn't seem nearlly enough."

As she embraced him he let his arm slip around her waist in a protective manner and he couldn't help but feel natural this way. He looked down at her face as she asked her question and he graced her with a chuckle "It has not been easy..But you have matured into a fine woman Johanna from the young girl you were so many years ago and there is much more that you will become, I can only hope you are prepared."

[Johanna Barker]

Johanna couldn't help but feel safe in his arms. He was so warm when he held her. So safe. She loved him so. But, she wasn't in love with him quite yet. She was blushing heavily now as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Not sure whether ot not to feel flattered or embaressed, she smiled up at her bethroathed. "You of all people should know how impefect I am." She said, gazing into his eyes. It was like a fairy tale. But, a twisted on at that. She ran her fingers through his hair.

"For the time being," She said. "You and I should announce our intetnions to the public." She said, nuzzling her nose against his. She didn't know whether she was acting or what ever she could do to make believe that she was in love with him.

[Judge Turpin]

He couldn't help but be both amused and entranced by her playful behaviour towards him and seeing her blush he decided to take his chances and gently press his lips to hers in a chaste kiss..a mere brush of the lips, he spoke then with a smile "You are right my dear..the sooner we make it known the sooner we can go about with the actual planning." he let his arm remain around her waist as he gently lead her towards the door to her room and opened it where he gestured for her to exit ahead of him.

He watched her as she moved she was like a ray of sunshine attempting to light up the dark and gloomy interiors of this manor, even when she was a little girl she had always been able to chase away the dark shadows that plagued him and now she was to be his until the end.

[Johanna Barker]

Johanna was astonished by the kiss. She felt such an odd feeling of lust. She didn't like it. No matter how much she knew he wanted her. She didn't know if she felt entirely the same way. The kiss, however, was so warm. So soft. She loved the feel of his lips on hers, oddly enough. Precisly when the kiss had ended, Johanna layed a gentle kiss back on his lips.

"And you know how I love planning things," She replied, drly but softly. Johanna reached for her reticile purse, (it was necissary that she always kept it with her because it had onced belonged to her mother) and headed out the door.