*********This chapter contains adult content please read at  Your own risk******

Eager eyes looked over her hand of cards to the vision before her of her opponent. The rush of the win exhilarating. Its been over a month since they have been tucked away in their secluded haven. Away from society and their wagging tongues. To her and Adrian's relief his convincing story of her sudden exit from town was of dire emergence to aid a dying aunt. Which seemed plausible. Very plausible...

But the news of Reynaud's disappearance was one victory they could not celebrate, because he could be anywhere. Therefore, it still was not safe for her to make her appearance as of yet.

Reluctantly, Adrian would leave her to go to fairhaven to see over business matters, only to return shortly bearing gifts from Rosie, Caroline and Tonk. And an occasional one from him as peace offering for being away so long at times.

His last return gained him a sweet succulent romp to curl his toes for days when he returned with Violet, her precious mare.

Now settled, and with comforting knowledge that she eventually would return to town, she honestly was  in no rush to leave. Being here in the countryside away from the smog and stifling city air made her happy. More being with him.

Tonight, after supper they relaxed with a game of Vingt-et-un. As mischievous as she was she saw his anxiousness to retire to bed for a more relaxing night. But, she chose another route to indulge and excite him. A game of strip Vingt-et-un.
The games objective loose a piece of clothing with every hand lost.

Silver eyes flashed with intrigue and sin.
"Very well then what does the winner ergo me get for winning," he asked lazily leaning back in his chair with a gorgeous grin.

A part of him nervously regretted asking the question for fear of loosing and missing out on the winning offer which by the gleam in the little minxes eyes maybe a winning offer to die for. But, when she bit her lip and leaned forward seductively and whispered in his ears what the winner will gain.
Christ!!!.

She was going to be the death of him.

The heady erotic images that formed in his mind made him stiffen.

Breathless and astonished he looked at her. Swallowing hard.

"And the loser?" he asked heat rising through his body.

He watched her as she decided and groaned as she leaned forward again towards his ears and whispered in torrid details the loosers obligations. Coherent words could not be conjured up fast enough for him to reply.

Silently he sat back thinking of his options. His eyes shotup to look into those eyes. Dear God how she worked him.

Leaning back he schooled his features.
"Very well then I accept. But if you win my sweet vixen what is your request."

Sweetly and beseechingly she regarded him. It was a look she always gave him when in earnest she wanted something and many times over he could not refuse. For her he would do anything.

"Weathertons Ball, Take me to Weathertons Ball," she spoke sweetly.

Patiently she sat and watched as his eyes narrowed in deep thought. Her heart quickened when his lips curved in to a grin.

"Throw in a little romp in an alcove and I will consider it," he said with a seductive timber to his voice. Tightening her legs together against the sudden throb between her thighs, she agreed.

"Go bare beneath your gown and I can make it a night to remember," he added with a wicked smile.

She bit her lip and smiled. "I won't promise anything,"

"And the looser,".... He paused and leaned forward gently pulling her close. His lips rested near her ears. His fingers glided up and down her arms sofly sending a tingling sensation through her that made her gasp.

There eyes met. Breathlessly she felt her stomach clench.

"You sinful, naughty, rake," she gasped. She licked her lips and hungrily lowered her eyes to his. Never in her in a million years has she thought they could do that  but the idea made her anxiously want to begin the game immediately just to loose. Intentionally.

The sudden heat rose within them as the game waged on. On purpose she dressed in a gown with chemise, petticoat, stocking, pantalets and stays. Including the slippers. All the more for him to undress.

The first winning hand earned her his cravat. His, her stocking. As the game continued, his winning hand gained her other stocking. Delightfully ,he retrieved his winning item as he slowly glided his finger up her skirts to unclasp it. In change, her eager eyes peared over her cards to look at her handy work as he sat before her with no shirt, only one boot , his breeches and his hair in a rumpled mess. Simply gorgeous..

He watched her too, as she layed down her cards. All he needed was three more hands to win and she would be his. A chemise, Pantalets and her stays were all that was left to discard.

The image in his head to win the next hand with anticipation for the pantalets just to rid them and fold the game, lay her on the table and spread her wide and make sweet love to her. But if he wins. Sweet heavens. He breathed.
The sight of her other wise was exquisite. She looked wild and untamed just the way he wants her. Simply delicious...

The next she won. And gingerly, he stuck his boot out. She arched her brow. Because she wasn't really interested in the boot.

"The boot must go first pippin in order to get to the breeches," he grinned with a wink.

It made her laugh. Slowly she bent to pull it off. Sitting back down, she picked up her cards and continued.

The saints must have been on his side because his hand won. Leaning back he observed her as she slowly stood reaching for the clasps of her stays.

Tsk. Tsk. He stopped her.

She paused to look at him. He crooked his fingers. She moved closer until she stood between his outstretched legs, looking down into his darkening grey eyes.
He leaned forward and slowly lifted her chemise. Skilled fingers undid the strings to her pantalets and glided them down with no resistance to pool at her feet. Stepping out of them, he looked up at her, watching her breath catch as his hands disappeared slowly beneath her chemise once more. His warm hands caressed her warm flesh making it hotter.

He circled her rump with a gentle squeeze , loving the suppleness of it, its shape. It was perfect.
She shivered.
He looked up into her eyes, they glinted a warm honey gold with the flames of the hearth behind him.

She wet her lips, not able to think straight with his caresses.

"Mlord, we have a game to finish," she said softly.

His eyes intense, glittering smokey greys looked at her with a sultry stare.
"I am down to my breeches mlady, I was bound to loose." He slowly stood and turned her slowly to face the table.

In his embrace, his hands laid down his card face up. 2 of spades glimmered in the low light.

"Your turn love," he whispered in her ear.

Gently she placed her card down above his.  8 of hearts.

He laid down the next. Then she making his hand the loosing one.

He squeezed her rump and nuzzled his lips to her ear and she gasped.

"For being a loosing player, I believe I have a certain obligation I must fulfill mylady and I am willing to proceed," he whispered kissing her ear.

Her eyes fluttered shut and her head fell back.
He raised his hands to undo her stays, then pressed her flush against him as he undid the buttons to his breeches. His thickness sprang free to rub against her rump through the thin linen of her chemise.

He pulled her invitingly towards the chair and sat down. She went willingly unable to resist him. He guided her to sit in his lap. With her back pressed to his chest, he undid her chemise and cupped her breasts, caressing them and twirling her erect nipples with his fingers.

She moaned and her head fell back.

Pulling up her chemise around her waist he grasped her thighs pulling them apart and up, placing her feet to rest above his thighs. His erection warm brushing against her wet folds. She gasped in shock.

"Adrian!!!...I.. Believe were doing this all wrong.

"I can assure you my love, we are not," he laughed in unabashed pleasure.

He spread her wider,  exposing her to the fullest. She felt vulnerable and totally subdued, it felt illicit yet delicious and forbidden as he took charge of this manner of their coupling.

His fingers glided around her waist and down through the soft curls to her wetness and stroked lightley and squeezed her breast.

He gloried at the sound of her sharp, out -of-control breathing, loving the way she quivered against him as his fingers twirled in the depths of her slickness.

Before she could react to his next move, he lifted her and slid his erection into her. She whimpered loudly and squeeled in delight.

He let her rest there, while caressing her breasts and kissing her slowly along her neck, enjoying the feeling of his thickness impaling her and how it throbbed with anticipation of this wondrous consummation.

“Do you wish to proceed, M'lady?” he asked huskily.

"Yes." Shuddering, she sank back against his chest.  His magnificent shaft thickening within her.

Suddenly, the game was over, and nothing existed but the two of them and their desire to be as close as two beings inlove could be.

Grasping her hips in place he began to move driving upward grinding with full thrusts.

Adrian’s breathing grew ragged, his voice raspier.
"Take me inside you, my sweet minx. Deep inside you."

His plea was erotic, she reveled in the feeling of oneness, of the delicious, searing friction probing against her very womb.

"Oh God, Eva you feel so good" he growled thrusting deeper. Harder.

She needed no more encouragement with his words. She moved her hips greedily then, and he lost control, taking the rhythm away from her and pumping into her with such force that she gasped.

Eva tossed her head back in sweet abandon, arching her back and moaning at the incredible waves of ecstasy crashing over her. Listening to his wife’s uninhibited passionate cries, and feeling himself buried to the hilt in her snug sheath, Adrian was dying in the best possible way.

With several deep, shattering thrusts, a hoarse cry of exultation escaped him as he drove deeply within her to spill his seed, a gift of passion that her body gladly accepted.

Spent and weak she leaned back against him still trembling and spun. He cradled her to him and carried her to the bed.

They lay naked together in the velvety darkness beneath the sheets, her back nestled against his chest. He caressed her breasts , her belly, and kissed her hair.

"Eva....I must leave in the morning to Fairhaven." He murmured.
Silence followed. And he felt her stiffen.

" I must put everyone at ease about us. And I must tell Alicia we are done."

"How long will you be gone?" she frowned in the darkness.

"I don't know this time, I am not sure. There is much to get caught up on,"

She turned in his arms, pressing her body closer to his. "Promise me you will not forget about me," her voice softly whispered.

The thought of that being possible made him shake his head.

"Peach, I could never forget you even if I tried. You are buried so deep in my heart I think you are what makes it beat."

Snuggling deep to him she nuzzled her nose to his neck inhaling his scent. Slowly she fell quiet with the soft caress of his hand at her back and drifted off to sleep.

He lay awake listening to her calming breaths turn deep and rhythmic, he knew she'd fallen into a deep  sleep. He relaxed then, and stayed awake as long as he could so he could enjoy her warmth, her closeness. He will miss it greatly while he is gone.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

The quiet silence of the morning filled the space between them. He had thought it easier to slip out of bed and leave, but then he thought better of it and stayed longer with her in his embrace.

Partially dressed, he slipped on his cravat before turning to look at her. His eyes went soft, he looked at her as she sat in up in the middle of the bed holding the sheet to her breasts. Her hair a tumbled mass of auburn curls that fell around her like a silk curtain. A true vision of untamed beauty.

But her eyes reflected sadness, unshed tears on the brink of spilling stared back at him.
Her teeth tugged and worried at the plumpness of her bottom lips making them redder. She looked like she was on the verge of bounding from the bed and in to his arms to persuade him into not leaving.

He didn’t like the idea of leaving her here either even if Rosie or Caroline stayed with her, just the thought of not having her close dampered his spirits as well. But, until he could put an end to Reynaud's obsession to have her or even as much know where he lurks, she isn't safe.

He slowly approached the bed and sat facing her. Lovingly he looked her over and traced his fingers along her jaw. Caressing her cheek he leaned forward and pressed his forehead to hers.

"Will you miss me peach?" He smiled trying to lighten the mood.

She nodded. Not able to speak.

He nuzzled his nose to hers and kissed her sweetly on the lips.
Desperately she held back her tears. When his lips tasted them, he leaned back to look at her.

Gently he wiped them away.

"Don't carry on so peach, you look as if I go to the gallows," he chuckled in light of the situation pulling her into an embrace.

"You're going to see Alicia it is all the same," she mumbled hugging him close.

He laughed, a curiously husky sound, and lowered his head to look at her.

With worry in her eyes she held his gaze. A feeling of dread made her shiver.

"I don't think she will take the news well Adrian. Especially that we are married,"

He said nothing but looked at her and nodded. But the look of panic in her gaze concerned him more.

"You have nothing to worry that pretty head of yours about love. She will get over it,"

But she did and she wanted to tell him but she feared his reaction. Feared more her retaliation. She was a threat to Alicia and this bit of news dropped at her feet would incite her rage.

He caressed her cheek and kissed her again.

"I will not be long. The moment I am done I will return as fast as I can," he whispered near her lips.

"Until then…” He grinned as he pushed her down onto the bed, gently pinning her beneath him.
"I think I best leave you with something to remember me by."

She looked into his eyes and felt a jolt of desire course through her. She offered herself to him and he made sweet love to her. Touching and caressing every inch of her as if to never forget what she felt like in his arms.

~·~·~·~·~·~

He sat in his study staring at the two pairs of eyes the astonishingly absorbed the news.
"I married Eva," he raised his glass of brandy to his lips waiting for them to respond.

Worried glances passed between Brandon and Arlington. They had arrived a day after word was sent that he had returned. They sat with him eagerly wanting to know what had happened.

The first they noticed was his relaxed look. He looked different and at peace somehow. In love you might say.

"But...how? When?," Arlington searched for a way to gain more information of this surprising turn of events.

Adrian sat back with a cool demeanor a slight smile appearing at his lips as he recalled how and when but he could not reveal that much.

"I am glad you finally came to your senses, St. James," Brandon chuckled.

Arlington turned to look with wide eyes in shock at Brandon.

"You knew," he asked.

Brandon grinned.

"Come now Arlington please don't tell me you never noticed the attraction between them.  It was a thick as fog on after a rainy morning," Brandon he shook his head in amazement.

"I did but, I dared not think of it. It was unfathomable because I thought you were marrying Alicia," he looked at them both.

"No...my friend. That would have been a huge mistake," Adrian scuffed.

"Besides I don't love Alicia. I never did." He paused.
He chuckled momentarily looking into Amber liquid in his glass.
It would be the first time he has ever openly expressed his feelings about Evangeline. And it felt like an anvil has been lifted off his chest.

"You have no clue how long I've been living in my own private hell loving her and not able to express it. Living under the same roof and having her so near and not able to touch her," he breathed.

"When I found out she had planned to elope, I thought I was going insane with rage. I felt as if my heart had been ripped out of my chest," he choked on his words.

Sympathy etched on Brandon's face. He leaned forward with a curious glare.
"What did you do Adrian, how did you get her to leave with you?"

He let out a breathless sigh. Lowering his eyes with sheepish embarrassed look.

"I fed her Laudanum, in her tea,"

A dead silence fell amongst them as they looked at him with shock.

"Bloody hell man have you lost your mind,"Arlington shook his head in disbelief.

"I was insane and....And I wasn't thinking straight,"

"You absolutely were not thinking," Brandon chuckled.

"I can only imagine what happened when she woke up," Brandon's eyes gleamed with interest.

"She was livid, she lashed out like a wildcat," he looked up to them.

"Serves you right," Arlington shook his head.

Brandon laughed.

They fell silent for awhile.

"So tell us what happened when our dare little spit fire nearly gauged your eyes out of your head," Arlington sat back more relaxed with a wicked grin on his face.

With a side glance Adrian narrowed his eyes.

"You would have loved that wouldn't you,"

Brandon shook his head at the two..

Standing to retrieve the decanter of Brandy, he walked towards them and poured more for them and served himself.

"Ah! The crux of this story ergo it all turned in my favor. My happy ending is that it is a love reciprocated. Requited love at its best my dear friends," he grinned triumphantly.

"How so? Do tell," Arlington looked to Brandon's knowing grin feeling left out of a secret he did not know existed.

Adrian's grin sobered a bit.

"When I returned to retrieve our things,Caroline found a letter Evangeline had left for me. Hoping That she would have been long gone she confessed everything,"

He had there complete attention by then.

"In it she explained her reasons for eloping. She never was going to marry Brascombe he was just helping her escape Locksley. But at the very end of the letter," a smile tugged at his lips.

"She confessed her true feelings for me. She said she loved me, she has been inlove with me for so long, and you don't know after reading those word, how fast I rode that poor horse back. To try to get to her and tell her the same,"

"I could not wait any longer to marry her, so we found a vicar to marry us right away,"

Silent smiles passed between them.

"I can see it in your eyes that you are in heaven my friend, " Arlington smiled.

With a chuckle Adrian raised his glass in a salute.
"That I am my friend, that I am,"

Settling down from their brief laughs Adrian sighed.

"My biggest concern yet is to tell Alicia,"

With long whistle, Brandon shook his head.
"I would not tell her you are married to Eva, she will not take that news lightly,"

"Not to mention with her influence in the higher social circles, she will make it a scandalous affair with the ton and have Eva would be ostracized in no time," Arlington cut in.

"And she will retaliate," Brandon added.

Narrowing his eyes at Brandon he sat back. A suspicious feeling came to him.

" Evangeline mentioned the same thing, she was severely stressed and worried she did not want me to tell Alicia either. Is there something you're not telling me," he looked at both of them.

A silence followed.

Clearing his throat Brandon sat forward. He thought long and clear of what he was about to say.

"Adrian...I want you to have your wits about you when I tell you this. And please take it as calmly as you can," Brandon spoke carefully then paused.

Adrian sat as rigid as ever bracing himself for whatever was be said.

They waited.

"Sometime ago Caroline confided in me some disturbing things that concerned her. She never said anything for fear that it would cause problems. She truly believed that Evangeline would have said something. But then you and Eva were on turbulent terms it was out of her hands." He began.

"It began the day that Caroline had come home from America. She noticed the air between the two was not amicable. But to keep your peace of mind Adrian they took great strides in not worrying you with it. The first incident,"

"Incident?" Adrian frowned sitting up straight.

Brandon nodded.

"It was the Du'Relac dinner party," he said.

Adriana temper began to rise.

"It was there that Alicia confronted her. And threatened her saying the moment she married you she would be sent away,"

Frowning Adrian gave a confused look he looked to them both.
"But Caroline was not here,"

"Yes, but she told Rosie after Rosie saw the bruises she left on Eva's wrists. She begged Rosie not to say a word and threatened to run away if she did. But...Rosie expressed her concerns to Caroline when she returned."

"Then there was the day she returned from the stables, Eva tried in earnest to avoid her. But It was as if Alicia thrived to make her miserable. She slapped Eva and she defended herself in that moment you walked in and...."

His eyes met Adrian's as he lowered his face to his hands with a groan.

Adrian stood then. His anger beginning to rise more. How could this have happened?

"What happened," Arlington sat up looking at them both missing the pieces.

"I was a fool that's what happened. I..punished her and sent her away,"

Remorse and sorrow was evident in Adrian's visage of what he did. It would be one of the things he could never take back.

"There is more," Brandon said.

"Christ! Please don't tell me, I don't think I can withstand it," Looking at him Adrian shook his head.

"I must. It is the only way you can see how blind you were to Alicias ways, she set out to torment Evangeline. She felt threatened by her. That day she went to the convent, she went there only to make things worse between you and Eva with lies. That you were to marry her. And what ever school girl notion she had of you loving her was all in her head. That's when she lost it and lashed out at her,"

An agonizing oath rang from his chest with a groan. He always felt they did not get along but he never knew Alicia to be so cruel. He needed to get Alicia out of their lives. Immediately.

·~·~·~·~·~·~·

By the third day he had sent a message and summoned Alicia to meet at their regular spot. A quaint inn at the border of the next town over. Alicia eagerly pampered herself with an exquisite jaw dropping gown that the corset barely contained her breasts. She wore an expensive perfume she generously applied to her more frequented spots he kissed.

She nervously waited for him. She was sure he had returned to rekindle what they had and to go forth with the wedding. She was elated to find that Evangeline would no longer be an obstacle for her.

With one last finishing touch to her hair she stood before the mirror to observe herself. When the knock came at the door she stood giving her cheeks one last pinch given them a pink flushed look.  She glided to the door and opened it. Barely able to contain herself she closed the distance and hugged him. He had very little chance to react before she pulled him through the door.

Now behind closed doors, Adrian glanced at the blonde beauty before him. Alicia had agreed to meet him here after he’d sent the message. He never doubted she would respond and suggest their normal rendezvous of choice.
Mayhap with the idea they would pick up where they left off. After all, it had been nearly 4 months since they’d last slept together. Although, he would not be surprised if  she had found another lover by now to assuage her voracious sexual appetite which by the expression on her face, she was counting on to do so with him that night.

But in all honesty, the thought of having sex with her had lost its appeal months ago. Ever since that day Eva found him with her he hasn't touched Alicia much less invited her to his bed since then.

She had urged him to sit next to her on a settee and poured him some port while she indulged in frivolous chitchat of the latest gossip.

"You know love there is talk of Evangeline," she glanced casually his way.
"And word is she eloped, others say she is away visiting a close relation that is Ill," she looked at him.

He nodded.

"That is correct she is visiting an aunt that has become very ill," he said carefully. Looking at her.

"Why so concerned suddenly about my ward, Alicia?" His gaze rested on her.

With a nonchalant shrug she looked at him.
"I am just curious as to know which is true. Mayhap you want to save face from the scandal of your precious ward running off with her lover and you invented that ridiculous story of a sick aunt. Being you two were so.... close," she gave him a side glance. As if testing his reaction.

He raised a brow.

"What do you mean by close, Alicia?" He narrowed his eyes dangerously at her.

Her throaty laughter filled the room.

"Oh, come now Adrian, what do you take me for? I am not naive. You forget I am no novice to the obvious. You’ve lusted after that girl for some time. I don't doubt you have already bedded her," she smiled.

"Be careful of your words Alicia," he warned.

With humor she giggled mocking him.
" Adrian! Don't tell me you've lost interest in your little ward. Was she not experienced enough? Or have you come to see what a real woman can offer,"

His glare turned cold and dangerous.

Leaning heavily against him, the nauseating fragrance of her strong perfume wafted by his nose. Odd enough it was one she always used but at the time, it did not matter. It wasn't until this moment he realized that the sweet fragrance of Eva was what he had grown accustomed to. The light scent of lavender and vanilla seemed to have permeated into his soul. Pulling him away from his thoughts, he felt Alicia’s hands rubbing his pant leg.

An insinuating lusty gesture was in her eyes as she leaned forward to retrieve his glass and pressed her breasts into him.

"But even if that is the case. It does not matter." She began to unbutton his breeches.
"I don't care. I still want you," she slowly reached in to grab his manhood.

Abruptly he stopped her.
“What is it?” she asked, irritation marring her features.

Straightening up in the chair, he buttoned them back up.

A bit annoyed he breathed out.
"We need to talk," he said in a stiff tone.

She sat back.

"It is best we call off the engagement, I have no desire to continue our relationship," he said with little emotion.

Angrily she shook her head.
"You expect me to just accept that Adrian. Just like that?"

Not interested in arguing, he stood and turned to face her.

"What else do you want me to say Alicia, I am saving you the trouble and heartache of prolonging a relationship that will not go any further,"

"But I love you Adrian," she cried.

Immune to her look of heartbreak. He scoffed.
"Please, you don't love me Alicia, Save the theatrics, what we had was good sex that is all. Besides, surely you have found other lovers haven't you?"

Her lips were thin, her temper rising.

"Who is she?" Stood facing him
How he wanted to tell her it was Eva.
But he refrained.
He turned to walk away.

She was on his heels. "It's Evangeline isn't it, you've chosen that annoying little bitch over me."

He stopped dead in his tracks. Enraged, he faced her.

"You leave her out of this, don't you dare blame her for any of this. If you have had any love for me as you claimed, you will leave her out of this,"

Shaking her head in disbelief she sneered at him. His gut twisted in a knot as he heard Alicia’s false, throaty laughter.
"Don't think you can sing victory yet with that little trollop. I'm pretty sure the Ton will have a field day when they find out that your precious Eva's father gave her over to Reynaud Locksley to pay off his gambling debt.,"

"If you know what's best, I suggest you keep your mouth closed," he yanked her close.

She glared at him."You won't get away with this Adrian. I will ruin her. You hear me by the time I'm done with her you will regret the day you made a fool of me. Mark my words." She cried furiously trailing behind him.

He gritted his teeth as he faced her again.

"I don't take well to idle threats if you as so much as lay a hand upon her, or if any harm comes to her and I find out it is because of you,  I will see to it that you pay with your life," he yelled.

He said nothing else as he continued for the door. She grabbed his hand. “Don’t leave, don't you dare walk away from me!” Yanking his hand from hers, he stormed out.

As soon as he was gone, Alicia gave vent to her fury and completely demolished the room. That little bitch will regret the day she was born. Alicia would stop at nothing to have her revenge as she plotted her next move.

·~·~·~~·~·~·~

On the third day, Eva woke up feeling lonely and depressed. All she seemed to be doing was wandering from room to room on the estate. That morning was no different. She woke with a splitting headache and feeling very tired. And then her mind would drift off to her husband and her heart would skip a beat.

Then she would find herself again seeking the solace of her sheets and pillow to cry herself to sleep. If it weren't for the company of Rosie, she thought she would go insane by now.

She lay there looking at the clock on the mantle as the time went by too slow for her liking. Rosie walked in with a tray of breakfast only to frown at the tray of last nights supper untouched.

"Child you must eat or you will fall ill," she chided shaking her head.

Ignoring her, she turned her head the other way.

Rosie watched in despair as she was being ignored. A little upset at her behavior she walked over to the nearby curtain pulling it open letting in the bright light Eva found offensive. She yanked the sheets over head.

"Very well then, I have no other recourse than to write to m'lord and tell him you refuse to eat." She threatened.

Her chest tightened with what Rosie said. Panic struck low in her belly. Not wanting him to be upset, she quickly sat up tossing the sheet from her head only to see Rosie standing there with her hands on her hips and with a  triumphant smirk on her lips.

"You are going to eat all of this young miss before you turn to bones for the vultures to pick on," she placed the tray of delicious crumpets, fruit Tarts and hot tea before her.

Pausing before taking a bite to eat, she looked up to Rosie.
"I miss him so much Rosie" she barely got the words before she sobbed.

"Oh! Dear child I am sure he misses you as well.  Even more.  but,  please you will make your self sick with all this fretting and worrying."

With that said she turned to walk out of the room.

She ate sparingly enough to damper her hunger but not enough to feel full. Her appetite wasn't the same.

By the days end she found herself accompanying Rosie in the kitchen like she always use to do. They spoke of everything. Even surprisingly Rosies suspicions of her feelings for Adrian. She stood shocked looking at her as the older woman was elbow deep in dough kneeding and pounding it.

"Child, you can not fool this old woman when it comes to matters of the heart. I knew you felt something for young Adrian the moment he signed those papers."

"Be it out of gratitude or admiration but there it begun," she chuckled sweetly.

She was unable to speak.

"And for Adrian my dear God the look upon his face when he would watch you when you weren't looking. It was the look of a man very much besotted by an ethereal creature," she sighed smiling.

Eva's cheek turned crimson red as she looked away.

"I did not know," Eva spoke softly.

Biting her lip, Evangeline looked at her again.

"Rosie, do you think Lady Caroline knew?

She watched astonished as the older woman tossed back her head in raucous laughter.
"If she knew?, my dear child she was rooting for you."

" She was?" Evangeline could not believe what she was hearing.

"Do you really think we wanted to see Adrian married to that devil of a woman Alicia?, my heavens! pet that would have been disastrous." She groaned.

Suddenly the rush of her words were giving Evangeline a bit difficulty to digest and her head was beginning to feel light.

Excusing herself she went to go lay down.

" You rest my dear I will bring supper to you when it is done,"

Turning away she trudged up the steps exhausted with sleep.

When she finally entered the room she fell upon the bed letting her exhaustion and tears claim her.

·~·~·~·~·~·~·~

By nightfall, he felt exhausted and agitated with his out come with Alicia. The woman was infuriating.

Lying in his bed, he found his thoughts wondering to Eva.  For nearly two months they had shared a bed. He now found that he hated sleeping alone. Even when they  slept wrapped in each other’s arms, it had been comforting to know that he could reach out to find warmth, loving, or simply someone to talk to.

He decided a bed without Eva was something he would do his best to avoid in the future. He wondered, how she was. If she slept breathlessly as he on the nights. He honestly did not know what possessed him to leave her there. In truth, it's best he did after hearing Alicias threats it's best that the play it by ear.

For Eva's sake and safety it was best that their marriage not be known until they announce a formal bethrotal. He did not know how they would pull it off but they needed to do something.

Fighting for fitful sleep he turned to his side and grasp the pillow pulling it close.

How he wished to have her beside him.

·~·~·~·~·~

Adrian sat in his study and thought about all the events over the past week. Ledgers for his estates sat open before him, ignored. Arrangements had been made to send Caroline to discreetly visit and spend a couple of days with Eva. He sighed. A glass of whisky dangled from his fingertips as he stared out the window . He could not risk Caroline being followed.

Ever since he saw the true intentions in Alicias eyes something happened. A feeling coursed through his veins and suddenly his senses became heightened with Eva's well being. The need to keep her out of harm's way was important.

With a groan, Adrian turned his attention back to the stack of work that lay askew on his desk. For the first time in so long he dreaded the work.  He set down his glass and raked a hand through his hair. How he wished he could hand all of this  over to Penniford or Arlington and leave to be with her, but he couldn't ,he sighed. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he forced himself to sit there and finish.

*~*~*~*~*~*

With the arrival of Caroline, Eva's spirit seemed to lift more. The depressive fog and it's veil finally had lifted. Caroline observed her and saw she was under the weather with Adrian's absence. When she pulled out the letter Adrian sent for her she saw pure elation in her eyes.

She decided to let Eva retire to read it alone.

In the quietness of her room she climbed into the massive 4 poster bed and focused on his handwriting. Her heart lurched with excitement.
Pulling it open she read it.

My Dearest Eva,
Before I begin this letter I want to say that I miss you so much.

I don't think I have ever expressed what you truly mean to me.

Evangeline, the beauty you have brought into my life goes beyond description.

From the moment you snuck into my home peach, everything in my life changed. My life as I knew it seemed to come alive.

You, were supposed to be the one thing I could not have. A forbidden fruit I was not suppose to touch.

Yet, with every smile exchanged, every look, every touch wreaked havoc with my soul and the yearning to have you brought me even closer to that temptation.

Resisting you Eva was the hardest thing ever imagined. Then the boundary lines began to melt the moment our breaths exchanged between our urgent lips with our first kiss. That taste was limitless.

That one stolen kiss my little thief, enslaved my heart and my soul. And I, have become your willing captive. 

I love you Eva,
I always have
And I will forever,
Adrian

She closed her eyes tightly pressing the letter to her heart. Dashing away a tear she lay softly on the bed.
"I love you too," she whispered.

By midmorning Eva was arms deep in rich soil in the garden that she and Caroline decided to fix. Weeds were pulled and dead shrubs removed as they talked and replanted fresh roses and other flowers.

Her eyes wrinkled with laughter with Carolines stories of her and her brothers childhood. How they were well loved by their parents and the upbringing they had.

She bonded with Caroline over the simplest of things from love, heartache to life itself. She was elated with the idea of Eva being with Adrian. She listened to Carolines advice and her heartfelt plea to keep her brother happy. In kind, Caroline was warmed with Eva's heartfelt promise that she would do nothing else but keep Adrian happy.

·~·~·~·~·~·~

Two and a half weeks had passed.....

And he was at his wits end. He sat with Arlington at Whitmore's awaiting Brandon's arrival for a quick game of cards and some drinks.

He sat with his jaw clenched as he leaned back and thought of his run in with Alicia again. She was infuriating him.

She had showed up at the manor demanding to see him. But thanks to his company with Arlington to save face and not cause scandal she retreated with a warning that she would return.

He did not understand why she could not take a hint. She has had him in such a fowl mood that even Arlington and Brandon noticed.

She came the next day unannounced yet again. And he finally confronted her.

She was sobbing, and he was glaring into space.
"Why are you doing this Adrian?"she asked. He didn’t reply and turned to look at her.
She bent her head.
"Do you love me, Adrian?,"

"Yes,"  he said, staring down at her.

Her heart skipped a beat. She was winning him over. She smiled as she stood and brought her face closer to his, intending to kiss him.

"Yes, I did once." He caught the hair at the back of her head and said,

"But as of late you disgust me, your unhealthy way of acting disgusts me,
What kind of woman are you?" He shoved her from him.

"Leave now, before my patience runs out."

"You stupid man! Here I am, giving myself to you, and you—you throw me out?" she cried, shaking her head in disbelief.
"Yes, I’m throwing you out. Now go!" "You obviously don’t know me well enough. I’ll get you back for this Adrian. You think I will just sit idly by while you court that bitch. Your wrong very wrong," She sneered, her eyes blazing a fiery icy blue.

"Was I correct, then, my lady in my suspicions that you always held a grudge against Evangeline?" he said sarcastically. She gasped.

"Why do you protect her?" she asked again.

"I believe it is none of your business. Now out!" His nerves were just about reaching its limit.

"You love her, don’t you, ?" She shook her head in disbelief.

In a rage she flew at him. He held her and dragged her to the entrance door. Never has he had to manhandle a woman but Alicia overstepped her boundary.

He had to put a stop to this situation before it got out of hand.

"Are you in or out Adrian?"

Arlington queried, breaking Adrian from his silent musing.
Arlington had raised the pot and he hadn’t even noticed. He looked toward Brandon then to Arlington, studying his longtime friend’s unwavering expression. He had been playing cards with Arlington long enough to get a good read on him, and he suspected that he had a strong hand.
He seriously doubted he could beat Arlington’s cards, but he pushed all of his chips forward anyway.

He did his best to appear disappointed when Arlington laid down the winning hand.

"I think it’s time for me to retire," he told the group, after receiving a hearty dose of good-natured banter about the loss of his money.

They watched as he stood and bid them goodnight. Wearily they watched as he looked so beaten and frustrated, they said nothing and bid their farewells letting him go.

Leaning back in his chair, Brandon waited for a good time after Adrian to leave to look at Arlington.

"He is suffering," he said.

Idly Arlington sat and began picking up the cards noticing Brandon fell silent he looked up to him.

"Indeed he is, with Alicia giving him problems and his wife a days distance away, can you not see why?" Arlington sat back as well.

They fell silent for a while.

"What say you my good friend that we help a good friend and ease his suffering," Brandon gave a wide grin.

Arlington scowled. "What do you mean?

"I say we retrieve a certain someone, bring her discreetly and surprise him," Brandon's grin widened.

Frowning Arlington shook his head. He did not want to.

"Its too risky,"

"Risky! Arlington the man has an abominable attitude. I don't know whether I want to strangle or shake him senseless,"

"Besides what could go wrong?" Brandon asked.

Arlington smirked with a matter of fact glare.

"He could shoot us," Arlington said casually.

"Disembowel us both," Brandon added.

"Or we can sit by and watch him plot poor Alicias demise," they looked at one another.

Silently they stared out to nothing shaking their heads.

Blowing out a breath they came to their final decision. An agreement that benefited them both.

"Let's bring Eva home."