Hello my lovelies I would like to introduce you to Adrian St.James.....
Ohhh!!!!I just shiver with the thought of being caught red handed by this guy......
Can you say punish me???..
Any how don't forget to comment and vote....

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Arriving home only to find that his father and brother were out of the country sort of dampened his spirits. He wanted to surprise them. He had been away for so long in the military that he was overjoyed when he entered London. Everything changed so much.
The look on Pennifords eyes, his fathers butler was heart warming none the less.

"Your father and brother have went to the wild plains of Africa on an excursion m'lord," he smiled.

"Please, Penniford call me Adrian. You may address me as so. I am simply Adrian." He smiled back.

Penniford nodded.
"As you wish, may I get you anything," he asked.

Shaking his head he chuckled.

"No nothing, I am quite alright."

With another nod he curtly turned away and took his leave.

The rosy cheek Hilda immediately took to the kitchen and prepared him a hot meal. For a brief moment he roamed the halls of his childhood home. He stopped to look at his grandfather's portrait that sat high in a beautiful frame. The profound stern features stared back at him and he had to acknowledge his father and his brother had a slight resemblance to him. Candidly he looked over each image of a family member that passed away.

He turned slightly and continued down the halls. For so long he thought he would never return to this place. But, as his father put it so many times he needed to return and help with the family shipping business, marry and settle down.

He never saw eye to eye in that aspect with his father. He reluctantly returned and to his horror at the beginning of the London season. He would be the easy target of every mother eager to saddle him up with their daughters.
Being a bachelor had its perks.
But as well came with its share of discomforts.

The Marriage Market.

He shivered.

Moments had passed and he found himself before the doors to the family library. Opening the double doors, he walked in and looked around. Slowly he shut the door behind him. The quietness called to him. He found his way to a leather couch and plopped down into it. The long trip home was finally catching up to him. Laying his head back he closed his eyes.

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A brief time had passed, and suddenly the soft click of the window got his attention. Opening his eyes he looked to where the noise came from.
Sitting up slowly he watched as someone climbed in and slid to the floor. Then stood and nearly knocked over an expensive vase. From the looks of the intruder in the dark did not seem harmful because he was small. Leaning to the side table he felt around for the box of matches near it.
Striking the match he immediately lit the oil lamp next to him.
Standing he looked at the petite intruder that faced him now.

"Have you found what you are looking for?" he spoke.

He put the box of matches on the table and turned to face his little visitor that apparently was frightened.

The light that shined from the candle gave him a poor view of the thief. But, enough to show it was a little scamp, a child maybe no older than 11 or 12 years old.

He inched closer and the waif stiffened as if ready to bolt. But he wasn't getting away.

"Ah tsk, tsk.....don't move..." He warned holding out his hand.

He confronted him and watched as his head looked around for ways to escape.

Frightened and in a panick he immediately grabbed the expensive vase and raised it above his head.

"That won't be wise, you break that and it will earn you the gallows," he crossed his arms across his broad shoulders.

He carefully watched the boy gasp.

"Put it back," he ordered pointing his head to the stand.

To his surprise he did as he was told.

Silently he watched the ragamuffin fidget. He slowly gained clarity of his look as his eyes began to focus better from the poor lighting in the room. He wore tattered clothing, a large cap and was filthy from head to toe.
He felt pity for the little rascal that probably came to steal to barter for food.

He inched closer and the little one stiffened and inched back.
His warning stare stopped him in his place.
"Come here," he ordered.
His deep voice edged with authority frightened him.

Impatiently Adrian stood looking at the rascal and he wouldn't budge.

"I said, come here,"

He leaned forward and wrapped his fingers around the boys loose fabric of his coat and pulled him close to stand eye to eye.

He was face to face with a child.

His features under all that grime and soot said as much. He looked as if he hasn't bathed in days because the stench on him was appalling.

He recoiled from Adrian, averted his gaze and tried to pull away. But Adrian tightened his grip.

"You, scamp you need a bath. You wreak to high heaven," Adrian scowled.

Immediately the boy shook his head and fought in Adrian's grip as he stood to yank the boy through the library.
He struggled furiously, but with little effort Adrian plucked him up carried like a sack of potatoes.

He fought as hard as he could, abruptly he stopped as Adrian bellowed.

"Penniford!!!"

Within minutes a stout straight faced butler appeared. Noticing him struggling in Adrian's hold his eyes widened in shock.

"Take him, he needs a bath and when you're done lock him in the room. He is not to leave. Am I clear?"

Pennifords eyes widened more and he gave a look of disdain at the dirty urchin scrambling and fighting Adrians hold.

"Penniford!!!" Adrian yelled.

Snapping to attention he immediately held the boys hand and dragged him half way down the hall. He broke free and began to run. But it was a short lived escape as Adrian caught him around the waist and carried him kicking up the stairs.

They entered a well lit room fully furnished with a fire place.
A bath was brought up earlier for Adrian and he could see it was still warn.

"Close the door Penniford," he ordered.

He stood the boy up and pointed to him.
"Take those off and get in the bath," he demanded.

He watched him as he nervously stood there eyeing the tub trembling, he lowered his head.
Impatiently Adrian rolled his eyes up and breathed.

He reached for the boy knelt before him and yanked him close. His no nonsense glare planted him directly before him and he stood rigid as stone before Adrian.

Brief curses followed as Adrian furiously undressed the little wretch that had layer after layer of filthy cloth on him. His brows furrowed angrily as piece by piece of clothing heavy with mud and filth was pulled off and tossed to the ground with disgust.

Finally the offensive rags fell away and he noticed the boy tense and reach to cover the buttons to his blouse.

"Come now we have no time for this, the bath water grows cold," Adrian spoke furiously.

He swat the boys hand away and continued with the buttons. One by one they went and as soon as he opened the shirt he froze.
His eyes blinked and his brows furrowed as if having to refocus his eyes.
The view of two slightly well formed breasts were in his sight before they were covered.
Not meaning to stare he blinked again and leaned back on his heals and looked at lowered eyes.
His heart slammed against his chest as he quickly reached up and pulled away the large cap.

In awe he watched long auburn tresses tumble down around his face.
What stood before him trembling, covering herself in tears was

A girl!!!!