~The Introduction~

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

Evangeline's eyes wandered everywhere except in front of her. She sat restless in her chair with her thoughts in the clouds. Ever so often she would look up to the woman before her feigning a smile and nod as if she honestly were listening to her. But, sometime had passed before she made contact with reality and her distant stare got her into trouble.

"Evangeline!, are you listening?" Madam Phelps snapped her finger.

Jumping to attention, she gasped and looked up into frowning eyes.

"Forgive me Madam, it won't happen again," she whispered.

Disappointed she clucked, and shook her head before returning her gaze to the book before her and continued the lesson.

Slouching miserably she saddened, the lecture was torture and it didn't help that she wasn't feeling too good. She anxiously sat there with her thoughts in a muddled heap both chastising herself about her inappropriate thoughts and reveling in fantasies, impossible fantasies. She had developed such a feeling for Adrian most would say it was normal, it was a simple school girl crush. Deep down she knew this was wrong he was her guardian. He was her joy, her confidant, the stone and foundation of her life and secretly he was the vital craving of her heart and soul.

Again, the tapping and the exasperated breaths brought her from her musings. Embarrassed she sat silent as Madam Phelps began the endless litany of complaints of not doing her lessons and being distracted.

"I must say young lady it is unlady like your behavior," she breathed.

Evangeline sat up briefly biting her lip and looked sadly into the woman's eyes.

"I am deeply sorry, Madam, it won't happen again," she repeated.

As if the plea fell on deaf ear Madam Phelps continued. "I am going to have to speak with the Earl of this behavior young lady. You must not idle or dally when it comes to your work," she piped out sitting up straight.

Immediately Evangeline looked up and gasped. Nervously she shook her head and pouted, "Please do not Madam, I beg you. He will be upset with me," her breath shook , she lowered her head and the urge to cry was on the brink.

"Indeed I will," the stern husky voice came from behind.

She stiffened wide eyed and looked up into Madam Phelps shocked gaze that was pinned on the familiar voice over her shoulder.

Breathing quickly and closing her eyes praying to the saints that she was not imagining things. She swallowed hard.

She turned slowly and stood to look at the all too familiar handsome face of her guardian. His gorgeous eyes met hers and immediately her breath left her lungs.
He was elegantly dressed in a black suit that as a habit upon entering the manor he sometimes undid his cravet while handing his overcoat to Penniford.
She was so overjoyed with his return but nervously stood back and did not move. She did not know how long he had been standing there or what he had heard. She nibbled on her lip and stood there waiting for him to chastise her on her recent behavior but he never did.
She sadly looked away from his gaze, if he was disappointed in her she could not bare to see it in his eyes.

The moment he spoke and her eyes looked into his again was when her world went still and all her fears and worries became a distant memory. Forgotten.

"What ? No Hello Peach?!," he grinned mischievously.

The second he said those words, there was no need for small talk or proper greetings, she closed their distance in three strides and ran into his open arms. Throwing her arms around his neck, he nuzzled his face into the warmth of her neck and chuckled softly.
She clung to him as if clinging to life itself and marveled in his strong embrace. She was engulfed in his warmth, his scent and it made her heart flutter.
Stepping back he caressed her face in his hands and looked down at her.

"You're finally home," she whispered smiling up at him with delight.

A smile instantly spread across his face, "Yes I am Peach,"

~·~·~·~·~·~·~·

The carriage ride home from the city was the longest 4 hours he endured. The small compartment space within the conveyance seemed as if it were closing in on him. He sat impatiently clawing at his cravat trying to loosen it and breathe. His mind anxiously wondered at how long it would take to get to Fairhaven?
Soft warm hands gently touched his knee as he began tugging more at the damnable cravat. His eyes shot up quickly to look into Alicias eyes.
With a smirk and soft laugh she rubbed his leg.
"Relax darling, everything will be fine."

Letting out a deep breath he nodded.
He didn't say much to Alicia through the whole journey home. He layed his head back trying his best to relax.

After some time of nodding off into a light sleep, the carriage pulled up in front of the manor and Adrian took a deep breath. Today was the much waited for introduction he adamantly tried putting off but Alicia insisted. She said it was best not to hold off any longer.
He opened the door and stepped out holding out his hands he took hers and helped her down.
She gave him a beautiful smile and followed him.
She stood in awe at the beautiful view of what is Fairhaven Manor.
He walked beside her and placed her hand on his arm then walked her inside.

They greeted immediately by Penniford that produced a hearty smile towards Adrian then as he was presented to Alicia she received a very curt emotionless bow.

"Where is Evangeline? Penniford," he smiled at the butler that began taking his coat.

"She is with Governess Phelps, Milord in the drawing room," he began to walk away.

"Penniford can you please show Lady Thornton to the library?" he watched as Alicia frowned.

"But...Adrian, I thought," she began.

He came close and held her hands in his. "It will only be a moment I will bring her to you, give me some time with her,"

Hesitating she lowered her head trying to pull on a fake smile, she looked into his eyes and nodded.

With that he turned around and walked off.

~·~·~·~·~·~·
He gently opened the door to the drawing room and stood silently smiling at the way Madam Phelps chastised Evangeline on her lack of concentration.
He shook his head hiding his smile.

He listened as she apologized again and pleaded with her.
"Please do not Madam, I beg you. He will be upset with me,"
He schooled his expression and spoke up immediately.

"Indeed I will," he stood straight, legs apart in an authoritative stance and sternly looked at the governess.

Quickly she looked up and stood. Giving Evangeline a nervous sad glance she stood quickly and she gave a quick courtesy, excused herself and left.

He watched as Evangeline's shoulders went rigid and she sat there for a while. Then slowly she turned to face him and stood up.
He had to admit that if she was shocked with his surprise arrival, he was the one that was in shock.

Like a punch to the gut, he took in the view of the young beauty that blossomed in his absence.
He stood and watched as she looked away from him. His feature etched like stone took in hers. Her hair was longer, her cheeks rosier, her lips delicate pinks as always.
She fidgeted before him and nervously bit her lips. He was taunting her and reveled in how she panicked and did not want to displease him.

Not able to contain the charade any longer he finally broke a smile and called out to her.

Their eyes met and there, that look in her eyes warmed him, admiration, affection and pure joy stared at him. He didn't know what were these feelings that suddenly erupted within him.

Within seconds she jumped into his arms. He held her close, inhaled deeply and was affected by her scent. It calmed his beating heart all the while speeding it up to fluttering beats with her closeness. When she finally looked into his eyes she gave him the most gorgeous smile.

Beautiful honey browns tinged with tears smiled at him. He caressed her delicate cheeks and caressed her face.

"You're finally home," she whispered smiling up at him with delight.

"Yes I am Peach," with pure elation for her joy he smiled back at her.

Taken back by her change he held her at arms length.

"What happen to the little scamp I left behind? I fear a beautiful girl took her place," he grinned.

Her heart fluttered and her cheeks flushed.

She hid her face in his embrace shyly and he laughed.

He sighed and looked at her again. Amazed how she had grown. She was only be 15 and this was only a hint of what she would become.

He looked as if he wanted to tell her something then stopped. Then he decided it was now or never.
His smile disappeared and he grew serious.

"Eva," he spoke softly holding her hands. "I have someone I would like you to meet," he looked at her.

"Who?" She smiled.

Her smile was contagious, he laughed.

With that he grasped her fingers in his and she followed him through the foyer towards the library. He stood and looked at her before entering and closing the door behind them.

She followed him and was pulled to stand before him. He placed his hands on her shoulder.

Her eyes caught the tall slender figure of a woman with her back towards them as she looked out the window. He cleared his throat and it got her attention.

Evangeline watched as she slowly turned and smiled at him and her as she stepped forward. She was very beautiful, tall and elegant. She had Auburn hair and green eyes.

"Eva, I want you to meet Lady Alicia Thornton," he spoke.

Looking up at her she stepped forward and gave a curtsy as she was taught to address those of the social ladder and peerage.

"Nice to meet you, Milady," she spoke softly.

A small single smile pulled at the side of Adrians lips.

"Hello Evangeline," Alicia smiled at her.

"My goodness you never mentioned this young girl was so beautiful," she gasped smiling.

"Thank you M'lady"

"Oh! Darling she is precious,"

Darling??????

Immediately Evangeline stiffened.

Adrian felt it then looked to Alicia.

Evangeline stepped back abit and gave her most brilliant smile and looked up to Alicia.

"Thank you Milady,"

An eerie silence fell amongst them for a brief moment. Then quickly Evangeline mustered up all her strength to maintain the false visage then turned to Adrian.

She smiled sweetly at him; only he could see the undeniable emotion flickeing in the honeyed depths of her eyes.

"M'lord, may I go tell Rosie you are here. Maybe she can make you Apple pie for dessert."

Milord! She never addressed him that way and it unsettled him.

Looking down at her, he held her gaze briefly then smiled back.

"Yes, go ahead," he nodded.

He watched her curtsy to them both and she exited the library closing the door behind her.

Once Evangeline made it to the foyer, Penniford caught sight of her as she slowly walked passed him.
He watched her and saw her expression, the slight paleness of her skin and her saddened gaze.
He had to admit that although they bickered and she was always pestering him, he held a certain affection for her. She grew on him and to see her like this it pulled at his heart, he suspected that the arrival of Lady Alicia was the cause.

·~·~·~·~·~·

She never went to Rosie, she walked slowly towards the stables, her sight blinded by unshed tears. How was she going to survive this blow to her heart?
How could he just spring this on her?
She called him darling.

She wasn't naive to know what that meant. And with that thought her heart fell even lower. She felt faint as if this took every inch of strength from her.

She made her way towards Violet and caressed the mares neck. Her tears fell like rain drops on her soft pelt. She new and feared this day would come but not so soon.

"Oh Violet, what am I going to do now?" she whispered in pain.

Evangeline wept until she had no more tears to spill. She suddenly found herself tired and too weak to stand. Her eyelids heavy, her throat sore and in pain. Her head began to pulse and ache. She shivered at the sudden coldness that coursed her veins.

She walked as far as her legs could carry her only managing to get to a nearby bale of hay that lay in chunks near the far wall.
Her body ached, her head began to spin, she felt the air escaping her lungs as she slid to the floor and let darkness claim her.


You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net