5 months later~·~·~·~
He decided it was time.
She was 16 and old enough to go to semi-formal balls, tea parties and the Opera.

With his prayers answered he finally received a letter from his sister Caroline, now widowed after her husband's death, she would be returning to London from America.

And he was finally relieved that Alicia no longer was angry with him. She accepted his decision to hold off their announcement of their engagement until Evangeline got accustomed to her. Sadly it has not been so.

Although Evangeline held her at a diplomatic distance, he knew she only did it for his sake. He believes that with time she would warm up to her. He only hoped she would.
Only hoped....

*~*~*~*~
The day finally came when Caroline arrived. She was received with warm welcomes from the staff. The moment he introduced her to Evangeline she was truly surprised that he became guardian to such an enchanting creature.
He chuckled.
Evangeline took to her like moth to a flame and they have been inseparable ever since. She became her chaperone to functions in most cases where he could not attend.

He wished she would warm up to Alicia that way.

Caroline expressed her concern countless times of trying hard to convince Evangeline to get along with Alicia. Claiming they are like oil and water...
They just do not mix....

Caroline knows all too well that by her brother marrying Alicia, things would change for the worst and who would suffer would be Ebangeline. Although too nervous to admit it or mention it, she senses that her brothers ward has feelings for him.

So when she decided to take her one last trip abroad to settle personal matters, she was hesitant to leave. She had come to adore Evangeline and her sweet nature, the slight feeling that things would change gave her an eerie feeling.

It worried her.

*~*~*~*~*

After a long morning, Adrian leaned back in his chair tossing the annoying leaflets of the months ledger before him on his desk. The quietness of his study ever so often echoed the swish of a page being turned from a book. His eyes shifted to the far corner on the floor and its occupants. Engrossed in a world of her own Evangeline was barely noticeable as she was transfixed in her latest story.

She lay amongst an array of books on the floor a small plate with a half eaten scone and a cup of tea. Penelope a white Persian cat, their newest addition to the family lay beneath her idle fingers that gently stroked its lush fur.

Curious to what she read and obviously dreading the work that lay before him, he sighed. Standing up he walked over to where she lay with her book on the floor. Plopping beside her on the ground he pulled a soft pillow off the nearby sofa and placed it beneath his head.

Ms. Phelps would surely faint at this scene for it would seem highly inappropriate. He scoffed in his head.

She turned to look at him and smiled.

"What are you reading peach," he settled beside her.

She turned on her back and placed her head next to his.

"I am reading a novel by Samuel Richardson called ~Clarrisa~" she replied softly.

"Ahh, yes ..... The tragic tale of a young lass being forced to make a loveless marriage and so runs off with her enamored Robert Lovelace," he spoke.

Remembering the tale he looked to his side to her and tugged her hair gently. After a while pulling her eyes away from her story she looks at him and frowned.

"You little miss are too young to read such a book. Hand it over peach.," he held out his hand waiting for her to give it to him.

"But, Adrian I am just getting to the part where she is forced to marry Roger Solmes," she whined with a pout.

With a chuckle he candidly plucked the book from her fingers as they immediately folded in front of her.

"Such tales peach I would prefer that your innocent eyes do not read," he pointed out.

With a humph and sigh she looked up at the ceiling before her and sighed crossing her arms.

"Your temper tantrum young one will not move me," he spoke softly in a teasing voice.

They lay silent for a while, her annoyance at his babying her slowly dissipated. She nibbled at her lips.
And thought to herself curiously why he would not let her finish it.

"Adrian?" She said.

"Hmm," he answered.

"What happens in the book?" She asked.

She turned to look at him and noticed that his eyes were closed.

"Adrian!" She called again.

He sighed and opened one eye to look at her garnering a soft giggle.

"Tis a tragic novel pigeon,"...He paused."The content within it is too harsh for you"

"But, how will I ever know what it is if I can not read it," she blew out a frustrating breath.

He did not answer.

"I think it is very romantic, to run away with the one you love," she sighed dreamily.

In a blink of an eye, she was staring up into Adrian's long hard stare.

She frowned.

His jaw was set and his stare turned into a scowl as he spoke.

" Lovelace, my little peach," he paused........" Proved to be an untrustworthy rake," he said.

He watched her eyes turn into confused Amber gems.

"How so?" She whispered intrigued by such a declaration.

He lowered his eyes and began to idly twirl a loose lock of her hair. He hesitated, he honestly did not want to tell her the rest. And, he could not divulge such an act to her. But in all honesty she was not going to remain this innocent, eventually some one will come along and teach her the ways of life. Mayhap her future husband. The thought put a sick feeling in his gut. Yes a man, she will fall deeply in love with one day, marry and have children... He quickly brushed away the thought that some how bothered him.
He looked into her expectant gaze and swallowed softly.
Then continued.
"He gave promises of marriage that were vague lies accompanied by unwelcomed sexual advances," he finished.

Her eyes widened and she gasped.

Not wanting to hear more she sat up quickly. Bothered.

"That is terrible!," she breathed.

He slowly sat up and rested his elbow on his knee. He stared at her back for a moment, uneasy at the feeling that he upset her somehow.

She slowly turned to look into his eyes with a skeptical stare.

"You are not telling me this so later on I would not want to read the book are you?" She turned to face him.

"No.." He shook his head with a serious expression.

She lowered her head.

He raised his hand and took hers. He pulled her close until she gently sat before him between his legs. She rested herself against his upraised knee.
She lowered her eyes and watched as he held her hand softly.

There was so much he wanted to tell her but he did not know where to start.

"I don't want you to read those books or those sorts of stories, pigeon because I don't want it to pollute your mind.," he looked down into her eyes.

She looked up at him so trustingly and his heart was deeply touched.

He leaned closer and playfully rubbed his nose with hers.
"I would prefer for you stay an innocent naive little miss forever," he grinned.

And with his playful confession, he won a delightful giggle from her that her eyes sparkled like sun kissed Amber gems. He loved making her laugh. It was what revealed her sweet nature.

"You don't mean that do you?" She sobered catching her breath.

If you only knew how I honor your innocence and would protect it from every scoundrel out there.

His gaze turned into a mock frown that made her giggle more.

"I do mean it," he said.

"You can't keep me that way forever, I eventually will fall in love one day," she smiled at him.

He sobered immediately and sat up straight.

"What do you know of love, little one," he arched a brow surprised at how her expression turned dreamy.

She gave a coy smile and refused to look at him.

In awe he watched as her cheeks flushed.

Not wanting to look at him for fear of revealing her feelings, she immediately stood up and shortly he followed.

"Oh no young minx!," he stopped her and turned her around to face him.

She met his astonished gaze that turned to wonder.

"Who is the nincompoop that captured your heart, this I must know," he shook his head with a chuckle.

She could see he was truly intrigued but she shook her head at the fact that he was in fact somewhat jealous.

Mischievously she bit her lip and shook her head.

If you only knew the nincompoop was you...

Narrowing his eyes he watched her closely. Her expression changed. It worried him that she would feel something for someone ....especially love.

He sighed raking his hands through his hair.
"Well...if you don't want to tell me then a severe tickling and dunk in the pond will grant me your confession,"

In the blink of an eye he had rendered her into breathless giggles that rang through out the library. When she refused to speak up her fits of giggles continued as he tossed her over his shoulder.

Between breaths she begged to be put down.

He walked with her over his shoulder out of the library into the foyer. His chuckles mixed with hers bounced off the walls. As quickly as he walked towards the entrance door he skidded to a halt before the woman standing at the entrance before Penniford.

"Adrian put me down please, I fear the blood is pooling to my head," Evangelines meek voice giggled.

Immediately but gently he let her down before him and saw Alicia standing before them.
Sobering from the cacophony of their laughs they regarded her straight face that suddenly and smuggly turned upwards at such a display.

"I see I have arrived in an inopportune moment and that you have forgotten our previous engagement milord," She said looking over them.

With an oath and apologetic stare he sighed.

"Forgive me the time escaped me, of course I did not forget," he said breathlessly.

With a softened stare he looked at Evangeline and smiled.

" I forgot to tell you about tonight's dinner party at Lord Bartholomes home we were invited."

With a gasp and beam of a smile she looked up at him.

"Really?"

Alicia stiffened at the news. She had no idea he would bring that brat.

Unaware of her disgruntled look she stood by and watched as he bellowed for Rosie to get Evangeline ready. With a boyish grin he turned just in time for her to give a false approving smile and his warm gentle kiss on the lips.

*~*~*~*~*~

Minutes later they sat in the carriage ride in route to Du'relac Estates to the home of Lord Bartolomé and Lady Gisels' home an esteemed couple amongst the ton.

She sat in the far corner ever so often looking at the two would be love birds exchange quiet whispers. It was evident that Alicia was upset although she tried her best not to show it.

She was aware that the Countess did not care for her and she made it adamantly clear that she did not care for her either. On that note she was grateful they were on the same accord.

Ever so often she would see how Adrian would give her an assuring smile and than a mischievous wink to get her to smile.

She would never forget the look on his face when she finally descended before them. He was so surprised she flushed at his astonished gaze.

They finally arrived and were escorted out of the carriage. Adrian stood by and raised his hands to gently help her down. She placed her hands in his and was rewarded with his devilishly handsome smile that warmed her heart.

Like the proudest man on earth he walked with his head held high flanked with two beautiful women on his arms.

All eyes were on them as they entered the massive hall that was elegantly adorned with gorgeous decor.

He stopped just in time to meet Lord Hastings and Lord Bartolomé as they approached them.

They stopped just shy of greeting Alicia and Adrian. Then they peered down at her and their eyes lit up immediately.
"Why St. James who is this beauty hiding beside you," Lord Hastings asked in awe.

Slowly Adrian turned to her and smiled proudly pulling her before him.
"This is Miss Evangeline Chenoweth, my ward," he spoke.

They all gasped in awe. Surprised.

"You devil where have you been hiding this pearl," Lord Griffin joined in.

In no time they were all surrounded by inquisitive eyes.
Immediately in a whirlwind of faces Evangeline was introduced and presented to so many people she lost count.

Lord Bartolomé was transfixed with her and even more delighted when they continued their conversation in French.
Shortly his wife joined and was pleased with her outright.

Adrian stood behind her and smiled at how she curtsied with such elegance and spoke to her with confidence.

Her soft voice responded to the Countess in French and a swell of pride beat at his heart.

Finally, she settled down beside two of Lord Hasting daughters. They were both so sweet and courteous. They talked about everything.

Grey eyes watched Evangeline intently as she smiled and laughed along with the other girls beside her. Adrian felt content that she had found friends to talk to.

"That is one breathtaking creature you have there, dear boy," the gruff voice spoke at his side.

He turned to look at Viscount Ferguson he looked at the girls sitting together.

With a chuckle, Adrian nodded.

"Yes she is," he looked towards her with a soft gaze.

There seemed to be no end to his pride over his ward. His eyes sparkled as he stared at her and admired her from afar. All of this was what Alicia saw and she was irate and very jealous.

She sat back schooling her features so that no one could see her this way. She watched and waited until the time was perfect and she would catch her alone. And that moment came soon enough.

After they all were done with the evening meal, the men retired to a separate room for drinks. While the ladies sat around and conversed.
Evangeline sought fresh air and idly walked towards the opening doors to a small garden.

She walked out onto the terrace and slowly continued out into the moonlit garden. She never saw the figure that sided up slowly beside her until she spoke.

"Its about time I have you alone, brat," Alicia whispered.

Evangeline stiffened and turned to see Alicia step closer to her.

"Let me make this clear, I won't have you ruin my relationship with Adrian," she hissed.

Evangeline frowned.

"Excuse me milady, I don't know what you are talking about," Evangeline spoke.

With a scoff Alicia stepped closer and pulled Evangeline by the wrists making her whimper.

"You know very well what I speak of, I see the way you look at him you trollop, and you will never have him," she squeezed Evangelines wrist even harder that she whelped in protest trying to pull away.

No one witnessed their silent scuffle and heated whispers.

"Let go of me," Evangeline cried softly wincing at the pain Alicia was inflicting on her.

"Not until you get this clear in your head," she yanked Evangeline close and spoke in her ears.

It was a threat she would see through.

"When I marry Adrian, I will have you packed and off to a convent, before the sun has any time to warm in the morning sky," she warned.

Evangeline gasped shaking her head. Tears fell and she wept.

"You can't ! Adrian will not permit it," she argued.

Alicia laughed. "Watch me,"

Before she could say another word she quickly felt Alicia put her hands around her throat.

"Say not a word or any of this to any one or you will suffer," she hissed.

She shoved Evangeline away picked up her skirts turned and left her there.

She slumped to the floor in tears. Now she knew that Alicia was evil truly evil.

*~*~*~*~*~

The carriage ride home was very uneasy, he noticed. The thick tension and awkward silence between them was in the air. He looked to Evangeline. Something was amiss, she looked distraught and distracted. When he asked her what was wrong she shied away and meekly answer nothing.

Alicia was in a foul mood as well. She spoke very little to him and she barely looked at Evangeline.
When they finally arrived they entered and without a word Evangeline disappeared immediately retiring to her room.
Her heart slammed against her chest enraged at what Alicia did to her. She wept as she changed into her chemise and hissed at the pain coming from her wrist.

She climbed into bed and cried her self to sleep.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Grey eyes bore into large determined blue eyes with anger.
The moment they entered the library they began to argue. Alicia was livid and would not back down. He hadn't a clue in the world of what was her problem until she finally blurted it out.
Alas!!!
"You cater to her like she is the only thing that matters to you," she shouted.

"She is my ward," he bit out.

"And I am your fiancé, Adrian," she shout back.

They continued in their endless argument. Their shouts were heard all the way to the foyer.

And in her room she heard it all, she opened her eyes from her light troubled sleep. Bounded from the bed and walked out towards the steps. Their heated argument escalated.

By the time she knew it her feet carried her to the door of the library just in time to see Alicia toss a small glass vase at Adrian. He immediately blocked the blow with his hand and gave her a murderous glare.

With that she stepped out of the way in time to watch Alicia storm out. She began to cry as she heard Adrian curse followed by the sound of shattered glass.

She slowly slunked along the wall to the floor and cried. She felt so sad and defenseless against her. Because of her, Adrian would suffer.
She wiped her tears away and slowly stood. She didn't want to leave him alone. Alicia angered him and it bothered her.

She walked over to the door and stood there. By this time she noticed the library was dark then she realized what he through was the lamp into the fireplace out of rage.

He sat lounged in the chair before it,  His legs outstretched with a glass of amber liquid in it. He raised it to his lips and swallowed the content all down before carelessly letting it drop to the floor. She watched as it rolled beneath the chair.
She walked to him then stood before him.
Her heart quickened at his image. His hair was a tossled mess, his shirt lay open and his sleeves rolled up his arms.
His eyes captured hers and they stared at one another.

He silently patted his lap and opened his arms for her to come closer. As she was accustomed to, she walked to him and climbed into his lap and rested her cheek on his chest.
She reveled in his closeness and felt him rest his chin on her head.
He pulled her close and his warm arms wrapped around her.

He rubbed her back as if to sooth her and she cuddled more into his embrace. When she raised her head to look up at him, their eyes met.
And she felt like time had stopped.

He lifted his hand and caressed her cheek. She felt tingly with his touch. The feel of his warm hand against her skin made her warm all over. When she placed her hand above his she wasn't aware that she turned her lips into them and kissed him there until she heard him gasp.

She