*****Please ,Please, please comment and like. Oh and this part is explicit and for mature readers****

Icy blue eyes observed the low cut bodice in the mirror with satisfaction. It would definitely turn his head she mused as her maid tightened the strings making her bosom strain against the fabric, they're nearly ready to spill out.

The keen brown eyes that peered at her from the door took in the view with shameless hunger and was in no worry to hide it.

Their eyes connected through the glass' reflection and his wicked smile made her eyes sparkle. Such unmistakable lust and desire with a mixture of deviousness was there.

She swallowed hard at his perusal and how his eyes trailed over her. He slowly pushed away from from the doorjam and entered.

"Leave us," Reynaud ordered the maid.

The slight tightness of the strings the maid held loosened and a bit of dizziness clouded Alicia's vision that she had to place her hands against the wooden frame of the mirror. Letting out a deep breath and struggling for more she felt his warmth at her back and peered through the glass at him.

His fingers deftly rose to the strings to loosen them. Making her bodice a bit loose that she quickly placed her hand above it as to not have her breasts exposed.
Her eyes never left his face or his lips as they brushed over her neck.

"I don't see why you women wear these dreadful contraptions," his velvety voice brushed her skin.

She did not answer.

"If it were up to me I would prefer you wore nothing beneath your clothing," the richness of his voice husky with a tinge of sin made her stomach clench.

"It is the way of our fashion," she breathed as his eyes rested on hers.

They stood silent for a while gazing into each others reflection. A long finger rose to her neck and gently grazed over her now rapid pulse, teasing her and making her shiver.

In truth, his touch made her feel things she could not explain but she refused the sensation. She only wanted Adrian. It's what her mind screamed and what her heart chanted. But, her body has been very long with out the feel of a man.

"What do you say we let your flesh get some air? Before we commence our plans." He kissed her behind the ear loosening the strings to the bodice.

As tempting as it was, the refusal formed in her head was easily forgotten when her bodice fell away and her bare breasts were free from their confines.

Strong calloused fingers softly touched one heavy globe as their eyes watched it's nipple turn hard and tighten. Aroused and now clenching her thighs together she watched him give attention to the next breast and tightening nipple as he nipped her neck and kissed her ear.

Heavy breaths escaped her while he caressed her breasts softly and began reaching under her chemise and placing his finger between her thighs.

The deep rumble and groan in his throat said he found what he sought and was surely rewarded.
Clawing her way back down to reality she tried to pull away but he was not having it.

"Tsk, task mlady, we both know that is not wise." He grumbled in her ear.

"We can not do this," she swallowed with a panic.

"I am in love with Adrian," she closed her eyes tightly willing herself to gain some control of this conflicting sensation.

The mocking rumble of a laugh came from behind her. The derisive glint in his eyes made her pull forward a bit only to have his grip on her tighten.

"Why fool yourself mlady, you and I know very well what you feel for St. James is only a sick obsession." He taunted.

Outraged she struggled against his hold turning to face him.
"Get out, you know nothing of my feelings," she spat.

His eyes glinted down at her with a spark of humor in their tawny-brown depths. "Enlighten me then," he drawled.

"I find your way of pursuing him a bit shameful ," he whispered.

She laughed scornfully, her head tilting back so that she could meet his eyes. "As if you know what love is, you really think your plan is any better than mine, your pathetic ."

His eyes darkened and immediately his jaw clenched as he reached for her neck and pulled her flush against him. His eyes roamed over her face with with humorless intensity. Her frantic struggles seemed to have no effect on him except to make him tighten his grip.

"I would rather be pathetic than be pitiful, worthless and unwanted as you," he said with a tight ferocious hiss tightening his hold on her neck.

Terrified she whimpered as he fiercely claimed her lips.
His kiss was both brutal and hard, and Alicia's initial resistance soon faded away to nothingness under the harsh assault of his mouth.

In no time roughly he had her sprawled beneath him in her bed. Tangled sheets never hindered their struggle as she tried to not be subdued but he proved the victor.

A faint cry escaped her lips as he spread her thighs with his. And his tongue invaded her mouth, thrusting savagely into her softness, piercing her, violating her.

The feel of his erection so close to her opening only brought forth a reluctant whimper. His rawness and brutal way confused her. She wanted this and she didn't.

"You beast," she whimpered a cry in a last desperate attempt to deny him her body that he was skillfully priming and readying to be breached.

Reynaud laughed, his face cruel with harsh mockery.

"No m'lady, a beast no. The devil mayhap. one you can say that you made a deal with by seeking my help. And like the devil I've come to collect my dept." He whispered.

She stiffened with his words. And before she could think on his words he took her with no warning or preliminaries.

She lay beneath the roughness of his body as he plowed eagerly into her. No words of sweetness, no caresses, nothing to coax her arousal. He just plundered and enjoyed himself as she lay beneath him numb. When she felt him finishing, he leaned back looking at her with hard triumph evident in his gaze.

She closed her eyes, not wanting to see him glorying in her degradation as her tears fell.

He finally pulled away from her and at that moment she knew she had made a terrible mistake. There was no turning back now. For this humiliation, she would make them all pay.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Unbeknownst to them both, Eva and Adrian would soon be the victims of a cruel game devised by Reynaud and Alicia.

The plan was put into place and all that was left was for it to take it's course. It was such a genius plan it was full proof.

~*~*~*~*~*~

She sat stiff staring at the letter emblazoned with her name and who it came from.

Dread crept up her spine as she saw the name and wondered why he would send her a letter. Eva stood and began to pace nervously. Why would Reynaud send her a letter?

Weariness bore down on her as her curiosity took the best of her. She should wait until Adrian returns then have him read it. But then he might not tell her what it is. She nibbled on her bottom lip.

Frustrated she decided to open it.
Anxiously and impatiently she scanned over the words annoyed with his formality she just went straight to the beginning of the paragraph.

I thought that it would be best that you finally see what your guardian has been keeping from you. I have information about your mother and her family you need to know. It's in your best interest to see me immediately for this is a private matter not appropriate for a letter that may fall in idle hands.

The moment you read this come see me at once I will be at Portier's inn room 17

Reynaud

Confusion set. She frowned at his letter and then read it once more.

She hesitated and tried her best to think this through. Should she wait for Adrian to return? He had left that morning with out a word. A sense of of uneasiness settled on her.

But, he had information about her mother and her family. She shook her head filled with doubt because her mother did not have family. This was a trap.
But something tugged at her anxiously. Could he be telling her the truth? And what if it's another way to trick her? Waiting for Adrian to see to this she feared that if it was true Reynaud would never tell Adrian.

Deep down she really needed answers. She had no immediate family she knew of from either side of her parents. Now she wanted desperately to believe him.

She began to pace again and looked at the clock it was well past midday.

Closing her eyes tightly willing her mind to make the decision she turned and went to the study.

She walked quickly to his desk and pulled out a sheet and wrote fast what she needed to say.

She looked it over and left it where Adrian or Caroline could find it.

~*~*~*~*~

Her nerves took the best of her as she rode out of the stables towards her destination.

She needed to see what Reynaud knew of her mother and her family.
Her mind wandered to the endless possibilities that she had family and she wasn't alone. But could she trust him? I feeling that bagged her as she rode out was tugging at her.

She pulled up at Portier's Inn. The semi-large structure held a quaint amount of rooms for visitor abroad that came to spend time in the city.

The front door opened and closed as various people entered and left for daily errands.

A nervous knot settled in her stomach of the large structure. She shouldn't be worried in the least because she will be in a public place if anything she could always call out for help.

With those comforting playing like a mantra in her head she handed the reigns over to an awaiting groom. She walked slowly as her heart began to thump heavily in her chest.

She followed the cobbled pathway up the steps to the front door and entered as a gentleman held it open for her with a dazzling smile.

The foyer was filled with people. She looked in the direction of the halls and began to walk slowly down one. She continued with an exhalation of breath as she picked the right side to begin with the lower numbers. She watched the number go up until she reached the right door 17.

Bracing herself she knocked.

The latch finally clicked and a young woman peered through with sad eyes. She was not a maid she knew that much as she looked her over. Then suddenly a tall figure appeared behind her and she stiffened as his hands gently rested on her shoulder.

Reynaud

Her eyes took in the frighten girls stare and beseeching look at Evangeline for help.

She panicked. Wanting to step away from the door, his glare warned her to do otherwise.

"Do come in Evangeline,"he grinned pulling the girl along to step aside and let her enter.

Slow unsure steps carried her through the threshold as she kept her eyes on the girl and Reynaud. Inside her heart slammed in her chest looking into a pair of familiar eyes. The men that kidnapped her the first time sat in a corner indulging in a game of cards.

Stepping back she felt the strong hands of Reynaud come down on her shoulder preventing her from leaving.
She panicked when he walked her forward and offered her a chair.

She sat and looked up at the girl that now stood close by. She was young and obviously afraid. Her clothing rumpled and her hair disheveled.

She turned to Reynaud and watched as he pulled up a chair and sat at the table as well. He had a look of triumph in his gaze as he smiled and offered her something to drink which she immediately declined.

"You don't have anything about my mother do you?" A feeling of dread crept up her spine at the thought of this being a trap.

He chuckled looking into his glass then looked at her.

"Not wanting to waste time I gather?"

He nodded with a thoughtful frown.
"That is good because I want to get down to business as well,"

She watched as he leaned back and pulled open the drawer before him and pulled out a long parchment paper and handed it to her.

Hesitating, she slowly lifted her fingers and took it.

She lowered her head to look at it.
Her brows knitted in confusion at the words. There was just so much to read. She had never seen anything like it. She slowly read from the top. It was a decree of some sort. The names of HRH Gretel Von Beuren, Duchess of Valois were unknown to her.

She read further down and saw her mother's name. She read carefully as the document notes that her mother, Hillary Von Beuren will inherit the title of her Maternal grandmother HRH Gretel Von Beuren, all her lands and estates, all funds and a substantial trust left for her mother. In the event that Hillary Von Beuren should perish said title along with all its inheritance and vast fortune will pass to her eldest heir apparent be that a daughter or son.

Evangeline sat rigid. What did all of this mean? She slowly looked up to Reynaud that held a disturbing gleam in his eyes.

"This means that I am a Duchess?" Her voice shook.

She saw as he grinned.
"Yes. It does. And not to mention a very wealthy one. And what's even better is your family is looking for you and Adrian knew all along,"

Confused with his gleeful grin, she looked at him then frowned.
"What do you mean?" She whispered.

His grin became so wide at that moment. He leaned back and sighed then looked at the girl in the far corner.

" When your guardian intervened and paid your father's debt, he acquired the title to your home and everything in it. His solicitor found that document brought it to his attention but he never did anything about it."

He sat back and watched the many different emotions play on her beautiful face as he cunningly lied and she slowly began to take the bate.

"Why didn't he?" She looked into his eyes brimming with tears.

"Come now love do you really think it's in his best interest that you fly the nest so soon with so much power in your hands," he leaned forward to look at her with a saddened glance.

"But, luckily I had your father's solicitor who knew of this off hand and he...helped me send word to your relations." He crooked his finger towards the girl that stood in the corner.

Tears fell heavily as she watched the girl come closer.
They stared at one another as Reynaud began to talk.
"You see we sent a letter to them stating your....demise and of your mother's passing and heard no response until recently this precious jewel arrived looking for you."

Eva gasped looking at the girl.
She looked at Reynaud then at the girl again.
"Me? But who is she," she wiped away a tear.

"She my dear Evangeline is your cousin. She arrived 5 months ago," he pulled her close and held her as she cringed in his hold.

Her heart slammed in her chest and dread crept up her spine. How could this be? Why was she here with him ?

He motioned the girl forward and sat her in a chair before Eva. She looked so scared and pale.
Eva observed her with sadness in her eyes. So confused at this moment. A cousin! She should feel elated and joyous with this news.

"Is it true?" Eva asked her with a shaky breath.

The girl looked at her with tears in her eyes, confused she frowned.

"Answer me is it true," Eva anxiously sat forward.

But she got nothing as the girl jumped at her tone and began to sob and mumble frantically in French.

Evangeline gasped and leaned forward to grab her hands in hers. They were so cold and clammy they trembled.

"Je suis tellement désolé , je ne savais pas que vous ne parliez français pardonnez-moi"(I'm so sorry I did not realize you only spoke french forgive me,") Eva nervously bolted out in a shaky tone.

Immediately the girl looked at her stunned as more tears fell.

"Vous parlez français ainsi ?(you speak french also)" the girl asked between sobs.

Eva nodded her head.

The girl before her broke down in heart wrenching sobs and told her everything. Her name is Sabine and she is the daughter of Varón Henrí Von Beuren her mother's brother. The letter they received. Her struggles to get here landed her on a ship. The strenuous sail made her sick and she endured torturous days on it. Then when she got here she went to Reynaud. Ever since then he has held her captive with no word of her.

Eva cried listening to what she endured. Slowly she looked at him. She felt so enraged with what he did.

Without thinking she stood and lunged at him.
"You Bastard, why are you doing this?" She yelled.

He quickly subdued her, tangling his fists in her hair he yanked her head back. She cried out and her eyes raised to his.

"For the wealth my sweet," he hissed pulling her tighter.

She struggled in his hold. "I have no wealth, what are you talking about," she fought fiercely in his hold.

"No, but when you assume your role as Duchess I will be by your side when you do. And you will be going as my wife," he said in harsh rasps fighting to subdue her.

"Your crazy, I will do no such thing," she shook her head wildly trying to scratch him and pull out of his hold.

"If you don't want the death of your precious cousin on your hands then I suggest you do as I say," he squeezed her neck and turned her around just in time to watch the big burly man yank Sabine up from the chair and place a dagger at her throat.

Quickly Eva stopped her struggle and stared helplessly at Sabine.
"Please don't hurt her,"
Reynaud spun her around to face him.
"You won't get away with this. I will tell Adrian he will stop you." She bit out willing her tears not to fall.

With an amused brow raised he chuckled.
"Oh really I doubt your precious guardian is even thinking of you right now,"

She shook her head not understanding him.
"What are you talking about?" She shuddered.

With a sardonic laugh he shook his head and looked down into her red rimmed eyes filled with contempt and anger.
"Lets just say his time is well.... occupied," he grinned wickedly.

Forcefully she shoved at him.
"What do you mean by that? What did you do?" She yelled lunging at him again as he wickedly laughed at her and teased her.

"I believe right about now is best to show you what I speak of.,"
He twirled her around and held her wrist in an unforgiving grip as he yanked her towards the door. He hissed in her ear that if she uttered a word or brought attention to her self her cousin would suffer.

He pulled her through the darkened foyer out to the main entrance and straight into his awaiting carriage. With two taps on the roof they were off going into town. She sat rigid in the far corner of the velvet seat and watched him intently. Where was he taking her? she panicked.

In a matter of minutes they pulled up In front of a town house. He reached for her then and held her wrist tightly and pulled her close until they were eye to eye. With a warning glare he yanked her out of the carriage and placed her before him.

She trembled as he stood behind her. She looked up at the tall structure of the townhouse that loomed over her. Off to the side she noticed the familiar carriage. Her heart fluttered in her chest. It was Adrians.

He guided her roughly up the cobblestone path towards the front entrance and knocked on the door loudly.
The door abruptly whipped open. A young maid with her cap askew looked at Eva disapprovingly.

"May I help you?"

The woman glanced past Eva's shoulder and paled. Shakely she curtsied acknowledging Locksley.

"Mlady is a bit....indisposed Sir," she stammered nervously looking behind her.

Her eyes wide as saucers stood rigid as he walked Eva through the doors ignoring her.

He pushed her forward.

"Why are we here?" Eva asked as she was lead up the stairs before her.

Her heart hammered heavily in her chest as they walked along the hallway towards a door. He stood behind her as she faced the closed door.

She felt his chest brush her back as he leaned down and turned the doorknob to swing the door open.

Her eyes wide were riveted on the scene before her. Her heart felt as if it would give away. Her eyes fell to the floor that saw clothing scattered about. The haze of her vision filled with tears as they lifted towards the bed. As if the past had come back to haunt her with the view before her was a cruel reminder of it.

Déjà vu all over again.

A sliver of light shone through the sheer curtains falling on the figures of Adrian and Alicia sprawled on silk sheets. Her long, limbs fell across his naked body. As her head rested above his chest.

Eva wanted to scream at that moment.
She turned to run but he wouldn't let her. He held her there and roughly held her chin and pulled her back to press against his chest.

"Tsk, tsk I want you to see for yourself where your guardian is. I am no fool. I know you have feelings for him." He whispered harshly in her ears as he tightened his grip.

She shut her eyes and fought against his hold. She didn't want to see anymore. Her heart couldn't bare it. She stood trembling in his hold as her legs threatened to fold but he held her up and forced her to stare ahead.

She struggled more as her tears fell and she began to sob. He forced her to continue looking.

"I want it ingrained in your memory," he hissed.

She couldn't contain her sobs anymore as she broke down and began to cry.

She watched as Alicia stirred, then stretched like a cat beside Adrian before sitting upright to look at her.

A slow triumphant smile formed on her lips.
A slight moan came from Adrian as his eyes slowly opened.
She watched as he looked around and slowly sat up and there eyes met.

"Eva!" He whispered.

He looked at his surroundings than noticed where he was. Quickly he looked at Alicia then at Eva.
She struggled against Reynauds hold as he tightened a fist in her hair forcing her stand still and face Adrian and Alicia.

Adrian looked at his self and slowly back up at Eva. He said nothing. His eyes blood shot red held her gaze then shot to Reynaud with a murderous glare.

"Now will you go with me to France, and do as I say?" he whispered in her ear.

She shut her eyes and looked away until she felt him tug harder, she agreed in a heart wrenching cry before he let her loose.

Eva!!!

Adrian shouted her name.

But she was barely out the door before she felt strong arms around her waist and she was pulled back into Raynaud's carriage again.

Her heart beat furiously in her chest. Her mind replayed the images. Slowly black dots were grazing across her eyes. She felt weak and sick.
She watched as Reynaud's grim face began to fade as darkness claimed her.

*~*~*~*~*~*

He had a plan. He wanted no obstacles in his way when it came to Eva.
For once and for all he had to put a stop to Alicia's antics before they got too far. He was determined to make a happy life for himself and Evangeline and to do that he needed Alicia out of the equation. He needed to get her to understand even if it was through half hearted threats and getting a constable involved he would do it.

He set out early that morning to her town house. He was reluctant to leave Eva alone after there night that they had. He was very angry at how Alicia had gotten to try to turn Eva against him.
The look in her eyes as Alicia taunted her only fueled his rage. He did not want to ever see her hurt again. She had doubted him. Thought him capable of ...buying her as if he were some sick lech.

He arrived at Alicia's town house. A slight sickening feeling settled in the pit of his stomach about facing her. He brushed it off, not willing to put this off any longer.

In a matter of minutes he was sitting in her drawing room beside her on settee.
He watched her intently as she spoke as if nothing happened. He was beginning to wonder what her mental state was at that moment because she was oblivious to the reason he had come. She was talking of their wedding plans.

Impatiently he sat before her after declining her offer of port wine for the second time.
He sat up straight and looked seriously at her not wanting to let his time go any further being in her home with her.

"Alicia we must talk, I am not here on a social visit." His voice had an edge of annoyance to it that brought her to a halt with her words.

Her brilliant smile suddenly faltered abit as she stared at him waiting for him to continue.

He thought of a prudent but safe way to explain what he needed Alicia to understand. He took a deep breath.

"Alicia....For some time we have not been a couple and I called off our engagement. You must understand that I have no intention of being with you." He said carefully looking into her eyes with a determined gaze.

He watched as she gave a half smile and daintily smoothed her skirts. Lowering her head she hid the slowly growing anger manifesting within her.

She took a shaky breath and paused before she began to speak.

"I simply do not understand why you are doing this. We were fine were we not." She shot him an asking gaze.

Blowing out a deep breath he sat forward a bit.
"Alicia understand I love Evangeline I can not force myself to do otherwise."

"But you loved me as well," she cut him off harshly.

"Or was that a lie?" She blurted.

"No...Alicia I loved you. Love you. But not that way. You have no idea how long I've fought against my feelings for her and I tried to make it work between you and I," he explained.

"But you did not try hard enough," she cried out abruptly.

An unbearable silence followed.

"Alicia..." He started.

But she raised her hand bidding him to stop.

"I have sat back and taken enough. The day you told me about her I knew I was not mistaken when I saw that look in your eye when you spoke of her. But, I brushed it away. I thought myself paranoid and ridiculous for feeling threatened by a mere 14 yr old chit like her. But...then I met her and saw how you doted upon her...And I was surely not mistaken that she felt the same for you. I was a fool that let my guard down to be mocked and later been made a fool," she shook her head with a dry laugh.

He sat back and listened to her. He felt remorse and a bit guilty for whatever he had done. But he made his intentions clear the moment he got involved with Eva and she knew it.

"God only knows how I despise her," she gave bitter laugh.

He tensed immediately clenching his jaw.

"But, it's what I get for believing in you and thinking that we would have our happily ever after," she shook her head.

"Alicia...I am truly sorry," he sat up.
Feeling that he overstayed his welcome and there was nothing more to say he felt he had gotten through to her.

"Well I think it is best that I leave," he began to leave.

"Adrian, wait." She whispered.

He stopped and turned to her.
She had her head lowered and then she stood looking up at him.

"One last drink for old time sake. A truce between you and I." She pleaded with her tone soft.

The look of defeat and sadness was evident in her eyes.

He gave a half smile and nodded. If this is what it took for her to finally accept that their relationship has ended then so be it. He gave a curt nod.

Slowly she turned around and poured wine for them both. And turned towards him offering him his glass.

He stood and sipped gingerly from the cool glass.
She lowered her head and began to talk to him in a diplomatic way. He listened to her partially as he felt the urge to be rude and swallow the wine in one swig and leave but he would endure it. It was only for a short while he would soon leave he mused.

He nodded and agreed with her questions all the while his mind wandered to Eva.

He anxiously swallowed the last of the content and handed Alicia the glass with a smile.
Suddenly an odd sensation stopped him.

Slowly his tongue was beginning to get heavy and tingling began in his limbs. He frowned and turned to Alicia that had an oblivious look on her face.

"Adrian you don't look well," she said softly.

He shook his now clouded head trying to focus.
She slowly took his hand and pulled him along.

"Come lie down, let's get you feeling better," she whispered.

He tugged away from her hands but it was no use. It was as if his body was not complying with him and it let Alicia pull him out of the drawing room in the foyer, up the steps.

His strong muscular physique proved difficult for Alicia to maneuver him
up the steps gripping firmly on the banister so they don't tumble to their death down the steps.

After a couple of tugs and dragging she finally got him to her room as he protested and struggled against her.

"What...did..You..do?" his slurred speech came out.

She looked up to his handsome face and caressed it as he pulled his head back slightly from her touch.

She began to unbutton his coat which proved difficult as if she were undressing an unwilling child. But she proved the victor as she forcefully yanked his hand away and finally got his coat, waistcoat, cravat and shirt off.

He stumbled as she fought to keep him standing. Her hands reached for the button on his breeches and again he tried to stop her with no luck he was unable to stop her feeling his pants slide down his legs.

The effect of whatever she placed in his wine was beginning to take more of an effect on him as the dizziness became stronger. She angled him towards the bed and shoved him back until he fell on the lush satin sheets.

He began to groan and helplessly watch as she completely undressed him.

"Alicia...stop This. You cant do." He slurred and swallowed hard and stopped as he felt her press against him.

In a haze he watched as she slowly undressed. He forced his muddled mind to focus on Eva.

He felt the bed dip and a warm body caress his. He fought the darkness threatening to claim him.

"Eva. I love Eva," he began repeating the mantra between breaths.

A sudden unwanted wave of pleasure coursed over his body as he felt Alicia touching him in all the places he wished Eva now touched. He felt angry that his body was betraying him as he could barely shake his head now now in protest.

Her lips were everywhere and all he could do was succumb to the darkness. He refused to let his conscious mind see what Alicia was doing to him. His thoughts were of Eva. Only his Peach.

*~*~*~*~*~

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