*~*~*~Warning chapter has adult content...read at your own risk*~*~*~*~

Three days had passed since Adrian had been to Whitemore's with Brandon and Arlington. Three days that the two used to concoct their own conspiracy, their plan to reunite Eva with Adrian.

And now, they stood before her in the drawing room along with Caroline and Rosie, who have both agreed to join in the conspiracy.

"I am greatly relieved to not only know the reasons for my brothers low temper and his inability to sleep since his return is not due to Alicia's whims but for matters of the heart. Therefore, Rosie and I are fully willing, and I might add excited to join in this conspiracy." Caroline spoke serving them all tea then sat beside a baffled Eva.

"He'll most likely drop dead of the surprise, I'm quite afraid," Caroline smiled taking a sip of her tea.

Arlington winked at Caroline next. "No doubt with a smile upon his face."
Eva had relaxed a little knowing that all four of them were doing this.

"He is a stubborn, silly man, my brother," Caroline sighed.

"But that is why we have come for Eva...to snap him out of his brooding and bring him a bit of happiness." Brandon chuckled.

Every inch of Eva's body was trembling! She'd been unable to eat all day for fear of what was to come.

"What if...what if he becomes angry with me that...what if you are all mistaken and this is not a good idea," Eva stammered.
To have him leave her here alone with Rosie to protect her from Reynaud, had been torture almost beyond endurance. What if he gets upset with her and sends her back here? It would be the end of her, of that Evangeline was certain.

"Oh, he'll be angry quite indeed. But, you have no need to worry about any of it. The moment you stand before him he will forget all of your transgressions." Caroline pat her gently on her knee with a knowing smile.

Eva tried to believe the their dramatic goings on, and tried to draw encouragement from Caroline's
affirming nod.

By then she had nervously agreed to their crazy scheme and immediately was led away by Caroline and Rosie to dress and get ready to leave.

Taking hold of Eva's shoulders then, Caroline turned her around to gaze at herself in the mirror.
"The most beautiful Princess is ready to meet her handsome prince," Rosie beamed.

When she appeared before Brandon and Arlington again, they were at a lost for words as she slowly descended the stairs in a most beautiful gown radiant and breathtaking as always.

"A wager, Brandon?" Arlington grinned wickedly.
"I say Adrian pauses, astonished into silence and confusion."

Brandon laughed. "I say he pounces on her as a cat on a mouse."

"I...I fear he will be far too infuriated to be that rational," Eva looked nervously at them. "After all I am disobeying him by leaving here,"

"What if he picks me up throws me over his shoulder and tosses me out into the carriage and sends me back?"

They all looked at one another for a moment. "Well," Caroline sighed finally. "I fear we will need a very large carriage.

Eva frowned with fright and feeling very confused.

"I don't doubt we will all be tossed in with you and vanished from the manor after attempting such a risky operation," she gave a cheeky grin.

They all erupted into hearty laughs, and Eva was somewhat relieved. She considered them for a moment, amazed at their ease of manner, their light-hearted ways.

*~*~*~*~*~*

When they arrived it was nearly dawn. She sat back in the carriage and took in the beautiful orange hue of the slowly approaching sun rise.

She felt so anxious and nervous of seeing him after nearly 4 weeks. What would he say? What would he do?
She shivered. How she only wanted to kiss him and hold him close.

After some time the familiar view of the manor's landscape came as they pulled onto the cobblestone drive way and quickly stepped out of the carriage. With Arlingtons order the carriage was to immediately retreat as to not show signs of their arrival.

The light tap on the door followed. It was known that the early risers were Penniford, Rosie and cook. When the locks echoed and the door slowly opened, the straight familiar face of Penniford came forward.

He looked at them all. His eyes took in the view of the little imp that trailed behind him and tormented him every day. There has never been a more lovelier face he has been missing for a while. She had surely won him over the little chit. The warm smile that followed was evident that he was happy to see her. Her warm embrace that followed was soothing enough and it made his day.

They entered and handed over their jackets and cloaks.

"Where is St. James?" Arlington asked in a low tone.

With a disappointing shake of his head he pointed to the library.

"He has not slept in his bed last night, I dare say he has probably drank himself senseless,"

With a nod, Arlington looked at Eva Then at Brandon.
"Penniford, do you think you could bring him some coffee. Very strong coffee?" Eva asked softely.

With a smile he could only oblige.

She turned then to look at Brandon and Arlington.
"Are you ready Eva," Brandon smiled looking down at her.

"If I am able to stay conscious long enough," she nodded.
Then shaking her head starting to retreat on her next move she added, "He'll be enraged!"

"You have no need to worry, I've brought my walking stick just in case," Arlington smiled assuring her, holding his walking stick tight in his fist.

"Yes, for me to bludgeon you with it, the idea was to make him happy not make her a young widow," Brandon quickly lifted the stick from Arlingtons hand with a frown shaking his head.

Eva laughed softly shaking her head. Again she wondered how it could be that she fell so easily into their friendship.

Standing before the locked door, Brandon pounded loudly on it.

"St. James, it's time to get up,"

They silently listened.

Again, he pounded on the door and stood back looking at Eva then at Arlington. Soon the soft moan turned into a curse followed by a thump.

Enjoying the mischief, Arlington chimed in with another forceful knock.

"Are you awake in there my dear man,"

Another oath was followed by a low gruff moan then finally loud threats.

"Open up St. James we have a surprise for you," Brandon spoke.

Finally, Adrian began to speak loudly and his voice grew stronger as he came closer to the door.

Eva braced herself as she felt her knees begin to weaken and her whole body began to tremble.
Quickly the door flew open and she was met with the handsome ruggish good looks of her husband.

It only took him a few seconds to clear his mind after he threatened to disembowel them both for waking him up.

"What surprise could you possibly show me at such an ungodly....," he growled then paused to look down at her.

"Hour!!!." He finished with a stunned stare.

"Surprise! We bring a gift and a peace offering all in one," Brandon and Arlington spoke with a wide grin.

They watched astonished as the murderous glare in his eyes went from icy silver to Smokey gray as his eyes lowered and absorbed the vision before him.

She was mesmerized into silence.

She watched as he braced his arm above the doorjamb and took his fill of her before raising his eyes to focus on her accomplices behind her with a warning glare.

"Do you gentlemen mind if I have a few words with my darling wife," his voice alone sent a shiver down her spine.

He watched as she bit her lip.

Before they could answer, he quickly pulled her forward then slammed the door in their faces. In a blink of an eye she was pressed with her back against the door looking up into his blood shot eyes as he placed both hands at her sides. Trapping her.

"Hello," she greeted him breathlessly.
Her eyes roamed hungrily over him.

"Hello," narrowing his eyes, he answered back seductively.

He stood silent for a while staring down at her. She met his swirling gaze. Took in his raw masculine features. How she longed to be with him.
It was a struggle not to react to the blatant sexuality that rolled off of him. Her mouth was dry and her tongue dampened her lips. His eyes followed the movement, darkening further.

Suddenly she felt like the young naive girl so long ago deeply in love with him and was never able to act upon it. Now, she was his wife and he loved her. She didn't no where this sense of confidence came from or what compelled her to do her next move but before she could think twice she closed the distance, encircling her arms about his neck and pulled him down to her lips.

Sweet elation washed over her as her lips claimed his followed by his husky groan. Warm strong arms crushed her to his body as the kiss deepened. He moaned as he pressed her against the door.

Her blood sang in her veins as his mouth claimed hers in a kiss that would have brought her to her knees had his length not pinned her up against the door. His hands cupped her face , his thumbs running up along her cheekbones.

"Have you missed me, Peach?"

"Immensely," she whispered not caring about anything other than being in his arms, the feel and smell of him overpowering all her senses.

"I want you, Eva. I want you so much it hurts. I have been miserable without you. Though I've tried to occupy my thoughts with other things, I find I cannot." He pressed his bulging erection against her.
"See what you do to me?"

She moaned his name softly.

He softly tugged at her bodice freeing her soft breasts. His tongue delved into her mouth hungrily as his finger caressed their firmness.

With an oath, remembering where they were, It took all his restraint not to take her against the door, with a sigh he kissed her neck and whispered in her ear, "Tonight, peach. Let's wait until tonight. It will make the waiting that much sweeter."

"I cannot wait,"she said in an agonized breathless whisper.
"My body aches for you."

With a groan he ground against her steadily, exerting friction on her sex with his leg. She whimpered softly.

He wanted desperately to bury himself in her hot warmth, but he wouldn't. He wanted to share his bed with his wife. No, when they made love again, they would take their time.

But, she would have none of it. He could feel the lure of her need and he gave in and lowered his lips to her throat. Her pulse quickened with the feel of her skirts rising with his hand. Rough padded fingers slowly glided up her soft thigh squeezing and kneeding it gently.

The moment his fingers glided over soft bare flesh, he tilted his head back, his heart pummeled in his chest and his erection throbbed more. He stared into her glazed eyes darken with desire. With so much longing and sweetness in her voice, he watched her coyly lick her lips as she took in his astonished gaze.

He felt her shiver in his arms and watched her breathing slightly increase as she nervously whispered.

"I will always be yours. No barriers."

He caressed her cheek and kissed her lips.
"Take me Adrian, please," she whispered.

He needed no more encouragement, with the simple fact that she came willing and ready was enough, he took her into his arms, kissing her with all the frustration he felt of not having her near for so long and all the contained desire he held.

He lifted her, wrapping her legs around his hips. She shifted against him, her breath coming in short pants as the first waves of pleasure began to grow within her with the feel of him so close.

He took her there, softly thrusting into her with his rock-hard erection. Sweetly torturing her and, God's truth, himself in the process.

"I love you so much," he breathed near her lips as he filled her completely.

"I love you too," she panted holding on to him tightly.
The pressure built inside her with each sensual thrust and grew like a fire with dry kindling on it. He felt so good inside her, she never wanted it to end. Their eyes burned into one another, each refusing to look away.

Her muscles clenched with her arousal and watched how his gaze darkened like a stormy sea. She finally broke eye contact and shut hers, her head tilting back as she neared the edge of bliss. He followed, pressing into her more, burying his face in the curve of her neck.

A sexy moan escaped her lips at the same time her core spasmed furiously in climax. He plunged into her one last time with all his strength, completely losing control. His body broke apart from the force of his release. He felt like his soul had left him and was now floating above their entwined bodies. Nothing had ever felt so good.

They stood for a while with him holding her, Eva's legs still wrapped around his waist. Their breaths came hard and fast.
Their kisses and caresses sweet and ardent.

He kissed her lips then her nose before setting her back on unsteady legs.
"I think it is best to let your accomplices know you have not been punished severely," he whispered breathlessly with a light chuckle.

Her brow furrowed into a frown, but reality came crashing down when she remembered they had left Arlington and Brandon outside the door.

Her face flushed and her eyes widened with the thought of them hearing what they did.
"I'd actually forgotten about them." She bit her lip.
Adrian grinned before kissing her again.
He secured the doors lock, before pulling her forward and lowering her with him to the large rug by the fire place.

He lay her beside him on the lush rug. Propping his self up on his elbow, he looked down at her. She looked up at him, uneasy to determine his mood.

She slowly raised her hands to caress his stubbled jaw.
"Are you angry with me Adrian,?" She murmured searching his gaze for the telltale signs if he is or not. But, she couldn't. And his silence was grating on her nerves.

He lowered his gaze to stare down at her. He could see how nervous she was. "No, but," he paused looking down at her."
"I ought to paddle your luscious little bottom for this act of defiance and putting your self in danger by coming here," he breathed.

She swallowed hard their eyes still gazing upon each other.
"Please don't send me back, Adrian."

He chuckled, a velvety husky sound, he shook his head then looked at her.
"I don't think I could if I wanted to. But if you have any sense, it is best that you do.," his gaze darkened.

Her eyes searched his. "Why m'lord?" she whispered with a shaky breath.

" We must not be under the same roof," he tapped her nose.

"Is it for propriety's sake mlord? Or can you simply not trust yourself to be alone with me." She teased.

"Careful, Minx," he warned with a lift of his brow. " If you have come to seduce me m'lady, you'll force me to lock you in my room and keep you prisoner in my bed while I have my wicked way with you."

That ravishing smile of hers widened, and the familiar look of mischief in those beautiful eyes of hers twinkled. "Is that a promise m'lord?"

Unable to help himself, he burst out laughing.

Shaking his head, his silver eyes danced with humor. "What am I going to do with you?"

Her gaze held his.
"Other than love me, I could think of a few things," she raised her eye brow suggestively.

His expression changed and his gaze grew dark and hungry. For a brief moment they stared at one another. Then his lips claimed hers.
His erection jolted and so did his heart. He already loved her. He always would.

*~*~*~*~*~*~

They spent the whole day behind the closed door of the study. Curled up in each others arms before the fire. Content in they're little sanctuary hidden from the rest of the world. He reacquainted his self with the feel of her soft curves and warmth of her body,the sweetness of her kisses and dulcet tone of her voice as she spoke to him.

She lay beneath him as he leisurely looked down at her and played with the loose silky ringlets of her hair.

She caressed his jaw and her fingers tingled as they grazed over its stubble.

He lowered his head to her neck and kissed her softly inhaling the sweet scent of vanilla and lavender.

"Adrian."

"Hmm,"

"Must we really keep our marriage a secret."

She felt him stiffen and slowly raise his head to look at her. Slowly exhaling he sighed and thought carefully how to explain the events and out come of their love and how it would impact her future.

"In the manner that we went about getting married love, was poorly done," he breathed propping his self up on his elbow.

She frowned confused.

"It is just simply not done that way peach. In a rush to secure you, I made poor judgement in the way of it was suppose to be done. I never courted you openly or made my intentions known that I wanted to marry you,"

He paused. She lay silent beneath his gaze.

He lifted her delicate finger to his lips and kissed them before laying an emphasizing gaze upon her bare ring finger.
" I fear I have even denied you a visible token of our marriage which I will take great effort to find you the most precious gem to grace this finger?" he whispered.

Silence grew around them and he continued.
"I was suppose to secure a special license otherwise and place a reading for the banns. Elopement to Gretna Green was out of the question," he shook his head chuckling.

She beamed with a smile.

"Why not?"

With a grin he rolled his eyes upward.
"Dear heavens! Little one, either course of action would likely create intense and unpleasant gossip. And I could not do that to you,"

He smiled as he studied her face.

"We!!! my darling wife, may have to do a little fibbing and deceive a few gentle folks about our union to avoid getting you ostracized," he leaned forward to kiss her lightly on her nose.

She laughed softly at his playfulness earning a wicked grin before he squeezed her closer.

"So...my Dear husband..when do we do this," she caressed his cheek.

"Well, for one we must do this the proper way. And by that I would like to openly court you madam. Take you for mid day strolls along the park, enjoy your company at the opera, and whisk you away in my arms during a waltz at evening balls."

"Sneak a quick romp in an alcove m'lord do not forget," she giggled at his mock astonished gaze.

"Careful minx, don't put ideas in my head," he arched his brow.

She looked at him with a dashing smile, her eyes shining with the light they held when she wanted to tease him.

"Have you forgotten our wager, m'Lord?" She seductively traced a finger along his jaw.

A soft rumbled formed in his throat pulling her close.
"How can I forget it?" He gave a wicked grin.

Her small laugh, so full of mischief and amusement, made his eyes twinkle. He drew her more deeply into his arms and devoured her once more, but with the most tender lovemaking possible.
A growl of pleasure rumbled through his chest followed by her sweet sultry moan at the height of their sweet rapture. Fully sated and coming down from their release, she nestled into his arms. Bathed in warm firelight, holding each other, they fell asleep.

*~*~*~*~*

Hello My lovelies,
Just a little heads up I know most readers are not to into the racey scenes but I want to point out that I no way shape or form am I writing smut. We are all adults here.... I hope ....and I want my stories to have that light sensual and erotic edge. I want my stories to curl the toes of my male readers and raise the body temperature sooo high of my female readers, that they fidget in their chairs when reading my stories.
So with that said please do not be offended by my mature scenes I do it with romantic sultry thoughts nothing to raunchy. (Unless the reader demand it..wink wink) lol but until then I want to give a heart warming thanks to all the readers that like my story. Then comments are awesome keep them coming.
And a shout out to all my new followers. THANK YOU

PEACE AND LOVE
XOXOXOX