Sweet Surrender

~Tempestuous Passion~

The journey carried them well on until past midnight. By this time, they were deep into the country side. The rides became rougher and jolting. They would be heading into Welsh lands where his grandfathers estate was.

He had dosed off sometime in the long ride. The sudden jerk woke as he felt the carriage come to a stop. Opening the curtains he saw nothing but the dark sky.

The door opened slowly and a lamp following Barnes addressed him.

"Mlord we have arrived,"

With care he held Evangeline in his arms. She won't awake for awhile as he poured a good amount of laudanum in her tea.

He followed Barnes on the weed riddled cobblestone walkway towards the house that was completely empty. Not a soul in sight greeted them. It has been abandoned for some time now since he barely came here none of the servants returned.

Boards creeked and croaked as they opened the entrance door and entered the dark drafty foyer. He pointed Barnes and the direction towards the steps where he followed the light from the lamp he held to guide him.

He went down the hall and walked in to large room. Before he could place Evangeline on the dusty bed Barnes hurried to remove its sheets.

Placing her gently on the bed, he stepped back to make out the dark silhouette of her body on the light colored bed. The soft hiss of fire being lit near the fireplace soon casted the room in a soft orange glow.

"Barnes go ahead and retire for the night take any room you like and I will see you in the morning," he ordered.

With a curt nod Barnes turned and left closing the door behind him.

Adrian turned to look at her. Slowly he looked around and saw a chair in the corner that he walked over to it. Lifting it up he walked with it and placed it near the bed.

He stood there watching her as he removed his cravet, his overcoat and vest. He unbuttoned his shirt and he rolled up his sleeves then went to remove his boots. He felt far from relaxed but exhaustion was his plight.
He slouched back and looked at the helpless form of the girl that drove him to insane measures to have her. His emotions tightened his throat and burned in his chest.

Leaning forward he placed his head in his hands burying his face and cursing to himself.
You drugged and kidnapped her you fool.
Resentment and anger was sure to follow when she awakens.

Tossing his head back he shut his eyes wishing for sleep which it didn't take long.
~•~•~•~•~•~•

The late morning sun cast its light into the dim room with its heavy curtains drawn. Evangeline had begun to stir and the slight moan woke up Adrian.

Stretching and leaning forward he sat their waiting for her to completely awaken. She was on the bed turned to her side with her hair in a disarray tossed over face. She whimpered another moan that concerned him.

She struggled to lift her head. He watched her situp and lift her hair from her face. She placed her hand on her forehead and grimmaced in pain. Then she opened her eyes slowly and her puzzled gaze fell on him.

"Adrian," she then blinked sitting with her legs folded beneath her.

"Where am I?" She asked.

He did not answer. He just sat and stared at her.

Confusion set in as she frowned at the grogginess and her aching head.

Vague pieces of her memory came to her.
She never made it to the ball. Or eloped with Jonathan.
Swallowing hard her eyes full of awareness looked back at Adrian.