Adrianna's Dragon

Chapter 5 Uncle Mortimer

Adrianna was sitting next to James as he guided his team of horses through the city. She had her wide brimmed hat on and was holding hands with James as she laughed over an observation he had made. She was dressed in a yellow pastel colored dress. She felt relaxed and happy. She loved her morning carriage rides and looked forward to them. His skill with the horses amazed her as he effortlessly guided them. The horses were a matching pair of bays and she would miss them when they left. Kaitlyn frequently accompanied them as they rode. They were forced to make numerous stops as Kaitlyn chatted with other couples out in carriages or horseback. She seemed intent on introducing Adrianna to all of polite society. Adrianna found that she was rather good at small talk, and Kaitlyn mentioned on several occasions, that she was charming. Today she rode alone with James, he never stopped and she enjoyed having him to herself. James had been so attentive to her. She thought about her new life and decided she enjoyed the dancing lessons best. Dancing with James left her breathless. She hoped that perhaps someday they would attend a real dance. Her thoughts wandered freely as they traveled. Then she saw her uncle. His eyes were locked onto hers as their carriage drove past him. Her laughter died as she felt a sudden chill.

"You OK Addie? You're shaking."

"Just a ghost from the past," she said looking into his eyes and forcing a smile.

"Should we go home?"

"Please, I'm so cold."

"Let me," James said as he removed his coat and placed it in her. "You're still shivering." Adrianna could not stop shivering and James carried her into the library. "Some brandy, Addie?"

"Just a bit." Her hand shook as she accepted the glass. She swallowed in one gulp and felt it burn all the way down to her belly. "I never tasted brandy before."

"You like it?"

"NO! It burns." James laughed at her response and the funny face she made.

"It stopped your shivering."

"I saw my uncle."

"You're reaction was reasonable. I'll keep you safe."

"He's going to try and hurt me James. I know how he thinks, I can't use the 'b' word, can I."

"Ladies don't use the 'b' word," James laughed then lifted her and putting her on his lap. "You are most definitely a lady." He kissed her cheek and Adrianna relaxed into his arms. "Two more weeks and we are gone, are you excited?"

"Very." Her uncle had two whole weeks to find some way to hurt her. She prayed for James. She deserved anything her uncle did to her, James did not.

Mortimer had watched closely as the carriage past. She appeared happy and that angered him. He continued to follow the carriage and realized she was staying at the villa they had burglarized months before. Returning to his hovel he called a meeting. "I saw our Addie today," he announced.

"So she escaped after all," her eldest cousin said. "We taken her back?"

"The little slut found herself a protector."

"What do you mean?" one of his men asked.

"She's being kept you dumb fool. She must have spread her legs for the villa's owner. Saw her today all prettied up and ridding around in a carriage. They were carrying on like a pair of lovers."

"Our ugly little Addie?"

"She ain't so ugly now. We could get a good price for her at the brothel after we pass her around a little first."

"How we going to get her back?"

"I'm working on it. We will get her back!"

The a few days later a note was delivered to James's villa. It was addressed to Adrianna and him. Her uncle had hired a scribe and the note was well written in a firm hand. James sat at his desk reading it then passed it to Kaitlyn. Adrianna stood behind Kaitlyn and was able to read most of the note.