Franklin awoke the next morning on the carpeted floor of his study, his breath heavy with alcohol. He had spent the night there, alone. No. He shook his head. He had not spent the night alone. Evangeline had been with him. He shut his eyes again, reminiscing on the time he spent with Evangeline. His mind was a little foggy, leading to the events which took place the night before but he could most certainly not forget the kiss they shared. He remembered he had wanted more, but when she confessed to him of being untouched, so he decided to wait.

He smiled, finally, a woman he could make his own. Not that he could not buy a lass with her maiden head intact, he could buy that ten times over but that would make no difference because none of them would be able to make him feel as Evangeline had made him feel last night. Not even the skilled companions of London had been able to bring him the kind of satisfaction Evangeline's kiss had given him. If anything at all, he desired her even more.

Evangeline was beautiful, innocent and well behaved. She would fit perfectly as his youngest mistress and he could not wait to make her his. First, he was going to have her removed from the servants quarters to the first floor of his house, where she would have her own chamber, so he would easily come to her should he need her.

He groaned, standing to his feet as he held on to the desk in his office so he would not fall. He chuckled, remembering how scared Evangeline was when she felt his erection rubbing against her. Oh how he had wanted to bury his cock in her delicious mouth.

The sudden invasion of Valencia into his office snapped him out of his reverie. He frowned.

"What do you want?!". He demanded harshly, while glaring at her.

Valencia wiggled her nose in disgust. "You are drunk!. How can you be drinking at this time of the day?!".

"What is it Valencia?, I am in no mood for your nagging today". He grunted out, making his way to settle on his office couch.

"I came to inform you that all the invitations have been sent for the ball tonight". She faked a smile. The earlier the engagement was announced, the better. She wanted to get over and done with this. She could not wait to be properly married to Anthony. She however did not understand why Anthony insisted that she wed the Earl. If it was only for the title, Valencia had more than enough funds to buy him one.

"What invitation?". His head shoot up to look at her.

"What do you mean by what invitation?. Our engagement announcement!". She snorted.

"I never agreed to it Valencia". He grunted, holding his head in the palm of his hands as he felt a headache building.

"Yes you did". Valencia scoffed with a flip of her hair.

"Enough of this woman, leave me be!". He hissed, slightly irritated.

"Fine. But you better be sober before night fall. I do not wish to be embarrassed because of you".

"Then call it off. After all I have not agreed to this".

Valencia was fuming. "The nerve of you. Do you think I shall allow you to keep me here without marrying me?. If this engagement is not announced tonight, I shall leave from here and return to London". She threatened.

Franklin sighed, taking in a deep breath as he forced himself to be nice to her. He needed her money. Letting her leave would forfeit all his plans. "Forgive me my love". He pleaded. "You know I can not afford to loose you. I am only behaving like this because of the alcohol. Forgive me. I promise to be well dressed and behaved at the ball tonight". He smiled falsely at her.

"Very well. I forgive you". She turned after saying this, smirking in triumph as she exited his office.

Standing to his feet, Franklin made his way out of his office into his bedchamber. He was glad to be graced with the presence of Evangeline there, making his bed. Closing the door, he moved towards her.

Evangeline jumped when she heard the door shut. She had been lost in thought since last night. She kept on wondering how long it would take for the Earl to find out that the family heirloom has been stolen. Now seeing him standing at the door, she was even more frightened of what he would do to her should he find out that she had aided the thief.

"Your grace". She bowed. "I am almost done. Forgive me for the delay". She informed him as she fixed the pillow cases over the pillows.

"Take your time. I like the view from here". He winked at her, staring at her body lustfully.

Evangeline whimpered. Quickly turning away from him to finish up with her work. Franklin stepped up behind her, gently sliding his hand up her uniform, causing Evangeline to jerk forward and fall on the bed.

"Your grace!". She gasped, getting up and straightening herself.

"Last night was incredible". He smiled at her, running his thumb over her cheek.

"I have no memory of what you speak of your grace". She wiggled her nose at him, hurrying pass him to pick up the dirty laundry she had piled up on the floor.

Last night, she had let him kiss her, and touch her in places that were compromising, and even though he had not been intimate with her, she felt dirty and ashamed.

"I was the only one drinking last night Evangeline, yet I remember everything". He reached for her but she stepped away from him.

"What happened last ni-ght...". She took in a deep breath. "Was a mistake and I promise it shan't happen again. Forgive me your grace". She said with a straight face.

Franklin stared at her blankly, wondering how she could just reject him in that manner after how she had made him feel. Perhaps she felt ashamed he thought.

"Evangeline, there is nothing to be ashamed of, if anything, I am glad we-".

"Your grace!". She exclaimed. "I have to attend to other duties. I ask to take my leave". She cut him off.

"Why the sudden change?". He felt irritated by her behaviour.

Even gulped, seeing that she had angered him. She did not plan to, however all she wanted to do was leave his presence. Whatever she was meant to do last night has been done. She needed to end this before it went any further.

"I made a mistake your grace. I should not have returned to your office with you. You are announcing your engagement tonight and soon, you would be wed, I -".

Franklin smiled. "You are jealous". He concluded.

"No. No. Your grace, I-".

"Evangeline". He grabbed her arm firmly, so she would not escape him, and pulled her against his chest causing her to drop the pile of dirty laundry she was carrying. "You do not have to worry about that. I have decided to make you my mistress. You shall be accorded the same respect as my other mistress. You won't have to be a maid again". He stated proudly.

Evangeline furrowed her brows at him, pushing her body away from his, with her hands. "I do not wish to be your mistress your grace, I object to it, forgive me". She shook her head.

"What?. Why?!". Franklin felt a sting in his heart. Why was she doing this to him?.

"I.... I...". Evangeline stuttered.

"Unless you belong to another, I wish to make you my mistress". His eyes pleaded with her to accept.

"I do not belong to any one and I do not intend to. Please try to understand your grace".

"I am giving you an opportunity to climb high on the social ladder-". He pointed out. "Any maiden would jump at the opportunity to become an Earl's misstress".

Evangeline felt anger surged within her. How dare he. Did he think she was desperate to rub shoulders with that high and mighty that she would sell herself to become his mistress?. "I am not any maiden your grace. I am content with my life". She gritted at him.

"No. Evangeline. Listen I did not mean-".

Without waiting for him to speak further, Evangeline grabbed the dirty laundry and stormed out of the room.

Franklin felt dejected. He wondered what he had said wrong. Surely he did not say anything that should anger the lass. Sighing, he began to undress and made his way into his bath chamber, to have his bath.

*****

"Evangeline!".

Mrs Clarkson called out to her as Evangeline made her way into the laundry room. She paused, and turned to her.

'Mrs Clarkson". She greeted.

"Where is Wendy?. She was supposed to be cleaning Lady Ashwell's chamber this morning!".

"I have not seen her Mrs Clarkson". Evangeline spoke truthfully. After spotting Wendy making her way into the master's chamber last night, she had not set eyes on her again.

"And Ella?". Mrs Clarkson huffed.

"Neither". Evangeline shook her head, glad that Ella was not around to taunt her.

"Yvette is cleaning Sir Sevêren and Sir Anthony's chamber. You should clean the lady's chamber since your colleagues are no where to be found!". She hissed.

Evangeline cringed. "Yes Mrs Clarkson". She nodded obediently.

******

Evangeline was grateful to find Lady Ashwell's chamber empty when she entered. Quickly, she emptied the chamber pot and bath tub, scrubbing it clean and lining the shelves with clean towels. Then she proceeded to the bed chamber, changing the sheets and dusting the furniture. Finally, folding Lady Ashwell's clean clothes into her trunk, Evangeline was done. Happy to have finished before the mistress arrived, Evangeline gathered the dirty laundry and turned to leave, only to knock down a chest of jewelry off the night table. Everything came tumbling down. Hissing at her clumsiness, she placed the things back on the floor and knelt down to pick them up the scattered jewelry.

Evangeline nearly cried out when she saw that she had ruined a piece of jewelry. The gold bracelet had broken in half due to the fall. She shivered where she stood. She needed to find a locksmith immediately. Placing the ruined bracelet in the pocket of her apron, she gathered the dirty laundry and headed out of the room.

*****

Evangeline had asked around for a locksmith until she found one but then she remembered she had no funds to pay for the repair. She would have to ask Mrs Clarkson for part of her wage so she could pay for the repairs.

Making her way to the ball room where she was certain Mrs Clarkson would be, Evangeline came to a halt when she came face to face with Sir Sevêren.

"Evangeline!". He beamed, his eyes glittering with joy at the sight of her. He had not seen her after the kiss they shared yesterday.

Evangeline stepped away from him, turning quickly to leave his presence. She nearly yelped when he grabbed her arm to stop her, dragging her into the ballroom and shutting the door behind them.

"Please unhand me sir!. Please!". She begged in a whisper trying to pry her arm away from his tight grip.

Sevêren refused to let go, holding on to her arm as he closed the gap between them. "It has been long since I set my eyes on you my goddess". He stared lustfully at her.

Evangeline nearly cursed. "Please let me go. I do not wish to start a brawl with Ella".

"Forgive me for the other day Eva. I could not stop my self. I can not control my need to kiss you or touch you anytime I see you. You stir up a desire in me that can only be quenched by you". He tried to taste her lips but she moved her head to the side.

"Oh my god Sir Sevêren please!". She cried out as his hands began to caress her back while he leaned in to nibble the side of her neck. She felt utterly disgusted.

Evangeline was frightened. Not because of him but she feared that someone might spot them and then conclude that she was after the man. A man she in no way desired.

"Unhand me please!. You can not behave in such manner with me Sir Sevêren. Unhand me now else I shall have to report you to the Earl". She warned.

Sevêren released her immediately.

"Ella loves you a lot. Do you not love her too?. Why then would you allow your lust to drive you?!". She was simply irritated.

"I do, but whenever I set my eyes on you, she fades in existence".

Evangeline nearly laughed. "Sir Sevêren, with the way you are behaving, one would think I have bewhiched you. Please stop it!". She screamed, exhausted.

"Perhaps you have. I can not forget about the kiss Eva. I wish to have the taste of your lips on mine again". He leaned in to kiss her again.

Without hesitation, Evangeline slapped him, shoving him away from her as she dashed out of the ball room and back to the safety of the laundry room.

Picture of Master Franklin