Richard awoke with the rising dawn. He slowly smiled, seeing Juliana still snuggled in against him. Her leg draped over him and her head resting peacefully against his chest bringing him immeasurable joy. He did not wish to move but he knew he had to. Annabelle would lose her mind if she realized he had spent the night, and he could not leave the door locked forever.

He slowly tried to slide out from under her, only to have her grab hold of him.

"I thought you were sleeping," he whispered into her hair.

"I was until you tried to get away," she said wrapping him up a little tighter, trying to keep the rest of the world out by snuggling in even closer, she did not want to let him go.

"I have to go, Love. My sister will have my head if she finds me here, but the sooner you let me go, the sooner I can return."

Juliana frowned at him and he laughed as she managed to perfect the womanly pout even though he knew she had no prior practice. He slipped from the bed and grabbed her dressing gown.

"If you please," he said holding it out to her, "my will is only so strong."

"Is that so?" she chuckled brazenly sitting up with his help in the bed but allowing the thin sheet to fall away.

Richard sucked in his breath. He did not believe he would ever tire of the sight of her. "I never knew you had this side to you." He made not a move, afraid of where things might lead, none of which they had time for, but all of which he would love to indulge in.

"We have much to learn about one another, Richard and I do so plan on knowing all there is to know about you, both inside and out."

He watched as she stared at him with what only could be described as a deep and abiding hunger and wondered what he had gotten himself into taking on the wild spirit that is Juliana Wadsworth. For the briefest of moments, he had seen the mischievousness of his childhood friend. Only she definitely was not a child anymore. Still, she knew how to challenge him with those eyes of hers.

He discarded her nightdress on the bed and Juliana yelped as he picked her up like a doll and stood her up on the floor in front of him. He retrieved the garment again and handing it to her.

"If you please," he said. She shook her head no and wound her arms around him pressing her naked form against his chest.

He growled. "You do not know what fire you are playing with, Love."

She ignored his warning, she had not felt this alive in a very long time and she was all about pressing her limits. So she smiled at him ever so sweetly while trailing her fingers ever so lightly down his back and positively giggled with glee when she felt him shudder.

Having enough of her teasing, he took what she offered him so willingly, devouring her with an all-consuming kiss that lit a fire in them both.

When her eyes met his again she knew, he was beyond holding back for propriety's sake. He wanted her and she had no doubt he would have her, he was about to make payment on his threat when someone tried to open the door.

"Juliana? Are you all right? I thought I heard a scream. The door is stuck or locked I can not seem to get in?" Annabelle tried to jiggle the handle again.

"One moment please," Juliana said trying to keep the laughter from her voice, as she watched Richard scramble for his clothes and head for the window.

She grabbed his boots and hurled them out after his retreating form. He had to double back to grab them. "I am too old for this," he said giving her a quick kiss as she leaned out the window. "THIS is just the beginning," she warned kissing him back.

"Be right there," Juliana said as she heard Annabelle continue to jiggle the locked door. She had no doubt that should she be a moment longer Annabelle would have Cyril breaking it down.

She quickly donned her robe, giving up on the idea of getting into her nightdress, too many buttons, and made a grab for the handle. "Sorry Annabelle," she said upon opening it, "I'm still slow-moving and I get so tangled in my nightdress I chose not to sleep in it. Knowing I was indecent I locked the door."

Annabelle looked around her room suspiciously but saw no other signs of life. "I see," she said clearly showing she had her doubts. "Let me help you dress." Annabelle instantly went into her motherly demeanor but she also had an ulterior motive. While helping Juliana dress, to regain her modesty she said, "When Richard said he would not be joining us for supper I wondered if you were still upset with him?" she asked taking notice of the unwrapped gift and the flowers, now wilted, lying on the floor.

"I think I can find it in my heart to forgive him," Juliana said picking up Richard's offerings and setting them on the night table.

"Try not to be so hard on him, Juliana. Richard had never had it easy when it comes to love. He lost his mother when he was young. He got my mother as a replacement and then he was away when his father died. Imagine how he must have felt thinking he lost you too upon his return."

Juliana knew exactly how Richard felt as she shared that moment with him in the ruin that was her family's home but kept that moment to herself. "You are right of course. I will make up with him the moment we see each other again. I promise," Juliana said and her friend looked relieved.

"Now on to more exciting things," Annabelle announced. "Richard had a something sent to you, it is in the parlor right now do you want Cyril to bring it in?"

Juliana felt the rush of excitement, "Yes, please."

Annabelle clasped her hands together equally as excited. "Bring them in Cyril," Annabelle instructed and Juliana gasped. It was not a single gift but several wrapped packages. It reminded her of her birthday when she was young and how her father would spoil her from morning till night showering her with presents and tears sprung to her eyes.

"Well go on! Open them!" Annabelle said, practically bouncing with eagerness.

The largest package was a wooden easel. Then next some blank canvases, then there were new paints and brushes and a card that said, "I challenge you to paint something as beautiful as you are."

Annabelle sighed when Juliana read the note aloud and Cyril, grinned before saying, "Oh, he is top of the trees," and both women took a fit of the giggles.

"We could set you up in here or perhaps in the garden if you like?" Annabelle said knowing Juliana was still under restriction until she was fully healed.

"Outside sounds lovely," Juliana said, "but Cyril would you be so dear as to retrieve another easel and supplies from my home so that Annabelle and I could continue to work together?"

"Consider it done. I know there is nothing she would want more," he said giving Annabelle a quick kiss on the cheek before heading out the door.

"I will get you something to eat and then by that time Cyril will most likely have returned," Annabelle said bubbling with the excitement of what the day now held in store.

Once she had left, Juliana had sat down on her bed and having picked up the brown package Richard had given her from the night before. It was a novel written by Jane Austen, "Sense and Sensibility". She hugged it tightly to her chest and sighed deeply in contentment. She hardly believed she deserved to feel this much happiness. She pushed the nagging voice deep down that warned her to be careful that nothing lasts forever. Choosing instead to escape, she opened her book and read, "The family of Dashwood had long been settled in Sussex."

The rest of the morning and most of the afternoon was spent lingering in the garden, painting with Annabelle. She had started the painting Richard had challenged her to do as well but quickly hid it behind several others when he entered into the garden.

"So how are my two favorite women fairing on this beautiful spring day?"

"Quite well," Annabelle said, "especially now that we have something to occupy our minds and hands, allowing our creativity to take flight."

"Happy to hear it, little sister," Richard said, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"And you? Did you like my gift this morning?" Richard asked.

"I did," Juliana said, "and the one you gave me last night as well," she added with knowing eyes.

Her double meaning was not lost on him. She could tell as he paused ever so briefly before kissing her cheek, to whisper in her ear, "Careful, minx."

Juliana smiled and laughed. "You do know me so well. A new book will certainly help me pass the time."

"Well, I expect that once we are married, for you to expand our library's collection. I just wished to give you a head start."

Juliana's eyes widened as the realization of what he said claimed her. She will be the new lady of the house and therefore will have every privilege given to her as such. As much as the thought brought her joy, sharing a home with Richard, it also held a bit of anxiety. How is she to live among those who once were her peers and are now her servants?

"That is not a face I expected to see," Richard said, wondering what thought had disturbed her.

"To have access to your father's books would give me no greater pleasure...but Richard, how can I face the servants? Having walked amongst them, shared their burden, I cannot see how it is possible for me to be the new mistress of your home."

"Our home," Richard corrected, "and I must admit. I have not given it any thought. Perhaps the best approach is to write to Albert and rely on his advice as no one knows you or the others better."

"Albert, of course," Juliana's hope sprung again her worries calmed. "He will know what to do."

"Than I shall write to him as soon as possible," Richard said, thinking some things are resolved more easily than others.

"Richard," Annabelle asked, taking a moment to rest from painting. "Where did you stay last night?"

The question came as quite a shock to Juliana but Richard just smiled and said, "Well my dear sister, I knew if I were to court this beauty properly I would need a place here in Town so I rented a flat not too far from here. So, I may court properly."

"Oh, how smart you are?" Annabelle said, quite impressed that Richard had given so much thought to safeguard Juliana's reputation until they are wed.

"The decision seemed obvious, for I certainly could not stay here. What rumors would spread?" Richard said, "However, may I stay for supper?" he asked.

Annabelle laughed, "Since when do you need an invitation?"

"Then allow me to help you both get indoors," and before Juliana could protest she was swept up into his arms. "I believe I will start with you."

"But the canvases," Juliana said reaching back.

"I have them," Annabelle assured her, she knew Juliana did not wish Richard to see what she had planned as a wedding gift.

"Thank you!" Juliana hollered over Richard's shoulder, quite happy knowing the painting was safe.

At supper, it was just the three of them as Cyril was working later than usual this night.

"Have you had word from the boys?" Richard asked taking another helping of stew.

"Yes, they are loving it out in the country. I do wonder if I will ever get them to return home? I am also certain Clara is spoiling them rotten as she sees them so very little."

"She still has none of her own?" Richard asked he knew so very little of his youngest sister.

"No," Annabelle said sadly. "They have been trying for some time now but with no success."

Juliana heard the door open and Cyril call out, "Annabelle? Have you heard from Richard today?"

"Right here, brother," Richard answered him.

"Ah," Cyril said, upon entering the dining room, "It would seem I have gone and done it again. This came for you this morning?" he said handing Richard a letter.

Juliana and Annabelle just looked cautiously at one another.

Richard's eyes scanned the contents but he wasn't quite sure what to make of the news contained within. Dooley had written to say, he had cut off the funds as he requested. It has been over a week and he is concerned because Lady Catherine has yet to contact him for more. This disturbed him greatly as it would have been the last thing he would expect from Lady Catherine and in light of recent events, he felt fearful of her welfare.

"Oh Mother," Richard thought, "What have you done now?"