I know it's been forever and I'm soo sorry for that! How can you ever forgive me? I've been going through a load of crap for several months that has led me to be distracted by my writing, but, I manaeged to find some time and write this chapter for you guys!

Are you excited to find out what happens? Me too!! EEEP!! I know, I know I wrote it, so why should I be excited, but I am! FOR YOU GUYS!

I wanted to apologize ahead of time for the short chapter, I'm really sorry about that, but I'll try and make it longer in the future! I promise!

Also! This chapter is dedicated to ------------->> @carkeyk7 for being ONE OUT OF MANY for encouraging me to write this darned chapter! So, enough of me talking!

Don't forget to vote and comment and fan if you haven't already and enjoy!

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Chapter 8

"When you have found love such as this, you would wait an eternity and more for a taste of it again."

- Elizabeth Borous, Lady Oakenshield

Hadrian watched in satisfaction to see a little bit of Lord Ashwin's features pale.

Good. He thought.

Perhaps he may have been overreacting, but he didn't give a damn, not when Rhea was concerned. When he saw the bloody fool flirting with his woman he wanted to beat the boy to a bloody pulp!

Hadrian clenched his jaw in determination; he did not enjoy these feelings that Rhea had evoked in him. Matter of fact, he hated them. He was loosing his senses! Acting like a young pup!

Lord Ashwin's Adam's Apple bobbed as he swallowed largely. Hadrian narrowed his eyes on him and finally the man moved away from Rhea, faced Hadrian and made an exaggerated bow, and then proceeded to take his leave of the dance floor.

Hadrian did not allow Rhea to say another word before he gathered her into his arms and moved to the steps of the dance. When she still said nothing, Hadrian happened to glance upon her.

Her lips were in a smooth tight line; it made him want to take her lips with his and show her whom she belonged to. As much as he wanted to, he could not very well do it in front of hundreds of guests.

Hadrian clenched his fists around her waist and brought her closer, she flinched lightly but he managed to get her pressed against him.

Hadrian was tired of this nonsense. He wanted to have a good relationship with his future wife, but she was not helping his cause. He was acting like a jealous husband!

He wasn't even officially her fiancé! How could he bear through the fact that other young hooligans wanted her hand in a dance or two?

"You are quiet, my lady." Hadrian murmured. He felt her stiffen even more underneath him.

He was beginning to regret his earlier actions with the young Lord Ashwin, but even the memory of him holding his woman made the guilt instantly vanish.

"I have my reasons." was all she answered. Hadrian looked down to see her looking away from him, towards the stander-by's. He could tell she was angry with him.

If only she knew how he felt, what he was dealing with!

He moved his hand from hers and lifted her chin to meet his eyes. Her fiery gaze caught his and held them. To see such fire in her, in his lovable, sweet, kind woman, made his desire for her strengthen.

She watched as he stroked her jaw.

"What are those reasons, my lady?" he asked curiously. Her eyes widened incredulously.

"How can you not know those reasons, my lord? Are you that naive?" she wondered. His hands tightened on her jaw and his gaze hardened on hers.

"I will not have you avoid my question." His steely voice broke through her thoughts.

"That, my lord, is ridiculous!" she cried, trying to break his hold on her as the song came to an end, but he continued on with the next song.

"I would know." He seethed. Hadrian was getting impatient; he was tired of these games that she insisted on. "I tire of your games."

"Games? Games, my lord? What game do I play, pray tell?" she questioned, her eyes blazing.

"You play with me, my love, and I have no patience left to keep up with your charade." Hadrian answered.

"I have no charade, Your Grace! 'Tis you, you who interrupted my dance with Lord Ashwin, you who threatened him so cruelly. Do you not care about your reputation? I may understand if you do not, my lord, but I do. You've made a wreck of my presence. At least Lord Ashwin had the decency to walk away without causing further damage."

"So this is about your beloved Lord Ashwin, is it?" Hadrian gritted out, jealousy consuming him.

"Have you not heard what I just said?" She asked.

"Answer me." he whispered harshly, his hands clenching around her.

Rhea watched a fire come to Hadrian's eyes that made her afraid for a moment. He held her gaze with precision, determined to get an answer out of her. She held his, too, not ready to back down.

But she was also shocked to see the need in his eyes; the desperation to know her answer. She could feel the anger rolling off of him in waves. She could somewhat understand him.

She felt herself soften. He probably felt that she was going to elope with Lord Ashwin. She almost let out a gasp at the thought. How angry he must've been to think so!

"No, 'tis not about Lord Ashwin." She replied meekly. She slowly felt his relief.

His muscles relaxed against her and they continued the dance in silence. She was saddened when he led her back to her mother and turned away, leaving her wanting something. It was so very foreign to her that she felt hopeless.

What were these feelings that were coming upon her? Why did Hadrian bring them up in her? Awakening her deepest desires, making her want him?

She had told the truth when she had said that she had been playing no games with him, that what she was doing was no charade. Why would he feel so?

She felt a hand on her arm and turned to see Elizabeth Oakenshield and Leia. She smiled widely when she saw Elizabeth, one of her best friends.

"Oh, Beth!" she cried, hugging her friend with vigor. "How are you, dear friend?"

Beth smiled faintly. "It is good to see you again, too, Rhea. I've been very well. Paris was wonderful; the sights there were absolutely magnificent. It was truly beautiful; we must visit there sometime, together."

"I agree." Leia nodded. "I've heard of many stories of the land there."

"Oh, it does it no justice at all!" Beth cried.

"So, have you done anything atall? Where did you stay?" Rhea inquired.

"I stayed with my widowed Aunt Devorah. She chaperoned me while I had my first debut in Paris' balls. It was amazing, I met many wonderful people." Beth blushed lightly.

"Why are you flushed so, dear?" Leia asked. Rhea observed Beth and smiled. She knew exactly what Little Beth was thinking.

"Oh, nonsense." Beth murmured. "Nothing interesting."

"Oh, of course it could be nothing interesting. If it 't'wasn't a gentleman!" Rhea teased. Beth blushed even more!

Leia giggled with a nod, "Tell us, Beth. We are you friends!" Beth looked at both girls and reluctantly nodded.

"He is a Frenchmen-"

"Of course," Rhea smiled. Beth rolled her eyes.

"Anyways, he is a Frenchmen, and he is absolutely brilliant!" Beth said dreamily. "Oh, he was such a gentlemen! Damon Beauchamp was his name! He would accustom me to the Soiree's and Balls and all of the events that I managed to go through and accept. Aunt Dev eagerly accepted him as a possible marriage candidate, too."

"But what happened? Where is your young Frenchmen now?" Rhea wondered.

"Oh," Beth's eyes watered slightly.

"Beth!" Leia cried, leading her friend to a decorated seat. "Do not continue if you can't."

"But I must, it is a happy ending, I assure you!" Beth dabbed lightly at her eyes. She smiled brightly, "He was sent off by his father, apparently Lord Beauchamp decided that I was not an appropriate marriage mate for Damon and decided that Damon would be better off sailing the seas for seven years."

"Oh!" Rhea gasped.

"Beth, 'Tis horrible!" Leia exclaimed. "How will you ever wait seven years?"

"Because, my dear friends, I love him." Beth's smile was faint and fond, as if remembering a memory from a long time ago. "When you have found love such as this, you would wait an eternity and more for a taste of it again."

Rhea stared at her friends proclaim. She sat back in her chair and thought about the words herself.

Was that how she felt about Hadrian? If so, could she ever wait an eternity for him to love her back?