The three gentlemen walked and talked amicably about everything from politics to the weather and before long they were standing in front of Cyril's townhouse. Cyril let the doctor in and was about to enter when he noticed Richard did not follow.

"Are you coming?" he asked.

Richard just smiled and shook his head no. "I know he will find her in good health and if I am about to go courting I have some shopping to do. Best to do so now while she is distracted by Thomas' visit. Let her know I will be back soon when she asks."

"I do not envy you! Although you already have her favor so perhaps the anxiety of your task will be lessened," Cyril said thinking how he stressed over every trinket and bauble he got for Annabelle when they were courting, wanting everything to be perfect and desperate to assure her of his love, but she deserved it all and so much more.

Richard felt the excitement of the task before him. He made his way to Cheapside first to visit one of the choice linen-drapers, they fussed over him as he chose several fabrics for Juliana's new dresses and then off to the haberdashers for the trim. He weighed heavily on the advice of the shop assistants of what would work best.

When he needed a dressmaker he knew he wanted no one other than Madame Beauchene, a French dressmaker and designer in Mayfair. Her dresses were much sought after and he knew only she would do his Juliana justice.

"Ah, Lord Bentley," Madame said coming up to him and kissing both of his cheeks, "you have grown into a true gentleman since I had seen you last."

"Bonjour Madame. It has been some time," Richard said slightly discomforted by the fact that she made mention of the time he spent at school here in London. He had dresses made before for others who he had wanted the pleasure of and who had pleasured him in return.

"I have missed you," Madame chuckled seeing his discomfort, "few have had your eye for detail. You bring me a new challenge no?"

"Oui, but she is no mere conquest. She is the love of my life, so nothing but perfection will do, which is why I had to come and see you."

Madame Beauchene blushed at his flattering words. "Come let us look at the new sketches. I am certain there will be something to catch your fancy."

She led him to the backroom and inspected the wool, cotton, silk, and satin fabrics that Richard had purchased for flaws and found none. She positively itched to work with such beautiful textures. She nearly squealed in delight having such exquisite trimmings and gushed over Richard's selections of what dress style he wanted each fabric used for.

There was a special golden colored satin that shimmered like fire and flame, or the sunrise over ocean waters, he chose this for her wedding dress, and spent hours going over a new design. Madame Beauchene was nearly in tears when they were done. "She must indeed be an exceptional woman," she said looking over her sketches for the dress, "this will be my masterpiece."

Richard leaned over and kissed her cheek. "I would trust no one but you."

He traveled throughout Cheapside, Fleet Street, and Mayfair. He was so loaded down with purchases of hats, bonnets, and caps, fans, silk stockings, chemises, and corsets, he had to hire a hackney to carry them all.

Then it was off to the more important purchases, the trinkets, and tokens of his love. First, stop the book shop. Most men think first of jewels but not for his Juliana he had purchased an Austen novel, penned under the pseudonym A Lady, 'Sense and Sensibility'. This would show his acknowledgment of Juliana's love of stories, to show his support of women in the arts, and he thought she as the new keeper of his Father's library would wish to expand it.

He did, of course, stopped at Rundell and Bridge to select some jewels he felt would complement the dresses he was having made. Feeling quite satisfied he had one last purchase to make before heading back to Juliana.

He was gone for most of the day, in fact, it was near supper time when he came through the door. Dr. Feller had long since gone and Cyril was surprised to see Richard return with so little. He had only a small brown wrapped package and some flowers.

"Shopping trip not go well?" Cyril asked upon Richard entering.

"To the contrary, it was a smashing success," Richard said quite pleased with himself.

"Well, I hope you have something quite exceptional in the brown package of yours as Juliana is quite put out over your not returning and being away for so long."

Richard stopped in his tracks. He was in trouble already? He had not even begun the courting process and he was on the outs? Well, he will have to make it up to her.

"She in her room?" Richard asked shrugging out of his cape and gloves.

"Yes, Dr. Feller said it would still be a few more days before she should move around. She can sit in a chair or in bed but he wanted her to wait one week before going out of doors and figured two weeks should have her in the condition she would hope for the wedding."

"Two weeks to court, that should do just fine," Richard said to himself more than Cyril.

"Good luck," Cyril added as Richard headed to Juliana's room.

He stepped into the room and Juliana was seated in a chair by the window.

"Hello Love," he whispered, she looked deep in thought and he did not wish to startle her.

When she did not answer him, he knew he was in more trouble than he realized. "I have something for you," he said as he approached. He handed her the wrapped parcel and the flowers and she still said nothing. She did not even glance his way.

He was completely taken back by her attitude toward him. He knelt in front of her and she turned to look at him and he had seen the tears in her eyes, she threw her arms around him and he gathered her to him the flowers and parcel sliding off her lap to be discarded on the floor, forgotten.

"Shh," he soothed as he held her close and she wept on his shoulder. He could feel her tears travel down his neck as he stroked her hair. He was a fool and insensitive dolt. So eager was he to spoil her, and shower her with gifts and trinkets that he did not stop to think all she has been through, and her need to process what had happened.

He rushed off after her just opening her eyes so excited about the possibility of them sharing their life together that he did not stop to realize how much she may need him once reality had a chance to rear its ugly head. Her body and spirit have been badly mistreated and he should have been here to help her through it.

Juliana buried her face a little further into his cravat, she sniffed and then spoke, "I am so sorry. I wanted to be strong. I wanted to be brave but the longer you were away. I just..."

Richard crushed her to him. "I am a fool, Juliana. So, eager was I to want to start our new life, shower you with gifts, that I did not stop to think. I should have stayed. I should have been here for you."

Richard pulled her away slightly and wiped away her tears with the pads of his thumbs. Her eyes glittered with the tears she tried to hold back, wanting to be strong. "It is okay to cry, Love. You have been through so much. You have suffered a lifetime it would seem, but ..." he looked into her eyes so she would be in no doubt of his meaning, "those days are over. You need to suffer no more."

A single tear escaped her lashes and Richard kissed it away. He kissed her cheek, her forehead, and when she closed her eyes he placed a kiss on each eyelid. Finally, he claimed her mouth pouring into her all his love and devotion, his sorrows and fears.

Their future was still uncertain, Juliana was no fool she knew that so long as things were unresolved he would be pulled away from her. They could not truly be free until all were answered but at this moment she could care not. She was in his arms and his kiss claimed her lips, her heart, and her very soul.

Richard reluctantly pulled away from her, but she would have none of it. She grasped his face in her palms and kissed him back showing him without words all she needed him to know. Richard felt his heartache with the amount of love she held for him, he gave in to her administrations and surrendered his heart to her care. Her kiss which started out so gentle and pure began to take on a life of its own, changing into a need, a desire, a want that felt so strong he felt he struggled to surface, and when he did he was gasping for air.

"Juliana, we can not. I should not but God how I want you. You are still injured and we have not wed."

"I do not care," Juliana said boldly. "What is marriage other than a promise made between two lovers before the eyes of God to love one another for the rest of their days. I have made that promise to you long ago before you were even aware of it. I need you, Richard. I need you to make me whole again. I am incomplete without you."

The conflict in Richard raged on. His need for her was as great, she was willingly offering herself to him, her need was as great as his own. Her words struck a painful chord in his heart. He stood up and before Juliana realized what was happening he left the room.

She felt bereft. She had pushed when she should have waited. She knew it was not proper. She had driven him away with her impropriety. She turned and stared out the window, the sun had already set but there were no stars to shine. She felt the darkness trying to claim her and she struggled against it. Then she heard the door open and he stood leaning against it. She heard it lock and excitement of anticipation ran through her.

She wanted to desperately run into his arms but instead, rose slowly and stood quite still. He made no move toward her. She took a deep breath and undid the buttons to her dressing gown she opened it and let it shrug off her shoulders into a pool of white cotton about her feet. She heard his sharp intake of breath as she stood in all her perfection before him.

In a few short strides, he stood before her. He scooped her up and cradling her his arms. He carried her to the bed and laid her upon the soft blankets and pillows. He kissed her again and his longing was evident in his kiss but she could still feel his reluctance. She pulled him towards her and deepened the kiss, letting him know under no uncertain terms this is what she wanted.

Richard pulled away only slightly to speak, "I will not have you until we wed, but I will make love to you all the same," he told her.

She looked into his eyes confused and he smiled. He was about to embark on his hardest challenge ever. How to love her without making love to her. As his gaze drifted upon her naked form he was not certain he could do this but looking into her eyes seeing her love shine through, knowing how she needed him he refused to leave her wanting. He would make her whole.

He pulled off his boots but left the rest of his clothes intact. He sat on the edge of the bed his fingers gingerly tracing over the bandage that still adorned her waist. He had to be gentle, he had to be slow and deliberate. He leaned back over her and kissed her neck, his hand glided ever so gently over her thigh.

Juliana's breath caught in her throat. When his mouth traveled down to the valley between her breasts and when his hand traveled upward between her thighs she thought she just may go mad with wanting. She felt sensations she did not know how to describe having never felt their like before.

Her body pleaded for more and she pulled his head back up to her lips, she opened herself up to him and he took full advantage of her with his mouth. She devoured him as if he were her last meal and she still could not get enough. Richard groaned against her lips and the rhythm of his hand pick up its pace and his lips found her breasts once more.

Juliana felt a pressure building up inside her straining to be released and then the sensations came crashing upon her as wave after wave cascaded over her, her cry was smothered by Richard taking claim of her mouth again.

He looked at her and her eyes remained shut tight. Her breasts rose and fell at a rapid pace.

He kissed her eyes, her nose, her chin and he nuzzled her neck causing her to shiver and he laughed against her skin, his breath causing her to shiver again.

"That may have been the hardest thing I have ever done or rather did not do," he whispered near her ear.

She opened her eyes but still found it difficult to speak. She had not the words to describe what just happened to her, all he made her feel, all she wanted to do for him. He looked into her eyes and they shimmered with her love and devotion.

He stood up and she immediately missed his presence. He undid his cravat and collar. His waistcoat he discarded on the floor. He now wore only his linen shirt and trousers but slowly removed his shirt as well leaving only his trousers intact. Her eyes never left his body and he felt his heart swell with pride seeing the desire flicker in her eyes.

He climbed into bed with her and wrapped her up in his arms. Juliana snuggled into him.

"I love you, Juliana Wadsworth."

Juliana finally found her voice, "I love you, too!"

She sounded sleepy and content. Richard smiled as he kissed the top of her head. Her breathing had slowed and he could feel her breath against his chest. She had slowly fallen into a deep sleep. Richard felt strange, an emotion had surfaced that he had not experienced in quite some time. For the first time in a long time, Richard felt happy.