- Adam Levin, The Instructions

Rhea smiled, happy to see the gay scene before her. She couldn’t believe how well Leia was doing with Lord Dalting, she was seeing promising results from the way Leia outright denied wanting anything to do with Matthew. Rhea knew better.

Beside her, Beth stood silently, drinking her refreshments bestowed on her by young Lord Ashford. Poor thing, he was utterly besotted but anyone could see Beth’s thoughts were elsewhere.

Rhea frowned, thinking upon the many ways she could introduce a suitor that would capture Beth’s heart and thrust this ever growing sadness away from her. As if knowing she was of Rhea’s thoughts, Beth looked her way.

Beth pursed her lips, “I say, Rhea, I do not like that look.”

Rhea feigned ignorance. “I don’t understand, Beth, I was merely lost in thought,”

“That, my friend, is utter nonsense. I know that look, you appear to be very similar to the conniving Miss Penelope Watson.” Beth stated. At the mention of the scandalizing woman, Rhea turned to search her out in the crowd.

Miss Watson was surrounded by a crowd of young suitors, eager for the attention of the debutante who showed an astonishing amount of cleavage. Rhea wrinkled her nose slightly, she did not like that woman atall . . . if she was mistaken, not too long ago there was word that Miss Watson tried to seduce Hadrian.

Rhea scowled. Oh yes, she resented the woman very much.

“I am nothing like her, Beth. I’m insulted you would think so,” Rhea sniffed slightly.

Beth hid her grin, “Yes, you would be. Any ways, how is Lord Vale?”

“He is absolutely wonderful,” Rhea smiled. She was still dazed by an impromptu event earlier. This event included Hadrian and she would be lying should she say she didn’t enjoy herself.

He had taken it upon himself to grace her with lunch outside in their beautiful garden. Rhea had been pleasantly surprised, seeing that Hadrian was very cautious taking her anywhere outdoors. She had been grateful for the interlude, taking her mind from troublesome things.

He had seduced her with his wit and complements, making her fall ever more in love with him than before. She couldn’t possibly resist him now, she didn’t know how she could even if she wanted to. Hadrian had become a constant in her life as her husband and he was adamant in his advances.

She was completely and utterly besotted.

“Ah, my dear friend, that, I say, is the face of a happy lady,” Beth noticed. Rhea blushed slightly. She still unused to the comments surrounding her now that she was a married woman. The opinions that other ladies granted in her presence were unimaginable.

Polite and presentable ladies she once thought them, were now scandalous and bemusing. She was surprised to hear the stories that wives had of their husbands, even those who held affairs with others.

It sickened her that her marriage could have very well ended in the same way and for once, she was happy to have Hadrian as a husband, glad that he would never shame her in that way . . . or hurt her, either.

“Rhea? It appears I have lost you to your own mind. Am I that intolerable?” Beth wondered aloud, sharply bringing back Rhea to the present. Rhea winced and shook her head.

“Of course not, Beth, you know ‘Tis not true.”

“Oh, well, I never was a socialite born,” Beth sighed sadly.

“Nonsense, Beth, enough of this mad talk. You are wonderful company, ‘Tis simply my fault; I get quite lost in my own head focusing on many things.”

Beth gave her a reluctant grin. “’Tis the truth.”

“Very well then,” Rhea conceded. When she turned to survey the remaining crowd her heart sped swiftly. Coming towards them was her husband. His gait was long and sure and he kept his eyes right on hers.

Rhea shivered and held his gaze, smiling at him invitingly. She saw the way his shoulders shook and knew he caught her smile. His chuckle reached them as he finally rounded the corner of the ballroom.

Beth was startled but quickly resumed her placid stance. Rhea sighed, she really hoped her friend would overcome this heartbreak and give a chance to those who are in front of her, such as young Ashford who very much deserved someone like Beth.

“Hello, my love.” Hadrian whispered softly in her ear. Rhea closed her eyes and leaned back in his embrace. “Are you enjoying yourself presently?”

“Yes, I am, thank you. I was just about to find a dance partner,” Rhea admitted, opening her eyes again and turning to face him.

“Well, then,” Hadrian smiled wickedly, “it is good that I came just in time to offer you one.”

Rhea laughed delightedly and followed her husband to the dance floor. Hadrian danced not one song with her but three! The poor young lords who had filled her dance card earlier looked so dejected that Rhea had to finally sendoff Hadrian and resume accepting dances to those who asked.

Beth gazed longingly out at the sea of people. She reminisced a similar scene back in France. There was a ball very similar to this, reminding her of everything she had lost ever since she came back to England.

Her heart ached physically and emotionally and she did not know how to take away the pain, it frightened her and comforted her at the same time. The pain made her realize that what she and Damon had were true and passionate, that she had not somehow conjured her feelings.

She sighed slowly and softly and desperately tried to listen to Lord Ashford as he raged on about politics and horse racing. He was a wonderful man and a perfect gentlemen. She knew his interests in her, she knew he was trying to make them known, but she always brushed them off quickly.

She feigned excuses, hoping to subdue the confession that was lying in wait. But she knew that Lord Ashford would not be able to hold back any longer and soon he will make his intentions perfectly clear.

She knew she should accept him as any young girl might, she should agree to marry him and let him secure her future. She should let herself forget Damon and the heartache that had become a constant in her life.

She should. But she couldn’t, wouldn’t do it.

No, she could not because she made a promise to Damon.

She promised to wait for him, no matter how long it took for him to serve his duty, she would wait and then he would come to her and they would marry one another. And she would be happy.

Beth subtly moved her hand to her chest and rubbed slightly, hoping to ease the pang that had arrived. Lord Ashford continued to babble on about what he was saying and Beth continued to make an effort to hear him.

But all she could hear were Damon’s last words to her, his last kiss to her until fate would allow them together again.

“Please, Damon, take me with you. I love you, very much so. We could go to America and live there,” Beth had begged of her beloved.

“What of your family? Your friends? I would not do such a thing to you, my love. You would never forgive me,” Damon kissed her hands, they were clenched around his tightly.

Tears continued to stream down her face as she gazed into her beloved’s eyes. She knew he was right. He always was. Though she was adamant about going with him now and taking her away from France and England forever she would never forgive him.

It shattered her to know how true his words were.

“Please, Damon. Do not leave me.”

Damon leaned forward, pressing his lips against hers desperately and pulling her closer to him, Beth wrapped her arms around him, knowing that this may be the last time she might hold him, kiss him.

“I will come back for you. Seven years; wait for me, I will return. I promise,” he whispered, his forehead pressed against hers.

Beth sobbed openly against him, clutching his shirtsleeve grasping at anything and everything that might hold him here, next to her.

“I promise. I’ll wait for you for seven years, my love for you will never diminish,” Beth promised, heaving in breaths to compensate for lack of air.

She felt Damon press a kiss to her lips briefly, fleetingly, too quickly. She closed her eyes, soaking in the swift affection from him. Damon was a hard man, but he was tender and loving. She knew he cared for her and held onto that. She felt him brush her hair away from her face and then he was gone.

Beth quickly opened her eyes and watched as he boarded the ship that would take him away from her for seven years. He turned and held up a hand in farewell, she held up hers. She stayed that way until the ship was no longer in sight.

Beth blinked away the tears that threatened to escape her eyes. Lord Ashford had been calling her name and was now looking at her with concern.

“Are you alright, my lady? You look unwell,” Lord Ashford laid a hand on her elbow, steering her to a seat and she took it. She swallowed in deep breaths and closed her eyes.

Several moments passed before she opened them and focused on Lord Ashford. She graced him with an apologetic smile. “I am dreadfully sorry, my lord. Forgive me of my lapse, I’m afraid I must have had too much to drink.”

“Please, Lady Elizabeth, do rest, you need not apologize. Would you care for some water?” Lord Ashford inquired.

Beth shook her head, “I’m afraid not, I should be retiring any ways. I’m very sorry that I must abandon you like this, you will forgive me?”

“Of course, my lady,” Ashford nodded, “anything.”

Beth gave him a sad smile and started to head towards the entrance, she stopped and looked at Ashford, “Will you tell my friends where I’ve gone?”

Ashford once again assured her that he would and she left, without looking back, eager to find some solitude to tend to her heart.

Rhea was quite surprised when Lord Ashwin stepped up next to her and claimed the next dance. She gracefully accepted, hiding her bewilderment. Ashwin danced with her quietly and Rhea was relieved that he might not say anything when he spoke.

“My lady, how do you fare this eve?” Ashwin asked with a smile.

“Quite well, my lord. The ball is a magnificent success,” she quipped with a smile. Ashwin nodded and continued in silence.

“And Lord Hadrian? He is well too?”

Rhea nodded, “Very much so,”

“That is good. I’m afraid I have missed you, old friend, I’ve not had the privilege of gracing your presence in quite a while.”

Rhea frowned, “For that I am sorry, my lord. I am a married woman now and I have duties that I did not have before. It can get quite demanding.”

Rhea looked up and was surprised to see a flash of emotion in the young lord’s eye before it disappeared, making her wonder if she ever even saw it. She shook her head and resumed looking up at him.

He smiled at her again, but this time it seemed force, “I understand. Surely, though, your husband allows you time for your friends?”

“Yes, my lord he does,” Rhea said slowly. She was bemused with Ashwin’s behaviour. He seemed to be incredibly temperamental and fretful.

“Then I do not see why I would not be welcomed, I am, after all, a friend of yours, am I not?” Ashwin questioned.

Rhea frowned once more. “Of course, I will try and see when would be convenient to invite you, my lord.”

Ashwin finally relented in his pestering and Rhea was relieved when the song ended. She disengaged herself from the young lord and went to search her friends.

Finally, the ball ended and Hadrian and Rhea retired to the Manor. When they arrived home, Hadrian sent Rhea up to the rooms and promised to be there soon. He headed towards his office, calling Clarke.

When Rhea made it up to her room she had Lily help her with the gown and corset. Once she had finished undoing all ties and buttons she dismissed Lily. She went to smooth her gown that laid on the bed and deposit it in the trunk when something fluttered to the floor.

Rhea stood still, staring at what seemed to be a piece of paper. She frowned and bent to pick it up. She inclined her ear to listen if Hadrian was coming and when she heard nothing she went to her dresser and sat down.

It was a folded piece of paper and came open easily.

You are in grave danger, Lady Vale. Soon it will be too late.

Rhea gasped, dropping the paper suddenly on top of the dresser. Her gaze stayed fixated on the sheet lying in front of her. The note had been addressed solely to her. Who could have possibly sent it? Where did it come from?

Suddenly, the door beside her room closed and she was immediately notified of the presence of her husband in the next room. She quickly shoved the paper in her small antique box and hid it underneath her bed.

She then walked over quickly to the other room, just as Hadrian was ridding himself of his shirt. Rhea immediately blushed and looked away. She should tell Hadrian about the letter.

Hearing the door open, Hadrian had turned to see her blush and chuckled, shaking his head. He grinned at her and continued to casually rid himself of his clothes. Rhea stood only in her under garments.

“Ah, my love,” Hadrian smiled. “We need to remedy your shyness of my nudity. After all, sweetheart, we are husband and wife,”

Rhea decided then, that it would be best to keep it away from him. Surely the letter was a mistake. Hadrian was already so exhausted from the garden incident, she refused to bother him with such little matters.

No, she would not tell him.