A/N: Yes, already, LOL! Welcome to the new story; I really hope you enjoy it! My thanks to Joan, my partner in crime for this story, without whom much of this would not be possible! Many more credits and thanks to come! Have fun!

Every night since her wedding, Loida, the Baronne de Beaumont, found herself sitting in front of her window, haunted by the same question: was her marriage truly worth it? As the daughter of a wealthy Spanish lord, of course the answer was "Yes." But as the amorous, fiery woman that she was inside, it was clearly a "No."

She was born Señorita Loida de Astucia. From the day she could understand rhyme and reason, she knew her life consisted of one goal: to marry well and bring her family the honor and glory that her husband could offer. As a child, Loida dreamed of marrying a handsome prince, just like the princesses in the fairy tales she was told. When she grew older, the dreams became much more romantic: the gallant hidalgo riding up the walk, gathering her in his arms and riding off towards the horizon.

Her fantasy lover never appeared, but she did have her first taste of passion when she was fifteen in the form of Edmundo, the stable hand that had caught her eye. He was very adorable in a rough and laborious way, and Loida found him to be very endearing.

For many a night, Edmundo would take his sneaky mistress for a ride around the grounds, both claiming that this was the only time that he could teach Loida to ride. Once they reached the gardens, her education in capturing a member of the opposite sex began. At first she would protest his fondling and kisses, not wanting to appear loose and eager, but she would soon surrender and join in the fun.

But the romance did not last very long. Loida still remembered how her face burned with embarrassment as the pair was discovered and stopped just before he was about to take her most prized womanly possession. Outside, her father saw to it that the lowly servant received due punishment for his daring while Loida sat inside at the mercy of her mother.

"Do you realize what you could have done?" the older woman cried. "For one night of ridiculous childish games, you could have ruined everything! A virgin is far more valuable to a potential husband than…otherwise! If you expect us to find a worthy match for you, then you must remain pure!"

In spite of that, Loida merely held her head high, continuing her wild ways. What she felt with Edmundo was incredible! It made her feel like a real woman! What was so wrong about that? But word of her untamable nature traveled within gossip circles, and thus began the anxious search for a husband. For years her parents had searched, without success. Many fine men in Spanish society had heard of her, and while they may have sought her out, their intentions were not to make her a wife.

That is, until Sébastien.

Loida was eighteen then, almost too ripe for the picking considering that she should have been married long ago. Just as all her parents' hope was lost, she had come downstairs to overhear her father speaking with a man that she recognized as the Baron Sébastien de Beaumont, a Frenchman newly appointed to be Spain's ambassador to his homeland. He had been introduced to her family earlier at some gathering or another; she did not remember which. He was a good ten years her senior, but had only recently considered taking a bride. He was not what she considered strikingly attractive, but he was definitely not horrible to look at.

Figures, she remembered thinking bitterly, they could only bring me an outsider.

Those months of planning had disappeared from her memory, but needless to say, she was a married woman not long after that meeting.

Her reverie was broken as the door clicked shut behind her. She did not even have to turn around to know it was Sébastien. He was the only one in the household who did not knock before he entered her room.

Loida tensed as he touched her shoulder.

"Buenos noches, esposa," he murmured, his accent lilting over her native tongue.

Esposa, wife, the only pet name he ever used for her. Loida lowered her eyes, scolding herself for expecting otherwise these many years later. She had always heard that the French were a people made of ardent lovers, but her husband must have been the black sheep of the group. Would it hurt him to come up with something more special for her? Probably.

"What do you want?" she asked, trying to keep harshness from her tone. She had much more important things on her mind, no time to deal with her husband's pathetic attempts to remind her who she belonged to.

"Last I heard, it was not a crime for a man to want time alone with his wife," he said, his voice low.

Loida frowned as his hands found her shoulders. "I would have thought that little whore you keep downstairs is more than enough. Why do you still want me?"

She could feel Sébastien's glare branding into the back her head. His grip tightened, and Loida winced, biting her lip. He unfortunately had an impressive amount of strength. "You should not be one to complain about that, especially after our…generous agreement. Do you remember that?"

Loida put on a brave face, turning to face him. "Of course I do. But I can see that you are ready to remind me; go right ahead."

It took all of Sébastien's strength not to give her the sound slap that she so often deserved.

"Hopefully this time it will engrave itself into your head," he growled. "I told you that I would not bother worrying about what you do on your own time…if you were discreet."

"I have been nothing but careful!" Loida protested.

"And as long as it does not ruin my good name!" Sébastien continued angrily. "Apparently that part you have forgotten!"

"What are you talking about?"

Sébastien shook her roughly, bordering on cruelty. "Today I was confronted the Marqués de Toreno, accusing my wife of 'manipulating' his engaged son into her bed! Not only have you made us laughingstocks, but you have brought on the wrath of an extremely powerful and influential nobleman!" he growled. "How could you be so stupid as to take on a superior?"

Loida's jaw clenched. She knew it had been wrong to take the boy under her…care. But it was so easy! Tomas de Toreno followed her like a love-struck puppy, and the risk involved enticed her so much.

"You are right; it was a mistake," Loida said quietly, before looking at him as though bored. "The boy was hardly worth the time anyway. The clumsy little brat does not know the first thing about his way around a woman. I pity his betrothed."

Sébastien released her, pacing the length of the room to calm down before returning to her.

"Oh that is not all. After I was able to calm him and get away, his son followed me. The young fool claimed that he worships and adores you," he said, rolling his eyes and gesturing dramatically to tauntingly retell the story. "He would go as far as to challenge me to a duel if it meant he could have you. He did not care what I did, nor if his own father disowned him."

"And?" Loida asked when he paused.

"I told him that you would never be as foolish as that to give up everything you have for a doomed affair. But he insisted upon seeing you. He is certain that you will run off with him to live in poverty, like some tawdry romance novel. Therefore, he will be here tomorrow afternoon."

He leaned in very close to her ear. "You caused this mess, Loida, and you will fix it. Sever all ties with him…or else. Do not disappoint me."

Loida swallowed, keeping fear from her face. As much as she often despised this man, she would not suffer the humiliation of his throwing her out. He had been gracious enough to let her continue meetings into marriage. She would just have to find another.

"You know I will," she whispered compliantly. "No need for threats."

Sébastien took a deep breath, inhaling the intoxicating scent of her. "Très bien," he said, walking her back towards the bed. "Now…about your compliant duties as a wife…it is the least you owe me after today."

ooo

Loida sighed, observing the young Tomas de Toreno as he stood waiting for her, staring out of a window. Poor thing, trapped in a betrothal out of his control, just as she had been, and about to have his heart broken. Allowing herself a very brief moment of sympathy, she took on the air of a proud, hardened noblewoman. It was easier that way.

She cleared her throat as she approached, drawing his attention towards her. Tomas looked panic-stricken, reaching out for her, and Loida obliged him an embrace.

"Mi querida," he whispered, holding her tightly. "You do not know how happy I am that you agreed to see me after what my father said! I thought for sure that you would not want anything to do with me!"

Loida drew away. "Tomas…cariño, listen to me…"

Tomas paled, hearing the despair in her tone. "He did not mean anything he said!" he continued. The longer he talked, she would not say what he feared she would.

"Tomas…"

"He must understand that I am a man!" he cried. "A grown man, free to make my own choice!"

"You do not have a choice in this!" she argued, keeping her voice hushed. "Neither of us have any choice at all. But my husband does, and he is furious and terribly jealous."

Not the complete truth, but it would do, she thought, willing to tell him anything she must to make him go and not look back.

She went on, "There is no telling what he will do to either of us, having been so humiliated."

Tomas stood tall. Or as tall as he could, Loida mused. The boy was not blessed with an intimidating stature.

"Then…then I shall defend my lady's honor!" he said.

"That is just the thing," Loida said, lightly caressing his arm. "I am Sébastien's lady, his wife, not yours." She lowered her eyes. "Which is why we must never see each other again. The passion, it is gone. I can not live with the guilt and worry anymore."

Tomas fell to his knees, protesting, "But…Loida, I…!"

Loida pulled him to his feet, touching his cheek. "Tomas…run home to your fiancée, and make her as happy as you made me." She paused to kiss him deeply, reveling in it one final time. "Adios, mi cariño."

She walked towards the hallway, Tomas pleading desperately behind her. Waiting for them was Sébastien, who wrapped his arm around his wife possessively. Tomas scowled at him before storming out the door.

"You would have been a brilliant actress," Sébastien said, clapping his hands slowly, mockingly.

Loida merely frowned at him, not daring to say what she truly thought of him, but Sébastien hardly noticed.

"He will have plenty of time to get over it, do not worry," he said. "With you and I away…"

"Away?" Loida asked. "Where are we going?"

"Paris."

Loida's eyes lit up, Tomas quickly forgotten. If there was one thing that she was grateful for in her marriage, it was going to France's finest, most glamorous city!

"What for this time?" she asked, excitedly, wanting every detail.

"Business for me, and a party or two," he replied. "One of which is that grand summer ball that His Majesty holds every year. As usual, since we shall be in Paris, we have been invited to attend."

Loida smiled, overjoyed. Her favorite pastime in the world was going to every social event imaginable. She always loved a good party!

"When do we leave?" she persisted. "I simply must find a new dress when we arrive if there is time!"

Sébastien patted her shoulder condescendingly. "Do not worry, esposa. We shall be there in plenty of time for you to primp and pretty yourself. But hurry and decide what to pack. The ship sails for France tomorrow night."