Hello everybody! Thanks for continuing to read, I'm always happy when I see new views (and reviews!) Here's chapter ten, and there's going to be some major changes for our hero and heroine. Enjoy!

Chapter Ten-

The following morning, Adrienne arose early, remembering how Aaron had liked to get up at the crack of dawn. "So I can live each day for the longest amount of time possible." He had once told her with a smile. She got dressed and went downstairs, figuring that he would be in the vineyard. She was right.

"Aaron," She said, finding him amongst the grapevines. He turned around, popping a grape in his mouth, and she couldn't help but laugh.

"Ah, Adrienne, you caught me," He raised his hands in mock surrender. "What is my punishment?"

"I wanted to talk to you," She said, approaching him.

"That's no skin off my back," He said good-naturedly. "What do you want to talk about?" Aaron offered his arm, and she politely took it, taking a stroll through her father's land.

"I wanted to apologize about my behavior yesterday," Adrienne said, keeping her voice regal and dignified. "I've been having a lot that's been going on, and with your family's arrival, it's been a lot on my plate. I just wasn't really ready then to see...you yet, but I am now."

"What's going on?" Aaron said gently, stopping and leaning against a fence pole. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No, that's alright," She muttered, turning her face from him, but she really did want to speak to him. "I'm fine now."

"Adrienne," He stepped closer to her, but she kept her eyes from his. "I want to apologize too. For what happened in England, what I did. I never should have pushed you that far. I never should have given you that ultimatum." Adrienne shut her eyes tightly together, trying to block out that memory. Aaron took her hands in his. He was just inches apart from her. "I'm asking for a second chance - a chance to make it up to you," He murmured, pressing his forehead to hers. "I'm a much better man now."

"Aaron, I don't-"

"Let me show you," He tried. "Let me show you I've changed. It'll be like...what happened in England never happened. A fresh start."

"Aaron-"

"You know you want too," He said temptingly, and Adrienne found that she couldn't pull away. "You sought me out, didn't you?"

"Yes," She breathed, and he planted a short, gentle kiss on her lips.

"See?" He murmured. "Just like old times."

Every atom of sensibility in Adrienne's body screamed for her to stop as he began to kiss her again, to pull away, to push him off her, to strike him, to run. But old feelings had begun to resurface, and she couldn't stop herself. She remembered how she had used to love him, and him kissing her now made her feel like she was back in England, where everything was alright again.

She didn't even think of Grantaire.

The next few weeks passed uneventfully. The three sisters noticed an almost bipolar change in Adrienne's attitude towards Aaron. She sat with him at mealtimes and laughed at the little things he whispered so that only she could hear. She seemed much more relaxed around him, and everyone noticed the difference.

One day, a letter arrived from Marseilles addressed to Adrienne. She was outside with Eliza and Mary when her brother Michel approached her, holding an envelope. "Sister," He said gravely. "This is for you."

"Who is it from?" Adrienne asked gaily. She saw Michel's face and hers fell as well. "Excuse me," She dismissed herself from her two companions and took the letter inside to her room.

My dear Adrienne,

I wish that I could write with better news, but I can't. Myself and several other cadets are being sent out on a naval ship to a station in Sicily as members of the crew. I don't know how long we will be gone, but they are estimating about a year. We leave in two weeks time, and I cannot guarantee a safe return.

I'm sorry that I have put you through all of this, darling, and I want you to know that you are in my heart every single day. I miss you and I love you, and I understand that it's been difficult for you. I will be strong for you, as you have been strong for me.

All my love,

R. Grantaire

Adrienne gave a shaky breath and meticulously folded the letter back in place. Guilt washed over her as she opened the drawer to her desk and buried the letter amongst other masses of papers. Aaron couldn't find this.

"Mademoiselle?" She heard his voice calling from the base of the stairs. "Are you upstairs?"

"Yes, I am," She replied, closing the drawer silently and walking out of her room.

"Is everything alright?" He asked, once they were side by side. "I saw you received a letter."

"It was nothing," She said, and the lie was like a knife in her heart, stabbing and twisting around her sense of right and wrong. "I'm fine.