London, England – 1815

Gently stroking through Anna's hair, John smiled as he watched her breathing deepen to expand her back. A moment later she shifted and he propped his head on his hand, laying sideways, to watch as she twisted toward him. He hoped his smile matched hers as she blinked lazily at him.

"Good morning."

"Good morning."

Anna lifted her head slightly, as if to look over John's shoulder toward the windows, and frowned. "I thought… I thought we had to leave early."

"We did."

"Before daylight?"

"Not necessarily but…" John pursed his lips and winced, "As close to daybreak as possible would've been best."

"Then why not…" Anna shifted, sitting up in bed. "They why not wake me up earlier? If we had to go-"

"We didn't have to go."

Anna raised an eyebrow at him, "The work we set out to do can't wait."

"It can wait." John sat up as well. "It's our honeymoon, after all, and it'll start when we say it does."

"And if it were just our honeymoon then that would be fine but there are people expecting us. People who planned to have us." Anna turned back to John, twisting to stare at him. "We have obligations."

"We do but some of those obligations are to each other." John put his hand over hers. "And I thought letting you sleep and wake up naturally was me fulfilling my obligation to you."

"That's very sweet." Anna leaned over and kissed John's cheek. "But I'm not afraid of the responsibility that comes from having prior commitments."

"Nor am I." John let his finger trace up Anna's arm. "But I couldn't find it in myself to wake you up when I could just stare at you all morning instead."

"I'm sure, if the need were pressing enough, you could've found a way to wake me up." Anna narrowed her eyes at him, "You chose not to."

"If we're going to split hairs about it, yes I did." John leaned forward, putting his lips close to Anna's. "But given that I slept next to my beautiful wife last night, and had the chance to leave her absolutely enraptured, I'd say I earned the hairs I split in this instance."

"Fair point." Anna closed the distance and kissed John. "But we do need to go. We have others that need our attention."

"We do."

"And," Anna put her fingers on John's lips to stop his mouth opening to respond to her comment. "If I'm to be your Lady, the Duchess of Reerbourne, then I've got to set an example for others. We're setting a precedent and, as such, we need to show that we're going to follow through on our responsibilities. That means we've got to make other things the center of our attention sometimes."

"I'm aware." John sighed, kissing Anna's fingers. "But I still wish I could make you the center of my attention at all times."

"And that's what'll make the moments we share so much more valuable." Anna kissed John's cheek before pulling away. "The fact that there are not as many of them as might like is unfortunate but that's the price we pay."

"True enough." John sighed, "I'd still like to leave you a little more enraptured now, if I could."

"As much as I'd love that," Anna grinned at him, "I don't think we've got the time for it."

"Why not?"

"Because you've got a habit of taking your time to give me all the attention you possibly can." Anna shifted away from John, "And we've not got the time for it because you already let me sleep too long."

"I'd do it again."

"I know you would." Anna walked away from the bed, pausing to look back over her shoulder. "Are you staring at me?"

"How could I not?" John reclined back, his arm behind his head, "My wife's walking naked and giving me a lovely view of her ass as she leaves her bed."

Anna pursed her lips, studied John a moment, and then walked back to the end of the bed. "In that case…" She grabbed an edge of the blanket and whipped it back from John's body to leave him exposed. "I'd like to see if I can do something."

"What are you-" John bit into his lip as Anna straddled John's thighs. "Anna… I don't think-"

"I'm not as experienced as you, so this won't have any finesse, but I'm ready for a quick lesson." Anna crawled up to put her lips over John's. "If you're willing."

"Anna…" John closed his eyes as Anna drew her lips over his face, down his neck, and explored his chest a little. "What are you doing?"

"I'm practicing." Anna paused, her fingers drawing over his chest. "Your lessons last night were instructive and I'd like to try something before we… Continue onto more… Before it… Happens."

John put a hand over hers, "There's no rush."

"But I do still want to do this." Anna lowered her mouth to his, "I want to learn you the way you've learned me."

"It was my pleasure."

"I believe it was mine." Anna dragged her teeth over his lower lip. "But I want to make it yours now."

"Then," John took the hand under his and brought it to his rising erection. "I'm in your hands."

"Figuratively and literally." Anna's fingers wrapped over him and John hissed as she squeezed slightly. "But you'll need to guide me."

John's hand moved to slip between Anna's legs but she used her other hand on his wrist to draw him back. "Not this time."

He relaxed his arm and allowed Anna to move his arm above his head and he gripped the headboard where she placed it. Gripping it, John sighed into the kiss Anna placed on his lips before moaning as she followed his direction to begin stroking and moving over his erection. An effort made even more difficult for him as Anna's free hand moved between her legs to start working her fingers between her folds. Like her motions on him, it was graceless and hesitant but as she continued to work Anna established a rhythm.

Digging his fingers into the wood, feeling the bite of the wood into the palm of his hand, John bit at his lip as Anna's breathing sped up. His hips bucked into her movements and he tightened his abdominal muscles to try and hold off as Anna's voice rose higher and higher. In a moment, John released his hand from the headboard and helped Anna finish herself just as he finally allowed himself to climax in the aftermath.

His chest caved a bit as he fought for breath after he finished. But the sight of Anna, the glow of her climax over her cheeks, had John leaning forward to kiss her. She responded enthusiastically and only drew back when the need to breathe forced her to do so.

"Thank you."

"I should be the one thanking you." John drew his fingers back and helped Anna move as her muscles quivered a bit.

"But I couldn't do it without your help."

"It comes with time." John grinned and kissed Anna again, "And practice."

"I'm sure you'll make sure we've enough time for that."

"I'll make time for that." John pushed himself off the bed, "But you're right, we do need to be going."

He stopped a moment, noting the way Anna stared at him. "Are you watching me now?"

"Why not?" Anna shrugged and sat up, "It's a wonderful view."

"Not as good as mine."

Anna threw a pillow at him, "If you don't leave now then we'll end up exactly where we were a moment ago."

"I wouldn't mind that at all."

"But I do." Anna got off the bed and dodged out of John's hold. "If we don't leave soon then there'll be no chance for this later."

With that incentive, John was quickly out the door.

London, England – Present Day

One Year Later

"And with that," The woman signed with a flourish, "You are completely cleared and ready for duty."

"I've not heard words that made me that happy in a long time." John took the papers from the woman and stood. His right leg moved a bit stiffly but he covered it by compensating with his hips. "It'll be good to be back in working order again."

"It's impressive how fast you got yourself fighting fit, make no mistake about that." The woman smiled at him, "But I'd say a man like yourself's used to pushing toward seemingly impossible goals."

"You've no idea Dr. Hughes."

"I think I've some idea." She stood and extended her hand to him. "I'm sure they're glad to get you back into work."

"It's a whole new job actually."

"Then good luck."

"Thank you." John saluted with the stack of papers and made his way out of the office. The buzzing of his mobile paused his efforts to tuck the papers away so he rolled them and stuffed them into his pocket. Just before the call read as 'missed', he managed to slide his thumb over the screen and bring it to his ear. "John Bates."

"Bates! Excellent to get you on the phone."

"You make it sound like I never take your calls Robert."

"I've had the feeling you've been dodging me."

John grimaced and stepped out of the way of someone entering the hospital before raising his arm to flag down a passing cab. "It wouldn't say that."

"Then what would you say?"

"I'd say I've been busy trying to finish up the paperwork necessary to get a job with an up and coming security company." John tucked himself into the back of the cab and put his hand over the bottom of his phone to speak to the driver. "Branson Protection Services. Thanks."

"Did I… Did I just hear you're working at Branson Protection Services?"

John closed his eyes and gave a little groan before wincing. "Yes."

"You do know who owns that company don't you?"

"If I didn't then I'm shit at applying for jobs and even shittier at investigating the places that plan to employ me."

"You do realize who Tom Branson is, don't you?"

"Last I heard he's about to be your son-in-law." John sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Look, Robert, I know you keep calling about something and while I'm pretty sure I'll say no to whatever it is, you've made me curious enough to ask what in the world the freshly minted Prime Minister needs from a washed up peg-leg like me."

"A need someone I trust to work a protection detail."

"Well, you're about a week too late on that." John moved the rolled papers form his pocket to his lap to fold them over so he could put them in his jacket. "I've got scheduled services now."

"I could, though it would about kill me to do it, arrange it through your new company if that is strictly necessary."

"Yes, it would be, because I'm not going to get fired when I literally just got hired for this job." John sighed, "And what do you need protection for? You've got all those Security Services people working for you. I'd just be window dressing for something like them."

"I didn't say I needed protection for me."

John frowned, "Someone in your family not covered by the governmental plan that makes sure people in nice suits are always keeping an eye on you?"

"This person's not in my family."

John's expression hardened. "If you've got a mistress-"

"No. Gods, John why…" Robert flustered on his end of the phone. "Why would you even think that?"

"Because there was that woman you snogged when Cora was-"

"That was a long time ago."

"Nothing is ever a long time ago for women." John shook his head and caught the nod of agreement the cabbie gave at the comment. "They live in an eternal now. Everything and anything is subject to review and presentation. If you think they forgot then you're deluding yourself."

"Whatever. The point is, it's not a mistress. It's a friend of the family."

"Then get special dispensation and take one of your suited bodyguards off the board for them."

"This needs to stay quiet."

"And why's that?"

"Because…" Robert's voice got low. "She's a key witness for an investigation that's about to make a lot of headlines."

"You're involved in judicial matters now?"

"It's a carry-over from my predecessor and I'm making sure nothing happens to ruin the case."

"And you're worried someone might tamper with her?"

"I'm worried she's a target. Especially given she can identify major players by name and face."

John sighed, "Sounds dangerous for her."

"It is."

"Then get her to a safe house or put her in protection or something."

"I'm… There are potential leaks there."

John perked up, "Now you've piqued my interest."

"Governmental conspiracy gets you up in the morning?"

"As someone who spent most of his career infiltrating dangerous organizations, anything with a price tag is subject to corruption and acts as a corrupting influence." John swiped his card and exited the cab as it pulled up to the building for Branson Protection Services. "Can I ask what she knows?"

"No. Not over the phone."

"Can I know her name?"

"Not over the phone."

"Ah well then." John shrugged, "It's all semantic anyway until you file for the approval through my boss."

John swore he could almost hear the grinding of Robert's teeth through the phone. "Don't make me ask him, please."

"Sorry Robert. That's just how the game is played. Call back when you've got that approval." John hung up and tucked his phone away before walking into the office and presenting the creased papers. "John Bates reporting for duty."

Yorkshire, England – 1815

Shifting his shoulder, John brushed hair from Anna's face. She barely stirred and he smiled before whispering in her ear. "Anna?"

She opened her eyes, confusion furrowing her brow a moment. "What?"

"We're here."

Shifting in her seat, Anna maneuvered to the edge and ducked her head to look out the window of the carriage. The way her jaw dropped fit her inability to speak as the carriage turned on the gravel drive. "This… This is…"

"This is Bleakbriar House." The carriage pulled to the front, the large stone steps beckoning to them as John opened the door and shook his head at the footman hurrying to help him out. He disembarked and pivoted and offer his hand to Anna. "Your Grace, welcome to our home."

Anna put her hand in his and carefully followed John to the gravel. She gaped at the house and shook her head slowly. "When you called it Bleakbriar House I thought you meant it would be a house."

"It is a bit more than a house but…" John shrugged, "My father always called it a 'house' and since the original structure was a house…"

"The original structure?"

"Yes. Just there." John pointed, his finger outlining the detail of the oldest parts of the structure. "That was the house and the area was called Briar Wood."

"But not anymore?"

"No." John shook his head and straightened before extending a hand to Anna. "It changed hands and the house took on the name Briar House until a larger manor was built and took the name. One of my ancestors, I don't recall which one, decided that he'd name the place 'Bleak Briar' since it was a paler version of the newer manor and, thus, the estate became BleakBriar."

"And your family's always been here?"

"Since they took it from whatever people owned it before one of my ancestors happened to earn the favor of a king and got us the title I've got now." John sighed, "My family history's a series of stories that mostly dissolve to thievery on a governmentally appropriate scale."

"I believe there's a touch of unfairness to that assessment."

"You do?"

"Of course." Anna rolled her shoulders back, "To judge the past by the present is to be ungenerous and dishonest. It suggests that we know best when we only know what we know because someone else knew it first and allowed us to build on the foundation they started."

"That's very philosophical of you."

"I try, on occasion, to be philosophical." Anna slipped her hand into the crook of John's arm. "What next?"

"I show you the house." Anna winced slightly and John backpedaled. "Or we…"

"No, if that's the plan then-"

"We don't have to if you're-"

"Could we…" They both paused, giving soft laughs as they spoke over one another in their hurry to not step on the other's toes. John opened his free hand to Anna, inviting her to speak. "Could we tour the grounds a bit? I'm a little cramped from the carriage and I want to stretch my legs."

"We can do that." John moved to put them on the gravel path around the house. "I think we could both use to stretch our legs."

"Especially you."

"Me?" John snorted his laugh, "You're the one who asked."

"I did but you're the one who's been stuffed into the tiny beds at the public houses on the way here." Anna shook her head, "It must making sleeping an absolute trial for you."

"Since I've been sleeping next to you," John took Anna's hand from the crook of his arm and kissed the back of it, despite the glove. "I find I'd sleep in any circumstance if I can continue as we have."

"That's very sweet of you." Anna shifted closer to John and he matched pace with her. "But I think I prefer sleeping next to you in a larger bed."

"The beds here are large enough."

Anna smiled and then her face softened in joyful surprise as they rounded the edge of the house to see the sprawling gardens. "John…"

"My mother's greatest work."

"It's magnificent." Anna pulled on John as she hurried them toward it. "What… What has she built here?"

"Her own Versailles." John pointed over the hedges, "She's an outdoor ballroom just over there."

"An outdoor ballroom?" Anna raised her eyebrows and John nodded. "Did she ever use it?"

"A few times." John sighed, "If I were to host a ball here, which my steward and the housekeeper keep encouraging me to do, I'd want it out here."

"Not in the house?"

"Not in all areas of the house, no." John guided Anna through the hedge maze toward the outdoor ballroom. "Besides, this was always where my mother wanted people to gather. And I was always happiest outside."

"Even in this weather?"

"In most weathers." John slipped free of Anna's hand so they could walk the marble surface in separate directions. "But, for a ball, I'd want to have it in the spring. It'd have to be the spring."

"For the rain?"

"For the chance as better weather." John stopped, his hands fidgeting where he held them behind his back, and watched as Anna continued to pace the oval space. "And because then I'd get to plan the event with my wife."

Anna stopped, half-turned toward John, and smiled. "I believe we would have a rather wonderful ball."

"We would."

"But I don't want to wait for spring." Anna closed the distance between them. "We've an opportunity here."

"Do we?"

"A winter ball." Anna gestured around them. "The hedges provide the perfect chance to set lights and the gardens are large enough for bonfires. We could have sleds, if it snows, and if it doesn't then we'll simply ensure we've enough extra coats to keep everyone warm."

"We might have enough for that." John pursed his lips a moment. "But given that we're at the end of winter, perhaps we should celebrate the coming spring."

"Perhaps you're right." Anna sighed, "But I would've loved a winter's ball."

"So would I." John kissed her hand again. "We'll have to make do with a ball when our honeymoon's finished."

Anna blinked at him, "After our honeymoon?"

"Of course." John made a show of standing straighter, "You reminded me of our obligations and that means we've got to make our appointments first. Besides, we're still focusing on one another during our honeymoon and not worrying about hosting anyone else just yet."

"You're right." Anna took his hand and squeezed it. "But I'll not allow you to forget our Celebration of Spring Ball."

"I wouldn't dream of it." John swung their joined arms once. "Let me show you the rest of the garden."

"Lead the way, Your Grace." Anna tucked herself close to him again and they continued through the garden. "Although we will eventually need to show our faces in your house."

"Don't you mean our house?"

Anna gave a small smile, "I guess I do." She sobered after a moment, "Is it bad to admit I'm still a little afraid of all this?"

"Not at all. I find it very brave." John squeezed Anna's hand and led her into an alcove of a hedge. "And, as a reward for that bravery, I'd like to offer a kiss as a prize for that."

Anna's smile returned, "That seems fair." He leaned in as Anna's free hand moved to slide up the lapels of his coat. "Although I do have a question, before you begin what I imagine is a great seduction."

"It's only great if it brings you pleasure." John lowered his head, tracing his lips lightly over the chilled skin of her neck.

"I know." Anna's hand pressed against John's chest and he drew back enough to see her expression.

"What is it?"

"You told me that you never shared a bed with your wife." John frowned as Anna teethed her lower lip. "Was that true?"

"I've never lied to you Anna."

"Then how…" Anna bit into her lip and swallowed before continuing. "How did you know how to do what you did?"

"How…" John's frow eased as realization formed his mouth into the shape of an 'O'. "Are you asking how I gained my experience?"

"If you'd rather I didn't-"

"We're man and wife, Anna." John kissed the material of the glove on her hand as he still held it. "There's no question you can ask me that I won't answer honestly and as completely as possible."

"Then how…"

"When I served in His Majesty's army, I was stationed in Scotland." John swallowed, "The rest of my regiment didn't know that my father's father was Scottish. One of the ones who supported British rule."

"I'm sure that made you very unpopular with the locals."

"It did, at first. But I endeavored to try and build bridges and…"

"And?"

John cleared his throat, "One bridge I tried to build was through marriage. It didn't… It didn't end well."

Anna's face immediately fell, "What happened?"

"The lady in question passed… Due to sickness. It was… It was a blow to her family and to me. Especially since…" John cleared his throat and shook his head to try and dispel tears that threatened the corners of his eyes. "She was pregnant with our child. Only I knew about it but… She and I were… We were happy."

"What happened?"

"Her death shook me and I resigned my commission. It disappointed my father but he immediately found use for me in an arranged marriage."

"To Vera?"

John nodded, "Part of the reason I struggled with intimacy with Vera was because… Because I had given part of myself to the last woman I loved and I couldn't… I couldn't bring myself to love again so soon. And by the time I was ready Vera had… She already decided that I was unacceptable."

"Is that why you were so quick to accept my conditions?"

"Partly." John ran his thumb along Anna's gloved fingers. "I wish I hadn't been rushed and I wouldn't want to do that to you."

"Thank you." Anna used his grip on her fingers to kiss the back of his hand. "What was her name?"

"What?"

"The Scottish woman you loved. What was her name?"

"Claire."

"It's a lovely name." Anna gave John a smile and moved her unoccupied hand to his cheek. "And I'm sorry you lost her."

"If I hadn't, you wouldn't be here."

"No. But she would and you might've been spared some unhappiness." Anna's thumb ran along John's cheek. "If I could spare you pain, I would."

John turned his lips into her hand and kissed her gloved palm. "I would move Heaven and Earth to do the same for you."

"I know." Anna added pressure to her touch and shifted John's lips back to hers. "It's why I want you to kiss me now."

"With pleasure."

London, England – Present Day

John's shoulders rolled back into the wall as he leaned on it. Shifting his weight, he grimaced slightly as his sock pinched in his prosthetic. After making a quick check that he was alone, John bent over and tugged up his trouser leg to check the catches. A jiggle and an adjustment later his trouser leg was back in place and he stood as straight as ever.

The door to his left opened and John nodded at the man who equalled him in height but outdid him in the majesty of his imposing eyebrows. A moment passed between them, John forcing himself not to shift as the hawkish gaze of the man bore into him as if studying him down to the molecular level, and then almost sighed in relief as the man nodded. "The Prime Minister'll see you now."

"Carson, don't intimidate out guests." A man, also roughly John's height but bearing the gray of age where John still maintained the color of youth in his hair, came to the door and shook his head at Carson. "I wouldn't want the already tenuous agreement I have to get Bates here negated because you drove him away."

"It's my job to assess for threats, sir."

"And you do so admirably." The Prime Minister beckoned John into the office and waited until Carson closed the door. "He means well."

"Security Services always do." John faced the Prime Minister, "I'm amazed you managed to get me here Robert."

"You'll address the Prime Minister-"

"Carson," Robert held up a hand, "Bates and I've known each other for long enough he can address me informally."

"I've seen him vomit in a ditch, I think we're past formal." John spared a momentary smile before growing serious again. "Which makes me wonder how bitter it tasted to get my boss to assign me this work."

"It tasted like vinegar but I'm sure I'd say the same if I drank the beer you and my future son-in-law both prefer." Robert shuddered slightly, "But this is important enough for me to spare no expense."

"Even your pride?"

"Some things are beyond pride Bates, you know that."

John nodded, "I do." He cleared his throat, "So, who's this I'm going to be protecting for Queen and Country? Or… The Queen's Bench, I guess."

"She's just in the other room." Robert motioned for John to follow him into a side room and when they entered John's jaw almost fell open. "Bates, I'd like you to meet Anna Smith."