Chapter Two

Leave the Pieces

Lady Rei Silver stepped in to the carriage waiting for her at the dock just before the tears started to flow down her face. Her thick black eye lashes draped heavily as the water droplet fell from her ebony eyes. Her heart was breaking and great racking sobs seeped from her chest, muffled only by her hand.

He was going to actually let her walk away, as if they hadn't spend countless nights in each other's arms, as if there hadn't been any love between them. Another sob broke free from her chest at the last thought. She had thought that their time together had meant something that…maybe a future could be had. She had been willing to give up everything, her life, her family, her status, her wealth to marry him. A sea captain, a man of trade. She had wanted him so badly, still desired him, and still loved him. But he didn't feel that way a about her.

Flashback

"What happens now?" she asked, running her fingers down his button jacket. They had docked today, and tomorrow her carriage would be here to take her back to her life. The one she had known before him.

"Nothing." He said, no emotion played on his face, but he looked her in the eyes. If he was going to break her heart, leaving her here to hate him, then by god he was going to be man enough to watch it break.

"Wh...What…why?" she asked, surprised. Didn't he want her, didn't he feel the same way for her as she did for him.

Jadeite sneered, "Why would we. It was just a discreet love affair," Pulling from her he continued, "I mean we had our fill of each other, why would be want to turn it in to something it isn't."

Rei struggled to breath through his speech. The air fled her chest and she chocked out, "But I love you." Her eyes pleaded with him, to take it back to say it was all a lie.

It was, but he wouldn't take it back. As far as he was concerned, Lady Rei needed a gentleman, not some bastard son of a count that had worked his way up on the streets. She deserved more that bad blood and a black past from the man that she married. Steeling himself, and knowing that no matter what the look on her face, the hurt in her eyes would haunt him for ever.

"Love…what a silly childish notion. Surely you're not so naive as to think that there was anything more than lust between us, and that I would tie myself to a woman like you."

Rei's face flushed, her tears dried up, and the feeling of being kicked in the stomach was swift and to the point. She did the only thing she could have at that point.

She fled his chambers.

Had Rei turned around before running to the door she would have known that it was all a lie, that he loved her. But she didn't and she didn't see the tears that brimmed in his eyes.

For Jadeite only a few things were important…he loved her…always would…and she would find a better man that he. At least he had given her that…instead of tying her to a two bit captain of a ship and nothing else to give her.

End Flashback

Jadeite watched the carriage moving further in the distance. Some part of him had hoped that she hadn't believed a word he had said the other night, that against all the odds she still believed in him, that he was the good man she thought. But he knew it would be a lie, he had seen her face, the hurt…she thought nothing of him now. Turning to his first mate he gave his orders, they would be leaving in two days, just after the cargo was carried on to the ship, he wanted to be in Charlestown…mostly he just wanted to be away from England. If he thought it was possible he would leave the ship, sell it and buy a new one, anything to stop the memories of spending night after night in her arms. Turning to the door of his cabin, suddenly he found the idea of his large bed unappealing, it held to many memories of her. Jerking off his coat he stepped on to dry dock, he had to get away even if it was for a few hours.

Artemis lined the servants up in the large entrance way to meet their new mistress and welcome both her and their master home. Since receiving word of Lord Endymion he had had the servants in a frenzy of cleaning, hoping to make the large manor acceptable to the new incoming family member. Standing nervously, he corrected the posture of several individuals, frowning intently when Lita entered the room.

She frowned back, huffing, "Do you want their supper to burn?" Artemis couldn't help but smile. At twenty and two the tall, curvy brunette had become one of the youngest members of his staff, not two years ago. Since then many had complained of putting on quite a bit of weight from her wonderful dishes. The staff loved her, Lita had become part of their small family, bring a joy and happiness to the household that had some what diminished amongst the staff since the death of Lady Reilynn, mother of both Lady Rei and Lord Endymion.

Grinning he heard the carriage roll in front of the door, hoping to set a good impression, he opened the door.

"Lady…Rei…" he gasped, taking in his mistresses features, her black eyes were puffy, and tears rolled down her ivory face. She pushed past him, flying up the stairs, and slamming her bedroom door.

"Artemis?" the butler turned, startled at his master's voice.

"Was that my sister I saw running in?" Darien questioned, leading his young bride through the doorway. The butler barely managed to step aside in time as the two passed through the door.

"Yes milord," turning Artemis gave commands for the luggage and the other equipment.

Serena pulled away from Darien, startled at seeing so many people in the main hall, she guessed it was silly of her to hope that their arrive might go unnoticed. After all it wasn't enough that she had fallen asleep on her new husband and ended up drooling on him in the process. Containing a groan she felt rising up in her throat, she smiled, greeting the servants. More than anything she just wanted a hot bath, and some peace to think, but obligations came first.

"Serena," Darien addressed her, "I would like you to meet Artemis, our butler, and dear friend of the family." Turning Serena smiled.

"It's wonderful to meet you." Taking in his white bushy eyebrows and ridge posture, she wondered about his personality. She blushed, noticing how he studied her, as if he couldn't quite make up his mind about her either.

Artemis flared with color, seeing that he had embarrassed his new mistress. Hoping to cover the grave error, he made haste in introducing the staff to her. He had to admire her, she asked each their names, duties, and promised once she was settled in to get to know each one of them more. She impressed him, the staff, and Darien with her décor and flare with handling everyone.

"Artemis, would it be possible for me to have a bath?" she asked. The butler nodded, and indicated for Mary, the upstairs maid to show her to her room.

"I've got it," Darien, interrupted, catching her arm he lead her up the stairs. Serena paused at the door.

"That was your sister?"

Darien smiled, "Don't worry, you two will get along well. She's your age, and I'm sure you'll find things to talk about." Kissing her forehead he left her at the entrance to her door.

They hated each other on sight…well that wasn't exactly true…only about half way through dinner. In her defense Serena thought, as she stabbed at the potato on her plate…it really was Rei's fault.

The grandfather clock positioned just out side the dinning room chimed nine times, the sound echoed through out the quite house. Serena signed, pushing her plate away; she got up from the dinner table. She had had enough of Darien glaring at her down the length of the table, as if it was all her fault. She didn't start the fight, but in all fairness she really didn't finish it either. Brushing past him on her way out she ignored the expression he tossed her way, floating up the stairs, she quietly closed her bedroom door. There was no need to slam it shut; Rei had done enough of that this evening. Personally her ears were still ringing from the earlier hysterics.

Smiling she shook Luna awake from her sleeping position on the plush chair. The older woman stretched and gave her the expression of wide eyed innocents before asking, "How was dinner?"

Serena glared at her for bringing up the event, "Just dandy, the entire household probably her my new sister in law call me a conniving childish bitch, that had to tramp a husband because she was hideous and without any other ways of gaining a husband."

"Well I didn't hear her say that, but I certainly heard the crashes as she threw plates at you," Luna said, bring the ivory comb through her curling golden locks.

"How did you know they were plates?"

"Artemis told me, the poor man looked as if he would die of shame. What did you say to your new husband to make him so put out with you?"

Huffing Serena responded, "I merely pointed out that I was not the one childishly throwing plates. Darien said I was being less helpful than before."

"Before?"

"I just returned her feelings back towards her," Forlorn she looked at Luna, "I really wanted her to like me, and not even four hours of knowing each other and we're trading insults."

"I know sweetie," Luna patted her hand, and helped her into bed. "Don't worry tomorrow's another day."

Darien held his head in his hands, and tried hard to suppress the urge to laugh like an idiot, softly his shoulders started shaking and he just gave into the feeling. This had to be the worse homecoming anyone had ever received. Not home a month and he was married, though if he had to be honest his bride wasn't all that bad. In fact she was funny, honest, and beautiful, sweet…everything he would have wanted in a wife, but then he really hadn't wanted to get married in the first place. Then there was Rei. His sister had lost her mind. Looking up as when he heard a shuffling he found Artemis staring at him in the door way. The older man looked pointy at the door at the top of the stairs, his wife's door. Shamefaced and understanding he stood from his seat and walked up the stairs; Artemis was right, that was really no way to let the night end. Not even married three days it was wrong to leave things on a sour note.

Standing in front of the heavy oak door he raised his hand to knock, then stopped. It was his wife, and his house, that and he didn't want to give her a chance to reject him. Touching the bronze door handle, he turned it, almost surprised that it was unlocked. He like that, she felt safe with him, even if she didn't know what else to feel when he was around. Stepping into the dark room, he caught the faint glow of one candle sitting aside her bed. Moving quietly he stood next to the bed, and brought his large hand down to caress her face.

The candlelight flickered, almost as if it knew want he wanted, the room glowed brighter and he saw her ivory skin aglow with in the shadowed room. Darien, smiled his little wife slept like he did.

Stark naked.

Damn that was a surprise. But one he found that he like quite a bit.

#$&(&($&(#$&$#$&($#$&

Lita sat on the bed of the small cottage, watching her lover with wary brown eyes. She had come home to find him packing, throwing items into a bag in frenzy. At first she hadn't really known what to do, but watch him move about the small cottage. When he finally noticed her, there were tears in her eyes, and the lingering of betrayal in her features.

Was he leaving her? No. He had received a letter from home today; his father was dieing, and demanded his son's pretense at once. She knew what the summons had meant to Nephrite; he hadn't seen or heard from his father in a little over fifteen years. Not since the two had had a falling out, and Nephrite had come to England, hoping to find something better.

Nephrite turned to the woman sitting on the bed, the woman who was trying to hide the hurt, and the uncertainty that she was feeling. But he felt in clearly coming from her…he knew him. He loved her. Standing in front of her he pulled her into his arms, buried his face in the crock of her neck and inhaled her sweet scent. She melted in his arms, taking the comfort that he was offering. Turning her face to meet his, he looked in her pretty brown eyes.

"I'll be back, love. I'm just going back to Charleston to see him, and take care of him. But I will be back Lita, I promise," he whispered.

She just nodded. Too many people in her life had left her, why would he be any different. He knew the looked, understood that she wouldn't feel safe until he was back, she would always harbor some uncertainty that he would leave. Not that he could blame her with a past like that.

When he had come to England he had barely been more than a pauper, but with his education, and background he had soon found a job as a solicitor, and since then he had been making a nice living handling the funds of the Rosé thorn family. That was how he had meant her, a country visit. Since then he had been in love with her, and they had been lovers.

Now he was extremely grateful for the Rosé thorn family, Lord Silver had given him no problems when he described his family situations, saying that he was welcome to take as along as needed. Sighing, he kissed Lita. "I love you," was all he said before he walked out. He had a ship to catch and the Dancing Fire sailed at first light.

"I love you." Lita answered, waiting as the door of her small cottage closed. He had to come back, and then he could hear the words. The words she had never said before.

#$(&$&

Darien's lips pressed against the warm skin at the nape of Serena's neck. Nipping at the delicate piece of flesh he heard her moan in her sleep, and turn towards him. Brushing the golden locks from her forehead, he traced a path with his tongue to her lips, leaving nips and kisses along the way. She became restless next to him, her body grew warmer, and her moans became throaty and echoed with in the stillness of the room.

Darien felt is cock fill with blood, growing erect and heavy next to her thigh. He had stripped his clothes off, wanting to fell her against him, want to be with her in the most primal and intimate way. Her blue eyes opened, as he sank is lips in for a taste, she was as sweet as honey, and he groaned in return. Pushing between her soft rip lips he thrust is tongue in and mimicked the motions of his hips as she pressed herself fully on to his body, taking the lead he move on top of her, running his fingertips down the length of her body.

Serena awoke with a warmth running in her blood, causing her head to spin, and ache she didn't understand. What she did understand was that Darien was the cause and she wanted him, her body as aflame with desire. Sucking on his bottom lips she gasped, as his hands roamed her breasts, and could hardly breathe when he took the hard nubs in between his lips and began to suck.

"Darien," she signed, running her hands down his body, she found muscles and strength. He groaned, obviously liking her boldness, moaning she felt his fingers enter her, begin to stroke her body. Her head started spinning, and the ache increased, leaving her body pulsing out of control, as she quaked in his arms.

Darien smiled, feeling her climaxed spill onto his hand; he had known somehow that she would be passionate, and dangerous in bed. Changing positions, he entered her, feeling her maiden head give and her quake harder underneath him. Her only response was to shake harder underneath him.

"Darien!" she voice echoed in the lush draping of the room. He groaned, spilling himself inside of her.

"Serena…" he breathed out, collapsing on top of her soft body. He felt exhausted, and content. Lifting himself up on his arms he looked down at her face.

She had fallen back asleep, he didn't know whether to be insulted or not. Moving to the side, he curled next to her. Sleep sounded too good to pass up.