Chapter Three

The pages of a Newspaper

Two weeks later

"Excuse me?" Rei snarled over the breakfast table, blushing that she had been called on her behavior. She knew it was appalling, hand been for the last few weeks, but it seemed so much easier to take her hurt out on the other girl than herself. Lashing out at another person was so much easier than confronting what at coward she had been, a coward not to run back in his arms, call him a liar and demand that he explain himself. No it was easier to hurt others the way she had been hurt.

The footman rattled the china he had just placed in front of her. Probably terrified she'd launch it at some one's head. Not that it would be the first time Rei signed. Still she continued to glare that the woman down the table from her.

Serena frowned taking in Rei's demeanor. She really wasn't in the mood for another fight. This would make the fifth in the week that Darien had been gone. Serena wished that he had taken her, anything to get away. Smiling she reflected on her lover, theses past two weeks had been wonderful. Nights of passions and days for tentive questions, they were carefully exploring each other. Still she thought with a frown, he had yet to ask why she had demanded the wedding be moved up so quickly. He had yet to ask what she had been running from. Part of her thought that he already knew and found no use in asking; signing she returned her attention back to Rei aware that she had kept the raven haired beauty waiting for a length of time.

"I said could you please keep it down, I'm trying to read." Serena answered referring to the earlier clattering of the dishes, as well as holding up the letter in her hand if Rei hadn't noticed.

"Read somewhere else," Rei replied haughtily.

"I will read where I wish as this is my house," Serena could barely keep from growling. But the last two weeks had shown her that loosing her temper with Rei was only adding fuel to the flame.

"You HOUSE!"

The footman rushed forth, clearing the china out of his mistress's way, the household had already gone through three generations of china this week. His actions earned him a glare from only woman and an amused smile from another.

Placing her hands on the table as she stood, Serena replied, "When I married your brother this became my house as well, and I'll thank you to keep you voice lower in MY dining room." Serena couldn't have been more surprised if the sun dropped out of the sky, when Rei turned from the room in a flurry of skirts, officially ending the argument. Sagging in to the chair, Serena picked up the letter. Then disguarding the idea she asked the footman to take Mina's letter to her bedroom. When she wasn't so upset then she'd take the time to read.

Grabbing her shawl that she had placed on the back of the chair, Serena marched for the front door; some fresh hair would do her some good.

$&(&$&()

Diamond slammed his hand down on the table, in his rage it cracked slightly beneath the force at which it was hit. Tossing the newspaper in to the roaring fire, he glared at the banns of marriage between Lord Endymion Silver the Duke of Rosé thorn and Lady Serena Sinclair burned in the embers of the fire.

Blasted whoreson bitch...

He had ruined he plans, she had gone and gotten married all before he had had returned from France and received his rightful succession in to the Sinclair estate. The willful child that taken advantage of the time and had wiggled out from under his grasp. His mouth quirked up in a nasty twist, he had known that she had little like for him. She had shown that clearly the first time they had met. Avoiding him, never leaving her parents side…she had found him distasteful…while he had found her a fruit ripe for plucking. That was after he had gotten rid of her parents. He wanted the title, and the vast Sinclair fortune that came with him.

The thought of the money made the rage build with in him. Her father had named Serena the heiress, and with out her the he was a man with a title and little else. He had needed to marry her, a woman with a profound amount of money.

Rubbing his chin he thought…well if he couldn't have her…he could destroy her…and take something else from that family. If he remembered her godfather had a child about the same age. The two girls had grown up together like cousins, and the other girl was also the sole heiress to a fortune. Perhaps he could persuade her father into an arranged marriage with him. Every father desired a title for their offspring, and he was willing to be that this father was no different.

Now what was the chits name…Lady Mina…Lady Mina Anderson…Daughter of Sir Elroy Anderson.

Flipping through the correspondents on his desk, he smiled at some of the lustrous invitations…surely the esteemed debutante would be several of society's promising events.

($&(&&(

Darien glared at his friend Malachite, slightly irritated with his friend. Putting down the glass of brandy he replied.

"No I didn't bring the wife."

"Why?"

"I've been busy all week, and I wouldn't have had any time to spend with her."

Malachite snorted, "What's the real reason."

"I wanted to deal with Diamond first, seeing as how she came running to me because of him, but he hasn't said anything so I'm going to let sleeping dogs lie."

"Maybe he doesn't know."

"It would be hard to miss, as I've posted banns for the last two weeks, either way he'll find out that she's mine and to leave her alone."

"Protective aren't we?"

"She's my wife."

"You like her don't you, and you didn't expect to," Malachite smiled, he had known from the beginning that Serena would be good for his friend, despite Darien's complaints. But then he had known Serena for a few years, having been good friends with her parents, and the more recently with courting her cousin Mina.

Darien handed him the glass of brandy and rose to leave. The truth was that in the week with out her, he had missed her more than anything, more than he thought he would. He had missed her smiled, her storied, and her in his bed. But he would be going home tomorrow, with that thought he walked out of his club, just happy for the sunset, after all tomorrow he would get to see his beautiful wife.

#$&&$&(&&

Serena entered the manor just as dusk was rolling out and the darkness was taking its place surprised she found the large entrance way in frenzy.

"What's going on?" she asked stopping a young footman name James.

"Milady, your alright, we were so worried about you, it was getting dark, and no one had heard from you since this afternoon."

Serena blushed, and couldn't help but be warmed by their concern.

"Serena!" she heard the sharp voice call. Turning she found Luna rushing toward her, only to scoop her up in the older woman's ample arms. She was "shamed for at least a half an hour" Luna went on about concern.

"What do you have with you?" Artemis asked, noticing the bundle in her arms and effectively cutting off Luna. His expression showed acute distress at listening to the scolding.

"Oh…newspaper. I wandered around the village for a while and met Mrs. Ami Roberts, and her husband."

"Ah…yes the good doctor," he said understandingly. Serena smiled, thanked everyone for their concern, and wandered in to the library to begin her reading.

She had like the young doctor and his wife, please to find Ami heavy with child and almost glowing with pleasure of it all. Her delicate hand spread across her own stomach. Would she feel that way when she was carrying Darien's child? Her heart pulled, and warmth spread through her body, yes she would love a dark haired little boy. One the very image of his father.

Taking out the newspapers she wondered about her emotions to Darien. They had only known each other a few weeks, and yet. She stopped thinking about the matter…it would only give her a headache.

Rei stepped lightly on the hard wood floor, hoping not to wake anyone at such a late hour. Quietly she made her way to the library…a good long book and she could sleep soundly. The first of such a sleep in a fortnight. Frowning she noticed a little coming from beneath the door. Pushing open the large oak door, she found Serena, barely visible as the candle flickered in the plush room. Shaking her slightly she urged her to bed. The gesture wouldn't make up for the last two weeks of arguments…but…perhaps it was a start.

Taking the empty seat Rei picked up the newspaper…date five days ago. Yet still readable. News in the country was hard to come by and until they made their way to London this would have to do. London, doubtful they would be there any time soon, Darien much preferred the country. Just as she preferred the sea. Rei suppressed the urge to cry at the thought…losing him had hurt so much.

Flipping through the pages of the newspaper she stopped noticing a head line.

SHIP LOST AT SEA

Rei swallowed her mouth suddenly dry. She might not be with him…but she wasn't sure she could live with out him for good. Suppressing a sob she scanned the article, but it blurred together after the words. DANCING FIRE