Chapter Five

London

"London…what…why…why?" Rei stuttered out in her brother's study.

"I have business to attend to, and I thought it would be nice if the two of you came along."

"But I don't want to." Rei blurted out.

Darien frowned, "Why? The season is a few months away; the two of you can go shopping, and a few casual events that are being held. Besides, you can test the waters before you have your come out."

"Come out?" Rei gasped, tears welling up in her eyes. Her large eyes moving back and forth between Darien and Serena. "Did you know about this?" she asked accusingly. Serena understood how she felt.

"No, I didn't, it's a surprise to me too." Serena said soothingly, hoping to stop the fireworks before they started.

"I don't understand. Why don't you want to go?" Darien asked, confused.

"Because…I…I don't want a come out this year…can't…can't it wait until next year?" Rei hic upped, tears pouring down her face.

"Rei, honey, your ten and eight it's customary for you to have your come out this year." Darien answered, getting up to hold her in his arms. She had been emotional lately, he just didn't understand what was wrong, and she refused to talk to him. "Listen, I have to go to London for a month or two, and I want the two of you to come with me. And before the season you can make your decision if you want to wait until next year. Alright?" he asked, wiping the tears from her face.

Rei nodded, and walked from the room.

Darien signed, turning an annoyed look on Serena, "I just don't understand. What's wrong with her?"

Serena moved from her position on the Victorian chair, to his lap, snuggling deep in to his embrace. "Have you ever considered that maybe she met someone on her travels?" she asked, looking in to his deep eyes. Her husband really was incredibly handsome.

Darien pulled his long fingers, through the ends of her golden hair. He found he like it down, and would have to ask her to leave it this way more often. "No, I guess I really never occurred to me. Why hasn't she mentioned him?" He arched an eyebrow at Serena, having a feeling that she knew more than she was telling. That was fine with him since Rei and her seemed to have a new friendship. Anything to keep dishes from flying in the dinning room.

"He didn't want her."

Darien nodded, really there was nothing more to be said, but perhaps the London pace would be good for Rei, helping her forget her heartache, and find someone new to love her. She deserved a marriage of love anyways, and he wouldn't force her into anything different.

Lifting Serena up, he patted her butt, "Go pack, and please give this list to Artemis of the servants that will be joining us," Kissing her cheek, he watched her walk out the study door.

He felt guilty for not telling her the real reason he wanted to go back to London so soon. Yes, he did have shipping business and a few other items to attend to since Nephrite was gone, but he also had Diamond to deal with. Diamond had petitioned the courts against Serena's inheritance, stating that since he as her guardian had not been present at the wedding and therefore the marriage was not valid.

Darien snorted…Serena was his now, and he would protect her till he died, and he would be damned if Diamond would take her from him.

They arrived in London just short of midnight, and it was well after before they all managed to retire, as the baggage, and night activities keep most up. Serena smiled over her morning coffee as she thought of their love making. She really was turning into a shameless hussy. Her grin got wider.

By mid afternoon, Rei and herself departed the market streets of London, purchases piled up in several of the footman's arms. Serena couldn't help but smile it had been a long time since she had gone shopping for new items, and it really had been a lot of fun…despite Rei's dour expression for most of the day.

"Those colors looked wonderful on you. They will make you stand out, a diamond of the first waters," Serena commented, on the deep reds, purples, and yellows they had picked to compliment Rei.

"Thanks," Rei smiled, a bit, understanding what Serena was trying to do. Taking the peace offering she teased, "Much better than those colors you picked."

Serena snorted, ignoring the gibe. Her skin tones were lighter than Rei's, and much to her surprise the seamstress had suggested colors of ivory, ice blue, and light colors that shimmered when she walked. The colors would make her look ethereal; the seamstress had claimed the raving beauty of London. Inwardly she couldn't help but be a little hopeful; after all she had never been a beauty of anything. A rather plain child…or so many people had commented on…considering her mother was a beautiful woman.

Grabbing Rei's arm she directed them towards the ice water being sold not far from them. It was going to be a wonderful day.

&&()(&&(&

It was a horrible day as far as Diamond was concerned. Lord Silver had already managed to undermine him concerning the petition regarding Serena's inheritance. Slamming his fist down on the wall, he flinched noticing the crack that came in the plaster.

"Careful," a silky voice, came through the door way, turning he found Beryl wagging a finger at him. Most likely chiding him for ruining her wall; for a whore she really was a beautiful woman. Even more important she used to be Lord Silver's mistress, and she would be helpful in destroying the marriage.

Pulling her flush against him he ran his hand through her rich red hair, twisting tightly he forced her to look at him. "When I want advice from a whore, I let you know. Until do what you do best and please me." He sneered.

Beryl pouted, but wasn't disappointed in his attitude; she did like it when he played rough. Dropping to her knees before him, she began to work. Letting out a satisfied moan as she tasted him in her mouth. Two hours later she watched him leave a more relaxed swagger in his gait than before. Please she turned to her bedside table, and noticed a few pieces of paper work.

She smiled to herself, her bright ruby lips kicking up in a devil like smirk. It seemed an old patron was in town. Perhaps it was time to re-establish the relationship; after all he was an excellent lover. Careful and always taking his time…yes she could do for some time under his skillful hands. Moving to her desk, she picked up a pen.

A letter to an old lover…her fingers scrawled elegant script across the parchment.

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

Serena snapped her fan violently in the face of her admirer. The man just couldn't take a hint. She was not interested…she was married. But he had said that didn't matter plenty of married women had affairs. She had said that she was faithful…he had waved it off. Now two parties later…and the man still wouldn't take the hint. Generally trying to ignore the man next to her, her eyes wandered across the ballroom and found her lover; rolling her eyes in an exaggerated way she prayed he would get the hint and come and save her.

He did.

"Lord Seiya, excuse me but I fear I must steal my wife for the next dance," Darien interpreted, grabbing Serena by the arms, and giving little time for Seiya to react. Twirling her on the ballroom floor, he pulled her closer than was necessary.

"Enjoying you?"

Serena shot him a nasty look, "You know better than that," Signing she leaned closer to him. Deciding to ignore the stares they were receiving, "This has been a terrible night, and I would love to leave but it would hurt Mina's feelings." Shifting her head to the bubbling blond off the dance floor.

Darien lead her off the dance floor as the song ended, "I'll be right back, Malachite needs me," kissing her forehead he left her on the side of the buffet. Serena watched him go, an unpleasant feeling settling in her stomach. She had had the feeling all night long…something was wrong. Pushing her golden locks out of her eyes, she made her way through the house that she had known since childhood. Mina was her cousin, even if it wasn't by blood, and the two of them had played in this house for as long as she could remember. Taking the right next to the ballroom she followed the hallway, and took the third door on the left. Sir Elroy's study, the room was dim with somber colors and thick leather bond books lined the walls. Closing the heavy oak door behind her Serena sat on the red leather chair behind the large desk that held the attention in the small room.

Rubbing her temples she tried to concentrate on the feeling that had settled around her since she had entered the town house of the party this evening. Everything had more or less been normal…dancing…food…socialization…dealing with an annoying admirer. But still something nagged at her. Tipping her head back, she ignored the sounds of the musicians not four walls away. Perhaps she was just exhausted from the families time in London, the activities of the last months were beginning to take there toll on her. Yes, that had to be it. Closing her large blue eyes she tried hard to relax.

"Milady, what a pleasant surprise to find you here." A silken voice reached her ears. Serena opened her eyes to find Lord Seiya hovering over her. Gasping she tried to straighten, only to have his hands grab her arms and hold her in the chair.

"Milady," he ignored her struggles, "Serena, you really must take me up on my offer, I fear you don't know what you'll be missing." Leaning forward, he pressed his lips to hers.

Her struggles increased, as she bit down hard on his lips, drawing a vast amount of blood, shocked he drew back, only to be thrown against the opposite wall, by a larger figure. Serena came to her feet, wiping her lips of his taste and blood, Darien stood on the opposite wall, slamming his fist in to Sieya's face. Taken off guard the other man dropped.

"Darien," Serena whispered, stubbing towards him. She wanted nothing more than to be held in his arms. He backed away from her, almost as if she was unclean.

"Not one word," he hissed, taking her arm and leading her to the doors of the townhouse, saying their goodbyes they made there way to the carriage. Serena tripped over her gown when stepping into the carriage; tears blurred her vision as she tried desperately to keep him from seeing how much he had hurt her. He had found her guilty, with no doubt that she had betrayed him, with no questions as to what had happened. Her fate was written across his face. Gone was the tender expression that had been there for her, gone were the soft caresses, and the growing love.

He was the first to break the silence to the carriage, "I believe I made it perfectly clear that you were to remain faithful until you had given me heirs. Not three months into our marriage and I find you with another man," He snapped, throwing open the carriage door as it rolled in front of the house. He left her there, not wanting to hear her excuses, her reasons; he couldn't even look at her anymore. She had betrayed him…and he had thought she never would.

Serena stepped lightly on to the ground as the carriage came to a full stop, following his retreating back she made her way in to the house that they had shared. Turning in the large entry way she made her way to her rooms, to cry herself to sleep that night.