The rest of the night was spent in absolute bliss. You and Lucius couldn't help but make love several more times. Just the knowledge that Lucius had a plan to try and help you get out of your betrothal and to also clear his name was something that had both of your hearts so light and happy that you couldn't help but combine as one again and again because of the joy and freedom you both felt in that moment.

In between your love making sessions, you both ventured back down to the library to sit together by the warm fire, Lucius occasionally picking out a random book or two, mostly poetry, which he would read to you in his comforting, deep voice of his. It was your absolute ideal scenario, being with this gorgeous man, hearing him read to you in the setting of a spectacular library. This was the life you had always dreamed of, and your heart beat in such contentment knowing that it was within your grasp at last.

Too soon though, dawn was beginning to break, as you both noticed the sky turning a lighter grey. You were exhausted, yet completely and purely happy and you didn't want to leave to head back to your family home, which now felt so foreign to you. Lucius' manor truly felt like your home now.

Reluctantly, Lucius bundled you back up in your cloak and kissed you passionately before walking you outside to the carriage which would take you back. Noticing the slight frown on your face, Lucius smiled softly at you and ran his fingers through your hair sweetly.

"Don't worry my love, soon you won't have to leave ever again if you wish. Soon this will be your home…if that's what you want," he said, his silver eyes suddenly holding so much vulnerability in them.

You couldn't help it as your own beautiful eyes slightly watered at hearing his words. Of course you wished it. It's all you wished for now. "It's all I want," you confirmed with him, causing his smile to grow again. "I want you Lucius."

"Oh my darling. I want you too. Only you," he said he brought you into his body to hold you against his warmth as he continued stroking your hair, causing your skin to break out into goosebumps.

After holding each other in perfect contentment, you kissed each other one last time before you got into the carriage so it could take you back, a piece of you already feeling like it had been left behind with Lucius until the next time you saw him again.

As usual as of late, you slept in until about mid-afternoon, catching up on the sleep you missed while you and Lucius had been too busy making love and experiencing pure happiness with each other.

And as usual, your mother barged in at some point, waking you from your contented slumber to pester you and get on your nerves; what she was truly best at.

"Are you still quite unwell?!" She said as she came in to open your curtains and get you up out of bed. "Sleeping in practically every day until the afternoon?"

You couldn't help but grumble something incoherent as you rolled over in your bed and tried to ignore her.

"Don't forget, we have the luncheon today with the other ladies," she tutted as you heard her order one of your ladies maids to start preparing your outfit for the day. "And as for tomorrow, your engagement party, before your wedding next week."

That caused you to open your eyes in terror. You hadn't even realized there'd be an engagement party. This wedding had been put together so quickly by your mother in an effort to get you married off, that you hadn't realized there'd be a formal engagement party as there usually was for most couples of the ton.

"What engagement party?" You mumbled as you finally sat up in bed looking at your mother incredulously.

"Your own, you silly girl," she said as she she looked you over, as if disappointed in your state of dishevelment.

"Obviously," you said, snapping back, "but why? This betrothal is so sudden and last minute. Why even have an engagement party? It's unnecessary."

Your mother pursed her lips, displeased at your apparent attitude towards her plans. "I've been waiting for this for a long time and it's a big moment for our family. Of course we are still having an engagement party…even if the wedding is so soon after."

Your cheeks flushed with slight rage. "Of course it's still about what you want."

Your mother didn't say anything back, perhaps she couldn't think of anything quickly enough to dispute the truth that you had just said, and so you stared back, just as stubborn and unflinching as she. Knowing that you and Lucius now had a plan though, you didn't feel any more need to feel smaller or lesser than your mother, as you usually did in the past.

After a bit of a staring contest, your mother huffed and made her way out of your room mumbling "Just get ready for the luncheon," as she closed your door a bit hard.

Your ladies maid looked at you with slight pity, which in a way you appreciated, and you got out of bed to get ready for the luncheon with the other ladies of the ton.

Having dressed in a sweet pale pink gown that was suitable for an afternoon tea, paired with a matching pink and cream colored parasol, you and your mother headed into town to the local tea room for luncheon with the other ladies of the ton. You and your mother didn't say a word as you walked silently through town, which was fine since your eyes were too busy scanning the bustling streets searching for the platinum head of hair that you adored so much. However you didn't see Lucius. Much like yourself, he was probably catching up on sleep and perhaps he was figuring out the next steps in your plan.

Arriving at your destination, you were at least a bit contented realizing that a lot of your friends would be there, and you'd be able to get a seat away from your mother, and sure enough when you walked in you were instantly beckoned over to a table with your friends, which caused you to feel a bit less stressed about the situation. They were all happy to see you as well, and immediately they went into their daily gossip, something you always listened to and yet never partook in. However you did briefly mention your disdain for your mother under your breath and your displeasure at her for trying to force an engagement party for your awful betrothal to the Viscount. Your friends seemed empathetic for a bit, voicing their displeasure on your behalf, but as it always was, something else distracted them and they quickly moved on to the next piece of gossip.

You weren't disappointed in the fact that they moved on so quickly from your predicament, you were quite used to it, and you were used to being a bit different always from the young ladies of society, but your heart ached for Lucius in that moment, still the only person in the entire world to actually listen to you and try to help make you feel better in any way. Coming to this realization, you couldn't help but smile happily to yourself realizing that not only was Lucius your incredible lover…he was also an amazing friend. Someone who was there for you and listened no matter what, and didn't only care about themselves or the latest gossip. There really wasn't anyone like him and you loved him even more.

In what seemed like the blink of an eye, luncheon was over, and you and your mother walked with the other ladies the long way home through the lovely park, all of you in your dresses and parasols looking like cotton candies walking about. However, despite the gorgeous day and the pastel atmosphere around you, you noticed something. Everyone else in the park, especially the gentlemen seemed to have the daily newspaper in front of them, everyone's eyes so invested in what they were reading on one of the inner pages.

"Are you all noticing this?" You asked your group of friends as you walked on through the park.

"What?" One of your friends asked as she looked around oblivious.

"Everyone's reading the paper. Every man in this park, and practically all of the women seem quite enthralled with whatever they are reading," you said, your curiosity more and more piqued.

Your friends began noticing, and of course, being something that seemed like everyone was reading, your gossipy friends had to know too. Leave it to them to find the nearest gentleman and ask them for his paper.

In no time at all, you and your group of friends had a newspaper in hand and were all crowded around each other under the shade of a large tree as you took in the first few pages.

"Nothing out of the ordinary," said one of your friends as she turned the black and white pages.

"Wait! Stop. Right there!" You said urgently as your eyes immediately caught Lucius Malfoy's name on a headline on page three.

All of your friends breathed in a breath of shock and awe, as did you actually, at seeing the headline.

LUCIUS MALFOY'S RETURN TO SOCIETY

Sure enough it was a news article published for the daily paper, which detailed Lucius' return to society and finally revealing why he had left in the first place. It went into depth about the betrayal from his former wife as well as the divorce in which had been made to kept secret. Printed on the page as well was a copy of the divorce certificate for good measure, with Lucius and his former wife's signature on it, where she admitted to adultery as the reason for the marriage being broken up.

You couldn't believe it. He had actually done it. Surely he had some connection to someone in one of the main newspapers and, being a man of his word, had revealed the reason for his wife's disappearance and his reason for coming back into society.
Your entire body was tingling all over, and your ears were ringing, blocking out everyone around you. You were so proud of your Lucius. You were sure this had been so hard for him, and you wanted nothing more than to be with him right now and hold him. But you couldn't help it as a smile graced your face through all of the emotions swirling around. He was finally free from the dark secret his former wife had burdened him with. And now, it was one step closer to being able to be together, since now his name was no longer sullied.

You were broken out of your trance when your mother and your friends' mothers realized your group had fallen behind and were all circled around something, and they came speed walking over to see what all the fuss was about.

Snatching the paper from your friend's hand, your mother read the article, her eyes going wide as she read it, as well as the other mothers' eyes as well.
"Hmphhh, so he's not a murderer after all," was all your mother had to say as she folded up the paper and motioned for you all to keep moving along.

Despite rolling your eyes at your mother's comment, the smile on your face remained, as your body continued buzzing all over. You couldn't wait to see Lucius that night.

While heading to Lucius' manor that evening, your entire body was still buzzing. You couldn't wait to talk to him about the news that broke this afternoon, and you were sure he had a lot to tell you. You hoped he was happy with his decision and hoped that he wasn't regretting anything. This was a great first step to freedom. For both of you.

When you arrived, your heart felt so light since right as he opened the door to greet you, his face already had a contented smile on it. As if he had been pleased and happy all day with the news being out there.

For a bit you just held each other in the grand entry way of the manor. Unsaid words of happiness and support being felt between you both. Finally though, you pulled back a bit, your hands resting comfortably on his strong chest as you looked up into his gorgeous eyes.
"How do you feel?" You asked him.

"I feel content," he replied, his silver eyes sparkling with happiness. "I feel a freedom I haven't felt since my marriage ended and I had been burdened with that secret."

You reached your hand up to gently stroke his cheek comfortingly, "Good," you softly smiled.

"And how about you my love? How do you feel about it all?" He asked as he began leading you up the stairs and towards his bedroom.

"I feel happy for you most of all Lucius," you said truthfully. "It was quite a scene today at the park. Everyone at once seemed to be reading about it in the papers. You're the talk of the town. But I think everyone is now on your side," you smiled, so happy to realize that fact.
Lucius didn't say anything, but smiled too, as he lead you into his bedroom and pressed you up against the door immediately kissing you with so much fire and passion, you knew he was going to make love to you in mere minutes.

You couldn't help but writhe against him, surrendering yourself to the pleasurable feelings of his lips and his touch, but also the feelings of joy in your heart. There was just one last thing that was standing in the way…the Viscount.

Reluctantly you pulled away from the kiss. "Tomorrow though…" you said, catching your breath. "Tomorrow is my engagement party and I-"

"Shhh," Lucius said with a smirk, his finger coming up to your lips to quiet you. "The plan is in motion my love, however not yet complete. I promise you, I won't allow that Viscount to lay a finger on you."

Butterflies fluttered in your lower stomach at hearing him so protective of you, and the worries that had crept up into your mind, quickly filtered out again. You trusted him utterly and completely, and his confidence in himself and the plan had you feeling confident too. Just another reason you loved this man so much. He always knew how to make you feel better in an instant.

"For now my sweet girl, let us just revel in the joy of today," he said as he leaned back in to resume his ravishing upon your body.

And ravishing he did. All throughout the night he focused on every part of your body, from your lips, to your neck, to your breasts and finally to your core, which was throbbing with need for him.

Over and over he pleasured you, and you him, until you both were gasping for air by the early morning, when the dawn was just beginning to approach. Laying in his bed, the sheets a mess, your bodies glistening with the afterglow of many orgasms, you both sighed out softly knowing that in mere hours, everything would finally fall into place. For once you didn't fear leaving the Manor, not knowing when it would be your last night there. You knew you were destined to be here, with Lucius, always.