Everlasting Love PG-13
MarshAngel
Watsonma@hotmail.com
http://members.xoom.com/MarshAngel/Mysailormoonhomepage.htm

This is not set at all in the Sailor Moon time line. Most of the characters 
belong to Naoko Takeuchi and any other companies that claim a right to Sailor 
Moon. 

Good heavens! What was it with those blasted females, he thought as he strode 
down the hall with an annoyed expression on his handsome face. What on God's 
green earth made them think they had the right to be late to every event,
as if to torture each and every man forced to wait on them, giggle like silly 
schoolgirls over silly tidbits of conversation, and flirt as if it were their only purpose in life? 
If he had to put up with another one of those ridiculous balls he was going to have to shoot himself, or the closest offending individual. He was tired of silly women falling over themselves trying to get his attention, and making every effort under the sun to try to please him. 
He was still young, he was tall, handsome, in great shape, and he still had all his hair, so why in the world did his parents want him to get married so soon? 
It wasn't like they were going to drop dead anytime soon, so why the big rush for him to marry? If he had it his way he'd stay a bachelor forever, or until he found true love, if such a thing existed; and if it did, forever would probably come first.

**********************************************************

Serena sighed tiredly. All this was so exasperating, not to mention pointless. 
Why couldn't her mother understand that she really didn't care about dressing up in those heavy gowns, ribbons and whatever other frippery that went with being 'a proper lady?' She just couldn't see herself waltzing in a ballroom or even walking gracefully, or in her case tripping over anything and everything in her way. True she was already sixteen years old and most other girls of her age and status were busy with trying to be pretty and getting ready for their introduction to society and declaration of their readiness for marriage, but she had no desire to do any of those things. 
She instead spent most of her time out on the meadow snuggled up to her favorite tree reading yet another of those books she loved so much. When she wasn't reading she was off somewhere riding her favorite horse, Blanca.
She was definitely Daddy's little girl. Her father adored her and had introduced her to riding and everything there was to love in nature. He had even allowed her to ride astride when she was younger instead of the usual sidesaddle that was appropriate for ladies. She still rode astride when no one was watching. He taught her how to appreciate each and every sunset and how to watch the cute little white bunnies that hopped through the backyard, quietly without scaring them off. On the days when it was stormy or wet, he had introduced her to so many different wonders in the world of books. 
When her tutors had come by, they were fascinated with all the knowledge she had retained from everything she had read, and after much begging and pleading she convinced them to teach her everything they had taught her older brother, Andrew. She knew as much, and often much more than many men, especially in matters of history and philosophy.
 She was also quite good in the art of sword fighting, and she handled a rapier better than most men could. Fencing lessons had taken a lot of begging and pleading for her father to come around. Her mother thought it highly improper, but she had long learned to accept and love her daughter's strange behavior. It never ceased to amaze those who knew her, that the same girl who performed the graceful, quick movements required in fencing, could constantly trip and fall over her own feet while performing the simple act of walking down any hallway. 
She was about to open her mouth in protest to the yellow gown her mother and the seamstress had brought in for her to fit, but quickly shut it again when she saw the rebuking look her mother gave her, her piercing blue eyes staring up at her through pale blonde lashes, managing to make Serena feel remarkably even more uncomfortable than she did before. There would be no arguing in this matter. It was rare enough that Lady Graham had bothered to sit in on the fitting as it was. This time she had insisted that if it killed her, her daughter was going to look like a proper lady whether she liked it or not. This was the fifth dress 
Serena had tried on today and she was tired of being pulled and pinned. She wasn't even allowed an opinion in the matter, as her mother insisted on making all the decisions, knowing that if Serena had her way there would be no dresses at all.
Serena's stomach growled loudly, announcing to everyone in the room that it was time for lunch. "Alright Serena," her mother sighed exasperatedly, brushing back a white-blonde strand that had fallen lose and into her face, causing Serena to blush in embarrassment. "We'll take a break for lunch now and continue the fittings later this afternoon." Serena gratefully stepped down from the stool, barely managing not to trip and rip the new gown in the process, and hurriedly changed back into her morning gown and rushed down the stairs and out onto the patio where lunch would be served. She was early, which was normal for her. She was late for just about everything else except her meals.

**********************************************************

"Lord Wyndham, there is a message here for you and it's marked urgent," Darien's butler announced on entrance to Darien's office. "It doesn't sound like good news my lord."
"Anything marked urgent is rarely good news, Jones." He sighed, turned to face the tall white-haired man before him, and accepted the letter, hoping it was nothing serious, but nevertheless feeling a great sense of foreboding. He opened the letter slowly as if attempting to delay the news. He turned away from the large window overlooking the vast meadow that led up to the wide expanse of trees in the distance. The light from the window seemed to mock his mood, which had become darker with the arrival of the letter. 
He pulled the letter from its envelope, opened it, and began to read. Only one line in the short note caught his eye and made sense. 

...I regretfully inform you that your parents' carriage was overturned and both were killed in the accident...He sat down in the leather chair beneath him and stared at the wall refusing himself the release of tears. 

**********************************************************

"Milady, milady," Agatha yelled while running down the hall, the ends of he long skirt in her hands. She almost tripped before she could reach Serena who was just outside the open doors that led to the rose gardens.
"Whatever is the matter, Agatha?" Serena questioned concernedly.
"The Duke is in your father's office," she gasped trying to catch her breath. 
"He wishes to see you immediately. It appears to be very serious. I hope everything's fine."
"I hope so too Agatha."
Serena disliked the man that stood downstairs in her father's office waiting for her appearance, but if he could appear to care about anything, as Agatha had suggested he had looked, then it must be very serious indeed. In her hurry to find out what matter could possibly require the presence of her father's older brother, she had forgotten her attire. After sword practice this morning she hadn't bothered to change her clothing before going out into the gardens and so she rushed into the office in a loose men's shirt and dark breeches. Her long blonde hair had been pulled back into a long loose ponytail that fell down her back to her knees. Her uncle looked down his nose at her in disapproval. His hard angled face would have been remarkably handsome especially in contrast to his silvery hair if he had bothered to replace his permanent frown with even the smallest of smiles. He had always thought his brother and his wife had always been weak with their daughter, but the wisp of a girl with messy blonde hair, dressed in men's clothing standing before him was just proof that they had been far too lenient. For Christ's sake the girl was running wild! That would change however. He'd make sure of it. 
Serena didn't like her uncle much. He was strict and cold, not to mention a complete bore. She had often wondered how he and her father had come from the same family. She put up with him however because he was family and if he was a relative of her father's he must have a soft spot somewhere inside, despite the fact that previous situations pointed in the opposite direction. Most people who knew him disliked him and that was the best they'd say about him. 
"Serena, I'm afraid I have some terrible news," the Duke said in a rather gruff tone. "I'm afraid your parents were in a carriage accident and they were both killed instantly." If he could have been more blunt the maid outside the door couldn't possibly see how. Agatha gasped before covering her mouth realizing she really shouldn't be eavesdropping outside the door. Oh the poor girl! Someone so young and innocent does not deserve this. She could barely believe that any of this was happening.
Serena's face turned a pasty white and her legs collapsed beneath her as she went unconscious. The Duke sighed. He should have expected as much. He was mildly upset with himself for neglecting to prepare for her expected fainting spell. Women could never handle such things. 
He picked her slumped body up from the floor and placed her on the couch before ringing for the maid to bring him some smelling salts. When the maid arrived with the salts he changed his mind and decided to let her sleep off the shock in the comfort of her own bed. With that final thought he brought her upstairs and had her immediately put to bed.

******************************************************************

The carriage rocked gently back and forth as it moved onward to it's destination. It had been a full week since the funeral and Serena was weak and tired. It had been a while since she had sat down to a full meal and she had lost weight and her face had lost its glow to become pale and her eyes sunken. Even in her depressed state of mind and body, she had to admire the beauty of Muncaster Castle, her uncle's home.
Her home at Weston Park was beautiful but was really no comparison to the grand mansion before her. The gardens here were some of the most beautiful she had seen and even though the building itself was quite imposing, the grounds more than made up for the dark, forbidding structure. She remembered the beautiful 
Azaleas and Rhododendrons from visits when she was younger and the Esk River that ran behind the great castle. This might not be so bad after all.
When she was settled in her room that overlooked the river, she stared in the mirror atop her vanity and sighed. This was her home now. With her parent's 
death she was now her uncle's responsibility. She missed her parents so much. 
Her Uncle was so cold and strict. She knew she wouldn't be able to do half the things that she had done at home. Here she would have to follow his rules, however ridiculous they might be. She would not dishonor the memory of her parents.

******************************************************************
The mansion was beautiful. No. It was much more than just beautiful, she thought. It was the ancestral home of her family. She had never visited it before. But it already felt like a gilded cage to her. The house had everything one could ever dream of, except emotion. It was beautifully decorated with much effort and great expense, but there was no human quality anywhere. The place had no personality. 
She again felt the emptiness left by the loss of her parents and the beautiful house that had always been filled with laughter and happiness. The Duke looked up from his dinner at the enormous dining table, at which they sat on opposite ends, and saw her eyes get that far away look that indicated she was again thinking of her parents. His heart seemed to soften a bit and he said to her, "It will take some time, but I'm quite sure you'll be able to and just and think of them with happiness instead of the heartache you feel now.
Serena was startled out of reverie by her uncle's comment. She was grateful for 
the effort he had just made to make her feel comfortable. Maybe the man did have 
a heart. Was that understanding she had seen in his eyes or was she just 
deluding herself? She looked at him curiously and watched as his emotions faded 
and his stern exterior returned.
As soon as dinner ended, her uncle rang for the maid. "I suggest you have some 
rest and tomorrow we shall discuss your life and just where it will go from 
here," The Duke said. 
Serena was amazed how quickly her uncle switched temperaments. She wondered if 
he was always like this.

******************************************************************
Darien stared out at the view of the vast meadows from his bedroom at Thornwood 
Manor. He had spent all day yesterday with lawyers going over his family's 
estate and all his father's holdings. He was reminded of just how much he 
disliked lawyers. It had been rather tiring and he was not looking forward to 
today or any day hence. The death of his parents had 
forced him to assume the title of Lord Westmoreland Duke of Westwood. 
He had been responsible before but now there was so much being placed on his 
shoulders the greatest burden being that of marriage. Now with the death of his 
Father he was 
being pushed to produce an heir to the title and if that weren't reason enough 
for marriage, it was of course one of his parents' last great wish for him to 
marry as soon as possible.

******************************************************************
The new Earl of Lancaster stared out of the window of the French Manor. His face 
was drawn and his eyes held a great deal of pain. He had been completely 
unprepared for the news when it came well over a week and a half late due to bad 
weather on the English coast. His parents were dead and his sister was now a 
ward of his Uncle. 
His parents had been great people. Only two weeks before, he had been sent off 
on his honeymoon to France. He wished he could have been there with his sister 
for the funeral, she was probably in a far worse state than himself. He at least 
had the comfort of his new wife Elizabeth. 

******************************************************************
Darien opened the Invitation and read the text. He had been invited to the home 
of the Duke of Muncaster for a week and half long hunting expedition. Normallyhe 
would never accept such and invitation from anyone especially at this time in 
his life; he had a greatly underdeveloped interest in hunting.
However, being a Duke had its obligations. Besides it was a chance to get away 
from the actual business of being a Duke. His Father had been excellent in 
keeping things in order and now he must do the same. 
He rang for his secretary and a small harried man harried with messy brown hair 
and glasses, rushed into the room books in hand and papers sticking out. He was 
trying his best to get himself in order but only managed to drop a few more 
papers and paint an even more humorous picture of himself.
Darien barely hid a smile as he watched the man, who although they were 
approximately the same age, managed to look more nervous than normal, and thus 
older. 
"Melvin," Darien said, "Please calm down. You're making me nervous."
"Sorry your Grace."
"That's fine. All I wanted was for you to return this invitation with an 
affirmation of my attendance."
******************************************************************
Serena had been living at Muncaster for two weeks and things had not been as she 
had expected. Her uncle had very strict rules regarding her behavior. She was 
not allowed to wear men's clothing or practice her fencing. She had to eat 
dinner with him every evening in the dark forbidding dining room. Many times 
they sat in silence, which over the past few weeks had grown more comfortable 
for her but not by any means more interesting.
She did however have most of the days to her leisure and she spent them 
wandering the beautiful gardens or gazing out over the river. Business and 
whatever else it was he did often occupied her uncle's days. He often spent 
hours locked in his study and no one dared to 
interrupt him. It made her sad the way he lived his life, locked away from the 
world, the warmth and beauty of it never touching his heart.
As much as she enjoyed the beauty of the estate, it left her with a growing 
longing to go riding or practice her fencing skills that she now feared were 
diminished due to her lack of practice. She hoped that the little practice in 
the limited space of her room, that she did after her bedtime was good enough. 
Although she had no sword in her bedroom, she could practice her 
form and stance. She hoped that was good enough.
The only persons she had ever fenced with in her life were her father and her 
older brother Andrew. She thought it unlikely that she would ever make use of 
her abilities but she had always been interested in collecting knowledge.
****************************************************************
Darien walked up slowly, curious as to whom the young man, with ridiculously 
long blonde hair, fencing with an imaginary partner was. The young man, whomever 
he was, was of slight build and had excellent form. At the moment he could 
certainly use a good challenge. He stepped out from behind the tree, and 
announced his presence.
"How would you like a real challenge for a fencing partner, good sir?"
The young man jumped at the sound of the voice, almost dropping his rapier. He 
turned to face the newcomer. "I accept the challenge he said in a feminine 
voice."
Darien was startled to see that the young man before him wasn't a young man at 
all but rather a beautiful young lady, with bright blue eyes and wild golden 
blonde hair. "I'm sorry, I 
didn't realize..."That I was a woman?" she finished for him. "You aren't going to 
back down from your challenge now are you?" 'What in the world,' why am I 
challenging him?' She thought to herself'. Looking directly into his dark blue 
eyes, she felt lost in them. His black hair fell into his eyes and the perplexed 
look on his face only served to make his face even more handsome.
Darien took her bold stare as a challenge. He most certainly hated to lose a 
challenge to a mere girl despite how her hair shone, her pink lips moved, or her 
courageous blue eyes glistened with her inner light. "I would never back down 
from a challenge. I will go easy on you however. I'd hate to harm a lady."
"It's presumptuous of you to assume victory in this fight. I assure you sir, I 
am no weakling." With that she charged him. "En garde!"
******************************************************************
"Why that little chit! Insolent wench!" Darien cursed, unbuttoning his shirt. 
She had actually defeated him. He was humiliated, to say the least. He had been 
beaten by a woman, an incredibly beautiful, sexy woman, but a woman no less.
 It wasn't for a lack of skill that had lost. It was pure luck on her part,based 
solely on the fact that she distracted him. She caused his thoughts to run wild, 
trying to get his mind off how good she looked in the men's black breeches and 
white shirt, she'd been wearing.
******************************************************************
Darien rose early the next morning, dressed and joined the Duke's hunting party. 
He most certainly could have come up with a better way to spend his day. The 
gentlemen's company had been something of a relief from his usual business 
duties he had attended to on his own estate and his offices in London, but he 
found their lack of concern for their businesses somewhat distasteful. His 
opinion was a rather unusual one considering most titled and wealthy gentlemen 
spent their time at leisure.
The conversation had run along the lines he expected, veering towards politics 
and lighter conversations on the subject of women. That however had been the 
most interesting part of the whole event.  The hunt had however, been as he had 
expected, completely boring. It may have been more interesting had he been able 
to keep his mind on the actual hunt. Even the incessant barking of the dogs 
failed to distract his thoughts from the path they had taken. It seemed he 
couldn't get his mind off her. He tried to gain control of his mind but all he 
could think of were her slender legs and flared hips, perfectly accented by the 
breeches she had been wearing and the curve of her breasts when the billowy 
white shirt had been blown by the wind or shifted by her graceful movements.
Who was she anyway? He had never gotten the chance to ask her name. She couldn't 
have been a servant; her speech had been too perfect. But then they hadn't 
spoken that much, so she may have been putting on airs to impress him. She most 
certainly couldn't be a lady. None of the ladies he knew would even dare to put 
on men's clothing and would find it distasteful to exercise in a manner that 
would cause one to sweat as fencing did.  No, she was definitely not a lady.
He found himself wanting to see her again. He denied himself any thought of 
having any interest in her. He simply wanted a rematch and a name. A name would 
be very good.
********************************************************************

Serena sat straight backed facing her vanity as her ladies maid dressed her 
hair. She was trying extremely hard not to fidget but the effort was taking its 
toll and she was becoming increasingly more frustrated. She wished she did not 
have to attend this dinner party. It meant spending the time in the company of 
frivolous ladies whose conversations meant nothing to her as so many of them 
seemed to have few intelligent thoughts in their heads. It also meant she had 
to wear one of the many dresses her uncle had ordered to be made for her not 
long after her arrival at Muncaster. 
She was not comfortable in many of the gowns that had been made for her, not 
because they were physically binding or discomforting, but simply because she 
felt inadequate. She did not feel she did many of the beautiful gowns justice. 
Worst yet, she had the distinct feeling that she would pale in comparison to the 
other ladies invited from neighboring estates. Thinking of the guests who would 
soon arrive caused a sensation in her stomach that reminded her of soft 
plum pudding, a dessert she particularly disliked for its rich taste and soft 
slippery feeling in her mouth.
In her nervousness she began to fidget once more causing Molly, her maid to sigh 
in exasperation as she attempted to pin one of Serena's long curls into the 
upward sweep covered with light curls that was presently in fashion. Serena 
winced as sshe was poked in the scalp by yet another pin. She hoped Molly would 
be done soon, she needed to move to calm herself.
A few moments later Molly was done and Serena was allowed to move finally. Molly 
positively gleamed with pride as she saw her handiwork. Serena looked wonderful. 
Her golden curls were pinned up at the top of her head so they spilled over her 
ears. Nervousness had had a positive result on her pallor by bringing a light 
blush to her cheeks and the pale peach silk gown flattered her creamy skin to 
perfection, and displayed her narrow waist perfectly. 
When Serena saw herself in the mirror however, she saw a nervous child, who was 
a little too thin for good taste and dressed to look like a princess when it was 
plain to her, and would be to everyone else, that she was simply an orphaned 
waif dressed in finery. Her blue eyes reflected an insecurity that once would 
never have graced her normally happy and confident face. She bit her lips 
causing blood to rise in them making them more swollen and pinker than usual. 
Sighing, she resolved to make her way down the staircase and into the 
drawing room where her uncle was expecting her. He would not tolerate lateness 
from her so she was making an effort to be on time.
*******************************************************************
Darien made his way down the main stairs of Muncaster. As he went he admired the 
beautiful tiles beneath his feet and the intricate designs in the black metal of 
the banisters. As he came to the landing he noted a beautiful Roman-style statue 
of a woman carrying water. Making his way to the drawing room he noted once 
again as he had when he had first arrived, the cold beauty of Muncaster.
As he walked into the wood paneled drawing room he greeted some of the other 
gentlemen who had also gathered there to talk before dinner began. There were a 
few ladies, one, or two of whom he recognized. First there was Lady Dermont and 
her daughter who lived on the nearest neighboring estate. Her husband was a 
wealthy squire, with whom he had hunted the day before.   Their daughter Mina 
was very beautiful and an incessant flirt. On many other young ladies it would 
have been a somewhat annoying trait, but as she was engaged to the equally 
playful Lord Jason Whittaker, a young Earl, many thought it a somewhat endearing 
quality. 
Lady Rachel Harrison was also there; her beautiful black hair piled high on her 
head. He had known her rather well before she had married Lord Harrison of 
Mondale. Mondale was a selfish bastard, but knowing Rachel she probably had him 
completely under her control. She 
seemed comfortable in the atmosphere of mostly men, and her beauty shone, her 
mysteriously compelling violet eyes catching his across the room. 
He was making his way over to her when he saw a beautiful delicate-looking 
blonde in peach silk, and beautiful curls framing her face enter the room. She 
looked slightly familiar but he couldn't really place her face. She seemed like 
so many other ladies he'd seen, delicate, demure, and seemingly perfect in every 
way. He knew better however. If he had ever met the perfect female he would 
already be married. He was beginning to think she did not exist. He turned his 
attention back to Rachel and made his way across the room to meet her.
"Lady Harrison, it's a pleasure to see you again," Darien said as he kissed her 
gloved hand.
"Surely My Lord," she said stressing the address, "you know better than to 
address me so formally."
"I beg your pardon Rachel. Please try not to remind me that I am the new Duke. 
It reminds me I have work to do that I'm neglecting for this hunting 
expedition."
"Forgive me Darien. You're not enjoying your stay then?"
"Not entirely."
"I can see why." She said glancing surreptitiously around the room beneath her 
smoky lashes. "The company isn't particularly engaging. Were I a gentlemen I'd 
be easily bored by many of these men."
"It seems to me they already bore you without adding to yourself the burden of 
masculinity."
She smiled gently at his comment, a sweet slightly seductive smile, and one that 
reminded him why he'd stolen a kiss from her when he was only fourteen. "You're 
absolutely right."
Darien glanced around the room again. His thought once more drifted to the wild 
young woman he'd met. He hadn't seen any sign of her since. Her company would be 
a welcome change to the usual boring chatter he had to endure. He'd even let her 
beat him again if he could escape this dinner. Meanwhile however, there was a 
beautiful woman before him who he knew very well.
******************************************************************
Serena made her way nervously into the room. Most of the men and ladies were 
strangers to her, as she had never had the chance to meet them when her parents 
were alive. She hoped she wouldn't make any grave mistakes. Her lessons in 
perfecting her knowledge of etiquette would not be until next week. She could 
only hope she didn't say the wrong thing or trip over her skirts.
She found herself feeling a sense of relief as her uncle walked over to her and 
took her arm. He led her towards a group of people conversing in one of the 
corners of the drawing room. He intended to introduce her. As they made their 
way to the group he spoke a few words to her that may have been meant to allay 
her nervousness but failed to do so. 
"You're on time. That's good. You look like a lady." 
"Thank you Uncle," Serena replied politely but said little else. It was going to 
be a long night.
Glancing around the room she saw one face she did recognize. It was that same 
gentleman with whom she'd been fencing. She hadn't seen him since even though 
she kept hoping she'd run into him and yet at the same time feared she'd have 
anything to say. Worse yet she feared the wildness within her which she hid well 
for the benefit of her uncle would come through as it had when he'd challenged 
her that day. In just the few moments she'd fenced with him he'd immediately 
stirred feelings in her that made her both nervous and angry for reasons she 
couldn't explain.She hadn't even considered the idea that he'd be here. She must 
avoid meeting him at all costs. 
If he exposed her disobedience to her uncle she'd be in a lot of trouble.
She became even more nervous than she had been. She had recognized him but would 
he recognize her? If forced to converse with him would he bring up the fact that 
she had challenged him to fencing while she was dressed in men's clothing, a 
direct disobedience to her uncle's wishes? This evening could turn out to be a 
disaster and she hadn't even tripped over anything yet.
After polite introductions to a few of her uncles friends, and the appropriate 
conversations concerning the weather, her uncle led her towards yet another 
group of people, this one younger than the others. In her direct line of sight 
was an absolutely beautiful woman. She had dark hair and smoky lashes and even 
from across the room noticeably blue-violet eyes that seemed equally mysterious 
and seductive. She exuded and air of confidence and sophistication that made 
Serena feel like a child despite the fact that she knew the young lady couldn't 
have been that much older than her.
As her uncle led her to join the group she realized to her dismay, that the tall 
dark-haired man whose back had been turned towards her was the same man whom she 
had hoped to avoid. 
There was no possibility of escape as her uncle began the introductions to Lady 
Harrison and her Husband Lord Anthony Harrison, Count of Mondale who had just 
joined the group. The way Lord Harrison looked up at her as he pressed his wet 
lips to the back of her hand made her nervous and slightly disgusted. His wife 
Rachel gave her an understanding look. She pulled her hand away as quickly as 
civility allowed and moved on to the next two people. 
She was then introduced to Mina Dermont and her fiancé Lord Jason Whittaker a 
handsome young earl who reminded Serena of her older brother Andrew who would 
arrive in less than a week. Serena took and instant liking to Mina who seemed an 
unlikely but good friend of Rachel whom Serena also liked. She then turned to 
face the moment she'd been dreading.
"Serena I'd like you to meet Darien Wyndham Lord Westmoreland, Duke of 
Westwood," her uncle said."
Serena curtsied slightly as Darien took her hand firmly and pressed his warm 
lips to it. He held it tighter as he felt it shake slightly as a result of her 
nervousness. 
"My Lord," she said demurely as was expected of her.
Darien smiled slightly, teasing her with the look in his eyes, showing her he 
recognized her. He had recognized her bright blue eyes, as soon as she was close 
enough for him to see her in detail. He was both surprised and amused. So the 
insolent little brat was a lady after all, or appeared to be one. 
Instead of increasing her nervousness as he had expected by showing her he 
recognized her, he saw her eyes light up like a sudden flare in a furnace. She 
was angry that he knew who she was and she knew he would tease her for it. The 
fire in her eyes made her appear more confident and it didn't go unrecognized by 
Rachel who raised a perfect eyebrow at Darien intrigued by the effect he had on 
the girl before him. Most women swooned and flirted endlessly in Darien's 
presence, this one seemed to be angry at the very sight of him. What could he 
possibly have done to this innocent young girl?
Darien simply smiled back at Rachel, puzzling her greatly. His mood seemed to 
have vastly improved since the arrival of the Duke's niece. She was a beautiful 
young girl, but she didn't seem to be Darien's type. She was too petite, too 
cute, and too perfect. 
All through dinner Serena avoided meeting Darien's line of sight. It was a hard 
job as he was seated directly across from her. Every time she looked up there he 
was, teasing her with his deep blue eyes without saying a single word. It was 
definitely going to be a long evening.
******************************
Darien walked through the gardens closest to the Esk River in the back of the 
large mansion. He admired the beauty of the wild roses and the sound of the 
birds in the morning. The entire world was so alive at this time of day.
As he walked closely to a patch overgrown with shrubs and a few trees he thought 
he heard something. He listened more closely. It sounded like a woman humming. 
Maybe one of the maids was out doing something.
He parted the trees to get a better look at the mystery woman. He recognized her 
immediately. Now what was she doing? He watched from behind some bushes as the 
young girl stepped from behind the bushes by the river, revealing she was 
wearing nothing but her chemise. Good heavens, for all intents and purposes she 
was practically nude! He watched as she walked down to the bank of the river and 
stepped down into the water. She was going for a swim. She was definitely not 
like anyone else he had ever known.
Serena stepped up on the embankment and retrieved her towel. It had been 
wonderful taking a bath in the river. It gave her a sense of freedom from the 
restraint, with which she had to act, in the presence of her uncle. Looking up 
she saw a dark figure and screamed.
 "What are you doing here!" 
He seemed to be examining her with a sly, mischievous grin on his handsome 
features. He seemed highly amused at her state of undress. She wrapped the large 
towel more tightly around her, only succeeding in making the outline of her body 
far more obvious. Her entire body was flushed red with embarrassment at being 
caught in such a compromising situation.
"Have you no honor your Grace, walking in on a lady during her bath?"
"With regards to this particular situation, it is not my honor that is in 
question. Besides, are you a lady? I have no proof of such a thing. Most ladies 
I know do not bathe in rivers."
Her face turned an even brighter red with indignation and further embarrassment. 
How dare he question her as to whether she was a lady or not?
"Are that many ladies willing to subject themselves to the torture of your 
company, that you can make such a judgement your grace? I am not most ladies, if 
by your definition of a lady you mean frivolous fools who would fawn over you."
"Those ladies to which you refer have good sense, not only to know which 
gentleman is worthy of their attentions but they have better sense than to bathe 
in a river and then act surprised at being caught. You are quite correct you are 
not most ladies. You are most definitely unlike any lady I have ever had the 
displeasure of meeting."
She restrained herself from walking up to him and punching him right in one of 
his perfect, beautiful blue eyes. See what those prissy ladies would think then. 
With her luck they'd pity him and give him even more of their attention.
She restrained herself and said, " Your Grace, I do believe you've embarrassed 
me quite enough, do you suppose you could take your leave that I may remedy my 
state of undress?"
Moving towards her he said, "Why correct that which nature has ordained 
natural?"
"Your Grace?" She was both confused and nervous. He was less than five feet away 
from her now. What would her mother have said? She was naked and alone with and 
unbelievably handsome duke. This could be trouble."What are you doing your 
Grace? 
"I am not in the habit of ignoring, beautiful, wet, naked ladies," he said still 
moving towards her. He was right in front of her now.
"Now would be a good time to start," she barely whispered, staring nervously up 
at him. He stared down at her and raised a finger to her chin, forcing her head 
backwards. He leaned his head down to meet hers and kissed her on the lips.
Her knees weakened and she just about fell into him deepening the kiss. She 
wanted to pull away she really did but she just didn't seem to have the 
strength.
******************************************************************
For the first time in days Serena's mind wasn't dwelling on the moment Darien 
had kissed her. She had been upset for a while after the first time, when he'd 
kissed and left her standing in her towel. That time wasn't the last time. The 
intolerable bastard had had the gall to kiss her again when he'd seen her in the 
rose gardens and once again they had argued before he'd pressed his lips to hers 
and simply walked away. 
Today however, was a beautiful day and the sun shone brightly down through the 
large windows of the drawing room. The flowers in the garden were more beautiful 
and more fragrant than ever, the grass greener and the company couldn't be moree 
exhaustingly boring. Serena sighed inaudibly and remembered to straighten her 
back. 
Why was she stuck in this stuffy mansion, on a beautiful day, learning 
etiquette, and various other lessons for her season in London? What she wouldn't 
give to be out riding her horse over the meadows, astride with the wind in her 
hair. She sighed again, this time a little more loudly.
"Young lady, am I boring you?" the tiny gray-haired lady asked in a stern voice.
"No, of course not Madame Saint Andre."
"Bon! Your next lesson I believe is ballroom dancing?"
Serena almost burst out laughing at the thought of dancing with this little old 
lady. She soon stopped laughing when moments later she was tripping over her 
feet trying to keep pace with the surprisingly fleet-footed old lady.
"Please, please Madame Saint Andre, can we please stop for a while?"
"Alright then. I can see you need more lessons in this activity."
Serena plopped herself down on the couch. 'These ridiculous lessons are driving 
me out of my mind!'  
Just then her uncle walked in and looking over the situation asked, "Are the 
lessons going well Madame Saint Andre?" He glanced over at Serena on the couch 
and she immediately straightened up trying to appear studious and lady-like.
"Well your Grace, she has done passably on everything else but she is quite 
clumsy on the ballroom floor."
"Maybe she needs a more skilled partner," a new and familiar voice suggested.
Serena resisted the urge to sink down into the couch. This was too embarrassing. 
"A wonderful idea, your Grace," Madame Saint Andre tittered," Addressing Darien 
as he entered the room."
In long strides Darien walked over to the couch on which Serena sat. He put his 
hand out for her to take, with a slight bow and a "milady."
Serena accepted his hand, managing to hide her annoyance but not her 
embarrassment, as her face flushed bright red. Darien put a firm hand on her 
waist and held her and held her other small soft hand in his large one. The 
unknown woman at the piano began playing, and he led her over the floor. 
Amazingly enough she managed not to trip over anything.
"Was it really necessary to embarrass me in such a manner you Grace?" she 
whispered just loud enough for him to hear.
"What manner would that be? My name is Darien."
"Yes your Grace. So it is. And as to the manner, my uncle did not need a 
demonstration of my lack of talent."
"I meant for you to call me Darien and you're dancing just fine. I can't see 
what the problem was."
She could find nothing to say to this, as he was quite right. So far she hadbeen 
dancing beautifully never once tripping over anything real or imaginary.
"I must remember this moment," he whispered to her.
"Why is that?"
"I believe it is the first time I've ever managed to leave you speechless."
*************
Serena couldn't believe the day was here already. Tonight she would be making 
her debut at Almack's in London. The fall season would be a flurry of activity. 
She was a little excited and very nervous.
Things had been going rather well after her Uncle's week long hunting expedition 
was over and all the gentlemen had returned to their homes including the 
bothersome Duke Westmoreland. She refused to admit it herself that she enjoyed 
kissing him by the river or that she had been a little disappointed when he had 
stopped and simply walked away leaving her standing by the river clutching her 
wet towel and shivering from more than the chill of the water on her skin. 
She'd managed to get her mind off him when her brother had arrived with his wife 
Elizabeth whom she already loved dearly like a sister. They had comforted each 
other and talked of the upcoming time in London. She had wanted to stay with 
them in London but her uncle insisted she have a more appropriate chaperone and 
that she stay with him. As he was her legal guardian there would be no arguments 
to the contrary. 
So here she was under the vigilant eyes of Madame Saint Andre who looked as 
though she were about to doze off with her embroidery in her hand. Serena 
wondered how the woman could possibly sleep through her horrible banging on the 
pianoforte in the drawing room. 
Madame had insisted she practice however, so she had spent the morning pounding 
out the notes incorrectly forcing the staff to close the double doors and run 
for the safety of their hearing.
As she grew bored with playing. She got up and walked over to the large picture 
window, looking out over the ladies and gentlemen passing by with their parasol 
and canes, some with their purchases others simply walking leisurely seemingly 
without a care in the world. She had once found herself wandering through her 
uncle's library in search of something interesting to read. Madame had of course 
wandered in a few moments later discouraging her 
from 'silly undertakings unbecoming of a lady.' 
Those were the moments when she most wished things could be as they once were. 
When her parents were alive she didn't have to worry about what proper society 
thought of her. 
She'd never had to face them. Her parents had always protected her from the 
harsh rules surrounding appropriate male and female behavior, allowing her to do 
as she pleased. But then she had been a child. It wasn't really so long ago but 
it felt a world away when she had been carefree. Now all her days seemed to be 
centered on looking and behaving the right way to attract an agreeable suitor. 
She didn't see any reason for her to be getting married so soon, but she was 
supposed to be an obedient girl so she did as her uncle wished. 
She only hoped she could be as lucky as Elizabeth had been with her brother. 
Very few people married for love as her brother had but she wished the same for 
herself however unlikely it would be. She hated being subjected to the will of 
others. If he so wished, her uncle could 
simply choose a husband for her and she would have no say in the matter. If she 
could not find and agreeable match chances were her uncle would do just that.
*********
"Serena walked into Almack's on her Uncle's arm. He steadied her arm as they 
walked down the stairs. She was nervous and very afraid she would make some 
horrible mistake and embarrass herself and her uncle. As they came to the bottom 
of the stairs where her uncle would leave her in the company of Madame Saint 
Andre, her uncle turned to her and shocked her out of her nervousness by kissing 
her on the cheek.
"If I ever had a daughter, I'd hope she would be as beautiful as you look right 
now. There is absolutely no reason for you to be nervous. Even though some of 
those older women are vicious crones and vipers, there is no reason why anyone 
here shouldn't adore you." He squeezed her hand to reassure her and left a very 
shocked Serena staring at the back of his black tuxedo as he disappeared into 
the crowd. 
"Well don't just stand there young lady, walk this way before people begin 
thinking you don't have a brain in your head," Madame screeched at her. Serena 
smiled and followed her. She hoped to soon escape the old lady's company.
The rest of the evening found Serena chatting with Lady Rachel, who had shown up 
without her husband who she presumed drunk and in gambling debt at the 
gentleman's club, and Mina who flirted away while smiling at her fiancée across 
the room. Serena found herself enjoying the evening. She'd met some of Mina's 
and Rachel's friends, Ami and coincidentally her sister-in-law Elizabeth, whom 
everyone had called Lita since she was a child. Lita shared the same wild heart 
Serena hid. 
She had her share of dances with handsome young gentlemen many of whom were 
fascinated with her intelligence and wit that she demonstrated as she grew more 
comfortable. In fact she was surrounded by a few young men, laughing and 
enjoying the conversation, when Darien came up behind her and whispered in her 
ear in a mildly intimate gesture that surprised her and everyone around her. It 
especially surprised many of the women who were not only surprised at his 
attendance and more importantly his interest in the young Lady Graham. 
Darien swept her out unto the dance floor before she could answer the request 
he'd whispered in her ear. "It seems you already have a fan club. Whatever would 
those fops think if they could see you swimming in the river Esk?"
"You seem to have a fan club yourself," Serena said glancing around the room, 
while purposefully avoiding the jealous eyes of some of the young women staring 
at them. "Why are you here? From what I've heard men like you don't usually 
attend these events. 
Darien raised an eyebrow. "Just who are men like me?" Serena was at a loss for 
an answer. Quite frankly she had never met another man like him. He exuded a 
power and sensuality that drew her to him in such a way it was positively 
demonic. She could easily see him as the devil; dark, dangerous and seductive 
she could see herself committing sinful acts because of him.
She had drifted off in her thoughts of Darien as the devil. "You are the devil," 
she whispered to herself not realizing she'd said it out loud with a smile on 
her lips.
"Darien smirked. He'd been watching her face expecting one of her witty answers. 
Instead she had drifted off before she whispered the words that had him dubbed 
as the Lord of Hell and all things sinful.
"I already have a title Lady Graham and Lord of Hell is not it, although it 
could have its benefits. Maybe I could induce you to commit sinful wanton acts."
Serena's face turned bright red as she realized that she had spoken the words 
out loud. 
She then realized what he'd said to her. "You definitely are a demon from hell. 
Maybe you should return to the sulfur pits of your home." She turned out of his 
arms and left him on the dance floor smiling. 
She could feel eyes watching her as she left the dance floor and headed out onto 
one of the balconies that led down to the gardens. They probably thought she was 
out of her mind. 
What single female in her right mind would leave the Duke of Westwood standing 
in the middle of the dance floor when he had chosen her out of all the women to 
dance with? That in itself was an honor many women would swoon over. 
Why did he go out of his way to infuriate her? One moment he made her heart skip 
a beat with his gorgeous eyes and shiny black hair, not to mention the handsome 
figure he posed in his tuxedo. The next moment he would make her so mad she felt 
she would explode. 
She considered this to herself and was halfway through the gardens before she 
realized she wasn't really angry, or the least bit infuriated. In fact the whole 
thing was rather amusing. 
She had to admit he was devilishly handsome, intelligent, and a match for her in 
almost every way. Most importantly she was beginning to realize she was 
completely fascinated with everything about him and utterly in love.
Was it possible for it to happen in such a short time? They'd never even had a 
real conversation. Every time they met it was a battle. 
What difference would it make anyway? He wouldn't love her anyway. She was just 
a gangly little girl, barely a woman. All the women he knew were probably just 
like Rachel, beautiful, sophisticated, and very knowledgeable in the ways of 
men.
 It'd be best if she forgot him and moved on. A frown played on her delicate 
features as she stood next to a small Lily pond, frozen in thought. Her thoughts 
were so intense she didn't hear someone come up behind her until they were 
breathing on her neck. She was so frightened she tried to turn around too fast 
and fell backwards into the pond.
She let out a squeal as the cold water splashed all around her soaking her 
clothes and her hair. Her curls were plastered to her head as she sat up, her 
blue silk gown completely 
soaked through. Darien couldn't help laughing. His deep laugh echoed through the 
garden. She looked like a shocked porcelain doll. Her expression was priceless. 
"You really have something for water don't you?" He teased her.
Serena's expression was quickly turning from shocked to enraged. How dare he 
laugh at her?
"I knew you weren't a gentleman," she said icily. "A real gentleman would have 
helped me up by now instead of standing there like a nit wit laughing at my 
misfortune."
Darien finally got around to his senses and reached out a hand to her to help 
her out of the pond. She grabbed hold of his hand but instead of using it to 
pull herself up she used all her strength and pulled hard on his arm, sending 
him off balance flying into the pond himself. Before he could recover from the 
surprise, she helped herself up and stepped out of the pond leaving 
him lying in the water, completely soaked from head to toe. "Let's see how you 
enjoy it! She snapped at him. She turned her back and strode away 
not quite sure where she was going. She found herself heading towards the main 
building. A hand grabbed her arm and twisted her around. 
"Just where do you think you're going?" Darien asked her impatiently.
"That's none of your business."
"Well I could let you go back inside and embarrass yourself. You do realize you 
are soaking wet," he said glancing her over not missing the way the wet silk 
clung to her body now that it was wet. If he didn't stop staring he was going to 
pull her close to him and he might not let go. 
"And just what do you suggest I do?" she snapped back impatiently, realizing he 
was right. She couldn't go back inside like this. She would embarrass herself 
and her uncle in front of the entire ton. 
"Her anger only turned up the heat. He wanted her now more than ever. He didn't 
say anything else to her he simply pulled her closer to him and kissed he 
passionately. Serena was shocked to say the least, not that she wasn't enjoying 
the moment. His behavior was so confusing. One moment he was teasing her 
mercilessly, the next he was kissing her passionately. 
The last time he'd kissed her he'd just smiled at her and then turned around and 
walked away leaving her with her mouth hanging open in shock.
When he paused for air she questioned him. "Why do you kiss me when I'm angry 
with you?"
"To shut you up," he said huskily and then kissed her again, his hand trailing 
the curve of her hips and her waist to her breast. 
"Ahhem," a deep voice said
"Oh dear!" a high pitched woman's voice squeaked.
Serena and Darien broke of their passionate kiss and turned to face the couple 
to whom the voices belonged. There were also three other people, two older 
women, and an old gentleman behind them. 
"Isn't that the Duke of Muncaster's niece?" one of the ladies whispered audibly 
to the other.
"I knew the moment I saw her she wasn't at all a wholesome girl."
Serena's face flushed bright red, embarrassed to be caught in such a 
compromising situation. 
**********

Serena sat in her room wondering just what would be done. Her eyes were bright 
red from crying. Her embarrassment had become quite public when those awful old 
ladies had spread horrible gossip about her 'loose' behavior in the garden with 
the Duke of Westwood. 
Her uncle had been positively livid, especially when he'd seen the state of her 
gown. Darien had conveniently disappeared. 
Her uncle hadn't said one word to her since they had arrived home last night. 
She hadn't left her room since then. She did not want to face him. One of the 
maids had came up to tell her that her brother had stopped by but she would not 
go downstairs. She was an embarrassment to her entire family and it was all Lord 
Wyndham's fault. At least that's what she had been trying to convince herself of 
all morning. Unfortunately it wasn't working in the least.
She had enjoyed the way he'd touched her, his kisses, everything about him. She 
didn't feel the least bit guilty about what she had supposedly done, as much as 
she regretted the embarrassment it had caused her family. All her life she'd 
been an embarrassment. Why must she always be so different? 
She heard a gentle knock on the door and uttered a week response to come inside 
to whoever it was. Melissa the young maid came in and told her nervously that 
her uncle was awaiting her in his study, if she could please join him there for 
a discussion. Serena nodded politely and dismissed the young girl.  
***************************************************************

Serena took each slowly, trailing her hand along the mahogany banister. She 
dreaded every step that brought her closer to the entrance of her uncle's study. 
She feared he would toss her out on the street, but more than that she was 
afraid because she had no idea just what he would do to her. Thinking about it 
made her hand shake from nervousness.
She walked up to the imposing dark door that would reveal her future and raised 
a shaky arm. She rapped gently on the door and composed herself as best she 
could.
"Come in Serena," her uncle's voice called.
Serena opened the door and walked into the room. Her uncle stood facing the 
windows with his back turned to her.
"Sit down Serena." She obeyed him and sat nervously into the chair, smoothing 
the creases of her skirt but finding her palms sweaty, she stopped.
"I'm very disappointed in you. I had hoped you knew better than that. You 
embarrassed yourself and this family." 
Serena chose this moment to put in a word for herself. "But I didn't do 
anything."
"Serena," her uncle sighed her name and turned to face her, "Serena, you were 
seen by those two gossiping hags kissing the Duke of Westwood while soaking wet. 
It doesn't matter if in your eyes it was innocent, by the time those hags are 
done with your name, they'll have you as his mistress."
Serena was shocked by her Uncle's speech. He seemed so nonchalant about the 
idea. 
In fact he seemed to care more about her reputation than anything she might have 
done with Darien. He was right of course.  The two widows Lady Stimson and Lady 
Rhodham were horrible gossips. But she couldn't hide her surprise at her Uncle's 
reaction.
"Serena, since you've come to live here you've become in many ways like a 
daughter to me.  I know I haven't exactly treated you like a daughter, but I 
guess I was afraid to get close to you, I was afraid I might lose you too. You 
see I once had a daughter." His face was empty but his eyes seemed pained. He 
turned his back to her once more so she wouldn't see his face as he spoke.
"Not long before you were born I was married to a beautiful woman, her name was 
Melissa. We were very happy. We had a daughter, Helen; she was such a beautiful 
little girl. 
When she was only four, she and her mother were returning from a shopping trip 
in Paris where they also visited Melissa's aunt. There was a horrible storm in 
the channel, and their ship was destroyed. You remind me so much of Helen. So 
bright-eyed. You're so alive; especially when you don't think I can see you 
practicing with that sword.  
Serena was so surprised at all this. Her uncle did have a heart after all. She 
felt guilty for all those times she had thought badly of him. 
"Serena, this is not what I had wanted for you. I had hoped you would have been 
able to make the choice as to whom you would marry on your  own. Your season is 
now over however, because of this incident, and you'll have to return in the 
fall as a married woman."
"'What?" Serena was completely shocked by this news. Surely there was another 
way to do this than to give her away to the first man who offered.
 "But, Uncle you can't do this to me. Who am I to marry? No one has offered as 
yet.
"Serena, don't be naïve.  You must marry the one who disgraced you and he knows 
it just as well as you do. I'm sorry it has come to this but it must be done. I 
won't have your reputation ruined. It's what is best for you."
**********************
Serena had sat in the chair in shock as her uncle strode out of the room 
determined not to hear any arguments from her. She couldn't believe it. Her 
uncle was actually forcing her to marry.
More shocking he would force her to marry Darien Wyndham, a man she was now 
completely in love with but whom she knew had no love for her. It was true he 
seemed to want her, but that meant nothing. He lusted after her but he didn't 
love her, not in the same manner she loved him. 
She didn't know if she could survive a marriage with a man who might never 
return her love. Her parents had found love, her brother had too, and even her 
uncle had had it at one 
time, she shouldn't have to marry without it. Outside of her family anyone 
elsewould have thought her naïve and idealistic. Most marriages weren't based on 
love but rather money and status. 
Serena had hoped all her life she would never be trapped in a loveless marriage. 
She knew many men kept their mistresses after their marriage but she didn't know 
if she could put up with sharing the man she loved with another woman.
 *********

Serena's eyes were dry the next morning but her mod was dark. The bright 
sunlight and chirping birds, unusual for London mocked her very mood. She had 
cried herself to sleep the previous night and she was now lacking in tears or 
emotional expression. 
She didn't blame her uncle for this situation. Her mind had moved on to other 
matters. She now wondered if she would be as upset if in three days she would be 
marrying a stranger. Had she been in the position to marry a man she didn't love 
she would have been in far less despair. At least in such a situation the 
emotional lines would be very clear between them.
Instead, she was marrying a man she loved but who did not love her, a man who 
was just absolutely infuriating because of her inability to guess what he would 
do next. He would probably detest her for forcing him into a situation where her 
had marry a woman he hadn't chosen himself simply to save her honor.
She was almost hoping he'd refuse. She knew better than that however. Whatever 
she had to say about him, he was after all a gentleman.  He wouldn't leave her 
in disgrace. He'd marry her, but he wouldn't love her, no matter how much love 
she felt for him.

Darien sat at his desk attempting to focus on the writing before him. He really 
had no need to be doing any work at the moment especially when he had to be 
concentrating so hard to get anything done. In two days he'd marrying Serena. He 
had for a moment entertained the thought that she had trapped him into marrying 
her but was embarrassed at thinking so when he realized she had never once made 
any advances or suggestions towards him. If anything she constantly insulted and 
snapped at him. Any advances between them were completely initiated by him.
"Jut my God damn luck to saddle myself with a bride who'll probably hate me."  
That was highly unfortunate since she was quite pretty. He thought her 
especially adorable when she was busy snapping at him and her cheeks turned 
bright red and her eyes a bright warm blue. 
It was too bad that he'd probably never get close enough to his wiffe-to-be in 
order to show her just how intriguing she was. His thoughts were so distracted 
by her he was having a hard time writing
"So," Darien's butler began, "The Duke of Muncaster is forcing you to do the 
honorable thing and marry his niece."
Darien didn't look up from his writing.  "No one's forcing me to a damn thing I 
don't want to."
"So you are saying you want to marry the young lady then," your grace?"
"I haven't said an such thing," Darien said tonelessly, continuing to focus on 
his writing. 
"Well it certainly solves the problem of having to find a wife."
Darien looked up and glared at his butler. "What the hell makes you think I had 
a problem finding a wife?"
"I didn't mean..."
	"Oh forget it," Darien snapped and mumbled something about being insulted 
in his own home. "Bring the carriage around. I'm leaving." As he strode out to 
the front hall, he realized he didn't have any idea where he was planning to go.

Darien got into the carriage and ordering the driver to a street he'd been 
hoping to avoid today. As the carriage rattled on, he found himself wrapped up 
in a dozen thoughts going through his head. He still hadn't quite grasped the 
fact that he'd soon be married and there was the disturbing fact that it didn't 
seem to bother him. 
Granted, he had been planning on finding himself a wife, he just hadn't expected 
to find one so soon or in such a round about manner. But the idea seemed to rest 
well in his mind and unlike many of his friends he did not find it at all 
disturbing to be "tied down", as they'd say.
The fact that he was taking this well meant little in terms of the grandpicture. 
He doubted his bride to be was taking as well as he was. No doubt she was 
probably angry and depressed. He found himself wondering just why he knew 
emotions so well. He was even more curious as to why she would be depressed, she 
was about to marry a Duke and be a wife. 
Wasn't that what all women wanted? But he knew that her emotions were in turmoil 
almost as if they were his own. 
He knew her pride was hurting. In such a short while he came to know her so 
well. It was strange to him how he understood her but was confused by her. No 
woman had ever refused him and yet here was this girl, barely a woman, defiant 
and proud. She didn't seem to care what title he held, how handsome he was, or 
what a skilled lover he was supposed to be. She wanted things on her own terms 
and under her control.
She was certainly very contradictory. She seemed such a wild cat at times and 
yet that glimpse he'd had of her as she had walked in the drawing room the 
second time he'd seen her, she seemed so unsure of herself, delicate and 
nervous. Then when he'd spoken to her, he'd seen fire in her eyes, one that he 
constantly wanted to stoke to see just how far he could push her. He realized 
for not one moment of this day had his mind wandered from his beautiful bride-
to-be, he was utterly and pathetically in love.

The carriage came to a stop in front of the grand London mansion. Darien stepped 
out into the street and began his walk up to the front steps. As he raised his 
hand to rap on the front door, the door opened and out stepped the Duke of 
Muncaster. 
"Your Grace!" Darien was very surprised to see the Duke.
The Duke did not, however, seem very surprised to see him. "Good day, Lord 
Westmoreland, And how has the day found you?" without waiting for an answer he 
continued. 
"I certainly hope you're not here to inform me that you refuse to marry my niece 
after what we talked about."
"Of course not sir. Serena's honor is very important to me."
"I'd most certainly hope so. She is after all going to be your wife."
"Actually I was hoping to see Serena."
"Yes, of course. I was surprised she was actually accepting visitors this 
morning. She was rather upset last night, but she rose early and composed 
herself. She's in the garden with young Nicholas Manchester, just returned from 
Europe, he says. He's an old friend of hers.
The man was very blunt, Darien thought to himself. It was strange. When the Duke 
had first met him he'd seemed angry as he'd expected. He had after all 
compromised his niece's integrity. Strange how easily compromised women were. If 
they same rules applied to men... the thought made him smile.
After having one of the strangest conversations he'd ever been involved with the 
Duke seemed to relax. For the entire time they had conversed, it seemed the man 
had been studying him intensely. He had seemed genuinely concerned with Serena's 
welfare and it had reminded him of his father.

Serena had not been expecting anyone and she did not welcome the idea of 
visitors. Her mood was hardly welcoming. However, when the Stewart, the butler 
had announced a Lord Manchester to see her she had been surprised and had 
readily accepted his presence.
Nicholas was her childhood friend and former fencing partner. He had always been 
her best friend. He was only a few years older than she was but not as old as 
her brother Andrew. 
He had gone on a tour of Europe as was usual for young men of his age when he'd 
left. But after returning to the shores of England he had felt the pull to 
return and within a year he had gone once more to expand on his travels.
Serena had wondered if he had not had some sweet Euroopean beauty pulling him 
backto Europe when he'd left for the second time. She had been somewhat jealous 
and genuinely upset by his leaving a second time. It was a childhood crush 
however. The truth was she was probably more jealous of the fact that he had the 
opportunity to travel Europe while she had to stay at home and defy her mother's 
wishes to teach her how to embroider and play the piano.
Nicholas had walked in the room looking more handsome and arrogant than she had 
seen him before. Despite her mood she had smiled at his familiar face. He 
obviously had learned some of the French arrogance on his second tour through 
Europe. Travel quite obviously agreed with him.
"It is wonderful to see you Nicholas. I can't believe you are back already. You 
look wonderful, traveling most definitely agrees with you. How have your 
journeys been?"
"All went well as it always does. How are things with you?" Even as he asked the 
question he instantly knew something was wrong. Her eyes were tired and sad, a 
look he rarely saw on her face but knew quite well all the same. He took her 
hands into his. "Tell me everything."

The Duke's butler let him in and took his coat. From the foyer he could hear 
muted conversation coming from a room close by and instead of letting himself be 
announced to Serena and her guests as was usual, he simply entered on his own.  
He stood in the doorway surprised at the sight that greeted him. Serena and a 
tall young man with dark auburn hair stood near the center of the room, holding 
each other closely. He found an odd but burning bitterness in his stomach that 
he couldn't identify. He clenched and unclenched his jaw. Whoever was this man 
and why was he hugging his Serena. "Ahhem." 
He cleared his throat.
Realizing they were no longer alone, Nicholas withdrew himself from Serena's 
arms and brushed a few tears off her cheek urging her with a simple look to 
compose herself so Darien wouldn't glimpse her upset. She managed an acceptably 
composed look and he moved to the side so Darien could see his fiancée.  
"Good morning Your Grace," Serena said with a small curtsey, her face red from 
being caught in a situation that could be easily misconstrued. Darien's face 
held no emotion however, he did not seem the least bit upset. That disturbed 
her.
"Good Morning Serena, I trust the morning finds you well?"
His greeting was without emotion, but Nicholas had not missed the look in his 
eyes. Serena was wrong; Darien cared very deeply for her. If he didn't, Nicholas 
wouldn't feel as though he was being challenged. He could feel Darien's jealousy 
from across the room. Darien probably didn't even recognize it.
"Forgive me Your Grace," Serena said, "I do not mean to be rude. She gestured 
towards Nicholas; "this is Lord Nicholas Manchester, an old friend of mine."
Darien shook Nicholas' hand none too gently. "I didn't think you were old enough 
to have old friends Serena?"
Day had dawned but five hours previously and already he was teasing her, and in 
her own home at that. "Perhaps I should have said childhood friend. I'm sure you 
would find that much more pleasing to your ears?" she said with just enough edge 
to her voice to show she wasn't going to let the comment slide. 
Darien smiled slightly. Nicholas was confused at the exchange between the two. 
Just moments ago he had the impression teased her mercilessly, but in the short 
exchange, he could easily see that she gave as good as she got. These two would 
certainly not lack conversation after the wedding.
"I'm afraid you'll have to excuse me," Nicholas said preparing himself for his 
exit. I have business to attend to. As you two are engaged, I'm certain you no 
longer need a chaperone, besides I doubt I'd make a good choice in that 
department. It was an honor to meet you, Your Grace." Darien simply nodded 
politely, as Nicholas excused himself from their presence. 

Now alone with Serena, Darien found himself completely lost as to the reason for 
his visit. He wondered the true status of her relationship with Manchester. Was 
he her true love and she was simply being forced to marry him because of her 
Uncle? 
He needed to get out of her presence so he'd be able to think this through. He 
simply stared at her for a moment, fascinated with the way the morning light 
played of her hair and her face, making it seem as though she had a golden halo 
encircling her entire head.
"Is something the matter?" she asked softly.
"No, of course not. I simply stopped by to reassure you that there is no reason 
to fear being married to me. I will be an honorable husband."'
To say she was disappointed would have been the understatement of the century. 
She was devastated. She had hoped he would approach this wedding with some 
feeling, any feeling at all. She sensed he saw this as an inconvenience. It was 
a merely a business arrangement that he needed to complete. Why did fate see it 
fit for her to fall in love with this man? He was so completely confusing. His 
kisses were full of passion and feeling, but for the rest of the time he was 
cold and distant, as he was now. 
"Well, I'm afraid I must take my leave now, I have some business to attend to," 
He said in a business-like manner. Before he had the opportunity, to leave, 
Stewart entered, announcing the arrival of new guests.  With a swooshing of 
pastel skirts, into the room, floated Rachel, Mina and her fiancé, 
Jason and Serena's brother Andrew and his wife Elizabeth. Serena was surprised 
they had dared to visit. No one concerned with their reputation would want to be 
seen with someone who had disgraced themselves in such a public manner until she 
was properly married. She was grateful and touched that they cared.
Rachel greeted Serena and Darien warmly and Mina's eyes twinkled at Darien's 
presence. In her odd way of thinking she thought of their situation as being 
delightfully romantic.  
Darien and Jason greeted each other formally although Andrew didn't return his 
greeting, obviously angry with him for what he had done to his sister. Darien 
prepared himself to leave once more. He needed to leave her presence so he could 
concentrate, not to mention if he said the wrong thing her brother might just 
try to kill him. He guessed the only reason her brother had not confronted him 
before was because he had proved himself honorable in agreeing to marry 
her. He had completely forgotten why he was here but he was sure it was not the 
reason he stated. In fact hadn't he planned to tell her about his love for her?
"Your grace," Rachel addressed him, "surely you do not take your leave so soon? 
I came bearing an invitation for you and your fiancée." Darien found himself 
amazed at how fast news traveled in society. He had barely found out her was 
getting married before everyone else also seemed to be aware of the fact. He 
raised an eyebrow at her invitation but said nothing, waiting for her to 
complete her announcement. 
"Yes, yes," Mina said in her typically bouncy manner. "Our dear friend Rachel 
has invited us to her home for an early dinner, tow days hence if neither of you 
will be too busy to attend."
"Incidentally," Rachel began, "Lord Manchester will also be attending, He is a 
friend of yours isn't he?" She asked, looking at Serena who nodded her head in 
acknowledgement. "I saw him on the way out. I met him once or twice before, 
shortly before I got married." She turned to face Darien who nodded in 
agreement. 
"I would be happy to attend." He glanced over at Serena and she nodded in 
agreement. 
"If that's all, I must be on my way. Good day ladies, Lord Whittaker, Lord 
Graham." With that he left the room.
"This is so exciting," Mina said after Darien had left. "You're marrying the man 
you love." Serena stared at Mina blankly. How had she known?
Andrew was far more serious however, he could see his sister was distressed by 
her situation. She was just short of panic. 
Mina, much like anyone else, couldn't possibly understand why anyone would not 
want to marry Darien. There were many other young women who were simply quite 
jealous of her for managing to trap him into marrying her. He was extremely 
handsome, wealthy, titled, and seemingly perfect in every way. She had just 
assumed that their being caught kissing in the gardens was a sign that they must 
be deeply in love. Of course she wasn't far from the truth.
Andrew chose to change the subject, seeing his sister was not really in the mood 
for Mina's chatter about weddings and the like. 

Rachel was instructing the staff on the upcoming dinner party. She had not 
expected her husband to be around for this considerably minor event in 
comparison to the parties that they usually attended. Her husband was a horrid 
nuisance even more so when he was sober, which he was now. But he wouldn't be 
later tonight. 
Because he spent so much time drunk she was able to go about her affairs and 
live like a free woman. She had been very upset when her father had suggested 
marriage to the oily, Count of Mondale. It had been his deathbed wish that they 
be married however, and for this reason she had gone through with the wedding. 
She hadn't thought much of the Count before her wedding but once they were 
married, she had discovered he was a pathetic drunk with violent tendencies and 
a gambling problem. 
She had hoped he would have continued with his drunken foolery with his gambling 
friends elsewhere but he had chosen this night to stay at home and possibly ruin 
the dinner party she'd planned. She rarely invited friends because of his 
presence and he had chosen this moment to show his presence again and embarrass 
her.
She paused for a moment after conducting the servants as to their duties. She 
thought everything out in her head hoping she had gotten everything right. The 
sound of heavy stomping feet came trodding into the room. She heard a derisive 
snort of disgust.
"I don't know why you're inviting that pretentious duke and his little whore," 
her husband muttered. We don't need their kind ruining our reputation."
"Serena is a lady, not a whore."
"Whatever you say," he said nonchalantly.
Rachel was really beginning to wonder if she didn't prefer him drunk. At least 
he would eventually pass out and she would no longer have to handle his 
presence.


Serena found herself travelling in an uncomfortable silence with Darien to 
Rachel's estate. She hoped the journey would be over soon. The silence between 
them was far from comfortable. They'd already had their first argument of the 
day at the start of their journey but beyond that there seemed to be little left 
to say. So Serena smoothed the creases of her skirt, and stared out the window 
at the passing scenery.
"Will we be there soon?" She asked like a curious child.
Darien simply smiled at her. He'd spent the entire ride alternating between 
glancing and outright staring at her when she wasn't looking. She was absolutely 
radiant. Only when she gave him a questioning look did he realize she'd actually 
spoken.
"Is there something wrong," she asked, wondering just what he could possibly be 
staring at. She wondered if he disapproved of her appearance and began to feel 
slightly self-conscious. 
"No, of course not," he replied brusquely. "We're almost there, it will be but a 
few minutes."
"Why are you doing this?" Serena asked suddenly immediately regretting the words 
even as they left her lips.
"Doing what exactly, Serena?"
"Marrying me. I'm sure you'd rather not be tied down to a wife now. I know men 
like you would rather be out sowing your wild oats or whatever it is you men do. 
You don't have to you know, my reputation is of no concern to you."
Darien was caught somewhere between smiling, frustration and anger. Of course he 
wanted to marry her. Men like him? Why was she being so difficult? Did she 
really dislike him that much? And what the hell did she mean her reputation was 
of no concern to him? 
"Did you come up with all that just now, or have you spent the past few days 
coming up with that ridiculous statement? Where in the world did you get that 
nonsense about sowing wild oats? Is that what your friend Manchester spends his 
time doing? Do you even know what that means?
"That's an awful lot of questions you just asked. I'm sure your poor brain is 
suffering overload from having to think them all up so fast," She said dryly.  
None of them are worthy of an answer. Must you be so rude and inconsiderate 
every time you open your mouth?  Besides, what Nicholas does is of no concern of 
yours.
I was simply pointing out that my honor is of no concern to you. I should hope 
you are under no duress to marry me. I assure you I can take care of myself 
and..."
"And just how were you going to take care of this matter? Your reputation is 
completely ruined with no hopes of repair beyond marriage. Do you think after 
the contributions I've made to your ruination that I'd simply leave you alone to 
fend for yourself?"
"So I suppose I'm you responsibility? How wonderful for you! You must be 
overjoyed at the opportunity to save the damsel in distress, the opportunity to 
be a knight in shining armor!" Her face was red hot with anger, and her eyes 
were filling with tears she had never wanted him to see. 
She had never been more beautiful than she was now, her incensed face and 
brilliant eyes were being monopolized by his eyes.  For the second time since 
recognizing his love for her, avoiding the true nature of his feelings and 
letting his other more basal instincts take over as he stared in fascination at 
her pouty pink lips. 
Before she could say another word she felt his warm hand reach up and caress her 
cheek as he pulled her toward him for one of his oh so random and yet extremely 
passionate kisses, and as usual she'd give in to him wholly. She felt guilty for 
doing so, knowing all he felt was lust, not the same love she felt for him, but 
maybe it wasn't so bad. Besides she enjoyed the taste of his lips much too much.
He kissed her more passionately pulling her closer to him until she was sitting 
on his lap. 
He wanted to cover every inch of her body in kisses, but her clothes seemed to 
be getting in the way. He groaned as she planted delicate kisses along his jaw 
line and neck. She was bound to drive him mad.
Their passion was reaching new heights, as he began wrestling with the buttons 
on the back of her gown. The carriage suddenly jerked throwing her off his lap 
and into the seat across from them, he jerked forward, his face landing right 
into her cleavage. He looked up from her milky breasts and grinned. I guess 
we're here. Remind me to pay the driver extra for that smooth stop. Serena's 
face turned a bright red causing him to chuckle lightly.


They got out of the carriage and Serena got her first look at the large estate, 
Rachel called home. To say the estate was creepy would have been an 
understatement. The gloomy weather did little for the enormous mansion that in 
the distance was backed by forest that looked dark and forbidding. It was 
undoubtedly one of the oldest mansions around. It had been built on the ruins of 
an old castle and incorporated many different kinds of architecture that only 
served to increase its dark gloomy and oppressive atmosphere. 
Serena couldn't imagine living in a place such as this. It brought to mind ideas 
of ghosts and spirits lurking within its ancient walls. She was sure that if she 
lived here she would not be able to get a good night's rest due to its 
gloominess.
 The inside though warmer was not less depressing. A chill pervaded through all 
the rooms and though they were beautifully decorated, it made her wary. There 
were paintings on the wall of Lord Harrison's ancient ancestors and they seemed 
to stare at her, their creepy eyes following her down each of the dimly lit 
hallways of the enormous maze of a building. 
On the walls hung tapestries, possibly as old if not older than the house 
itself. The family emblem was hung right in the center of the foyer, crossed 
with medieval swords and daggers. The Count's family was certainly an old one. 
She was happy when Rachel came to meet them immediately, relieving the creepy 
looking butler with the slightly hunched back and bad breath who had met them at 
the door. 
Rachel had led them inside and her husband had insisted on giving them a tour of 
the first floor before any of the others arrived. The mansion was enormous, cold 
and bleak. She found herself standing closer to Darien as his presence seemed 
more comforting, and his warmth seemed to protect her. 
Throughout the entire tour Lord Harrison seemed very jovial, and in good humor, 
better than she remembered him being when he had been at her Uncle's or at any 
of the events she'd attended in London. He seemed to direct everything he said 
towards her, which was rather unnerving but she assumed he was just being a good 
host.
Darien didn't feel as assured about Harrison's behavior. He shared glances with 
Raye as they both contemplated what could have possibly caused his sudden change 
in behavior. Darien new Harrison well enough, to find this behavior from him 
particularly disturbing. Having seen Harrison's violent tendencies and drinking 
habits in person, he had tried to convince 
Rachel not to marry him, even offering his own hand in marriage. She had of 
course refused. She had promised her father that she would go through with the 
wedding and she would not go back on her promise. His parents would have never 
approved of the wedding anyway; he had been too young at the time. Raye had 
always been somewhat more practical; in many ways she was his best friend, a 
relationship that was extremely rare.
Serena didn't miss the glances Darien shared with Raye and she just managed to 
place a bright smile on her face in response to something Lord Harrison said, 
ignoring the jealous fire burning in the pit of her stomach. She still couldn't 
understand why he was marrying her, especially if he was attracted to Rachel. 
He could be so cruel, playing with her heart like this. One minute he waskissing 
her with so much passion and the other he was looking at another woman even as 
she stood at his side. She was beginning to wonder of her uncle hadn't 
threatened him, forcing him to marry her. 
After spending so much time with him and their last conversation, she wouldn't 
be too surprised if he had done such a thing. It certainly wasn't beyond the 
realm of possibility.
They did not even manage to complete the tour of the first floor before Rachel's 
other guests had begun to arrive. She was happier and more comfortable when all 
the guests, her friends, arrived and dinner finally began. 


Rachel was feeling particularly good. Dinner was going well and her husband had 
yet to embarrass her. He seemed to be taking it slowly with the spirits tonight 
which though odd was a slightly welcome change, at least at the moment. The 
conversation at the dinner table had been particularly stimulating and Darien 
and Serena seemed to be relating better to each other. 
Rachel had spent a good portion of the evening watching the two. She knew Darien 
well enough to realize his every word and consideration involved her somehow 
even when they disagreed which they had, often, much to the amusement of the 
rest of her guests especially Andrew who easily recognized that Darien was 
completely in love. It wasn't so long ago that he had fallen head over heels 
with the beautiful lady seated across from him.
It seemed all was going well until her husband chose the moment to prove 
perfection was never meant to last. As they enjoyed their glasses of port in the 
library with light conversation, he came up behind Rachel and Serena and said 
just loudly enough for both to hear: "So, my dear, how does it feel to be the 
slut of society? You must be really wonderful to have captured one like the 
Duke."
Serena went pale and still, shocked and mortified at his suggestion. She began 
to shake before bursting into tears and running from the room. Everyone turned 
to see her fleeing figure and hear the sounds of her crying as she went fleeing 
down the dark hallway unaware as to her direction.
Rachel turned to her husband shocked and dismayed at what he'd just said. Fire 
blazed in her eyes and she was surprised she'd tolerated the pathetic bastard 
for so long. She raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face. He winced 
at the stinging pain in his jaw and touched a hand to his face surprised at her 
defiance. "I always knew you were an uptight little bitch." He raised an arm to 
hit her across the face but never got the chance as Nicholas had somehow crossed 
the room and punched him hard in the other jaw. 
Darien was disappointed that he hadn't got the opportunity to do the same, he'd 
always hated the bastard and at the moment he was seething. Whatever he had done 
to upset Serena he was going to pay. Unfortunately, Harrison seemed unfazed by 
Nicholas' punch and before anyone else had the opportunity to pound on him, he 
left the room like the coward he was.
Everyone was disoriented for a moment. Suddenly Darien and Rachel seemed to have 
the same idea at the same time and ran off to find where Serena had disappeared. 

After the leaving the room, Harrison found himself a few moments later in his 
study.  That had been a mistake. He should have waited until he could have 
gotten a moment alone with the little slut before he said anything. He needed a 
drink.
He'd first caught sight of her when she'd been swimming in the river, at that 
hunting expedition the Duke of Mondale had put on. He had been planning to 
approach her himself when that stupid fop, Wyndham had showed up and taken the 
opportunity himself. He had walked away when he'd seen them kissing. Knowing 
Wyndham, he'd probably taken her right there by the river. It wasn't fair he'd 
seen her first.
It was only later not long before the expedition ended that he'd realized that 
the little slut was the Duke's daughter, pretending to be the innocent little 
virgin he knew she was not. And Wyndham had the heart to pretend he didn't know 
her when the duke had introduced her to them. He didn't doubt by that time she 
was quite happy enjoying her time in his bed. He also didn't doubt that her time 
would have been better spent in his own.
He couldn't help laughing at the irony that it had been a mere kiss, mild 
compare to the other things he knew she'd done, at some pitiful ball that had 
had the little whore ousted and shown up for just what she was. He hadn't 
expected Wyndham to marry her of course. The pathetic man probably felt he had 
to do the 'honorable' thing. What did he know about honor anyway, the pathetic 
fool.
He picked up the bottle of scotch, the most potent kind that had been resting in 
the wine cellars for more than three times as long as he'd been alive. He picked 
up a crystal goblet, to pour the amber liquid in but decided against it, instead 
putting the bottle to his lips and gulping it in a disgusting manner. 
He was already well on his way to being drunk. Everyone had been too busy, 
chatting away to notice the amount of wine he had consumed between that pathetic 
dinner party and the time they'd spent in the library. Now that he was 
thoroughly inebriated, he decided it was time he got what he'd been waiting for 
all evening, that frigid wife of his was no use so he might as well make use of 
this opportunity.


Serena ran fast down the hallway, unaware of tripping up a flight of stairs. She 
had never been so insulted in her life. Her life had been turned upside down 
within the last year and everything seemed to be going horribly wrong. Did 
society really think her a slut and a whore merely for kissing? It just wasn't 
logical. Why was life always so unfair?
She managed to compose herself slightly, and began to dry her tears but she soon 
realized she had no idea where she was in this maze of a house. It was dark and 
chilly and she was all alone in the hallway. Looking at the old brick of the 
walls, she realized she must have run into the oldest part of the house, part of 
which was still an old castle. She chose to go forwards as she could only see 
darkness behind her. Ahead of her she could see light coming through a door up 
ahead. 
She walked forward in the hallway, turned the corner, and entered the room. The 
room was all shadows and moonlight coming through an open balcony door that 
seemed horribly out of place in this section of the house. It must have been 
added on later. She wondered why the doors were open but didn't spend much time 
dwelling on it as she walked out onto the balcony. 
She was surprised to find herself much higher up than she had expected. The land 
under the balcony must have been lower than the parts of the house, because she 
couldn't remember going up that many steps. There was a gentle breeze coming in 
and the sky was still light, despite the late hour. 
She found herself relaxing as she stared up at the unusually bright half moon, 
high in the sky; it was a beautiful night. She frowned as the perfection was 
ruined by the blue-gray clouds covering the light that had seemed to be shining 
down on her. She was about to go inside when she felt hands on her waist and 
warm breath on her ear, and the smell of liquor and hot stale breath drifted 
unpleasantly across her nostrils.
She jumped surprised at someone being in the room with her. She tried to turn 
around but the strong hands wouldn't let her. She started to panic as she felt 
his hands moving up her body and his tongue on her cheek
"I just thought you could do me the same favor you did that pathetic fiancée of 
yours. I bet you're quite good at it."
"Get off me," She squealed as she tried to wriggle free of him.
"Stop acting like you're so innocent you little slut. Just relax and enjoy 
yourself"
"Let go!" She screamed and stomped on his toe for good measure.
"Why you little bitch," he yelled angrily, grabbing her and pushing her onto the 
balcony edge. He pushed her down, trying to get on top of her struggling body, 
but a kick to the stomach sent him flying back. A pair of hands grabbed him from 
behind and tried to pull him away. Harrison turned in a rage to see his wife 
pulling at him, attempting to defend her friend. 
He lashed out in his rage and hit her hard sending her flying backwards into the 
room and into Darien who'd rushed in.  He turned back to face Serena who stood 
as if frozen leaning on the balcony edge. He stumbled towards her and Serena 
realized that he was completely drunk. He grabbed her but instead of pulling her 
towards him he pushed her backwards sending them both flying over the edge. 
Serena screamed as she felt herself falling towards the ground. He hands flailed 
hoping to find something to hold on to. Her hands caught the balcony railing and 
she grabbed on and held to it for dear life even as she heard Harrison's body 
hit the hard ground below with a sickening thud. 

Darien was stunned as he fell to the floor as Rachel's limp body slammed him 
into the ground. She seemed to be unconscious but Serena was still in danger. A 
chill ran through his body as he saw Harrison stumble towards her sending them 
both flying over the edge. 
In the few short seconds it took him to get to the balcony he found himself 
praying that this was all a dream and she would just turn around and call him 
pompous inconsiderate, rude, and any other insult she wished to toss at him. He 
wished she he was holding her wet body in his arms again and he prayed that by 
some miracle, if this wasn't a dream that she'd just appear before him.
In the next few moments he blessed his mother's immortal soul for the fairy 
tales she'd told him when he was young of dreams coming true. His dream was 
realized as he looked over the balcony's edge to see a frightfully pale Serena 
hanging on to the edge of the balcony for dear life. Without a second thought he 
grabbed her hands even as they had begun to slip from the metal bars and pulled 
her up.
He didn't say a word as he held her close to him kissing her hair and touching 
her face, reassuring himself that she was ok and she was real and not a ghost. 
"I love you," he whispered in her hair repeatedly making sure she'd never forget 
the fact should she ever try to leave him again. "I've loved you since you since 
I challenged you to that fencing match. Don't ever leave me."
Serena's eyes opened in shock as she heard him professing his love to her. He 
loved her. She could hardly believe it. All this time, all this pain and all 
this worry and he'd loved her. With that thought she kicked him hard in the 
shin. 
He stared at her in shock as she separated herself from the warmth of his 
embrace.
"You mean to tell me that I've been upset for all this time. I spent a good 
portion of my nights crying myself to sleep and you love me? Good heavens, 
couldn't you have told me this before I was forced to marry you, instead of 
sullying my reputation?"
Darien stared at her in shock, and so did everyone else who had entered the 
room, including Rachel who had woken up to find herself in Nicholas' comforting 
embrace. She turned to Lita and asked, "Are men always this inconsiderate or is 
it only him?"
They simply stared at her blankly. Darien sighed in exasperation. "Serena will 
you please be quiet?" With that he pulled her back in his arms and planted a 
long passionate kiss on her lips.
When he'd stopped she stared into his intense blue eyes. "Are you trying to shut 
me up again?"
"Of course." He kissed her again much to the amusement of their audience.
"I thought you said they wouldn't lack conversation," Rachel said, addressing 
Nicholas. "It seems to me they'll be far to busy to argue."


Serena's face was positively glowing. It seemed everything in the room was 
shining. The high arches of the building welcomed her on the arm of her husband. 
She was nervous and worried. She sighed as Darien helped to remove her cloak. 
She hadn't wanted to wear the dress she had on, but Molly had insisted that as a 
married woman she was allowed to display, what she considered to be, an 
excessive amount of flesh. She turned around to face her husband and take his 
hand. She watched as his eyes fell from her face and down to the milky breasts 
peeping from above the blue silk that matched her brilliant blue eyes. 
Darien suddenly had the urge to grab his new wife and return to the house from 
which they had just come and discover what lay beneath the clothing, which just 
seemed to tease him with the way it accented her perfect figure. Was it his 
imagination or under his constant attention she seemed to be blooming into an 
even more beautiful blossom than she had been before, provided that were even 
possible.
He swallowed the urge to kiss her right here in front of the guests waiting 
before him. He held out his arm and she took it smiling up at him, fascinated at 
his reaction to her display of skin. Molly just might have been right after all. 
The way his face had gone pale at the sight of her before the blood rushed to 
his cheeks had quelled some of the nervous feeling in the pit of her stomach.
Tonight would be their first public appearance since their quiet marriage in a 
small town not far outside Thornwood Manor, their new home. She knew the 
gossipmongers had heard of the engagement and had suspected the marriage, she 
wondered if they would accept her. Darien sensed her discomfort, and he 
whispered in her ear as they made their entrance down the grand staircase, just 
as the steward announced their presence as Duke and Duchess Westmoreland.  
She didn't even see the eyes staring up at her as she laughed lightly as Darien 
whispered his love in her ear. "Ignore them," he said softly. "You are my wife 
and that's all that matters." 
That said he nibbled on her ear, which luckily went unnoticed by the throng of 
dancers and onlookers below. What didn't go unnoticed was her laughter and the 
whispering and the way Darien was looking at her. There was no doubt that the 
Duke Westmoreland was thoroughly besotted with his own wife, unusual considering 
many men of his age and status had a mistress and showed no real affection for 
their own spouses. The loving couple was the talk of the ton. 


Darien held the tiny babe in his hand. She giggled and squealed with joy, her 
brilliant blue eyes shining just like her mother's. Her older brother seemed 
fascinated with his tiny baby sister and spent as much time as he was allowed 
playing with her, protecting her by claiming himself a knight in shining armor. 
It seemed the only time he abandoned the poor child whom he'd taken to calling 
Cat, a shortened version of Catherine, was when his Great Uncle, the Duke 
arrived.
The two were almost inseparable. The Duke was completely taken with young 
Darien, spending as much time as he could with the young boy. He was a 
completely different man when with his niece and nephew. It was sweet really, 
although Serena found it oddly amusing watching the young boy attempting to 
choose between his handsome father and his doting Great Uncle. It was a hard 
decision and he tried not to offend his father too much.
Life was finally complete for Serena, she had a loving husband two beautiful 
children and her best friends had recently married. Raye, after completing the 
traditional mourning period had married Nicholas and of course Mina had finally 
married her fiancée Jason. Life was good, and it seemed the love she felt in her 
own heart and saw in the faces of her friends and family would last forever.