When everyone had left the ball and gone back to their various homes, Robert couldn't help but think of his encounter with Ella. There was this spark her presence had given him. She was different from the other women he had known. For the first time, a woman had finally stood up for her gender and debunked popular beliefs.

Though Robert wouldn't have time to reminisce on past events since he was preoccupied with someone's wet tongue. Outside the Stark mansion, in the cold night, their mouths struggled for dominance, each cloth ripping sending delicious tingles south of Robert's body. The maid's hot shaky breath, fanned over his defined cheeks, her body limp in his strong arms. What they were doing was risky considering the probability of being caught. But it was noon and most of the servants had gone to sleep. Besides, they had a big Corinthian column shielding them.

"My Lord," she moaned his name as his hand travelled to places no pure lady would think of visiting. His long fingers twisted, dipped, grabbed and ravished those forbidden areas, "Please don't stop."

Robert smirked. "I wasn't planning to."

Her moistness triggered Robert's girth of destruction but he had to withhold himself. This maid had slipped a letter into his pocket asking to meet here by twelve. He knew what she wanted and the thought drove him insane. Ever since rumours began spreading about his bedding habits, women didn't seem to reel from him in disgust. Instead, they came closer and even worse, asked for it. He didn't have qualms with that since they gave him something he had always wanted—affection and the urge to feel loved deeply; something his father failed to show him.

The excited maid struggled to set Robert free from his trousers but the zip was stuck. "Open you bloody thing!"

What a woman! This wasn't the first time something like this had happened. Zips were destroyers of pleasure and at times, you would wish they were never created. His Lordship watched as the helpless maid tried to wriggle out his throbbing necessity but to no avail.

Just then, a click made them freeze. Blazes! Don't tell him there was a bloody servant awake. Swiftly, he dragged the maid to the dark side of the house and held his finger above his rosy lips.

"Go to your room and don't make a sound," he whispered so low that even an elf couldn't hear.

A mask of disappointment appeared on her face. She didn't get what she wanted but at least he set her on fire. Giving him a peck on his cheek, she slinked past the dark shadows of the house and disappeared into the night.

Now left alone, Robert piqued past the column to see who it was. At the far end of the west wing of the house, a dark tall silhouette stood before a thicket blooming with flowers that caught the silver glow of the moon. Who the nickels was that?

"Psst," they said, bending down and lounging a stone at a window.

If this was a servant, they wouldn't dare try such a thing. His father would have them pleading for their lives in seconds. Who could be so stupid to take such a risk? And why would they take it?

The window above slid open, beams of buttery light phasing past it. A dark feminine figure appeared and he narrowed his eyes to see who it was. The first thing they caught was a spark of golden and—Dickens! That was Grace! Of course, this part of the house was where her room was. How couldn't he remember that?

"Arthur, my love!"

"Grace, my pearl!"

My love? My pearl? How old were these children? Grace he knew was sixteen. But this Arthur lad, his height made him look older. Was he using his sister? Robert tightened his fists. If this boy dared lay a finger on his sister, he would pummel him till he wouldn't be able to see anymore.

"Oh, I've missed you so my love." Arthur stepped forward, his dark hair gleaming with an oily glow.

"I've missed you more, my love," Grace said, her voice held in desperation. His sweet little sister was in love? Innocent Gracie dared have feelings for another man! And not just that—she kept it a bloody secret from the whole family! This was the true meaning of never judge a book by its cover.

"I apologise for coming late, my love." Arthur raked his hair making Grace blush deeply and it made Robert clench his jaw. Don't blush for that mongrel! He's a man and nothing good comes out of them!

Are you saying this because of the way you sleep around with women?

Maybe he was. But that was different! He slept with them with their consent. He never tricked them. He was sure this Arthur boy was. The lad was dressed in a white shirt and torn brown trousers that suggested he was one of the stable boys.

"I had waited for you for two hours and felt low when I thought you weren't going to come. But now you're here, I'm replenished with the joy I always get when I see you." Grace smiled that smile. The smile those women gave Robert whenever he was in bed with them. The smile that showed how endowed you were with someone. Does that mean those women were in love with him too? Was that what love truly meant?

"It brings me great joy to know that my presence makes you glad, my love."

Enough 'my loves'! Goodness! What was wrong with these two? Each my love they said, made Robert cringe. His sister shouldn't be talking with this lad. He was dangerous. And Robert would do his best to keep any man away from her till she was ready to come out to society. No one should dare defile her.

At this moment, Robert wanted to come out of hiding and give Arthur a warning. But the drama unfolding before him needed the utmost attention. He would like to know more.

"Oh, Arthur!"

"Oh, Gracie!"

Gracie? He had nicknames for her now? Oh, Robert would make this lad regret this decision. Only he was allowed to give his sister bloody nicknames. Not a stable boy.

"Did you dance at the ball?" There was a tinge of pain in the lad's voice.

"Yes."

Arthur wanted to speak but his words caught in his throat. He was pained by the thought of Grace dancing with another man. Maybe he did love her.

"Is the man handsome?"

"Oh yes! Very handsome! He was my first love!"

Robert grinned. His sister was too sweet.

Arthur's fist balled and Grace seemed to notice this. Her blue eyes shook with concern and if Robert knew better, he would say she wanted to climb down the window and hug him.

"Why do you hurt me so with such words." Arthur held his chest and knelt. Would you look at that? We have another Romeo. "Who is this man that has stolen your heart?" He punched the grass. "Tell me, do you love him?"

"With all my heart," Grace replied but paled. "Why are you this way, my love?"

Poor girl. She didn't know the horror she was putting her Romeo through. All she had to do was clarify things. But right now, the play was too entertaining for Robert to watch that he wished it would never stop.

"You dare ask me such a stupid question!" Arthur rose like a raging lion.

Grace gasped and held the nape of her nightdress. "What did I do to deserve such harsh words from you?"

"You're in love with another man!"

"Why can't I be?"

Arthur stumbled back and fell on the grass again. "You don't love me. No wonder you didn't tell your family about us. You just used me to pass time. And now another man has come, you've left me. I knew you would never want to be with me. Our worlds are too different. You are the daughter of a Duke and I, the common son of a stable master."

For how long has this madness been going on? Did love make people act this dramatic? Robert didn't feel this way when he fell in love with a woman. He never wanted to fall on the grass and talk about how miserable he was. What sort of love was this?

"I love you, Arthur." Her voice weakened and it made Robert pissed off to his bloody core. Why should a commoner make his princess feel so? Oh, if he gets his hands on him—"I burn for you."

"I burn for you too." Arthur stood, head held high, hand to his chest, "Which is why I am going to prove why I'm worth your love. I won't let that man take you away from me."

Grace stretched a hand to him. "What do you plan to do?"

"You'll see." He smiled, determination strengthening his black eyes. "Good night, my love."

"Arthur! Arthur!" He disappeared into the night and Grace sank to her knees sobbing. "The man is my brother. Please don't do anything stupid. Arthur..."

Robert hated to see his sister this way. She loved this chap and he loved her too. Curse him for making her cry. He wished he could walk up to her window and let her know he was there for her. It would be too risky considering he was half naked. Her life would've been better if Arthur wasn't in it. Robert knew what men were capable of. He wouldn't want his sister to be left heartbroken.

His Lordship was beginning to doubt his definition of love. Maybe it wasn't only about the sexual attraction. Maybe sacrifices were involved and that was something he had never done for any woman he had slept with. But one thing was sure; Robert loved his sister and was willing to sacrifice anything for her. Maybe, his love for his sister was the true meaning of love. Would he ever be able to feel that way with another woman?

As he watched his sister let out tears of sorrow, he made up his mind. He would no longer return to his townhouse in London. He would stay here till he was sure she was safe and sound.

With one look at her, he slipped into the darkness, one question floating in his mind.

What was Arthur planning to do?