The days were torturous for her because she had to endure so much. She had no sense of peace and she was weary of so much attention from different suitors. She was bothered more because as of late, she saw very little of Dominic and she wanted to see him.

She impatiently waited for everyone to fall asleep. Her best chance to sneak out was now; she nervously sat up and looked around. Her heart slammed in her chest, trying to sneak out was no easy feit.

Breathing the brisk cool air into her shaking lungs calmed her very little.

The brief walk through the park, taking the short cut was fastest. Very few people still roamed the streets at that hour. Standing off to the side near a tree, his home came into view. She was not sure if he was home, or if he would be happy to see her. All she knew was that she had to see him. Tonight.

Shakily legs carried her across the stone walkway to his entrance door.

She stood on the steps to his front door, nervous and queasy, she wanted to turn around but she couldn't. All you have to do is knock. She told herself.

She walked up the stairs and stood before the large cherry oak door and knocked.

After a few seconds the door creaked open and a man in a black suit stepped out to see her.

"Good evening, sir, my name is..." Her soft voice could not finish.

"Lady Emilia how are you?" His face smiled.

Her brows furrowed.

"How do you know my name?"

He smiled and gave her a nod.

"M'lord spoke much about you."

She smiled and looked away immediately turning a slight shade of pink.

Standing aside, he let her pass.

"Please do enter."

She entered into the foyer and looked at the numerous pictures of the McAllister men from the past in elegant portraits lined on the walls.

"M'lady, lord Dominic is in his study if you would like to go up. I must attend to a quick task or I would show you up"

Smiling with her most beautiful smile.

"Thank you, sir, most kind of you. "

He nodded and gave a bow.

"Bufford, milady at your service."

She giggled prettily.

He walked off in a hurry and left her in the large foyer. Slowly she took one step at a time, holding on to the banister that spiraled up the staircase.

Finally getting to the clearing, she came before another picture frame, then a beautiful bust of a female statue holding a harp. The low moan of a male voice startled her. Curious to the noise she followed where it was coming from. The door down the hall to the right was slightly opened and the moan and whispers became more audible.

Coming closer she stood by shocked at what she saw. A naked woman on her knees in the big poster bed facing her, bouncing up and down moaning. Shyly Emilia looked down at herself aware that she had smaller breasts than the ample ones the woman had. She was voluptuous.

They jiggled and bounced with her movement. Her heart skidded to halt when manly hands reached for them and squeezed them. Quickly he sat up and caressed her. Immobile she stood there and her eyes met the lustful gaze of Lady Hannah, the Duke of Cramwell's wife. Her heart dropped to her stomach when she watched the duchess smile wickedly back at her. In the throes of passion, she continued to bounce and moan his name.

"Oh! Dominic!" She whimpered in a squeal.

Not wanting to see anymore her tears fell free she stopped at the stair case hands on her stomach as if she were kicked in it. Holding on to the banister tightly she continued down the stairs in a run. Weeping and crying, she passed a puzzled Bufford and walked right out the door without looking back.

Blinded by the tears she made it home. Slowly she trudged up the stairs weak, heartbroken and in tears. She slipped into her room where she threw herself on her bed and cried into her pillow. Wracked with tears she wept until she had no more strength to stay awake.

The next morning he awoke refreshed and renewed. Dominic carried out his day busily as he handled daily work. He sat back in his chair. It's been a while since he saw Emilia, with him being busy and her daily lessons it was hard to get some time alone with her. Pretty soon he would not get any time with her because suitors are being sought after for marriage. The idea did not sit well with him; he wanted to be the only one in her life. He smiled to himself remembering their first dance at the ball. She was graceful, every bit the beauty of the ball and no doubt every man's desire. A slight tinge of jealousy settled with him as he watched her swirl, sway and smile with some of the beau's.

He decided to go visit her.

*******

"Again, Emilia!" The stern voice of Madam Georgette ordered.

The morning piano lessons were grating on her nerves. No sleep made her edgy, agitated ,weary and her heart if she still had some remnants of it left barely beat because it ached so much. Her eyes blurred with tears that could barely see the black and white keys before her. She barely paid attention to her surroundings, with her mind wandering off to what she saw. Over and over her mind played the images of them making love. She stopped playing mid note the overwhelming feeling in her heart was too great and she couldn't contain it any longer. Her tears fell free and she cried. Her tears splashed on the piano keys like rain drops from the sky.

He watched from the entrance of the solar her back to him as she strummed the keys off tune. Her shoulders slumped and she paused. He watched as the heavyset woman beside her impatiently tapped the piano and ridiculed her for slouching. Something wasn't right, he noticed. She began to weep. Holding back, he watched the woman tap hard on Emilia's hand and tap her back again to sit up straight.

His anger rose at her harsh treatment.

With a loud thwack of the stick on the Piano, it made her jump as well as he.

"Sit up Emilia" She scowled.

It was her breaking point. Immediately all of her just unable to take any more just cracked under the pressure.

They all jumped at her blood-curdling scream.

"Enough" She stood abruptly facing her.

"Hit me one more time with that bloody stick you cow, I swear I will choke the life out of you," she screamed in a cry.

He watched in awe as Emilia pounced on the woman yanking the stick from her and cracking it in half slamming it to the floor.

With a frightened gasp, the woman stepped back terrified.

Seething with rage, she never felt the harsh arms around her waist, keeping her from actually pummeling the woman.

Feral eyes never left the old women forcing her to retreat running scared.

She pulled away from him. Red eyes filled with tears looked up at him. Ashamed that he witness such a display, she turned away from him and she walked off.

"Emilia?" He called her.

She ran up the stairs. He took two at a time behind her and managed to get through the door, she was trying to close in his face.

He walked in more bothered than anything at her behavior. She turned her back to him.

"Do you mind telling me what happened downstairs?" He breathed.

She stayed silent for a while her body still trembling with anger.

"Go away, " she cried softly.

"Not until you answer me, What is wrong?" He asked.

He gently spoke to her not able to understand her sudden outburst of anger.

"What is wrong is that I am tired. I am tired of all of this. The lessons, the balls, the soirees, I want to be far away from here..." She cried.

Far away from you !!!

He pulled her into his arms.

"Look at me, Emilia" He whispered.

Her demeanor changed.

Her eyes held a sadness he could not explain.

Not realizing it until it was done, she quickly wrapped her fingers around his neck, pulled him close and kissed him. What drove her to this bold move? She did not know, but it was too late. He stiffened, broke the kiss and held her at arm's length. There was something in her eyes. Desperation? Wanting? Lust? Her boldness was rewarded, because he pulled her close and kissed her back. Innocence and sweetness branded his lips with so much need.

She completely took him by surprise. He gently ran his fingers up her back and caressed her.

The sweet feeling of passion was building up between them. His kisses deepened.

With a groan, he had her up against a nearby wall. He quickly lifted her up and wrapped her legs around his waist. Like pieces of a puzzle that fit their perfect match is how she felt cradled on his waist.

Warm, strong hands caressed soft silky thighs as he ground his hard cock against her. Her gasps and sweet moan set him on fire. This sensual act of abandon was part of the tales she would hear the woman whisper about. It was forbidden and wrong, but yet so good and right.

A need for him grew between her legs. His head dipped low, kissed her neck and sucked her ear, smiling when she moaned softly and sweetly his name. He wove his fingers through her hair.

She broke away from his kiss.

He saw the look in her eyes.

"Make love to me, Dominic," she whispered close to his lips.

He stiffened at her request. Still in the throes of passion he kissed her again. Ready for this moment more than ever he moaned and placed his forehead to hers. Closing his eyes, he hissed a curse.

Gently he let her loose to stand.

He met her glazed over eyes filled with so much want he had to look away.

"What is wrong?" her eyes confused, looked up at him.

"I can't." He rasped.

"Why?" Tears began to fill her eyes.

"It would ruin you and any chances of you getting married," he whispered.

He turned away.

"I don't care about that," she cried.

"But I do." He hissed.

Silently, he watched the passion slip from her gaze and turn to anger. Her green eyes turned a few shades light and feral. For a moment time stood still as she looked at him.

"You can bed that whore of the Duchess, that is married, But I'm only good for stolen kisses is that right!" She cried.

Before she could take those words back, something in Dominic's stare made her nervously step back. His jaw clenched. He pulled her close until they were nose to nose.

"That whore as you so call her is experienced in things you know little about. I don't bed inexperienced little girls," He hissed.

Her soft palm met the roughness of his jaw with a hard slap.

"Get out!" She cried.

Just a sting to him, but it was more of a blow to the stomach to her. His nose flared and his gaze turned to ice. A tremor betrayed her defiant stand when he pulled her close and slammed her body to his.

His lips came down on hers hard, his arm tight around her waist. He pulled her against the wall, his kisses deepened. Merciless, rough strong hands squeezed her thigh all the way up to her rump. Immediately they found their way in between the very fabric that was a barrier. His warm, strong hand found what they were looking for and her heart roared. Briefly, he pulled away, then trailed kisses over her neck, smiling that his lips could feel her racing pulse. His fingers rubbed her until she was wet and ready. Her whimpers were shaky. His fingers worked their magic and her heart skid to halt as he tried to slip a finger inside her. She stiffened and pulled back from his touch. He stopped.

Looking into her eyes, his gaze held a triumphant glare. The very reason for what he said before. She wasn't ready.

It bothered him that it had to come to this.

He pushed away from her.

"Come find me when you are no longer acting like a child," He looked at her.

Her gaze lowered and she began to cry.

With a curse, he walked off. He took two stairs at a time and left.

She threw herself on her bed and wept.

*****

The oncoming days were torture for them both and the ones around them that knew of the silent desire they had for one another, saw their suffering. While she lay awake countless nights crying, he went on endless drunken nights of debauchery. He tried hard to forget her, but he couldn't. She tried hard to forget him as well, But it was the most difficult thing she could do.