Lord Darcy of Glover was hosting a party and invited all to attend. A simple gathering for drinks, cocktails, and dancing. All the who's who would be there no doubt she sighed. She thought she could escape this one, but as her uncle pointed out it will be two more days before Adam returned after that she would not be attending balls and parties alone.

With the help of Sarah and Gertrude, she dawned the most fetching elegant Royal blue gown that looked so beautiful on her.

Arriving she was helped out of the carriage accompanying her uncle as usual she walked beside him.

The gasps, awes and broad smiles made her blush.

Although she did not see him, he saw her and his eyes softened.

She was exquisite, gorgeous and breathtaking.

He hadn't seen her in almost two weeks and it felt like an eternity. She was alone and he wanted a moment with her.

The soft squeeze of his arm brought his eyes to look into Hannah's stare it was obvious she knew where his attention was. Trying effortlessly to smile and be loving to her, he couldn't. It was the worst day of his life.

Hannah revealed to him she was pregnant. Shocked and disappointed he put on his best smile and kissed her. But he felt no joy in his heart. He would eventually have to marry her to avoid bringing a bastard child into this world. He was miserable and mad at himself for letting this situation get out of control.

Many began to dance and soon everyone was enthralled with the evening's merriment. He put on his game face and pretended to be enjoying his company with Hannah and another couple. He took advantage of her conversation with them to make an excuse to bring them all back more punch.

His eyes needed to adjust to the outside darkness. He searched the ample garden and spotted her. She hugged her self lost in her own thoughts she never heard him come close.

"It is a beautiful night is it not." the huskiness of his voice broke the silence.

She stiffened.

She turned to look at him.

Although she could see little of him in the moonlight, she could tell he was very handsome tonight. He came closer and she stepped back. His nearness only increased her desire for him.

"Why are you here," her voice shaky.

"I had to see you, talk to you, ....hold you," he breathed.

"You said what was between us was a mistake, Dominic," her voice cracked.

He shook his head. "I lied... I want you, I love you," He inched closer.

She stepped away from him.

"You made it abundantly clear that we needed to put distance between us and I did what you asked. Now I ask that you do the same." she cried out.

Trying to walk off, he caught her and pulled her close.

"I need you." his breath mingled with hers.

She pushed him away.

"No... You do not get to toss me aside and when you want, you pick me back up Dominic!" She shoved his chest in tears.

"It was a mistake remember? you never loved me, were your words," She yelled accusingly, breaking free of his hold.

"Yes, as were your words Emilia, you damned the day we ever met." he argued back.

She turned to walk off again.

He trailed after her.

"You seem to deal the blows, but you cannot take them,"

She whirled and screamed at him.

"What do you want from me?" Her tears fell like waterfalls.

"I want you, damn it" He cried out.

"Well you cannot, I am not yours to have, I belong to another." she cried out in sobs.

"The hell you do, you belong to me Emilia Westham, only me,"

He pulled her close to him in a strong embrace and claimed her lips in searing hot kiss of longing and desire.

Her struggles were useless against his hold as he squeezed and caressed her with so much need.

"We cannot do this Dominic, " she cried out before he claimed her lips again.

He thanked God they were far out in the massive garden far from the party, secluded from everyone and the prying ears.

He leaned her up a nearby tree. He trailed hot kisses up and down her neck over the top of her breasts. He reached beneath her skirts and rubbed hotness between her thighs; she clung to him and whimpered so sweetly.

He quickly undid his breeches and removed her undergarment. Unable to stop him she gave into his pleasure, his touch and the need of him.

He wrapped her legs around his waist his hardness plunged into her and he moaned her name between sobs. They kissed and she felt his tears mingle with hers on their lips. His rhythm with each thrust had heat crawling over her. Her pants and whimpers were sweetness to his ears.

They whispered their love for one another between ardent kisses and sobs. Weak with desire she reached the peak of her climax her insides clenched and he thrust harder, deeper he moaned out her name shuddering with his release.

She clung to him breathless, weak and satisfied. Their breaths mingled.

"Know this Emilia, as long as my heart still beats in my chest, I will never let you go," still holding her tightly he looked at her and held her gaze.

She closed them and lowered her head in defeat not able to respond. He would never let her go. He softly let her down.

Deep down he wanted to take her again and make love to her.

Silently they dressed and fixed themselves up.

She stood with her back to him.

Still shaking and overwhelmed from their fight and lovemaking.

She couldn't marry Adam but she had no choice, she couldn't be with Dominic either.

She began to cry.

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead.

She pulled away and ran towards the entrance of the garden, but his warm arms caught her.

Her struggles only tightened his grip more.

"Don't run from me," he hoarsely demanded.

"You must let me go. I must live my life and you must live yours," she pleaded struggling to free herself from him.

"I would listen to her my love," Hannah came forward.

She stiffened hearing Hannah's voice.

She pulled away from Dominic.

Like a menacing snake Hannah neared his side and draped her hands around his arm pulling him close.

His jaw clenched.

"My love, you do realize she is getting married, right?" Hannah teased.

Emilia stepped back wanting to leave but Hannah stopped her long enough to deliver another blow.

"My love, did you not tell her we are expecting our first child?"

Confused Emilia stood looking at them both backing away lowering her head she walked off.

"Emilia wait" he called after her.

Hannah furiously pulled him from following Emilia.

"I will not be made a fool of Dominic, you are with me."

"Then know your place, you are not my wife," he hissed dangerously backing her up with a murderous glare.

"But I am carrying your child," she angrily whispered.

"And she carries my heart," he yelled furiously.

He yanked away his arm and went to follow Emilia.

He caught a glimpse of her entering the ballroom swerving thru the guests trying to get away. As the music died down and changed some dancers cleared away while others walked out to start dancing. She walked half way onto the dance floor trying to cross to the other side to get away from Dominic. But she stopped midway. Dominic stopped behind her. He sensed something was wrong because he noticed another girl stood in stark fright staring at her.

"Joanna" she shook her head in disbelief.

He watched as the girl frantically looked for a way to escape.

Emilia closed the distance and slapped her hard wringing a cry from her. The music died down while onlookers gasped and they were all in awe at what unfolded before them.

Quickly Dominic held her arms to keep her from pummeling the girl before her.

In a heated rage he has never seen in Emilia she yelled.

"You are the reason for my misfortune you evil bitch," Her voice shook.

"You are the one that pushed me out of that carriage,"

The gasps everyone let out.

She watched The Earl run to Joanna's side and pulled her close giving Emilia a nasty glare.

Amused Emilia let out a laugh that was so unlike her.

"I see you still married the Earl any way and no doubt you made him believe the babe in your womb is his?." she looked at her swollen abdomen.

Joanna recoiled from Emilia's icy glare holding her stomach before she turned a guilty look at the Earl.

"Being married to you m'lord was not in my sister's plans. I found her with Stephen, my uncles stepson and to keep anyone from knowing about them she tried to kill me." Emilia cried.

"Emilia, what are you saying? Is this true, Johanna," her uncle came forward rift with anger.

Silently Johanna lowered her gaze as Ethan stood back looking at her in disgust.

"She had plans to run off with him, because she could not bare to be in the arms of that monster. Is that how you said it sister?" she let out a sob.

So much anger coursed thru Emilia that she began to tremble and Dominic could feel it.

"To satisfy your lust, because I am pretty sure you did none of it for love. You doomed my life Johanna, I am living in hell. You should have just tossed me in the water and left me for dead,"

She shouted with so much rage.

She yanked her arms away from Dominic breaking free from his hold and ran out of the ballroom.

Lowering his head, he hid his pain at Emilia's words.

A strong hand reached for his shoulder.

He turned to see Dimitri with the same sad look.

She rode away back home before anyone could stop her. Sarah greeted her with a smile that slowly disappeared in stark fright.

"Emilia what is wrong?." She followed her up the stairs to her room.

She stood and watched Emilia frantically pull clothing from her trunks and stuffed them in a bag.

"Em, what are you doing?"

"I am leaving, I cannot bare to be here anymore." she sobbed.

"Please, Emilia you're acting irrational you're not well." Sara pleaded.

Her mind was made up.

"Where are you going to go?" Sarah followed her about.

She stopped long enough to answer then bolted out the door.

"To stay with my grandfather"

Sarah stomped off behind her ready for an argument. "I am going with you."

"No, you are not"

"Either I go or I will go and tell Lord McAllister about everything," Sarah threatened.

She watched Emilia's eyes water again.

"You would betray me like that Sarah," Emilia frowned with hurt.

"If it means to keep you safe I will. So what will it be m'lady? Sarah stood her ground waiting for Emilia to decide.

Emilia sadly agreed and warned they needed to hurry.

They quickly walked out and climbed in the empty carriage left at the door with no driver in sight. Immediately Sarah took the reins and snapped the horses into a gallop. Emilia with tears watched all the buildings zip past her as they drove their way away from town.