Leaping the last three steps, Leah's bare feet struck the foyer's marbled floor and their slap echoed. Her vision clouded, and she struggled against a wave of panic.

"Wren!" She threw away all decorum as she cried out. "Wren, where are you?"

It occurred to her that acting this brash would alert the others of her true feelings, but she didn't care. She wanted her butler. With her. Safe.

She marched across the foyer and had neared the hallway where Wren's room was when a hand grabbed her arm and spun her around. Her long braid whipped her in the face, and hands gripped her shoulders.

"Leah, stop this!" Anger had darkened Charles's handsome face.

She attempted to wrench her shoulders from his grip, but the move proved futile; his hold on her strengthened, and her temper flared. "I won't! She can't have Wren. He's mine!"

"Yours?" Charles shook her, roughly, and stepped closer. Leah's eyes widened as he tugged her closer to him. "He's not yours, Leah! Stop acting like a crazy woman and come to your senses!" He was so close that his hot breath fanned her. She tried to pull away again, but his fingers dug into her skin, holding her still.

"Let go of me!"

"Not until you calm down!" His voice was as harsh as his vice, sending waves of shock through her.

"This isn't like you. I said let go!" She was about to make another attempt to free herself when he was yanked backward and then flying through midair. Leah hit the cold floor from the sudden disconnect.

She sat there a moment, too stunned to move. Then, she lifted her head, and her breath hitched. Wren stood above her, and his enraged expression sent terror to her soul.

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

forty minutes prior:

"All you need to do is attach the buttons." Samantha spread a yellow blouse on the bed and turned to face Wren. He scowled at her, but she returned it with a smile. "With muscles like yours, I doubt this will even be considered work." Her gaze flicked to his arms.

Wren heaved a sigh but said nothing. He settled on the chair Samantha had positioned close to her bed and began to put the shirt on a hanger. Please, just leave me alone and let me work. The crazy girl. This seemed to be too much for him to ask, for after a minute of him working and her staring--he could feel her gaze--she came to the bed's side and collected a few shirts. When she turned to take them to the closet, her bare thigh grazed his knee. He stiffened, shifted his leg, and refused to raise his head.

Father, protect me. I can't flee this situation. Wren tried not to shudder at the darkness surrounding him. Sweat trickled down his neck, dampening his shirt as his natural desires grew. I plead the power of Christ to say no to this. His prayers continued as did Samantha's subtle advances. But, as the minutes passed, calm peace fell over him.

"So, how old are you?"

"Twenty-four." Wren held up the last skirt with relief. "Done!" For the first time, he made eye contact with Samantha and grinned. She startled but smiled and took the hanger.

"Twenty-four and already a butler. Do tell, how did you become so successful?"

He stood to his feet, positing the chair between them. "Are you teasing me?"

"Not at all." She sashayed to her closet. "It takes years to become a butler where I come from. Have you had other butler jobs?"

Wren hesitated, not wanting to divulge any unnecessary information. "No."

"No? You mean Tony put you in charge of Leah with no prior experience?" Disbelief laced her voice.

"Pretty much. If we're done here, I'll be going..." In truth, he'd been worried about Leah all evening. He'd kept seeing images of her delighted when she realized Charles had taken his place, and jealousy had pricked him. Was pricking him.

"Why the hurry? I could help you in becoming a better butler, you know. Maybe teach you what I know about pleasing a woman."

Wren scowled at the hidden invitation. What was wrong with this girl? He shook his head. "Miss Queen, I will be your butler during your stay, but that is all." He kept his voice even, making sure his eyes reflected his seriousness. "If - pleasure was your reasoning in choosing me to serve you, you chose wrong."

Samantha stared at him as if he'd sprouted two heads. And for the first time, Wren glimpsed a flash of uncertainty in her.

"Wren!" Leah's shrill cry split the silence.

Adrenaline vibrated through Wren's entire being. He shoved the chair from his path and ran for the door. Samantha blocked it, arms outstretched as if to cage him in.

"You can't go to her. I order you!" She ground her words out through clenched teeth.

"Move. Now."

"Wren, where are you?" Leah's cry came again.

Samantha raised her chin. "You are in charge of me. I forbid you to go."

"Sorry about this." Wren grabbed Samatha by the waist and with a grunt, lifted her and set her aside. She swung her arms in a wild manner as she grappled to find her footing. Wren didn't stay to see if she fell. He bolted from the guest room and raced toward the staircase. Distant shouting propelled him faster.

He descended like a mad man, taking three steps at a time, and when his gaze landed on Leah and Charles below, blood rush clogged his hearing. Leah's face was pinched in pain, and rage engulfed Wren when Charles shook her and yelled.

A low sound emitted from Wren's throat as he jumped the remaining distance between Charles and him. His hand latched to the back of Charles's neck and with all the strength he had, Wren hurled him backward. He became faintly aware of Leah on the floor, but he turned, pinning his entire focus on one person.

Charles groaned and staggered to his feet and pressed a hand to his side. Pain reflected in his expression. He looked up at Wren. And his eyes widened.

Wren saw nothing but shimmering images of what he intended to do to Charles. As he marched forward, he flexed his fingers. His chest shivered with giddy delight.

Wren, no. I saved you from this. No.

Wren's wrath shattered like broken glass. He froze. His vision cleared. His breathing normalized as he stared at the frightened young man three feet from him. "What did I almost do?" he whispered. His knees buckled, and he stepped back to keep from falling. He backed away, saying nothing.

"Wren?" Leah's soft voice pulled at him, and he turned. She looked confused, but when she reached to rub her shoulder, some of his former anger returned.

"Princess." He breathed her name. "Are you okay?"

"I - yes, I think so?" She searched his face as she walked the few remaining steps to him. When she placed a hand on his arm, he flinched. "Are you?"

Pain stabbed him. "I'm sorry you saw that part of me," he whispered. "I should have been calmer. I ..." He looked away at first but then narrowed his eyes. Whether he had almost reverted to his past wasn't the point. He whirled to face Charles, causing Leah's hand to fall away and strode toward Charles. He stopped inches from him. "What do you think you were doing touching her like that?"

Charles's head dropped, and he sighed, long and heavy. "I don't know." He then moved around Wren. "I'm sorry, Leah. That should have never happened." There was sincerety in his voice that helped calm Wren. Leah must have heard it too.

"It's okay." Leah cast an unsure glance at Wren but then smiled a shaky smile at Charles. "I should have been calmer too..."

Wren frowned. "Why were you so worked up in the first place? You sounded terrified."

Leah blushed. "Charles said... Well, he said...y-you were going to be Samantha's butler."

She was upset about losing him? Why did that make him so happy? He swallowed hard and went to stand in front of her. "Silly, girl. That was what you were running around screaming for?"

"You don't understand. Samantha is dangerous. Manipulative. She wants you for a reason, and you're my butler! She can't keep taking everything that's mine."

"Oh, good grief, Leah!" Samantha's taunting voice echoed on the staircase. Everyone turned as she reached the landing. "Haven't you realized that everything you own is mine? Without me, you would have nothing. If I want the dress you are wearing,"--She smirked--"I can have it."

Leah straightened and raised her chin. "No way! I'm done, Samantha. I'm taking Wren back, and you're going to get out of my house. Now!"

Samantha laughed, amused. "Spare me the drama. Wren, come along. I want you to read me a bedtime story."

Wren scowled, knowing she was using him to rile Leah more. Samantha smirked and turned to leave.

"I'm not done!" Leah sprang forward. "I think its time someone slapped that smirk right off your face!"

Samantha turned and appeared alarmed as Leah marched toward her. Wren barely managed to grab Leah's wrist before she could land the slap she'd promised. Leah looked up at him, startled, and she frowned.

"Wren? What - what are you doing? She deserves this. No, she needs this!"

Wren schooled his features. He was inclined to agree, but...

"You can't. If you try, I'll be forced to restrain you." His heart squeezed as deep hurt reflected in her eyes.

"But, you're m-my butler. I-I'm your ward."

"Not anymore."