Braeden ___ 'I am so sorry,' Fallon pleaded. 'Do forgive me. I was not thinking.'

'No. Clearly you were not,' he snarled.

Fallon thought he had a right to be furious. She touched his arm. 'I am sorry ___ about your parents too,' she whispered.

He was quiet, not saying anything, his face stony, his jaw tight and looking angry.

'Braeden do not be angry anymore,' she begged. 'Please tell me what happened to your parents,' her voice was but a whisper.

He continued to stare straight ahead. His eyes intensely focused in the dark as he expertly guided his greys. Fallon thought he was not going to answer. He had been so still and subdued and then she heard his voice.

'I was hardly twelve summers,' he spoke quietly. 'My parents and I were returning from visiting grandmère in Bath. That used to be her home in the summer,' he smiled.

Fallon nodded even though he could not see her. His eyes seemed faraway, yet his hands controlled the reins skilfully.

'What happened?' Fallon softly encouraged, as she tucked her fingers around his arm.

'My father wanted to leave for London whilst there was still daylight, but I was enjoying the sea, mama urged father to let me play. I remember him shaking his head and smiling at mama and saying, "only one more hour."

Braeden turned his head to Fallon, a half smile playing on his face. 'We had only been riding for about two hours. It was not as dark as it is now. We were in the front carriage. Our portmanteau, along with the foot men and mama's maids were in the second carriage.'

'The road was narrow,' his voice became soft. 'We heard the driver shout loudly. Papa looked out the window to see what was going on. Another carriage was speeding recklessly towards us. The next thing I knew, I was thrown out of the carriage. I landed in the grass. The carriage was upside down. Mama and papa ___.'

'I'm sorry,' Fallon whispered. Her hand reached out, touched his shoulder gently. He did not seem to register her voice nor her touch.

'The driver was full of blood,' Braeden continued. 'The servants from the second carriage picked me up. They refused to let me see mama and papa. We returned to Bath to grandmère. I stayed with her for a month. Then she returned with me to London. She became mother and father to me and trained me for the earldom. The life lessons grandmère has taught me, I could never repay her, even though I am a fairly wealthy man,' his eyes locked with Fallon's. It glistened from the light of the lanterns. Fallon could tell from his eyes and the passion in his voice that he cared deeply for the dowager and something told Fallon instinctively, he would never cross her nor would he do anything against her will.

'You must miss them terribly,' she murmured quietly.

'When I was growing up, yes,' he answered with a smile. 'When it snowed, I used to sit by the fire and mama used to tell me about the days when she was young and the games they played. Papa loved playing the pianoforte and mama would sing. Every Christmas, mama would secretly give me lots of presents in my chamber and then there would be lots more downstairs, by the Yule log.'

'Your mama loved you very much. I wish I could have met her.'

Braeden's head turned sharply in her direction.

'I'm sorry my lord. I ___ did not mean that.' Fallon shrunk away. She did not want Braeden thinking her to be presumptuous in any way.

Braeden's mood suddenly changed. It seemed like he realized he'd spoken too much, revealed more to her than he had to anybody else previously. He stiffened, forced his attention on his driving.

'Braeden ___.'

'Try to rest,' he spoke roughly.

'I cannot now,' she retorted.

'Wrap yourself up,' he instructed. 'It is cold.'

At some stage, Fallon had allowed the blankets to fall off. She had not even registered that she was not covered, nor was she feeling the cold chill of the night.

'Braeden talk to me.'

'Be quiet woman! Have you not heard enough to bore you to sleep?'

'Do not speak to me so harshly,' she chided.

'Fallon, for once in your life, do as you are told!' he barked.

'I will not take instructions from you,' she yelled at the top of her voice.

'Hey what is going on out there?' Burward shouted, sticking his head outside the carriage.

'Nothing,' both Fallon and Braeden chorused together.

Fallon had forgotten all about her sister and Burward in the carriage. Had they heard everything? No Braeden was speaking too softly.

'Does not sound like nothing,' Burward's laugh echoed loudly in the cool evening air as the horses sped on through the night.

'Hampton, you okay?' Burward shouted again.

Suddenly the horses were slowing. The furious scowl was still plastered on Braeden's face. He was talking softly to the horses.

'What are you doing?' Fallon questioned, when the carriage came to a standstill.

'We are going for a walk,' he hopped off and proceeded to rather unceremoniously hoist Fallon out of her seat.

'I do not wish to go anywhere with you,' she kicked at his ankle.

'Ouch! You vixen.'

'Whatever is the matter with you two?' Emma laughed.

'Do pardon me, Lady Emma,' Braeden smiled charmingly. 'If you will indulge me for five minutes, I wish to walk with Lady Fallon,' he was pulling her arm towards the woods.

'I do not desire to go anywhere with you,' she tried unsuccessfully, to fight him off.

'Lord Hampton, is it safe in the woods?' Emma asked cautiously.

Braeden laughed. 'I need only fear this vixen,' he winked. 'Besides I know this area well. Burward, do take Lady Emma into the carriage. We shall return in five minutes.'

'How dare you?' Fallon kicked and punched at Braeden like a wild animal.

Braeden pinned her arms easily behind her. 'You are rather ferocious,' he murmured softly, pressing the weight of his body against hers. 'I did not see you resist much when Wentworth was ravishing you,' he taunted.

'Maybe I did not resist because I enjoyed his attention,' she spat at Braeden.

His hands loosened his grip on her. His lips lowered to hers. 'Then why are we wasting time, if you give yourself so easily to every man in the ton?'

Fallon's palm rose swiftly and struck Braeden's face with much force. His face angled away from her. She gasped frightfully at what she'd done. Why did this man provoke her so? If Braeden told her father, she would be severely punished.

'Not even a man has dared to raise his hand to me before,' Braeden uttered gravely.

'I'm sorry,' she whispered.

'Are you?' He pinned her against a huge birch tree, imprisoning her hands on either side. His mouth lowered towards her lips.

'Braeden ___ don't.'

'Don't what?'

She could feel his warm breath. His body hot and hard; pressed against her bosom.

'Kiss me.'

His lips hovered overs hers seductively. 'Do you mean I should kiss you? Or I should not?'

She did not answer. Instead her hands jerked free. They wrapped around his neck as her mouth possessed his hungrily, ravishing him. His lips shifted to the softness of her throat. A sob escaped her throat. Her fingers raked through his hair. She wanted more of him, to feel his naked flesh against her own.

'Braeden ___,' her fingers cupped his face. The kiss deepened, their tongues meshed. She groaned softly, wanting so much more than he was giving her.

Braeden gently pulled away. 'We must return,' he spoke gruffly. 'Five minutes must be over.'

Fallon breathed heavily. Reluctantly her hands fell to her sides. This was neither the place nor the time for what she wanted from Braeden. Neither could she beg or plead for them to meet clandestinely. She did not want him hurling insults again about her becoming his mistress.

'Come,' he laced his fingers through hers and led her back towards the carriage.

Braeden discreetly knocked on the carriage. 'Perhaps you should sit with Lady Emma,' Braeden suggested.

'No!' She pleaded in a whisper.

'We are very near your home,' he cautioned. 'It is better that Burward sit in front with me. We do not want the baroness waiting at the door when we arrive to see Lady Emma alone with Burward, now do we?' Braeden grinned.

Fallon desperately wanted to beg him to visit her the following day, but she held back with great difficulty.

'Braeden?'

'Yes?'

'Do you ___ have feelings for Emma?'

'What! No!'

'Never?'

'Never,' he repeated sincerely. 'Why ever would you think that?'

Oh the way you look and smile at my sister.

'Five minutes are over so quickly?' Burward opened the carriage with a broad grin.

'Get in the front,' Fallon instructed Burward. 'I am freezing.' She hopped in and shut the carriage before either gentleman could utter a single word further.

'Sorry to interrupt your time with Burward,' Fallon apologised.

Emma sighed. 'Oh Fallon!'

Fallon laughed. 'Em you looked positively ravished.'

Emma blushed profusely. 'Thank you Fallon. Thank you. Thank you.'

'For what?' Fallon chuckled.

'Viscount Burward has just offered.'

'Really? Oh that is wonderful,' Fallon hugged her sister.

'You are not sad?'

'Why? I have not set my cap on Burward.'

Emma laughed. 'I know that. It's just ___ I have an offer and I hoped you would have one too.'

'Oh don't worry about me Em. If all else fails, I will succumb to the duke.'

'The duke? Did he offer?'

'Not formally, but he constantly hints at me becoming his duchess.'

'That is ___ not good,' Emma looked worried.

Fallon laughed again. 'I know. I feel sick just thinking about him touching me,' Fallon shivered.

Emma was quiet. Light faintly crept in from the outside lanterns. Fallon could see a hint of a smile on her sister's face, as her eyes adjusted to the darkness inside the carriage.

'Fallon, I kissed the viscount.'

Fallon laughed. 'Em, I would be surprised if nothing happened, with the two of you all alone inside the carriage.'

Emma hugged herself. 'It was wonderful Fallon.'

'You love him very much, don't you?'

'Yes,' Emma answered unhesitatingly.

'I am happy for you Em. You deserve to be happy and Burward is a fine gentleman.'

A sad look filled Emma's face. 'But what about you? And why on earth do you and Lord Hampton argue so much? We could hear the two of you shouting at each other.'

It is a good thing that was all you heard.

'Hampton is an arrogant, pig headed reprobate. He is not a gentleman and good manners are wasted on him.'

'Oh Fallon. I do wish you could find somebody like the viscount. We could ___.'

'I would be bored stiff Em. No, I need a man who I could fight and debate with and who would still respect me.' Somebody like Braeden...

'Since gentlemen, expect their ladies to be docile, not have an opinion, just provide them with heirs and lie on their backs for their pleasure and ___.'

'Fallon! Do not speak that way! What if the gentlemen could hear you?'

'Perhaps that is why I am not going to marry Em.'

'Oh Fallon. Please do reconsider. You must not live a lonely life. It would not be right. I would forever be concerned about you.'

'Cheer up sis. I am hardly an aged spinster, unable to fend for myself.'

'Promise me you will stay on the marriage mart for at least the next two seasons.'

'Perhaps just one more, just for you and mama,' Fallon laughed.

'Do I look presentable?' Emma enquired as the carriage came to a halt outside their home.

'Yes,' Fallon grinned. She adjusted Emma's hat appropriately, knotted her shawl around her neck and neatened her skirt.

'Don't tell me, Burward's hand slipped under your skirt,' Fallon teased.

'Fallon! Of course not. He would not do such a thing. He only kissed me ___ a lot,' she laughed.

How boring... and you're worried about me being lonely?

When Fallon, observed both her parents waiting at the front door, she silently thanked her lucky stars for Braeden's wisdom. She hopped out first, allowing Burward a moment alone to assist Emma out.

Fallon looked up. Braeden was also standing at the carriage. His eyes seemed to convey his earlier warning about her vigilant parents.

'I guess you were correct,' she murmured to Braeden.

'I shall walk you to the door.' He smiled, extended his arm. She accepted.

'You should not have come, now you have to drive all the way back.'

'Burward suggested I spend the night at his place and leave in the morning.'

'Good,' she uttered, as they reached her parents. 'It is safer you do not drive back.'

Braeden's eyebrows rose. His eyes looked amused.

'What is that smug look about?' she hissed.

'Like you care if I am attacked in the dark,' he mocked.

'I don't,' she lied. 'I would not want mama dragging me back to your estate to pay respects to you,' she rushed to her parents before he could respond.

'Hello mama, papa,' Fallon greeted.

Her parents greeted her fondly and enquired if they'd enjoyed the rest of the evening and the journey home. Fallon answered politely, avoiding Braeden's eyes.

Braeden smiled politely at her parents. 'Baron Fulham,' Braeden nodded. 'I thought you would take to your chamber.'

The baron smiled. 'Laudanumhas worked wonders.'

The baroness offered him coffee and suggested he warm up at the fire. He gratefully accepted. Fallon felt guilty that Braeden had been freezing in the front of the carriage. She looked over her shoulder and saw Emma and Burward engrossed in a private conversation. She smiled happily for her sister's impending betrothal.

Their guests departed. Emma hastened to delay her mother.

'Mama ___ are you going to retire to your chamber now?' Emma asked.

'Yes dear,' the baroness smiled tiredly.

'Could we ___ have some tea, mama,' Emma mumbled uncomfortably.

'Goodnight,' Fallon grinned and made to walk away.

'Fallon stay!' Emma stopped her.

'Why?' Fallon laughed. 'I do not want tea.'

'Fallon!' Emma pleaded.

'Fine,' Fallon dropped onto the chair in the kitchen. She watched her sister uncomfortably attempt to inform her mother of her betrothal offer.

'Mama Viscount Burward has offered for Emma,' Fallon thought to hurry things up. It was cold and she was tired.

'Fallon!' Emma turned red-faced.

'I cannot wait all night Em.'

'Is that true?' The baroness was ecstatic. 'Congratulations darling. That is wonderful news. You ___ have accepted?'

Emma's face brightened. 'Yes mama,' Emma smiled enthusiastically. 'Viscount Burward will call on papa tomorrow morning to ask his permission.'

'I shan't say a word then,' the baroness smiled conspirationally.

'Okay mama,' Emma nodded happily.

'Now can I go to bed?' Fallon groaned tiredly.

Emma laughed. 'Yes Fallon.'

'And what about you dear?' The baroness questioned Fallon.

'I do not want to marry Viscount Burward,' Fallon deliberately misunderstood her mother.

'Fallon!' The baroness responded sternly.

Fallon looked at her parent with a trace of annoyance. 'I told you mama. I do not want to marry and that is final.' Fallon strode out, ignoring the baroness's instruction to return to the kitchen.

Chilton Wentworth, Duke of Baxendale rubbed his hands together gleefully.

'Is the carriage ready?' He questioned.

'Yes, your grace,' the servant nodded.

'And the cottage?'

'As you requested, your grace.'

'Excellent,' Chilton nodded smugly.

Today was going to be a very good day for him. He had been planning for weeks on how he would secure the Lady Fallon as his duchess and last night she had graciously agreed to go riding with him today. Only his plans were not going to be as Lady Fallon expected. Chilton would pretend to take her riding. One of his trusted servants would be in a second carriage. The duke's plan was that they would dismount their horses and walk a bit in the park. That's when Fallon's fate will be sealed. She would be kidnapped by the duke's servant and taken to a remote property where the duke planned to conveniently rescue her and compromise her in the process.

Chilton Wentworth roared with laughter. 'Yes, today, Lady Fallon will me mine,' he vowed triumphantly to himself. He could taste her sweet strawberry lips. He could smell the floral scent of her hair. He could feel the warmth of her pliant flesh at his fingertips. Chilton Wentworth could hardly wait. 'I have been patient long enough.'

- end chapter eleven-