Lord Alexander sunk his head low, his ankle tapping against his Arabian race horse’s hind leg. He wanted more power from the grey and he knew he would deliver. He raced his grey so hard around his estate as if the devil was chasing him. If the Earl was honest, he was trying to race away from the confusion he felt in his heart.

It had been two weeks since he’d ravished the young Ms. Sybrina Trevick in his private dining parlour. Fourteen days and nights had passed but he could not get her out of his mind. Her beautiful challenging green eyes, green like marble, and those rosy kissable lips tormented his mind.

‘Come on boy, give me more, damn it,’ the Earl kicked gently at the horse, urging him faster. What concerned the Earl more was every time his mind strayed to Sybrina, his memory would recall a masked lady in shimmering silk. Every time in his dreams when he unmasked the stunning Artemis, the face that gazed back at him was that of Sybrina.

God’s teeth! How can a man be so attracted to two different women? Different they most certainly were. One was a high society lady. She dressed like a lady. She walked and danced and carried herself like a lady. The other was shy, dressed like a commoner and lived in an orphanage. Yet her eyes were intelligent, fiery, passionate __.

‘Faster boy, even a chestnut can move faster than you,’ the Earl tapped his whip softly on his grey’s behind.

As if taking offence at the derogatory comparison, his grey skidded to a halt and neighed protestingly, and blew his nose angrily.

The Earl threw his head back and laughed, ‘hurt your pride did I?’ he lovingly patted the mane at the grey’s neck. The grey made a complaining grunt. His mouth and lips move simultaneously at high speed.

‘If you don’t stop with the whining, I’m not introducing you to that gorgeous mare drinking at the lake,’ the Earl bargained as he slid off.

As if totally understanding, the grey licked on the Earl’s wrist and was hurriedly dragging the Earl towards the lake. The mare spotting the handsome stud checking her out, eagerly trotted ahead to meet the grey half way, to which the grey bellowed triumphantly.

‘You must let me in on the secret hmm,’ Alexander murmured close to the grey’s ear. ‘I wish my lady could be that enthusiastic.’

My lady? You can’t even make up your mind whether you want Sybrina or the Lady Artemis!

‘Claudia I was so curious when your groom brought the message this morning that you wanted to visit.’

‘Sy, you’re looking well. A little thin I think, but healthy,’ Claudia smiled hugging her friend.

But not beautiful right?

‘Let’s have tea in Mother Agnes’s sun parlour. It’s much warmer there,’ Sybrina tugged on her friends arm.

Sybrina served tea, and offered Lady Claudia a slice of the fresh sweet cornbread, cook had baked that morning and waited patiently to know the reason for her friend’s visit.

‘Are you busy this Friday evening?’ Claudia asked casually.

‘Let’s see, I have to mow the lawn. I need to paint the back walls of the church and I may have to round up the herd of sheep__’

‘Quit kidding around,’ Claudia laughed.

‘What plans have you concocted?’ Sybrina smiled, biting into a slice of cornbread.

‘Duchess Miranda has invited us to a ball__’

The Duchess! Sybrina choked on her bread, and coughed unendingly.

‘Sybrina, are you okay,’ Lady Claudia quickly sat down next to Sybrina and tapped her back gently, hoping to assist Sybrina’s breathing.

The Duchess! The ton’s gutter press! She knew Sybrina very well. She knew Sybrina since she was a teenager. No, she couldn’t go. What if the wrong people saw her there.

‘I can’t go with you,’ Sybrina muttered in between coughs.

‘Please you have to. Ralph is engaged in the country. He may not be back in time. I can’t go alone. Even if the Duchess is a pain,’ Claudia whispered,’ she has the most entertaining social gatherings. Everybody loves attending.’

That’s what I’m afraid of.

‘Please you can’t say no, and you can’t make the excuse you have nothing to wear. You have the most gorgeous gowns just moulding, because you insist on dressing up in these working girl clothes,’ Claudia grinned.

‘So who all will be there?’ Sybrina fished, not looking at her friend. She pretended to dust some crumbs of her lap.

‘The usual ton regulars. If you’re hoping to see Alexander. He’s going with Ralph to the country.’

No__’ Sybrina denied, ‘I don’t wish to see him or anybody in particular,’ she lied, and silently said a prayer, asking forgiveness.

She tried unsuccessfully to stop her cheeks from blushing, as she thought about Alexander.

Alexander, I miss you.

She hadn’t seen or heard from him in the past two weeks. Obviously he concurred with his mother after the way she’s so disgracefully kissed him back and so suggestively pressed her body against his. He probably thinks she was very experienced in the ways between a man and a woman, but she was not. The way she’d kissed him, and touched him was in response to the way he made her feel in his arms. Everything had been spontaneous and natural. She had no experience, having never been in the arms of a man previously. Sybrina could not deny though, what the rake made her feel, no other male previously had been able to incite in her. She must forget the rake, socially he was a no, no.

‘So please say you’ll accompany me,’ Claudia interrupted her thoughts.

‘I have just the outfit for you if__’

Sybrina shook her head, declining the offer, ‘I do have two or three gowns, I have not yet had opportunity to wear.’

‘Good my carriage will collect you at six,’ Lady Claudia hugged her friend gratefully.

Sybrina stood in front of the mirror, staring at the figure looking back at her. The gown was certainly beautiful, layers of tangerine silk, draped her hour glass figure. Her gold waves of hair cascaded around her shoulders like threads of soft silk. She bit on her lower lip, making it more rosy red than it already was. She did not like make up, and looked critically at her milky white complexion. Perhaps she should add some foundation and give some colour to her cheeks. No, she preferred her face free of anything. Sybrina turned around slowly, studying the rest of her figure over her shoulder. The colour of the gown was beautiful, blending with her hair and skin colour. She loved soft tones of orange.

It would be nice if you could be there Alexander. I would want to be in your arms one more time.

‘No, he’s a RAKE. He flirts with every woman he lays his eyes on. Don’t forget it,’ she chastised herself.

She cursed herself softly when thoughts of him lying with another woman came into her mind. She did not like that painful ache she felt in her heart, when she had unladylike thoughts of him lying naked with other woman. She could just hear the soft words of love and passion__.

‘Stop!’ she commanded her brain, and hurried downstairs to wait for the carriage.

Sybrina nervously looked around the room, as she stood in the home of the Duke and Duchess of York. The Dowager Countess of Cavendish was in the room, but Sybrina avoided her like the plague. The Yorks, Duke Reginald and Duchess Miranda entertained in style. The duke was a charming gentleman in his early forties. He was not blessed with good looks, but he made up for that with his wealth, charm, and witty sense of humour. His wife the duchess was almost twelve years his junior. Sybrina did not dwell on the rumours that she only married the duke for his title and the wealth. She was a stunningly beautiful woman. Beautiful figure, long shapely legs that she showed to advantage every time the opportunity offered.

Tonight she was adorned in a silk gown in beige. A long slit from thigh to ankle was artfully hidden, but when she walked, if a man risked his reputation to look, he would not be disappointed at what was on offer. She had beautiful rich, glowing brunette hair, which cascaded down to her lower back. When the duchess walked into a room, nobody could not notice her. She loved the attention, it was often rumoured that she was a consummate flirt, but Sybrina would not dwell on those rumours either. She had yet to produce an heir for the duke, even though they’d been married for almost four years. There was also another rumour that she was loathe to fall pregnant and risk the scars that child bearing caused. She was hoping to maintain her beautiful body for as long as the duke remained patient. Sybrina raised her glass to her lips as she watched the duchess work the room. She smiled as the duchess touched the arm of gentlemen flirtatiously, even as her husband was in the room although not close by her. It was amusing to observe how the gentlemen, stuttered, stammered and shifted nervously when she spoke to them.

‘What humours you so?’ Claudia whispered from behind her glass.

‘’Our duchess is a work of art, don’t you think?’

‘Sybrina!’

‘What? Nobody can hear me,’ she whispered back.

‘Is your dance card full?’ Claudia chose a safe topic to converse about.

‘Just about,’ she grinned again. She had nodded and accepted every gentleman’s request to dance. Just in case Alexander did pitch up. Her card would be full, and she’d not have to suffer in his arms.

‘I’m going to be in trouble if my husband does pitch,’ Claudia wrinkled her nose, ‘my card is almost full as well. I’ve reserved one, just in case Ralph arrives.’

‘Good thing I’m not spoken for,’ Sybrina laughed.

‘Claudia, how lovely for you to accept,’ both ladies had not noticed the duchess had made her way to them.

‘Duchess,’ Lady Claudia curtsied.

‘Sybrina,’ The Duchess, looked her up and down, trying not to admire Sybrina’s gown.

‘Duchess,’ Sybrina curtsied.

‘How do you manage to stay so slender Sybrina?’ The duchess accused. ‘I have to starve myself to look like I do.’

‘There is nothing wrong with your figure Duchess. You look stunning,’ Sybrina replied with honesty.

The duchess purred with delight. It seemed Sybrina had given her the right answer as she tucked her arm into Sybrina’s.

‘So tell me,’ The Duchess whispered conspirationally, ‘who’s taken your fancy tonight? I’ll get the duke to order him to make an offer for you.’

If the duchess just stopped at her question, Sybrina would have responded.

He hasn’t arrived tonight, but after the comment that followed, Sybrina was able to reply with ease, ‘I’m not interested in marriage duchess.’

‘Nonsense every girl wants marriage, a title and wealth, though not in that order,’ the duchess laughed loudly.

Not me.

‘Isn’t that so Claudia,’ the duchess lobbied for support when Sybrina did not answer.

‘Yes, I wanted marriage, and I want children,’ Claudia added.

‘Mmm,’ the duchess nodded, gulping down the contents of her glass. She looked to one of the footmen who practically ran to her with a tray of more fine champagne.

Sybrina tried to hide the smirk on her face, at Claudia’s sincere mention of children, a sentiment the duchess did not share, as she placed her empty glass on the tray, and took another glass of champagne.

‘So there’s nobody in this room? Nobody that takes your fancy? The duchess persisted.

‘Not a single one my lady ,’ Sybrina was able to answer truthfully.

‘What about him?’ the duchess pointed to a young gentleman about Sybrina’s age who had just inherited a title and the estate of his late father.

‘No, my lady,’ Sybrina dragged out, aware that the duchess was spending more than the casual short period she had afforded the other guests.

‘What about him?’ she pointed to another handsome gentleman, about the age of the duchess, who was also wealthy and looking for somebody to offer for.

Sybrina noticed the duchess and the young man in question looked across the room at each other. The duchess smiled seductively, the gentleman gazed back as if he was undressing her.

‘He won’t disappoint,’ she spoke meaningfully, which brought a spluttered cough from Lady Claudia.

‘Do you think it’s fun married to a man almost twice your age?’ the duchess exaggerated, looked at Claudia accusingly.

‘The duke is hardly twice your age ,’ Claudia replied.

‘Nevertheless he can be quiet the bore in bed,’ the duchess looked again at the gentleman.

Her eyes not leaving him, she raised her glass to her lips, her tongue snaked out and circled the rim of her glass. Sybrina watched with interest as the gentleman swallowed, his eyes bulged, as he stared at the duchess.

‘Darling we made it,’ the baron hugged his wife.

Sybrina went still. She was glad she did not have a glass in her hand it would have fallen. The baron had returned, somewhat late but he did make it back and not alone. Sybrina stared at the rake standing next to Baron Du Pont. The Earl looked gorgeous, handsomely dressed in the latest men’s evening wear, shining hessians. His necktie was perfectly knotted. She was breathless, studying him, as he gazed back at her.

‘Alex, darling, you came!’ the duchess cooed,’ possessively clutching her arm into the Earl’s. 'You said you can’t make it,’ she pouted.

The Earl dragged his eyes away to look at the duchess. He smiled into her eyes, ‘Duchess. We got back earlier than we anticipated, ‘ his eyes met Sybrina’s again.

She looked away. Her heart was beating wildly. It was also feeling something unpleasant, seeing the duchess’s finger’s clinging to Alexander in that way. She had her own husband for heaven’s sake! Even that gentleman she was giving the bedroom eyes to earlier. The duchess was whispering something to Alexander, but his eyes were fixed on Sybrina.

‘Should I introduce you darling?’ The Duchess reluctantly asked, when she saw the Earl and Sybrina could not keep their eyes of each other.

‘Er__ I’m going to get a drink,’ Sybrina dashed off, before either of them responded.

‘Sybrina,’ Baron Du Pont smiled a greeting when she joined them at the punch bowl .

‘Lord Ralph,’ how are you she embraced him.

‘Thanks for accompanying my wife,’ he smiled adoringly at Claudia.

It had been a pleasure until five minutes ago.

Sybrina stared across the room and watched as the rake and the duchess gazed into each other’s eyes. She was really turning on the charm, one hand now elevated to his shoulder. How could she flirt so openly when her husband was right in the room? Sybrina looked at the duke. He was engaged in a conversation with two other gentlemen. He’d said something, and they roared with laughter.

‘It can never be said that the duchess does not host interesting parties,' Sybrina grinned.

‘It can never be said, she does not have an interesting time,’ Lord Ralph teased.

‘Darling!’ Claudia admonished her husband softly.

‘Have you saved me a dance my beautiful wife?’ Lord Ralph draped his arm around Claudia’s waist.

‘Just one,’ she murmured disappointedly.

Sybrina slipped away, and walked around the room chatting to other maidens and the gentleman of her age. When the dancing started she dance with all the gentlemen she promised a space on her card. She observed the Earl danced two dances in a row with the duchess. Who else would he have eyes for, she was certainly the most beautiful lady in the room? They moved gracefully as well Sybrina observed, their legs entwined around each other, it almost looked obscene. She wondered if the duchess had managed to have the Earl in her bed. Now she’d heard from the horse’s mouth, about the Duke’s prowess in bed.

‘Don’t they make a good couple? I would have chosen her as Countess of Cavendish, but alas she’d set her sight on the highest prize and captured it,’ the dowager gave Sybrina a triumphant smile.

Sybrina tore her eyes away from the gloating dowager. Wasn’t it bad enough that Sybrina had to endure watching them? Now she had to suffer the dowager’s shallow victory that he had eyes only for the most beautiful woman in the room.

‘You don’t mind that the Earl behaves like a rake, cavorting with a married woman?’ the words were out before Sybrina could stop herself.

‘Sheath those claws Ms. Trevick, they’re wasted on me,’ the dowager smiled happily.

Luckily for Sybrina, she was whisked away by the next gentleman on her card. As she walked away she risked a look at the dowager, who was glaring at Sybrina icily.

‘Would you be so kind?’ she heard that voice so close to her, Sybrina turned sharply to see the Earl addressing the gentleman she was about to dance with. The Earl had murmured something to the young man.

‘I had promised the gentleman this dance my lord,’ Sybrina informed the Earl.

‘I’ve arranged a much better prize for him,’ the Earl responded, pulling her into his arms against her chest.

She had no option but to meekly comply, unless she planned to make a scene in the Duke of York’s home. Good manners forbid her to act in a contrary manner. So she quietly slipped her hands into his and moved to the rhythm of the music. Now it dawned on her why the countess had glared at her when she got onto the dance floor. She had observed her son approach to intercept her dance with the gentleman. Sybrina searched for the gentleman on the dance floor and saw he had the duchess in his arms, and he looked positively radiant. Sybrina breathed heavily. It felt wonderful being in his arms. He moved so gracefully, you felt as if you’re being carried around above the ground. His arms felt so secure, pinning her against his chest, she wanted to stay there forever. She allowed herself to look up into his eyes, and found he was gazing at her face.

‘How have you been,’ he smiled warmly.

Do you actually care?

‘Fine, thank you my Lord.’

‘Call me Alexander,’ he murmured, the smile leaving his face, but his eyes held hers.

No, I can’t.

‘Sybrina,’ he whispered huskily.

‘Y__yes’

‘I want to hear you speak my name,’ he demanded, clutching her hand against his chest so tightly, she could feel it beat wildly.

‘A__Al__Alexander,’ she mouthed the word, as if in a trance.

In my arms you dance like Artemis but she, was bold when she called my name.

The Earl angrily pulled her closer. What was wrong with him? Did the duchess deny him an opportunity in her bed? Perhaps the duchess wanted the gentleman whom she flirted with over her champagne glass tonight.

‘What’s wrong my lord?’ Sybrina innocently asked when she heard him curse.

He looked down into her eyes. He smiled wickedly, but it was not a pleasant smile. When they got close again, he responded.

‘What’s wrong you ask?’ he groaned. ‘God’s teeth woman, I want to make love to you that’s what’s wrong! I want you in my bed, naked in my arms, and I want to kiss every bit of flesh on your body from your head to your toe until__’

‘My lord, be quiet,’ Sybrina tried to stay at a respectable distance.

‘You asked what’s wrong didn’t you?’ he taunted. ‘Should I have lied to you Sybrina?’ he spoke her name like a sweet caress. ‘I have no intention of releasing you until the waltz is over, so let’s enjoy the dance shall we?’