‘Mr Rochester, good afternoon,’ Sarah replied breathlessly. ‘How delightful to see you again.’

‘It most certainly is not!’ Madison huffed. ‘That was irresponsible Mr. Rochester,’ Madison decried.

She was so angry, her entire body was shaking. ‘We thought your horse was out of control. We thought you were going to run us over.’

‘Indeed?’ The mocking voice teased.

‘Oh come now Madison,’ Sarah pleaded. ‘It was not that bad. I am sure Mr. Rochester was in total control of his stallion. Sarah lifted her eyes admiringly up into Chadwick’s face. Where you not Mr. Rochester?’

‘You were pretty reckless Mr. Rochester! I dare say you should not be allowed into the park. There are young children about the park,’ she continued.

Chadwick wondered where these undetectable children could be. As he looked over his shoulder, he could not see a single child anywhere in the park. Not that there was any truth in Madison’s accusations. He was a skilled horseman, never reckless or irresponsible as his accuser claimed. There had not been a single occasion when a horse of his did not heed his authorative command, but he was not going to defend himself to the chit. Chadwick casually dropped one leg off his horse, then elaborately slid the other muscular leg down.

Madison watched in fascination, her eyes glued to his theatrical movements. When she realized she was staring, she quickly looked away and pretended to adjust her bonnet. Taking his time, Chadwick loosely tied his stallion under the shade of a tree and walked back to the ladies. Madison swallowed convulsively as he made his way to them. She wanted to instruct Sarah that they should leave, but speech failed her. She tried to give voice to her thoughts, but she could not. She held her breath as Chadwick stopped in front of them. His huge hand lifted to shade his eyes from the direct rays of the sun. His silhouette was picture perfect, the sun directly on him. The unruly hair, the long dark lashes almost fanning his cheeks, the attractive face, the extremely broad shoulders, and the perfect V from the elegant shoulders to the narrow waist put the man in a league of his own as far as physical beauty went. Madison exhaled slowly when she realized she needed more oxygen.

‘Lady Sarah, would you care to walk with me?’ Chadwick offered her his arm, ignoring Madison who instinctively felt a forlorn spirit of loneliness. She lowered her head so he could not see the hurt in her eyes. Why it hurt, she did not know for he was a loathsome man. She really did not care who he walked with, or that he did not prefer her company.

‘It would be my pleasure Mr. Rochester,’ Sarah tucked her arm into Chadwick’s. ‘Come on Madison,’ Sarah beamed over her shoulder. Madison followed, ensuring she was at least four steps behind them. She did not want to hear or make any contributions to their conversations. Instead, feeling sorry for herself, she looked around watching all the other couples strolling about. Some gentlemen were exercising their horses. A young lady and her companion were walking a dog and smiling at each other. Today she could not appreciate the beautiful seasonal and colourful foliage that normally always caught her breath when she walked the park. Madison reduced her steps, increasing the gap between herself, her cousin and the maddening gentleman.

‘It’s a lovely day is it not Lady Sarah?’

‘I am so glad the rain has abated,’ she sighed. I love being outdoors, so does Madison,’ Sarah turned back to see Madison quite a distance away now. ‘Madison do walk more briskly,’ Sarah called out.

Ignoring her cousin’s instruction, Madison waved her hand to Sarah to continue, and continued at her snail’s pace.

‘I do not know what is with Madison today. Her countenance is as the dreary weather of yesterday.’

‘So you have not met any interesting suitors?’ Chadwick chose to ignore Sarah’s observation.

‘Oh one or two have shown an interest, nothing concrete,’ Sarah leaned closer to Chadwick and smiled into his eyes.

‘Lady Sarah would you allow me to speak forthrightly?’

‘Yes,’ Sarah breathed expectantly, ‘by all means, do go ahead.’

Chadwick stopped and turned towards Sarah, his palm closed over hers on his arm. ‘My lady do not set your cap on me, I beseech you.’

Madison stopped dead in her tracks and watched animatedly at Sarah and Chadwick gazing into each other’s eyes.

The rake! He has no shame. How many women does he want? And poor Sarah is besotted. Does she not know he is not the marrying kind?

‘I---I. But why?’ Sarah demanded, lifting her eyes enquiringly to Chadwick’s.

‘You are a beautiful young lady. You will meet somebody who will love you as you should be loved.’

‘It is Lady Charlotte Duxbury who has captured your heart is it not?’ Sarah asked softly.

Chadwick merely smiled. The back of his fingers reached out and gently brushed her cheek.

How dare he touch Sarah in public?

Madison was furious with the rogue. Never mind that he had kissed her in public. Did he not care for propriety? Did he not know he risked compromising Sarah? As if he felt Madison’s disapproving glare, Chadwick dropped his hand without looking at Madison.

‘Shall we continue walking my lady?’

‘Yes off course,’ she smiled graciously.

‘May I request the conversation we just had, remain between you and I my lady?’

‘It will be my secret to keep,’ Sarah stopped again. ‘I respect your honesty,’ she smiled.

‘Thank you,’ Chadwick looked into her eyes and spoke politely. ‘You look amazing in your afternoon dress Lady Sarah. Sapphire is definitely your colour,’ he complimented.

‘Why thank you sir. If I did not know better, I would think you are making a pass at me.’

Chadwick threw his head back and laughed unreservedly. ‘The man that marries you my lady will be a lucky man, for you are precious, and I mean that most sincerely.’

Sarah gripped Chadwick’s fingers into hers, ‘I hope we have struck a bond today,’ she smiled. ‘Now, may we turn back? I have assured mama we will not be out for too long.’

‘Certainly,’ Chadwick tipped his hat. ‘Have your family received an invitation to Duke Sinclair’s ball next Saturday?’

‘Not yet, but I am sure one will be forthcoming. Duke Sinclair is a personal friend of Madison’s papa, and we are often included in his invitations.’

‘I will look forward to dancing with you there then,’ he smiled.

‘I will see if I can accommodate you. There will be so many suitors vying for my attention,’ she grinned.

Chadwick laughed again, ‘I dare say you are trying to put me in my place my lady.’

‘No, I tease you,’ she smiled. ‘It will be my pleasure,’ she assured him.

When Chadwick looked in Madison’s direction, he saw she was sitting on the grass next to his horse. Her palm was gently petting the horse’s nose.

‘I suppose you like your master don’t you?’ For answer he neighed agreeably.

‘I bet he does not talk to you arrogantly, or ignore you just to punish you,’ Madison got the same response as the first one.

‘You are lucky he treats you kindly. I am certain it is because you do not talk back.’ The horse made a sneezing sound and shook his mouth from side to side.

‘Well do not ever let him browbeat you, and do not allow him to ride you recklessly ever again.’ As if in agreement, the stallion came closer to Madison and pressed his wet sticky nose against her cheek.

‘Is there a reason you are trying to make an acquaintance with my stallion Lady Madison?’

Madison turned her head sharply. She did not realize they had returned. She silently prayed he had not heard anything she had said to his horse.

‘Sorry,’ she mumbled and quickly stood up, avoiding looking at Chadwick.

Sarah turned to look at Chadwick in surprise. ‘Madison loves horses,’ she informed Chadwick. ‘She started riding when she was three. I was only brave enough around eight years of age.’

‘Shall we return home?’ Madison asked Sarah.

‘Yes,’ Sarah smiled, ‘I have told Mr. Rochester that I promised mama we will not be too long. Thank you for the walk, Mr. Rochester. Have a pleasant day further.’

‘Ladies,’ he tipped his hat and instantly he was mounting his horse and speeding away. The horse gave one loud neigh in Madison’s direction before he sped off. Madison smiled acknowledging the horse, before she pounced on Sarah.

‘That looked like rather an intimate and cosy affair,’ Madison commented.

‘He is a charming man Madison,’ Sarah smiled.

‘You throw all propriety to the wind, here in broad daylight,’ Madison accused. Not that she could ever do anything as outrageous as letting a man touch her in a public place! Whatever was Sarah thinking about?

‘He is harmless Madison,’ Sarah laughed softly.

He kissed me! Okay I kissed him back, but still!

‘You seemed to be having a very serious conversation,’ Madison felt her heart constrict as she spoke.

‘He said I was amazing,’ Sarah twirled about headily. He liked my dress. He said sapphire suits me,’ Sarah danced around and around.

‘Sarah, do you not realize he is toying with you? He will hurt you. He is a man that keeps many mistresses.’

‘How do you know all this?’

‘I---, he---. Well you must have observed he attends every function with a different woman all the time.’

‘I like him,’ Sarah insisted stubbornly. She knew pursuing Chadwick was a lost cause. She just wanted to rile Madison. She could not understand Madison’s extreme hatred of the man.

‘I am just trying to protect you,’ Madison murmured as they walked back home.

‘Oh Madison,’ Sarah laughed. ‘I am just teasing you,’ she hugged her cousin. ‘Do not fear dear Madison. I have no intention of setting my cap on Mr. Rochester.’

‘You promise? I mean, I just do not want you to get hurt.’

‘I promise, sweet Madison. I do suspect Mr. Rochester has set his cap on Lady Charlotte,’ she spoke as they left the park.

‘Did he say so?’

‘No. He is very evasive. Never speaks his mind,’ Sarah smiled at Madison.

‘Then how do you know?’

‘He spends a lot of time with her. He takes her to many functions,’ Sarah noted.

‘I see.’

‘I believe Duke Sinclair is throwing a ball next Saturday. Mr. Rochester asked me to reserve a dance for him.’

‘Oh we have to pay a visit to Sally. We have to design very special outfits for that ball.’

Sarah curiously turned to study her cousin.

‘I mean if we are attending a Duke’s ball. There will be many potential suitors,’ Madison rationalized.

I will make a special gown that he will notice me.

'Ladies, good morning the modiste greeted Madison and Sarah.

‘Oh Sally,’ Madison hugged the modiste. ‘How are you? We have a very special request.’

When the girls had returned home, the invitation from Duke Sinclair had been delivered. Baron Stanton had accepted without hesitation.

‘Good morning Sally,’ Lady Sarah smiled.

‘What is this special request?’ Sally laughed, guiding the young ladies to the small square room where she took measurements.

‘The Duke of Carlington has invited us to a ball come Saturday,’ Madison exclaimed.

‘Ah the Duke,’ Sally nodded. ‘I guess we need very elegant evening wear then.’

‘Oh yes Sally,’ Sarah agreed excitedly. ‘I have a picture of something I like to wear,’ she showed her a garment in one of the recent magazines.

‘On the dias then my lady,’ Sally helped Sarah up. Madison made herself comfortable on the only bench in the tiny room. The only other item in the room was a single door dressing closet.

‘Did you get any new evening wear patterns?’ Madison asked, as Sally measured Sarah.

‘I did receive a batch. I think I have just the thing for each of you,’ she mumbled, with a few pins inbetween her lips, the tape measure around her neck.

‘I would love something in orange or green,’ Sarah requested.

‘Green will be perfect with your hair colour Lady Sarah,’ Sally lifted Sarah’s blonde hair admiringly. ‘Have a look at these,’ Sally pointed as she finished measuring Sarah

‘Oh that is so beautiful,’ Madison sighed, admiring a bale of exotic looking bottle green material.

‘It is lovely is it not Madison,’ Sarah pressed the expensive, silky fabric against her cheek.

‘You will look adorable in that Sarah,’ Madison suggested.

‘Oh I think I love it Sally,’ Sarah gushed.

‘Good, I think that pattern is easy enough,’ Sally studied Sarah’s magazine.

‘What do you have for me Sally?’ Madison enquired as she climbed onto the dias to be measured. She stood in her pantalets and chemise as Sally expertly ran the tape measure around Madison’s waist and shoulders.

‘There are at least four colours for you to choose from Lady Madison. What about a pattern for you?’ Sally asked.

‘I sketched something,’ Madison felt her cheeks becoming warmer as she handed the sketch to Sally whose eyes popped out when she saw the daring design. Sarah rushed over to look at it.

‘Oh my Madison! Are you really going to wear something like---that!’ Sarah stared at Madison’s sketch.

‘Yes,’ Madison raised her chin defiantly. ‘That is just the dress I want to wear.’

‘Very well then. Would you like to select your fabric,’ Sally requested. Madison was surprisingly stepping out of her very conservative standards.

‘Ladies will you come for a fitting in two days time?’ Sally requested.

'Madison, we are ready to leave,’ Baron Stanton called out to his daughter.

‘Coming papa,’ she answered from the top of the stairs.

‘Do hurry Madison,’ her mama called out. ‘Uncle Gilbert, Aunt Diana and Sarah have left already.’

‘Why Madison, you look ravishing,’ her father complimented. ‘Does my daughter not look beautiful?’ Stanton asked, smiling at his wife.

‘Madison, you have outdone yourself. I did not know Sally had it in her to produce such a glamorous gown.’

‘Thank you,’ Madison smiled at her parents, secretly delighted that they did not think her garment to risqué. Madison herself was not feeling as comfortable or confident as she looked. She prayed she would have the nerve to keep her composure at the Duke’s ball.

The groom held the carriage door opened as Madison and her parents alighted. Madison adjusted her dress, careful not to crease it.

‘I am looking forward to seeing Roman again,’ Stanton smiled.

‘You and his grace are rather good friends papa,’ Madison smiled.

‘Yes,’ Stanton smiled. ‘We went to college together. Played sport competitively against each other and we have remained friends through the years.

‘Baron Stanton, Baroness Rachel, and Lady Madison Sanford,’ the butler announced as they entered the ballroom.

‘Your Grace good evening,’ Stanton observed protocol.

‘Baron Stanton,’ the Duke returned the formal greeting. When they were alone they were less formal.

‘Baroness welcome,’ Duchess Anna invited warmly.

‘Your Grace. It is wonderful to see you again,’ Rachael returned equally warmly.

‘Lady Madison. You do look delightful,’ Anna complimented sincerely with a broad smile.

‘Good evening Your Grace. Thank you,’ Madison curtsied.

‘Shall we mingle?’ Stanton offered his arm to his wife, allowing the duke to greet and attend to the rest of his guests. Madison held her breath, she wondered if Chadwick had arrived yet.

The ballroom was crowded. She recognised many of the titled ladies and gentlemen of the peer already there.

Where is he?

The ball seemed to have started in earnest. Laughter, food, champagne, conversation flowed freely.

‘Madison,’ Sarah hugged her cousin. ‘Oh Madison you look gorgeous. I cannot believe how beautiful you look in this rather daring dress,’ she smiled with her voice lowered.

Madison laughed softly, ‘you look beautiful too Sarah. Sally was right. The green looks amazing on you.’

‘Come let us go to the drinks table,’ Sarah grabbed Madison’s hand. ‘Viscount Anthony Healey and Sir Arthur Caldwell are here,’ Sarah informed Madison. ‘I have already promised them both a dance on my card.’

‘Thank you Sarah,’ Madison accepted the glass of chilled champagne.

‘Lady Madison. I am delighted that you are here.’ Madison turned around to see Arthur looking a little taller, but his cheeks flushed like they normally do.

‘Sir Arthur, good evening,’ Madison smiled. She swallowed on the champagne too quickly, the bubbles tickled her nose. A warm fuzzy feeling was making her light hearted. She laughed as she returned Arthur’s greeting. ‘Viscount Anthony,’ Madison deepened the smile extending her hand to Anthony.

Chadwick stood behind the huge potted plants as he watched the two young couples at the drinks table. He had almost choked on his brandy when he saw the unmistakable figure of Lady Madison Sanford. He could never mistake the chit. She carried herself with such grace and confidence. She had a distinct and unique way of swaying her hips as she gracefully walked. There were no false airs or graces. She walked with natural, yet confident movements. Chadwick wondered if Lady Madison was aware that everyman including himself hidden behind the potted plants, had, admiringly held their breath when she was announced. She was dressed to give every man a heart attack tonight. Chadwick had never in his adult life before admired such a stunningly beautiful gown, and more importantly that lady looked confidently spectacular. The overdress of silk organza wrapped around the length of her curvy body down to her ankles, trimmed with a lacy border. The under dress his expert eye noted was ivory lace. A dusty pink sash was decoratively tied around her tiny waist. Chadwick swallowed a huge mouthful from his brandy glass, as his eyes followed the plunging neckline. The décolletage hinted at upright firm rounded breasts. His fingers tingled, just imagining what it would feel like to brush against those delightful assets of the lady. Chadwick greedily swallowed again when his eyes shifted to the sleeveless gown, displaying slender, milk white arms. No doubt the tease dressed in a gown for seduction. No jewellery robbed her slender neck of any attention. Her face lightly made up, her brunette hair loose, cascaded over her shoulders. The lady was clearly the most beautiful in the ballroom tonight.

‘Should we not join the others on the dance floor?’ Charlotte slipped her hand into Chadwick’s, breaking into his thoughts. He returned his gaze to his companion next to him and smiled lazily.

‘Yes off course, it will be my pleasure my lady,’ Chadwick smiled, offering his arm to Charlotte, as he led her to the dance floor.

‘May I have this dance Lady Madison?’ Arthur nervously enquired.

‘Yes, I would love to,’ Madison accepted, allowing Arthur to lead her to where other couples were already dancing. Sarah and Anthony automatically followed them.

‘You look beautiful tonight my lady,’ Arthur smiled.

‘Thank you sir,’ Madison smiled, as she clasped her hand into his.

‘Call me Arthur,’ he murmured against her ear, as he draped an arm around her waist.