Madison dragged herself out of bed. She washed her face and put on a carriage dress that could pass as a respectable day dress as well. She stood in front of the mirror admiring the pretty paisley pattern on her cool cotton dress, oblivious of the pretty picture the user of that dress cast. A striking face, attractive long lashes, beautiful bone structure, delightful rosy red full lips, an hour glass figure and appealing child bearing hips.

Madison tried to think of the hundreds, no thousands of ladies that married out of love. Surely she could do the same. Why her mama and papa were a successful example of an arranged marriage, surely she could make a success of one as well. Her passionate heart rejected that notion quite vociferously. After all was it so difficult to know your place as a wife, to serve your husband, produce heirs for him and manage the household? Madison knew the answer to that, or was it the rebellious spirit in her that screamed out that she could never serve a man. No she would jointly manage with him, but no man would make her subservient to his whim.

It was a lovely day today. The sun was shining brightly with not a cloud in the sky, a perfect day for a picnic, only Rankin was not the preferred choice of a companion. Still she had given her word to him and so must honour her commitment. Madison smiled at the reflection in the mirror, preparing herself for the day ahead and walked out of bed chamber to join her parents for breakfast.

‘Madison, you look lovely dear,’ Rachael smiled warmly at her daughter. ‘Darling you will not believe the number of invitations that have come for you this morning,’ her mother beamed excitedly.

‘Morning papa, morning mama,’ Madison kissed her father’s cheek, before doing the same with her mother. ‘I am attending a picnic lunch with Earl Rankin today mama.’

‘Oh,’ her mother looked up from the invitation cards. ‘Look here,’ she read off the cards. ‘There is an invitation from Viscount Michael to the theatre, another from Sir Gerald to go riding. One from Viscount Theodore to some fancy ball,’ on and on her mother went reeling off the invitations. Madison vaguely remembered who all of them were. She knew Gerald and Theo. Gentlemen who she’d befriended on many previous occasions, but the rest of the names were a blur.

‘Can we look at them after I return from lunch mama?’

‘But you need to respond to them,’ her mother replied.

‘Reply yes, to the ones for the next two days mama, the rest I will look at this afternoon. Oh and Earl Rankin desires for us to go riding with him later this week.’

‘You are spending a lot of time with Rankin,’ Stanton observed.

‘He is a respectable gentleman papa,’ Madison smiled, helping herself to some tea.

‘Well just know Madison, that Rankin’s finances are not enormous. He will be looking for a bride with a healthy dowry. That may be his sole interest in you,’ her father advised, taking a bite of his toast.

‘Whoever I marry papa, will benefit from my wealth, would it matter if that gentleman is Earl Rankin?

He is always polite and has impeccable manners, unlike another that I know.

‘Your mama and I will be happy with whomever you choose, just make sure you do so with your heart,’ her father unwittingly added, as he poured himself some coffee.

‘Did you choose with your heart mama?’ Madison smiled at her mother.

‘Oh yes,’ Rachael laughed, directing an adoring gaze at her husband.

‘Your mother threatened that if I did not marry her, she would poison my food when I least expected it.’

‘Stanton!’

Madison laughed knowing full well her mother would never had made such a threat. She knew her mother and father adored each other, and that her mother recognised her father as the only head of their blissful home. Rachael had been quite pleased to defer that role to her husband.

‘I had had three serious offers to consider Madison,’ Rachael smiled, but it was your papa that was most charming. In my heart, he was the one I wanted to spend my life with,’ she smiled.

‘Will I feel the same way mama?’ Madison knew her heart already had the answer, only he did not tick all the boxes in her wish list. He set her heart ablaze yes. He was breathtakingly handsome yes. When she was in his presence or when she looked into his eyes, her heart started to pound like a racing stallion. But she could not consider him. He laboured like a commoner. She did not know if he owned a property. Most crucial was he did not possess a title, yet he seemed to be wealthy. He would have no need or desire for her dowry. So what could Madison offer her detractor? He did not seem to care for titles; the ton; or her for that matter, and he certainly was not lacking female companions.

‘You yourself will know the answer to that question my dear,’ her mother broke into the contentious analysis going on in her mind. Madison’s eyes momentarily locked with her mother’s, before she slowly let out a huge sigh and pretended to do justice to her breakfast.

‘I had not known of this recreational spot my lord,’ Madison appreciatively surveyed the beautiful botanical garden they were having their picnic lunch at. Rankin had brought a sumptuous basket packed with smoked chicken, sausages, cheese, fruit and a bottle of white wine.

‘I happened on it quite by accident. My mare was hurt so I stopped to tend to her,’ he smiled. Madison laid out a picnic blanket under a shady tree. She admired the natural grassland, with the pristine, landscaped gardens. Water lilies assumed ballerina like stances in the middle of the pond in the wetlands amongst the reeds.

The garden boasted a paved trail, lined with drooping bunches of orange, yellow, salmon and lavender flowers that attracted sun birds. Madison wished she could take some of the colourful blossoms home.

‘It is so close to Cricklewoods, I cannot believe it is not well known,’ she smiled. Natural vegetation thrived in the park. An abundance of exotic and indigenous flora attracted different species of active birds that imbued a cacophony of sounds as they busily went about, choosing their mates; pecking on the flowers or buildings their nests.

‘I shall bring you here again my lady if it delights you so,’ Rankin casually covered her wrist with his hand. Madison shyly lifted her head to look at Rankin. The sun fell on his blonde hair making it glow. His eyes, bright like jade gemstones smiled back at Madison. She slowly removed her hand, mindful of her maid Beth discreetly nearby, underneath another shady tree, enjoying her share of Rankin’s tasty picnic treats.

‘I would like that my lord,’ Madison lied, offering what she hoped was an appreciative smile.

‘Would you walk with me Lady Madison?’ Rankin stood up, removing Madison’s plate from her lap. Even if she wanted to refuse, it was too late. Rankin was offering her his arm. Madison turned her head to alert Beth, but she did not need to. Beth was already walking in their direction.

‘How does this Friday suit you my lady, to ride up to the Friar Mountains?’ Rankin politely invited.

This Friday?

There were a ton of invitations that her mother had been trying to get her to accept, but if she agreed to go with Rankin, perhaps he would offer for her.

‘This Friday will be perfect my lord, thank you,’ Madison inhaled the sweet lavender scent in the air. A young couple with a baby walked by, Madison smiled at the cheerful baby.

‘Thank you,’ Rankin smiled happily. ‘Tamara shall be our chaperone.’

‘May I invite my cousin Sarah and her companion to join us?’ Madison could not envisage spending an entire day alone in Rankin’s company.

If you marry him you would be spending your entire life with him, assuming he offers.

‘That would be splendid,’ Rankin agreed. ‘The more the merrier. We will have an enjoyable day. I shall have to seek a companion for Tamara.’

‘Who shall accompany her?’ Madison demanded to know.

‘Perhaps Viscount Michael,’ Rankin laughed. ‘I do believe my sister looks fondly on him.’

‘Oh.’ Madison did not mention that she had received an invitation from Viscount Michael.

‘My lady, have you an able horse, or should I bring one for you?’

‘I shall ask papa,’ Madison answered. He is looking into getting me a new mare.’ She pulled on a branch gently and playfully tugged at the leaves.

‘I am looking forward to Friday,’ Rankin murmured, closing his palm over Madison’s on his arm.

‘I love riding my lord,’ Madison replied sincerely. ‘I am certain we will enjoy the day.’

‘Shall we head back? I do believe your chaperone is getting nervous,’ Rankin murmured in Madison’s ear. Madison looked over her shoulder to see Beth walking a few paces behind. Her eye was scanning the sky critically. Madison looked up and saw dark clouds had gathered.

‘It seems the weather may be turning my lord, perhaps we should make haste.’

‘You have visitors?’ Rankin enquired seeing a carriage outside Earl Stanton’s residence. Madison observed a young mare grazing next to two fine looking chestnuts.

‘Perhaps my mare has arrived, my lord,’ Madison exclaimed enthusiastically, hopping off before Rankin could assist her. Madison ran inside without bidding farewell to Rankin, who patiently followed her inside.

‘Papa you have bought me my ---.’ Madison stopped when she saw who the visitor was. Her eyes did not meet her father’s, but it locked with a pair of dark assessing eyes. The owner of those dark eyes stood up as she rushed in.

‘Lady Madison, good afternoon.’

‘Mr. Rochester,’ Madison dragged her eyes away and looked at her father questioningly.

‘I mentioned to Mr. Rochester, that I was looking to buy you a young mare, and he said he had just the one perfect for you,’ her father supplied.

‘Did he now?’ Madison blurted forgetting her place. Chadwick stood gallantly, impervious to Madison’s cold scrutiny.

‘That is a very fine mare Rochester,’ the earl proclaimed. ‘I do believe I shall take her.’

‘Always a pleasure to be of service to you my lord,’ Chadwick placed emphasis on the word you.

Who cares if you are not doing it for me you arrogant rogue? I would much rather buy a donkey in the market.

‘Swain,’ Chadwick greeted. Madison detected a trace of irritation in the greeting. She had forgotten all about her intended betrothed, the second her eyes laid sight of Chadwick.

‘Rochester,’ Rankin extended his hand in greeting. ‘Earl Stanton,’ Rankin tipped his hat politely.

‘Papa, Earl Rankin has invited Sarah and I to ride up to Friar Mountains with him and Lady Tamara on Friday,’ Madison announced in an attempt to goad Chadwick. It seemed to have the desired effect. Chadwick glared at her, arching his one eyebrow all the way up to the ceiling.

‘Oh it is a good thing your mare has arrived darling,’ Stanton replied.

‘Madison dear, will you be okay to ride up to Friar?’ her mother asked. ‘It will probably take all of four hours just to ride all the way there.’

‘We will make plenty of stops baroness,’ Rankin smiled. ‘The trip will not be rushed. We shall leave at dawn and be back late afternoon,’ Rankin assured Madison’s parents.

‘Would you like to try out your mare my lady?’ Chadwick cupped Madison’s wrist.

‘No---,’ he knew the chit would offer resistance, his fingers were like a steel band around her wrist, practically dragging her outside. ‘I have not said goodbye to my---to Earl Rankin.’

‘To your what?’ Chadwick increased the pressure around her wrist.

‘She had been about to say, “my lord.” ‘My lover,’ she hissed furiously. Chadwick’s hand dropped like a hot potato. Madison grinned triumphantly.

‘What’s the matter Mr Chadwick?’ she asked innocently.

‘Get on the mare,’ He hauled her up ungraciously and dumped her onto the mare as if she weighed next to nothing.

‘How dare you?’ Madison instinctively gripped the reins to regain her balance. Chadwick ignored her. He busied himself uncoupling one of his stallions, as she continued to hurl abuse at him. ‘You are arrogant, Mr. Rochester. You have no manners and are poorly bred, and I wish your horse would through you off its back ---. ‘Ah—heee!’ Madison screamed as Chadwick smacked the rump of her mare, sending it off galloping away. Chadwick laughed hysterically and followed her horse within a flash. He expertly took hold of her reins with ease, whilst Madison caught her breath and balance. She reached for the whip hitched to his saddle and sliced it furiously on Chadwick’s wrist.

‘Ouch, your insane twit!’ Chadwick let go off her mare to nurse his wrist. Madison used the opportunity to rid herself of him. Neither she nor he was aware that she was unchaperoned. Madison thumped her foot against the rump of her mare, forcing her into a sprint.

‘Madison don’t,’ she is untrained in the traffic,’ Chadwick called out, as Madison manoeuvred the mare through carts and carriages on the road. Ignoring his warning, Madison merely laughed over her shoulder and sprinted even faster. Chadwick was not sure how the mare would fare in the busy traffic of carts, people and phaetons, but the chit seemed to be holding her own. He admired the way she sat so regally, her shoulder upright. She had a good command of the mare. Her head bent low, she was whispering to the mare. He grinned to himself, pleased that she had mastered her mare in no time at all.

‘That’s it girl,’ Madison comforted her mare. ‘No need to be afraid Spunk,’ Madison murmured. ‘Do you like your name?’ Madison laughed. ‘I think you have a lot of spunk,’ she patted the neck of the mare. ‘Oh you are a fine lass. I adore you already. Pity your master, well ex master is such an annoying boar. I want to hit him over the head with a chunk of wood.’ Madison dropped to a canter, she looked over her shoulder to see Chadwick gaining over her. He was almost at her back. Madison kicked at the mare to increase speed, but the mare was too slow or Chadwick was too fast. He caught hold of her reigns and jerked the mare to a halt.

‘What are you doing you insufferable pig? Let go off my mare.’

‘It is not yours yet, until I get paid,’ Chadwick slid off his horse. With one hand he tied his horse loosely to a tree and led Madison’s mare to another tree. Once he had secured the mare to a tree trunk, he hauled Madison off the horse.

‘Let go off me! Take your hands of me you filthy scoundrel---.’ Madison had not the opportunity or the freedom to engage in more speech. Chadwick had rammed her body against his and his mouth pounded over hers aggressively. Madison fought, resisted, rebelled but only for a minute as her hands wrapped around his neck.

A soft plea escaped her lips. Her hands pulled him closer. She was lost in his embrace. He tasted sweet of red wine. Chadwick eased the pressure. His mouth became gentle over her lips. She smelt beautiful of vanilla. Her hair smelt aromatic like fresh herbs. The clouds became darker. The temperature dropped a degree or two, but the two in a passionate embrace sizzled with their own heat. Chadwick’s hands slid down her shoulders. Madison leaned closer deepening the kiss. The trees swayed, the wind whispered between the branches. Chadwick lowered himself onto the grass, taking Madison with him. Her hazel eyes opened and locked to his dark desired filled eyes. He was on his knees, his arms around her tightly, his hands suggestively moulding her pelvis to his frame. Madison was on her knees too. Her fingers raked through his hair. His kisses were making her dizzy. Her head was spinning. Was she standing? Was she sitting? Where were they? Could anybody see them? Chadwick’s tongue slid into her mouth. Madison sighed, closing her eyes again. She allowed his tongue further entry. It entwined with hers. She groaned her pleasure, pulling him closer, pressing into him. Chadwick gently lowered her back onto the grass.

‘Oh Chadwick,’ she whispered passionately.

- end chapter six-