Madison moaned and hunkered as Chadwick’s lips moved away from her mouth. Fierce arrogant male triumph blazed in his eyes at his ability to arouse this fiery lady who was always trying to put him to rights. With surprising gentleness his fingers peeled the linen off her shoulder to reveal satin smooth flesh. A flush rose above the neckline of her dress. His lips hot with desire, hungry to taste her forced the material out of the way so it revealed a plump shapely breast. Madison felt the gentle breeze cooling her hot exposed flesh. The swaying branches and rustling leaves seemed to egg Chadwick on. Her fingers clasped at his upper arms, even through his shirt, her fingers tingled at the well defined muscles. Chadwick’s lips dropped lower. His tongue laved over the supple mound, releasing a soft cry from her lips. Her fingers dug into shoulders. Chadwick felt it like liquid heat on his aroused flesh. Even with her brown eyes tightly shut, Madison’s head arched upwards on the soft green grass. Trembling fingers touched his face. Electricity ripped through her at the feel of his hair roughened flesh beneath her fingers.

‘Chadwick---Chadwick,’ she pulled him closer, her arms tightening around his neck.

The sound of her impassioned voice brought him back to his senses. By Heaven what was he thinking? And why had the chit not stopped him? Instead of protecting her virtue, her arms were entangled around his neck, neglecting propriety. Disgustedly he ripped her hands away from his body, shoving her away.

‘Chadwick?’ Madison cried out in alarm. What was going on? First he took her into his arms and kissed her like he was enjoying it, and then he was discarding her as if she was somebody with leprosy.

‘Get up Lady Madison,’ Chadwick roughly pulled her up by her arm, his eyes dark , like he really despised her. ‘You should know your place lady and not be rolling in the hay like an over eager courtesan!

Madison gasped. His hurtful words were like the piercing of a razor sharp sword into her flesh. Was it not he that had pulled her into his arms and kissed her first? Shame and embarrassment filled her. Not because of his cruel description, likening her to a courtesan, but more because he was the first, the only man to have dared to kiss her and to touch her as he had done just a few minutes ago. She lowered her head blinking furiously at the stinging moistness that threatened to embarrass her further. Hurriedly Madison turned to her mare that was keenly chewing on the fresh grass beneath the shady tree. Before Chadwick could get to her, she mounted with ease and sped off, leaving Chadwick standing there. Madison did not want this conceited, hurtful gentleman to know he had hurt her like no other had dared to before him.

Why is it that gentlemen secretly preferred women who exhibited social freedom in their bed chambers, yet in public they wanted to be seen with a respectable woman on their arm? Madison ranted to herself silently. When they declared for a lady, she had to be highly educated; able to quote poetry and play music; be able to have intelligent discussions on any subject and not bring disrepute to herself.

With her back to Chadwick, and the wind sweeping into her face, Madison angrily brushed at the single tear that fell to her cheek. She rode furiously, her foot thrusting against the mare’s rump. Even though she got to the street of her home quite quickly, for good measure she sprinted past her home. She needed to pull herself together. Her parents could not see her in the emotional state she was in at the moment. Madison looked over her shoulder, Chadwick was not following her. Feeling somewhat calmer, she headed back home.

'Madison?’ Her mother called out. ‘Where ever did you go without being chaperoned?’ Rachael looked at her daughter questioningly.

Riding with Chadwick.

‘Where is Mr. Rochester?

Who cares?

She did not give Madison any opportunity to attempt to answer her.

‘Did you fall of that mare?’ Rachael pulled strands of grass from her chestnut hair.

I was kissing Chadwick.

Madison coloured somewhat embarrassedly. ‘I told you Stanton that mare was too fast for Madison,’ she scolded her husband.

‘Calm down dear,’ Stanton dismissed his wife’s fear. ‘Madison was more likely lying on the grass, looking up into the sky and daydreaming as usual. Is that not so dear?’ Stanton smiled at his daughter endearingly.

‘Yes papa. I was lying on the grass with my eyes closed.’

Well most of the time.

‘Where ever is Rochester? I have not yet paid him for the mare.’

‘He has some errant to attend to,’ Madison lied. ‘Perhaps he shall call tomorrow.’

‘So you like the mare dear?’ her father smiled? ‘Are you keeping her then?’

‘Yes thank you papa. I should like to keep her.’ Even if only for the reason that it connected her to Chadwick. ‘I shall be up in my chamber mama.’

Chadwick kicked furiously at the trunk of the nearest tree.

I behaved like a cad!

He was disgusted at himself for insulting the lady. Hell he was the one that had ravished her! He was the one that had lowered her onto the grass and had had his way with her. He had never met or kissed another woman that excited him as she did. She made his blood boil with desire. She set his heart racing like a thoroughbred racehorse.

If he was interested in marriage, she was the type of woman he wanted to grow old with. Somebody who stood up to him, somebody who was confident and in touch with her passionate side, she would satisfy his needs he knew it. So why did he hurl insults at her? So much so that he had almost reduced the normally fiery, venom spitting chit to tears. He had seen the hurt in her eyes just before she tried to hide it. Why the hell did he reject her that way?

What do you care?

He knew he was disgusted with himself for desiring her? He knew he wanted more than just stolen kisses from Madison. But she was not interested in him. She was not interested in a lowly gentleman without a title. Even his wealth did not find favour with her. No she had set her cap on that swine, Swain. It was that low life louse that she wanted in her bed?

I mean to have the lady before Swain. I will have her before she is wed to Swain.

Madison lay on her bed, reliving her passionate encounter with Chadwick. She could not believe the liberties she had allowed him to take. It was bad enough that he kissed her, but she had allowed him so much more. His lips had touched her shoulder and her neck and still further where Madison thought only her husband would be the first to see and touch__and taste. Her flesh tingled at the remembrance of Chadwick’s tongue arousing her. Her fingers curled wantonly wanting to touch him as he had touched her. How far would they have gone had Chadwick not stopped? She definitely had made no attempt whatsoever to restrain him.

The following morning Madison decided to visit Sarah. She needed to get out. She needed to get her mind of Chadwick. She had hardly slept the night before. Her dreams where invaded by Chadwick. In her dream he had carried her to his ancient castle by the seaside. He had walked with her in his arms up an unending flight of stairs. His eyes had been lowered to hers, full of promise. He had laid her on a bed so huge, she had not imagined there could be such a one. He had undressed her and kissed every part of her flesh and at that final moment when she had wanted their consummation, again Chadwick had rejected her throwing her off his bed and laughing down at her. That was when she had woken from the nightmare in the early hours of the morning, and found herself covered in perspiration and could not sleep again.

‘Mama, I am going to Sarah’s,’ Madison announced.

‘Good morning dear. You have not yet had breakfast.’

‘I will take breakfast at Aunt Diana’s,’ Madison poured herself a cup of tea and drank it hurriedly.

‘Are you okay darling? It is not like you to go visiting so early.’

‘Yes I am fine mama,’ she lied. ‘It is such a hot day, I could not sleep.’

‘Do take Beth with you dear. It is not proper for you to wander about on your own, like you did on that mare yesterday.’

‘Yes mama,’ Madison’s face coloured slightly. She was thankful she could blame the hot weather for the sudden warmth to her face.

‘Remember we still need the approval of the patronesses, we do not want your reputation tarnished before a gentleman could offer for you.’

‘Yes mama.’

‘Do not forget we are attending the soiree at the Duke and Duchess of Carlington tonight,’ Rachael reminded her daughter.

‘Did we accept that invitation?’ Madison sighed, reluctant to go out tonight. She did not want to go to any social tonight. She did not want to dance with other gentlemen tonight and heaven forbid she did not want to risk seeing Chadwick Rochester so soon. She was still reeling from embarrassment.

‘Madison!’ Sarah hugged her cousin enthusiastically. ‘What a pleasant surprise,’ Sarah tucked her arm into her cousin’s. ‘You never visit this early,’ Sarah accused.

‘Good morning,’ Madison laughed.

‘Morning Madison dear,’ Diana smiled. ‘What on earth brings you out so early in the morning?’ Diana set an extra breakfast plate out for her niece.

‘I was bored,’ Madison took the seat next to Sarah. ‘I wanted company,’ she smiled at her aunt.

‘You girls must get some rest this afternoon,’ Sarah’s father smiled.

‘Yes, Uncle Gilbert,’ Madison nodded, accepting crispy fried bacon and scrambled eggs from the tray that Diana offered her.

‘Thank you Aunt Diana,’ Madison politely accepted.

‘Shall I pour you some coffee Uncle Gilbert?’

‘Yes thank you my dear.’

‘Mama, I shall have tea thank you,’ Sarah requested.

‘I believe you have a new mare dear,’ Gilbert prompted with a smile.

Madison’s cheeks became inflamed. There was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. She was constantly reminded of that devil, after all, the as yet unpaid for horse was from his stable. Madison wondered if that mare was his most prized horse. She seemed to be of an amazing pedigree. She certainly seemed to be rather expensive horseflesh. Did Chadwick want her to have the best? Not likely, probably every horse that is sold from his stable, was of high pedigree and reputable stock.

‘Yes,’ Madison smiled. ‘She is a delightful mare. I rode her yesterday in the park. She is adorable.’

‘Has Sarah mentioned our ride to the mountains on Friday?’ Aunt Diana.

‘Yes, I believe you have been invited by Earl Swain.’

‘Earl Swain’s sister, Lady Tamara will chaperone us,’ Madison supplied, as she enjoyed a forkful of bacon and eggs. ‘Although the earl thought he may ask a gentleman to accompany his sister.’

‘Sarah has invited Viscount Anthony and he has already replied saying he is looking forward to the adventure,’ Diana smiled happily, adding a generous portion of syrup on her toast.

‘Oh it is going to be exhilarating,’ Sarah sipped from her tea cup. ‘I cannot wait.’

‘It is going to be a long and tiring day, I must warn you girls,’ Gilbert laughed.

‘Oh they are young,’ Diana dismissed her husband’s concerns. ‘I dare say they will hardly even feel the tedious journey.’

‘We shall be leaving at dawn,’ Madison smiled.

‘Sarah,’ Diana addressed her daughter. ‘Perhaps you should sleep over at Aunt Rachael’s the night before.

‘I would love that,’ Madison exclaimed happily, cupping her cousin’s arm appealingly.

‘Then I shall,’ Sarah laughed. ‘Papa, you will select the right horse for the mountainous terrain we will have to endure.’

‘Yes darling,’ Gilbert shook his head. ‘You girls are of small stature your horses will not be too burdened by your weight.’

‘I do want to keep up with the gentlemen,’ Uncle Gilbert,’ Madison voiced competitively. ‘I shall not like it if they advance and we lag behind.’

‘Perhaps you should leave Sarah at home,’ Gilbert teased, lifting a piece of sausage to his mouth. ‘She is not as competitive as you Madison.’

‘Papa!’ Sarah exclaimed in an offended tone.

‘Sarah and I shall ride together side by side,’ Madison laughed. ‘I shall not allow her to embarrass me and make us lose face against the men folk.’

‘I shall pack some candy and apples in your saddles for your horses,’ Gilbert spoke conspirationally.

‘Will they not delay us as they indulge in their treats and make us lose more time?’ Sarah quizzed.

‘No, they are intelligent. Just pat their necks, and let them know they are being rewarded for good performance,’ Gilbert advised.

We are going into the garden mama,’ Sarah announced after breakfast.

‘I cannot wait for Friday,’ Madison enthused.

‘I am so happy Viscount Anthony has agreed to join us,’ Sarah clasped her hand into Madison’s.

‘You do enjoy his companionship don’t you Sarah?’ Madison smiled.

‘He is so knowledgeable about so many things, and he is such a chivalrous gentleman,’ Sarah smiled slyly.

I bet he could teach a certain devil one or two things about chivalry.

‘I wish he would kiss me,’ Sarah whispered.

‘He has not!’ Madison giggled.

‘Has Earl Swain already kissed you?’ Sarah exclaimed in shock.

‘No---no off course not!’

‘I wonder what it feels like to be kissed,’ Sarah whispered.

‘Oh it is nothing---.’

‘How do you know?’ Sarah demanded.

‘A kiss is a kiss for heaven’s sake,’ Madison replied with irritation.

Well there is also the parting of the lips and the meeting and duelling of tongues and you also feel an acute sensation deep down inside of you.

‘Girls are you ready?’ Rachael called out. Sarah had return with Madison. Both girls were supposed to have rested before this evening’s soiree, but they had done everything but rest. They tried on different gowns. They experimented on various hair styles on each other and before they knew it, it was time to get dressed and leave.

‘We are ready mama,’ Madison announced as the two girls came down the stairs hand in hand.

‘Oh you girls look beautiful tonight,; Stanton smiled.

‘Thank you papa.’

Thank you, Uncle Stanton,’ both girls chorused.

‘The carriage is waiting, shall we leave?’ Rachael smiled.

The girls were excited, whispering and anticipating who would be in attendance.

Would he be there? Madison wondered.

‘Do you think Mr. Rochester will be there?’ Sarah whispered in Madison’s ear.

‘I don’t know,’ Madison almost choked. ‘Perhaps he was not invited.’

‘Why do you not like him?’ Sarah hissed. ‘You know there are some decent gentlemen who do not have titles,’ Sarah motivated, answering her own question.

‘Baron Stanton Sanford, Baroness Rachael, Lady Madison and Lady Sarah Buckley,’ the butler announced.

‘Your Grace, good evening,’ Stanton greeted warmly.

‘Good evening Sanford,’ the Duke smiled broadly.

‘Your Grace,’ both girls curtsied.

‘Baroness,’ the Duke lifted Rachael’s hand and kissed it courteously.

Ladies you look refreshingly beautiful tonight,’ the Duchess hugged Madison and Sarah.

‘Thank you Your Grace,’ both girls beamed gushingly.

‘Baroness, so lovely that you have accepted our invitation,’ the duchess hugged Rachael.

‘We love attending your parties Your Grace,’ Rachael clasped the duchess’s hand between hers, and the girls always have an amazing time.’

Casting a cursory glance around, Madison scanned the room. She looked for a tall, dark haired, extremely broad shouldered gentleman, but none present fitted the image in her mind.

‘Would you like a glass of punch? Sarah nudged Madison. A waiter stood in front of them with a drinks tray.

‘Champagne for me please,’ Madison smiled politely.

‘Celebrating something?’ Sarah whispered.

‘The promise of a good evening,’ Madison forced a bright smile.

Gentlemen approached both girls to book spaces on their dance cards. Sarah’s was very quickly filled. Madison deliberately left three spaces open, she told herself she did not know why. Sarah was now dancing with Anthony. They were laughing and happily chatting about the forth coming trip to the mountains. Madison took a huge gulp from her champagne glass in a very unladylike manner. She looked around again.

'I believe this is my dance,’ Chadwick removed the glass from Madison’s hand.

‘No it is not,’ she hissed, but was not strong enough to remove her arm from his iron grip as he firmly led her to the dance floor.

‘You arrogant insufferable beast, I do not want to dance with you,’ yet her one arm went to his shoulder, and the other clasped tightly into his hand.

‘Be quiet or I will kiss you right here, and then you will be forced to marry me,’ Chadwick threatened.

‘You would not dare!’

‘You must be desperate to marry me if you dare to challenge me Madison,’ his voice was a soft caress against her cheek, as he masterfully guided her to the romantic ballad played by the live music band.

‘I hate you, you filthy swine. I would never marry the devil’s own,’ Madison hissed, but her hazel eyes betrayed her. They lowered to his appealing lips, she swallowed convulsively.

‘Madison,’ Chadwick murmured.

‘Yes.’

‘Keep moving, the music has not stopped,’ Chadwick teased, his eyes dancing merriment.’

‘I know that,’ she glared at him. Truth was she had been mesmerised by his lips, thinking about the previous day when she had been in his arms, kissing him, pressing her body to his and wanting so much more than just his kiss.

‘I apologize,’ Chadwick spoke sincerely, looking squarely into her eyes.

‘I beg your pardon?’ Madison lifted her face up to him.

‘For my behaviour yesterday,’ Chadwick breathed heavily as he looked away. ‘For taking liberties I had no right to, and for judging you,’ his eyes met hers again.

Music filled their ears. Bodies danced around them. The aroma of their sumptuous dinner wafted through the air. The chemistry between Madison and Chadwick was the overwhelming sense they experienced.

‘I---I wanted you to kiss me.’

‘Madison,’ Chadwick groaned. ‘What am I going to do with you?’