Chadwick lowered his lashes, so she could not read his eyes. She took his breath away tonight. She had outdone herself, adorned in a stylish evening dress of silver mull, a gauze like material with broad low necklines. It had tiny shoulder puff sleeves with blue tinsel embroidered all over. The sleeve ends, neck line and overskirt had a continuous gold ropetrim The bodice was not gathered at the waist; but was fitted with darts. The gown had no train, for ease of dancing. Surprisingly, but probably fashionably trendy, she did not have gloves on her slender delicate fingers but rather mitts. Complimenting the spectacular gown, her petite ears looked beautiful in hoop earrings. Her shinny hair was neatly coiffed and in a stylish hat that resembled a turban. It was topped by a feather, turned low down in front and high at the back, worn at a rakish angle. Her feet were covered in velvet slippers with leather soles fastened with ribbons around the ankle.

‘I want two waltzes on your card,’ Chadwick demanded. He could not demand more even though he wanted to be the only one dancing with her tonight. He knew it would be frowned upon, if she danced more than twice in one gentleman’s arms.

‘No---,’ she blurted, even though secretly she delighted that he would select the waltz for them to dance. ‘I am saving one for Earl Rankin Swain.’

It was temporary bliss courting danger in the arms of this devil, but she needed to look after her future, somebody fine like Rankin fitted into her lifelong plans, not this---this attractive sinful pleasure giver.

‘It is appropriate for me to dance with you only twice,’ he hissed angrily at her mention of that swine. ‘Now slot me in before I do it myself,’ he instructed.

‘Do not bully---,’she did not finish her sentence but quickly scribbled with a pencil in her card, when he advanced threateningly towards her.

‘That is better my lady,’ he smiled charmingly. ‘Now add me in for the country dance after supper as well’ he demanded again. She meekly obliged as he towered over her, but gave vent to her anger afterwards.

‘Mr. Rochester you are an arrogant boar.’

Chadwick lifted lazy eyelids and grinned at her sardonically.

‘And I do not care for your ungentlemanly ways,’ she seethed. ‘Quite frankly you should be thrown out of Almack’s.

‘The patronesses adore me my lady,’ he chuckled. ‘They consider me a most worthy gentleman, with charming manners, and off course my wealth stands me in good stead when they require a charitable donor.’ He spilled the last part not without some sarcasm for he knew some of the vindictive patronesses knew who to cream when it suited them.

‘Off course the elegant Lady Sophia Jersey cannot be tainted with the same brush,’ Chadwick smiled mysteriously. His eyes lifted. He directed a gaze to the reception area where the charismatic Lady Sophia stood confidently with some of the other patronesses, smiling and welcoming all the patrons.

Madison gasped with disbelief at his complimentary words of praise for Lady Sophia.

Had he---did they---? Could Lady Sophia be his mistress? Saints of Heaven!

‘You are as charming as a rattlesnake,’ she jeered. ‘And you would assuredly be most comfortable in the sty with your fellow species.’

‘Come you have insulted me enough,’ he pulled her roughly.

‘Where---where are you taking me?’ her eyes filled with sudden trepidation.

‘Why, to our first waltz,’ he grinned, placing one arm casually on her waist, and using the other hand to hold hers in midair. She smelt delightful he discovered, as he inhaled the sweet fragrance, like juicy ripe fruit. He groaned softly thinking how juicy and delicious she would taste to his lips. He would give half his wealth to carry the delectable beauty off in his arms straight to his chamber and ravish her the whole night long, but the chit was right. He would be permanently abolished by the scheming patronesses.

Madison wondered why he was so quiet, as she stole a glance at his attractive face. She remembered the feel of those delectable lips on hers. Like a magnet they had prized her lips apart, and his sensuous tongue had wreaked havoc on her body. Madison sighed and dragged her mind back to the present. He was a man of immense strength she observed as he guided her effortlessly across the ballroom. He was light footed and an amazingly skilful dancer for one of his height, but she would never voice that compliment. He was already quite swollen headed. Madison was rather surprised when she heard Chadwick’s voice near her ears.

‘Thank you Lady Madison,’ he was returning her to her parents, one arm courteously at her elbow. Madison could not believe they had not exchanged a single word on the dance floor.

‘Thank you Mr. Rochester,’ she offered politely for her parents benefit.

Madison could not believe how charming he was to her parents, and her gullible parents swallowed every false word he uttered. She glared at him coldly as his amused eyes met hers. He knew exactly what she was thinking. She heard the brute was bragging about his new breed of thoroughbred horses. Clearly his horses had more class than he had. Her papa had been informing him of how pleased she was with her mare. She had told her papa no such thing. Why was he inventing compliments? Never mind the truth that she was delighted with her mare and that she loved her to bits. She brushed her mornings and afternoons and gave her mare a special treat each morning. So much so that the mare began to pick at her pockets, when Madison would pretend like she did not have a treat for her. Madison would laugh delightedly and hug her horse when she found her stick of carrot or an apple.

‘Madison,’ her father, tapped her arm. Obviously this was the second time they were trying to get her attention. She was unaware precisely when Chadwick had taken his leave. Now he was on the dance floor with Lady Sophia. Chadwick was laughing robustly at something Lady Sophia was whispering to him.

‘I am sorry papa?’

‘Are you day dreaming again child?’ Her mama laughed. Madison dragged her eyes to her mother awkwardly. She felt an inexplicable pang in her heart when she witnessed how comfortable Lady Sophia looked in Chadwick’s arms. She was about to tear her eyes away when at that precise moment the object of her conflicting emotions thought to direct his mesmerizing gaze at her.

‘The earl of Swain has invited us to his family seat in Craggvale,’ her papa informed her.

‘I beg your pardon!’

That had her instant attention. Her eyes flew to her father.

‘Is he here? Is Lord Rankin here?’ she cast a searching glance around the room. She found Rankin standing at the entrance to the card room. He was in conversation with two gentlemen. Rankin smiled and raised his glass to her. Madison smiled almost shyly as she returned Rankin’s wave.

‘Yes,’ her papa confirmed. ‘This Saturday he will have a small party and dinner at his home. ‘I understand he has invited just a few of his friends and acquaintances.’

‘I see,’ Madison replied, unable to find any suitable words to respond with.

‘His sister is rather shy,’ Rachael added. ‘So he wants to try and coax her from under her shell.’

‘She is rather lovely,’ Madison smiled at her mother. ‘So we have accepted then?’

‘Yes, we must accept as many invitations as we can,’ her mother replied. ‘Every invitation is an opportunity to find a prospective suitor.’

There is one dancing with Lady Sophia, but perhaps he cannot be labelled “prospective.”

Madison wanted to scream at all the confusing emotions tearing at her heart. How could she attempt to set her cap on a man who was not interested in marriage? Wasn’t she the one not interested in any gentleman who did not have a title and good breeding? She remembered clearly too, the arrogant ill bred devil’s scathing words about her “husband hunting expedition...I am not interested in the marriage mart,” he had forcefully declared. Madison longed to chat to her besotted cousin, but now that Sarah was spoken for, she seemed to be spending the entire evening in Anthony’s arms.

‘Lady Madison, good evening,’ Rankin greeted politely. Just like Chadwick, Rankin was immaculate in black tail coat; navy blue evening shirt; silk stockings and highly polished boots, but it was Chadwick that was by far the more attractive and the best dressed man there tonight.

‘My lord good evening,’ she breathed. She had not even observed him approaching. ‘I have saved you a waltz,’ she offered inappropriately. Never mind that it was a gentleman’s duty to invite a lady to dance. Rankin nodded to her parents and drew her a little away from them.

‘Thank you,’ he smiled, his eyes holding hers. ‘I hoped you would not forget me.’

‘I remembered,’ she murmured.

‘You have only saved one dance for me?’ He sounded disappointed.

‘There is the country dance and a quadrille before supper,’ she smiled.

‘May I also escort you into supper, if I may be so bold?’ he laughed softly.

Madison searched the room again for a tall, dark gentleman, with a pair of seductive eyes. She found him dancing with Lady Charlotte Duxbury.

So his mistress is here, does Lady Sophia not know it?

‘Yes, I would be honoured to take supper with you my lord?’ Madison smiled up in to Rankin’s eyes.

‘Thank you,’ he acknowledged politely. ‘Is this our dance?’ He lifted his head at the start of a waltz.

‘Yes it is.’

Rankin extended his elbow guiding Madison to the dance floor. The dance floor became pretty crowded. All the couples seemed to favour the waltz. Madison was forced to dance quite closely to Rankin. Why she recoiled at the idea she chose not to analyze at the moment. She found Rankin was not as adept a dancer as Chadwick. More than once he had stepped on her toes.

‘Excuse me,’ she apologised profusely when Rankin tried to twirl her and she bumped the person behind her, only to discover rather embarrassedly it was Chadwick.

‘Quite all right,’ Chadwick smiled at Rankin. ‘You have to touch me, don’t you?’ he murmured, only to Madison. Her face coloured profusely, she was glad Rankin could not see her face, over his shoulder.

Finally after the waltz, Sarah sought out Madison and Rankin. ‘I hope you are enjoying the evening. Anthony and I are having a time of it,’ Sarah beamed happily.

‘Quite,’ Madison smiled, not wanting to dampen her cousin’s spirit.

‘Anthony would like us to go into the gardens,’ Sarah invited.

‘I am delighted,’ Rankin smiled. ‘We will chaperone each other.’

‘Why had Sarah not asked when she was dancing with Chadwick? Madison looked around and could not find Chadwick. Perhaps he had disappeared for a spell into the card room. Lady Charlotte was dancing with another gentleman.

‘Shall we?’ Rankin smiled at Madison.

‘Yes off course,’ she reluctantly accepted his arm.

‘I would rather take some fresh air,’ Rankin laughed softly as they stepped outside into the warm evening, under the well lit sky. ‘I have two left feet I am afraid and have already embarrassed Lady Madison.’

Sarah and Anthony joined Madison laughing good naturedly. Madison raised her smiling face into the sky at the multitude of stars, inhaling the fresh crisp night air. The smile died on her face when she saw Chadwick holding two glasses of champagne. The stunningly beautiful Lady Sophia was leaning over a rail, under a bronzed iron arbour. The frame of the arbour was supporting immaculately trimmed creeping plants. Her face was turned up attentively to Chadwick. She was giggling at something he was whispering. Madison noted a maid was chaperoning Lady Sophia just a few feet discreetly behind the couple.

Lady Sophia turned her head to see who had caught Chadwick’s attention. Momentarily she looked from Chadwick to Madison in confusion then smiled at Madison and called out to her.

‘Lady Madison good evening,’ Lady Sophia smiled easily.

‘Good evening Lady Sophia,’ Madison summoned a smile.

‘I take it you know Mr. Rochester,’ Sophia smiled warmly.

‘Yes, we are acquainted,’ Chadwick ‘s eyes bore into Madison’s.

‘I am sure you already have met Earl Swain,’ Lady Sophia. Rankin would have greeted the patronesses at his arrival.

‘Yes we have,’ Rankin smiled politely. ‘A pleasure to meet you again my lady, and I much prefer the fresh air that the dance floor tonight.’

‘It is a lovely evening,’ Sophia looked up into the sky then greeted Sarah and Anthony.

‘Lady Sarah, Viscount Anthony, I believe congratulations are in order,’ Sophia grinned.

‘Thank you Lady Sophia,’ the couple chorused.

The rest of the group seemed oblivious, but Sophia noticed the electric current between Chadwick and Madison, as the two constantly kept stealing glances at each other.

‘Your drink my lady,’ Chadwick shifted closer to Sophia, smiling down charmingly into her eyes. Perceptive even for her young age, Sophia recognized Chadwick’s motives, and shifted away imperceptibly.

Madison swallowed and lowered her head. She vaguely heard Rankin, Sarah and Anthony laughing about something, but she had not heard the conversation. She wished Rankin could make their excuses and move away from Sophia and Chadwick, she felt most uncomfortable.

‘Would you like to take a walk?’ Sophie curved her palm into Madison’s arm. Madison was most astonished. This was the last quarter she thought to get assistance from.

‘Er---sure. Excuse me please,’ Madison addressed Rankin.

‘Do not go too far off,’ Rankin teased.

‘Hold that,’ Sophia instructed Chadwick, handing her glass to him.

‘I thought you needed rescuing,’ Sophia whispered.

‘I beg your pardon,’ Madison mumbled.

Sophia cast a furtive glance at Madison and smiled. ‘I have been told I have wisdom beyond my age,’ Sophia laughed softly.

‘You will no doubt be unravelling your cryptic statements,’ Madison raised an eyebrow.

‘Forgive my impertinence,’ Sophia stopped near the water fountain. The air seemed much cooler at the fountain. ‘I seemed to detect a --- cerrain chemistry between you and Mr. Rochester.’

‘No---,’ Madison denied all too quickly, avoiding Sophia’s eyes.

Sophia smiled. She tapped Madison’s palm to get her attention. ‘There is nothing going on between Mr. Rochester and I.’

‘You do not need to offer me an explanation,’ Madison withdrew her hand and shifted away. She was glad it was dark. Sophia could not see her facing turning crimson. ‘I have no intention to wed with Mr. Chadwick, ---not that he has asked me.

'Not that he ever will’ Madison mumbled.

‘Sure,’ Sophia giggled uncontrobaly.

‘What is so funny?’ Madison rubbed her arms feeling the chill, even though the heated conversation was raising her temperature.

‘I have Lady Charlotte’s permission to shamelessly use Mr. Rochester,’ Sophia announced.

‘My---you are full of cryptic surprises tonight,’ Madison replied with irritation.

‘There is a certain gentleman that is pursuing me,’ Sophia stated.

Suddenly the lights came on for Madison. ‘You are using Cha---Mr. Rochester to deter a certain gentleman?’ she shivered and wrapped her arms around her chest.

‘Bravo,’Sophia whispered with a smile.

‘You did not need to tell me that. I did not need to know,’ Madison lied.

‘Off course,’ Sophia chuckled.

‘Are you cold?’ Chadwick removed his coat and extended it to Madison. So busy was she making her denials to Sophia, she had not observed him next to her. Just how much had he overheard?

‘No,’ Madison rejected, her hands still wrapped around her arms trying to fend off the cold.

‘Put it on,’ Chadwick instructed. His tone brooked no argument. Meekly Madison took the coat and slipped it on. From the corner of her eye she saw Sophia was grinning, highly amused. A warm feeling raced through the blood in her veins, as Madison felt the heat of Chadwick’s body still in the jacket. She inhaled deeply the musky cologne that the jacket gave off.

‘We should get back to the others,’ Chadwick announced.

‘Yes, lets,’ Sophia smiled and started walking. Madison followed at a slower pace. Chadwick walked alongside Sophia. She was teasing him about something. Madison heard him laugh softly. She hoped they were not talking about her.

‘Thank you,’ Madison removed the coat and returned it to Chadwick when they joined the others. She did not bother looking at him, and shoved the coat into his hand.

‘Thank you for the company,’ Madison politely acknowledged Sophia, who perceptively noted Madison had not welcomed the conversation.

‘Good evening Lady Madison,’ Sophia waved.

‘I do believe it is time for supper,’ Rankin extended his arm to Madison.

It was an hour’s ride to Craggvale. Stanton was escorting his family in the family coach. Her parents were looking forward to the afternoon’s entertainment and evening dinner. Madison would much rather be riding her mare all by herself in the woods. She would have preferred some time to herself. She was not ready to face Rankin again. Infact she would be quite content if she never laid eyes on Rankin or any other male again, except the one that consumed her every waking thought. Since Wednesday night at Almack’s, she had not seen Rankin or that brute again. On Friday, she had been totally bored and had ridden her mare to visit Sarah for lunch.

‘You do look beautiful my dear,’ Rachael smiled at her daughter. Madison was dressed in an afternoon dress of orange blossoms. Her hair was covered in a fetching bronze bonnet. She did look delightful this afternoon.

‘Thank you mama,’ Madison smiled. For the rest of the journey, her papa told them tales of when he was a young boy and his trips to the river catching fish and attempting to trap the wild birds with bread and worms.

‘My lady, you look most delightful in that colour,’ Rankin smiled, helping Madison out of the carriage.

‘My sister, Lady Tamara,’ Rankin introduced his sister to Madison’s parents.

‘Lady Tamara, how lovely to see you again,’ Madison embraced the young lady.

‘Oh I am pleased to see you again Lady Madison,’ Tamara laughed softly.

‘Many of the other guests are here already,’ Rankin smiled, leading the way. Madison observed, the Swain home was beautiful, a lovely piece of architecture. The front gardens were well kept. She observed the gutters needed replacing. The estate was huge. The sides and the rear of the estate did not look in very good condition. She did not have an expert eye when it came to building maintenance, but the place did look like it was in desperate need of maintenance. No doubt her papa would give her a three page detailed account of every observation his trained eye would have picked up.

Rankin had opened the large ballroom for their supper tonight. A huge table was set for about twenty people. He had introduced her and her parents to many people tonight. Some she knew of previously, others she had already forgotten their names. They were having drinks and refreshments. There would be an informal dance before supper. Whilst the place needed repairs, it was clean and tidy. The floorboards were well scrubbed. The furniture and railings were all well polished and smelt of fresh beeswax. The fine bone china they served in looked expensive and must be a family heirloom.