'Will you not be going out this evening sir?' His master never stayed home on a Saturday evening. Tonight he was in his library, with his feet up, cradling a decanter of brandy against his chest.

'Do you have a problem with that Nester?'

'No sir, none at all. We have filled the bath with hot water, and your evening clothes are laid out in your chamber.'

'Be gone with you Nester. Do you think you are my mother, reminding me when to take a bath?' Not that he had paid much attention to his mother's instructions as he grew up. Chadwick Rochester had insisted on exercising his own free will from the very second he had exited his mother's womb. Even that he had manipulated, arriving three weeks ahead of schedule.

'Very well sir.' The butler's frown was lost on his master as he departed the library. Nester knew better than to antagonise his master when he was in a foul mood as was evident this night. What was wrong with Mr. Rochester? In the last month he has really been in a dark mood.

Chadwick lifted the neck of the half empty decanter towards his mouth. He seemed to change his mind about having another swig. He tried chasing the demons that were torturing his mind, demons of an tempting brunette, with expressive hazel eyes and inviting sweet rosy red lips. Scowling, he lowered the decanter again.

Be gone with you!

He had to get out. He could go to Whites, play a few games. Lose a lot of money. He smiled to himself. He could afford to lose some money. He was a wealthy man. He stood up, slamming the open decanter on his table, splashing some of its contents in the process.

'Nester!'

'Yes sir?'

'Hurry up with that bath then? Have my coach brought to the front door,' he commanded.

'Shall I have dinner ready for you?'

'I shall eat at Whites.'

'Very good sir. The butler called for a valet to undress Mr. Rochester and assist him with his bath. A second valet helped him dress. His well polished hessians were placed before him. The valet assisted him with his shirt and waistcoat. Chadwick insisted on tying his cravat himself. With his long tailcoat, complementing his fashionable evening shirt and silk stockings he looked rather dash and debonair tonight.

He contemplated his evening ahead as he hopped onto his carriage. He refused the services of his footmen tonight. He would drive his own coach. Perhaps after he lost a bit of money, he could console himself in the arms of an obliging courtesan. He was no saint, but he was a man with a very healthy appetite. Best he pay for his pleasure than deflower maidens, or become entangled with any that would expect him to walk them down the aisle. He had no desire to tie himself to one woman for any length of time. Neither would he ever marry; hell no! Marriage was for men who preferred eating meat and potatoes every single day of their boring, uneventful lives.

Ironically with all his skewed self-righteous philosophy, he could not rein in his wayward thoughts torturing him with an indelible image of a sultry brunette with eyes dark and delicious like chocolate. He remembered her luscious lips tasted even more delectable than any chocolate he had ever tasted. Chadwick lashed his whip into the air, hurrying his thoroughbreds along. Instantly they sprung to action. He smiled wickedly wishing a certain female of the human species could obey him so obediently. He frowned angrily wondering where the annoying chit was. He had purposefully accepted many of the invitations received in the last day or so, in the hope of catching her at a soiree or a ball but she was not in attendance anywhere.

Be gone with you, you daughter of Aphrodite!

Rankin clasped Madison's hands between his. 'Let me take Baron Sanford into my library to declare my intention.'

Madison nodded, 'I shall be with my mama.' Rankin offered his arm to Madison and walked purposefully back into the ballroom. He found the Sanfords engaged in conversation with one of the dreaded dowagers of the ton. Rankin was certain the baron would apreciate being rescued.

'Baron Sanford,' Rankin tugged at his cuffs nervously. 'I have an excellent bottle of brandy from the continent. Perhaps you care to join me in the library to sample it.'

Stanton looked at his wife. She nodded with a smile. 'It will be my pleasure Earl Swain.' Rankin strode ahead leading the way to his library. He cleared his throat, opened his drinks cabinet and removed his imported bottle of rather expensive brandy. Stanton observed the old teakwood furniture. It was well polished. The scent of lavender and beeswax was feint in the air. The weathered cushioned sofas were faded. One was fraying at the seam. The well worn burgundy carpet had seen better days.

'There you go,' Rankin poured Stanton a single portion of the rich amber liquid, as they still had to take supper.

'It certainly is a fine brandy,' Stanton smiled. He breathed the aroma, and sipped on it, savouring the taste of the potent drink.

'Baron Stanton, there is a matter I wish to discuss with you,' Rankin pointed to the ancient uncomfortable looking sofas.

'Certainly,' Stanton reluctantly lowered himself on one of the decrepit sofas.

Rankin took a deep breath, 'Baron Stanton, I wish to declare for Lady Madison. My family name is long established in the ton. I shall be honoured if you would consent to my betrothal to your most charming daughter.'

Stanton took a moment to digest the offer. Whilst Rankin lacked finances, he had a considerable estate, the family seat here in Craggvale and a cottage in London. His rather extravagant dowry to his daughter would set Madison up for the rest of her life. Granted Rankin will hold the purse of Madison's dowry, but his daughter would be well provided for.

'Yes I agree to your offer Earl Swain,' Stanton stood up and sealed it with a handshake, 'however the final decision rests with my daughter. If she accepts your offer, then you may have her hand in marriage.'

'Good, very good,' Rankin laughed nervously. 'I have taken the liberty and offered to Lady Madison, and I am to inform you, that delightful Lady Madison has accepted.

'Then it calls for a celebration,' Stanton smiled.

'Shall I call the ladies in?' Rankin smiled. Stanton nodded. As he cast another critical look around the library, he knew Rankin was marrying his daughter for her dowry, he hoped his daughter would be happy and well taken care of.

'Mama, shall we walk into the garden. It is a lovely night.

Rachael smiled. Her daughter had something on her mind, she obviously wanted to talk. At ease they followed the meandering path that wound its way between the colourful rose bushes. Water cascaded from a nearby fountain into the lily pond. The full moon was out and the evening was still warm. When they were out of earshot of the other guests, Madison burst out, 'mama, Earl Rankin has offered for me.'

'Already!' her mother was surprised. 'I did not realize he would declare so quickly.'

'You knew he would?' Madison laughed, forcing herself to look happy. 'He is seeking papa's approval, as we speak.'

Rachael nodded. 'Are you happy darling? If you are then your father and I will be happy for you as well.'

'Yes mama, I am happy to wed Earl Rankin,' Madison avoided looking at her mother. 'I am making the right choice. I am sure of it.'

Rankin is an upstanding gentleman of the ton. Surely it would be a convenient marriage. Madison sensed she was trying to convince herself more than she was her mother. Rachael was an astute woman and instinctively as a mother, perhaps she perceived her daughter may have been too hasty. 'Then you have our blessings child. Let's join your papa,' Rachael led her daughter back inside.

'Ah there you are my dear,' Rankin smiled as Madison and Rachael emerged from the garden.

'Did papa consent?' Madison looked up at Rankin.

'Yes he did,' Rankin's answering smile included Rachael. 'Baroness, perhaps you and Lady Madison would join me in the library?'

'Thank you,' Rachael offered a polite smile.

'This way,' Rankin led them forward and opened the door to his library. As Baroness Sanford entered she masked her distaste at the clatter on Rankin's table. Whilst no expenses had been spared to have the liquor cabinet well stocked, the furniture looked old and in dire need of replacing. The carpet looked old and worn out. The room smelt stale as if the windows were not often opened. Madison observed her mother's studious eyes. She knew when they returned home, her mother would give her unreserved view of the Earl of Swain's paltry residence.

'Baroness,' Rankin smiled, I have offered for the hand of the lovely Lady Madison. She has accepted and so has Baron Stanton. With your permission as well, may we celebrate with some champagne?' Rankin nervously brushed a lock of blonde hair away from his forehead.

Rachael inhaled briefly, before she responded. Being of the polite society, her good manners forbade her contradicting her husband or expressing any reservations.

'I believe congratulations are in order Lord Rankin,' she smiled courteously.

'Thank you,' Rankin acknowledged, as he offered everybody a glass of champagne. 'I shall place a notice of our engagement tomorrow morning in the Daily Chronicle,' Rankin smiled at Madison.

She smiled back meeting his pleased green eyes. Madison drew her eyes away. She did not feel that eager anticipation and nervous excitement as when she gazed into a certain pair of dark brooding eyes.

'Shall I call Lady Tamara to celebrate with us? Rankin enquired.

'Yes indeed,' Stanton responded.

'Excuse me,' Rankin left the room to find his sister.

'Lady Madison congratulations,' Tamara breezed into the room excitedly.

'Thank you,' Madison laughed softly.

'Oh I am truly delighted Rankin has offered for you,' Tamara embraced Madison. 'I so wished he would,' she laughed.

'There you go Tamara,' Rankin smiled happily, offering his sister some champagne.

The next week the ton was abuzz on the news of the Earl of Swain's betrothal to Lady Madison Sanford. The ton's gossip mongers were intrigued as to how big a dowry Lady Madison would be taking to her new marital home.

Chadwick was in the card room at Whites on the Monday evening. He was in a jovial mood. Lady luck seemed to be on his side he was winning a lot of money tonight. His winnings were immaterial. Being competitive in nature he loved winning. He smiled jubilantly as he won another hand. Cigar smoke spiralled upwards into the air from many of the tables. Champagne and whiskey flowed freely as the gentlemen indulged in their other sinful pleasures of cards; cigars and women, in that order.

'I say Rochester,' one of the gentleman who had just lost a small fortune, spoke. 'Perhaps you should quit whilst ahead and go home with your spoils.'

'Whatever for?' Chadwick laughed. 'I am just getting started.'

'Ah here comes one of the luckiest men in the ton,' another gentleman observed Rankin striding in.

'He is?' Chadwick drank heartily from his glass of scotch and looked at Rankin curiously. As far as Chadwick knew, Rankin tendered to lose more money at cards than he won.

'Have you not read the papers in the last two days Rochester? The Earl of Swain is now betrothed to the delightful Lady Madison Sanford.'

Chadwick almost choked on his scotch. That gentleman continued. 'Swain must be most pleased with himself. The lady goes to him with a dowry bursting at the seams.'

Madison was most surprised early on the Tuesday morning when a groom, presenting a calling card from Lady Sophia Jersey stood at her front door. Lady Jersey was requesting to visit Madison that afternoon at three. Madison was most curious. She and Lady Jersey were not bosom friends. They were merely acquaintances. Madison responded back agreeing to the request.

'Gentlemen,' Rankin smiled enthusiastically as he took a seat at Chadwick's table. He dropped a bag of guineas on the table. The other gentlemen at their table greeted him in return. Chadwick just glared in Rankin's direction.

Where did you steal that bag of gold from?

'Many a gentlemen have lost money betting on you Rankin,' one gentleman spoke. We thought you would stay a bachelor for at least a few more years.'

Off course he was in a hurry. His estate is in dire need of repairs.

'I am not that young. I reckon eight and twenty is not a bad age to become betrothed. Rankin ordered a bottle of scotch and helped himself to a generous amount.

No age is bad if you want to sink your claws on your fiancée's wealth you swine!

Feeling bold, Chadwick challengingly tossed a bag of coins to the centre of the table and nodded to the dealer to commence play. He wanted to remove Rankin from the table as quickly as possible. He wondered if the swine had more bags of gold on his person. Rankin looked around the table. The others cautiously placed just a few coins on the board. A film of sweat formed on Rankin's forehead.

Drat it, why not?

He was going to come into untold wealth very soon, though if he lost this bag of gold, he would have to walk away. That was all he had for the next month.

Rankin smiled with a false sense of bravado and placed his bag at the centre of the table next to Chadwick's. Chadwick cast a cursory glance around the table. He was good at reading the faces of his opponents. Either they shifted about trying to contain their excitement when they had a good hand, or they developed beady eyes when they had a bad hand. Rankin on the other hand, kept a stoic face. The expression on his unreadable face remained the same irrespective of whether he held a good or bad hand.

There was an eerie silence around the table. Everyone suspected that the winning hand was either held by Rankin or more probably Chadwick, as he had been on a winning streak the entire night. Only when the cards folded onto the table, did it become evident that Rankin had held the winning combination. Greedily Rankin curved his arms out, drawing all the money towards himself. Secretly he was thrilled. He had managed to hold onto his bag of gold; claim Chadwick's and the lesser amounts of the rest of the players. He was especially delighted to defeat Rochester. It was not easy to beat him, and Rochester did not often lose at the table.

'Looks like your luck is finally running out,' one player remarked to Chadwick.

'It appears that way gentlemen,' Chadwick stood up. 'Let me take my leave before I lose much more.' Chadwick did not even bother to finish his drink. He hastily left White's.

Damn the chit.

Chadwick jumped into his chariot and sped off recklessly.

It was her fault I lost. What the hell is she thinking accepting an offer from the low life beggar Swine? Does she not know he is only after her money? Is she not aware the swine is not right for her? He is going to make her life a living hell!

'Lady Madison, thank you so much for accepting to see me,' Lady Sophia Jersey smiled politely, as always she was exceptionally well dressed. Today Sophia was dressed in a very chic French afternoon carriage dress. It looked simple, but the silk dress had intricate layers around the puff sleeves and hemlines. The tan dress complemented Sophia's green eyes and blonde hair, making her look like a princess. Sophia could almost be related to the Swains with her glowing blonde hair and sparkling emerald eyes.

'Thank you for the visit,' Madison smiled. 'I have prepared tea and refreshments in the afternoon parlour. My folks extend their apologies. They had a previous engagement at my aunt Diana's.

'Oh I hope I have not inconvenienced you?' Sophia asked apologetically.

'No, not at all,' Madison smiled. 'My aunt wanted mama's help about something for Sarah's forthcoming wedding.'

'Speaking of weddings,' Sophia smiled. 'Congratulations on your betrothal?' Sophia's well wishes were posed more as a question.

'Thank you,' Madison smiled demurely, breaking the eye contact very quickly.

'Lady Madison,' Sophia began tentatively. 'I was most surprised when I read the announcement in the Chronicle.'

'Why?' Madison voiced, suspecting the answering response.

'I am most thrilled for you to become betrothed, but Earl Rankin Swain?' Sophia forced through her pretty shapely lips.'

'You make it sound like he is a criminal,' Madison accused.

'I do beg your pardon,' Sophia tentatively smiled. 'I would have hazarded a guess you would be happier with Chadwick Rochester.'

'What!' Madison exclaimed, setting her teacup down.

'I apologise if I speak too frankly,' Sophia smiled, 'but Lady Madison, I cannot believe you truly want to be entrapped for life in a marriage with a man you do not care for.'

Entrapped...the rest of my life! Oh dear God!

'What do you mean entrapped? Lord Rankin and I have been courting for some considerable time.'

'My lady,' Sophia spoke quietly. 'I observed you and Mr. Rochester at Almack's.

Madison fiddled with her hands nervously. She wished she still had her teacup in her hand then again she would probably be spilling from it. It was definitely safer on the table.

'You cannot deny there is an ---attraction between the two of you. It was palpable to all present around you that evening in the garden.' Madison's eyes flew back to Sophia.

'Look,' Madison stood up, unable to curb her restlessness. 'I have already accepted Earl Swain's offer, besides Mr. Rochester has ---not expressed any interest in me. His interest lies elsewhere,' ...

and he is not the marrying kind.

'Lady Madison, I do not know if I have mentioned this to you,' Sophia stood up, earnestly holding Madison's gaze. 'When I asked Mr. Rochester to accompany me to Almack's, he was steadfast in his claim that I did not need to seek Lady Charlotte or any other lady's consent to be his companion. '

'There is your answer,' Madison lifted her hand and sliced it through the air dramatically. 'Mr Rochester has no desire to commit himself to anybody, and I for that matter do not wish to be attached to him,' Madison lied. 'He has previously actually informed me that he has no desire to enter the marriage mart.'

Lady Sophia's eyes widened, but only momentarily. Luckily Madison had not observed her. She was making an extreme effort to avoid Sophia's eyes. Clearly there is or was a lot that had transpired between Mr. Rochester and Lady Madison. Why were they being so stubborn? Perhaps they had a fall out now, and both were stubbornly not relinquishing any ground.