Madison picked up her brush, dipped it into her jar of powder and self consciously raised it to Rankin's face. She was nervous to touch him. This was a novel experience. She looked nervously at Rankin, he was grinning at her like a Cheshire cat. Using his grin for courage, she soldiered on. Wincing, she applied the brush over the bruises around his eye. Madison cast her eye to Beth busy at the closet pretending to fold the already folded clothes. She wished Beth would just sit on the bed quietly, she was rather distracting.

'How is that my lord?' Madison lifted her eyes to meet Rankin's in the mirror.

He angled his face to the left and to the right and nodded acceptably. 'Perfect,' Rankin stood up. 'I think I will be presentable dear,' Rankin lowered his head to meet hers, his eyes smiling down into Madison's.

'Yes,' she murmured, fiddling with her brush.

'I shall be eagerly awaiting you downstairs,' Rankin allowed his eyes a momentary glimpse down her bosom. Madison blushed, her face and ears turned scarlet. He chuckled softly at her discomfort. 'Thank you Lady Madison.' Rankin glimpsed disdainfully at the watchful Beth who was annoyingly fiddling with nothing at the closet and reluctantly he walked out. He would have loved to take Madison into his arms and loose himself in her bountiful décolletage for a few minutes. They did look ripe and delicious, begging for his lips. Perhaps he needed to visit the maid in her chamber and remind her of her place.

Madison cast a cursory glance around her at the smartly dressed gentlemen and fashionably attired ladies as they stood in the lavishly decorated ballroom of Lord James Faversham, Marquis of Avon. The Avon's proud, rich history dated back eight hundred years. The Marquis's stately and picturesque home was a remarkable castle with rolling hills and pastoral landscapes, the abundant seasonal flora, a botanist's delight. The well maintained castle was indicative of skilful Roman architecture. It was widely known the Marquis of Avon was from one of the wealthiest families in England. The Avon's had flourishing lands, abundance of crops, cattle and poultry.

'You look delightfully arresting tonight my dear,' Rankin smiled at his betrothed.

'Thank you,' Madison's chocolate eyes met Rankin's emerald ones with a responding smile. She admired her handiwork around his eye. He did look so much better. One could hardly see the cruel bruises he had received from that nasty horse. She hoped her betrothed had made good work of breaking that vicious horse.

'Ah the newly betrothed couple.'

Madison broke away from Rankin's eyes. She watched as Rankin stiffened next to her. She had a suspicion why the owner of that voice made her shiver, but why had Rankin reacted so angrily?

'Rochester,' Rankin greeted guardedly. Rankin went to great lengths to be polite.

'Swain,' Chadwick acknowledged coldly. He abhorred the way Rankin pretended to gaze so adoringly into Lady Madison's eyes.

'Your face looks much better than I expected.' Chadwick's eyes seemed to gleam with pleasure.

Rankin visibly paled. His grip tightened around his glass. His knuckles were as white as a sheet. Madison could not understand Rankin's simmering anger, but Chadwick seemed to thrive on provoking Rankin's wrath. She was annoyed at Chadwick's insensitivity. How dare he be so impolite? Surely he should have more manners!

'There is no need for your gloating Mr. Rochester,' Madison came to Rankin's defence. 'My fiancé was brutally thrown off a horse.'

'Indeed?'

'Perhaps if you did a hard day's job Mr. Rochester, you would not find this something to jest about.' She did not know how exactly Chadwick Rochester earned his income, yet he seemed to be an extremely wealthy man. Perhaps he just barked orders around and others did the dirty and challenging work for him.

Chadwick's eyes darted to Rankin's. The weasel could not even speak for himself, Chadwick though disgustedly. How pathetic? Rankin's eyes shifted from Chadwick to Madison. A film of sweat formed on Rankin's upper lip. Chadwick could not stomach looking at Rankin any longer. He was likely to beat him black and blue all over again. If the stupid chit was too blind to see what scum she had chosen, so be it!

'Enjoy the evening Lady Madison. Swain,' Chadwick took his leave.

'He has a nerve. Does he not, my lord?'

'Some people do not know how to hold themselves in public?' Rankin spoke softly, his wintry glance followed Chadwick's receding broad shoulders.

'It was unfair of him to taunt you about your injury.'

'Shall we dance?' Rankin pulled Madison to the dance floor before she could respond with a yes or no.

Fuming at Chadwick's insensitivity, she allowed Rankin to lead her to the dance floor. As they circled the dance floor, Madison watched Chadwick dance with a beautiful young maiden who was having her first come out. The young lady was shy and smiled frequently as Chadwick continued to flirt with her throughout their dance. Madison hardly paid attention to her own dance partner. She automatically just moved to the rhythm of the music. It was only when Rankin suggested they stop for drinks did she realize they had danced two consecutive dances.

She cast an assessing glance around whilst they enjoyed their drinks. Chadwick was dancing with one lady after another. He seemed to favour the first young lady he danced with. At regular intervals, he returned to the young lady and danced with her more frequently. Madison wondered why she felt disappointment that Chadwick had not requested to dance with her. She did not know why she had so vocally gone to Rankin's defence, perhaps she should have remained silent, but then how could she allow Chadwick to be so insensitive towards an innocent man?

'So my lord, are you also participating in that crazy jousting competition?' she looked up into Rankin's face.

'Oh absolutely. I am the defending champion you know,' he grinned self righteously.

'I did not know. I want you to win again my lord,' she breathed softly, as her eyes met Rankin's.

I wonder if the devil is participating.

'I could prepare well if I know who all the competition is,' he favoured her with a patronising grin.

The Jousting Tournament was an annual event in Cricklewoods. Gentlemen dressed up as tenth century Knights. They displayed their horsemanship skills and their prowess with the use of a lance; a wooden rod with a sharp metal tip resembling a spear. Two opposing riders, protected by a steel helmet and armoured gear would ride towards each other. The aim was to remove your opponent off his horse using the lance. It was sometimes dangerous. Even with the armoured gear, horsemen were known to have encountered fatal injuries.

'Surely it would be all the previous year's competitors,' Madison stated. 'I know Lord Anthony is participating. I heard him telling Lady Sarah he was practising.'

Rankin's concern was whether Chadwick Rochester was participating. He had only won the previous year by devious means, and because Chadwick who had been away because of a family crisis had not participated. Before last year, Chadwick had won the previous three successive years prior to that.

'I would like you to find out if Rochester is an entrant,' Rankin instructed Madison.

'How am I to achieve that my lord?' She wondered what difference it make if Chadwick participated. He was the defending champion surely he had nothing to worry about.

'Why do we not just ask him?' she laughed softly.

'No!'

Madison's eyes widened at Rankin's harsh response.

'What I would like my dear,' Rankin gave her a saccharine sweet smile, 'is for you to dance with Rochester. Then ask him,' Rankin's jade eyes were cold and unsmiling.

'But Mr. Rochester needs to request me to dance with him.'

'Go to the drinks table,' his eyes softened. He patted her hand consolingly. 'Stand there aimlessly. Rochester will be drawn to you like a magnet,' he grinned savagely and boldly traced a finger down her cheek.

'You know you are beautiful right?' His eyes caressed her. His patronizing soft voice left Madison temporarily speechless.

Not that Rankin really thought her beautiful, with her plain face and he did not like those intelligent looking eyes of hers or her enquiring mind. Why could she not have been beautiful like the sultry Lady Sarah Buckley? What a pity that Lady Sarah did not have a handsome dowry. When they married, he would have to teach his wife, her place as the subservient Countess of Craggvale. He looked forward to that pleasurable task. Joy surged through him in anticipation. He smiled delightedly at his betrothed. Until then he would pretend to be chivalrous, until her dowry was in his name.

'I shall do it for you my lord.'

'Go to the drinks table,' he directed Madison.

'I shall walk to the ladies rest room first,' Madison mumbled. It was not conventional for a lady to get her own drink. Rankin should know that. Perhaps if she first went to the ladies, she could pretend to be thirsty and help herself to some punch.

Madison delayed for as long as possible in the rest room before she returned to the ballroom. When she returned her eyes searched out the room. She found Rankin glaring in her direction. Offering him an imperceptible nod, she lowered her head and walked to the drinks table. She hesitated for a few seconds then reached for a glass to help herself to a glass of fruit punch. She wished Sarah was with her, at least then, she would not have to be at the table alone. Why could Rankin not have escorted her to the table? At least then she would not feel so humiliated, serving herself.

'Allow me,' a familiar hand reached for the same glass and poured a generous amount of the potent looking punch into it.

'T---thank you.'

'A pleasure, however I must ask why that imbecile is not exercising his manners?' Chadwick glared in Rankin's direction, but Rankin was engaged in a conversation with two gentlemen.

'It is not difficult to pour myself a drink,' Madison murmured.

'Surely the Swine knows a lady needs to be waited on!'

'His name is Swain for heaven's sake,' Madison bit out irritatedly. 'What has the earl done to you that you always apply a condescending tone when you speak of him?' Madison demanded. That was not the way to solicit a dance request. Surely she should be aware that she should spread out the charm and entice Chadwick to the dance floor.

'Are you enjoying the evening?' Chadwick handed her the glass of punch.

Madison looked around and studied the smiling faces of the radiant ladies as they traipsed around the dance floor with their partners. A country song was playing. She knew according to the dance program, the next two songs were waltzes.

'I would love to dance, but my--- Earl Swain is feeling a bit under the weather.'

Chadwick narrowed his eyes at her quick change of words. 'I wonder why?' he asked innocently, but his eyes were gleaming.

Madison darted glacial hazel eyes at Chadwick. 'The earl was thrown off an unbroken horse. Surely you understand the nature of his discomfort.'

'Oh, nobody knows better that I of his discomfort,' Chadwick offered her a mocking smile.

'You have also fallen of an unbroken horse?'

'Er---sure I did, when I was sixteen.'

'Did you break any ribs? I wager you cried like a baby.'

'Perhaps we may continue this discussion on the dance floor,' he relieved her of her punch glass.'

'I do not want to dance with you.' That was so not Rankin Swain's instruction.

'Too bad. I am not asking you,' he marched her to the dance floor.

'You are arrogant and impertinent Mr. Rochester,' her hands nevertheless rested lightly on his shoulders as they waltzed around the tiles.

'I am in good company, I assure you.'

'I hope Earl Swain defeats you at the Jousting Tournament,' she spat out angrily.

Chadwick pulled her rather roughly, closer to his chest. His fingers entwined in one of hers, tightened painfully. 'Hope, all you want my lady,' he hissed. His dark eyes were like thunderous storm clouds.

So is he competing or not?

'So you are participating?' she swallowed, despising herself for sinking low for the sake of her betrothed.

'I sure am looking forward to it,' Chadwick answered, his face was a mask. She could not tell if he was confident about his ability or not.

Madison felt uneasy about Chadwick participating. Rankin was the defending champion. He may fatally wound Chadwick.

'Do not take part in the competition,' she whispered, lifting her face to him appealingly as they continued to dance.

Chadwick's eyes narrowed. He studied her for a few seconds before he spoke. 'You are confusing me, Lady Madison. I was certain you wanted your esteemed fiancé to annihilate me.'

'He is a skilled marksman and also the defending champion.'

'I am sure the Swine appreciates your unwavering patronage,' Chadwick scorned.

Madison inhaled deeply as she glared at Chadwick. Clearly this insufferable man was beyond redemption. She ignored him for the rest of their waltz. She obtained the answer Rankin needed. There was no need for any more conversation with the infuriating man.

'Thank you for the dance my lady,' Chadwick handed Madison back to Rankin. 'Should you be in need of a partner, due to your betrothed's incapacity, do not hesitate to contact me.' Chadwick's dark eyes held Rankin's fiery jade ones. Madison heard Rankin's sharp intake of breath. She felt the heat of his consuming rage deflecting on her own body.

'And?' Rankin demanded, when Chadwick departed.

'He is participating.'

'We are leaving,' Rankin's fingers pierced into Madison's wrist.

Madison wished she knew how to deal with this animosity between Chadwick and Rankin. Both men were headstrong and annoying. She knew a fire was silently raging inside of Rankin. Chadwick on the other hand, delighted in taking a swipe at Rankin at every opportunity that presented itself.

Rankin deposited Madison and her maid at her parent's home. He remembered his duty to be patronising. With scrupulous politeness, he gently escorted Madison into her parent's home. He placed the perfunctionary kiss on her cheek. He fell over himself thanking Madison for attending the ball with him and informed her he could not wait to be at her side again at the earliest convenience.

Rankin sat across a commoner in the smoky salon of the seedy Blue Orchid Inn. He did not know whether this commoner Barkis, or his stables stank more. The man's body odour was putrid. He had not bathed in many days. His hair was unkempt. His long beard looked as filthy as his dirty face. His teeth were yellow, showing signs of decay. Rankin smiled politely. He would grin and bear it all for this man possessed what he secretly wanted.

'You have the goods?'

'Of course,' a guttural laugh escaped the man's throat. He handed Rankin a powdery substance in a container.

'So I smear this on a person's body and he loses consciousness.'

'Yes,' Barkis grinned. 'Do not touch it with your bare hands. It is toxic.'

'I shall not,' Rankin grinned, handing Barkis a bag of gold coins. 'Get out of here,' the smile disappeared of Barkis' face.

'Congratulations my lord that is the third opponent you have beaten,' Madison was elated.

'Thank you,' Rankin laughed. He looked over Madison's shoulders and saw her parents studying them. Rankin continued to smile graciously at his betrothed.

'Just two more races and you will face the final opponent,' she smiled.

'Thank you for being here,' Rankin added in a sombre note. He was not looking forward to the final. His main opponent was winning all his matches in lightening fashion.

Chadwick looked over at the scoreboard. There were two more races before the final. The only competitor who was consistently doing well besides himself was Swain, but he was not concerned. Chadwick had watched Swain advancing towards his opponents. He did not have the speed or pace to outwit him. Today he shall regain the championship from Rankin. Chadwick's chest burned with rage everytime Madison clapped her hands joyously and complimented Swain with a bright smile on his winnings. He had no support staff or fan club in his corner. Chadwick folded his arms across his chest as he saw Rankin defeat his next opponent. He would easily defeat his next competitor then it was going to be the final between himself and Rankin.

'How was that?' Rankin grinned as he slid off his horse.

'Perfect my lord,' Madison forced a smile. 'You are improving after each race.' She had hoped Rankin would be defeated by now, but he was still holding his own. She did not want Chadwick facing Rankin. She feared Rankin would beat Chadwick. Both men seemed to be pretty fast and accurate. Rankin was already the defending champion. Chadwick may not stand a chance, even though he seemed to move like lightening. She did not want Rankin harming Chadwick. When Chadwick defeated his last opponent, Madison watched Rankin walk over to Chadwick and congratulate him.

Rankin waited until Chadwick removed his gloves and speedily made his way to him. Having already smeared the toxic substance onto his glove, he reached out to shake Chadwick's hand.

'Rochester, you have done well. Congratulations.'

Chadwick was surprised at Swain's extravagant gesture, reluctantly he reached out his hand and shook Rankin's gloved hand.

'The same to you,' Chadwick nodded, retrieving his hand.

'Good luck to the both of us then in the final,' Rankin offered a cheerful smile.

Chadwick nodded again and started gearing up. He took a swig of water from his flask then slipped his helmet on.

The bells tolled for the final. The crowds were silent. One could hear a pin drop. Rankin and Chadwick faced each other in opposite directions awaiting the signal to start. Chadwick felt an itch and wanted to scratch on his face. Something seemed to blur his vision. He blinked profusely, but his vision remained unclear. He felt thirsty, but he could not have a drink, the signal was given. He could see Rankin coming towards him at lightning speed.

Chadwick blinked again repeatedly and began trotting towards Rankin. He was going too slow. He knew he needed to pick up the pace, but he could barely see where the hell he was going. His face was burning like it was on fire. His whole body felt like a swarm of bees had attacked him. He felt thirsty. He could barely keep his eyes opened. Somewhere in the distance, he could hear the crowds chanting. Where was Madison? Could she see him? Was she gloating that her fiancé will be winning? Chadwick was certain he was going to fall of his horse, before Rankin even got close to him. Then Rankin would ultimately be declared the winner in any event. Or perhaps Rankin would win fair and square, seeing he was advancing at breakneck speed. Chadwick looked past Rankin's shoulder to see where Madison was standing. Very vaguely he made out the outline of her hour glass figure. He blinked again twice and saw her hand was covering her mouth. Her eyes were widely opened. Painful as it was, Chadwick dragged his head back to face Rankin. He had to figure out a strategy to dismount Rankin, even if he could not see him clearly.

Oh Chadwick, what is going on? You are moving too slowly. Please go faster---increase your pace.