Dorian returned to his seat as Edmund led Ellison away. His eyes moved over the dance floor and found Ginelle. Her laughter vibrated across the room, stirring him deeply. He was pleased to see that she was enjoying herself but he greatly disapproved of the number of men pining for her attention.

"You know, jealousy furrows your face in the most unbecoming way. It dampens the appeal." Cummings fell into the seat across from Dorian, his mouth quirked into a teasing grin.

Dorian ignored Cummings and surveyed the floor. She was dancing with Douglas Campbell. He was a pragmatic youth with charismatic charm.

The two of them would be a beneficial pair. He was charming and handsome, exceedingly wealthy for one so young. He would make her a good husband, treat her kindly.

His face darkened considerably as Campbell leaned forward and said something and Ginelle laughed gently. He felt a swift tightening in his groin at her sweet laughter. She would laugh for Sharp and even the Campbell boy, but she had only anger for him?

"Lust on the other hand, alters your face completely."

Dorian jerked his gaze to Cummings, "What nonsense are you muttering?"

Cummings smirked, "Why do you fight it?"

Dorian's gaze wavered to Ginelle as Campbell twirled her about the floor, her eyes revealing sheer delight for the waltz. "She would resist me."

"You have charisma; why not woo the bonny chit?" He grinned knowing how absurd the suggestion sounded as it rolled off his tongue.

Dorian grinned, "You and I both know that my reputation is anything but flattering, least of all charismatic like our Campbell boy."

He caught a glimpse of red approaching their table and scowled deeply as Victoria sauntered forward. She acknowledged Cummings with a grin before addressing Dorian, "You need not look so vexed, mon amour." Victoria purred, her eyes smoldering as she studied the length of him.

"What do you want, Victoria?"

"The evening is quite boring but I was hoping you and I could have a dance before I leave?" she pouted prettily, "Can you not at least grant me that before you discard me so carelessly?"

Dorian gritted his teeth and would have refused until he caught sight of Ginelle crossing the room to their table.

"Just one dance, mon amour?" Victoria's voice penetrated his thoughts and he turned to extend his hand to her.

The room flowed with numerous bodies and yet, Ginelle was very aware of Dorian's presence. Even as many suitors approached and asked to dance, she was instinctively aware of his eyes following her.

He knew she would defy him at one point and she cared not. He had deliberately humiliated her and her intention for the rest of the evening was to avoid him as much as possible. He was naught but a brute!

Her eyes scanned the room for Nathaniel and once again she was disappointed to find him absent. Had he left because of Dorian's boldness? Was he no longer interested in her? Shouldn't she be thanking Dorian? She did not want to marry, therefore any proposal from Nathaniel would have been rejected but she couldn't help the likeness she felt whenever Nathaniel was near. She would have enjoyed his company for the evening.

Her scattered thoughts kept her distracted and she tried focusing on the boy in front of her. Douglas Campbell was very tall and thin, but his gaunt stature held little to no muscle. His hands gripping hers were a bit clammy and by the beads of perspiration dotting his forehead, he was racked with nerves. His eyes were a deep cobalt blue and she considered him passably handsome but couldn't help comparing his soft eyes to a pair of intense, sharp depths that resembled the artic regions.

Once the dance ended, she quickly concealed her relief and after a brief exchange of words with Douglas Campbell, she sought her table.

As she started towards it, she paused half way as she caught a flash of deep red. A beautiful woman in a tantalizing gown of red wine that was in striking resemblance to the flowing curls down her back stood next to Dorian. He was talking to her with a grin and that devilish glint in his sharp, blue eyes. Did he know the woman, a lover perhaps?

Ginelle felt a tightening in her chest that confounded her.

Jealousy? Surely not!

She shook her head of the absurd thought. What did she care if Dorian had numerous lovers? But that tightening in her chest intensified as Dorian led the pretty red-head to the dance floor.

She was being ridiculous. Realizing she watched their retreating backs, she jerked her eyes away and continued on towards their table where Lieutenant Cummings waited.

His russet eyes warmed at her approach and he motioned to the seat across from him. "How are you, mademoiselle?" he asked with great mirth.

Ginelle smiled despite the intense urge to look for a distinct towering figure in black moving fluidly along the dance floor. Instead she focused on Lieutenant Cummings. "I am well, Lieutenant, and yourself?"

His smile broadened as he turned to survey the room. "Enduring the festivities, milady."

She laughed, "I assume social events are not your preference, Lieutenant?"

He leaned casually back into the chair and smiled, "Nay, not my first choice. I prefer the brisk ocean air and rolling waves of the deep, blue sea."

Ginelle leaned forward, suddenly intrigued. "Have you spent much time at sea?"

He turned to grin at her, "Aye, since I was a young boy."

Her eyes wavered to the dance floor, "How did you come to know Dorian?"

He paused for a moment before saying, "I was but sixteen, aboard a vessel that had been attacked by brigands." The warmth faded from his russet eyes as he relayed his past and Ginelle caught a glimpse of the sad youth he had once been. "The crew and I were left for dead. It wasn't long before another vessel passed by. The Captain found me dispersed across a plank, clinging to life."

"Dorian is your Captain?"

Cummings smiled over at her, "Aye, milady. He is the commander of many a merchant vessels."

Ginelle turned to study Dorian. That swift tightening returned in her chest as he smiled down at the woman in his arms. He was strikingly handsome when he smiled. The woman must be of some significance to Dorian to get such an unlikely response. They appeared the ideal couple. She was exotic and curvaceous, her beauty fit to appeal too many, including Dorian.

"Mademoiselle Pattinson?"

Ginelle averted her eyes from Dorian and the pretty red-haired woman to a man standing above her. He was tall with broad shoulders, emphasized by a deep, gray tailcoat. Glorious locks of pale blond hair peeked out from beneath a woolen, gray top hat.

The man smiled gently at her as he curtsied, his dark eyes glinting curiously at her from beneath full, thick lashes.

Hesitantly, she extended her hand to him and he took her palm lightly between his fingers. He pressed a kiss to her knuckles and than straightened to his full height.

Something about the man's demeanor aroused deep inquiry. His elegance and fine attire indicated his wealth and authority.

"You are Lady Ginelle Pattinson?" his voice was soft, yet firm, inquisitive as he studied her expression.

Ginelle stiffened as a warning sounded in her head. His analytical stare warned her to be wary despite the warmth in is dark eyes. She was comforted by the fact that Lieutenant Cummings sat across from her, studying the stranger in discreet regard.

"I am." She said cautiously, tilting her chin slightly to peer more firmly into the stranger's inquiring gaze. "And you are, Sir?"

His smile broadened as a light appeared in his dark eyes, "I am Lord Edric, milady. I have just recently arrived to London and heard of your debut."

She smiled tentatively, "I am flattered, monsieur. What brings you to London?"

His face brightened as he said, "I am here visiting family."

Ginelle lifted a brow, "Are they here as well?" her eyes scanned the room curiously, suddenly intrigued to know more about this mysterious stranger despite a lingering notion of cautiousness.

"Just one, milady but they are at the moment, occupied." Something about his expression startled her but not so much in a frightening way. The way his eyes studied her, Lord Edric seemed very eager to know her, to learn more about her and she wasn't quite ready to reveal more than necessary to a complete stranger.

"May I interrupt?" Nathaniel suddenly appeared in front of her and she inhaled sharply, stunned to see him. She had worried all evening that he had left but realized he was waiting for an opportune moment to speak with her.

Lord Edric turned to Nathaniel and offered a smile that didn't quite match the gleam in his eyes. He turned back to Ginelle and took her hand in between his. "It was a pleasure speaking with you, mademoiselle."

Ginelle smiled and nodded as his hand lingered around hers until slowly he released her and walked away. She watched him disappear through the crowd before turning to Nathaniel.

Nathaniel did little to conceal his sour expression. "Who is that man?"

Ginelle than realized the man had not revealed his last name. Her heart suddenly dropped in her chest. She didn't know a thing about him aside from his first name.

Her eyes moved warily along the room but it wasn't until they settled on Dorian that she felt the tension slightly ease from her body. Dorian would not let any harm come to her, even if they were at odds with each other.

Nathaniel smiled down at her, all traces of the stranger forgotten as he extended a hand to her. "May I have that dance now, Lady Pattinson?"

She needed a distraction, anything to keep her thoughts from straying towards Dorian and lingering feelings.

She smiled at Lieutenant Cummings before allowing Nathaniel to assist her away. For some reason, she felt as though Lieutenant Cummings had been on the verge to say something but refrained. Did he too, disapprove of Nathaniel?

She dislodged the thought. Of course Lieutenant Cummings would disapprove; he was Dorian's first in command. Dorian could conjure as many absurd allegations of Nathaniel all he wanted. After his humiliating display to ward Nathaniel off, she cared not what Dorian thought, nor would she muse on the startling effect he had on her sensibilities.

"Many are striving to catch your attention." Nathaniel said, pulling her from her thoughts. Even with Nathaniel, she could think of none other than Dorian. "I hope that I have not paled in comparison to any of the young chaps that you might fancy."

Ginelle laughed, "I do not fancy any of them." Instantly her thoughts turned to Dorian and she was greatly relieved when Nathaniel spoke next.

"Ah, so I am still in your favor?" his mouth tilted in a grin. She stared at his mouth, wondering if his kiss would differ from Dorian's. Would she feel that shock of electricity, that tingling throughout her limbs? Would he affect her as intensely as Dorian?

He held her gently as they twirled across the room. His hands didn't move over her as Dorian's had done. He was tender and sweet when Dorian had been rough and abrupt. Yet, something about the way Dorian had touched her had her emotions in such an uproar of chaotic combustion. It was as if she had no control over her body's reactions. Shouldn't she be shocked by her body's wanton response to Dorian's caresses? She was ashamed to admit that there was a longing, buried beneath denial, eager to learn more, to explore the deep recesses of these foreign feelings. No man had ever touched her in such a way. As a child she had feared such a touch and yet, the mere intimate brush of Dorian's fingers along her skin left her breathless.

"Ginelle?"

She jerked to awareness as crimson stained her cheeks, suddenly embarrassed as she realized the direction of her thoughts. "I'm sorry-did you say something?"

He frowned at her, "I said the room is a bit stifling, would you care to get some fresh air?"

Ginelle hesitated, Lucile had stated quite adamantly that leaving the hall was improper, especially with a man who was not her chaperone but she couldn't bare the crowded room a moment longer. She needed some air, anything to clear her head of these unwanted thoughts.

"Yes, that would be nice." She gathered her skirts in one hand and felt Nathaniel grip her elbow as they slipped effortlessly from the room.

**********

The humid air had dropped to a frightening chill and a sudden fiery gust pulled at her hem, bringing her still as a sense of foreboding snaked up her spine.

Ginelle shivered, regretting not having grabbed her cloak as she surveyed the black sky with faint visible lines of thick, rolling clouds.

"I think we should return inside. There is a storm approaching."

Nathaniel stepped in beside her and for a moment she was comforted by his warmth and strength. "There is a terrace just right around the corner. It will shelter us from the rain." Ginelle hesitated, her eyes widening at the bended limbs straining against the menacing wind. Her instincts warned her to return to the hall but she was not ready to return to that crowded room or that piercing hot stare of those vivid blue eyes.

Fingers circled her wrist and she swallowed back a protest as Nathaniel ushered her around the garden to the terrace on the other side before the rain began to fall and a deep rumble of thunder shook the terrain.

She trembled as she stepped further back beneath the canopy, a sudden flare of lightning forcing the air from her lungs. "Can we return to the hall, please?"

"You are safe here." Nathaniel said to ease her fears but somehow she had a deep inkling that she wasn't. A strong innate feeling warned her that something was amiss.

"I want to go back." Her heart began a frantic rhythm and her voice cracked with her fear. She felt small and frightened, just like the child she had been years ago.

"Just a few moments." He said, "Tis difficult to steal you away when Ashford keeps you within his reach. If I weren't mistaken, I think he wants you for himself."

At this, Ginelle turned to stare more directly at Nathaniel, her brows knitting together at his absurd allegation. "Surely you don't think that?"

"I am speaking only from having observed his manner, the man is completely, and hopelessly infatuated with you."

Ginelle blanched as her heart did a strange, somersault in her chest. "Nathaniel you speak nonsense!"

He stepped towards her and she stiffened, "I cannot blame him, any man would be a fool to not want you."

Dorian's distinct warning about Nathaniel's reputation rushed to mind. Was he truly a fortune hunter? She didn't want to believe it. She couldn't fathom the very thought that she had been so naïve to trust another man and yet, the feelings she had hoped to feel for Nathaniel were not there.

She wondered for a moment if Nathaniel's kiss would be as electrifying as Dorian's? Could he stir her senses in a heated frenzy like Dorian?

Nathaniel reached out and cupped her face. Her reaction surprised her. She was not affected by his touch; in fact, his touch had no real strong pull on her senses.

He closed his eyes and leaned towards her. She knew he was going to kiss her and sudden curiosity kept her still as his mouth plastered against hers. Instantly, she felt revulsion stir in her belly as his mouth moved sloppily over her own. His kisses were wet and did little but disgust her.

Ginelle pulled away but his arm around her waist stopped her. Fear scuttled through her but she remained firm as she said, "I think it best we return to the hall." Her eyes sparked with defiance as she struggled to conceal the rising anxiety to the swift and unexpected change in Nathaniel's disposition.

"I studied you, Ginelle. I watched you discard suitor after suitor. Their excessive wealth could not appease you." His finger traced her chin and she shivered inwardly with revulsion. "I know I can be that man to make you happy."

Ginelle wanted nothing more than to shove Nathaniel away. How could she have ever thought him charming, or handsome? He thought she turned suitors away simply because their wealth did not satisfy her? That alone sickened her deeply.

"I am sorry Nathaniel, but I will not marry you." She exclaimed.

He frowned, suddenly perplexed. "I do not understand."

She pressed her hands against his chest to push, an indication for him to release her. "I have no desire to marry." She said, "I am sorry but I will only disappoint you."

A sudden crack of thunder startled them both but Nathaniel's arms did not fall away. Rain began to descend in dark torrents, soaking the terrain around the terrace. "Mayhap I can change your mind?"

His mouth suddenly crashed down on hers. She opened her lips to object but her protests were smothered by his roughened kisses and the rain pelting the ground. She squeaked in alarm as his lips bruised her own as thunder rumbled deeply in the clouds. She felt a fleeting moment of panic as she felt the strength in his arms as they tightened around her, pressing her closer against him. Her fingers curled in his shirt in an effort to shove him away but his tightened embrace proved futile to escape his clutches.

Suddenly, a large and solid frame separated from the shadows. A looming and frightening silhouette that advanced on Nathanial, wrenching him away.

Ginelle quickly stumbled back as a massive body placed itself between her and Nathaniel. She stared at Dorian's rigid back shaking with fury. Her eyes widened as he drew back his fist and delivered a thunderous blow to Nathaniel's face, the fierce momentum sending him sprawling backwards off the terrace.

Ginelle leapt forward as Dorian followed Nathaniel's sprawling body. As he reared back to deliver another hard crack to Nathaniel's bloodied face, she reached out and grabbed his upraised arm. "Dorian, no!"

Her distinct plea jarred him from the haze of red clouding his vision. He peered down at Sharp, nursing his bloodied nose and snorted in disgust.

"Let's make something clear." The words were released on a deep growl, "Touch her again, Sharp and I'll kill you."

Nathaniel's eyes narrowed but he refrained from saying anything that could potentially break another bone in his face. He staggered to his feet, careful to cradle his broken nose in his palm as he left on hastened strides.

Dorian slowly turned to Ginelle. She was drenched and trembling. The rain had ruined her curls, plastering her hair to her face and shoulders. His eyes narrowed on her swollen lips from Sharp's kisses and he felt a maddening rage seize him and her large eyes widened with fear. Did she fear for her lover?

"Did you enjoy playing the harlot?" his voice revealed his anger and Ginelle winced beneath the hardness of his cold stare. "You let him touch you? Kiss you?" he stalked towards her, forcing her to retreat back under the terrace.

Ginelle was breathless, stunned by his livid manner. He stood over her, dangerous and unpredictable in all his untamed fury.

"I gave you fair warning." His gazed seared her, his eyes like shards of ice as panic seized her.

She narrowed her eyes at him, enraged that he would make such a blatant remark of her. How dare he say such things when he had acted irrationally, with the full intent of humiliating her and even have the audacity to order her about!

"I do not find fault in kissing the man I intend on marrying." She would never admit that he had been right all along about Nathaniel, nor was she going to acknowledge the fact that she had been utterly naïve to Nathaniel's pretenses.

A blue flame gathered in his eyes as he stepped towards her, and immediately Ginelle realized her mistake in taunting him. She felt cold stone at her back and stiffened as his arms stretched out on either side of her.

Her mouth parted on a gasp at the proximity of his body and that strange and explicit heat spiraled low in her belly, tingling throughout her limbs until her knees threatened to buckle. She stared up at him through large eyes and had an uncontrollable urge to reach up and tuck loose strands of black hair from his face.

His blue eyes moved over her, peeling away her defenses until her body trembled from the burning desire in his icy depths.

Her heart jumped against her chest and her stomach fluttered as his eyes averted to her mouth, and the fire in his eyes intensified, burning with a heated promise.

Dorian reached up and traced the delicate curve of her cheek and brushed a tendril of hair away with his thumb. He was furious with her, so angry that he could tear Sharp from limb to limb for touching her as he so painfully longed to do.

She deliberately taunted him and yet, she stood before him, trembling and frightened of his temper. It angered him that she would think him capable of hurting her. He couldn't fathom the disquieting notion; it sickened him.

He could see the fear in her eyes, just below her thin resolve and it unsettled him deeply. A disturbing thought came to him as he studied her face. What had his mother thought in the brunt of his father's anger?

He felt the muscle at his jaw flex. He was nothing like his father. He would never hurt a female, especially the beautiful creature standing before him but did she think him certain of violence?

Another step brought him closer until he felt her breasts pushing against his chest, she tensed, her eyes widened to large pools of soft brown as she peered up at him. "Why do you fear me?"

Her unguarded gaze revealed surprise and his eyes fell to her mouth as she spoke, "I do not fear you." He searched her face knowing beneath her defiance was a frightened woman with secrets of her own.

Dorian had every intention of unraveling her defenses. He wanted to know the woman past the barriers. "You are a pretty liar, Ginelle." He leaned towards her and felt his body harden as she responded, her chest rising sharply with her shortness of breath.

Her heart quickened in her chest as her blood rushed through her veins with anticipation. He thought she feared him and she did, but for reasons other than his temper. She feared this man because she had never met another like him. His body spoke of intimacies that stirred her in ways that she thought incapable of experiencing and that frightened her the most.

She knew as she stared up into his dark face that she wanted his kisses, wanted the touch of his fingers on her skin and ached for those intoxicating feelings that left her yearning for more, but she feared her body's reaction, she feared she would give her heart to this man who would never return her love.

He had stated quite adamantly that he wanted her, desired her as a man would for a woman but was that all? Did he simply want her because his body demanded it? Did his heart bespoke of affection?

Her heart somersaulted in her chest as his mouth descended and captured hers and he crushed her against his chest. She gasped, opening her mouth to him as his arm tightened around her waist and he reached up to cup her face in his other hand. She felt his heart beating against her own as if the two of them were meant for each other.

She grew breathless with the intensity of his kisses and the possessiveness of his claim as his tongue delved inside and her legs buckled, forcing her to rely on his strength. She felt her fears slowly dissipate with the moment as everything around them spiraled out of place as that tiny flame flickered to life, growing with each sweep of his tongue. His mouth skimmed lightly across her own, a gentle butterfly caress; making her heart flutter chaotically against her breast.

His kiss was tender and rough; passionate in its claim on her but as badly as her body yearned for this moment, logic began to take place. She had been so naïve of Nathaniel, she had actually considered him passably acceptable to marriage only to be played a fool for his advances spoke of his true nature.

How could she allow Dorian to touch her when he wanted only to claim her? He wanted to control her, just like every man. She did not love Dorian, but what did it mean when her body responded so wantonly to his touch when Nathaniel sparked revulsion?

His hand reached up to cup her breast and an intense burning erupted at the base of his fingers, flowing through her body like a hot stream to douse her coherent thoughts. She struggled to gain her composure but the tantalizing effect left her trembling and her womanhood tingling for something she knew not.

Dorian hated her, she said as if to convince herself. She had to stop this before he hurt her, before he left her hollow and broken.

"No, stop." She stiffened as she shoved her hands against his chest, feeling the rippling muscle shift beneath her fingers; she jerked her hands back as if to ward that hardened flesh for it burned with his raw desire.

Dorian pulled back, his eyes narrowing to dark slits of ice, studying her intently with sudden pique. "You submit wantonly to Sharp's advances but deny me your affects?"

Ginelle gasped in outrage, startled by how abruptly his mood had shifted from tender and passionate to a sudden cruelness that altered him completely. Stunned by how hurtful his words had wounded her, she acted on impulse and brought her hand around to smack soundly against his face.

His arms fell away at the impact of her hand and he watched her flee from beneath hooded eyes. Ginelle wiped blindly at the tears streaking her face and the rain combined made it impossible to see where she was running.

The wind struck her full blown in the face and she cringed as a bolt of lightning cut across the blackened sky. She gathered her sodden skirts and rushed from the garden, not caring if Dorian followed. How dare him! How could he stir such startling feelings that left her yearning for more and yet, make her hate him so!

She swept past the double glass doors, unaware to the figure garbed in red as she slipped along the wet grass and rounded the corner, colliding roughly with another body. She and the stranger tumbled to the ground and rolled twice before she was able to steady herself. Her heavy skirts made it difficult for her to gain her footing and when she finally did, the stranger had already risen to stare at her through gleaming black eyes of shock and malice.

The dark face leering back at her instilled absolute fear and she froze with horror, her feet riveted to the ground as she stared wide-eyed at the man sneering back at her. Ginelle gasped in profound dismay as she took a step back, her mouth parting to utter the name of the man who implanted terror in her bones.

"Pierino."

**********