Ginelle waited nearly till the afternoon before returning to the manor.  Her heart was still aflutter within her chest and she knew she could not bare Dorian’s presence without succumbing to his dark charm.

            The desires he awakened within her tilted her entire world and she experienced wondrous feelings unlike anything she had ever felt.

            If she declared her love would he shun her affections? Did he merely lust after her body?

            She wanted nothing more than to dislodge her feelings, to shut out the emotions bombarding her very thoughts, her actions and motives, for fear of rejection and loneliness but she couldn’t simply place her heart in a box for safekeeping. Her feelings for Dorian were raw; growing each and every day, every minute spent with him was a growing happiness and love that could not be suppressed. There was no denying her feelings for Dorian.

            Yet could she really reside at Ashford as his mistress? Was she willing to face that sort of complication?

            Her thoughts drifted astray as she reigned in before the stables and dismounted. The stable boy arrived to assist her with Millie. Once she was finished she proceeded towards the house but half-way she stopped as a rider approached from down the road.

            Her eyes strained against the faint day light as the lone rider grew closer and it wasn’t until the man was nearly upon her that she recognized him as Lord Edric from the banquet.

            She frowned for what reason would Lord Edric come to Ashford? She stepped back as he came to a steady halt before her. He wore no hat, instead his glorious blond hair curled atop his shoulders and he was equipped in a simple white tunic beneath a brown fitted vest.

            Ginelle struggled to remain calm for obviously this man continued to seek her out for a reason anonymous to her.

            She presented Lord Edric with a small smile, “Good evening, Sir Edric. What brings you to Ashford?”

            He smiled in return and dismounted, causing Ginelle to retreat another step. He curtsied before saying, “Forgive my abrupt presence, mademoiselle. I pray that I may have a word with you? I had little chance of speaking with you at the banquet.”

            Ginelle felt a shiver of warning for his expression had altered slightly to anxiousness. If he were anything of a threat to her, she needed to lightly dismiss him and flee for she knew nothing about this man but his name.

            She quickly searched her mind for a ploy. “I am sorry Lord Edric but I must retire for the evening, if it is my hand that you seek, I have decided not to marry. If you’ll excuse me.” She turned quickly and started towards the house.

            “I came not to speak of marriage but on another matter of importance.” He exclaimed, his tone intense as she turned to study the taunt lines of his face pulled tight with tension.

            Her heart jumped against her chest as she paused in step, her face paling as warning bells sounded in her head. “Than pray tell sir, what reason do you have to be here?”

            He stepped towards her and she stiffened, her stomach twisting with the urge to run. “Do not fear me but the danger I speak of.”

            Ginelle gasped as his hand circled her arm. “You must come with me.”

            She inhaled sharply as a scream jammed tight in her throat.

            “Please-“ he said gently, “I am not here to harm you. You must come with me for your life is in danger.”

            Her eyes widened with alarm. “Of what do you speak of?” her voice cracked with apprehension. “Who are you?”

            “I –“

            “I will only ask once for you to remove your hand.” Dorian’s voice rang like hot steel, dripping with fury as Ginelle met that cold, calculating gleam.

            His manner bespoke of aggressive intent as his massive shadow fell in at her side and he grasped her other arm, pulling her swiftly out of Lord Edric’s grasp as he moved to plant his body firmly in front of her.

            Immediately, alarm hastened across Lord Edric’s face as he stepped away taken aback by the fierce expression painted black on Dorian’s face. “I have no quarrel with you, milord.”

            “A quarrel is all you shall receive.” The muscle at his jaw flexed dangerously and Ginelle feared not for Dorian but for Lord Edric.

            “Dorian-“ Ginelle said gently, reaching out to touch his arm. He barely budged or even noticed her silent plea. “He has not harmed me.”

            “You have no business here.” Dorian growled, ignoring Ginelle. “I want you off my land.”

            Edric nodded but before he mounted he directed his attention to Dorian. “I had no intention of harming her. I came only to deliver a warning.”

            Dorian narrowed his eyes, “What warning?”

            Edric averted his gaze to Ginelle, “He knows where she resides. She is no longer safe for he will come for her.”

            Dorian heard Ginelle’s sharp intake of breath and felt her small body quiver against him. Something barbaric and vengeful sharpened the fury within him for in that moment he felt Ginelle’s vulnerability and fear. “She has nothing to fear for no harm will come to her. I will ensure it.”

            Edric nodded and than mounted his horse. As he gathered the reins, he turned to peer at Ginelle. “I apologize if I frightened you, mademoiselle.” He hesitated as if to say more but refrained as he caught Dorian’s scolding look.

            As Dorian watched the man ride away, he waited until he was clear of sight before turning to Ginelle only to find her gone. He peered up and caught the edge of her skirts disappearing through the front doors.

**********

            Dorian followed inside and made his way upstairs. He knew he would find her barricaded within her room and was not so pleased to find the lock against him. He paused at the door but heard nothing from the other side.

            “Open the door, Ginelle.”

            No response.

            This only angered him and he beat his fist on the door. “You will open the door or I will break it open.”

            His body jolted as a stifled sob came from the other side. Her cry rushed through him, affecting him deeply and he found himself inside with the door hanging limply on the hinges.

            Ginelle stood next to the window with her hand pressed against her chest, her mouth forming an O at finding her door completely torn apart. “Was that necessary?” she demanded.

            He did not notice her anger but the tears that streaked her face and widened her eyes to pools of lightened brown. He crossed the room to stand over her and reached out to cup her face gently with the palm of his hand. “Why do you cry?"

            Emotions flickered in her subtle gaze and he watched her struggle internally with her fears as she pushed away from him and motioned towards the door. “How am I to have some privacy with no door?” her voice trembled as she kept her back to him.

            “You will not need a door for you will not be sleeping here.” He replied.

            She spun around, suddenly furious, and he saw fresh tears spill to the rim of her eyes. “This is my room!”

            He shook his head as he stepped towards her. “It is no longer.” Her shoulders trembled as he grew closer and grasped her shoulders gently. “Why do you weep, my sweet one?” his thumb caressed her lower lip as it quivered beneath his touch.

            He peered into her large, unguarded eyes and saw the fear that left her feeling fragile and unprotected. He lifted his hand and lightly traced the curve of her cheek. “I would not let anything happen to you.”

            “But how does he know?” she gasped, “How does Pierino know where I live? How does Lord Edric know of him? What reason does he want me for?” she wrenched away from him and pressed her hands to her face to muffle her cry.

            Dorian stood motionless, watching her tremble with sobs. She dropped her arms and spun around to face him. “I am weary of being frightened. I seek answers but gain nothing.” Her expression shifted to one of defeat as she dropped her head. “Mayhap I should seek him out myself and demand his reasons?”

            Dorian reached her in two long strides and seized her shoulders. “No!” he hissed, “You will go no where near this man! What ever the reason may be, I will be the one finding answers.” He loosened his grip and reached up to push her hair from her face. “Do not fear for I will keep you safe.”

            Ginelle shook her head, “This does not make sense to me, Dorian. Pierino is merely a thief and I an orphan with nothing to benefit. His motives to me are unclear.”

            “He is not merely a thief; he is a skillfully equipped criminal. What do you know of this man?” Dorian asked.

            Ginelle sought her mind and realized she knew absolutely nothing about Pierino aside from his pick-pocketing and abuse.

            “You know nothing of him because you were just a child. He will not reveal his true motives to you, a small girl.”

            “But what of Lord Edric?” she asked, more perplexed that a complete stranger knew of Pierino and herself, and that he would warn her.

            “I have every intention of unraveling that mystery as well. I have never heard nor seen this man.”

            “He claimed that he had family here but I know not where he resides.” Ginelle said.

            “How do you know this man?”

            “He was at the banquet.” She replied.

            Dorian fell silent for a moment but than noticed the paleness of her face and the evident fear in her eyes. He cupped her chin as he said, “Think on it no longer. Gather your things for you’re moving to my room.”

            “I most certainly am not!”

            He had turned his back to her and at her protest a smile curved the corners of his mouth. Even with her fears she would dare to challenge him with defiance.

            He turned to look at her and arched a dark brow. “Must I carry you?”

            She narrowed her brown eyes at him. “Must I smack you?”

            Dorian resisted a grin, “You wouldn’t?”

            She lifted her little chin and glared sharply at him. “I most certainly would and I would enjoy it since you insist on ordering me about.”

            This time he did grin, flashing his straight, white teeth as he stalked towards her. Immediately she backed up, throwing her hand out between them as if to ward him off. “Dorian I mean it!”

            He stalked her as a predator would its prey and when she had no where to run, he made his move. He swept forward and seized her around the legs, shifting her completely up off the floor onto his shoulder. She began kicking and pummeling his back as he strolled from the room.

            Ginelle felt red stain her cheeks as she caught a glimpse of Belle and Fannie standing huddled in the hall, clear out of Dorian’s path as he walked by them. Their smirks only heightened her embarrassment before they disappeared around the corner.

            “Put me down!” she cried as he pushed open the door and set her on her feet.

            She brought her hand around to collide with his cheek but he easily caught her wrist in a firm, yet gentle grip. He shook his head at her as his grin broadened. “I expected that.”

            Her eyes narrowed angrily before wrenching her hand free and placing them on her hips. “Why must you insist on getting your way?” she demanded, “Does it pain you greatly to show a smidge of compromise?”

            Dorian crossed his arms against his chest as he observed her amusingly. “Mayhap I am not accustomed to compromising.”

            “Well I am not accustomed to defeat.” She started around him towards the door but he swiftly caught her up against him and immediately her body erupted in flames, suddenly eager for his lips upon hers.

            He leaned forward and his breath fanned her forehead. “Why do you resist me?” his voice had dropped; laced with desire as a swirling heat sharpened his ice blue eyes.

            She quivered against the hard muscle pressing against her breasts and the feel of his hands at her back. “Why do you insist on controlling me?” her voice was hushed as she fought against a sudden wave of heat spiraling deep in her loins at the feel of his hardened shaft pressing against her belly.

            His arm tightened as his eyes fell to her lips. “I do not wish to control you, Ginelle.” He said as he reached up and traced the curve of her jaw. “I wish to make passionate love to you.”

**********