"Who owns this mare?" Samuel ran his hand down the horse's rump and lifted its hoof.

"Master Lytton, sir."

Mathew watched and waited patiently while Samuel inspected the Arabian.

The handler answered all of his questions politely and added, "If you would like to meet him, sir, I would be happy to send one of the lads to fetch him. I'm sure he would be very happy to meet someone who has as great an interest in the Arabian breed as you Mister..."

Mathew chuckled as his cousin introduced himself as Samuel.

"Has he more Arabian's available in his stable?"

"Yes, sir. Master Lytton was in favour of the Lipizzan. He has ventured towards the Arabian over the last six years, and has been very successful with this breed."

"Yes. She has a beautiful dished profile and high-carried tail. Does he have others at this auction?"

Jack Fielding raised his eyebrows in curiosity. This man, around his own age, perhaps a year or two older, and of obvious quality, knew his horses. "No, sir, not any longer. The other two Arabian's have been sold. He has the Lipizzan colt and gelding in the next two stalls, if you would like to look at them. They will be paraded within the next hour." Jack paused. "As I say, sir, he would be most happy to meet and discuss the breed with you further. I can personally extent an invitation to 'Lytton Stud', on his behalf."

"Thank you. I have met Master Lytton in the past, and will reacquaint myself with him later this evening." Samuel grinned at the polite handler. "Have you worked for Master Lytton long?"

"Yes, sir, since I was twelve so nine years now. I have just recently taken over control of the stud, sir." Jack held out his hand. "Jack Fielding"

Samuel extended his own hand. "I expect we shall meet again, Jack. Thank you."

Tipping his head at the handler, Mathew followed Samuel from the stable. "Why didn't you tell him it was you who bought the horses?"

"I wanted to hear what he had to say about the stud. Playing dumb helps extract extra information. Often things the breeder doesn't want you to know about."

"Have you really met this, Master Lytton?"

"Yes. When I was seventeen. Thomas was a nice man. I look forward to seeing him again. I assume he and his wife will be attending the ball. My good friend Edmond Witherspoon married one of Lytton's daughters, though I don't remember her name. He did say in a recent letter of his." Samuel smiled. "I was under the impression he would be attending the auction today. As yet I haven't seen him. I think perhaps he chose to stay in London. I should have written to tell him I would definitely be in the area."

"Why didn't you?" Mathew said.

"What?"

"Write to say you were coming?"

Samuel shrugged. "It is for the best he isn't here. Edmond will ask me a lot of questions. I'm not sure I'm ready for that."

"True." Mathew tilted his head. "James told me, Sammy. About your back."

Sam kept his eyes in front of him. "I thought he might." He sighed, and then looked at his cousin. "One step at a time, Matty."

Mathew put his hand on Samuel's shoulder and nodded. "One step at a time." He nudged his head. "Come on. Let's get back to our rooms and freshen up for this bloody ball."

"I don't want to be announced." Samuel climbed down from Cole and handed the reins to the footman.

"Too late for that anyway, Sammy." James looked at the well-lit mansion in front of them. "All of the guests have arrived already. We are considerably late." He handed his reins over and waited until Mathew and Omar did the same. "You did send our acceptance, didn't you?"

"Yes, James." Samuel chuckled.

"Even if he didn't, we'd get in. Sammy just has to say who he is and all doors open. Our cousin has magic fingers." Mathew laughed. "Let's hope some magic happens and he meets his future wife here tonight."

"What about you, Omar?" James grinned and slapped him on the back. "Your first ever English ball. Have you been practicing your dance steps?"

"Master James," Omar laughed. "I'll be lucky to get in the door, let alone dance with an English lady."

"We should have got you a suit." Mathew grinned. "I'm not sure how the ladies will take to a kaftan."

The doorman stepped in front of them and bowed his head. "Good evening. This is an invite only event, gentlemen."

"Yes." James leaned forward to look at the list of names the man held. "Denyer by four."

"Oh. My apologises, Your Grace." The doorman bowed so low that his head nearly touched James' feet.

"Not me, man." James made him stand up. "You're making a spectacle of us and His Grace does not want to be announced."

Flustered the man looked from one to the other, not sure which man was the duke, so took what he thought was a safer route. "I will take your servant to the back door then, shall I?"

Samuel grabbed the man's arm and growled at him, "Denyer by four. No one here is a servant."

"Yes, yes, sir."

"His Grace," Mathew whispered trying to hide his grin. "We'll just make our way without any fuss, shall we?"

"Yes, certainly sirs, Your Grace, My Lord." The poor man had no idea what to call who.

"So much for not drawing attend to ourselves," James chuckled. The music had stopped and everyone in the grand ballroom was looking up at them.

A man pushed through the crowd and rushed forward. "Samuel!" Edmond bounded up the stairs, grabbed Sam in a tight hug and whispered, "Samuel fucking Earl of Fucking Irvine." He stepped back, tears rolling down his face. "My friend, I can't tell you how happy I am to see you."

Hannah covered her mouth with her hand. "It's him."

"Who?" Julia gushed.

"Edmond's friend. The Duke of Irvine. Samuel Denyer. The man who went missing."

Thomas, Rebecca, Edmonds parents, Julia and Shay turned to see the four men make their way across the room with Edmond beaming beside them.

Shay's heart leapt to her throat as her eyes connected with black orbs. She darted away to be lost in the crowd.

Samuel watched her go. Who the hell was this girl? His hand was gripped by Charles Witherspoon. Alice curtsied, and then threw her arms around him.

Edmond extracted him. "Samuel, this is my wife Hannah and her parents Thomas and Rebecca. You remember them. When you came that Christmas." Edmond couldn't stop smiling. "And this is Julia, Hannah's sister and Shay." Edmond spun around. "Where is Shay?"

Samuel choked. His breath caught in his chest. Shay? The colour drained from his face. Omar grabbed his arm and steadied him. "Sami," he said in Arabic. "Take a breath."

The air burnt his tortured lungs. Omar peered at him and once more spoke in Arabic. "This is the girl. Yes. The one you dream of."

"Nem fielaan." Samuel nodded, took another breath and composed himself. "I am alright my friend," he said in Arabic. "Now I know why she haunts me."

Omar bowed his head. "We will talk more of this later. There are many eyes upon us. Time to revert to English."

"Nem fielaan." Samuel chuckled as he looked at the group staring at him.

"Sorry," he said. "It has been a long day. I need a drink." In seconds a glass of wine appeared in front of him. Sam laughed again, and then said, "This is a very good friend of mine, Omar Jannat."

"My English." Omar bowed. "Is not so good sometimes. Please forgive my indiscretion speaking Arabic in front of you."

Samuel swept his hand toward his other companions. "These are my cousins. Viscounts James and Mathew Denyer." He indicated each man as he said their name.

Mathew stepped forward and took Julia's hand. He bowed and kissed the back of it. "I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, My Lady."

Standing with her lips parted, unable to speak, Julia took in a quick breath and curtsied. She managed the words, "I too, am pleased to make your acquaintance, sir."

"May I have this dance?" Mathew couldn't believe how lucky he was, as he led the beauty onto the dance floor.

Rebecca watched the young couple, and then whispered in her husband's ear. "I think we may have just lost another daughter."

"Yes," Thomas growled looking around him. "But not the right one."

Shay hid in the family carriage. She could not go back inside to meet the man with the face of an angel. 

Oh, Shay.  You are such a coward.  Get your butt back inside and front the man. Hahaha.

Samuel finally knows who the girl with the green eyes is.  I wonder what he will do?  

Any ideas?

Top Photo taken from Pinterest.

Centre photo taken from HowStuffWorks.