So this is a new idea I am trying out. I just had a random idea one time, and I decided to continue it. I haven't got a name for it yet, I just want to see how things go, so please read, and let me know what you think about it.

It's set in the older times, around the Elizabethan era, maybe later, not really sure. Need to study some more. :D And there will be a few surprises hidden in there. :D So please read, let me know what you think, and I shall continue to write more. :)

Also, with my other books, I am writing them still, but I have been so busy lately that I haven't had time to be able to write more chapters to Dance Away! and The Truth Hurts, and all the others. I only got to publish this because I had written it a while ago, and I decided to finish this little bit. So please forgive me, and I will get writing soon.

And that is about it.

Oh, and one more thing, I leave updates about when I am going to post a new chapter and when I hope to post a new chapter on my homepage, with all the details about me and my books. I usually do an update about once a week, but I'm going to try and do it more often. :) So if you are ever wondering when a chapter is going to come out, or if I am going to post a new book, go and check out my page, and then you'll be able to see when I am going to post.

And now I think that is about it. :) Happy Reading!

TSO123. 3

Chapter One

I could feel his eyes watching me as I walked through the garden, standing quite closely to my mother. She was quite beautiful for her age, her dark hair pulled back into a bun, and a pleasant smile pasted on her face, bringing out the fullness in her pink lips and the emerald green in her eyes. She held a black parasol, which provided her shade from the sun's rays. Her dress was black, which was unusual for such a warm spring day, but then I remembered that even though she was smiling, Mother was still mourning.

My father had passed away about a month or two ago, and though I did not know him well, I had an ache in my heart which was inflicted by his sudden death.

Trying to block all thoughts of my father's death, I glanced back behind me. The handsome young man gave me a smile, and then winked. I gasped, and flipped my head back around. I could feel my lips pulling up in a smile, and my cheeks burn with humiliation.

I had been looking at him quite a bit during this outing, and I knew his features off by heart now. He was tall, and walked with his hands behind his back, with his broad shoulders pulled back. His hair was a light, golden brown, and part of it covered his left eye. His eyes were a rich brown, and reminded me of a dark, rich chocolate, daring and tempting. He was lean, and looked quite cool in his loose tunic and slacks.

But I was not feeling the cool breeze that the young fellow was able to feel. I had been pushed and shoved into a big heavy dress, with short sleeves, and my long black hair pulled up and lightly curled. The dress was very pretty, and very suitable for the spring weather, but I'd much prefer to be dressed in male clothing right now.

I could hear the young man's friends talking to him from behind me, and tried very hard to listen in.

"Andre, let's go. Vincent wants us to meet him by the oak tree in a few minutes. He has something he needs to tell us."

The boy that I had been peeking at all morning, Andre, replied with a voice that melted me at the very sound of it. "Very well. Let's go."

He and his friends hurried as they tried to get to the oak tree in time. Andre brushed past me as he walked by, and turned to apologise, giving me a smile as he spoke.

"I apologise, Miss. One can get distracted by such beauty." He winked, and then continued to walk away with his friends.

I could feel my cheeks go red, and I stared after them, longing to just follow them to the oak tree, to hear Andre's voice again.

"Eleanor? Did you hear me?" my mother said, interrupting my thoughts.

I shook myself, and looked at her, smiling. "No, Mother. I apologise. I was distracted."

I heard her scoff. "I can tell. You're always chasing after the wrong type of boy, Eleanor. It confuses me."

I frowned. "I am not, Mother. And I only just met the boy. I barely know his name."

"Well, my dear, you don't need to know his name. That young man walking next to the fellow that greeted you is Katherine Smith's son, Quentin, and he is bad news. The amount of young women that he is around, I'm surprised he hasn't impregnated one of them yet. So I would think that his friend would be just the same. You should focus on someone who has more class, who has morals and comes from a wealthy family, like Sebastian Patricks."

I groaned. "Oh, Mother, not now, please!"

"Eleanor Savannah Jones, we are going to talk about this now, because you never want to any other time."

"But I don't like Sebastian Patricks! He is stubborn, and rude and arrogant! There must be someone else that can court me."

"If they look like that young man does, and hang around Quentin Smith, you can think twice about that!"

I frowned, and ignored everything else that my mother said during our outing. She had put me in a foul mood, and I didn't want to stay here anymore. I excused myself, ignored my mother's dirty look, and walked off out of the castle garden, and headed off to my room. In my haste, I did not see him standing in front of me, until I had collided with him.

With a soft "Oof" escaping my lips, I glanced up, looking to see who I had run into.

"Oh, hello Sebastian."

I hated Sebastian with a passion. Mother was constantly telling me what a great catch he was because his parents were rolling in money. He was tall, and yes, he was decent looking with blonde hair that fell in front of his piercing blue eyes and yes, he had a smile that was to die for, but he was a jerk, and rude. And plus, I hated him. He was so full of himself, that he had nearly every girl in the castle chasing after him. But I hated that pig headed toad. He was only interested in me because I wasn't one of the thousands of girls who constantly spied on him. Hmm, I guess Mother was right. I do go for the bad boys.

He gave me one of his stupid ridiculously good looking smiles, and gripped the top of my arms, as if to pull me back up to stand properly.

"Lady Jones, it has been a while since I have experienced the pleasure of your company."

I groaned and gave a half smile. "I have been preoccupied, Lord Patricks."

His arms lingered on the top of mine. "Of course, my dear. You have been incredibly foolish enough to avoid me."

I frowned. "I'm not avoiding you, my Lord. As I mentioned, I have been preoccupied."

He laughed and ran his fingers up and down my arm, sending goose bumps all over my skin. His hand then came up, and brushed over my collarbone, which was exposed in the wide neck of my dress. My breathing had stopped, and was caught in my throat.

"My Lord," I whispered. "We are in a public place, and I would appreciate it if you stopped doing that."

But he didn't. He leaned forward, and ran his lips over my cheek, brushing them dangerously close to my mouth.

"Please stop, Sebastian," I hissed.

He continued, and I lost my temper. I pushed him away from me with all my strength and he stumbled back. I heard a coughing sound, and turned to see the boy that I had being admiring all day. Sebastian straightened up, and glared at Andre.

"Is everything alright here?" Andre asked, glancing between Sebastian and I. I didn't answer, I was too ashamed.

"Yes, Andre, everything is fine. You may carry on."

"Everything doesn't look fine, Patricks. Look at the poor girl; she is scared out of her mind. I think it would be best if you left right now, Patricks."

Sebastian stepped forward, and narrowed his eyes. "I'm fine right here, Richards. You should be on your way."

Andre gave a pretty good glare back; it almost made me cower into the corner. "I think we both know who's not wanted here."

Sebastian hissed, and then looked at me. He glanced back at Andre, then spun on his heel and stomped off. I breathed a sigh of relief, and collapsed against the wall, putting all my weight against it. Andre stepped forward and took my hand. "Are you alright, dear?"

I smiled and nodded. "Just relieved, that's all. Thank you for rescuing me from Sebastian. I am forever in your debt." I bowed to him and giggled.

Andre laughed and held his hands behind his back. "Well, you could do me the honour of telling me your name. I'd love to know what they call the beautiful maiden I just saved."

I giggled and bowed slightly. "I'm Eleanor Jones."

His eyes widened. "Robert Jones' daughter?"

I stiffened and looked into his eyes. "Yes."

"I am so sorry for your loss, dear Eleanor. From what I heard, he was a great man."

I smiled. "Thank you. To be honest, I didn't know him that well, but that is very kind of you to say mister...?"

He smiled held out his hand. "My name is Andre Richards." I smiled and shook his hand. He felt so warm, and comforting, I had the urge to throw myself into his arms.

I blinked, bringing myself back to reality, and snatched my hand back. "Very nice to meet you, sir."

He turned and laughed, starting to walk away. I walked with him. "You can call me Andre. I much prefer it over 'sir'."

I pulled my lips up into a grin. "So, Andre, I saw you this morning, in my mother's little group."

"Yes, my grandmother was invited, so she dragged me along with her. I could see you walking with a woman who I assume is your mother?"

I nodded. "Afraid so. I was dragged to that thing as well. It annoys me so much. It is so boring, and I get so exhausted with smiling and pretending to be happy to see people I despise. My mother's friends are so awful."

Andre laughed a rich and beautiful laugh. "I feel the exact same way. I don't see why my grandmother is friends with people like that. The world never makes sense, does it?"

"Andre?" a womanly voice called.

Andre and I both turned around to see Alice Finnegan walking to catch up to us. I didn't like Alice at all. She was a year older than me, and a lot prettier. She had blonde hair, and beautiful blue eyes that boys loved. She was so beautiful, but her attitude was rotten. She was spoilt, and I could see her becoming a part of my mother's little social group.

She finally caught up to us, and didn't even glance at me. "Andre, darling, I've been looking for you!" She looped her arm through his, and pulled herself close to him. I rolled my eyes in disbelief and looked away. "Come on, dear, we must go and catch up with everyone else."

Andre looked at me, and gave me a look that said he was uncomfortable. But it was only there for a second, then he turned his smile on and looked at her, his mouth getting close to hers. I thought I was going to be sick.

"Well, we better be on our way then. It was lovely to meet you, Eleanor. I do hope to see you soon." And when Alice wasn't looking, he gave me a wink, and walked off with Alice holding firmly onto his arm. Alice looked back to me and stuck her tongue out, which I replied with an eye roll. How immature.

And they left me standing there, alone, on a beautiful spring day.