Helen had no idea where she was riding to. Hell, she had no idea where she was at all. She feared to admit it, but she was lost. Great. The worst part was that if she ever managed to find the way home, her brother would kill her. She wasn't supposed to ride alone. Seth had forbid it, but she did it anyways. It was no fun, when she had to ride around with one of his pages.

Helen doubted that she would last much longer. It was almost lunch time and the sun was rising even higher in the sky. It was getting hotter and she didn't bring water with her. What was she going to do now? She looked around. She was surrounded by threes… Great.

Her black stallion, Attila, suddenly stopped. Obviously something had caught his attention. Helen looked around too, but saw nothing. In the next moment everything happened so fast that she couldn't process what it was. At first she heard some noise…like gunshot and then…Attila was standing on his back feet. Helen couldn't react fast enough to try to calm him down. She slipped from his back, falling hard on the ground. The last thing she felt, before she blackout was a sharp pain running through her head.


Helen slowly opened her eyes and found herself in an unknown room. She slowly pushed herself up to a sitting position and looked around. The room wasn't decorated too fancy…it was simple and cozy. She was alone at first, but in a minute or two the door opened and the room was entered by small old woman.

"Oh…you have woken up. I'm so glad, Miss." The woman said, but Helen could tell that she wasn't originally from USA. There was something European in the way she spoke. The old lady smiled warmly. "How are you feeling?"

"My head hurts a little, but I'm feeling good. Thanks for asking. Who are you?"

"I'm Clara. Mr. Ambrose's maid."

"Mr. Ambrose?" Helen asked. She had heard the name once or twice, but couldn't remember anything more than that.

"He found you. Actually your horse got scared, because of his bullets. He was out there hunting. But doesn't matter now. You are good. And you must be hungry. You said you feel well enough, so put the dress I picked for you on and get down for dinner. You'll get to meet Mr. Ambrose." Clara smiled.

"Oh…thanks…" Helen answered as Clara walked out of the room. The red dress, that the maid had picked, was put on the chair next to the window. She quickly put the dress on and made her way downstairs. Clara was waiting for her at the end of the steps.

"The dress was made for you, Miss. You look beautiful."

"Thanks, Mrs. Clara." Helen smiled and followed Clara. They entered the living room. Long wood table, fancy chairs, fireplace. There was also a man, looking out of the big window with his back turned to them. He was tall with broad shoulders, muscular body and dirty blond hair.

"Mr. Ambrose…Miss Helen is ready for dinner."

The man turned around and made a sign to his maid to leave. When he fixed his gaze on Helen, he looked her up and down, boredom shining through his eyes. Helen all of sudden felt nervous under his blue stare. And the uncomfortable silence wasn't helping her.

"Uh…I'm Helen Rollins. It's nice to meet you Mr. Ambrose. Thanks for taking care of me." She said shyly. Mr. Ambrose just nodded his head and took his place on the table. Helen stood there, not knowing if it was okay to sit or not.

"Are you going to eat standing?" His voice was cold, but so deep. It sent chills down her spine. She felt her cheeks flush in red as she made her way to the table, sitting on the one of the luxurious chairs. She took the spoon and started eating her soup. Helen was trying to show some good manners. She usually wouldn't care, but something in this man made her wanting to impress him. She concentrated on her plate, feeling like if she meets his gaze, every bit of control in her would leave her and she'll be puppet in his hands. All these feelings scared her. Why would she feel like that, when she doesn't even know him? What was wrong with her?

Helen felt his gaze on her. She knew he was watching her intently and that made her even more nervous than before.

"I sent a letter to your brother, so he doesn't have to worry that something wrong has happened. Tonight you'll stay here and tomorrow I'll take you home." Mr. Ambrose stated like he was talking about business. Helen allowed herself to look at him. His eyes were cold… but as they fixed on her she felt like everything inside of her was burning. She took a chance to study his face… and to remember his features. His nose was cute and manly and so were his lips with their strict tight line that was forming them. She wanted so bad to feel them on her own. Helen licked her suddenly dry lips.

"Thank you, Mr. Ambrose. I'm sorry for all the trouble." She whispered as she continued to eat her dinner. She didn't know what was going to happen during that night, but surely everything after that won't ever be the same. Including her.