Terra awoke and ate breakfast in her room the next morning. "Miss, I've just been told that the Governor is stopping by again today." Terra blinked, "you'd think he has nothing better to do then watch his young bride." Felicity gave a light smirk, "I think he's quite taken with you, Miss." Terra sighed, "seems that way." "Did he hurt you yesterday?" asked Felicity?

Terra wanted to say yes, but he really hadn't. She shook her head, and said "no." Terra looked in her closet, "did Philip seem... off to you last night?" Felicity blinked, "no ma'am why?" Terra shook her head, "perhaps I'm over thinking it." Terra pulled out a white skirt with goldenrod trim. There was a golden rod coat to go with it. Terra was dressed, and then her hair was brushed and pulled back with a white ribbon. Felicity watched her, she'd have to talk to Benjamin and see if he'd noticed any strange behaviors.

Terra stood and walked out of her room, "uncle are you ready?" she called. "I'll meet down at the stables," replied her uncle's voice from his bedroom. She walked downstairs and to her father's study, "papa I'm going now." Her father looked up, "have fun, try not to get to dirty, the Governor is coming by."

Terra turned and walked out of the house, putting on her riding gloves as she stepped outside. She picked up her skirts and walked around outside towards the stables. She smiled seeing her white stallion with blond mane and tail already saddled for her. She pet his nose, "how are you today." Adonis whinnied at her and bobbed his head.

Terra giggled and said "I'm glad to hear it. Do you want to go riding today?" Adonis bobbed his head as if saying yes. She smiled and said "good, let's have fun." She was helped onto him and she sat, sidesaddle waiting for Philip. "Sorry I'm late," he said walking up behind her.

A stallion that was sand colored was saddled for Philip and he quickly mounted it, "shall we?" Adonis took off in a gallop causing Terra to laugh. Philip followed close behind her. He then groaned seeing a carriage pull down the drive. Adonis galloped around the grounds. Philip smirked and said "you can't catch me, Terra!" Terra turned Adonis around, and then rushed after Philip.

Philip rode past the carriage, and saw Ratcliffe watching him from inside. He smirked and rode past the carriage. Terra followed suit and rushed after him, ignoring the carriage and going after Philip. Adonis came closer to Philip and Terra reached out and touched his shoulder, then Adonis ran ahead of Philip. Philip pulled on the reins and his horse stopped, and then he threw back his head and laughed. She'd done it again. The carriage stopped and Ratcliffe stepped out.

"Uh oh," she whispered. Ratcliffe pursed his lips, "my dear, that behavior is not becoming of a lady." "I'm sorry, my lord," she said looking down. Ratcliffe then frowned, not at all missing the smug look on her uncle's face. He looked at Terra and said "just don't get hurt." Terra nodded with a little smile. Ratcliffe looked at the stallion and said, "your horse is magnificent, my dear." Terra smiled, "thank you, I broke him myself." He blinked, tough girl. He them smirked, "it seems I got you to smile." Terra blushed, "its seems as though you have."

Philip turned his horse around and trotted in front of Terra, "come on, let's go ride in the forest." Terra shook her head, "I don't know." Ratcliffe watched Philip who grew quite agitated by her reply. Philip huffed and rode off. Terra sighed, "idiot, he's going to get himself hurt." Ratcliffe looked at her and watched as she dashed off after her uncle. He frowned, he suddenly had a bad feeling.

Terra raced after her uncle and gasped as she spotted a tree that was about to fall not to far ahead of her uncle. "Philip look out!" she shouted. He turned to look at her, and gasped as he heard the cracking sounds. He turned and saw the tree, "shit!" he yelled as he kicked at his horse to gain speed.

"Adonis, your gonna have to jump it," she said. The horse whinnied and prepared himself to jump the tree as it touched the ground. It fell with a slam and Adonis leapt over it, landing safely on the other side. "Terra!" shouted her uncle. Terra turned to look at him, she was bleeding on her neck, not bad. "Go back to the house now!" he yelled angrily. She blinked, but turned and Adonis galloped away.

Terra jumped off of him and a stable hand rushed her inside. "It's not that bad," she kept saying. She was escorted to her room and sighed as her servants tended to her. Felicity was no where in sight.

Benjamin cocked a brow hearing a commotion. He and Ratcliffe exchanged glances, and then the door opened and Felicity walked in. "What's going on?" asked Benjamin. "Miss Terra's been hurt sir," both men shot up, "she's alright. She's being taken care of now." "What happened!" demanded Benjamin. Felicity bit her lip "one of the stable boys said that a tree fell and while Adonis was jumping over it she got cut by a few branches." Benjamin looked at Ratcliffe, "I'm so sorry about this, I'll be right back." Ratcliffe blinked as Benjamin dashed out.

"Terra," he called. "I'm fine papa," she said as he entered the room, "they made a scratch seem like I had been crushed." Benjamin glared at her, "you could of been." "Well obviously I wasn't." Benjamin shook his head, "your doing this on purpose aren't you! You want him to change his mind! Damn it Terra, you were lucky to catch the eye of the Governor do you know that!" Terra nodded terrified at the anger in her father's eyes.

"Stop trying to ruin this!" he yelled. She nodded, and then shrieked as pain rippled through the left side of her face. She placed a hand over her cheek and let the tears run. She scrambled to stand and ran out of the door. "Terra!" he called. "Damn it!" he shouted slamming his fist into the wall. Terra ran down the steps and turned the corner, running straight into the Governor.

"Terra," he said softly. She looked up at him and he saw her cheek and blinked stunned. She ran around him and dashed outside. "Terra!" Ratcliffe called. He watched as she vanished out of sight. Benjamin dashed down the stairs, "where'd she go?" Ratcliffe remained silent trying to control his raging temper. "You saw her didn't you?" asked Benjamin.

Benjamin went for the door and Ratcliffe grabbed him by the back of his shirt and pulled backwards, tossing him into a wall. Benjamin gasped, "are you mad!" "Quite sane actually," said Ratcliffe with a smirk, "but I will not tolerate you hitting her again." Benjamin's eyebrows rose. "Do it again, and god help me I will not be able to control myself," he warned. Benjamin nodded, furious, terrified, and upset. Ratcliffe glared down at him, "now, where would she go." "The forest," said Benjamin. "Then that's where we're checking first," said Ratcliffe.

Terra ran through the forest, sobbing. She tried to take a deep soothing breath but that didn't help. She tripped and fell to her knees in front of a clear river. It was crystal blue with a few rocks lined up in a path to the other side. She sobbed and sobbed. "What's wrong with me!" she shouted. She didn't think she'd done anything wrong, but apparently she had. She looked down at her reflection and sighed.

"Look at me," she began to sing, "I will never pass for a perfect bride. Or a perfect daughter." She stood and brushed her skirts off, "can it be, I'm not meant to play this part." She jumped from rock to rock to the other side, "Now I see, that if I were truly to be myself I would break my family's heart."

She looked down at her reflection as she walked by the river. "Who is that girl I see, staring straight back at me. Why is my reflection someone I don't know." She walked back towards the stepping stones. "Somehow I cannot hide, who I am, though I've tried. When will my reflection show, who I am inside."

She pulled her hair down from the ribbon and removed her gloves, then looked at her reflection back in the water, "when will my reflection show, who I am inside." She sighed and wiped at her eyes. She gasped hearing applause. She looked ahead of her, jumping from the last stone and saw her uncle.

He clapped and said "poor Terra, so alone, so confused." She furrowed her brows at her uncle, he really was being strange. He smiled at her, "perhaps there's something I could do." She stepped away from him as he walked closer to her. His eyebrows rose and he shook his head, "I'm not going to hurt you, Terra."

Terra wasn't convinced. He lunged at her and she turned to run. He grabbed her foot and pulled her to the ground. He scrambled to get on top of her and pinned her to the ground, "stop fighting me Terra." She screamed, "stop it! Get off!" He kissed her neck, "I love you so much," he whispered into her ear. She was stunned.

"I always thought your father would let me have you. As I let him have your mother." She gasped. He licked up her skin, "your divine, my goddess." "Stop it!" she shrieked. "Why? You don't tell that fat son of a bitch to stop when he kisses you," he growled into her neck. On the contrary Terra thought. She tried to push him off, but sadly he was also to strong for her to push. "Please, I'll do anything, just stop," she begged.

"Why would I stop, when what I want is you," he said nibbling at her neck. "No stop!" she shrieked trying to hit and push at him. He pulled up her skirts and reach into them, "what treasures do you hide," he said raspingly into her ear. She was so scared, what was he going to do, all sorts of thoughts running through her mind. She took a deep breath and screamed as loud as she could, "JOHN!"

Ratcliffe blinked hearing his name. She was calling for him, he didn't know why, but it tugged at his heart. He looked around and started to sprint he heard shrieks and then a groan, a very raspy groan. Sanity fleeing, he ran and found a man atop her, trying to undo his breeches. Her skirts were thrown at her waist. He quickly walked over to them and ripped the man off of her.

Terra shrieked as Philip was thrown off of her. She was frozen, she couldn't budge, but she saw the look of pure rage on Ratcliffe's face. Philip and Ratcliffe were nose to nose, sizing each other up. Benjamin dashed in between them, "stop this, there's a lady present." Philip turned and strode off. Benjamin looked at his daughter and turned pale.

He dashed to her side, "sweet pea? Did he hurt you?" She shook her head, her lips were bruised, there was a bite mark on her neck, but no she wasn't hurt. Benjamin pulled her skirts down and propped her up in his arms. Ratcliffe went to her and knelt beside her, "it seems your having a bad day, my dear." She had tears flowing down her face, "I'm so sorry," she said.

Ratcliffe blinked, "my dear girl, why are you apologizing to me," he said shaking his head, "are you alright?" She slowly nodded, "I feel numb, but I'm alright." Ratcliffe's expression softened, as bad as it was to admit, he wouldn't of cared if she'd been ruined. He shook his head, he was arrested by the beautiful young woman before him, and he wanted her at his side.

Terra was taken to her room, and it was found that Philip had taken his belongings and fled. They'd decided to keep the matter private as Terra had not been injured and they didn't want any nasty rumors fluttering about. Terra was given hot water and lemon to soothe her. Once she'd calmed down she walked behind her changing curtain and grabbed a little blue dress. She began to take off the coat as she tried not to cry. She didn't think she'd ever be able to wear this again. She tossed it to the ground and began to untie her dress in the back.

Ratcliffe walked around in her room, as she changed. He slowly looked at the curtain, it was just them. She wouldn't mind if he had a little peak, just to make sure she was alright. He walked over towards the curtain and peeked behind it, seeing her facing away from him. It took all he had not to groan when he saw the curve of her back. She wore nothing but her petticoat and a corset. God he wanted to rip it off of her and toss her to the floor. He wanted to lick every inch of her, and make her forget what had almost happened.

He watched as she stepped into the little blue dress. She pulled it up and sighed, she couldn't tie it. "Allow me," he said stepping behind her. She gasped and then swatted at him, "don't sneak up on people like that." He chuckled and said "I'm sorry, I won't do it again." She turned her head and looked at him, a 'I don't believe you' look on her face. He chuckled and kissed the top of her head. He began to tie her dress and sighed, pity, I want to take this blasted thing off of you, and yet I'm having to put it on you.

He shook his head and finished fastening and tying her dress. She walked out from behind the curtain and he walked out from behind the opposite side, thankful they were still alone. She laid in her bed, under the covers, as her father entered the room. Ratcliffe walked over by the fireplace that was in her room.

"Are you sure your alright, sweet pea?" asked Benjamin. She nodded, "I'm fine, papa, really." "I'm so sorry," he said. She shook her head, "can we not talk about any of the events that have happened tonight." "I'll drink to that," muttered Ratcliffe pacing by her fireplace. Terra blushed lightly, he'd seen her undergarments. She bit her lip and said "I'm sorry for this, I hope it won't change your mind at all."

Both men seemed stunned by her words. Ratcliffe shook his head, "it will not," he said a light smirk on his face, did she like him? Did she fancy him? Was she falling for him? He had no idea why, but he earnestly hoped she was. She smiled at him and said "I'm glad." Ratcliffe smiled down at her.

Benjamin looked at Ratcliffe, "Governor, may I speak with you outside?" Ratcliffe's eyebrows rose, but he nodded, "yes, of course." They stepped outside of the room and Benjamin shut the door. "I hope you don't think me prudent, but would you mind staying here for the night?" Ratcliffe's brows rose. "I... I think Philip might try to come back otherwise," said Benjamin, "and he's my little brother. I'd feel... just horrible if I hurt him."

Ratcliffe nodded, "I don't mind at all, I'll send for my manservant and have him bring me a few things." Benjamin nodded, "thank you." Ratcliffe wrote a note and a servant rode to Ratcliffe's home.

Ratcliffe walked back into Terra's room and saw her laying on her bed, stroking Ginger. He tilted his head, god she was beautiful. She looked up at him and said "do you think it'd be alright if I go out to the gardens? I think the flowers might soothe me." Ratcliffe blinked, "I'll stay with you." She nodded, "alright."

They walked out of the house, Ginger behind Terra. Ratcliffe's hand was on the small of her back, guiding her outside towards the gardens. Terra walked barefoot, against the ground and stood before her rosebush. She sniffed one and smiled. Ratcliffe stood watching her, completely entranced by her. He wanted to hold her and comfort her, and yet she seemed like what had happened didn't bother her.

She turned to him and said "is something wrong?" He shook his head and said "no, I'm just concerned." She gave a light blush, "there's no reason to be." "My dear girl, you were almost assaulted this afternoon, and yet you stand before me as if nothing has happened." Terra looked away from him and back towards the flower, "I just try not to dwell on the bad things." He went to speak, but then stopped hearing footsteps. He turned and saw his manservant holding his things. "Hello sir," said Wiggins smiling.

Ratcliffe looked back at Terra and said "my dear, this is my manservant Wiggins." Terra turned to look at Wiggins and nodded, "how do you do." Wiggins smiled and bowed, "sir, I was not aware the lady you were courting was so beautiful." Terra turned as red as the rose in front of her. Ratcliffe eyed Wiggins and said "and you've brought my belongings?" Wiggins nodded. "Then go away!" snapped Ratcliffe. Wiggins dashed.

Terra giggled and said "he seems nice." "He gives me a headache," said Ratcliffe rubbing at his temples. Terra smiled and said "then why keep him?" Ratcliffe shrugged, "sometimes he can be rather entertaining." Terra giggled. Wiggins walked back over and said "my lord, Master Benjamin needs to speak with you." Ratcliffe looked at Terra, "stay right here," he said." She nodded.

He and Wiggins walked away and she watched him walk away closely. Her heart was pounding. She tilted her head and watched him,"I don't know when," she sang, "I don't know how, but I know somethings starting right now!" She leaned against the wall by the bush, "watch and you'll see, someday I'll be, part of your world."

She set a hand to her thumping chest and took a deep breath. What was wrong with her? She was having a hard time breathing, and she suddenly felt hot. She put her pinky up to her lips and thought. Was she... falling for him? She shook her head, that couldn't be.

"Terra?" called Ratcliffe. She appeared and saw him sigh in relief. She walked over to him and said "we can go inside now. Come Ginger." He watched as she walked past him, her furry cat behind her. He chuckled lightly, was he getting under skin like she was his? God he hoped so.

She turned back around and extended her hand a smile on her face, "are you coming?" Ratcliffe blinked and then placed his large hand in her small one. She placed her arm around his and said "papa said dinner was ready." He smirked down at her, "alright."