A/N New chapter! This is probably the longest one and the one with the most emotion. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Not mine, etc.

Dedicated to: Bach's toccata and fugue in D minor

Fugue

It was only after Dorcas felt a hand on her shoulder that she realized she was screaming. She didn't know why she was screaming; she stopped abruptly. She looked up to find herself with Timothy. She was on a bed in the south wing of the Midwinter estate, and Timothy was standing above her.

"Dorcas, you were screaming in your sleep," Timothy said quietly, a concerned look on his face.

"I am sorry, I don't know why—" All of a sudden, it hit her. She had been on her rounds, and it had been late. She returned to the post office at around eight, and she was about to ask Zillah to make her something for supper before going to sleep. She walked around to the back table, and that was where she had found him. Her father was slumped against the table, his hands splayed. As soon as she saw him, she backed away from the table, her mouth opened in an anguished cry.

Unexpectedly, her father took a shuddering breath and sat up. His eyes met his daughter's. "You saw him against my direct instruction," he rasped, his eyes rolling in their sockets. "You have betrayed me!"

The recollection of the dream hit her, and she let out a small cry.

"What did you dream of?" Timothy asked her. Dorcas finally gained enough energy to sit up and talk. She told him everything, leaving nothing out. At the end of her tale, tears fell from her eyes.

"And I can't help but think that he was correct. I came to you first, when he had specifically warned me not to see you—"

"Is this why you refused my proposal?" Timothy asked urgently.

Dorcas bowed her head. "Yes," she whispered.

Timothy gathered her in his arms and hugged her tightly. "Didn't you know, Dorcas? Nothing is stronger than love? Not you, not I, not even society herself?" Dorcas wept into Timothy's shoulder. She knew it was not true. It could not be. "I love you, Dorcas Lane. And nothing will ever change that."

"Timothy…" Dorcas whispered hoarsely. "That day… When I told you I no longer loved you… it wasn't true. I did love you, and I still do!"

"I know you do, love." Timothy let her go and kneeled down to remove his boots. He slid under the covers, watching Dorcas's horrified face as he did so. "I have no evil intentions, Dorcas. I only wish to comfort you. May I?"

Dorcas realized what it was that he meant. "Thank you," she said quietly. She kissed his lips briefly and turned away. Timothy caught her arm and pulled her back in for a long kiss, which shook Dorcas to her very foundations, for she knew, as much as she wanted him, it would never play out. "But, what about your servants—"

"Very few people in my service know you are here, and I have instructed those who do not to enter the south wing. Just sleep, Dorcas. You are safe to-night." Timothy wrapped his arms about Dorcas and she entered a blissful sleep, devoid of dreams, with only love filling her sleepy thoughts.

Dorcas woke with a start. She turned to her side and found the bed empty. It was all a dream. In her heart, Dorcas knew that as much as she loved him, it would never be. She could not marry him, and he could never sleep beside her. She let out a small cry, which she stifled with her pillow. I am so sorry, Timothy, she thought again.

It had been seven days since her father died. Dorcas woke and donned a gown. She packed everything back into her trunk, and made her way out to the elder tree. She knew Timothy would stop by soon, and she wished to say good-bye to him one last time. She was leaving, never to return. Her father had been buried, and she had no business being on the Midwinter estate.

"Dorcas!" Timothy called out from upon his horse. He dismounted quickly and handed the reins to one of his servants, walking briskly towards Dorcas. "I assume this means that you are leaving?"

"Yes," Dorcas said quietly. She pulled herself up from under the tree and straightened her black gown. She tripped over one of her many petticoats and found her elbow caught by Timothy. She looked into his clear eyes for a moment before she impulsively leaned forward and kissed him. It felt so good and so right; she did not want to break away. She could feel his lips moving in time with hers, and for just one moment, there was Dorcas, and there was Timothy, and that was all. She felt Timothy step forward and she found herself pressed against the rough bark of the elder tree. She moaned gently, regretfully before she finally broke away, panting for breath. "I cannot," she whispered, her eyes troubled.

"Why not?" Timothy asked, his breath also ragged.

"Because—"

"I do not care about society. She may hang!" Timothy declared.

"It is because of society that you have your station, Timothy," Dorcas reminded him.

"But I would rather be penniless and have you, than have to live my entire life in solitude."

"You shan't live in solitude," Dorcas said, almost scoffing. Then again, she thought, he seems so alone when there is no one here… With great effort, she brushed all her thoughts away. "I must go now. I only wanted to say good-bye." She looked at him regretfully one last time. "Good-bye."

"I shan't say good-bye to you, Dorcas. You cannot just pretend nothing happened. You used to love me, and I believe you still do!"

"You speak of things you know nothing of!" Dorcas spat.

"I know much about love," Timothy said, his voice dangerously low. "Only I am not afraid to admit it." He grasped Dorcas's shoulders and pulled her close, kissing her roughly.

"No!" Dorcas cried ripping away from him. "I have given you my answer; I shan't change it!" She took her trunk and strode away.

"Dorcas, if you leave now, nothing shall ever be the same between us," Timothy yelled, his rage evident. Dorcas paused for a moment, then continued walking. From now on, she vowed, his words would mean nothing to her.

A/N Enjoyable? Drop me a review, if you please! Danke. ~ the shattered star