Ties That Bind 1.5 The Knot

Chapter 7

My Only

Author's Note: Hi everyone just a quick note today to thank all of my readers who are following along and sending in a review, your support really helps bring out my creativity and also for anyone that is reading my other story Sunset at Paradise Cove. I know I am late on posting another chapter this week, but after re-reading the next chapter again I was not happy with it and I do not like posting anything that myself as a reader I would not be intrigued by so I am reworking the next chapter, but will hopefully get it out by Friday if not sooner. Thanks for all your continued support in all of my writing. Please continue to send your thoughts and reviews as I love to hear from all of my readers and enjoy the next chapter. Thank you, Mars Light

Standard Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon never did, never will thank you!

The room became far too crowded for his liking, while he held her closely to him wrapped up in his arms, while the room chatted away with the same thoughts of what someone like her was doing with the likes of him and he knew they needed to find a quiet secluded place for some time they could be alone together.

He slowed down the rhythm of his steps at the change of the melody and silently hoped that she would realize his intentions and agree to speak with him privately where not so many prying eyes were upon them as he took both of her hands firmly in his own telling her "follow me"

Serena looked up to meet his gaze directed towards only her, at the sound of his angelic voice after being awaken from what could only be described as an amazing dream, as she recognized the look he had in his eyes that he embraced when being around her, as he gazed upon her with the same look that could still leave her wanting and breathless as she realized what he was asking of her and looked around the room at all the prying eyes questioning back "now?"

Darien looked around him and knew by the angry look on Pennsworth's face, that he was clearly not pleased with having him anywhere near Serena, but especially not holding her tightly in his arms and knew finding time to be alone together would not be easy, but he was up for the challenge as he saw one of Pennsworth's men come walking closer to them and knew that there tender moment together was about to be interrupted as he placed his hand gently up against her cheek and felt her hand reach out and cup his own with a tender caress as he leaned down and whispered by her ear "the back door meet me there, as soon as you can"

Serena looked up to him amazed not expecting that he would make his departure so soon and was not sure what was happening at first and then saw her grandfather making his way through the crowd over to where they stood as Darien quickly removed his hand away from her cheek as he let out a long sigh replying "I must go now" and then took one last longing look her way and then quickly disappeared through the crowd as quickly as he had come.

Serena stood there for a moment in shock that her dream seemed too end just as quickly as it had begun as her grandfather came walking up and abruptly took her arm in his own holding it tightly while stating in a condescending manner "what were you doing dancing with that man?"

Serena looked around the room at all the faces looking her way, that seemed to be questioning the same thing why she chose him, a man who they obviously had lost a great deal of respect for, and knew that the feeling was more than mutual on Darien's behalf and after being in this crowd for a short time herself she understood why as she roughly pulled her arm away from her grandfather and responded back coldly "because he asked me too, that's why"

The duke looked to her with a deep scowl not appreciating the sarcastic tone she took with him, but hid it well from all of the other guests nearby and let out a loud laugh stating to the room "please everyone carry-on, the night is still young" as he turned his attention strictly to Serena stating in a commanding tone "let us speak in private"

Serena turned her head feeling no more could be said between them as she turned to look towards the back door that led out to the veranda where she knew Darien waited for her to come join him as she let out a long sigh and nodded her head telling the duke back "very well, but I do not believe there is anything that has not already been said, that will change my mind"

The duke nodded his head having no intention of letting her wind up back in the clutches of Montgomery again as he swiftly led her out of the room and away from the crowd that had large ears as he led her towards his personal study and closed the door behind them as he turned around quickly demanding "do you realize what you have done tonight?"

Serena looked to him hearing the angry tone he spoke in of what she thought of as her perfect moment a few minutes earlier, until it had been interrupted and was now quickly unraveling before her as she crossed her arms in front of her stating back stubbornly "yes I do, and as I had said before Darien does care about me, he did come here tonight for me, just as I knew he would, can't you see that he…"

The duke looked to her showing doubt with every word she spoke and with a shake of his head he questioned back "he what Serena? From what I saw he disgraced your honor in front of a room full of peers and then quickly left the room, all that man does is cause trouble and if you would just listen to me for once, you would not be caught up in this mess that you have created and would have a chance to meet with a fine gentleman this evening"

Serena stood there listening to his words hearing him once again ignoring what she wants as she shook her head asking "a fine gentleman is that what you call them, the ones that just stood by while I made a complete fool of myself, don't you see I don't belong in that world I never did and everyone in that room sees it too"

The duke shook his head frustrated with hearing her once again denying who she is as he stated back strongly "you are not giving it enough time" Serena quickly cut him off stating in an irritated tone "giving it enough time? It has been weeks where I have been told how to stand, how to speak, how to breathe, everything but not just to be myself"

The duke took a deep breath in remembering that the girl who stood in front of him was not like other girls and had not been born into this world, and it would take a bit more time for her to see her place here as he let out the breath he held and responded back "you are a bright young woman with many special qualities to share"

Serena turned away from him with a shun of her shoulder not wanting to hear anymore replying back "yes special qualities as long as I don't voice any opinions for myself, or speak of anything other then utter dribble"

The duke shook his head hearing her putting down decades of tradition as he commented back firmly "you are a duchess now and there are certain protocols you must follow" as Serena quickly turned back to him with her hands placed down on her hips as she called out frustrated "well maybe I don't want to be a duchess any longer"

Pennsworth lifted his head up high showing her his full command as he commented dryly "you are a Pennsworth, the next in line of a great family legacy, all that you do reflects on me and all that came before you, including your own mother. Do you want to turn your back on all that your mother could have accomplished, she is not here any longer, but you are, and now is your time Serena, you have the chance to start over and make a new life for yourself, be more then what you were born into? Tell me how many girls from your small village can say the same?"

Serena looked to him feeling the added weight to her shoulders again of all her mother's mistakes as she shook her head telling him sadly "I am just so tired of pretending to be someone I am not, Darien does not need me to pretend with him, he likes me for who I am"

The duke rolled his eyes back hearing her praises once again for a less than stellar character as he stating sarcastically "yes I am certain there are many qualities that he has become attracted to you with, and I can assure you the time will come, for you to be who you are meant to be, but you must follow the example set out for you and learn to walk proudly before we start breaking down any walls"

Serena took a deep breath in, hearing from him all that was expected of her as she looked up on the wall and there behind the desk hung the enlarged picture of her mother, the same one that she held in her room earlier looking every bit that of a fine, upper class woman as she heard her grandfather say "you just need to give it more time, this is your time, your legacy"

She nodded her head in agreement, but inwardly was feeling turmoil about not wanting to let anyone down, and at the same time not wanting to let herself down either when there was a knock at the door disturbing their conversation as the duke called out "enter"

The door slowly opened as Viscount Bradford stepped inside with a formal bow asking "you wished to speak with me sir?"

The duke looked on the formal gentleman at the door with a pleased smile, seeing he was a much better quality for his granddaughter then Montgomery stating proudly "yes, yes please come in" as he turned his attention back to Serena commenting easily "we are done here now, you should be going back to the ball dear, we do not want to keep the guests waiting any longer, now smile have a good time this evening, and remember what we spoke of"

Serena looked to the two men standing in the room with just the looks they had directed towards her, it was obvious whatever they wished to discuss, they found her beneath their knowledge of conversation as she did a small curtsy back stating in a mocking tone "of course I will leave you gentleman to your conversation, while I go and make subtle comments on the weather, my it does look a bit cloudy doesn't it, perhaps there will be rain ahead" as she turned around and walked out of the study closing the door behind her with a bang.

The Viscount looked towards the duke surprised by the audacity of the girl who left the room as he shook his head stating "she does have a great deal of spirit, doesn't she?" the duke looked to him as he let out a long sigh replying back "yes my granddaughter has many special qualities"

Serena quickly walked back into the ballroom and looked around seeing that no longer all eyes were on her with everyone wrapped up in their own conversations as she nodded her head in a pleasant greeting to a few others who noticed her entrance, but did not waist anytime in a greeting as she quickly made her way towards the back-exit door.

Darien stood out on the veranda as he let out a long sigh and looked up at the full moon in the sky and let out the frustrated breath held while counting down the minutes, waiting for Serena to come join him, as he began to question whether she would show or not, or whether she could or not.

He began to take a step out of the shadows where he waited for any sign of her to come, and as the minutes passed he became ready to take any chances he needed to and be damned of the consequences, to go inside search her out, grab her by the arm and lead her away from all of this when the light caught his eyes of her radiant smile as she stepped through the doorway outside to meet him in the darkness as she stepped out onto the balcony telling him with a little grin "I am sorry I kept you waiting"

He looked to her standing before him with her hair done up right, and the make-up covering over her face that of a duchess, but the smile that she now wore, let him know that she was still his Serena as he walked forward and took her hand in his as he placed a small kiss on the back of it telling her "you were worth waiting for"

Serena let out a small giggle feeling her heart flutter from his comment as he took her hand in his and led her over to an area that was not as well-lit, seeing that he obviously was trying to hide away from many of the prying eyes of those around them as she leaned back against the railing telling him "things certainly are not what I expected they would be tonight"

Darien looked to her seeing the once vibrant girl that he knew was struggling to find her place in this world as he let out a small chuckle asking "are you bored of all of this already, not what you exactly expected it to be huh?"

Serena looked to him knowing as usual he knew her better then most as she let out a long sigh, knowing none of this was anything like what she expected it to be telling him back "no its not, I just want to break free from al of this, starting with these blasted things" as she bent down and took off her heels and one by one through them as hard as she could down into the gardens below as Darien watched on as his Serena who always seemed to do the unexpected as he laughed along asking her "feel better"

She turned her head to look at him knowing she could not walk back into that room again, especially now with no shoes on, not that she wanted to join that crowd anyhow as she let out a small chuckle telling him "yes I haven't felt this good in days"

Darien reached out and placed both of his hands up by her cheeks feeling confident in what she wants now as he ran his hand up into her curled locks and smiled telling her "here let me help you with that" and quickly removed a tight hair pin releasing the golden curls down her neck that he enjoyed running his fingers through.

He stood for a moment and looked to the girl that stood before him, his Serena and how much he had missed and yearned for her over the weeks that passed as he traced his finger slowly around her lips as she closed her eyes to his tender touch and opened her mouth a little wider as she exhaled slowly.

He quickly looked around where they stood seeing the balcony was empty, but still far too well-lit for what they currently needed as he felt the hunger burning within him and looked around until he saw a staircase leading to the gardens below as a smirk crossed his lips thinking of the several times he took her in his own gardens back at home and the way they rolled around in the grass together.

He quickly grabbed onto her hand tightly as he whispered by her ear "follow me" Serena opened her eyes up wide hearing his voice, and did not know what his intentions were, but knew with no doubt that she would follow him anywhere at this moment as she held onto his hand tightly within her own as he led her down the back steps off the balcony which led down to an open garden below.

Darien reached the bottom step first as he looked around seeing the gardens were desolate, but his hunger could hold out no longer as he took his moment and grabbed her by the waist lifting her up into his arms as he pressed her back up firmly against the building, where his mouth came down on top of her own devouring the sweet taste of her on his lips, as he started kissing every inch of her skin that was left exposed to his touch, like a starving man desperate for another taste.

He felt her body responding back in kind as she pressed her breasts up closer to his chest knowing that she needed this as much as he did, as she let out a small moan of pleasure while wrapping her arms around his neck to hold him in closer as he continued kissing down her neck to the amount of cleavage left for him to think and dream of, but not to see.

He felt himself growing hard by just being in the same vicinity with her as he heard her let out a sudden gasp as he placed his hand firmly onto her butt cheek giving it a tight squeeze, but what he really wanted to do was rip that damn gown off of her and have her right there in the grass below where they stood.

He brought his lips down onto her shoulder tasting her delectable skin, but could hear the voices inside and the music playing from not that far away as he let out a deep breath and knew he couldn't, they couldn't, not here, not this way, as he forced himself to stop and lowered her feet back down to the ground as he regained his breath and shook his head about to tell her he was sorry, but instead she kept her arms wrapped around his neck holding on tight and wouldn't let him part ways so soon as she held him close to her and whispered out through the darkness "I need you"

He looked to her getting caught up once again in those deep blue eyes she has and nodded his head knowing hearing those words coming from her sweet lips, were all the words he would ever need to hear and would deny her nothing as he held her body close to his own, and wrapped her up within his strong arms where she would stay with him for always as he tried to catch his own breath.

He opened his mouth about to respond to her plea, but did not get a chance to speak when they heard someone above them come walking out onto the terrace.

He could feel her body freeze at the chance of someone seeing them like this and knew they could not be caught alone together with her looking flustered in the dark, that doing so would mean complete ruin for her and the end of her grand debut as the mystery duchess, not to mention it would give her grandfather further reason to not want him anywhere near her, but more than any of that what he didn't want to lose most was the hold she had around him, as he felt her warm arms wrap around his chest holding onto him protectively as she looked up at him with bright wide eyes whispering out "what do we do?"

He held her close to him seeing the uncertainty in her eyes, looking up at him, reaching out for him to find the answer they needed as he placed a brief kiss her on her forehead and did a quick survey around where they stood until he saw out further out along the gardens, there was a fence line where it became much darker, where they could go and hide away together, where no one would notice as he whispered out to her "come with me"

Serena held onto his hand tightly as she looked up to the terrace above, where everyone waited inside for a duchess to arrive, and they would have to wait longer as she nodded her head telling him back assuredly "lead the way" as he placed a quick kiss to her lips and then took her hand in his own as he led them through the secluded darkness.

They quickly ran along the grass together holding hands like two sprites roaming free, his beautiful Serena at his side and he knew in that instant, as he heard her joyous laughter, no matter what it took, there was no way he was ever going to let another have her.

He led her through the open gate and turned around seeing they were a safe distance away from the main house now, where they could find some privacy as he turned and looked out on what awaited them, seeing he led them to an open field, probably where they took the horses out for training exercises as he looked across the field and saw a large structure coming out of the darkness, which was probably the barn where they held the horses as he reached down and took her hand in his as he placed a small kiss on the back of it telling her "this way"

Serena felt her heart beating rapidly from finally feeling set free after being locked in a cage these past few weeks as she released her hand from his own and went running barefoot and free through the open field.

She was smiling and laughing as she ran forward unsure of the destination until she felt his arms wrap around her tightly in a tender embrace as he held her close so close to him and she couldn't run any longer, which she didn't mind in the least as he took in a deep scent of her hair and told her "over this way"

She followed him quietly across the field to the barn as they carefully entered inside and looked around seeing no one was anywhere in sight, it was perfect, just as it needed to be, for just the two of them.

Darien looked around quickly surveying the area and then took both of her hands in his own telling her "follow me" She nodded her head and let him lead her to over to one of the open stalls as he grabbed a wooden bucket that was probably used for oats and such, then turned it over as he sat down on the bucket and placed his hands down by her waist as he led her to stand closer to him as he released a deep breath as her body made contact with his own as she straddled herself onto of his lap.

He felt her tender breasts pushed up hard against his chest, and brushed a stray hair to the side as he moved his lips down lower and kissed further down her neck, but there was far too much material, holding her trapped inside waiting to be explored as he whispered by her ear "lean back"

Serena looked to him unsure what he was planning to do as she saw him give her a slight nod of his head in confirmation as he placed a hand behind her back for support as she carefully leaned back slowly and he used his other hand to push the excessive material down lower until the curve of her breasts were showing at attention as he moved his mouth in closer and kissed the tops of her breasts as she let out a small pleasured moan asking him "more"

Darien looked to his beautiful vixen with a pleasured smile as he nodded his head stating with a small chuckle "if you insist" and then opened his legs up wider to spread her legs further apart as he heard her sudden gasp, he let out a small chuckle himself knowing she was not the only one thirsting for more telling her "hold still"

Serena could only nod her head feeling her breath being taken away by the inhibitions he was causing, that were rising within her as his hands expertly roamed down her back, undoing all of the laces that held her tied into the tight corset, that she wore as his skillful hands untied it, she heard the horrible contraption hit the ground and she felt like she could finally breathe easier now as she heard him whisper by her ear "feel better?"

She nodded her head knowing that he knew exactly what he was doing, that he had obviously had done this before, but did not waste a second thought on it as she felt his hands go up and down her torso painfully slow, until finally each hand landed on top of each of her breasts as he gave them a tight squeeze and she moaned pleasurably from his touch crying out "please don't stop"

Darien smiled hearing the need coming from her lips that matched his own as he replied back smoothly "nothing could keep me from being with you right now" as his lips reached down taking place of one of his hands as he took her nipple into his mouth and sucked hard on it as he gave it a gentle pull between his teeth.

Serena could feel the burning coming from down below as she rubbed herself against his manhood as she heard him let out a low growl, she let out a pleasurable moan, knowing she could still entice him herself while feeling his strong member brushing up against her leg as she placed her hand down telling him "I want to touch you"

He let out the breath he held, not sure how he had lasted this long without having her with him each day and night as he nodded his head and felt her hands expertly move to undue his trousers as she placed her hand around him holding all of him in her grasp as he let out a loud groan telling her "damn Serena you don't know what you do to me"

She gave him a seductive grin having a pretty good idea herself as she felt him move his hand slowly up and down along her thigh as he moved the hem of her gown up higher and gave her thigh a small squeeze as he continued to move his hand up her leg, until he reached her womanhood as he let out a small chuckle asking "your not wearing any undergarments, were you possibly expecting someone"

She felt his hand reach in and massage her inner walls as she closed her eyes and leaned into his touch relying back "I guess you could call it wishful thinking"

He spread her legs open wider for him as he stuck his finger in deeper inside of her and placed a kiss down on her neck telling her "I better not disappoint then"

She let out a deep breath feeling his touch and did not know how it could ever be possible to feel anything, but enormous satisfaction when it came to him and the masterful way he took control of her body, as she felt herself responding to his touch and pressed further deeper to his hold wanting more of this, much, much, more.

Over the long sleepless nights she had missed him holding her close wrapped in his arms, but did not realize how much she had yeaned for him until now, how much her body cried out for this, and needed to feel all of this, all of him inside of her once again as she cried out "Darien I need you, I want all of you please"

He nodded his head feeling his own libido growing stronger and did not know how much longer he could hold out either as replied telling her "every inch of me" as he removed his finger from inside of her and heard her let out a small grunt from his actions as he let out a small chuckle telling her "just for a moment"

She nodded her head waiting to feel his touch again as she felt him place both of his hands down on her buttocks holding onto her tightly as he whispered by her ear "put your arms around me and hold on tight"

She looked to him knowing there was nothing that she wanted to do more, then hold him close forever as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck as she felt his strong arms pick her up as she placed her knees locking them around his waist as he carried her over and lied her down on a pile of hay on the floor as he gently removed a strand of hay from her hair as he smiled asking her "how about a roll in the hay?"

She let out a small giggle at his comment, but then was quickly distracted as his hands moved over her skin as he expertly removed the rest of the under garments from her body and quickly pushed them aside as she looked to him with a little grin asking "have you done this before"

She didn't get his answer back, she didn't need to, the answer was all in his skillful hands as she felt him gently run his fingers up her smooth stomach, over her tender breast as he moved his fingers up along her neckline feeling her pulse quickening, while her heart was beating rapidly for him alone.

He moved his lips down to her neck and placed a tender kiss just under her jawline as she crooked her neck back and let out a deep sigh, feeling his warm breath on her skin as he looked to her with that amazing smile saying "you are so beautiful and your body tastes incredibly sweet" as he lowered his mouth down further kissing over her stomach.

She felt with each breath she took every time his warm lips came in contact with her overly heated skin as she cried out "please Darien"

He looked to her with a little smirk enjoying hearing what he craved most from her calling out his name and his name only as moved his head down lower and spread her legs further apart as he placed brief kisses up and down her thigh as she let out a deep breath wanting what only he could give as he looked to her asking "tell me you want this"

She looked to him feeling the heat rising within and could only nod her head yes as she felt him lower his lips down closer to her womanhood, as she felt the tears at bay waiting as he gently teased her by being so close and not having a taste as she cried out "please Darien" and then finally he gave in as she felt his taste lips were on her as his tongue slipped inside of her knowing exactly where to go to give her the greatest pleasure.

She held onto the hay tightly in both of her hands as she took a deep breath in feeling with each circle of his tongue over her sweet spot, she was coming closer to reaching her ultimate climax. She opened her mouth ready to scream out to the heavens above, but he quickly stopped what he was doing and moved his mouth away from her womanhood as he leaned down over her and ran a hand gently across her neck telling her "you must stay quiet"

She nodded her head knowing that he was right and they couldn't take the chance of someone hearing them, but felt her want and need taking over all her logic as she looked to him begging "ok, but please don't stop"

Darien gave her a little grin seeing her cheeks all flushed as he let out a small chuckle telling her "if that's what you wish" and then lowered his head back down and stuck his tongue deep inside of her.

She leaned back as she felt his mouth licking over her core as he brought one of his fingers in with it and she had to cover her own mouth to keep from screaming as she felt herself right at the brink as her juices started to overflow she let out a soft moan and looked to him with her eyes pleading "please I need you, I need you now"

Darien removed his tongue from inside her as he placed his hands up along her chest slowly roaming over her heated skin asking "you do, do you need all of me Serena"

She looked to him with her eyes open wide knowing he was just toying with her, delaying what would be as she nodded her head telling him "you know I do" he let out a small chuckle knowing what she wanted from him, but would make her wait a little longer telling her back "I want to hear you say it, say it Serena tell me your mine"

She let out a deep breath knowing what he wanted and expected to hear from her as she nodded her head wanting the same of him telling him back "I am yours and only yours, now please Darien I can't take much more of this"

He looked to her with a pleased grin and then leaned down and placed his lips over her own as she opened her mouth for his entrance as his tongue slipped in through her lips as he began massaging his tongue tenderly with her own as he began pushing himself up against her.

It was an amazing tease, but nowhere what she needed as she continued to brush her own tongue along with his as he quickly used his free hand to lower down his trousers, pushing them down along his legs until they reached his ankles and then adjusted his weight on top of her as he entered himself inside of her swiftly.

Serena could feel in that sudden impact all of her walls breaking down and went to scream out, but his mouth on top of her own successfully muffled her screams as she wrapped her arms arounds him tightly holding on as he pushed into harder and faster pounding into her sweet flesh.

She kept her arms tightly around his shoulders as her breaths became more sporadic and all she could do was feel as they rode wave after wave of pleasure together and through her head back as she felt herself come for him first.

She closed her eyes tight and let out a deep breath after finding her timely release as he reached down and placed a short kiss on both of her closed eye lids as he felt himself grow stiff, while reaching his own breaking point as he placed his mouth down on top of hers in a tight seal as he dropped his seed deep inside of her.

Serena lied there wrapped in the comfort of his warm arms, feeling completely sedated as she snuggled up closer to his chest and felt safe and secure with him in the musty old barn, more so then she felt over the past weeks stuck in the large estate as she placed a short kiss onto his chest and felt his hand gently stroking her back as she whispered out "I love you", and waited, and waited, but as usual he didn't say it back.

Darien lied there holding her body up close tight to him as he heard her say those words again, the words that left other men vulnerable as he held her up close to him and let out a deep sigh, as he placed a short kiss to her forehead telling her "you are amazing as always"

Serena lied there in the comfort of his arms, but no longer felt secure as she slowly backed away from his hold and looked to him lying there in the empty barn, where they had shared something much deeper than just amazing or at least she thought it was as she questioned him "amazing?"

Darien stood up from the hay as he pulled his trousers back up around his waist and brushed some of the hay away, not taking notice of the tears that began to well up in her eyes as he commented back plainly "yes you amaze me more with each passing day, but we should be getting you back inside before someone realizes you have gone, your grandfather will probably send others out looking for you soon, if he has not already done so"

Serena stood in place feeling her heart cracking into small pieces as she heard his words knowing they were not the words of a man that loved her as she looked down to the ground to see where her gown had been left discarded by the pile of hay that they just made love in as she shook the thought away correcting herself that they had just screwed around in because that was all it was, that's all that she meant to him.

She tried to keep her emotions at bay realizing what she should have known all along, what she should have seen, that her grandfather had tried to protect her from, but as usual she was to stubborn to listen and she reached up and pulled a piece of hay from her hair and looked over to Darien seeing him fixing his shirt, looking every bit the proper gentleman after their tousle.

She reached down to the ground and picked up her own gown holding it close to her, as she began to feel self-conscious standing there undressed before him, the cavalier gentleman who had obviously done his share of persuading ladies of a certain class to do things that were considered less than dignified.

She turned her back towards him and wiped away the last tear she would ever cry for him after letting herself be fooled enough to think otherwise, that he could ever open himself up to love her back as the realization came to her that her grandfather had been right all along, he didn't love her even with there time apart which meant that he probably never would and she was left unsure if he ever would love anyone.

She began to place the gown back on feeling mortified, unsure how she would go back inside and show her face again in that room as she held up the dress and looked down at her bare feet and could see the bottom of her dress was soiled, but at first glance the gown still looked beautiful, but if you looked in deeper you could see the dirt that remained underneath all the layers.

She took a deep breath and stepped into the dress as she began to pull the cap sleeves up of her gown onto her shoulders as she felt him walk up behind her and place his hands down her arms smoothy stating "here let me help you up with the laces"

She did not turn around to face him, not ready to face the reality she was currently stuck with as she nodded her head, knowing she would be unable to tie the laces of her corset on her own, but knew he was obviously highly skilled at doing so.

Darien walked over towards her feeling as though the barn had just reached a temperature a few degrees colder as he placed a gentle kiss to the back of her neck and felt the way she froze to his touch as he took a deep breath in and started to lace up the laces of her corset quickly

Serena stood with her eyes closed tight and felt every pull as he laced her up tightly, to hide all evidence away of what had been done here this night as she turned her head and looked over to the hay as she thought of the many ways she had just begged for him to release her, knowing that he must have done so many times before with other girls in his past as she felt the final pull at her strings.

She took a deep breath in to hide away all the emotions of the crumbling way she felt inside and stepped away from him as she turned around and lifted her head up high as her grandfather told her a proper lady should asking coldly "do I look presentable"

Darien turned his head to gaze upon her, but who he found starring back at him, he was unsure because it was not his Serena, but the duke's granddaughter as he walked up closer to bridge the distance between them and brushed some of the dirt away from her cheek telling her with a warm smile "you look beautiful"

Serena nodded her head expecting as much from him, but needed to hear much more other than how beautiful she looks as she turned around to walk out of the barn with her head held up high, trying to feel what little courage she had left at the moment.

Darien saw her walking away from him and felt there was a solid wall being built between them and if he didn't do something now to break it down he could lose her forever as he quickly reached out to grab her arm seeing her turn back to him with a cold stare as he looked to her with a shake of his head asking "what's the matter, what's gotten into to you, talk to me Serena"

She looked to him and could see nothing that she could have said would have made any difference to him at all, it was impossible to bring up feelings inside of him that did not exist, so why bother trying at all as she shook her head telling him back sternly "nothing your right we should be getting back inside, there are others expecting me"

Darien released his hold on her arm, hearing her speak of the others that awaited her as he felt a churning in his stomach as he nodded his head, feeling unsure about what had just happened here between them and the sudden reversal she showed him as he followed her out of the barn into the darkness that awaited them.

They walked side by side through the open field not saying a word to each other, but he could feel with every step they took it was pulling them further apart as he stopped before they reached the manor and grabbed onto her arm turning her around to face him asking desperately "do you regret being with me?"

She looked to him as she shook her head not knowing what was right anymore, she had asked for what happened between them in the barn, she yearned for it, but she wanted more than he was willing to give her as she looked up to the large estate that awaited her, that her grandfather expected her to follow in his footsteps and did not feel she belonged there either as she let out a deep sigh telling him "I don't know any more, now I am feeling tired and I am going to go lie down for a while, please excuse me"

She walked ahead of him leaving him standing there speechless to hear that she was having doubts about them as he saw her walking up the steps of the terrace out of his life, while showing no care towards her outward appearance.

He quickly followed up closely behind her, not ready to lose her again as he placed one of his hands to her shoulder telling her desperately "wait we need to talk" but did not get another word in as they saw another one of the guests turn around to face them at the sudden noise he heard to see the new duchess coming up from the dark garden with her hair let down and her gown wrinkled with Lord Montgomery of all people, the destroyer of innocent girls following closely behind her as he cleared his throat and nodded his head respectfully telling her "good evening duchess"

Serena stood there for a moment feeling completely mortified, seeing the gentleman standing there starring out at them and knew what he must have thought of her, and he would be right, even with the proper title and clothes on, she was still none other than Montgomery's mistress and now she had the reputation to go along with it.

She desperately needed to escape and quickly ran inside the ballroom as the guests turned her way and starred as she made her way through the large crowd of people who all turned to see her sudden entrance as they stopped and stared, at the mistake she had made in judgement as she headed up the stairs quickly back to her room to hide.

Darien chased after her, needing to fix this somehow as he made his way through the open crowd who stood by watching the scene before them, and for once they had remained silent as they stood by watching his entire life unraveling before there eyes as he quickly caught up to her by the stair railing and reached out to grab onto her hand before she could escape and saw that she still wearing the bracelet that he had given to her as he looked to her begging "Serena please"

Serena turned around to look at him and saw the large crowd of people gathering behind him, waiting to see what her next mistake would end up being as she shook her head not ready to face all of this right now telling him back "I can't do this, not right now, not with you" as she pulled her hand away from his hold and lifted up the hem of her gown and went running barefoot up the stairs.

Darien let out a long sigh seeing the tears that were falling from her eyes and felt unsure of what could be done to fix this, he wanted to follow her demand to know what was going on in that head of hers, what she was holding back from him, what had changed in the weeks they had spent apart, but knew he could not do so here, not with the crowd of people looking on him at this very moment each surmising what he had done to her, while not having any idea of what she really had done to him .

He let out a long sigh knowing things definitely did not turn out the way he expected this evening to go for them and he was partially to blame as he turned around knowing she needed space and time alone to figure out what she wants and where he would fit into all of this, which meant it was time for him to make his exit as he turned around to leave as quietly as he came, but in doing so he only came face to face with a very angry Duke of Pennsworth stating "a word Lord Montgomery"