Everlasting Love
Chapter V
watsonma@hotmail.com
Serena made her way nervously into the room. Most of the men and ladies were strangers to her,
as she had never had the chance to meet them when her parents were alive. She hoped she wouldn't
make any grave mistakes. Her lessons in perfecting her knowledge of etiquette would not be until next week.
She could only hope she didn't say the wrong thing or trip over her skirts.
She found herself feeling a sense of relief as her uncle walked over to her and took her arm. He led her towards
a group of people conversing in one of the corners of the drawing room. He intended to introduce her. As they
made their way to the group he spoke a few words to her that may have been meant to allay her nervousness
but failed to do so.
"You're on time. That's good. You look like a lady."
"Thank you Uncle," Serena replied politely but said little else. It was going to be a long night.
Glancing around the room she saw one face she did recognize. It was that same gentleman with whom she'd been
fencing. She hadn't seen him since even though she kept hoping she'd run into him and yet at the same time feared
she'd have anything to say. Worse yet she feared the wildness within her which she hid well for the benefit of her
uncle would come through as it had when he'd challenged her that day. In just the few moments she'd fenced with
him he'd immediately stirred feelings in her that made her both nervous and angry for reasons she couldn't explain.
She hadn't even considered the idea that he'd be here. She must avoid meeting him at all costs. If he exposed her
disobedience to her uncle she'd be in a lot of trouble.
She became even more nervous than she had been. She had recognized him but would he recognize her? If forced
to converse with him would he bring up the fact that she had challenged him to fencing while she was dressed in
men's clothing, a direct disobedience to her uncle's wishes? This evening could turn out to be a disaster and she hadn't
even tripped over anything yet.
After polite introductions to a few of her uncles friends, and the appropriate conversations concerning the weather, her
uncle led her towards yet another group of people, this one younger than the others. In her direct line of sight was an
absolutely beautiful woman. She had dark hair and smoky lashes and even from across the room noticeably blue-violet
eyes that seemed equally mysterious and seductive. She exuded and air of confidence and sophistication that made
Serena feel like a child despite the fact that she knew the young lady couldn't have been that much older than her.
As her uncle led her to join the group she realized to her dismay, that the tall dark-haired man whose back had been
turned towards her was the same man whom she had hoped to avoid. There was no possibility of escape as her uncle
began the introductions to Lady Harrison and her Husband Lord Anthony Harrison, Count of Mondale who had just
joined the group. The way Lord Harrison looked up at her as he pressed his wet lips to the back of her hand made her
nervous and slightly disgusted. His wife Rachel gave her an understanding look. She pulled her hand away as quickly as
civility allowed and moved on to the next two people.
She was then introduced to Mina Dermont and her fiancé Lord Jason Whittaker a handsome young earl who reminded
Serena of her older brother Andrew who would arrive in less than a week. Serena took and instant liking to Mina who
seemed an unlikely but good friend of Rachel whom Serena also liked. She then turned to face the moment she'd been
dreading.
"Serena I'd like you to meet Darien Wyndham Lord Westmoreland, Duke of Westwood," her uncle said."
Serena curtsied slightly as Darien took her hand firmly and pressed his warm lips to it. He held it tighter as he felt it shake
slightly as a result of her nervousness.
"My Lord," she said demurely as was expected of her.
Darien smiled slightly, teasing her with the look in his eyes, showing her he recognized her. He had recognized her bright
blue eyes, as soon as she was close enough for him to see her in detail. He was both surprised and amused. So the insolent
little brat was a lady after all, or appeared to be one.
Instead of increasing her nervousness as he had expected by showing her he recognized her, he saw her eyes light up like a
sudden flare in a furnace. She was angry that he knew who she was and she knew he would tease her for it. The fire in her
eyes made her appear more confident and it didn't go unrecognized by Rachel who raised a perfect eyebrow at Darien
intrigued by the effect he had on the girl before him. Most women swooned and flirted endlessly in Darien's presence,
this one seemed to be angry at the very sight of him. What could he possibly have done to this innocent young girl?
Darien simply smiled back at Rachel, puzzling her greatly. His mood seemed to have vastly improved since the arrival of the
Duke's niece. She was a beautiful young girl, but she didn't seem to be Darien's type. She was too petite, too cute, and too
perfect.
All through dinner Serena avoided meeting Darien's line of sight. It was a hard job as he was seated directly across from her.
Every time she looked up there he was, teasing her with his deep blue eyes without saying a single word. It was definitely
going to be a long evening.
Chapter V
watsonma@hotmail.com
Serena made her way nervously into the room. Most of the men and ladies were strangers to her,
as she had never had the chance to meet them when her parents were alive. She hoped she wouldn't
make any grave mistakes. Her lessons in perfecting her knowledge of etiquette would not be until next week.
She could only hope she didn't say the wrong thing or trip over her skirts.
She found herself feeling a sense of relief as her uncle walked over to her and took her arm. He led her towards
a group of people conversing in one of the corners of the drawing room. He intended to introduce her. As they
made their way to the group he spoke a few words to her that may have been meant to allay her nervousness
but failed to do so.
"You're on time. That's good. You look like a lady."
"Thank you Uncle," Serena replied politely but said little else. It was going to be a long night.
Glancing around the room she saw one face she did recognize. It was that same gentleman with whom she'd been
fencing. She hadn't seen him since even though she kept hoping she'd run into him and yet at the same time feared
she'd have anything to say. Worse yet she feared the wildness within her which she hid well for the benefit of her
uncle would come through as it had when he'd challenged her that day. In just the few moments she'd fenced with
him he'd immediately stirred feelings in her that made her both nervous and angry for reasons she couldn't explain.
She hadn't even considered the idea that he'd be here. She must avoid meeting him at all costs. If he exposed her
disobedience to her uncle she'd be in a lot of trouble.
She became even more nervous than she had been. She had recognized him but would he recognize her? If forced
to converse with him would he bring up the fact that she had challenged him to fencing while she was dressed in
men's clothing, a direct disobedience to her uncle's wishes? This evening could turn out to be a disaster and she hadn't
even tripped over anything yet.
After polite introductions to a few of her uncles friends, and the appropriate conversations concerning the weather, her
uncle led her towards yet another group of people, this one younger than the others. In her direct line of sight was an
absolutely beautiful woman. She had dark hair and smoky lashes and even from across the room noticeably blue-violet
eyes that seemed equally mysterious and seductive. She exuded and air of confidence and sophistication that made
Serena feel like a child despite the fact that she knew the young lady couldn't have been that much older than her.
As her uncle led her to join the group she realized to her dismay, that the tall dark-haired man whose back had been
turned towards her was the same man whom she had hoped to avoid. There was no possibility of escape as her uncle
began the introductions to Lady Harrison and her Husband Lord Anthony Harrison, Count of Mondale who had just
joined the group. The way Lord Harrison looked up at her as he pressed his wet lips to the back of her hand made her
nervous and slightly disgusted. His wife Rachel gave her an understanding look. She pulled her hand away as quickly as
civility allowed and moved on to the next two people.
She was then introduced to Mina Dermont and her fiancé Lord Jason Whittaker a handsome young earl who reminded
Serena of her older brother Andrew who would arrive in less than a week. Serena took and instant liking to Mina who
seemed an unlikely but good friend of Rachel whom Serena also liked. She then turned to face the moment she'd been
dreading.
"Serena I'd like you to meet Darien Wyndham Lord Westmoreland, Duke of Westwood," her uncle said."
Serena curtsied slightly as Darien took her hand firmly and pressed his warm lips to it. He held it tighter as he felt it shake
slightly as a result of her nervousness.
"My Lord," she said demurely as was expected of her.
Darien smiled slightly, teasing her with the look in his eyes, showing her he recognized her. He had recognized her bright
blue eyes, as soon as she was close enough for him to see her in detail. He was both surprised and amused. So the insolent
little brat was a lady after all, or appeared to be one.
Instead of increasing her nervousness as he had expected by showing her he recognized her, he saw her eyes light up like a
sudden flare in a furnace. She was angry that he knew who she was and she knew he would tease her for it. The fire in her
eyes made her appear more confident and it didn't go unrecognized by Rachel who raised a perfect eyebrow at Darien
intrigued by the effect he had on the girl before him. Most women swooned and flirted endlessly in Darien's presence,
this one seemed to be angry at the very sight of him. What could he possibly have done to this innocent young girl?
Darien simply smiled back at Rachel, puzzling her greatly. His mood seemed to have vastly improved since the arrival of the
Duke's niece. She was a beautiful young girl, but she didn't seem to be Darien's type. She was too petite, too cute, and too
perfect.
All through dinner Serena avoided meeting Darien's line of sight. It was a hard job as he was seated directly across from her.
Every time she looked up there he was, teasing her with his deep blue eyes without saying a single word. It was definitely
going to be a long evening.