Everlasting Love
MarshAngel
watsonma@hotmail.com
Serena couldn't believe the day was here already. Tonight she would be making her debut at Almack's in London.
The fall season would be a flurry of activity. She was a little excited and very nervous.
Things had been going rather well after her Uncle's week long hunting expedition was over and all the gentlemen had
returned to their homes including the bothersome Duke Westmoreland. She refused to admit it herself that she enjoyed
kissing him by the river or that she had been a little disappointed when he had stopped and simply walked away
leaving her standing by the river clutching her wet towel and shivering from more than the chill of the water on her skin.
She'd managed to get her mind off him when her brother had arrived with his wife Elizabeth whom she already loved
dearly like a sister. They had comforted each other and talked of the upcoming time in London. She had wanted to
stay with them in London but her uncle insisted she have a more appropriate chaperone and that she stay with him.
As he was her legal guardian there would be no arguments to the contrary.
So here she was under the vigilant eyes of Madame Saint Andre who looked as though she were about to doze off
with her embroidery in her hand. Serena wondered how the woman could possibly sleep through her horrible banging
on the pianoforte in the drawing room. Madame had insisted she practice however, so she had spent the morning
pounding out the notes incorrectly forcing the staff to close the double doors and run for the safety of their hearing.
As she grew bored with playing. She got up and walked over to the large picture window, looking out over the ladies
and gentlemen passing by with their parasol and canes, some with their purchases others simply walking leisurely
seemingly without a care in the world. She had once found herself wandering through her uncle's library in search of
something interesting to read. Madame had of course wandered in a few moments later discouraging her from 'silly
undertakings unbecoming of a lady.'
Those were the moments when she most wished things could be as they once were. When her parents were alive she
didn't have to worry about what proper society thought of her. She'd never had to face them. Her parents had always
protected her from the harsh rules surrounding appropriate male and female behavior, allowing her to do as she pleased
.
But then she had been a child. It wasn't really so long ago but it felt a world away when she had been carefree. Now all
her days seemed to be centered on looking and behaving the right way to attract an agreeable suitor. She didn't see
any reason for her to be getting married so soon, but she was supposed to be an obedient girl so she did as her uncle
wished.
She only hoped she could be as lucky as Elizabeth had been with her brother. Very few people married for love as her
brother had but she wished the same for herself however unlikely it would be. She hated being subjected to the will of
others. If he so wished, her uncle could simply choose a husband for her and she would have no say in the matter. If
she could not find and agreeable match chances were her uncle would do just that.
*********
"Serena walked into Almack's on her Uncle's arm. He steadied her arm as they walked down the stairs. She was
nervous and very afraid she would make some horrible mistake and embarrass herself and her uncle. As they came to
the bottom of the stairs where her uncle would leave her in the company of Madame Saint Andre, her uncle turned to
her and shocked her out of her nervousness by kissing her on the cheek.
"If I ever had a daughter, I'd hope she would be as beautiful as you look right now. There is absolutely no reason for
you to be nervous. Even though some of those older women are vicious crones and vipers, there is no reason why
anyone here shouldn't adore you." He squeezed her hand to reassure her and left a very shocked Serena staring at the
back of his black tuxedo as he disappeared into the crowd.
"Well don't just stand there young lady, walk this way before people begin thinking you don't have a brain in your head,
" Madame screeched at her. Serena smiled and followed her. She hoped to soon escape the old lady's company.
The rest of the evening found Serena chatting with Lady Rachel, who had shown up without her husband who she
presumed drunk and in gambling debt at the gentleman's club, and Mina who flirted away while smiling at her fiancée
across the room. Serena found herself enjoying the evening. She'd met some of Mina's and Rachel's friends, Ami and
coincidentally her sister-in-law Elizabeth, whom everyone had called Lita since she was a child. Lita shared the same
wild heart Serena hid.
She had her share of dances with handsome young gentlemen many of whom were fascinated with her intelligence and
wit that she demonstrated as she grew more comfortable. In fact she was surrounded by a few young men, laughing
and enjoying the conversation, when Darien came up behind her and whispered in her ear in a mildly intimate gesture
that surprised her and everyone around her. It especially surprised many of the women who were not only surprised at
his attendance and more importantly his interest in the young Lady Graham.
Darien swept her out unto the dance floor before she could answer the request he'd whispered in her ear. "It seems you
already have a fan club. Whatever would those fops think if they could see you swimming in the river Esk?"
"You seem to have a fan club yourself," Serena said glancing around the room, while purposefully avoiding the jealous
eyes of some of the young women staring at them. "Why are you here? From what I've heard men like you don't
usually attend these events.
Darien raised an eyebrow. "Just who are men like me?" Serena was at a loss for an answer. Quite frankly she had
never met another man like him. He exuded a power and sensuality that drew her to him in such a way it was positively
demonic. She could easily see him as the devil; dark, dangerous and seductive she could see herself committing sinful
acts because of him.
She had drifted off in her thoughts of Darien as the devil. "You are the devil," she whispered to herself not realizing she'd
said it out loud with a smile on her lips.
Darien smirked. He'd been watching her face expecting one of her witty answers. Instead she had drifted off before
she whispered the words that had him dubbed as the Lord of Hell and all things sinful.
"I already have a title Lady Graham and Lord of Hell is not it, although it could have its benefits. Maybe I could induce
you to commit sinful wanton acts."
Serena's face turned bright red as she realized that she had spoken the words out loud. She then realized what he'd said
to her. "You definitely are a demon from hell. Maybe you should return to the sulfur pits of your home." She turned out
of his arms and left him on the dance floor smiling.
She could feel eyes watching her as she left the dance floor and headed out onto one of the balconies that led down to
the gardens. They probably thought she was out of her mind. What single female in her right mind would leave the
Duke of Westwood standing in the middle of the dance floor when he had chosen her out of all the women to dance
with? That in itself was an honor many women would swoon over.
Why did he go out of his way to infuriate her? One moment he made her heart skip a beat with his gorgeous eyes and
shiny black hair, not to mention the handsome figure he posed in his tuxedo. The next moment he would make her so
mad she felt she would explode.
She considered this to herself and was halfway through the gardens before she realized she wasn't really angry, or the
least bit infuriated. In fact the whole thing was rather amusing. She had to admit he was devilishly handsome, intelligent,
and a match for her in almost every way. Most importantly she was beginning to realize she was completely fascinated
with everything about him and utterly in love.
Was it possible for it to happen in such a short time? They'd never even had a real conversation. Every time they met it
was a battle.
What difference would it make anyway? He wouldn't love her anyway. She was just a gangly little girl, barely a woman.
All the women he knew were probably just like Rachel, beautiful, sophisticated, and very knowledgeable in the ways
of men.
It'd be best if she forgot him and moved on. A frown played on her delicate features as she stood next to a small Lily
pond, frozen in thought. Her thoughts were so intense she didn't hear someone come up behind her until they were
breathing on her neck. She was so frightened she tried to turn around too fast and fell backwards into the pond.
She let out a squeal as the cold water splashed all around her soaking her clothes and her hair. Her curls were plastered
to her head as she sat up, her blue silk gown completely soaked through. Darien couldn't help laughing. His deep laugh
echoed through the garden. She looked like a shocked porcelain doll. Her expression was priceless. "You really have
something for water don't you?" He teased her.
Serena's expression was quickly turning from shocked to enraged. How dare he laugh at her?
"I knew you weren't a gentleman," she said icily. "A real gentleman would have helped me up by now instead of standing
there like a nit wit laughing at my misfortune."
Darien finally got around to his senses and reached out a hand to her to help her out of the pond. She grabbed hold of
his hand but instead of using it to pull herself up she used all her strength and pulled hard on his arm, sending him off
balance flying into the pond himself. Before he could recover from the surprise, she helped herself up and stepped out
of the pond leaving him lying in the water, completely soaked from head to toe.
"Let's see how you enjoy it! She snapped at him. She turned her back and strode away not quite sure where she was
going. She found herself heading towards the main building. A hand grabbed her arm and twisted her around.
"Just where do you think you're going?" Darien asked her impatiently.
"That's none of your business."
"Well I could let you go back inside and embarrass yourself. You do realize you are soaking wet," he said glancing her
over not missing the way the wet silk clung to her body now that it was wet. If he didn't stop staring he was going to
pull her close to him and he might not let go.
"And just what do you suggest I do?" she snapped back impatiently, realizing he was right. She couldn't go back inside
like this. She would embarrass herself and her uncle in front of the entire ton.
"Her anger only turned up the heat. He wanted her now more than ever. He didn't say anything else to her he simply
pulled her closer to him and kissed he passionately. Serena was shocked to say the least, not that she wasn't enjoying
the moment. His behavior was so confusing. One moment he was teasing her mercilessly, the next he was kissing her
passionately. The last time he'd kissed her he'd just smiled at her and then turned around and walked away leaving her
with her mouth hanging open in shock.
When he paused for air she questioned him. "Why do you kiss me when I'm angry with you?"
"To shut you up," he said huskily and then kissed her again, his hand trailing the curve of her hips and her waist to her
breast.
"Ahhem," a deep voice said
"Oh dear!" a high pitched woman's voice squeaked.
Serena and Darien broke of their passionate kiss and turned to face the couple to whom the voices belonged. There
were also three other people, two older women, and an old gentleman behind them.
"Isn't that the Duke of Muncaster's niece?" one of the ladies whispered audibly to the other.
"I knew the moment I saw her she wasn't at all a wholesome girl."
Serena's face flushed bright red, embarrassed to be caught in such a compromising situation.
**********
MarshAngel
watsonma@hotmail.com
Serena couldn't believe the day was here already. Tonight she would be making her debut at Almack's in London.
The fall season would be a flurry of activity. She was a little excited and very nervous.
Things had been going rather well after her Uncle's week long hunting expedition was over and all the gentlemen had
returned to their homes including the bothersome Duke Westmoreland. She refused to admit it herself that she enjoyed
kissing him by the river or that she had been a little disappointed when he had stopped and simply walked away
leaving her standing by the river clutching her wet towel and shivering from more than the chill of the water on her skin.
She'd managed to get her mind off him when her brother had arrived with his wife Elizabeth whom she already loved
dearly like a sister. They had comforted each other and talked of the upcoming time in London. She had wanted to
stay with them in London but her uncle insisted she have a more appropriate chaperone and that she stay with him.
As he was her legal guardian there would be no arguments to the contrary.
So here she was under the vigilant eyes of Madame Saint Andre who looked as though she were about to doze off
with her embroidery in her hand. Serena wondered how the woman could possibly sleep through her horrible banging
on the pianoforte in the drawing room. Madame had insisted she practice however, so she had spent the morning
pounding out the notes incorrectly forcing the staff to close the double doors and run for the safety of their hearing.
As she grew bored with playing. She got up and walked over to the large picture window, looking out over the ladies
and gentlemen passing by with their parasol and canes, some with their purchases others simply walking leisurely
seemingly without a care in the world. She had once found herself wandering through her uncle's library in search of
something interesting to read. Madame had of course wandered in a few moments later discouraging her from 'silly
undertakings unbecoming of a lady.'
Those were the moments when she most wished things could be as they once were. When her parents were alive she
didn't have to worry about what proper society thought of her. She'd never had to face them. Her parents had always
protected her from the harsh rules surrounding appropriate male and female behavior, allowing her to do as she pleased
.
But then she had been a child. It wasn't really so long ago but it felt a world away when she had been carefree. Now all
her days seemed to be centered on looking and behaving the right way to attract an agreeable suitor. She didn't see
any reason for her to be getting married so soon, but she was supposed to be an obedient girl so she did as her uncle
wished.
She only hoped she could be as lucky as Elizabeth had been with her brother. Very few people married for love as her
brother had but she wished the same for herself however unlikely it would be. She hated being subjected to the will of
others. If he so wished, her uncle could simply choose a husband for her and she would have no say in the matter. If
she could not find and agreeable match chances were her uncle would do just that.
*********
"Serena walked into Almack's on her Uncle's arm. He steadied her arm as they walked down the stairs. She was
nervous and very afraid she would make some horrible mistake and embarrass herself and her uncle. As they came to
the bottom of the stairs where her uncle would leave her in the company of Madame Saint Andre, her uncle turned to
her and shocked her out of her nervousness by kissing her on the cheek.
"If I ever had a daughter, I'd hope she would be as beautiful as you look right now. There is absolutely no reason for
you to be nervous. Even though some of those older women are vicious crones and vipers, there is no reason why
anyone here shouldn't adore you." He squeezed her hand to reassure her and left a very shocked Serena staring at the
back of his black tuxedo as he disappeared into the crowd.
"Well don't just stand there young lady, walk this way before people begin thinking you don't have a brain in your head,
" Madame screeched at her. Serena smiled and followed her. She hoped to soon escape the old lady's company.
The rest of the evening found Serena chatting with Lady Rachel, who had shown up without her husband who she
presumed drunk and in gambling debt at the gentleman's club, and Mina who flirted away while smiling at her fiancée
across the room. Serena found herself enjoying the evening. She'd met some of Mina's and Rachel's friends, Ami and
coincidentally her sister-in-law Elizabeth, whom everyone had called Lita since she was a child. Lita shared the same
wild heart Serena hid.
She had her share of dances with handsome young gentlemen many of whom were fascinated with her intelligence and
wit that she demonstrated as she grew more comfortable. In fact she was surrounded by a few young men, laughing
and enjoying the conversation, when Darien came up behind her and whispered in her ear in a mildly intimate gesture
that surprised her and everyone around her. It especially surprised many of the women who were not only surprised at
his attendance and more importantly his interest in the young Lady Graham.
Darien swept her out unto the dance floor before she could answer the request he'd whispered in her ear. "It seems you
already have a fan club. Whatever would those fops think if they could see you swimming in the river Esk?"
"You seem to have a fan club yourself," Serena said glancing around the room, while purposefully avoiding the jealous
eyes of some of the young women staring at them. "Why are you here? From what I've heard men like you don't
usually attend these events.
Darien raised an eyebrow. "Just who are men like me?" Serena was at a loss for an answer. Quite frankly she had
never met another man like him. He exuded a power and sensuality that drew her to him in such a way it was positively
demonic. She could easily see him as the devil; dark, dangerous and seductive she could see herself committing sinful
acts because of him.
She had drifted off in her thoughts of Darien as the devil. "You are the devil," she whispered to herself not realizing she'd
said it out loud with a smile on her lips.
Darien smirked. He'd been watching her face expecting one of her witty answers. Instead she had drifted off before
she whispered the words that had him dubbed as the Lord of Hell and all things sinful.
"I already have a title Lady Graham and Lord of Hell is not it, although it could have its benefits. Maybe I could induce
you to commit sinful wanton acts."
Serena's face turned bright red as she realized that she had spoken the words out loud. She then realized what he'd said
to her. "You definitely are a demon from hell. Maybe you should return to the sulfur pits of your home." She turned out
of his arms and left him on the dance floor smiling.
She could feel eyes watching her as she left the dance floor and headed out onto one of the balconies that led down to
the gardens. They probably thought she was out of her mind. What single female in her right mind would leave the
Duke of Westwood standing in the middle of the dance floor when he had chosen her out of all the women to dance
with? That in itself was an honor many women would swoon over.
Why did he go out of his way to infuriate her? One moment he made her heart skip a beat with his gorgeous eyes and
shiny black hair, not to mention the handsome figure he posed in his tuxedo. The next moment he would make her so
mad she felt she would explode.
She considered this to herself and was halfway through the gardens before she realized she wasn't really angry, or the
least bit infuriated. In fact the whole thing was rather amusing. She had to admit he was devilishly handsome, intelligent,
and a match for her in almost every way. Most importantly she was beginning to realize she was completely fascinated
with everything about him and utterly in love.
Was it possible for it to happen in such a short time? They'd never even had a real conversation. Every time they met it
was a battle.
What difference would it make anyway? He wouldn't love her anyway. She was just a gangly little girl, barely a woman.
All the women he knew were probably just like Rachel, beautiful, sophisticated, and very knowledgeable in the ways
of men.
It'd be best if she forgot him and moved on. A frown played on her delicate features as she stood next to a small Lily
pond, frozen in thought. Her thoughts were so intense she didn't hear someone come up behind her until they were
breathing on her neck. She was so frightened she tried to turn around too fast and fell backwards into the pond.
She let out a squeal as the cold water splashed all around her soaking her clothes and her hair. Her curls were plastered
to her head as she sat up, her blue silk gown completely soaked through. Darien couldn't help laughing. His deep laugh
echoed through the garden. She looked like a shocked porcelain doll. Her expression was priceless. "You really have
something for water don't you?" He teased her.
Serena's expression was quickly turning from shocked to enraged. How dare he laugh at her?
"I knew you weren't a gentleman," she said icily. "A real gentleman would have helped me up by now instead of standing
there like a nit wit laughing at my misfortune."
Darien finally got around to his senses and reached out a hand to her to help her out of the pond. She grabbed hold of
his hand but instead of using it to pull herself up she used all her strength and pulled hard on his arm, sending him off
balance flying into the pond himself. Before he could recover from the surprise, she helped herself up and stepped out
of the pond leaving him lying in the water, completely soaked from head to toe.
"Let's see how you enjoy it! She snapped at him. She turned her back and strode away not quite sure where she was
going. She found herself heading towards the main building. A hand grabbed her arm and twisted her around.
"Just where do you think you're going?" Darien asked her impatiently.
"That's none of your business."
"Well I could let you go back inside and embarrass yourself. You do realize you are soaking wet," he said glancing her
over not missing the way the wet silk clung to her body now that it was wet. If he didn't stop staring he was going to
pull her close to him and he might not let go.
"And just what do you suggest I do?" she snapped back impatiently, realizing he was right. She couldn't go back inside
like this. She would embarrass herself and her uncle in front of the entire ton.
"Her anger only turned up the heat. He wanted her now more than ever. He didn't say anything else to her he simply
pulled her closer to him and kissed he passionately. Serena was shocked to say the least, not that she wasn't enjoying
the moment. His behavior was so confusing. One moment he was teasing her mercilessly, the next he was kissing her
passionately. The last time he'd kissed her he'd just smiled at her and then turned around and walked away leaving her
with her mouth hanging open in shock.
When he paused for air she questioned him. "Why do you kiss me when I'm angry with you?"
"To shut you up," he said huskily and then kissed her again, his hand trailing the curve of her hips and her waist to her
breast.
"Ahhem," a deep voice said
"Oh dear!" a high pitched woman's voice squeaked.
Serena and Darien broke of their passionate kiss and turned to face the couple to whom the voices belonged. There
were also three other people, two older women, and an old gentleman behind them.
"Isn't that the Duke of Muncaster's niece?" one of the ladies whispered audibly to the other.
"I knew the moment I saw her she wasn't at all a wholesome girl."
Serena's face flushed bright red, embarrassed to be caught in such a compromising situation.
**********