(Sorry it took me like two years but, the revisions made to the Chapter I felt, were very necessary, but the plot has not been changed, the story has just been made better in my opinion)
Hello every one! I have finally updated one of my stories. I hope you like this new chapter, because it was fun to write. Nothing really significant happens though. It's just the starting point of the story. Few French phrases vous râlez ! quand je vous trouve (you bitch! When I find you …) Tee hee hee. If you like where it's going please review. SM belongs to Naoko Takeuchi and I take no credit for creating the characters, only the personalities I give them.
Serena stuck her head out of the carriage window. She was greeted with sharp gusts of wind that threatened to unravel her perfectly sculpted curls. She placed her hand on her feathered hat, trying to keep the bonnet in place.
"Are we almost there Arwin?" she shouted into the wind. The coach man turned his head quickly to look at his mistress. "Yes Your Grace, we aren't more than a few kilometers away." Serena smiled with satisfaction.
"Carry on then Arwin." she shouted. Arwin gave a tug at the reigns, and the carriage picked up speed. Serena reclined back into her seat.
"Mummy? Who are we going to visit?" Shelly asked looking at with round eyes. Serena reached out and rubbed his head. He sat opposite her
"Your grand-mère." Serena answered, drawing Remy to her.
"Do we have to mummy? She always pinches our cheeks and she calls me Remy." he said with a flounce back into the cushioned seats.
"Remy doesn't feel that way. Do you my love?" she said tweaking Remy's nose. Remy leaned his body closer to her side.
"Well… I do wish she wouldn't pinch my cheeks so hard." Remy said fiddling with a button on his coat. A faint blush colored his cheeks.
Serena pretended to be shocked. "Why Remy I'd expect that kind of comment from Shelly, but you? Really!" she said in mock surprise.
She took her time trying to pat down a stubborn cowlick on his head.
"Your grand-mère loves the two of you very much. She'd be very sad to hear you and Shelly talking like this. It doesn't make Mummy feel very good either." she said plucking a piece of lint that was stubbornly sticking to his coat.
Remy turned his head to look at her. "We're sorry mummy." he said reaching up to wrap his arms around her neck. Shelly jumped forward and did the same startling her. She forgot how conscious they were of doing anything that would hurt her.
"It's alright loves. I was only teasing." She said running her hands up and down their backs.
She choked back her tears. She couldn't even begin to imagine of life without them. She loved them so much.
'So does he my dear' the voice in her head chimed, making her jump. She swatted the air, wishing she could swat away the annoying voice that had been plaguing her mind of late.
Her hand stilled in mid air. In a moment of clarity the magnitude of what she'd done finally hit her. It crashed over her like a wave of cold water threatening to drown her in it's magnitude.
She stared in front of her at the empty seat on the other side of the carriage. If this were any other situation Darien might be sitting there. Her eyes widened. Darien, Darien, Darien, Darien, his name echo menacingly in her head.
She suddenly felt very hot. She gently unwound Shelly and Remy's arms from around her neck. She'd never been on her own before. Dear God, what had she done?
Her hands began to shake. She clasped them together tightly, feeling the beads of sweat begin to form a on her palms. Good God, she had taken their children and run away.Her breath began coming in pants and she could feel the anxiety beginning to rise.
She tried to calm her breathing. After all she couldn't very well faint at a time like this. She had to stay focused. She doubted Darien would be fainting. He may be fornicating, planning, scheming, rejoicing yes, but fainting, definitely not.
If ever she needed her sanity and wits it was now. No doubt by now Darien had caught on to what she'd done. She was racing against the time. She had to get as far away as she could. Damn him! He had caused this!
She could feel the beads of sweat beginning to form on her brow. She had to calm down, lest she tell Arwin to pull over so she could get out. She squeezed her hands together so tight she could feel the blood drain from them.
She closed her eyes and tried to remember her mantra. What was her mantra? What was her mantra? 'Roses always bloom at Larose mansion. Roses always bloom at Larose mansion.' Ah yes, that was it, that was it.
She repeated the words over and over again in her mind. She could see the roses blooming just as they always did, and her breathing began to calm. When she knew she had herself under control she opened her eyes.
That was better. Everything was under control, yes, every thing was fine. Going back in her mind, she began to retrace her steps from the early morning to where she was now.
Mother had always told her that she was a very prudent person. She had prided herself in that. Never once had she acted without thinking a situation, any situation out thoroughly.
But this morning something in her had changed. She had been so hurt, so utterly humiliated she had acted on her first instinct, to run. Kill had been her second, but she had decided that former was the better choice.
An overwhelming urge to run and to get away as far and as soon as possible had formed her. The feeling had gnawed and tantalized her for the rest of the day, and when she'd finally made up her mind to leave, she hadn't even thought of leaving Shelly and Remy behind. There was no way in this world she would have abandoned them. They were her life.
She looked down at them. Both so innocent of anything, they were rambunctious, and at times troublesome, but still so very innocent.
Thank God they were not like their father, and if she had anything to do with it, they would not become like him. She showered them with love, mostly because she couldn't help it, but also because she wanted them to be engrained with it.
If they knew and felt love now, they would share that love with others and be loved in return. Even if (God forbid) they were to develop any of their father's more "unhealthy" characteristics, she would have to love them, because they were her babies. Love was the greatest gift she could give them.
Serena snorted. How ironic that the two people she loved most in this world were constant reminders of the one person she hated.
'That should tell you something' the voice echoed in her ear. "Be quiet!" She snapped through clenched teeth.
Remy and Shelly looked up at her, eyes wide. "Not you loves", she said. They looked at each other skeptically then went on with their childish prattle. She'd forgotten to pack their toys.
She shifted in her seat uncomfortably. Her children probably thought they had a mad woman for a mother. Her face fell. One thing she never wanted to burden her children with was her sadness and troubles. It was her job to protect them and she would, even if she had to hang for it.
She swatted Shelly's finger out of his nose. Darien would be on her trail. She could bet her life on it. He would pretend as if nothing were the matter. His reputation was built on being the handsome rogue whose prude of a wife could not keep his spirit at bay.
Serena stifled the strong urge to snort again. If there was one thing Darien had enough of it was pride. He wouldn't risk the chance of gossip getting out that his wife the Duchess of Shields had abandoned him. She smiled triumphantly. Take that Wilson and Scholar! Ha! Ha! I docile weakling I am no more!
Her smile quickly faded. Her gleeful mood dissipated like a puff of smoke in the wind. "Dear God! I forgot all about those bloody gossips!" she whispered. She heard Shelly and Remy giggle.
"Mummy said bloody." she Remy whispered to Shelly. "She's bloody vexed!" Shelly whispered back. "Vile." Remy said, causing both the boys to have a fit of giggles.
"Never the two you mind what I said. Children should not swear. Swearing is for adults." Serena cringed as soon as the words left her mouth.
She had said exactly the wrong thing. Knowing her children's penchant for doing or saying anything forbidden, their vocabulary would be speckled with that particular swear for weeks. She had to remember that she was still around very receptive ears.
Wilson and Scholar were the most notorious gossip columnists in all of London. They were the scourge of her life, the plague of her being, the bane of her existence.
There was no horrifying detail of her life that escaped them, except her past, which ironically had somehow remained out of their grasp. If they had been alive at the time, Serena would have blamed them for the Black plague.
She had had to send away many a suspicious servant who seemed more than willing to hand over information on the Duke and Duchess for any amounts of imbursement.
She and Darien even had their own weekly column, where people could read the humiliating details of her ruined marriage and pathetic life.
The Duke was constantly at war with Wilson and Scholar. Many of his dealings and escapades had been exposed in The Renegade, which was widely read by everyone in the ton.
They had made her the laughing stock of London's polite society. How long would it be until they found out that she'd run away? No doubt they would have two, maybe three, or even the whole paper devoted to them.
Her reputation would be shattered. She laughed out loud, making Shelly and Remy jump in alarm. They looked at her as if she'd gone mad. She smiled weakly at them. "Alright loves?" she asked. They both nodded looked at each other, then once again continued playing.
She had almost forgotten that her reputation was shattered. How much more could you break something that was already broken? The only claim she had left to any kind of a status was her title as a Duchess and her widely known "model of propriety" demeanor.
The only reason she was still invited to many events of the ton was because she was a Duchess and the title looked appealing on any guest list. But after this scandal, Scotland Yard would be after her faster than a fox on the scent of a hare. She'd be lucky if anyone invited her to clean their floors.
Not only was she running away from a disastrous marriage, but also from a noose being tied around her neck. Well what else could she do now but go through with this grand escape? By God if she was really going to do this, she would do it right!
The triumphant smile returned to her face. 'It's about time you had some common sense.' The voice said. This time Serena readily agreed.
The Duke of Sheildgaurd paced back and forth in his study. His hands were clasped tightly behind his back. He was afraid if he let them go he'd grab hold of some thing and hurl it at the nearest window. He had to keep his control.
There was nothing that couldn't be solved without rational and logical thinking. He had to keep his temper, but then thinking was also a problem. Every time he thought about what Serena had done he threatened to go into a rage.
At first he had thought it a ploy of an ill tempered woman, who expected him to kowtow to her. Now, he was beginning to take Serena's actions very seriously. The more he thought about it, the more it seemed that Serena would be the perfect candidate for Bedlam.
This was by far the silliest, most ridiculous, most inane thing she had ever done. Who in there right mind just left their husbands and went gallivanting around the country? She was no young girl right out of the school room.
She was the grand Duchess of one the oldest dukedoms in England! She should be grateful and lead by example, but no she had decided to make a spectacle of herself. This kind of behavior was not acceptable for a woman of her status, for any woman for that matter.
What did she think she would prove by leaving? If he wanted to he could have the whole country searching for her. There were no advantages for her in this. He could have her imprisoned, possibly hanged. If trialed the courts would undoubtedly rule in his favor.
But no, she was obviously playing some kind of childish game. She had to be. She couldn't be Serious. Something like this meant making your self an outcast from society, not only her but his children, and that he could not have.
His heirs outcasts? Never! As long as he lived he would not allow that! He felt the anger beginning to boil in him again as his face turned hot. But no, no, she wouldn't dare try to embarrass him like this.
But then, a few of her luggages had been confirmed missing, her jewels were gone, most of Shelly's and Remy's clothes were missing, and she hadn't left one letter. Not one bloody explanation!
"She saw red my darling" drifted through his head.
"Red?" he questioned aloud "what does red-" he words trailed off. He felt as if he had been struck. Of course, the red garters, the pair she had found in the sheets yesterday.
Darien's relief turned into a quick and hot fury. Garters? She had stolen his children because of bloody garters? All of this was because of two pieces of underwear? His temper nearly exploded. That vile, vindictive, petty, petulant, shameful….
"Damn you! vous râlez ! quand je vous trouve I swear…!" Darien cut his sentence short. "Bon Dieu." he choked. He had to stay quiet about this.
If his friends in London discovered that his wife had left him and stolen his children, his only heirs, he would be made a laughing stock. Though no one would dare laugh to his face, he couldn't bare to have anyone think they could get the better of him.
He had always been a man to handle his owns affairs. He was well respected for that, and to have people especially the ton discover he couldn't even control his own wife? Impossible!
Not to mention those damned beefwitted fools Wilson and Scholar. Before the ink could dry, they would have a story printed by the morning if they knew. He would have to make some excuse for his wife's absence at next week's seasonal parties and shows in London.
It seemed that in her absence he would unwittingly have to make many excuses. He had had to concoct the first story this morning. The nurse maids had gone into a panic this morning, when they found out the boys were missing.
The crowing hens had sent a panic through the whole manor with their hysteria. To settle the upheaval he had had to go along with Serena's little story to explain why his wife and his children were missing. The panic had calmed without word getting out, but there was still an underlying buzz of suspicion and doubt.
His servants were too damned intrusive! When they should have been intruding as the Duchess snuck out of the manor with his children, none of them except Steven had been anywhere to be found.
He could barely blame Steven, because Steven was a scatterbrain. Serena had even been brave enough to take one to his new carriages from the stables, but still no one had stopped her or even said anything. The incompetence was impossible!
Role had been taken of all the groomsmen and young Arwin had been discovered as the Judas, who had driven the Duchess away.
Whether Arwin had known the Duchesses' plans or not (which the Duke gathered he had) he would bare greater blame. The fool! It would be straight to the gallows with him, that was if the Duke didn't put a hole in him with his pistol first.
With more than one hundred residents living in the manor someone other than Steven should have seen something amiss and thought to alert their master, but no, they had all looked at him accusingly. They probably thought he hadn't noticed their glares.
Whatever their suspicions however, they all knew better than to even comment on the subject again. He had forbidden further discussion of it. Once he had said an end to something the subject was closed, period.
He had to find her. What silly little game of hide and seek was Serena playing, and with his children no less! He was partially to blame for her behavior however, he had spoiled her, but he would make amends for that.
He was going to make her into a proper wife even if it killed him. Her behavior was beyond insolence, it was pure anarchy! He would show her who Darien Alexander Remington Clèmont Guardian the Duke of Sheildgaurd, Marquis of Brookstone, Earl of Sandwichton was.
He had fought side by side with Wellington at Waterloo and had quadrupled his family fortune in just under seven years. He bore weight of his family legacy since the age of seventeen. Surely an ill tempered woman was no challenge.
The first thing he would do when he brought her back would be to set down the rules and regulations she was to abide by. The start would be for him to indulge in his marital rights as a husband. He had ignored her spoiled insolent behavior for to long.
She pretended to honor and obey, with her 'yes my lord, and of course my lord', but the truth was that Serena was the most prudish, disobedient, and passionless woman he'd ever had the displeasure of meeting.
Why, if it wasn't for his own good heart, she would have been out on the street, being paid favors by the scum of England. Many women would pay to have a husband like him. He had given her a title and turned her from simply Lady Serena Larose to Duchess Sheilguard she bore his family's proud legacy and still she was not happy. He had never beaten her, though it had taken the strength of God to with hold his hand many days.
Some other husbands would have beaten her hide raw. Maybe he should have licked her on the bum a few times…he certainly would have enjoyed it. The thought of it brought other more pressing matters to mind.
There were certain rights a wife owed her husband. She would bend to his will as every good and Christian law required. Damn it! His law required it! He was the master of this home. He had been kind and never forced himself on her, and on his honor as a gentleman he never would.
But he'd be damned if he would not get those rights owed to him. Her monthly allowances were more than anyone could possibly spend in a year, and yet she still refused him in every way. Well all that was about to end.
A mix of rage and terrible passion flared in him. Serena had to learn that he would never be some kind of toy she could pull and jerk which ever way she wanted. He would never yield to any woman. If she wanted a war then she would have it. He had no doubt that he would be the victor.
The first place he would go would be the banks. If she had no money how could she move about? Every thing she signed would be in his name. All the accounts would be closed. His eyes widened.
The only other person she could turn to would be that disgrace of a mother the Countess Larose. Of course that's were she would run to. A pang of emotion hit Darien's heart. For a second it occurred to him that if he was wrong, he could never see Shelly and Remy again.
The loss of his legacy, his children, was unthinkable. For that he would never forgive her. He would search the world for her if that were the case, but of course it wasn't. He was sure of it.
He consoled himself by thinking that. He prayed for her sake it was true. If it wasn't then he prayed she managed to escape him if he caught hold of that scrawny neck of hers.
He didn't want to see her as the enemy just yet. He had no "real" enemies, because everyone knew they couldn't go head on with him. He had too many friends in high places.
He himself was quickly becoming one of the most powerful men in England. Even Wilson and Scholar went as far as they dared. Serena knew better than to force his hand. There was more to him than what meets the eye, much more. He sighed heavily.
"Woman thy name is frailty" he muttered.
'Alright! Alright! Enough talk of alternate personalities and scholarly wilsons! You can't catch a rabbit by standing still, or some such flim! flam! Let's go!' the voice in his head boomed.
Darien wondered if he wouldn't be a candidate for Bedlam also, but whoever the voice was, it was right. "Calvary march." he muttered.
The carriage came to a jerky stop. Serena touched her head making sure her bonnet was in place. "Alright boys we're here." she said wiping a smudge of chocolate from Shelly's cheek.
"Mummy." he whined swatting her hand away. "Oh really Shelly, do be still!" she said trying to straighten his cravat as he squirmed. The door to the carriage was swung open. The warm dark interior was filled immediately with light.
"Your Grace," Arwin said, bowing and gesturing with his hand to assist her. "Let's go loves" she said.
When they were out of the carriage she shielded her eyes and opened her parasol. Leaning back she arched her neck and looked up through the bright sun light at the old mansion, she was over come with nostalgia. For sixteen and a half years it had been her home. 'Home,' she heard the voice echo in her head.
The scent of roses which grew everywhere on the estate filled her nostrils. Every thing from the stone steps she'd had climbed and tripped over so many times, to the family crest above the door way, which in Latin read "I Dare", brought back memories of a time when she had been the happiest. All the Memories that had lain dormant in her came rushing back to her. This was where she had left all her dreams and adventures.
When she was a little girl, her father always told her that their land stretched as far as the eye could see and as far as her feet could run. Now, she doubted if they owned anything up to the orange tree a few yards away.
She turned to take a quick look at her family's lands. This was what she'd given up her childhood for. It was for her love of this place and all the occupants within, had she succumbed to a life of unhappiness.
With a deep intake of breath she waited for Arwin to knock on the heavy oak door of the four story country house. It took a few seconds, before the door began to open. She clasped Shelly and Remy's hand tightly, and held her breath.
The wood sprites carved on the door moved backwards, opening the door way sending out the sweet smell of apples and cinnamon. She breathed in the sweet air with nostalgia that made her eyes water.
"Yes? What business have ye here?" a shaky but gruff voice said from inside the door way. In the door way stood an old man with stooped shoulders, no younger than seventy. In his youth he must have been well over six feet tall.
His bushy white brows were joined together, and a frown formed his thin pale lips. The grim lines around his mouth, suggested that smiles were a thing quite rare on this elderly man.
"I said-" his voice cracked when he looked past Arwin and saw Serena. For a brief instant his blurry blue eyes gained life, and they brimmed with tears.
"Wobbly?" he said looking her over. Serena blushed at the use of her childhood name. "Why if it isn't little Wobbly! Come here child! Come here! " he said pushing past Arwin with out stretched arms. Serena bit her lip to keep back her tears.
She fell into the arms of the man who had been like a grand father to her all her life. " Look how big my little Wobbly's got! An good Lord! Look at the little ones! The young Lords!" he said looking at Shelly and Remy.
"Naughty gel!" he said shaking Serena's chin. "Why didn't ye tell old Robin ye was coming eh? Should have sent message, we would have prepared for ye an the little Lords." he said moving them into the house.
Serena could only smile. She hadn't even known that she was coming. It felt so good to know that she was someplace where she knew she was loved and wanted.
"Well don't just stand there! Go fetch their bags!" Robin barked at Arwin startling him. Serena turned and gave Arwin an apologetic look. "Take your time Arwin." she said. Arwin blushed and rushed back to the carriage.
Robin was a lovely soul, but he could be quite rude to those he didn't know. He was an unlikely choice for a doorman, but Serena's family was known for their eccentricity.
"Mummy we're going to the garden!" Shelly and Remy called as they ran past her.
"But-!" Serena began, then sighed and gave up. She could never keep up with those two.
"And where's my Mama today Robin?" she asked, leaning her head on his bony shoulder. He had gotten thinner since she'd last seen him.
"About to go to Lady Chatterley's party, I'm afraid." he said walking her towards the kitchen. "Come let me have a look at ye." he said bringing her to face him.
"As pretty as the day ye was born ye are." Before he could ask the question Serena knew was coming, she cut in. "So where is everyone?" she asked quickly.
The house was usually overflowing with activities at all hours of the day. Between her mother attending and throwing elaborate parties, there was never a dull or quiet moment to be found. Her mother loved to be seen and heard.
Serena herself had once reveled in the excitement of parties and balls. Her eye twitched. That was of course before she became the side show attraction for the gossiping vultures of the ton.
"My Lady gave Bessy and the others the afternoon off. The rest are in the kitchen preparing for Lady Chatterley's party. They're going to ye know. Lady Chatterley fancies her self a great entertainer." he said jabbing her in the ribs.
"Her party's all week ye know. Say, is that why you've come? " Serena nodded. Technically she wasn't lying to him. She could have been agreeing to anything.
She had been invited, but had declined the invitation with the greatest "regret" for not being able to attend. Reason, not given.
"Well ye go on up to see my Lady and I'll tell the others you've come." Robin turned to leave, but Serena grasped his hand halting him.
"Your Grace?" he asked.
"Do see that the boys get something to eat won't you? I'm afraid they haven't had much of a breakfast, No sweets and make them eat even if they tell you they're not hungry." Serena said. Robin patted her arm and rushed off with a smile.
That was done. Hopefully a full belly would sedate them a little. If she knew her boys they would be running wild in the gardens and all over the house after being cooped in a carriage for so long.
As she walked further down the hall she looked around the richly furnished home of Larose mansion. She recognized the moldings and decorations as coming straight out of page four from the "Hearth and Home" catalogue.
Every year the interior of the house was remodeled into something grander than the year before.There was nothing her mother enjoyed more than spending money and keeping up with the latest fashion. Unfortunately her mother was not very original when it came to home decorating.
Even the glass of daffodils was placed exactly in the same position on the table as it had been in the catalogue drawing.
It was definitely good to be home. It was also a comfort to know that no matter how much the interior changed, the spirit of her home always stayed the same.
She moved towards the grand spiral staircase, as she climbed up she ran her hand along the long winding banister that she had slide down so many times as a child. This house had been her nursery, the rose gardens her sanctuary with no walls to confine her.
When she had finally reached the third floor and was breathing quite hard from carrying her skirts, she turned with relief down the corridor that led to her mother's rooms.
She came to it finally and knocked softly on the door of her mother's bedroom. "Mama, it is Serena, I've come home." she said through the door. She glanced down the hall at a marble pillar carved into a flying angel. She could have sworn she'd seen the piece at the Luvre last year…
There was a rustle of skirts form inside the room; then she heard her mother's high pitched voice. "Good Lord, can it really be my little Serena? Don't just stand there Daisy, go and get the door!"
A pretty girl of about sixteen opened the door. Her face brightened when she saw Serena. "Madame," she said giving her a quick curtsy, and stepping aside.
"She's Your Grace to you!" her mother called out to Daisy. "The impudence, really!" A quick blush heated Daisy's pale face.
"Don't mind mother." Serena said giving Daisy a smile. The Countess turned and snorted making Daisy jump. Serena laughed and reached out to hug the young maid. "How pretty you've become Daisy." she said before releasing her.
"Really Serena her head is large enough as is. She doesn't need compliments to compliments to make it larger. She's already a cheeky little thing." Diana said turning to check her reflection in the mirror.
Daisy looked wide eyed at Serena. Serena wanted to laugh again, she could hardly see shy little Daisy being anywhere close to cheeky.
"You may leave now Daisy." Her mother said waving her hand over her shoulder.
"Yes my Lady," Daisy turned and started towards the door.
"And ready your bags for the party" Diana said leaning into the mirror to put a dark beauty mark on her cheek.
"My Lady?' Daisy asked as she clenched her hands together.
"Silly girl, the party, Lady Chatterley's party!" Diana said rounding the beauty mark into a perfect circle.
"I'm going?" Daisy asked biting her lip with excitement.
"Of course," Diana said simply. "When do I ever attend a party without my whole entourage? How would it look if I didn't take enough maids and servants to service me?"
Serena face blushed with embarrassment. How like her mother, to want everyone to know she could afford to carry the most maids and servants with her where ever she traveled. The truth was far less glamorous.
"Thank you my Lady." Daisy said biting back a smile as curtsied out the door. Serena stepped inside the room that had undoubtedly been designed to models Mary Antoinette's and closed the door behind her.
The Countess Larose turned to face her in her most dramatic fashion. "Serena my pet, my flower, mon petite chou! I've missed you so much!"
She held her arms out to Serena. Serena went to her and kissed her cheeks. Diana patted a cushioned seat for her daughter to sit.
"I know you didn't come alone, so where are my little doves hmm." Diana said, grabbing Serena's hands.
"In the garden, they'll come up later, but I must speak to you about-"
"So where is that delectably handsome husband of yours?" Diana said quickly. She averted her eyes from Serena. She seemed to be very interested in a bird flying outside the window.
Diana brought her hand to the multiple strings of pearls around her neck, and reached for the face powder in front of her dressing mirror.
"You see my pet, I played a bit of cards at Lady Wimbleton's last Saturday, and I'm afraid I was tricked into owing her 5000 pounds." she said in an airy manner, patting her face with powder. She turned her head from side to side admiring her reflection in the mirror.
The words had flown so quickly from her red painted lips and with such honesty that Serena had almost felt sorry, but then she remembered it was her mother who was speaking. If Diana hadn't devoted her life to being a Countess, she would have made an excellent actress.
Serena sighed heavily. For all her mother's manners and aristocratic air, no one would guess that she was a notorious gambler. She also always seemed to be on the losing side, but of course, it was always by means of some trickery.
Darien however, was the only person her mother knew with sufficient funds to get her out of her gambling debts. Unfortunately for Darien's account the list of Diana's debts were long and plentiful. It was Serena's turn to look away.
"Speaking of the Duke I um, I have something to tell you mother." Serena stuttered.
Diana screwed up her face "Don't mumble dear it's terribly unbecoming, Now…" She leaned closer towards Serena and, smiling brightly.
"Have you become richer? Oh do tell me the Duke's bought another tea plantation in India!" Diana said enthusiastically.
"Well not exactly." Serena said. "Not at all really."
Diana went on as if she hadn't heard her daughter. "OH! And perhaps your papa can speak to the rajah about it. You know, the Larose name is well respected in India." The color had risen in her cheeks, and Serena knew her mother was on the verge of thinking up new ways to double her gambling bets.
Serena hesitated. "Where is papa?" She asked nervously.
Diana smiled. "He's hunting tigers with the Rajah in India." she said proudly.
Serena wasn't surprised. Her father the last Earl of Larose also loved to waste money, and lots of it. He had no sense of finances. His debts had been the main reason for her hasty marriage.
Darien had had to come to his rescue many times in the past when enraged kings, emperors and Rajahs had come after his head. Her father was always investing in some "big project" that always happened to go all wrong.
She was surprised people in India and around the continent didn't spit with disgust when they heard the Larose name mentioned or even spoken by mistake.
"Oh just say it Serena." her mother said looking into her eyes. "You can tell your mama anything." she squeezed her hands lightly. Serena took a deep breath.
"I've left him." she said.
Diana laughed heartily. "You've left him down stairs? Well why not? That's not such a secret." Diana said.
"No I mean I've left him mother." Serena said..
"Oh, you mean you left him at home? Serena really, that's nothing new." Diana said.
'She always was a bit daft,' the voice said.
"No mother I mean I've taken the children and run away." Serena said.
"You've run away to have a break from the busy work of a Duchess, and I think it's wonderful." Diana smile was so bright Serena could hardly think it real. She was beginning to wonder if her mother was deliberately trying to be difficult.
Diana's eyes roved over Serena's figure. Her gaze specifically kept traveling to Serena's high necked gown, which was not quite the fashion of the day.
Diana herself wore a high waist dress with a bodice cut so low, Serena was afraid a mere cough would result in the exposure of her barely covered décolletage. Her mother's bright blue turban was a sight in itself.
The peacock feathers that sprouted from the enormous green jewel above her head was short from making the whole concoction look like a garish, gaudy mess. But amazingly her mother managed to make the whole ensemble look quite…stunning.
Serena stared at the green stone. That could not be real. A jewel like that cost… too much to even think about.
"I've left Darien forever." Serena said bluntly.
"No you haven't." Diana replied quickly.
"I assure you mother I have." Serena said snapping her eyes from the glimmering jewel.
"Oh dear." Diana began fanning her self with her hand.
"Smelling salts! Bring me my salts! I'm afraid I shall faint!" she placed one hand over her heart and the other on her forehead.
"Serena don't' toy with me like this! You know how delicate I am. My heart is poor!"
Over the years Diana had diagnosed herself from having everything from scarlet fever to rheumatism. Serena sighed in frustration, and got up to get the box of salts her mother had on vanity the table.
"Mother there is nothing wrong with your heart." Serena said bring the small vinaigrette underneath her mother's nose.
"How can you do this to me? To your family! Dear God! We are disgraced! We are shamed! And-" Diana brought her hand to her mouth in horror.
"What about those beasts Wilson and Scholar! Do they know? Oh Serena you have ruined yourself!" Diana got up and began to pace the room. "I'll be ruined. We will all be ruined!" she exclaimed.
"Mama please, calm yourself. No one has been ruined…yet." Serena rose in a pleading fashion. "Please sit down. I've come to talk to you." Serena began to wring her hands nervously. "I'm not sure w-what to do next, I'm-"
Diana heard the trembling in her voice. She turned to face Serena, who was swallowing hard to keep back her tears. Diana sighed and took her seat. She cleared her throat.
"Serena how could you do this?" she said in a quieter voice.
Serena began to look around the room as if she would find something to help her produce the words that would explain everything. Her eyes landed on the picture of her late Aunt Serenity, above the fire place mantle.
The picture of her namesake seemed to comfort her. "I-I found evidence that another woman had been in our house and- and that she had s-slept in his bed." Serena looked down at the gold band on her left hand.
Diana was silent for a moment. "My poor, poor child, I had heard that- Oh Serena."
Diana reached out to her and held her for a while, letting Serena cry. "But you must go back to him my love." she said wiping Serena's eyes with her kerchief.
"What!" Serena yelled drawing back quickly.
Well this is the end of (The revised) chapter two of War of the Shields. If you like it please review. I prefer reviews saying what you actually like about this story, or any ideas you have, but a review is a review. In the next chapter Mina returns, and the story begins to take off!
