Chapter two.

All day long Ginevra stayed as far away as possible from her stepmother and –sisters. They were all furious that Prince Harry hadn't wanted to even speak to them, only that 'common foreign tramp', as they had decided that the mystery girl was. Ginevra was way to happy to trust herself not to reveal her secret to them, just to see their faces. So she spent the day after she'd finished her morning chores and not quite started her evening chores cleaning the cellar. She pushed heavy furniture around, she cleaned every nook and cranny and crawled underneath heavy shelves that hadn't been moved since her great-grandmother Fanny's time. She was dirty, her skirts were torn from snagging them on the rough floors, her hair was a mess. When the doorbell rang she expected it to be the old apothecary with medicine for Persephone's 'migraine' i.e. hangover. She rushed up the stairs, not caring about her looks, the old man had mended every of her brother's broken bones and comforted her when her pony had died. He wouldn't care if she was covered in grime.

When the door swung open she caught a glimpse of an emerald velevet riding jacket, brown jodhphurs and black riding boots. She yelped and slammed the door shut. How on earth had he found her? And how would she explain to her stepmother that she had slammed the door in Prince Harry's face? There was a heavy knock on the door and Persephone called from upstairs for Ginevra to 'open the sodded door, silly girl.' Ginevra reluctantly opened the door just a crack.

She almost gasped when she saw how handsome he looked. His dark hair was tousled from the ride, his clothes exquisitely fitted and made from the finest fabric. His skin was soft while there was a darker shade where, if left unattended, a dark beard grew. He truly was the epitome of a person that's well taken care of and never had to go without anything. She rubbed her rough hands together, hoping to make them a little bit softer and warmer, in case he wanted to shake hands. Shake hands? She thought to herself, why would he want to shake hands. Don't be stupid Ginny and just open the bloody door. So she did.

He was clearly taken aback when he saw her but only for a moment, then his face was alight with happiness.

"Oh, Ginny." And he grabbed her and hugged her, lifting her battered clogs of the floor. She hugged him back, breathing in his clean scent. Of course he smelled like his horse too, but she liked that. It made him smell manly, and reminded her of her brother Charlie, who was a general in the Kings Equestrian Battalion. When he finally let her down again she was smiling like a lunatic and her expression mirrored in his face.

"Where is your father?" He asked her. "I need to speak to him now."

"He is out of town, but he'll be back tonight." She replied before hugging him again. "I just knew you'd come and find me."

At this his expression turned serious. He was just about to say something when Persephone came barging down the stairs.

"Ginevra, " She cried. "I told you to send the man straight up to my rooms, not dilly-dally in the foyer. My migraine is just horrible..." She stopped short when she saw the visitor. Her expression turned to a sickeningly sweet smile.

"Oh, Prince Harry, how wonderful to see you. My daughters and I had the most wonderful time at your ball last night. They are upstairs now, my daughters, and I know they'll be thrilled to receive you. You didn't get much time to talk, what with that charming girl who stole you away last night. Who was that anyway, a distant cousin, a visiting princess?" She pressed on.

The look on Harry's face was confused.

"You mean you don't know?" He said. "I danced with Ginny all night."

"Ginny?" Persephone replied. Then comprehension dawned on her face as her eyes darted between the two lovers, and their hands, intertwined. "Oh, you can't be serious. She's just a lowly servant, sleeping with the rats. Don't you see how filthy she is? She's just a crude, ignorant girl, not even fit as a butcher's wife."

Harry was shaking with rage. "You treat your husband's daughter like that? You're not even worthy to look at her, let alone speak to her. Come, Ginny, you're leaving with me."

Ginevra followed him, stunned. No-one had ever dared speak to Persephone like that.

"Where are we going?" She asked him as he led her to his majestic black stallion.

"Home," Harry replied and prepared to swing her on top of the horse.

"Harry, wait." She cried. "I'm not going anywhere with you when you're this upset. Talk to me, yell at me, something."

"This woman is the most disgusting toad I've ever encountered. She's jealous of you so she tries to beat you down and you just let her? What the hell is that about? And your father just allows this? How on earth can this woman just get away with pushing you aside ad shove her stupid daughters in your place?" Harry was pacing the yard, yelling and kicking at small stones. When he finally halted in front of Ginevra, she grabbed him by the shoulders and kissed him squarely on the mouth. He responded eagerly, pulling her tighter and weaving his hands in her hair. He was practically pulling at it, but this only made Ginevra kiss him harder. When they finally pulled apart, they were both gasping for air.

"First of all, I do not let anyone walk over me. My father is sick, he's getting older and if Persephone makes him happy, then I'll do anything to make that happen. Persephone is mean, yes, but she could've killed me. She could've married me off to some mean old nobleman but she didn't. And now I have you, and she can't do anything to stop that. We're going to defeat her together. Not by fighting her or hurting her, but by being so eternally happy together she'll rot from the inside of jealousy. Alright?" She asked firmly.

Harry nodded, falling more in love with her by the moment.

"Good. Let me get my horse and then we'll go together."

She left the overgrown courtyard and reappeared a few moments later, leading Goldstream behind her.

"Where did you get this gemstone?" Harry asked as he stroked the white mare's side.

"A gift from my mother." Ginevra replied as she swung on top. "Now, let's go."

They rode silently to the castle, each thinking their own. When they finally halted before the castle gate, Harry reached over and took Ginevra's hand.

"I'm sorry for yelling before. I love you, Ginny, and I want to be with you all my life. Please don't think I'm some primitive caveman, just thinking about myself. "

Ginevra smiled at him. "I don't. I love you too, by the way."

Harry chuckled and they rode together into the courtyard.