A/N: As we near the end of our story, I just wanted to remind everyone that there is an alternate ending that I will be posting at the conclusion of the story. I foresee there being two more chapters after this one. Of course, I have been known to be talked into an extra chapter or two if requested with enough flattery and pleading. Just saying.

Chapter Seventeen

When I woke, I was lying in a magnificent bed, adorned with cherry wood and golden etched leaves. I thought perhaps that I had strayed into a lovely dream and I languished the soft coverlet and firm yet soft mattress that hugged to my body like the ghost of a lost lover. As my dream slowly continued, my thoughts began to waken. It was then I remembered why I had fallen asleep in the first place. I sat bolt upright in the large, opulent bed, incensed. I threw back to covers and gasped as I looked down and found myself in only a chemise. What made it worse, however, was that it was not my chemise. It was much too clean and, if I wasn't mistaken, made of satin.

Too furious to take pleasure in the luxurious feel of the satin brushing against my skin, I ignored the rest of the grandeur of the room in my search for my clothes. I found instead an emerald green dress draped across the back of ornate black chair. I was appalled at the thought of wearing clothes that the lying bastard had picked out for me, but realized that it would be more foolish to walk around in only a chemise. I reluctantly pulled it on, slightly relieved that it was not corseted and I did not have to fumble around with strings and cinches on my own. The dress seemed tailored to fit a woman almost my exact size, though perhaps only slightly bigger.

I grudgingly admitted to myself that it did feel wonderful to wear such a fine dress, though I detested myself the moment I thought it. As soon as I had the chance to get my own clothes back, I would be happy to cast this rich fabric aside. The only way I would own such beautiful clothes was if I had worked to get it, not because some man had given it as a peace offering for kidnapping me for no apparent reason.

I knew that the door to the room would be locked, why would he take me hostage, only to leave the door open so I could walk right out? So I did not even try to open it. Instead, I sat in the black chair with my arms crossed and plotted how I was going to get revenge on my mystery suitor. My thoughts eventually strayed to Helen and I hoped that she was safe. I was worried that she might try to come find me, but I doubted Mr. Vincencio would allow that. He seemed like a man who would keep her safely waiting for my return. And I would return. I would not desert her like everyone else in her life had done, whether intentional or not.

After a while, I went to the window to look out at my prison yard. I appeared to be at least two levels up, if not more. I pressed my face to the glass to look around. What little I noticed was that I was in a very large estate constructed entirely of red brick. It appeared to be quite beautiful at one time, but had since fallen into neglect. No doubt because of the war. There was a silhouette of a once grand garden that seemed to have a great expanse to it, though it was difficult to tell since everything was still covered in a blanket of snow. There were several smaller houses off to the sides that I assumed were servants' quarters. I wondered if I was intended to be used a servant in this place. I did not even know why I had been brought to this place, or where it was, much less what his intentions were with me. Not that it mattered much, I did not plan on being held captive for long. I was resourceful and I would pull on every minuscule piece of knowledge I had to escape his grasp and return to Helen.

There was a light knock at the door, but I did not answer it, nor turn to see who it was when the door opened inward. There was a long pause before I heard him speak. "It's a pity we can't see this house in the Spring. I would bet there would be flowers of all colors and a fountain in the middle. I'm sure this place has had its share of beautiful parties with beautiful woman, such as yourself. It's a shame that the Baron dislikes things like that. You would steal the breath from everyone to see you in the midst of all that."

I whirled around to face my captor. "What did you say?"

He paused, as though unsure what I was asking. "He doesn't like flowers and parties. One of his many eccentricities. He's more than a little introverted and prefers being left alone."

"Whose house is this?" I asked, taking a step closer to him.

"It is the Baron Drogrim's house," he said, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. When I continued to glare at him, he continued, a little less like he was talking to an idiot and more like he was speaking to a child. "It's one of his many temporary homes. He bought them during the war, all over the country. He kept them from being destroyed, gave their owners enough money to leave the country and then later he plans on selling them at an outstanding profit. There are many people who would sell their souls to own one of the Baron Drogrim's houses."

The name sounded like a gong in my head and I ignored all things else that we was saying. Drogrim was the very Baron that stayed at the Exchequer Hotel. The one that Ester had made such a fuss over. Suddenly, I felt like I was right back there, cornered and frightened as my secrets came spilling out.

"Why would he want to bring me here?" I asked cautiously.

He looked at me confused. "I assumed you would know."

"Why would I-" But my words were cut off by the appearance of another man.

"That's quite enough," he stated with an authoritative air. "You may go, the Baron has your reward waiting for you." My blue eyed bastard nodded and made an awkward bowing gesture towards me before turning and leaving.

"You," I said, still slightly shocked. "You were the one I ran into at the hotel and I spilled water all over myself."

"And me too," he said with a kind smile. I cannot believe I did not recognize you, but you did look much different then I had imagined and you kept your face so well hidden. Of course, we weren't expecting you to be mute either. You hid in plain sight."

"What are you talking about?" I asked indignantly.

"The Baron has been searching for you for a long time Christine."

Panic must have reeled across my face for he took a concerned step forwards. I hadn't heard anyone use my real name in so long that it almost sounded foreign to me.

"Why is he searching for me?" I managed to ask.

"Perhaps I had better let him explain that to you."

"No! I want to know now! I demand to be told what is going on, and then I am leaving. I am going back to my daughter and we are leaving France."

"As you wish. You are not a prisoner here. Though, I feel I must inform you that you are no longer in France. You are in Italy. Not far outside Turin as a matter of fact."

I stood there stunned by his words. How long had I been asleep? I naturally slept only a few hours a day, but because I was certain there were some sort of sleeping concoction used in the champagne, I had no way to know how long I had been out.

"Why was the Baron trying to find me?" I asked in a shaking voice.

"He wants to make sure that you are safe and happy. He cares for you very much."

"I don't even know him!" I cried, trying with difficulty to reign in my growing hysteria at the situation.

"I think you will find that you do, though not by his name. Come, I will introduce you to him." With that, he turned and walked back out the door. I stared after him, until his footsteps echoed and disappeared. I walked through the open door, looking around carefully. The man, I had never heard his name, was nowhere to be seen. I heard some lingering footsteps near the bottom of the stairs, so I followed them. But once there, I could hear no more.

Most doors were closed, so I wandered past them, glancing only in the ones that were open. The interiors of those rooms had furniture covered with sheets to keep the dust off. I saw no one else as I walked through the open hallways.

At the end of one corridor, there was a single door cracked open. I felt pulled to the room for a reason that I could not identify. I was almost in a trance as I pushed the door open. My vision swam as I beheld the room in front of me. Lying on the pristine white bed was a shock of deep, royal blue. I reached out my hand to touch the rich material but it was trembling so greatly that I pulled my hand back. I was suddenly back to a day that seemed like a lifetime ago. I viewed my memory as I might imagine someone else's life. I saw the young girl with large, innocent brown eyes and a dancer's grace try on the dress with the silver ribbon lining. This had been my dress, warn only once on my birthday when I had a mother and sister and a man who loved me.

I wiped a tear from my eyes and a sparkle on the table by the bed caught on my eye. There was the diamond necklace and earrings that I had worn with it. I would have recognized them instantly. They were the only material possessions I had of my mother's. They were lying in a velvet lined box next to the cracked picture frame of my father. I thought they had been lost forever, yet here they were, waiting for me. I sat down next to the table and cried. It didn't matter who the mysterious Baron Drogrim was. He was an angel to me.

I could suddenly remember everything that I had heard about the Baron while at the Exchequer Hotel. He emerged in recognition during the war. His past was unknown, and though he seemed cold, his actions were usually generous and kind. Finally, the last piece of the puzzle fell into place as she heard Janette's Irish accented words replay in my head.

"He keeps to himself, thank the good Lord. Heard he was wounded in the war and has scars all over his body. Glad I don't have to see that. It would scare me off my head."

"You have no idea how difficult it was to find those, but I vowed to track down everything that was taken and return it to you." My heart stopped at the sound of his voice. Lifting my head and wiped at my eyes, I stood to see him. The tears that refused to go away made his silhouette blurry but I could clearly see his tall figure, leaning slightly to the side as he balanced some of his weight on a walking cane. He wore his hat pulled down at an angle, casting one side of his face in shadow.

"You look stunning, Christine. Truly, this is how you were meant to be."

My brain was trying to process as fast as it could. My confusion was slightly beneficial because I forgot to cry and my eyes dried. Sure enough, there before me was a man who fit all those descriptions, yet it was not who I had let myself hope it to be.

"It is wonderful to see you, Christine."

I stumbled over my words, trying to force a smile, though none would come.

"It is good to see you as well, Richard. Or do you still go by Commander Bruence?"