The next installment of my story. Thank you to everyone who reviewed.

I think this is sort of a slow chapter, because I don't want to rush things, so please review and tell me what you think, and if you think it's too slow, and tell me if I should write another chapter because I have a plan that involves Gemma, Simon and a jealous Kartik!

Please review!!

We are in the woods. He is chasing me as I dip in and out between the trees. He laughs playfully as he catches up with me and grabs my waist, ensnaring me in a make-shift cage. I turn to face him, our bodies close. He leans in towards me and our lips meet, tentative at first, then with increasing pressure as we both respond eagerly. He steps towards me, causing me to move back until I am against the rough bark of the tree. His lips move with mine, his hands—

'Gemma! Gemma!' I jolt awake to find Ann leaning over me, already full dressed. She looks at me curiously.

'Are you okay?'

'I'm fine,' I say, rubbing my eyes and struggling to sitting up. 'Why?'

'You were laughing. And mumbling...'

My dream. Oh God. 'What did I say?'

Ann shakes her head. 'Just mumbles.' She moves away, and I am reassured that no names were mentioned that would betray my fantasy. Ann moves towards the door and turns to me before she leaves. 'You'd better hurry before the porridge gets cold.' She casts me another strange look before swinging the door shut.

I fall back on the pillows, allowing a sigh to overcome me. I had been enjoying the dream, even though I know I shouldn't have. If I were to have dreams like that, they should most definitely be about Simon, I scold myself.

I recall the events of the previous evening with Kartik. His reaction had surprised me somewhat. I wasn't sure what to expect. Would he care enough to be angry? Would he care at all? After all, when had he ever expressed any real interest in me?

He kissed you back

He did. The memory of his warm lips pressed on mine, his mouth working with mine, his eager response, floated into my mind. It seemed he had shown interest last night. The memory of his eyes, his desire, comes back to me and a warmth floods through my body.

But his reaction to the news had not been one of anger.

Kartik, I am to be married…I'm betrothed to Simon Middleton…

He had looked shocked at first, his lips still slightly swollen from our kiss. But it didn't take him long to process the news. His response was quite simple. 'Oh.'

He rose gracefully from his spot beside me, indifference on his face. When he spoke, his voice was reserved and detached. 'Congratulations, Miss Doyle.' The only chink in his armor that made me feel that he cared even a little bit was that his voice trembled slightly. Or perhaps that was just wishful thinking.

I watched him as he walked away, until he was enveloped by the darkness of the forest. I sat there for some time afterwards, confused. I was disappointed by his reaction; I wanted him to care enough to get angry. And I hated myself for wanting that.

--

I spend our free hour outside, even though it is windy and overcast and I am invited by Felicity into her tent. I decline and instead, take my book and writing paper outside. I find refuge in a deserted section of the woods near the lake, where no one is likely to disrupt me.

I settle down onto the ground and pick up my pen and paper. I have made a resolution to act like the dutiful betrothed, in preparation for my wedding, after which I will act like a dutiful wife: one who does not kiss Indian men only one day after leaving her intended at the train station.

I begin my letter with the obvious Dear Simon, but I am soon at a loss of what to say.

Dear Simon,
I know I only said goodbye to you yesterday, but since then, I have kissed and dreamt of another man. You see, I'm not too sure that I want to marry you. I don't believe that being an obedient, obliging wife is my calling.
Weather is terrible,
Much love, Gemma.

Well, that won't do. Exhaling loudly, I crumple the page and throw it into the lake, watching it bob on the water. It dances on the surface as the wind drags it across, skimming the top of the water.

I turn back to my blank writing paper, twirling my pen over the page creating a random design as I wrack my brains for something to write.

Dear Simon,
Arrived safely. School is as delightful as ever—cold porridge and bad weather.
I will write again soon,
Sincerely, Gemma.

I can see already we shall have meaningful conversations when we are married. Longing for some real company, I abandon my place near the lake and my pathetic attempt at a letter, I rise and walk slowly towards the woods. The trees tower over me and shelter me from the soft drizzle that has started. I hurry off towards the gypsy camp and he is there, as I hoped he would be. He is alone in a little clearing, with only the horses for company. He strokes their sides gently, murmuring to them softly.

'Kartik?'

He jumps slightly at the sound of my voice. He did not hear my approach. He twists his neck over his shoulder and turns back immediately.

'Can we talk?'

'About what, Miss Doyle?'

I step closer to him. 'Are you angry?'

'What right have I got to be angry?' He still doesn't turn to face me. Small beads of rain fall on his hair and skin, but he does not seem to notice them.

'I just—,' what do I say? I shouldn't have come. '—never mind, I'll just…I-I'll go.'

Smooth talking there, Gemma.

I turn to leave, utterly embarrassed, when he speaks. 'You certainly know how to give someone the wrong idea, Miss Doyle.'

What does that mean? I turn back to him, annoyance rising. 'It's not like you care very much, Kartik. What does it matter to you who I marry? As long as I reveal nothing about the realms. As long as I don't endanger your brotherhood.' I spit the last word.

I turn to leave but his hand snaps out to grab my arm, hindering me from taking any more steps. He swings me around to face him. His face is near mine and I can see droplets of rain on his lashes as he glowers at me.

'I don't care? Do I act like someone who doesn't care?' His eyes are blazing and his voice is filled with fiery anger, but there is a trace of hurt there, almost fully concealed by his severe tone.

Just as it did yesterday, a mad feeling courses through me. An overwhelming yearning floods into me and just as it did yesterday, I press myself against him and kiss him. I am getting much too bold. The kiss startles him and he stumbles backwards from the pressure of my lips. He was not expecting it. I can feel his hot breath in mine; feel the soft skin of his lips on mine. His hands clutch at my waist and he begins to respond. I press myself to him and slip my tongue past his lips. This startles him and he pulls away.

'No, no,' he gasps for air, looking staggered as he pushes me away. I glimpse his eyes: they are very dark and smouldering, just as they were yesterday by the lake. I feel giddy. He desires me.

'Why not?' I say, stepping closer and he looks at me wide-eyed, breathing hard.

'Damn it, Gemma, you are to be married.' He voice is hoarse, but less harsh then before. He runs a hand through his damp curls.

'I don't think I want to be,' I say, acknowledging it aloud for the first time.

'Then why did you accept?' He looks perplexed.

I shrug. I can feel tears threatening to overcome me and I desperately try to suppress them. 'Why not? He is a good match and it makes my family happy.'

'You're marrying him to please your family?'

I shrug again, not really sure why I am marrying him.

'So…you don't love him?'

The pitter of the drizzle grows stronger as I shake my head slightly. 'I-I—,' my voice breaks slightly and the tears threaten to overwhelm me. 'No.'

Kartik breathes deeply but doesn't say anything. He stands opposite me as the drizzle breaks into heavy rain, drenching us both. Still, neither of us moves. There is a sliver of space between his chest and mine. The air around us is tense and electric. He moistens his lips and opens his mouth to say something.

'Gemma—,' he stops. A call cuts him off. Someone from the school is calling my name.

'Yes?' My chest rises in anticipation. I ignore my summons and step closer to him, closing the space between us until our chests are almost touching. He looks down at me, he lips open slightly in a half formed word. His eyes are bright and the rain has dampened his curls so that they hang around his face.

My name is called again.

He swallows and begins again. 'Gemma…,' his chest heaves as he takes in a deep breath. His eyes lock on mine and it seems like the air around us is crackling. The silence is broken by my name being called again, and he releases his breath, looking slightly frustrated. 'You should go.'

'Kartik—'

'You should go, Gemma.'

I nod, and disappointment seeps through me. I turn away, silently cursing whoever is searching for me. The rain has saturated all my layers of clothing so that moving is a difficult task. I walk slowly through the forest and before I reach the school, I look back. He is still standing in the clearing, surrounded with falling rain. He looks a vision, standing with his feet set slightly apart, his hands behind his back, his eyes staring up at mine.

And the plot thickens.

Like I said, a slow chapter. I don't want to rush the story. I may have to change the rating for later chapters, though. Please review.

I do plan to write Simon into the story, probably the chapter after next, if you all want more chapters!