Disclaimer: I still don't own these characters and I never shall.

A/N: This is a b**** chapter. It really is.

Mary wanted to find Dickon as soon as possible but it seemed he had a lot of work to do. She didn't see him at all throughout the day and Mary found she barely had a moment to herself. The news of her and Dickon had not reached Medlock's ears who was constantly pushing her to the Duke's side and when she wasn't pushing her, Anne was. Anne had been acting strange all day and Mary was unsure as to why. No doubt the Duke had told his sister of the affair and perhaps she was upset about it but she acted as though she knew nothing. The strange part was her overzealous joy at talking with Mary about her brother. Even when Mary tried to excuse herself with the headache she was developing she chattered on.

"Did you know my brother served in the war? He's quite a decorated soldier, you know! He's so brave! And very protective and loyal! Ever since father passed away he's always taken care of mother and I." She gloated.

"That's very good of him." Mary replied. She had continuously used that phrase as well as "How nice", "Oh I see," and "Yes, indeed." She had to keep switching how she used them for fear of Anne catching on to her automatic responses.

"It is, isn't it? He is so good to us. If only he could find someone to be just as good to him." Anne smiled brightly and eyed her. This was the fourth time Anne had turned the conversation to Mary's relationship with the Duke.

"Well, I'm sure there is someone out there for him." Every time Anne brought it up, Mary repeated that phrase.

"Oh Mary! Don't hold me in such suspense! Did my brother ask you? Will you and I be sisters?" She grabbed Mary's hands in anticipation and Mary had to look away from her pleading eyes.

"What are you ladies talking about?" The Duke's voice came and Mary didn't know if she felt relieved or more nervous at his presence.

"What do all ladies talk about but you, brother?" Anne smiled.

"Ah, Anne, you flatter me." He smiled at his beaming sister. "Mary, I believe you agreed to a garden stroll with me, I'd like to see them before it gets too dark.

"Oh, of course." Mary unhooked herself from Anne's vice grip and hesitantly took the Duke's arm.

"I do apologize for my sister's behavior. In many ways she is still a child." The Duke said as they walked through one of the less extravagant gardens.

"That's alright. She's a very energetic young lady. It's refreshing." Mary tried to put her words as delicately as possible.

"She does look to me more as a father than a brother, I must say. I do spoil her." He laughed and Mary gave a faint chuckle. Great, she just heard all about him from Anne, now it would seem to be coming from the horse's mouth.

"Although, I cannot claim to be as great as she paints me to be." He said sadly and Mary looked at him in shock, perhaps he did have a bit of humility in him.

"Oh?" Mary asked.

"The war, it changes people. It makes you appreciate the things in life. A man can never forget what happened out there." Mary could almost see the memories in his eyes. "It was vicious, Mary. There was no humanity, everyone turned into wild beats, killing without mercy." Mary couldn't help but put her hand on his arm to comfort him. "I lost many good friends out there."

"I'm so sorry." Mary said barely audibly. She could only think that Dickon must have seen the same things. She hadn't asked him about the war. She was afraid to. She didn't want to imagine her woodland angel suffering out their in the mud and war. He didn't deserve to be in bloodied earth but in the beauty and comfort of the garden.

"Do not think ill of me for my sin, Mary." The Duke moved in front of her and held her hands.

"Sin? What sin?"

"For the blood that has been shed from them." He looked down at his hands. Mary half-smiled.

"Duke, you have not sinned. It was all for the protection of your country and your loved ones. There is no wrong in defending it no matter how guilty you may feel. Every man has the right to protect his own."

"You're so good to understand." He stroked her hand making Mary feel very uncomfortable. She looked up to his eyes and no longer saw the kind person he had just been.

"Have you seen Mary?" Colin asked Martha as he was heading outside to look for his cousin.

"The las' I saw of Miss Mary was jus' 'bout the 'ouse gardens with Duke Buescher." Martha said and pointed in the direction.

"It's getting dark, they should have been back by now." Colin noticed Dickon coming around the corner looking fairly nervous and dressed in his finest clothes. "Dickon! Have you seen, Mary?"

"She's not with tha?" Dickon looked confused and worried.

"Martha said she was with the Duke in the gardens but they haven't returned for supper." Colin looked out towards the gardens again in hope of finding her. Suddenly they heard a small giggle and they turned around to see Anne leaning against the wall.

"Do you know something?" Colin asked her and Anne smirked.

"I suspect my brother is making sure that Miss Mary and I become sisters. Giving her better options than someone like that." Anne turned her nose upwards in disgust with the sight of Dickon. Dickon's fist tightened.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Colin asked when suddenly they heard a scream. Anne merely smirked as the two boys and maid went running after the noises.

Mary tried to pull away but he wouldn't let go. "I just don't understand it." He gripped her tighter.

"What don't you understand?" Mary struggled and pulled away but he only held her wrist tighter cause Mary to bruise

"How can you even consider marrying that low-life gardener over me?" He whipped her around and pulled her deeper into the garden.

"Duke, stop it! Please!" Mary tried to pull away.

"How can you even stand it? He's covered in filth! He's not even worth your attention let alone your affection! Why can't you look at me the way you look at him? It's blaspheme! The two of you together is sickening! He's a filthy lowlife pig, Mary!" Mary slapped him across the face with her free arm forcing him to let go from the momentary shock. She made a run for it. "Oh no you don't!" He charged after her and knocked her to the ground causing her to scream in the horror of what was happening. "You will be mine whether you want to or not!" Mary struggled to get free but it only made it easier for him to tear her clothing and molest the exposed parts of her body. She went to scream again but he muffled her sounds by smashing his mouth upon hers. She bit his lip and pulled back but covered her mouth with his hand as he attempt to remove the rest of her dress and undo his own pants. Tears streamed down Mary's face. Was there no one to help her? She couldn't break free of his grip. He was mad. Mad with jealousy and rage and Mary's own strength was no match for the military-trained Duke. She began to lose hope and closed her eyes.

"GET OFF OF HER!" Colin shouted and Mary opened her eyes just in time to see Dickon slam his fist against the Duke's face. Colin helped his cousin up and Martha threw her shall around Mary to cover her up. The Duke quickly jumped up and threw himself at Dickon only to be punched in the gut. The Duke threw his arms around Dickon and slammed him against one of the statues in the garden. Dickon stumbled before getting up as the Duke charged again. In three quick movements the Duke was flattened to the ground. He coughed out his breath from being winded.

"And you called me a filthy pig." Dickon said and walked away. Mary rushed to him and held on trying to make sure that he was real and he and Colin and Martha had just saved her. He stroked his hand through her hair to calm her sobs.

"You are not welcome here anymore, Duke. Leave at once." Colin commanded in his most convincing Rajah voice. The Duke stood up and dusted himself off before stumbling away and cursing at them.

"Mary, are tha alrigh'?" Dickon asked as he held her.

"I'm alright now that you're here." She sniffled and held him closer.

"Tha should get inside, now." Dickon went to lead her but Mary looked up in his eyes, the tears still streaming. "Tis alrigh' Miss Mary." He smiled down at her. "Tha is safe again." But Mary found something new in his eyes as she, Dickon, Colin, and Martha returned to the house. Was it regret? Was it worry? She couldn't tell but she knew she didn't want to be separated from him again. As he left them at the front door she watched him hang his head low to the ground as he walked away. She could only hope to see him again tomorrow as Martha led her to her room.

A/N: Thanks everyone for supporting thus far! It's not over yet! Stupid Duke.