Regina gazed up into the sky. Stars, like pinholes in the black curtain of night, twinkled, filling the sky. It was a beautiful night, she thought, cloudless, warm, fragrant. A soft summer breeze carried the night fragrances. She looked down at the empty drive, where amber lights from the flickering lanterns paved its cobbled way for the carriages soon to line it. Liveried footmen, like sentinels, stood awaiting the moment of their appointed task. The whisper of the summer breeze would soon carry stains of a waltz. She strolled slowly from her balcony into her room. This was not how she imagined her life to work out, she thought she would be marrying Daniel, Daniel was who she loved and always would love. He was her happy ending, her happiness was buried with him.

The manor was silent, save for the occasional sound of a footstep, rustle of a gown, or the soft closing of a door. All preparations, any last minute detail, had been capably taken care of by her mother.

She stole softly to the bouquet of violets Robin had sent and lifted a delicate flower to inhale its light scent. She smiled thinking a bouquet had arrived every day this week. Her mind drifted over the last weeks. She had ridden every day with Robin over the endless acreage of Mills Estates. They had picnicked on the edge of a lovely pond, watching the ducks glide across the surface. They had gone fishing in the salmon stocked rivers. She smiled recalling his look of amazement when she baited her own hook and cast her own line. Her smile widened and a mischievous gleam lit her eyes as she remembered that day. While pursuing a frog, she fell headlong into the river, and when he had grabbed her hand to pull her out, she yanked him in.

Placing a flower back in the vase, she realized the past few weeks had flown by. Meeting his family had taken place, she liked his mother and father. He had an assortment of cousins which were also charming.

Robin had escorted her to every soiree, ball, and evening given over the past month. Often they were alone, and many times accompanied by one or several of his cousins. Many an evening spent in the Locksleys company ended in a card game where she was paired off with either his cousin John or Will. John showed her how to calculate the odds, and Will showed her how to cheat. Many times it was not until dawn that the games broke up and she, heavy eyed, was led to her room, sleeping away the day.

Every day something was planned, either a picnic, sailing or just riding for hours. Each night they attended an affair or spent a quiet evening playing cards or chess. She realized there had been only two occasions when Robin was called away on business, and to her dismay, she had felt disappointed, even though he had sent one of his cousins to replace him. There was no denying she began to enjoy his company more than she should have. She also realized that he kept her so occupied that all the plans, preparations, and details were made while she was busy. She never uttered a protest, because he kept her too amused to realize it was happening.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, deep in her heart, she hoped that Daniel was still alive and would be able to intervene, putting a stop to it all. Closing her eyes, she thought, Here I am on the eve of his victory night, the night when officially the world will know I belong to him. A soft knock interrupted her musing.

"Yes?" she murmured.

A maid entered, bobbed a curtsy. "My lady, His Grace has arrived and awaits you in the upper salon."

Regina touched the fragile petal of a violet, fingering its silky texture. "Inform His Grace I will join him momentarily."

"Yes, my lady."

Before the maid left, Regina instructed. "Be sure French brandy is available for His Grace." Regina was momentarily surprised. She had instinctively seen to his comfort.

"Yes, my lady." The maid curtsied and left, closing the door softly.

Regina walked away from the French door into the glow of the candlelit room, pausing before a full length mirror. She gazed at herself. Her midnight hair was brushed away from her face and ears. Masses of spiral curls, lightly sprinkled with silver dust or pixie dust as one of her maids called it, cascaded down the bare plane of her back. Turning, she peered over a bare, beguiling shoulder, viewing the waterfall of silver-highlighted curls. She lightly tossed her head, the effect eye catching, the black tresses glittered as if star dusted. Her eyes glided down the graceful curve of her back; a warm blush touched her cheeks as she saw the expanse of creamy skin exposed by the backless design of the gown. She wondered how she could have allowed the modiste to cut it so. At the time, her thinking was to upset Robin with the gown, to show him she was not conventional, not the material for a duchess, but the vixen her mother accused her of being. Now she had reservations about wearing it. She feared not arousing his anger, but his libido.

Turning, she studied her mirrored image. She wore an elegant French fashioned down of pure black silk whose narrow skirt flared out slightly at the hem instead of falling straight to the ankle like the French design. Its cut was exquisite, leaving her back, shoulders and arms bare. The decolletage was cut daringly, barely concealing the soft beguiling swell of her breasts. Save for the fine silk straps resting off her shoulders, nothing more held up the gown. When she moved, the black silk came alive with the light reflected off the fine silver threads woven through the silk, causing the gown to shimmer.

Studying her face closely, with her hair drawn away, she caught the twinkle of the brilliant diamond teardrops that adorned the small, shell shaped ears. Long, sooty lashes framed her dazzling sapphire eyes, providing the perfect foil to Regina's otherwise dark, sultry beauty.

She felt sinful-wickedly so! Like and evening star, glittering, twinkling, shimmering. She turned and made her way for the door.

Robin stood at the fireplace, his arm leaning against its mantel, a glass in his hand. A pleased smile lit his face as he lifted the French brandy to his lips. He was inordinately pleased knowing Regina knew his preference for the amber liquor and had it delivered to him. Yes, he was certainly making progress! Over the past weeks he detected a softening, a lowering of her defenses toward him. Although she'd never admit it, she was beginning to enjoy his company. She had yet to acknowledge the losing battle against the powerful tug of attraction she felt toward him. But he had seen the progress he was making. Often he'd find her regarding him from under lowered lashes, quickly looking away when discovered.

He had also made progress with desire. A wolfish smile split his face. She didn't pull away from him as quickly, nor stiffen when they accidently touched a shoulder or brushed a thigh. No, now when he wrapped her in his arms, she responded. She'd deny it, for it was still too soon. Regina equated any admission of desire with surrender. Knowing she was prideful, he took care not to injure her pride unnecessarily.

He knew it was not love that caused her response, but passion. The passion he had awakened by his touch. The spark of passion he saw in dazed dark eyes. For now he was content, knowing the spark would flame once he had total possession of her body. And after her released her passion, he could have her love.

He loved her laughter, her mercurial moods, volatile nature, and vulnerability. She made him whole. She aroused feelings of lust, love, protectiveness, jealously. God, he could go on and on. He desired her company and was most reluctant to leave her, and only the assurance that soon, very soon, she would be his gave him the willpower.

He turned when he sensed her coming into the room. His breath caught in his throat as he watched Regina float toward him. The black silk shimmered with a life of its own, molding her lush form. Briefly he wondered what held the gown up.

"Beloved, you take my breath away."

His voice, his words, deep, sensual, sent a ripple through her. Regina looked at him, taking him in, his rich black evening coat fit his shoulders to perfection. His eyes were smoky, seductive, as he looked at her from under heavy lids.

"You are quite handsome yourself," Regina said.

Pleased that she was as taken with him as he was with her. He pulled the box from behind his back, he opened the boy, lifting a sparking diamond necklace off the satin bed. "I fear my gift too humble for your beauty."

A soft gasp escaped her lips, Regina beheld the beautiful necklace. "It's beautiful."

"May I put it on?" Robin moved behind her, noting for the first time the backless design of the gown. Again, he briefly wondered what held it up.

He lifted the heavy mass of curls at her nape. At his warm touch, shivers ran down her spine. She closed her eyes when his firm, warm lips brushed her nape. His soft kiss caused tingles to run up and down her arms. He fastened the necklace about her neck and drew back.

"Your beauty gives them life," Robin said. "Before they were only stones, now they radiate with your beauty."

Turning to look at him, with a flutter of her lashes, she received the gentle kiss she knew would come, feeling his lips move softly against hers. When his mouth left hers, she slowly opened her eyes.

"Come let's have some champagne," Robin said as he popped the cork of a bottle of champagne, filling two glasses he handed one to Regina. They spent the next few minutes enjoying their drinks, while just looking at one another.

The butler knocked, and Robin called to him to enter. "Your Grace, Lady Mills, the guests have arrived." Robin nodded in acknowledgment and the butler departed.

"Shall we?" Robin asked, offering her his arm.

Regina with a challenging gleam in her eyes, tilted her head and accepted his arm. "By all means, let the night begin."

They were announced as they entered the ballroom. A collective hush fell over the room when the guests viewed the handsome couple. Sounds of appreciation filled the air when Robin bowed before his lady, presenting her to them. The sounds of a waltz began and Robin took the lead, took Regina into his arms, whisking her across the floor. Ooohs and aahs were heard from the room when the black silk came alive as the silver threads caught the candle glow and her silver dusted curls glittered with the swaying movement of the waltz.

Robin waltzed her over and across the ballroom in grand sweeping, graceful circles, showing her off to the crowd. His eyes glided over her flushed face and wandered to the black silk gown the color which heightened the translucence of her bare neck and shoulders. "Beloved, whatever holds that gown up?"

"That is something, my lord, you'll never know," Regina answered.

Robin chuckled, a pleasant rumbling sound, causing shivers of anticipation to course down her spine. "I wouldn't bet on it."

As the waltz ended moments later, she found her hand seized by Will, and again she was brought to the floor to be swept into another waltz. Robin stood on the sidelines surrounded by acquaintances and friends engaging in small talk. His possessive, appreciative gaze never wavering from the dazzling figure in black silk.

"You know, if he wasn't my cousin, I'd fight him for you," Will teased in a tone filled with unmistakable promise.

"You're as unbelievable as he is," Regina awarded him with a dazzling smile. "Just impossible."

"Trust me, sweetheart, if you weren't Robin's, I'd show you just how impossible I can be," Will said. "Tell me, Regina, however does that gown of yours remain up?"

"Wouldn't you just love to know?" Regina countered. That evening Regina was the star of the ball, many a man claimed her for a dance. All of Robin's male family members especially. John was now asking to dance with her.

"Come, little one. Dance with me and I shall protect you from the masses that pursue," John said.

Laughing at his chivalry, she said. "Really? And who shall protect me from you?"

He awarded her with an amused smile. "Over yonder, little one, stand the man who would protect you from me." Looking over John's shoulder, she caught sight of blue eyes smiling at her.

Robin's mother approached him, she asked softly. "You love her, don't you?"

"Above all else," he replied softly as he continued to hold Regina's gaze.

Later that night, the beginnings of the strains of the last waltz found Regina floating dreamingly into Robin's arms, dancing the last dance with him. She felt like she were on clouds, her head light and her body tingling from his touch. He waltzed them out onto the terrace under the starlit sky, Regina leaned her head back, her long, graceful neck arched, the swell of her breasts pressed close to his chest, as she looked at the sky.

"Would you grant me any wish, Robin?" Regina asked softly.

"If it is in my power. Save giving you up, of course," Robin added in a husky voice.

"I wish I could ride to the bluff and watch the sun rise," Regina said.

"So you shall, beloved," Robin said as he took them to the stables where he placed her gently on the horse, he jumped on the horse behind her, making her secure to him, they were off. Once they arrived at their destination, he dismounted and turned, lifting her off. She walked toward the bluff, and gazed at the stars. "Oh, Robin, its so beautiful."

"I used to come here, and I used to dream here. Above all else, I dreamed of love. A love I yearn for, but now-" broken dreams, bittersweet memories, filled her mind and her tears fell "will never have." Robin touched her shoulder gently, drawing her face to his.

He spoke softly as he lifted her chin with the tips of his fingers. "I love you, Regina." She shook her head, not wanting to hear his words. He was not daunted and again replied. "I love you, Regina, above all else." He drew her into the shelter of his arms.

Memories haunted her and she turned up a tear-streaked face to him. "You...don't understand... I love another. I always will." She wiped the tears with the back of hand, and her voice broke with sorrow and anger. "My body may be yours to possess, to own but my heart, my soul, that are mine to give. They can't be brought and possessed."

"I am not above doing anything to insure you love. I am not above making up for the love you're denying you'll ever feel for me. This is not a fight I will lose."

"When you kiss me, embrace me, making a woman of me, I will be yearning for another, seeing another in your stead," She turned from him only to be brought up hard against him.

"Will you? Your body knows differently." His lips moved urgently over hers, down her slender throat, kissing the soft base of her neck. With a skill born of practice, his finger found and released the tiny buttons of the thin silk straps. Sliding the gown down to her hips, exposing the rich bounty of her breast and belly, his fingers and hands tantalized her.

Robin's mouth moved to her breast, covering a tempting nipple causing Regina to groan. "Look at me, Regina." Raising heavy lidded eyes, dazed with passion, she gazed into smoldering blue eyes burning with desire.

"Your future lies with me. I would give you a taste of your future." Still holding her eyes with his, he flitted his fingers across her ribs and belly, down to the core of her. Robin laid her down, she felt his mouth capture hers.

Regina yielded to his touch, her belly quivering, her limbs having gone limp. She breathed heavily, and gasped when his fingers played havoc with her senses. She moaned deep in her throat and gasped when he lowered his head and his tongue charted a course from her breast slowly down to her belly. Curling her hands about his shoulders, trying to stop his descent, she tossed her head, whimpering, "No...no..." and then cried aloud when his tongue delved into her. She shuddered, tossing her head wildly, and protested weakly as his tongue south and fondled the tender of tenderest spots of womanhood. Not able to bear it if he stopped, she closed her hands over his shoulders pressing him on, bringing him closer.

Robin slid his arms beneath her buttocks, delving deeper into her feminine warmth, feeling her tense and arch against his mouth. He heard her soft, breathless cry, "Robin," as he drank deeply of her flowing passion. Moving up over her, seeing her in the throes of passion, watching her pleasure wash over her face, he drew her shuddering form into the circle of his arms.

"You cannot deny your body. And where your body takes you, soon your heart will follow. Either by your choice of mine, all of you will come to me, for I am your future." Robin said as he thought this would be their last day and night separated from one another. Tomorrow they would be married.