So I am posting this because my laptop has a virus and I can't post the new chapter of "What Happens in Vegas… And I am %^*&%&*% pissed. SO! Enjoy this please and tell me what you think. Tuesday I will put the lap top offline and transfer (by retyping) the ENTIRE CHAPTER. See, I try to get you all a new chapter and look what happens. SO! Here is Chapter two of a Diamond in the Rough. Let me know if I should change the title. ZS

End of an Affair

Lt. Darien Shields stood outside the solid wooden door contemplating whether or not he was going to finally knock. The air was stifling hot, and it had nothing to do with it being June, the weather was a predictable one hundred degrees. Darien wiped the sweat from his brow. He had to tell her. He promised himself that he would not continue this after tonight. After all, Serena would be arriving in three weeks time, which he knew would be cutting it close so that Beryl could get over the breakup.

Darien had always wished it could have been Beryl. She was Colonel Westbanks daughter, his favorite superior after the Queen. He didn't really remember what had caused the affair, but of all the women he could have slept with he chose her. She was exotic and charming. She also was a free thinker and had convinced her father to allow her to live by herself, with her maids of course, in Bombay to attend the University.

He would have asked her to marry him some time ago if he hadn't been susceptible to the contract of a betrothal and if his parents, God rest their souls, were still alive he was positive that he would have had it terminated. Darien calmed his nerves as anger coursed through his veins whenever his thoughts went to the girl who would chain him to the marriage bed. Of course marring her did have some benefits. She was the only daughter to that of Commander Edward Kingsley, whom had been one of the most successful military offices in England before and after the world war. The contract that was bound to him since childhood gave way to a new thought of joining the military and when he decided to do something in India other than squander his fortune, that by bringing up the betrothal always gave him an extra bump in rank. Of course, he had always earned it and all of his men looked up to him, but there is always politics in everything so the cause of terminating the betrothal would severely affect his military hierarchy. Being a married man in the Military also had several advantages many of which Darien could care less for, the only advantage of a marriage would make him much more sought after when smoozing with other officials.

Beryl Westbanks would have bumped him a pay grade, but he did not need the money. Darien was more than financially secure, what he wanted was the power that would come from marrying Commander Kingsley's daughter. Darien was financially humble which was one reason that he was so well respected but in order to move mountains and create a legacy for himself he had to continue to fall in with the right people. So when the position was available to advance to First Lieutenant he oh so carefully managed to let it slip that his fiancé would be arriving to India in two months time.

After the seed was planted in everyone's head he scurried home as fast as he could to send a letter to the Kingsley's to have Serena sent at once to India so that he could be married before he turned twenty four, which just so happened to be the prime age for any military man to marry if he wanted to advance. He was offered the position two weeks later.

Nervously, Darien knocked on the door. Shuffling could be heard from inside and Beryl's distinct voice carried out orders for all of the maids to excuse them immediately. The beautiful Beryl greeted him a few moments later. Her green eyes shinned with lust and her red hair was let down in waves. She was a rare woman indeed, for at home she dressed in traditional Indian clothes. Her golden yellow sari was wrapped around her womanly body while hues of pink and green embroidered the silk. Darien took his gaze away from her ruby red lips as he remembered why he was there. It was not to have sex with this woman but to tell her he was getting married.

"Darien, my love, I thought that you would never arrive." She purred as she took his hand and led him on to the balcony where a canopy bed carved from mahogany was lined with sheer white curtains. He loved the soft goose featherbed with the white silk sheets and many colorful pillows. Candles were lit around the "hide-a-way" in the sky and incense burned providing the perfect Indian atmosphere. She smiled at him as she poured them drinks and he made himself comfortable on the bed under the stars.

Swaggering toward him Beryl handed him the drink in which he graciously accepted.

"Darien isn't it beautiful tonight."

"Indeed." He admitted, his voice sounding huskier than intended.

"Oh, love. I wish time could stand still for us." She smiled at him softly and put her hand on his thigh.

He said he wasn't going to but his manly urges where persuading him. Plus, he had no intention sleeping with his child bride. Why not let the Indian air and a beautiful woman seduce him for the evening.

"We can make it stand still, now." He pulled her on top of him and she giggled.

Nuzzling her neck after the deed he realized there was no time like the present to be the bearer of bad news.

"Would you like another drink?" Beryl offered as she slipped from his grasp and pulled a robe around her making her way to where she kept the gin.

"Yes, I would." He watched her every moment as he mentally forced himself to the defense as his military training kicked in. "Beryl…" He cleared his throat.

"Hum." She looked up from pouring drinks.

"Beryl, I came here tonight to tell you that I am going to be married in three weeks."

The sound of breaking glass echoed though the humid night. Darien rushed to her side to make sure she didn't cut herself.

He knelt down next to her picking up the broken shards. She looked pale and Darien was worried that she had hurt herself.

"I knew that this day was coming…" She whispered surprising him.

"Did you?"

She looked up in to his eyes, forcing a smile. "Yes, I knew. I prayed you would break your promise to the girl, but I know you better than that. You may make yourself believe that you kept it for advancement in the army, but I know the truth Darien."

He stared at her naivety; he had always thought she was smarter than this.

"You kept the betrothal to honor your parents' wishes. I think that it is noble and I am sure we would have been happy together. My father has already told me that I must marry soon also. That he has kept me too free for too long." She laughed. "I really think that he is worried that his men won't follow him if his daughter continually avoids social law."

Darien had to laugh also. She had a point.

"It doesn't mean that we can't be with one another, though." She looked at him with hopeful eyes.

"I cannot promise you that. But, I know that I will not bed the child for while or maybe never. I don't want to have to worry about children of my own with a woman that I don't love or even worse one that I am marrying out of my dead father's wishes. I wish you were entirely correct in saying that I was noble, but truthfully the only think that has kept me going on with this contract is that I will benefit in the Military."

"I don't think that it is shallow, Darien. Please don't think me for a common whore for wanting to be with you after we are both married. I just can't give you up. I know deep inside that you will only ever truly love me." Her green eyes swam with tears but they did not fall.

"It is true. I do love you but we will have to cross that bridge when we get to it. I cannot already plan on being unfaithful before I am wed. I just hope to fill my time with work so that I can somewhat bare her presence in my life. Plus, with this war brewing between the Indian, Muslim and English government I won't have time for her anyway." He growled despite himself.

"I understand, I really do. I just wish things were different." Beryl suppressed her anger for the time. She did understand, truly she did. Jealously would linger though hopefully in time it would fade but she knew if she reacted like that of an envious psychotic woman that he would leave her and never think twice about coming back. At least this way she knew he did not plan to sleep with the brat and that Darien would have needs and come to her at one point. She would just have to bide her time until he needed her.

Darien felt a twinge of jealously when Beryl had mentioned that her father wished her to marry. He wanted to know who, what, where, and when but it was not his place to question such things. He would let her go and it would not be easy.

Mina weaved in and out of the swarms of people that were bustling around the dock. Crewmen were still loading the last of the previsions on to the boat. Oh it was just so beautiful. The Rubi was the newest majestic liner on the seas. Mina took a deep breath of sea air. She could feel it. Freedom.

"Mina! Mina darling!" Lady Wentworth screeched from behind her, clearly out of breath from chasing her though the crowds of people.

"Yes, mother?" Mina rolled her eyes and scowled before turning around to her mother and putting on a cheerful face.

"Mina! Don't run away you could get lost. There are a lot of filthy people out there and you must be careful. Now, come on. We have to meet Serenity and Ms. Lunear at the first class boarding dock."

"Yes, mother."

Mina knew it was only temporary but until the Rubi set sail she still wore tight chains around her wrists.

It only took a few minutes to get to the dock where Mina noticed that Serena wore a look of solitude on her face. She also looked more pale than usual, especially since it was a bright and sunny day. Of course she understood, Serena was much closer to her parents than Mina had ever been to her own and this morning could possibly have been last time she ever saw her father alive. Mr. Wentworth and Mina did have a better relationship than that of her and Lady Wentworth, but since her mother was so over bearing on them both she usually managed to strip her father of his nerve to stand up for Mina when her mother was at her worst.

Like that of the day before last when Mina went to try on the bridesmaid dress that she would be wearing in Serena's wedding. It was a bit tighter than she had originally remembered. When she stepped out from behind the changing curtain her mother did not seem the least bit surprised.

"Well Mina, I had the tailor make it a bit snug. After all you will be on a cruise ship for three weeks. I cannot have you gaining weight. I know you well daughter and this dress will be a reminder so you won't stuff your face at meal time."

Mina and her mother got in to a rather large tiff after that comment in turn left Mina alone and crying in her room. That was how her father found her. He secretly took the dress to the tailor and had it let out so it fit his daughters frame beautifully. He knew deep in his heart she had no plans to return to them not did he blame her. All he hoped for was that she would make the right decisions and that she would be ready to take her mother's fury when Lady Wentworth realized she would not be returning to wed Elmer Stubbing.

Mina embraced both her aunt and cousin. Giving Serena's hand a tight squeeze. Lady Lunear greeted them moments later. She wore a beautiful dress again that complimented her features. Mina was indeed jealous of the woman's exotic look.

It was a sad moment when the goodbyes were said and done and the three women boarded the grand ship. Serena had been silent most of the time; she held back tears when she handed the boarding pass to the attendee. It only took moments before three personals escorted the women to their first class cabins. Luna Lunear received her own right next to Mina and Serena's cabin. Both had doors that lead to a private sitting and dining room.

"Girls, take time to get acquainted with your room and our attendant should be around shortly. If you would like we can go to the top deck and wave goodbye as the ship deports." Luna was glad when the girls gave a nod of acknowledgement and went to their own rooms. She was worried that they would be a difficult pair and never have been a guardian before she was extremely unsure as what to do.

Her cabin was more beautiful than expected. What she was most happy about was the writing desk in the room. It was her goal to try and do at least three new designs each day. With her trip paid for, Luna had enough money to purchase a new sketchbook and some fine pencils. Also, Lady Kingsley had told her that while aboard to place everything on Serena's tab that she needed while on board. She had made it a point to let Luna know that Serena may be grieving and to do everything in her power to make the child happy. Luna's mind went to Serena. She was more than a beautiful girl, as was Mina. It would be difficult to keep men away from the pair. Mina, she made a mental note, may be a little more difficult than Serena. As Serena appeared to be quite shy. Lady Kingsley said not to let her current emotion fool her, once Serena is happy again she may be a handful. Luna laughed at herself as she envisioned both blonds as some sort of fairy tale princesses. A grandiose idea struck and Luna sat down at the desk feverously drawing sketches of the dresses she envisioned both girls wearing. She was quite sure that these two girls would be her muse in here hope for fame They would be the ultimate inspiration to her first clothing line.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Serena! Love! We are free! " Mina danced around the small cabin laughing and pulling on Serena's long hair.

Serena faked a smile.

"Oh poo, Sere! I know you are not happy about this situation, but come on you tussie! We have three weeks of fun to have and I refuse to have you be a pouty little wench! Now, come here. I brought a surprise."

Serena stopped putting away her things and sat down on her bed. Mina's mischievous smile adorned her lips as she pulled out a gramophone from her trunk.

"Mina!" Serena screeched.

"Haha, Sere! We can go the Charleston all the way to India!" Mina put on the record and the music flooded the room. She grabbed Serena's hands pulling her up from the bed to dance. Mina's glow was too hard to resist and for the first time, in a very long time, Serena felt like herself as the two blonds danced around the room. Blond hair whirling, dresses spinning, as the girls took part in the complicated kicks and up down movement. Laugher and giggles followed as Mina pulled out some gin from her suitcase as well.

Their faces were flushed as both sipped on their gin drinks. They laid together in Mina's bed laughing as Mina retold stories about them as children. A knock at the door had them in hysterics as they both tried to get up at the same time knocking each other's heads.

After a few moments, Serena finally made her way to the door. An Indian Man stood, he bowed and a giggle escaped Serena's mouth. He winked at her.

"Good Afternoon, I am Anees, your room attendant." He said with an Indian accent. "I am here to unpack your trucks, Ms. Lunear, is waiting for you to meet her on the deck to watch the ship set sail.

~*~*~*~*~*

So how did you like it?

How do you feel about the oh so wonderful Darien Shields, husband to be?

When is Serena going to show her true colors and stop over analyzing love?