Chapter 13

Serena did not force the issue at hand at dinner that night. They ate in almost silence, forks and knives clinking and scraping every once in awhile. She was respecting his thoughts and she gave him a small squeeze of his hand before bed.

She new that Darien had been side swiped by the news of his uncles death.

Darien Shield's uncle, Sir. Endymion Terrian Sheilds, had died in his sleep. Serena was unaware that Darien even had an uncle, let alone The Duke of Queensfort, whom was sixth in line to the throne. He had no children and his wife had passed away years ago. This left Endymion's only brothers son, Darien, heir to the estate, family fortune and title of, Duke of Queensfort.

Such a title would have been any woman's dream. To become a duchess of such a prestigious family was a small honor. But to be a duchess… This was something that she was not prepared for; however, there was much recently that she was not prepared for.

Serena was also aware of the home that the Duke Shields resided in. She had visited it once in her younger years while touring the country side with her parents and her uncle and aunt.

Rose Park.

It was the largest home she had ever been in. Towering in stature and grandiose was an understatement. She was sure that only Windsor Castle could compare. The gardens had been the highlight of the ostentatious home. Roses blooming in every color and every species. Rose Park was a fitting name. She was now annoyed that her parents never mentioned that this was her betrothed uncles home. Maybe they assumed with the surname being the same she would have put two and two together. She had not.

The questions were flying through her head as to what would happen next. Would Darien take his birthright and they would go home to England? Would he deny the inheritance and let the title go to the next of kin? She felt light-hearted at she thought of the possibility of going home… with Darien by her side. It was a fools dream.

She knew if Darien asked her and she said she wanted to go home he would resent her. It was too soon in their marriage for her to have any say. She would have to let Darien make his own decision about this.

Darien had been waiting for Serena to give him her input on his inheritance but she remained quiet. He knew that she had no idea about the possible inheritance. Her eyes held so many questions after she read the letter. The only thing she had given him was space and a reassuring hand squeeze. Darien did not want to return to England. India was his home and always would be.

But Rose Park was part of his family line. A family that he had lost. Only Rei and James knew of his uncle, as he had financed Darien as a child. He also managed his father's business with his Rei's father until his unfortunate death. When Darien become of age he signed the mines to Darien and Rei. Darien assume that the mines were to be his only inheritance. Surly his uncle had a bastard child somewhere in which he would have used his power to make him a legitimate heir.

In none of Uncle Endymion's visits did he ever mention that Darien would be his heir and Darien had never asked.

A duke.

Duke of Queensfort held the power that Darien had wanted his whole life. A title. A military position of power. His business. He could have it all now.

Although a move back to his land of birth was a hard bargain.

He already had an interesting morning with the Colonel. The letter that the ex Commander had sent had the Colonel reeling in fury at Davidson Diamond.

From one officer to another, whom of which both had daughters, the Colonel understood Commander Kingsley's perspective on the actions he had taken with Serena. Colonel Westbanks would have done the same seeing that he had also given Beryl freedom but that came with worry.

Darien had been reluctant to tell the Colonel of the vipers on his property but he felt it an obligation to show that Diamond may mean business if he did not allow Beryl to marry him.

His worries were back and had been the whole drive home. The elation he felt yesterday was disintegrating, until he saw her. Waiting for him on the porch in a long flowing linen white skirt and blush pink blouse. She gave him a smile testing his mood.

She looked like an angel, the way she had looked when he first saw her at the harbor. Veeral was there in an instant to open the door for him.

He walked to the house watching her all the while. Never taking his eyes from her and before he knew it he was standing in front of her.

"How was your day?" She asked him. Concern in her eyes. She took her hand and moved the hair from his eyes. It drove him crazy when she did that. Such a loving touch.

He gave her a small smile and wrapped his arm around her shoulders to lead her toward the door.

"That good?" She said with a laugh.

He opened the door and took off his hat, his arm never leaving Serena's body.

"Sit down. I will have Veeral make you a drink." She told him. He reluctantly let her go. He shrugged out of his jacket and sat down on the sofa exhausted. He put his hands to his eyes and laid back.

He felt her presence before she even put the drink down in front of him.

Serena felt awful but she was going to remain tight lipped on her opinion. She knew she would cry if he chose to stay here in India but she would cry alone. She would support him even if she dis-liked this country. She would try and love it for him.

She sat down next to him and looked him over. He was stressed. His body, though slumping, was stiff. His fingers on his eyes were rubbing in deep circular motions. So she just ran her hands through his hair. She watched as he slowly relaxed. She could not help but to smile at the effect she had on him.

"How do you know what to do?" He asked her softy his hands still covering his eyes.

She was confused. "Know what to do?" She questioned.

"My mother used to run her hands through my hair when I was child. If I had a bad day at school or lost at cricket." He reminisced fondly.

Beryl never did sweet things like Serena did. She always had made everything about sex. Every caress she ever gave him was to aroused him and he was a fool to mistake that as love.

Serena was bold and honest. She could tell when he was upset and her fingers on his face would evoke more than just a sexual stimulation. It was more. Now, with her here and her delicate fingers slowly threading through his hair he felt loved. He knew if Beryl was here she would put a hand on his thigh and he would end up burying himself in her to not feel but after he left her the stress would return…

"Serena." He said turning to look at her.

"Hum?" She asked with a blush. She had clearly been staring him.

"How do you feel about the inheritance?" He asked her. He didn't want to. He knew she would want to go back to England. He wanted to stay here as this was his home. This was a cross road they had even though she would never speak on the subject.

"Darien, this is your choice and your decision. You are up for a promotion here and I know that is what makes you happy."

Yes, these were things that made Darien happy but what would make her happy?

"And you have no feelings on the situation?" He probed her. He saw something in her eyes, a sadness, but it faded and she gave a smile.

"I will support you whatever you may decide." She said firmly. He saw it again. A pain in her eyes that was hidden by a small smile. Her mask had slipped a bit.

If he stayed. If he made the choice that he wanted then he would make her happy. He vowed.

At the very moment there was a screech of tires outside and a slam of car door.

Darien was quickly up as was Serena. He launched the door open and one very angry, crazed Davison Diamond stood on their drive. The usual collected man was red in the face and his normal pristine white hair was standing up everywhere. He stood in front of his two door automobile, dust slowing settling around them both. Darien pushed Serena back in to the house.

"SO, SHIELDS! You think that you are so fucking smart to break my engagement to your whore!" He laughed and it only made him look crazier.

"GET OFF MY PROPERTY YOU VIAL SCUM." Darien roared as he paced the porch to the stairs that led to the drive.

"YOU DIDN'T EVEN WANT HER. YOU DON'T WANT HER OR LOVE HER THE WAY THAT I DO! I WOULD NOT HAVE KEPT HER WAITING. I WOULD NOT OF BEEN SLEEPING WITH THAT SLUT OF A WOMAN. I WILL HAVE HER!" Diamond howled vehemently as his arm projected forward pointing at Darien.

Darien was outraged at the words that Diamond dare speak in front of Serena. That he dare say that he would have HIS wife. HIS Serena. He was going to beat Diamond's face in and as he rushed toward the vial man a gun shot broke out.

Diamond ducked and the bullet hit the automobile shattering the window, shards all over the drive and in to his automobile.

Darien tore his anger hazed eyes to the porch where Serena stood, arm out holding her gun. Determination strong on her face.

"Leave my house, David Black, or the next bullet goes in your head and I assure you my aim is true." Serena said in an authoritative tone.

"Serenity!" Diamond growled. Betrayal was in his eyes.

"Don't you dare address me by any other name than Lady Shields. I am done with your games and you ruining my life. If your life is the price to pay for me to be free of you so be it; or you can make the decision to leave my presence, alive." Her voice did not waiver and she never lowered the her weapon. Her aim

"You will be mine." Diamond said as he rounded his car to get in the driver seat. Tires spun and he was tearing down the road.

Darien was speechless as he watched her stand firmly holding gun in hand and then she slowly sank in to the door frame shaking and crying.

He rushed up the steps. Sobs racked her small form, the gun still in her hand as she held her head in her hands.

Darien slowly got down next to her. "Serena… I am here." He gently took the gun from her grasp and she wrapped her arms around him now crying in to his shirt. He placed the gun in his pocket and then he picked her up. He passed Veeral and Nalini who were standing in the living room confused and concerned about what had just taken place. He kicked the door to their room open and he sat on the bed with her in his arms.

"Shhhh. Serena. Shhhh." He told her. "He is gone and you did so well. So very well." He said with pride in his voice.

"I… I…." She sobbed. "I was so close to shooting him in the head. I wanted to kill him before he had the…." she let out a strangled cry, "Before he had the chance to act." and this confession made her cry harder and her body convulsed with sobs.

"He will NEVER touch one hair on your head." Darien vowed to her.

"and we could have made it look like an accident if you did kill him." He said gently and surprisingly she laughed in to his chest.

"You do not think I am an awful person for wanting him dead?" Tears still escaped her eyes.

"If you didn't let the bullet loose I would have beat him to a bloody pulp." He told her seriously.

"That would be much harder to make look like an accident." She told him looking up at him. Her face was tear stained but her eyes now held… amusement. Yes, their banter was always the highlight of both their days.

"This much is true dear." He laughed and she smiled.

"Well we sure do like to keep things interesting." And he cupped her face gently the way she did to him.

"We sure as hell do." And they laughed but for some reason a sense of foreboding still hung in the air.

Darien and Serena sat at the dining table having coffee the next morning. He taunted her at how much sugar she put in it and she stuck her tongue out at him.

"Seriously, there maybe a shortage of sugar in Bombay soon." He joked.

She scrunched her face at him in annoyance.

Veerl appeared in the dining room.

"Sir. There is a Colonel Westbanks here to see you sir. " He bowed.

"Show him to my study please." Darien stated sternly. He was awaiting this.

Serena gave him a look of worry. Word would have spread by now what had taken place at the Shields residence last night. The houses here were close together and someone would have seen.

Darien grunted and put his napkin on the table. He gave Serena's shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

Darien took a breath before opening the door to his study.

He slid the door open and gave a respective solute to the Colonel who was standing in front of his desk.

"There is no need for that Lt. Shields. I came to thank you for the service you have given to my family. It surly could not have been easy to bring such news to my ears but you have what seems to be saving my daughter from a miserable life and marriage." He shook his head and the thank you could been seen on his face.

"Sir, It was lady Shields who insisted that you know the truth. Even at the exposure of such a horrible experience she insisted that you be told. We did not want any harm to come to Beryl." He told him truthfully.

Colonel Westbanks cleared his throat. "I heard what happened last night."

Darien did not answer but the silence was acknowledgment enough.

Colonel Westbanks sighed. "I would have loved for you to have been my son-in-law but it seems to me that your parents knew what they were doing when they betrothed you to such a fine woman."

Darien gave him a half smile. "They knew more than I did, sir."

The Colonel nodded a smile on his face.

"Well, I would like to congratulate you on your promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. It is my pleasure to have someone like you under me."

Darien stammered. "Excuse me, sir?"

Colonel Westbanks gave a laugh. "It will be official Monday. So please keep the news to yourself until the official announcement is made."

"Yes.. Yes sir. Thank you sir." Darien almost stuttered. He did not like to be taken off guard.

"It seems that I need to go to the gate and up security measures. I will bring you news of where Diamond is and where he could possibly be heading. Keep your wife safe, Darien."

"I will, sir."

"I… I saw for the first time the look of a mad man when I broke the engagement to Diamond last night." The Colonel shook his head so disappointed with himself for wanting his daughter to marry such a man.

"We were all fooled, sir." Darien told him even though Darien had never been fooled by Davidson Diamond.

"That we were." He sighed. "Enjoy your day, Lt."

Darien showed him to the door and Serena stood waiting.

"Good Morning Colonel." She greeted pleasantly.

"Good Morning, Lady Shields." He gave her a true smile. She smiled back at him, relief washing over her.

He grabbed her hand. "You truly are a sweet girl. Enjoy your day."

She blushed madly.

Darien closed the door and turned to Serena. A smile so wide on his face she thought his face would split in two.

"Darien…" She asked him with a raised eyebrow.

He stalked toward her she walked backward away from him.

"Should I be worried…" She asked him as the smile never left his face.

"Worried about keeping your promise." She backed in to the sitting room and he prowled toward her.

"I do not remember making a promise." She said, laughter in her eyes.

"Oh, yes you did, little minx. And I will have you know that I have indeed received a promotion." She placed the sofa between them.

"You did!" She jumped up excited for him.

"I would like another promotion. I think I have earned it." He said seductively.

"I said, maybe." She bit her lip so she did not smile.

His smile faltered.

"I want you." He said outright in a voice thick with wanting.

She blushed a deep red.

"How about we go and have a nice day in Bombay considering you have not taken me yet." She licked her lips.

"I haven't have I?" He said to her but his pursuit did not cease. He rounded the couch and she made her way to the other side. A giggle escaped her mouth.

"No, sir, you have been keeping me locked up in your homes." She smirked.

"I would like to lock you upstairs with me all day if I had the choice."

Her stomach fluttered with butterflies but she was a smart one.

"Okay, Lt. Shields. Is your promotion official as of today?" She raised an eyebrow and he scowled.

She laughed. "So it seems that I am not breaking any promises since there is no official announcement until when…"

He glared at her. "Monday." He spat out defeated. She had done it again.

"Hum… Monday?" She put a finger to her lips pretending to think. "Yes, anything could happen in the next two days. I think we should hold off on any further promotions until the first one is confirmed… Don't you think." She looked innocent but her eyes were smug.

"No…" He said in a low voice.

"Well. I do. So, I think that I will go upstairs to ready myself to enjoy a lovely day with my husband who may or may not have been promoted this morning."

He fell on to the couch in a dramatic fashion. "Your going to be the death of me." He whined.

He could hear her laughter floating down the stairs.

Darien drove them in to Bombay he was slowly getting over the disappointment of this morning but the amusement of Serena's quick wit did not fade.

He parked on a side street and went to open the door for Serena.

"You look beautiful today, love." He told her.

"Are you trying to butter me up?" She asked him.

"I am only telling you the truth." He pulled her arm through his. "I would not want anyone to steal you."

She laughed. "I have a 1922 Browning strapped to my inner thigh. Let's see them try."

He stopped. "That is where you keep your gun? Not in a handbag?"

She rolled her eyes tugged him along.

"Darien, honestly do you keep your pistol in a handbag?" She asked him. It was rhetorical.

"But you have to lift your skirt to get to it." He told her.

"Depending on what outfit I am wearing I raise or lower the gun."

He looked down at her. She wore a light blue sleeveless dress that hung loose on her. He could see how easy it would be for her to easily bend down and retrieve the pistol.

"Do you think you still have to carry it?" He was perplexed.

"Do you think that India will give up it's fight to be a lone country?" She said tartly. She would not have this conversation.

She sighed. "Let us enjoy the day. Please."

And they did. Darien showed her the city and attractions that she was blown away by. Where Rei had shown them the inter part of the city, Darien divulged vast knowledge about architecture and the history of the monuments. He showed her the construction of the 'Gateway to India' and how it was being built because the King and Queen's visit in 1911. He showed her the Rajabel Tower and he was impressed with the questions she asked regarding Government of India Act that was instated last year.

Even with the act in place riots and burnings still happened. There was turmoil in the country. There was Ghandi in the country having a peaceful protest. India was becoming confusing.

Darien took Serena to lunch in a hotel restaurant and she wanted to take him to meet Luna but she did not want to visit with out calling first.

Every moment he could touch her he did. Every moment he could rile her up he did and of course she rose to the occasion. With Darien with her India seemed brighter and more vibrant.

When they walked the market Serena laughed at the lilies that stood out like a sore thumb among the vibrant shades of pink, yellow and orange mums .Darien had brought her funeral flowers upon meeting her. He was quite dramatic about the whole affair come to think of it.

"What's so funny?" He asked.

"Why didn't you have Rei play a dirge at the wedding?" she laughed at him and he saw her line of sight to the white funeral flowers.

"I tried. She chased me out of my own house." He told her seriously.

Her laughter filled the air with song.

Not many women would have laughed at such a confession but she did.

Tears pricked at her eyes. "You know I was quite amused with Lady Beryl when she gave us her condolences after the wedding."

"As amused as when you agreed with her sentiments?" He quipped back.

"Very." She smirked.

Beryl was the topic of discussion in the car ride to Bombay. He explained to her exactly what the Colonel had told him this morning. Serena did not feel any ill will toward Beryl. She didn't like her either but Serena could not deny that Beryl did have an allure about her. She was exotic and beautiful. She was her own woman and Serena respected that. But she did not like her.

8

It was early evening when they arrived back to their house on base. It was the first full day that they had spent together since being married. They had made it almost two full weeks of being married and they had not killed one another.

Veeral came and opened Serena's door and Darien walked around the car to take her hand but Veeral stopped him short.

"Sir, Lady Westbanks is in your study. She wishes to speak with you and has refused to leave until she does." He said solemnly.

Darien was about to get angry when Serena stopped him and in her loving fashion she placed a hand to his face.

"It is alright. You have a history with her and yesterday must have come as quite a shock." She swallowed but her eyes were kind.

"Beryl and I are finished. I am not sure why she is here. Even her father has accepted that I am a happily married man."

She smiled. "Happily?"

"Very." He bent down and kissed her. When he pulled away she sighed.

"Go and be done with it. I do not want her in my house any longer than she needs to be." She smiled as she said it.

He walked her to the door and she busied herself to tell Harini to do a light dinner and she could have tomorrow off.

Darien calmed himself before he entered his study. He slid the door open and sitting on his desk was Beryl.

She flung herself at him as soon as he shut the door, wrapping her arms around his torso. He was going to stop her but he realized she must be upset about everything that had happened.

"I knew you still were in love with me." She told him. Darien was shocked by her words and he grabbed her by the shoulders to push her off of him.

"Beryl. What the hell are you doing?"

She looked confused. "Darien, I know you love me. Why else would you save me from being married to Diamond?"

"Because it was the right thing to do. The man is had no right to marry anyone. I mean after what he put Serena though for years."

"Serena." She hissed.

"Beryl, this is the last time I am going to tell you. I am married to Serena. We had something and now it's gone but it doesn't mean I want you to end up with a psychopath." He told her sternly.

"If anything you should thank Serena for writing to her father as it was her idea. She did not wish for you to be hurt like she had been for years."

The moment the words left Darien's mouth something in Beryl snapped. The wheels of her head turning. She put on a fake smile.

"You really do care about her, don't you?" She said in a sweet but sad voice.

Darien softened toward the girl. "Yes."

She nodded. "Well. You are right. I think it time I moved on. I am free of Diamond and I will thank Serena for that. It's the least I can do."

This is the sweet Beryl that he knew. Not the one Rei spoke of.

"That would be nice." He told her earnestly.

However, this was not the Darien that Beryl knew. This soft man in front of her was a stranger. He used to be a man who capitalized on everything he could to get ahead. No. She would save Darien from this and he would come back to her. She would live in the Bombay house. She would be the richest woman in Bombay and from the letter she saw on Darien's desk, she would become a duchess.

"I think we are done now. I would like to talk to Serena if possible." She said with a soft voice trying to contain her menace. He nodded and slid the study door open.

He led Beryl to the sitting room where Serena was reading her book. Or at least pretending to read.

"Serena." Darien called to her. She looked up and saw that Beryl was standing somewhat behind Darien. She stood to greet her.

"Good Evening Lady Westbanks." Serena said in a polite tone.

"Good Evening Lady Shields. I am sorry for intruding on your household this evening it has been well… a very interesting twenty four hours for me." She gave an apologetic smile.

"And I am sorry about that. Truly." Serena told her earnestly.

"Darien has agreed, if you do not mind, that I speak with you privately." Serena's eyes flickered to Darien and he gave a small nod.

"Please, sit." She told her but Beryl did not. She smiled and waved her hand for Darien to leave. He closed the sitting room door as he left.

Beryls smile became sadistic.

"You know, I honestly want to thank you for ridding me of Diamond." She said in a high pitched tone. "It has made me realize that I can do just as much for Darien as you can."

"Excuse me?" Serena did not understand.

"You see, Darien was not climbing the military hierarchy as fast as he wanted and he was not quite ready to break the betrothal to you to marry me. I would have been a pay grade of course but Darien needed an in to lead him toward his true aspirations. Your father's name came up in conversation among his seniors one day and Darien found his in. He let it be known that he was engaged to you and had been since you were young. The Excellent Lord Commander Kingsley's only Daughter…." Beryl was full of amusement and talking animatedly.

Serena paled and she had to control her breathing. She swallowed hard.

"He was promoted with in the month. In all of our pillow talks" She smiled fondly, "He let me know that he was using you to make his superiors notice him. When he sent for you he received another promotion and then it was too late to back out of your silly little marriage. He made sure that my father and the general attended your wedding." She laughed.

Serena's hands clenched in to fists. Her chest hurt and the broken heart she had anticipated, was far worse that she thought it would.

"And then another promotion came up. I bet Darien was sure he would get it and you know why little princess…. all because of your father." Serena thought back to how happy Darien had been on Thursday. How he called her a blessing. She wanted tho throw up.

"Darien has been using you for over a year. But, look what changed the tide. The decision to promote Darien would not have come for weeks but when he saved me from an awful marriage… he was promoted to be right underneath my father. Now that he has saved me… eyes will only be on him more and I can influence my father far more than you can." She narrowed her eyes and a slow grin spread across her face. Serena could swear Beryl's hair was actually flaming.

Tears threatened to fall from her eyes but she stood strong. As strong as a woman could who had been used like a pawn.

"I won't just bump him a pay grade anymore. I can make him a Colonel. I now hold the power for his promotions and he will just send you back to England and he will back in my bed."

"Get out." Serena hissed through clenched teeth.

"You know… we just talked about this the other day in the servants quarters or did you not wonder where we were hiding." She laughed wickedly as she taunted Serena.

"GET OUT!" Serena yelled at her.

"With pleasure." Beryl turned and opened the door. Darien who had heard Serena yell came to the room. "Good night Darien darling." Beryl purred as she passed by him and out of the house.

Serena was going to be sick. She felt lightheaded and when Darien Shields came in to her line of sight she could have fired a pistol at him like she did Diamond.

"Serena! What's wrong? What did she say to you?" He walked toward her.

"Don't come near me." She growled at him.

"What did she say to you?" He said louder. He looked panicked and he was ready to go have words with Ms. Westbanks.

She walked past him and he grabbed her wrist. She twisted out of it and then pushed him. "Do not touch me."

She could not see past the fury and the hurt. She was trying to rationalize his behavior and yet she could not.

He grabbed her again more firm. "You are going to tell me what she said to you and you are going to tell me now!"

Oh, he was angry.

She rounded on him her eyes full of fire. "Tell me Lt. Shields how many promotions did my hand provide you? Were you not capable of achieving them yourself or was actually having to marry me a guarantee on your claim to fame." She spat and Darien paled and he dropped her hand.

"Sere…" He started to say.

"Save it! You are a bastard to use me this way." Tears started to fall which made her even angrier.

"I can explain…" But he couldn't the only thing he could do was tell her that she changed him.

"Explain! Really? Because your whore knew that I was just a means to an end. How soon until you shipped me away? What was the original plan? To hate me and treat me like tar on your shoe until you got everything you wanted from this marriage."

He stepped toward her. She stepped back. "I was a fool to think that what was happening between us was real…" She wiped her tears.

"Your not a fool! What we have is real. Who cares how we got here everything has changed." He pleaded. His eyes burned with sincerity but Serena had enough.

"How can I ever believe that when Thursday you called me a blessing due to the possibility of getting a promotion. You knew you were a foot in the door because of my father."

"You are a blessing to me! You are changing my life for the better." He raked his hands through his ebony hair.

"Better? The way you planned it?" She snarled at him.

"That is not what I meant! I meant better as in a person. You make me a better person, Serena." He tried to go to her again. His needed to hold her for fear she would slip away.

"Who else knew? Did everyone know that I was being used in this fashion? You didn't even try to get to know me! You had YEARS! YEARS!" she screamed at him. "I have forgiven you for so many things. I had been willing to make this work since I was young and you… you just saw me as something to use and then discard." She tried to hold back a sob but it tore through her mouth and she used her hand to cover it.

"Serena please… you have to believe when I say I was wrong and things have changed. I am falling in love with you. Please listen to me." He begged.

The tears fell from her eyes. "The lies you willing to tell yourself for power is sick. Don't touch me. Do not come near me. I will play my part until I can get out of this hell hole. Now, go to your whore. She is waiting for you. Maybe you can meet in the servants quarters tomorrow for a little fun." She turned on her heels and ran up the stairs.

Darien stood in the sitting room stunned at what just happened. He grabbed a vase off the side table and threw it at the wall. Rei had been right about Beryl all along. He had been wrong about Beryl. He had been wrong about so many things and now he may lose it all. He went to the bar and poured himself a drink.

Thank you all for the reviews!

I had some good questions because I have to do ALOT of research for this story… and I make some stuff up…

Darien does not want to have to go back to England with a title of Duke. It would mean him retiring from the Military. I made up the Duke of Queensfort - a title like how Prince William is Duke of Cambridge. Darien's title in this case gives him a duchy, basically he would own the town around his land. It's a very big responsibility. Most Elite who get high military titles have someone else to manage their estate. Usually their father. Has no one else but him to manage the estate. In 1920's it was still common to have these types of situations.

So most of the clothes I describe are from Downton abby… Sorry. Mary and Rose have the best wardrobe.

So I am working on editing chapter 14 and 15 but my KIDS are driving me NUTS! 14 should be up tonight. It may be really late though.