Chapter 14
Plan B in Action
Darien had drank himself in to a deep sleep on the sofa in the sitting room. He was in one of the chairs slumped over, a rocks glass still in his hand. The empty bottle of gin lay on the floor next to his feet. The vase was not the only thing he broke that night, there was also a fist sized hole in floral pink wallpaper. Darien's right hand was bruised and bloody. Mostly superficial cuts but painful. He never heard Serena leave early in the morning taking his roadster.
Any other time she would have enjoyed the drive. Especially in this automobile. She didn't know how much time she had to be inconspicuous before people awoke and found her missing.
She had things to plan and she needed Mina more than ever. She sped to the Bombay house and the guard was surprised to see her so early. She parked the roadster in front of the door and a man she had never seen before opened the door. He wore a red turban and was much older that the rest of the staff.
This must be Aja.
"Can I help you miss? He asked concern in his voice. Not concern of worry. Concern that she maybe lost.
She knew she did not look her best having cried most of the night. Her hair was placed in the best knot she could manage at the back of her head. She was quite positive that her hat in no way matched her skirt and blouse ensemble. "I am.. I am looking for my cousin Mina Wentworth." She said feeling ridiculous.
Aja narrowed his eyes at her. "Am I to presume you are Lady Shields?"
"You have presumed correctly. Please, I must see my cousin." She said rushed.
He opened the door wide. "Please, do not announce me nor move the vehicle." and Serena ran up the grand staircase quickly surprised that she had not slipped.
She opened Mina's door and her cousin was sleeping peacefully in her bed.
"Mina." She shook her. "Mina please hurry and get up." Serena said rushed.
Mina looked at Serena not fully awake. "Sere?" she asked confused.
"Yes, it's me. Please wake up. I want to leave before the house wakes." She begged.
Mina sat upright. "Serena! What happened? What is going on?"
"Please, Mina." Serena choked back a sob. "Please… I will tell you on the way to Bombay. I have to see Luna and no one can know. I do not want to be followed until I put my plan in place."
Serena had been up almost all night planning her escape from India. From Darien. From Diamond. She knew Diamond was still here and she knew that Darien would be watching her every step from now on.
She had never seen Mina ready herself so quickly and they quickly raced down the stairs.
Aja was waiting at the door.
"Mrs. Shields. I can have Sunil drive you." Aja stated never having seen a woman drive an automobile before.
"There is no need. No one need know I was here." Serena stated.
"I hate to be intrusive but if Master Shields inquires to your whereabouts what should I tell him?"
A tear escaped her eye. "Tell him it's none of his god damn business." and she jerked the door open on her own with Mina's hand in hers.
Serena cranked the engine like a professional and she sped down the long drive dust flying everywhere.
"Are you going to tell me what in bloody hell is going on?" Mina asked sternly.
"Darien… he only married me to progress his military career and his mistress told me last night." She said biting her lip to stop from crying. She needed to focus on her anger and not on being upset. She had counted on being sad. She had planned to leave India originally. Of course when she was so resolved to stay, even though she despised it here, she was willing to sacrifice for love.
"HE WHAT?" Mina yelled outraged.
"It was his plan from the beginning. See how far my father's name would take him and then I am sure he planned of sending me back to England." She said fiercer this time.
"I knew he was the devil… but Sere… I saw him last Sunday. He adores you." Mina said very confused.
"He received his next promotion yesterday morning." She had to let out a laugh.
"Oh, no. Oh, Serena." Mina took Serena's hand.
"I… love him." Serena choked out in despair. Her announcement for the first time out loud only made her more determined.
"Serena. This doesn't mean he has not fallen in love with you also. You could wait to see what happens." Mina tried to reason with her.
"No. I am leaving on Saturday with Andrew. He already purchased the tickets and you are the only person in this blast country who knows." Serena looked at Mina sternly so she understood that this was a secret.
"Serena. Please, don't leave me." Mina wanted to cry now also.
"It will not be forever. I will see you at your wedding." Serena let a laugh loose and Mina rolled her eyes.
Bombay was only starting to fill with it's usual tenants. Serena drove through the back streets and parked outside of Luna's flat.
"You never told me why we are here?" Mina finally realized her surroundings. "Are we at Luna's?"
"Yes, we are at Luna's and I am sure that my adoring husband does not want his wife to disappear. So, I unfortunately have to take drastic measures." Serena opened the car door as did Mina.
Serena pulled out a mirror and compact and tried to hide her puffy eyes.
"How drastic?" Mina asked as Serena knocked on Luna's door.
As crazy as the morning had started it became even more strange when Artemis opened the door.
All three of them looked at each other stunned.
"Serena? Mina? What are you doing here? He asked confused. Clearly to have just woken.
Mina smirked. "I think we should be asking what you are doing here so early in the morning?"
He blushed. "Well, its a long… just come in before people start gawking."
"Luna! Love, we have company." Artemis yelled after he closed the door.
"Company?" she called walking in to the small living area and jumping back a bit.
"Girls! What are you doing here so early?" Luna asked confused.
"Coffee anyone?" Artemis asked with a smile.
"PLEASE!" Both girls said in unison. They looked at each other and let out a laugh.
"Luna, I am so disappointed that you did not invite us to your wedding." Mina taunted.
Luna blushed madly.
"Well." She cleared her throat. "It is easier to get a nice flat if you fudge about being married."
Serena gave her a look. "Right…. you tell yourself that Luna dear."
Artemis had to laugh. "So what do we owe the honor of the two most beautiful blonds in all of India gracing us with their presence so early?"
Serena turned to Luna. "Luna, I have the most ridiculous favor to ask and please do not think me out of my mind."
Luna looked at her concerned.
"I need you to make me as many outfits as you can by Friday night." She said with a nod.
Luna looked stunned. "Excuse me?"
"I can not tell you why but I need full outfits by Friday to be delivered here and to this name." Serena pulled the hotel address from her purse. Luna looked at it.
"Oh, Serena." She said sadly. She could only guess.
"Please Luna. This is a huge secret and I really need your help." Serena begged. "I just… I just can't stay here any longer."
"Come here." Luna beckoned for Serena and Mina to follow her.
Luna had practically a full dress rack.
"LUNA!" Serena was astonished.
"I already made these for you and Mina at Lady Matthias request. There are at least fifteen dresses each with full accessories." Luna said proudly.
"Oh, Rei." Serena hung her head low. "I will have to leave her a letter."
"Serena. Take my dresses and Luna can start on a fresh set." Mina told her.
Serena had tears in her eyes.
"Thank you. Thank you both so much." Serena cried again for love and loss.
"Now, let's fix you ladies up." Serena shook her head with a smile. Mina laughed. If their mothers could only see them now.
Serena treated everyone to breakfast and she felt like she did on the Rubi, but she was no longer a naive girl about love. She was a victim of love. Serena was delighted to hear about Artemis's travels following Ghandi and he spoke mountains of his actions. He also spoke of how much he disliked the over crowded trains here and that was the worst of the travels.
Mina and Serena followed Luna around the markets and helped her pick out new fabrics and lace. She never wanted to go back to either Shields house.
Serena pretended she was walking Oxford street in London with her mother and very protective brother.
Luna showed them all kinds of things and Serena and Mina did not act as Ladies of London should. They laughed and acted like children. Luna scolded them a few times. But for Serena and Mina… this would be the last time in a long time.
Eventually they made their way to the upper class shopping district and purchased under garments, night dresses, stocking, shoes, hats and a new trunk.
Serena was ready to flee the country.
Mina and Serena enjoyed a mint julep and then they headed back to Luna's flat. Serena was not ready to leave and Mina had to admit she was not ready as well.
They had no alone time since they moved here so they sat in Luna's flat and helped her cut patterns chatting about everything.
Serena sighed looking at the clock it was quarter after five. Where had the time gone?
"Sere?" Mina questioned.
"Yes, I am ready." She answered.
Kissing Luna and Artemis goodbye Serena and Mina got in to their getaway car, which had become the joke of the day and headed back to the Bombay house.
Pulling up to the house Mina pointed out that Malcolm car was in the driveway. Serena knew that this was a possibility but her stomach flipped inside and out.
"We could go back to the base house and really give them a runaround." Mina suggested before they opened the automobiles door.
"I say we just enter very quietly and pretend we were here the whole time." Serena laughed out and Mina fell in to laughs as well.
"Okay." Mina tried to control her giggles as Serena met her to walk in to the house. "But how do we explain the flowers we brought for Rei?" Mina pointed to the large bouquet in Serena's hands.
"We grew them. That is what we have been doing all day." Serena told her and Mina practically fell over laughing. Lady Shields was quite different and he could see why his master was acting like a crazed man all day.
"Shh…" Serena told Mina as they both tried to stop laughing.
A giggle here and there and they were ready to try and sneak in to the house.
But the door opened before they could and Aja stood trying to hide his amusement at the state of the two girls.
They straightened up feeling like they had been caught sneaking had had happened before but that was when they were just children.
"Lady Shields. Lady Wentworth." He greeted and they slowly entered the foyer in which a very pissed off and disheveled Darien and one livid Malcolm stood like statues in front of them.
Serena only met Darien's eyes once and looked away.
Darien's heart finally started beating the moment he was sure she was okay and un-hurt. She was here and she was laughing. Laughing, of all damn things. How dare she laugh while I sat here almost all day pulling my hair out? But Darien felt a tightening in his chest of fear. Where had she been?
He found himself this morning waking up groggy in a very uncomfortable chair. He was still in his clothes from the night before and an empty bottle of gin was at his feet.
He heard someone clearing their throat at the door. Darien whipped his head to the noise realizing that Veeral had been standing there with a fearful look on his face.
"Sir, this may not be the best of times to tell you that Lady Shields left early this morning and she has yet to return." He bowed.
Darien shook his head. He was not comprehending what he was being told. The night before came back to him in a flash.
"Aja rang here this morning to inform you that Lady Shields came by the Bombay house at around 6:45am and picked up Lady Wentworth and he also does not know where they have gone to."
"Why didn't you try and wake me!" Darien was standing on his feet. His head pounding from too much drink the night before.
"Sir, I did try and wake you." Veeral said keeping the disapproval out of his tone.
"What bloody time is it?" He asked feeling pain in his hand.
"It is past nine, sir."
He brought his hands to his eyes. He could not think clearly. "So, you are telling me that my wife has been missing for over two hours and no one knows where she is?" His voice was getting louder as he spoke.
"Yes, sir." Veeral stated. "Sir, I have drawn you a bath and laid out clothing. May I suggest that you ready yourself and I will call Mr. Abbott to drive you to the Bombay house or I can call Sunil to pick you up?"
"Why would I need to do that, again?" Darien was confused as he headed toward the foyer.
"Sir, because Lady Shields took your automobile."
The stream of curses that came out of Darien's mouth would make his mother turn in her grave.
Malcolm was unaware as to why he was taking Darien to this house outside of Bombay but with how distraught Darien looked it could not be good.
Darien was tight lipped the whole drive and he did not want to question his friend. He knew in due time he would know what was going on.
Rei was at the door, fury was in her eyes and face.
"WHAT DID YOU DO?" She shrieked at him the moment they entered the house.
Darien didn't yell at Rei like he normally would have. He ran his hands through his already disheveled hair.
"Are they not back, yet?" He asked worried.
"Darien Shields I swear to you if anything happens to Mina and Serena you will no longer be breathing." Her eyes flashed with a fire.
Malcolm's head shot up. "What do you mean? Where is Serena and Mina?"
"Ask my cousin! All I have been made aware of is Serena showed up here before the household was awake aside from Aja looking very distraught. Serena said that she had needed to talk to Mina and ten minutes later both girls were storming out of the house. They took off in Darien's car." Rei snapped.
Malcolm's eyes turned to a cold gray gaze.
"What did you do Darien?" Malcolm asked with a tone that Darien even had to step back from.
"Let's move in to the library. This is not the place." Darien said coldly.
Rei gave a huff but headed toward the library anyway.
James found them mid walk and Rei just shook her head at him. Her face red with anger.
The moment the doors closed Rei let loose.
"Darien Shields what in god's name did you do to the poor girl for her to leave with out word to anyone?"
He slumped down on to the sofa. "Beryl told Serena why I married her."
"I told you that woman was …" Rei started fuming.
"I KNOW! You were right about everything fucking thing!" Darien yelled. They had no clue how betrayed he felt by Beryl. Someone he was intimate with for so long. He was stupid to think she would understand.
"I don't understand why she would leave just from knowing that. You two have been doing so well." James cut in trying to be the voice of reason.
Malcolm agreed but he was ready to start searching for the girls right away.
Darien put his head in his hands. "I was promoted yesterday morning and she thinks everything between us recently has been a lie."
"Oh Good God man!" James let out throwing his hands in the air.
"You have to go find her! She has a that mad man after her!" Rei told him, her voice becoming high pitch in fear.
"A mad man? Darien just what the hell of a situation have you gotten yourself in to! So help me god if anything happens to them." Malcolm said in a dangerous tone.
"Diamond left this morning on a liner out of here." James cut in. "Our men at the harbor verified it. I also told them to be on the look out for the girls. It would be too late to leave the country anyway but if they are seen they will be stopped."
Darien's voice cracked. "Thank you."
"You think they would leave the country?" Malcolm asked so confused his already racing heart beat rapidly at the thought of Mina Wentworth just disappearing.
James came a put a hand on his shoulder. "Give her some time. Serena and Mina are more than able to take care of them selves. In fact Mina and I went out shooting the other day and she has quite a shot."
Now Malcolm sat down. He was going to have a heart attack.
"Well you should have seen Serena almost kill Diamond Friday night." Darien snorted.
"I think I need to know what is going on." Malcolm said feeling very uncomfortable. He started moving his arm around, looking for signs of cardiac arrest.
And Darien explained in as little detail as he could about Serena, Mina and Diamond.
But the day went on and there was no sign of the girls. Darien as ready to go look for them when Aja announced that the girls had just came through the gates.
"Where the bloody hell have you been?" Darien said in the tone of an enraged beast.
Serena looked at Aja. "Did you tell him where I was?" She asked sweetly.
Darien raised an eyebrow to Aja. He told Darien this morning that he had no idea where the girls had gone to. "Aja?"
Aja cleared his throat. "Sir, Lady Shields.. Told me to tell you it was none of your god damn business."
Fire raged in Darien's eyes.
"Thank you, Aja. You are excused." Serena was impressed with her ability to be so cold. Maybe it was because she felt broken and it was coming easily.
"Mina, come." Malcolm demanded.
"I am not leaving, Serena." She told him sternly.
"Mina, it is okay. You can leave. I will be okay." She told her cousin. Mina walked away with Malcolm who as ready to go off on Mina as well.
"Do you know that I was about to send out a full search party to find you?" Darien hissed at Serena.
"I told you I would fulfill my part." She told him coldly.
"You leaving this morning without a word is hardly acting your part." He said getting louder as he spoke.
She headed toward the stairs. He followed.
"Where were you?" He asked her again more firmly.
"I had things to attend to." She said casually but the feeling was anything but. She ignored his glare at the back of her head.
"Are we staying for dinner, Lt. Shields?" She asked him in a polite tone.
"Since I had to have Malcolm give me a lift I think it would be the sensible thing to do." He said clipped.
"Should I be referring to you as Lt. Colonel Shields from now on? I would hate to be informal."
"Damm it Serena!" He grabbed ahold of her gloved hand at the top the stairs.
"I told you not to touch me." She told him firmly but he did not let go. He pulled her down the hall to his room and shut the door.
"Serena, please. Listen to me. Yes, I am a bastard and I know it looks like the last two weeks were only for personal gain but it is not true. I meant everything I have said to you this past week."
She wanted to forgive him. She loved him for christ sake but she could not let him off this easily.
"I do not want to have this discussion." She stated moving away from him and placing the flowers on the dresser. She went to the wardrobe and pulled out a dress. She had clothes at both houses now.
"I was losing my mind when you were not here this morning. I have been here since Aja called left word that you disappeared with Mina and he did not know to where."
She went to the bathroom to slip on her dress when she realized she could not zip the dress. She huffed annoyed.
She walked out of the bath.
"Could you please call for Padma? I can not zip my dress." She asked of him.
He did not move and he just eyed her. She huffed and walked out of the bathroom to ring herself. She felt soft hands on her neck moving aside her hair and her breath caught. She felt the pull of the zipper slowly being pulled up her back. She pulled the tassel anyway for Padma to come do her hair.
"You should go have Punjab help you get ready." She told him with no emotion.
"Sere, I have you know… where have you been?" His voice thick with emotion.
Padama and Punjab came in at the same time. Serena wasted no time greeting her.
"Padma, let's go to the other room. There is no vanity in here." She smiled and walked out of the door leaving Darien alone.
She would not tell him. She would keep herself in check and Mina better keep her mouth shut. She wanted to keep him guessing so that he could never figure it out.
"Mina, I know that we have only made the decision to openly court a week ago but do you bloody understand how I felt when Darien called me to tell me that you left with Serena and the household had no clue where you had gone to?" Malcolm's voice was stern.
"Are you trying to scold me?" She accused him.
"I." Malcolm closed his mouth. "I just want to know where you have been and why you left without telling anyone."
"I didn't even know until we got there." She told him.
"And where was that!" He snapped at her.
Mina's eyebrow raised. "Did you not hear where Aja told Lt. Shields we were?
"Are you telling me that it is none of my damn business where you were?" He stated anger lacing his tone.
"That is EXACTLY what I am saying." She told him fiercely.
"You should have rang someone or left a should trust me enough to tell me where you have been" He retorted with exasperation.
"You know nothing of Serena and I's relationship so do not come here lecturing me about what I should and should not do. If Serena comes to me crying and asks me to go with her I will! I have known her my whole life and you only a few weeks. Excuse me if I choose to keep her secrets and not share them with you!"
"That is unfair! Darien and I have been out of our minds with worry all day long. I feel like I deserve the truth."
"That's rich, Mr. Abbott. Tell me, did you know of why Darien married Serena?" She crossed her arms.
He pursed him lips.
"Do you want to explain to me why you did not tell me Darien's secrets about my cousin?" She asked again.
He said nothing. His eyes cold and his firm stiff.
"Exactly what I thought." She sighed ran her hand across her forehead.
She went to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He let out the breath he was holding and wrapped her in an embrace.
"I am sorry you were worried. That was not my intention. I am going to keep Serena's secrets and you are going to keep Darien's. I know these things as we move forward. If she was to do anything reckless I would tell you but she is smart and able as am I." She told him in a soft voice.
"God woman. I never knew I could worry so much about one person." His arms tightened around her.
"Worry about yourself." She laughed.
"Could you tell me just one thing?" He asked her letting her go.
"What was so funny when you arrived? I could hear you both laughing and honestly it only enhanced my fury?"
And Mina broke in to a fit of giggles telling him what Serena said.
Malcolm's booming laughter could be heard through the house.
Dinner was tense but mostly because of Darien's demeanor. He kept glaring and scowling at Serena. While Rei glared at Darien and Serena chatted with James, Mina and Malcolm. Darien insisted that they go back to the base house so the drive home was just as tense.
The week went on in the same fashion. Serena ignored Darien at every moment of the day. She did not speak to him unless necessary.
She cried at night in her own room and then she woke up every morning and acted cold and distant.
On Wednesday Darien had enough of her behavior.
"Serena! Stop. You have to talk to me. How are we supposed to move forward if we continue this way?" He stopped her in the hallway before bed that night.
She glared at him. "I do not know why you care Lt. Colonel Shields. This was your expectation of our relationship prior to my arrival. I am not sure why it bothers you so much." She moved around him and in to her room shutting the door loudly.
Thursday night during their silent dinner Darien cleared his throat.
"Lady Shields." He said sternly. She looked up realizing that he would be asking her to adhere to the original agreement.
"There is to be a party tomorrow night to celebrate my promotion. All of my squadrons will be in attendance. Please be ready by six thirty ."
"That is why I am here." She said coldly.
"And try to act pleasant." he tacked on with unintended malice.
"In your presence it will be difficult but I am sure I can manage to fake it as well as, Lt. Shields. Excuse me." She stood and left the table
She left the table and Darien threw his glass against the wall.
Serena looked stunning in a light pink silk dress. It was beaded extensively all the way to the floor. She wore a lighter shade of satin gloves that extended almost all the way up her arm. And decorative hair piece shimmered with diamonds. She looked regal. Regal and cold. The normal light and cheeriness in her eyes was gone.
Darien wore the uniform they were married in and he looked every bit as handsome as he was the day they were married. He looked exactly the same. With the same scowl on his face. His eyes dark.
Darien never realized until this week how much he needed her touch. He was dying to be touched by her. The small sweet caress of her fingers against his skin just for only a moment could possibly drag him from this abyss. She would not even take his hand when he went to assist her out of the automobile. She was his and yet she was not.
She smiled her beautiful smile as everyone came up to congratulate Darien on his promotion. She wanted to be snarky when people told her how much he deserved this promotion. His soldiers seemed to genuinely like him. Darien could tell that they liked his wife too much and her open flirting was driving him insane.
She was genuinely happy to see Ami and Lita. She promised to meet up with them after she was doing being put on parade.
It was the Westbanks Family that was Serena's undoing. Beryls smug face and flirty behavior made her come close to slapping the red head in the face. Darien was also cold to Beryl but she no longer cared. The Colonel was kind and he made her miss her own father. 'Tomorrow,' she thought.
"I am done being put on parade, Lt. Colonel Shields." she snapped at him.
Darien could tell that she had enough and he just nodded.
She smiled prettily as she was handed a glass of champagne. He never let her out of his sight as she chatted with Amy and Lita. But he saw red when Seyia approached her.
Serena gave a true smile when she saw Seyia. She felt like he was the only one who did not deceive her. Darien could have broken the glass he was holding as his wife happily chatted with Seyia Kou.
"Darien?" Beryl had snuck up behind him.
"What is it you want?" He growled at her. She put her hand on his hand.
"Please, we should talk. I know you are mad." She said in a soothing voice.
He swallowed. He had not been touched in days and her hand on his was making him mental. Her touch was also familiar and he needed… something. Something to fill the void that Serena's avoidance had caused. It could have been the drinks it could have been desperation but he followed Beryl out of the military ball room and in to an empty room.
He was falling apart and as much as he hated Beryl he needed someone.
He closed the door and Beryl made her normal move. She prowled up to him her green eyes lustful and Darien did not stop her. She placed her hands on his chest and he gasped at the touch. "Did you miss me?" She asked him seductively. She began to unbutton the uniform in a playful manner and she kissed down his neck that was once covered by the high neck of the uniform. Every button she undid…another sensual kiss on his skin.
She had reached the forth button down and he realized that he was revolted with himself. He pushed her off of him.
"Darien!" She gasped at being thrown back. She wobbled on her feet before she steadied herself.
"You disgust me." He snarled at her as he buttoned back up his uniform.
"You don't know how to love. I should have left you to Diamond. Do not ever speak to me again." He straightened his uniform and walked out of the dark room.
He marched in to the ballroom eyes scanning for Serena but he could not find his entrancing wife anywhere. He paled. He should have been watching her closer. She could have left.
He saw Nathan and Zack talking with their wives.
"Have you seen Serena?" He asked more breathy than intended trying to mask the worry.
"Seyia Kou is showing her the horses." Nathan told him.
Darien saw red and he marched out of the ballroom toward the stables. The night was hot and his fury only made it worse.
He reached the stable and stopped short as he watched Serena gently petting his polo pony's nose. The back stable doors were open and the moonlight illuminated her. Her dress shimmering in the light. Seyia stood close clearly entranced by her as well.
"You seem sad again?" Darien heard Seyia say.
She shrugged and gave the horse a smile.
"You deserve to be happy, Serena." Seyia stepped closer to her. "I think… I think I could do that for you."
Serena turned on him. "Excuse me?" Darien could see her eyes widen in shock from where he stood in the shadows.
"Serena please." Seyia begged. "I have been enamored by you since the first moment I saw you on the Rubi. You should not have to be in a loveless marriage. You could be happy with me."
Darien was ready to step in but Seyia's words struck a cord.
"You know nothing of Darien's and I's relationship." She hissed at him.
"He makes you miserable!" Seyia said loudly. Serena stepped back from him.
"You are making very strong statements for a relationship you know nothing of." She snapped.
"Serena." Seyia said softly and he went to raise a hand to her face. She smacked it away.
"Do not try and touch me. I see you as a brother and you think that I am going to fall in to your arms because you assume I would be happier with you." She laughed. "Your delusional."
Now Seyia glared at her.
"You are stupid to think he loves you." He snarled at her. Darien and Seyia could both see that he struck a cord.
Serena answered him in a choked voice. "Regardless, that has not stopped me from loving him."
"You are a stupid woman!" See seethed.
Darien stepped out of the shadows. "How dare you call my wife stupid.." He said low and venomous to Seyia.
Serena gasped and Seyia stepped back.
"You should leave now Kou before you can no longer walk." He told Seyia in the same tone.
Seyia gave one last look at Serena and he snarled as he walked out of the open doors.
Serena stood looking vulnerable in the moonlight. Her guard down.
"Serena." Darien said her name like a prayer as he walked toward her. "Do you really love me?" He asked her. She said nothing as he slowly came near, closer reaching out his hand toward her face. She expected him to slap it away but she didn't. He closed the gap and his palm caressed her face. He felt fulfilled the moment he made contact with her skin.
"Do you truly love me?" He asked her again as she stared in to her brilliant blue eyes.
A tear fell from her face. "I do love you."
He smiled and wiped the tear with his fingers.
"Believe me when I tell you that I love you also." And then he kissed her. He put how much he missed her and needed her in to his kiss. She let our her anger and insecurity in to his until she felt nothing but her love for him.
"Let's go home." He told her. She nodded.
They only made it in to the threshold of the house before they could not keep their hand off one another.
The passion that filled the room only led to Darien scooping her up and making his way to their let our a giggle and the grin on his face was devilish. She caressed his face and ran her hand through his hair as he took the steps two at a time. He slammed the door shut behind him and placed her feet on the floor only to capture her lips again.
"I missed you so much." He told her as he kissed up and down her neck. She let out a moan of pleasure.
She was playing with the hair on the nape of his neck and then she did something unexpected. She kissed him. Their lips moved in a slow sensuous caress which turned in to need and desperation. His hand moved to cradle the back of her head, feeling her soft golden hair and tangling his fingers in to the silken strands. He leaned her head back to deepen the kiss and she molded her body against his.
Serena was lost as all thoughts disappeared and she only felt her body responding like it always did.
His fingers slipped down her neck, shoulders and then back when he slowly pulled down the zipper of her dress. He caressed her back as he sucked on her neck right below her ear. Serena was in a abyss of sensation. She didn't even realize when the dress fell to the floor and she stood in her slip. His hands move their way to her breast and she gasped. He covered her mouth with another of his kisses.
Serena began to make work of his uniform. Her nimble fingers undoing each button until his shirt fell to the floor. He picked Serena up and made his way to the bed. He laid her down gently and Serena was taking if a full glance of Darien well sculpted abs and chest. She noticed a bright pink color contrasting on his tanned skin in the light. The color trailed down from his neck to his chest. She pulled away from him and quickly stood up on her knees still on the bed.
Her heart was erratic but not from the lust.
"Serena what's wrong.? She slowly crept toward him hoping she was wrong. Praying that she was wrong.
She put one finger on the pink and smudged it down leaving a trail of pink lipstick. Lipstick that she had not worn. Places she had not touched with her hands or lips.
"Serena?" Darien said confused.
"You bastard." She said in a low tone. "You miserable bastard of a man." She pushed him away from her and climbed off the bed. Her legs were shaking. No, not just her legs her whole body was breaking down.
Darien looked down to see what she was talking about when he saw the trail of pink lipstick marking his body. He froze and the room went dark around him went dark the only thing he could see was Serena's face.
"You.. you were with her!" She yelled trying to control a sob. "And we.. we almost…"
He opened his mouth to speak but he didn't know how to explain his moment of weakness.
"We didn't do anything." He told her in a flat voice.
"You told me that you loved me. This is not what people do to those they love…" She said in a whisper. The tears had not started. Her chest was so tight that she felt like she could not breath.
"I do love you. I am in love with you!" He told her fiercely. "It's been three weeks since you walked in to my life and I now know that I have never been in love before you. Please…"
"I don't want to see you any more." She now stood firmly. a traitor tear slid from her eye.
"Serena please, let me try and explain!" He was about to be on his knees begging in a moment.
"There is nothing to explain. We made this deal from the beginning. I told you that you could have her. I did not stop this… I am just glad it did not go any further." It took her every ounce of her will power to say the words and not break in to a million pieces in front of him. "I am going to bed, now."
"Serena, please.. please don't leave." He went to go and grab her but she put a palm up.
"I think you have done enough. Please, let me go." She picked up her dress and opened the door. "Goodbye, Lt. Shields."
He wanted to grab her and chain her to his bed until she just listened to him but now was not the time. He would make her listen in the morning. He needed a drink.
She felt cold inside even though her room was stiffing. When she heard Darien stumble up the stairs a few hours later she snuck down to see if he drank enough to be unconscious. The half empty bottle of gin said that he had.
She packed only the non-replaceable items. Her jewelry, make up, toiletries, photos of her family and papers. She left all of her clothes.
She knew that she should be stronger than this but she had to see him one last time. She slowly opened the door to the room they shared for such a little amount of time. He was passed on the side of the bed. He was even beautiful in sleep and his hair fell in front of his eyes.
She loved this man with her whole heart. She loved him but she loved herself more than to stay here and live like this.
She brushed the hair form his sleeping eyes and then she leaned down and gave him a soft kiss on his lips.
"Serena.." He mumbled out in his sleep.
Her heart stopped and she froze. Her eyes were wide on him but his beautiful blue eyes never opened.
"Goodbye, Darien." She whispered. "I love you."
Serena made made it tear free to the harbor. She grabbed her bag and looked through the crowd. Then she saw them. Andrew, Luna, Mina and Artemis. Her heart swelled with whatever joy she had in her and she ran to them.
Her handsome brother with his bright blue eyes and genuine smile opened his arms and she flung herself in to them.
"Sere! Sere!" He said. "Oh baby sister I have missed you so much!"
"Andrew! I… I…" The tears fell as her brother held her tight.
"Sere?" Andrew asked her. His eyes flickered to Mina and Mina gave him bad a sorrowful look.
"I am okay." She said when she broke her hold on him.
Worry was on her brothers face. Concern in his eyes. She wiped her tears and smiled.
"I am just so glad to see you. I am so glad to leave here." She said and then she turned to her cousin and friends.
"I didn't expect you to come." She said softly.
"Then you are a silly git!" Mina slapped her arm softly but the tears were flooding her cornflower blue eyes.
"Oh of course we are here!" Artemis told her softly. "Yes, dear. We love and care about you so much." Luna said.
"I will write." She told them firmly.
"We know you will." Luna smiled and took her hand.
"Artemis, I hate to ask this favor of you but could you take the car back to his house." Serena asked. He nodded with a smile.
Andrew came and put her arm around her giving her a soft hug.
"Mina…" Tears fell again and Mina's mimicked the motion.
"Serena. Do not cry. We will see each other soon. Malcolm's commission is up at the beginning of the new year. He plans on going back to England and I will follow." She said as she held the tears at bay.
Serena took a few letters out of her bag and handed them to Mina. One was addressed to Mina and the other Rei.
"Sere?" Mina inquired looking at the letter with her name on it.
"Read it after I leave. Read it so you know I made the right choice." She said softly.
Andrew hugged Mina goodbye and thanked Artemis and Luna for helping his sister with everything.
And without looking back Serena boarded the luxury liner to take her as far away from India as possible.
"Sir. Sir!" Veeral was shaking Darien roughly. "Sir. You must wake up."
Darien's mouth felt dry and the sun burned his eyes as he slowly opened them.
"Sir, Please. Mr. Matthias is on the phone and he says it is urgent. It's about Lady Shields." He said urgently.
This broke Darien out of his hangover.
He trampled down the stairs and to the phone.
"James.. I am here." He said his voice gruff and raw.
"Darien. Mina just came home in your car with a Mr. Arthur Timus. Serena was not with them and Mina will not tell us where she is." James said firmly. Anger was evident in his tone but he was not sure if it was directed at Mina or himself.
Darien did not have to hear the rest from James. He hung up the phone yelling at Veeral to call Malcolm to come get him and it was urgent. Darien rushed to put clothing on and then he was down the stairs again. He stormed out the door and he started running toward Malcolm's house. He did not get too far when Malcolm turned the car around to pick him up.
"Bombay house." He said taking a gasp of air.
Darien stormed in to his house. Aja was there immediately. "Where is Lady Wentworth!" He yelled at him.
"The sitting room, sir." Aja said.
Darien tore in to the sitting room. "MINA! WHERE IS SHE!"
Mina did not look scared of Darien's outraged face. She stood up and challenged him head on.
"It is none of your god damn business." She spat but out of her mouth it seemed so very ladylike.
The letter that Serena wrote to her explained what happened last night. Mina could have killed Darien.
"You better tell me where she is or so help me god." He said in a fierce tone through clenched teeth.
James now stood up and went to Darien's side. "Calm down, Darien. Calm down."
Waves of anger rolled off Darien and then his shoulders slumped.
"Please, Mina. Please tell me where she is." and before her, Mina saw a broken man. But he did it to himself.
"She is not in any trouble. She is safe." Mina stated.
"I have to talk to her. I have to explain." He rambled looking at Mina with pleading eyes.
"Explain your infidelity and broke her heart?" Mina spat. Rei gasped and stood as well she was going to lay in to him so hard.
Darien's anger was coming back to life. "Mina. Tell me where she is." He said firmly. His eyes hard.
Mina looked at the clock on the wall. Eight thirty. He would never make it.
"She is with Andrew" and she stated.
"Andrew? Why is she with Andrew? Why…" Darien asked.
"I am assuming that my uncle didn't trust you with his daughter especially how you waited so long to marry her. So he sent Andrew anyway." She said with an heir of superiority.
"Where are they? I have to speak with her." But Darien knew. He knew deep down.
"It's too late. The ship sails out of here at nine. She isn't coming back here." Mina said almost feeling sorry… almost.
Darien tore out of the house and to his car.
The streets of Bombay were full and he was honking like a mad man. He reached the port and jumped from his car. Looking at his watch it was nine am on the dot exactly. People were cheering and waving from the ground to the liner.
He saw her then. Standing on the side of the boat looking out on to the city of Bombay. She looked… empty. Lifeless.
He wanted to yell at her. Scream out her name. A man came and stood next to her wrapping a loving arm around her. She looked up and him and gave him a weak smile and then she was gone as he turned her away from India. Away from him.
I could not wait to post this chapter. It's been written for days and I only was able to do one edit. Sorry if there are errors.
And about Serena and Darien... Sorry about that… okay not sorry. I am quite excited to read everyones reviews. No actual death threats but mock ones are okay.
I always appreciate the PING of my emails telling me what you all think.