It was late at night by the time ball was over. All guest had long returned to their respective homes.
The servants were busy tidying the place when Jacopo made his way towards Countess's room.
He knocked once and enter only to find the bed empty.
As he expected a lone figure laid outside on the balcony floor staring at the sky.
Shaking his head he walked towards her. "I thought now having access to a comfortable bed would stop this nonsense."
"Don't get used to these comforts my friend, life is one cruel bitch and nothing stays the same forever." She replied in a tired voice.
Jacopo sighed before joining her on the floor. "I thought you will be happy to see your sister again. I know Khatani what you had said before but you do have a choice. Leave those murders to me, I have no one in this world but you have your sister and mother to think about! Who will take care of them if anything happens to you during this revenge quest?"
Kathani closed her eyes for a second as she take deep breaths before opening her eyes as she replied in a hard voice. "Revenge is all I have left and I don't care if it takes my life, I would be in peace knowing my love ones are protected from my enemies."
"And does your Viscount fall into that category? Don't you dare to deny! Anyone with eyes can see there is something going to happen between you two."
She hesitated for a second before answering in indifferent tone. "He is just means to end. Yes I once knew him as boy and we were friends but that was different part of my life, a life that was brutally taken from me! I don't care what anyone think about me or Anthony but you should know this I am just going to use him to destroy my enemies."
With that she turned her face away and after a while she felt a hand squeezing her arm. "You are many thing Kathani Sharma but Liar you are not."
With that Jacopo leaves not knowing as tears start falling from his friend's eyes.
As dawn approaches Anthony arrived in woods where he last saw his Countess. 'his Countess' he mused how quickly she thawed his frozen heart making it warm with just one glance of her fiery eyes.
For years he was trapped in tower of loneliness, filled with misery and pain and then one day she arrived in his life, like knight in shining armour. Riding on her horse like Warrior princess from far away land.
Sure enough he hear horse approaching with the object of his desire riding towards him.
"You are late my lady?"
She adorably scrunched her nose in denial. "I am never late My Lord, you are just early."
She then stare at him appraisingly. " Why Viscount? Were you waiting for me long?"
'Yes! 'He wanted to admit but his pride stopped him as he replied instead. "All I have been waiting for is chance to beat you in race you promised last night."
He watched as she galloped closer so their horses were standing side by side. "Then lets make a bet My Lord, the one who first reached other side of the hedge wins and as prize they can ask for anything."
"Are you sure Countess? Because when I win my prize it will be for chance to court you."
She then laughed, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "For that you have to win my Lord."
Before he can reply she yelled. "Go!" And then galloped away.
"You cheat!" He yelled as he began chasing her.
They were both soon galloping neck to neck but he underestimated Countess ability as she urged her horse to move fast and soon she crossed the hedge while whooping with joy.
By the time he approached her she was already dismounted from her horse making him drink water from pond while patting his back. "You did brilliantly my friend."
His heart was melting watching her being so affectionate with her animal.
He dismounted from his horse leading it towards her. "Bravo Countess! you won even if you cheated at beginning."
She mocked pout at him. "Is Viscount angry for losing race to a woman."
"Well, I am sad about losing my prize." He admitted truthfully.
At that she tilted her head and then cross the distance between them.
"Who said you lost anything?"
He gulped as she touched his cheek tracing her fingers over his bottom lips. "I am not some doe eyed young debutante my lord. I am mature widow who wants to be desired."
Even in shock he managed to leaned away from her tantalizing touch.
"I, I am a gentleman my lady." He stammered with racing heart. "I won't ruin you even if you are widow."
"And who will say I am ruined if I am spending my time with man who is courting me?"
Confusion could be shown in his face as he asked. "Wait, what?! You are agreeing to court me after proposing me affair between us?"
He watched as she giggle and cupped his face again. "Quite right my lord. My days will be yours to court me at your heart content if you be my lover to fulfil my heart desires. That's my boon, either you accept to give it or not is up to you."
He contemplate her proposal, she was asking him what his brain refused but his heart yearns for.
"I don't want you as my mistress." He stressed.
"Then don't, but we can be each others lovers, equal partners in every way."
When he hesitated she leaned close so there lips were inches apart. "Don't think too much my lord. If you desire me as much as I desire you then take me."
With these words last of Anthony's hesitations vanished as he yanked this vexing woman towards him giving her the most passionate kiss of lover.
She moaned around his mouth as their tongue battle for dominance before she surrender to him as he proceed to kiss her with everything he has got.
"You are mine, do you understand." He told her before nipping her neck as she gasped in pleasure.
"Yes, yours! Always yours!"
Somehow they found themselves laying on wet grass without breaking apart from each other as they kissed each other to their hearts content.
Meanwhile their hands were exploring each other over their clothed body and when her hands ventured towards his trousers he knew its time to stop themselves.
"Patience my lady, I won't ravish you here in woods as much tempting it sound."
She wined before pulling away. Her long black hair were completely unbound as she glared at him in annoyance. "I thought this was my prize my lord!"
Anthony couldn't help but laugh at her cute annoyed face. "Don't be angry sweetheart, your lover will give you your prize after we properly begin our courtship."
He watched as she blushed and lay back in his arms. "When?"
"I will be taking my family for race tomorrow, allow me to escort you there."
Her eyes lit up as she nods her head. "I would love to go with you! Maybe we can bet on which horse is going to win."
And Anthony has to agree betting with countess is a win, win for him.
That morning brings a beautiful sunny day and the people of Mayfair are still reminiscing about the Countess's ball.
"Forget about these Debutantes, Lady Danbury! They will get their match eventually.
What I desire is a match between Countess and Viscount. It will be the crown jewel among all matches ever made in my reign!"
Lady Danbury watched as Queen looked gleefully at this prospect.
"After what we witnessed last night your Majesty, a match between them is highly possible but we may have to consider that Countess is a young widow who just got her freedom from society's restrictions. She could easily prefer an affair with our Viscount than marriage."
Queen's mood suddenly deflated as she considers this problem.
After all freedom is not something women can have easily.
"I believe only deeper love can persuade Countess to accept if Viscount proposes her marriage." Lady Danbury continued with her observations making Queen sigh as she admitted. "You are right Lady Danbury, an affair between them is inevitable but we could steer Countess's mind towards marriage when the time is right and their bond will be deep enough."
"Excellent suggestion my Queen, after all who can persuade her in the right direction but us."
With a sly smile, both women start planning ways to make this match happen.
Around afternoon Portia Featherington were ushered in formal sitting area where they saw Countess waiting for them with delicious spread of tea and deserts on the table.
"Thank you so much for inviting us for tea Countess." Portia and her daughter bend in curtsy.
"Oh! Lady Featherington! the honour is mine to be acquainted with one of the oldest and respected family of the ton."
Penelope tried to hold back her laughter at Countess's misconception.
"Please sit down and enjoy the refreshments I prepared specially for you."
For a while they just sat as her Mama and sisters praised Countess for ball and her magnificent house.
Penelope noticed she was smiling graciously while her eyes would observe each one of them.
'What she wants from us?!' Penelope wonder and it seems Countess read her mind as she cleared her throat stopping her mama midway as she praised her decor.
"Lady Featherington please accept my condolence. I heard your husband passed last year?"
Portia was taken aback but soon she looked like a sad widow. "Ah yes, it's been quite tragic for my family, even more because we don't have any male relative to look after us. Not many can be as lucky as you, who's husband left them with riches after they are gone."
She pretend to wipe her dry eyes as Countess look sympathetically at her. "I understand your pain as one widow to another and I think we can help each other out in much benefitting way."
All Featherington's ladies were render speechless as Countess smiled at them.
"As you know I am new in ton, with no family or friends to guide me in right direction. I am afraid of getting associate with wrong families of ton who may tried to use me for my title and riches."
While Portia appeared to look sympathetic clearly thinking how to gain Countess trust to her advantage. Penelope on the other hand trying to figure out what game Countess is trying to play, using their family as her pawns.
"So I will be grateful if you help me out with your expertise. All you have to do is stick close to me during events guiding me in right direction."
Portia gasped in shock. How heavens has blessed her that Countess is asking for her guidance.
"I would be delighted to assist you any way I can but..." She acted sad as she stared at her daughters. "You see we are in financial and social crises ever since my husband's demise."
Before she could continue Countess grabbed her hand. "Please don't you worry, about anything. As far as social calls are concern my butler Jacopo will spread this news that I won't accept any invitation if my new close friends are not invited and for this season specially I will be taking care of your expenses. It's the least I can do after you are doing me such a huge favour."
Penelope thought her mother was going to pass out at any moment as Countess continue.
"As for your financial condition I have heard you have many unused lands so we can form partnership to use those lands for harvest."
At this her mother suddenly sober up. "Well Countess not all our lands are under our control, my late husband gave away most of it to clear his dept but we still held small portion of land near by."
For a moment Countess goes quite before she ask. "May I ask under who's control these lands are?"
"Earl Sheffield my lady. I don't know what exactly he harvest in our lands because whatever it is, it grows during when we are here in London Season."
For the first time ever Penelope couldn't make neither head or tail of this conversation.
It seems Countess was thinking hard for a while before mustering up huge smile for their benifit as she waved her hand. "Don't worry my lady, we will find a way to utilize those lands that are still in your control. In fact we should plan trip to these lands soon so I can decide which crops will be most suitable for land."
Portia agreed happily and soon they were saying their goodbyes but they were stopped by Countess. "Oh I forget I need one more favour from you."
"Please ask anything you want, Countess!" Her mother implored her eyes filled with worship for Countess.
"I would like if you leave your youngest daughter, Ms Penelope with me. I would really appreciate if she became my companion this season."
While their mouth opened in shock Countess stared directly at Penelope and then winked at her.
"Oh My God"! She thought to herself because this women is not what she pretend to be and who can figure this out better then herself.