06

After his sister had left the study, Dorian Don Ashford turned to poor himself a healthy glass of brandy. He drowned the distilled liquid in one swallow and slammed the glass down with enough force to shatter it. He swept a hand through his dark tresses as he pondered over their 'houseguest'.

He could not deny his beloved sister anything and blast the wee brat for she knew it. His hardened heart was guarded against everyone and everything except his younger sister. He loved her more than life itself and couldn't imagine life without her. He had not been accepting of her betrothal to Philip Sussman but her apparent happiness slowly encouraged him to allow the young lad to marry his sister.

It wasn't until the death of her husband and that of her unborn child that she succumbed to sorrow and grief, becoming a mere shadow of herself. It tore him apart to see her suffer. On that reason alone, he agreed to allow the child to stay for he could see a change in Eloise, a spark of life that had not been there when he left seven months ago. Though he disapproved greatly of it, mayhap it would be a healing remedy for his sister.

Eloise was indeed a beauty, a spitting image of their docile mother but nothing like her in spirit. Their mother had been timid and meek, where as Eloise was willful and resolute. He admired her bravado for only she could walk away unscathed after their exchange of heated words.

He settled into the leather seat at his desk and leaned back to stretch his long legs as his thoughts darkened. Just as quickly as they surfaced, he dismissed them, not wanting to dwell on the past. His mind turned to more important matters such as business. The weather had proved to be dreadful on his voyage, prohibiting his efforts in trading. Gratefully, the wintry season was almost at an end. In the duration of several weeks, he could return to sea. In the meantime, he would have his laborers in preparation for planting season.

As Eloise made her way down the corridor, seemingly pleased, she came to a sudden halt as Mirabelle, a chambermaid hurried towards her, clearly frantic. "Milady!"

"What is wrong, Belle?" she asked, a fear settling in the pit of her stomach.

"The girl has run away." The young maid cried, turning to point to the abandoned room. "Tis empty."

"What?" the blood drained from her face as she rushed by Belle and pushed open the door to find a vacant room. She whirled back around to grab Belle's shoulders. "Do you know where she went? Did you see her?"

The maid shook her head helplessly, "Nay milady, but her cloak is missin'."

Gathering her skirts, Eloise fled down the corridor, rushing to the study. She didn't bother to knock as she pushed open the door, her abrupt arrival instantly bringing Dorian to his feet. "What is wrong?" Dorian demanded, coming around the desk to his sister.

He frowned and than mumbled a stream of curses. "Damn it, I should not have agreed to this." He said as he swept pass his sister and out of the room.

Eloise was close at his heels as he snatched up his discarded cloak and proceeded out the front door. He bellowed for the stable boy to bring him his horse and whirled to intercept his sister, his eyes narrowing as he commanded, "You are to stay here."

Immediately she shook her head, "No, I will come with you."

"Bloody hell Eloise, do not argue with me."

She grabbed his arm as he started to turn towards the stable boy who approached with his horse. "You don't understand, Dorian. She is very skittish. She will only run when she sees you."

He pondered this for a moment before violently hissing under his breath as he swung up into the saddle and extended a hand to her. He grabbed the reins and spun the thoroughbred around as Eloise slipped her arms around his midriff, he stared towards town.

"No!" Eloise cried from behind, "She would not go to town."

He frowned as he growled, "Where then?"

She pointed to the dark foliage behind their estate. "There!"

She had been a complete and utter fool, Ginelle thought as she trembled violently in her cloak. Somehow, she had thought the dense forest would prove to be a safe refuge compared to the dangers of town. The darkness here was far more threatening. A sudden wind forced scattered leaves astray, bringing forth a bitter cold. Trees swayed in warning, their entangled limbs appeared like extended arms beneath the ghost moon. She felt the anxiety surfacing and she spun widely about, whimpering as distinct growls emerged from the blackness. Had she imagined them?

The fierce wind whipped at the hood of her cloak, tearing her hair free of its bound. Her eyes jumped warily from side to side as she backed away in haste, her fears heightening with each strangled breath. Despite the cold air, she felt beads of perspiration bathe her back beneath the cloak as she forced down a panicked cry.

It was then she heard a hoarse cry before a thundering black beast erupted from the darkness. Her eyes widened in stark alarm and she gasped in terror as she stumbled backwards; a root catching her heel before tumbling to the ground as those powerful hooves came thundering towards her.

She released a scream and brought her arm up above her face to take the brunt of the attack. Her heart hastened within her chest and she clenched her eyes shut, waiting for the impact, only to stiffen as gentle hands grasped her shoulders, shaking her.

"Ginelle!" Eloise voice penetrated her fear and she was overcome with a wave of relief to that familiar, soft voice and she opened her eyes to peer into that worried, azure gaze.

She said nothing as she bolted upright into Eloise's arms. She clenched her eyes closed against the tears as those comforting arms wrapped securely around her shivering frame.

Eloise simply held her, rocking her gently as though she were a babe. She reached up to push tangled strands of hair from her face as she whispered gentle words to ease her fear.

As Ginelle eased back to look at Eloise, it was than she spotted Death sitting atop the ominous black beast snorting in protest and she was unable to tear her gaze away from those eyes of steel. That cold, calculating look regarded her in bold assessment. The man's domineering disposition made her tremble as panic seized her as an urging impulse insisted she flee.

"What possessed you to run?" Eloise's anxious voice forced her eyes from the menacing figure as she searched for a plausible answer. Eloise didn't wait for a reply as she got to her feet and helped Ginelle up. As she started towards the horse and the dangerous looking man with his unwavering stare, she stiffened and backed away.

"It's okay." Eloise quickly sought to appease her fear, "Dorian will not hurt you."

Dorian? This dark, menacing stranger was her brother? At that thought, she watched as the man called Dorian dismounted and extended a hand to Eloise.

Eloise hesitated, "Come back to the manor with me, Ginelle."

As silence carried out, the towering stranger moved towards her with a grunt of impatience. She released a squeak of alarm as she backed away, Eloise protesting in alarm as her brother scooped Ginelle up and deposited her into the saddle. She didn't have time to deal with the sudden rush of fear or the swift urge to faint as the man called Dorian turned to do the same with Eloise.

The man seized the reins and turned the massive beast around, urging the horse back towards the plantation on foot. Her heart pounded within her chest as she stared at that rigid back and the mane of black hair falling to broad shoulders. This man was dangerous. Each stride bore that of authority and an aggressiveness that she dare not test. As the estate came into view, she wondered if she would have to face Eloise's immediate words of distress or this man's tyrannical fist.

Ginelle studied Eloise's pacing frame as she sat on the bed, wrapped in a thick coverlet. The evident dismay contorting the fine lines of her agile face made Ginelle uneasy as Eloise tugged at her cloak and tossed it carelessly aside. She stopped her anxious pacing to stare down at her, planting her hands on her hips as if to scold a misbehaved child.

"What were you thinking?" she demanded, her voice was soft but stern.

Ginelle lowered her gaze, uncertain as to what to say. How could she tell Eloise that she didn't belong with the affluent society, with her?

"Do you understand the danger that awaited you? A child unattended is simply an invitation to brigands."

Ginelle stiffened, her eyes widening in immediate alarm. She had not given much thought to other threats. Her thoughts had focused strictly on the darkness and Pierino. Eloise stepped forward and gently grasped her shoulders. "I'm sorry. I did not mean to frighten you, but you must understand that you are susceptible to many risks."

Ginelle nodded soberly and yet was not comforted for the image of a dark and imposing man came to mind. What danger did the Lord Dorian present?

After Eloise had retired from the room, Ginelle forced herself to bed. As the fire beneath the mantle crackled, Ginelle tossed and turned beneath the blankets, her thoughts were racing and the feeling of trepidation rising. When she finally fell asleep, her dreams were plagued with terrifying images.

She was running. The ground beneath her was soft but tiny pebbles pierced the soles of her feet. Her face was wet but there was no rain, she must be crying. She was crying. She pressed a shaky hand to her chest and felt the frantic beat of her heart, pulsing violently.

She gasped as she came to a sudden halt. That voice! She knew that voice and dreaded it! Her feet wouldn't budge. She demanded her body to move but she remained frozen as she watched the trees sway in warning. He was upon her.

The voice was closer. She heard the distinct sound of boots crushing decayed leaves. She turned as a shadow emerged, the silhouette revealing naught of its features but sharp, black eyes; eyes of a predator.

Ginelle bolted upright in bed and inhaled sharply. Her eyes moved instantly around the room, taking in her surroundings, reassuring herself she was safe and far from Pierino. She fell back against the headboard and pulled the coverlet to her chin as she cast a wary glance to the window where the vivid moon taunted her, silver rivulets of moonlight slipping pass the parted drapes to flow across the bed. She could find no comfort in its ethereal beauty.

A child unattended is simply an invitation to brigands. She closed her eyes as she focused on each labored breath. Eloise words came rushing back in a grip of terror. What would have happened if she had fallen into the wrong hands? Her logical decision from earlier now seemed reckless and foolish. The weather was terrible and she had no means of shelter. Where else could she go but back into the hands of Pierino? She shuddered at the thought as she reached up and gripped her mother's locket.

The silence of the room was deafening. She could not seem to shake the tremors from her body and it seemed as if the darkness that clung to the room had grown even darker.

Ginelle closed her eyes and struggled to keep her anxiety at bay. She could hear a sudden gust of wind outside her window and that sent her heart reeling against her chest.

She shoved the heavy quilts aside and stepped down from the bed. Her borrowed nightshirt fell low around her ankles as she made her way towards the door. She gripped the latch with unsteady hands as she quietly parted the door and peered out into the abandoned hall.