12

A feeling of anger washed over him at the thought of this sudden burden thrust upon him. Why should he care for an impoverished girl who meant nothing to him when he had more and important matters to attend?

What of your responsibilities here, Dorian? Those daunting words that his sister had last said to him the night he left came back to haunt him, plaguing him with guilt. Eloise had been his responsibility, and now she was dead.

His fingers curled around the leather reins as he jerked his horse around and dug his heels into the mare's side as he fled in the opposite direction of the house. Whether he approved of it or not, he knowingly made a vow to Eloise. There was never a moment that he could deny her anything and even after death, he could not deny her this last request.

Ginelle had risen early to greet the break of dawn. She had tossed and turned through out the night, her thoughts tormented with the ultimate decision that she had no other option but to leave Ashford. The memories here were far too painful. The happiness she had once shared now seemed all but a dream.

She was angry. How could Eloise abandon her, just as her father had done? She had said from the very beginning that she didn't want any of it, and now here she was, destined to be, alone and forced to endure the infinite pain of loss.

She reached up and gripped her mother's locket, clinging to the silver chain that was a comfort. She had considered selling the gowns that Eloise had, had made for her and than quickly dismissed the terrible thought. She couldn't bare the thought. They had been made specifically for her, out of the kindness of Eloise's heart but they didn't really belong to her. None of this did. The only rightful item that did was the precious trinket around her neck. She couldn't contemplate parting with it, but her options were limited. She would have no other choice but to barter the necklace in means of travel. She would get as far away as she could, possibly even travel to America and find work.

Ginelle stiffened as the door to her room opened. She remained as she was, standing before the window as Lucile stepped quietly into the room. The older maid straightened, her expression altering to one of surprise to find Ginelle awake and fully dressed.

Ginelle nodded as she turned away from the window, still gripping the locket between her fingers as she moved to stand beside Lucile. "Lucile-"

"Master Dorian has asked to speak with you."

She stiffened with alarm as everything she had been prepared to tell Lucile fled as apprehension caused her stomach to churn. "W-what does he want?"

"I know not but simply that he sent me to find you and bring you to his study."

"You will have to tell him that I cannot."

"I am sorry my dear but I cannot do that. Master Dorian expects you in his study as we speak. If I return without you, he will not be pleased."

The last thing Ginelle wanted to do was face that menacing man with his glacial stare. His obvious distaste of her not only angered but frightened her. She was well aware of the gossip whispered among the servants. They feared their own Lord and the dreadful tales that were muttered of the man were frightening. Would he now demand that she leave Ashford immediately? What other reason did he have to summon her?

Reluctantly, she followed Lucile from the room and down the hall, all the while her heart beating an irregular pulse that had her nerves scattered.

He had not slept at all that night, his mind continuously contemplating the unwelcoming burden that he unknowingly agreed to care for. He had not given the girl much thought since she had come to live with Eloise but now the girl was his responsibility, whether he liked it or not. The thought suddenly made him furious. Why would his sister do such a careless thing as to bring a complete stranger to his home?

His anger vanished as abruptly as it had come for he couldn't be angry with his sister who had put others before herself, who cared nothing for the standards of society but for the welfare of those less fortunate. As much as he disapproved of it, he had made a vow to his sister and he was one never to break his word. Besides, how difficult could a docile chit be? Was she not at an agreeable age for marriage? She could remain here at Ashford until a suitable suitor came along to take this excess baggage off his hands.

At that thought, a knock sounded at his study door and he stood as Lucile entered followed by the object of his thoughts. The older woman stepped aside to allow the girl to enter and immediately he was struck by how lovely the morning light placed across her delicate face.

Annoyed, he dismissed Lucile with a wave of his hand and the woman hesitated before closing the door behind her, leaving the two of them.

Dorian frowned as he caught a tiny flicker of fear in those soft, brown eyes but as quickly as it came, a sudden resolve settled to conceal any emotion that lay within. He felt a slight twinge of admiration as he studied her rigid frame. She was small and childlike, her ethereal beauty stirring him in a way that was unsettling and most disturbing.

His face darkened and his mood blackened as he quickly sought the words he had prepared to say. "Do you have any immediate kin?" he was keen to notice the sudden stiffening of her frame yet her eyes remained unyielding and her small hands entwined in front of her.

"I do not, milord." He jerked at her reply. Her voice was soft and sweet and his irritation increased for that gentle tone did something strange to him.

"There is no one?" Ginelle tensed at the harshness of his words. It took every ounce of control to keep her knees from buckling and her legs from giving beneath her. She kept her hands entwined to keep her fingers from trembling as those piercing blue eyes studied her in bold observation.

He was much larger than she remembered. In fact, he was by the far the largest man she had ever encountered. The sheer size of his frame brought on the sudden impulse to take a step back even though the desk stood between them. His skin was a golden bronze, having darkened from spending several years at sea. His chiseled features sharp and define, revealing a rugged exterior. His jet-black hair had been tamed at the nape of his neck by a leather thong where several stubborn strands escape to caress the firm-set of his jaw.

His presence indicated authority and a threatening manner that she dare not test. His ice-blue eyes watched her in cold assessment. She couldn't allow his domineering presence to unravel her bravado. After today, she would never lay eyes on this man again.

"I am indebted to you and your family." She said; her voice shaking as those blue eyes darkened. "I thank you for allowing me to stay here, at your home. I shall leave as soon as possible. I simply ask to loan a carriage for my departure. I'll gladly repay when I am able."

She forced herself to meet that intense stare and almost lost control of her swaggering display of confidence. Silence settled between them and she feared he would decline her request. Was he truly so merciless that he would deny her a means of transportation?

"It is simply out of the question." He said his voice hard and absolute.

She felt a sudden sinking feeling in her chest. Had she truly expected that he would show her any generosity? "You will remain here, at Ashford."

She blanched as she met those glacial depths watching her intensely. Had she heard him clearly? "I-I beg your pardon, milord?"

His gaze did not waver as he said, "Here is where you will stay."

Ginelle frowned, clearly perplexed as to why this man would want her to remain in his home. As much as she wanted to remain at Ashford, it was clearly not acceptable especially having to endure his presence along with the immense sorrow of Eloise's memory. She knew absolutely nothing about this man but the rumors whispered among the servants only heightened her fears. It had been quite evident from their first encounter that he did not particularly like her, so why than would he insist she remain at Ashford? At least with Pierino, she knew what to expect.

She shook her head, "I cannot."

A dark brow lifted and his blue eyes narrowed as he said, "You cannot?"

"I am very grateful but I-"

"It is not up for discussion." He growled darkly, clearly annoyed.

She stiffened at his abruptness and felt a sudden anger seize her. What right did he have to make demands of her? "You are saying that I do not have a choice?" she felt her heart quicken within her chest.

"That is what I am saying." She dropped her hands and they curled into fists at his maddeningly, relaxed manner.

He leaned forward to flatten his hands on his desk as he said, "What is there not to understand? You are to remain here at the manor."

"By what right-"she felt the heat rush to her face, her fear all but forgotten as she took an angry step closer to the desk, "-do you have to make such demands?"

His features darkened as he said, "By rights of guardianship."

Her sharp intake of breath went unnoticed as she stared nonplussed into that face of implacable resolve. "You are not my guardian." She stated as though to assure herself.

His jaw tightened as he said, "Unfortunately miss, I am."

He straightened to his full height and she was keenly aware of how close they were and it set her heart at a frantic pace as she found herself unable to avoid those cold eyes. It wasn't so. This man did not have rights over her. She had made a vow that no man would control her.

She frowned at something he had said, "Unfortunately?" she narrowed her eyes at him, "If you do not wish to willingly be my guardian, than why do so?"