14

Ginelle made sure she was aware of her guardian's whereabouts so she could avoid Dorian Ashford as much as possible. She kept to her room most of the day, engrossing herself with books and needlework and yet it did nothing to appease the seldom boredom that came with being confined inside when the weather outside was pleasant and enticing. Since their heated encounter a few nights ago, she had not seen the dark lord nor had he demanded she be whipped for attempting to steal a horse. Had she been wrong about his cruel nature?

If he thought she would so willingly give in, he was quite mistaken. She would remain at Ashford only because her heart couldn't bear the thought of parting with Eloise. Her memory was painfully fresh and she wanted to linger a little longer to hold onto the sisterhood they had shared. Her thoughts strayed towards the disturbing image of Pierino. Surely the man had forgotten her, even if he were to see her today, would he recognize her? She trembled at the thought and quickly dismissed it. She would not dwell on that despicable man.

Thrusting her needlework aside, she got to her feet and moved to stand by the window. It was noon and the sun gleamed brightly in the cloudless blue sky, its beauty and warmth beckoning. The weather had increasingly grown warmer an indication that the seasons were changing. It had been some time since she had gone for a ride over the countryside. The last time she had allowed such a pleasantry was when Eloise had been alive and well. She was overcome with a sudden heaviness that she could only recognize has grief and she quickly sought to ease her heavy heart. She would not wither to nothing inside her room. She would not hide from Dorian Ashford. Eloise would not want her to waste such a beautiful day.

Smiling, she quickly rushed to her wardrobe to find a more suitable riding attire; her heart soaring at the thought of doing something she loved and escaping the dreadful enclosure of her bedroom.

The tobacco fields were steadily improving. They had a sufficient amount of barrels prepped and ready to be shipped. Dorian had spent hours in the past couple of days working his laborers to the point of exhaustion. The fields were producing an abundant of crops. He dedicated a portion of his day inspecting crops and the warehouse. He managed the workers, keenly aware that several that had been brought in a month ago were proving to be uncooperative. They refused to submit to the intensive labor or that of his commands. Some were rebellious but easily detained and put to rights and yet there was a selected few that remained resistant. He gave his men strict orders to keep a wary eye on the laborers that proved difficult for they would be the ones that could cost him.

As he did one last round through the fields and paused to give orders to one of the guards, he decided to retire to the house and freshen up. He smiled at the thought of Lucile scolding him like a disobedient lad for skipping a meal.

He pulled on the reins and turned Lafeu onto the path that would lead him back to the house. The black stallion was indeed a prized horse to be had and he had raised the horse since it was a colt. The stallion was a stubborn animal but its loyalty to him was impeccable.

Dorian jerked on the reins as a sudden movement caught his attention from his peripheral. He averted his gaze just to catch a flash of silver-blond hair before disappearing in the thick foliage. He felt an immediate wave of anger wash over him as he dug his heels into Lafeu's side and started after the object of his fury. The insolent chit would dare defy him!

Ginelle was aware of nothing but the heavenly caress of the wind in her unbound hair as it flowed freely behind her in waves of silver blond. How could she have possibly thought she could spend hours inside when beauty such as this was impossible to ignore? The mare beneath her moved at a steady and gentle canter and Ginelle hastened the horse's pace as they ventured further into the forest. At one point she had feared this desolate place with its towering trees and finger-like limbs, but in the daylight, the foliage was alluring. She didn't fear the dangers the forest presented for Eloise had explained that as long as she didn't wonder far from the plantation that she was perfectly safe.

With that thought in mind, she continued on towards the one place that offered comfort and serenity. As she fell onto the familiar path that would lead her to the river, she allowed herself a moment of happiness. She would not think of anything else but this moment. As the clearing came into view she immediately tugged on the reins and directed the mare to a spot were she could tie the reins around a hanging limb. She dismounted and brushed a hand over the horse's mane. She proceeded to wrap the reins around a tree limb and than turned towards the flow of the stream.

Though spring had just nearly blossomed, the sun beamed hotly upon her forehead and she brushed an arm across her face, suddenly aware of how hot the day had become. She moved to stand beneath the branches that entwined to shelter her from the sun except for a few several strays of sunlight that pooled through an occasional opening. She smiled to herself as she moved to the bank and knelt to gather water into her palms. She splashed her face and than rubbed the nape of her neck with her fingers. The sudden relief of coolness against her face brought a sigh to her lips and her fingers moved to the buttons of her fitted riding jacket. She didn't hesitate to abandon the itchy material to reveal the bodice beneath as she tossed the jacket aside. All thoughts of modesty fled as she slowly made her way into the water. Her black skirts pillowed around her as she sank waist-deep into the water, sighing blissfully as it rose to her breasts. She swept her arms outward, delighting in the ripples she created.

Dorian spotted the mare and felt an immediate anxiety as his eyes searched the region. He pulled Lafeu to a halt and dismounted, clearly perplexed as to where the little chit had vanished. It was than he heard the water and he slowly turned in that direction. The vegetation was thick and kept him concealed as he approached the river and it was there that he froze at the sight before him. He wanted nothing more than to wrap his hands around her little neck for defying him, but now his hands burned with the distinct urge to touch the flawless skin now exposed to his ravenous gaze.

She was unaware of his presence as she bathed. The sun captured the different shades of blond in her hair as it flowed freely around her shoulders. The sleeves of her bodice had fallen from her shoulders, leaving them bare. He felt the sudden tightening in his groin as his gaze dipped lower to find the treacherous material clinging to the soft mounds of her breasts. The material left little to the imagination, revealing small yet firm breasts that would mold perfectly into the palms of his hands. Her waist was impossibly small with a narrow ribcage and a flat stomach and he ached to feather his fingers over that ivory skin.

He groaned inwardly at the immense physical pain thrusting against the seams of his breeches. She affected him as though he hadn't had a woman in a long time and his immense arousal infuriated him. He shouldn't feel anything for this impertinent female.

At this thought he stepped into the clearing to make his presence known. She turned then as if to come out of the water and froze in sudden horror as her arms instinctively came up to cover her breasts.

"How dare-" her eyes widened as he started towards her. She found herself retreating further into the water as he waded in after her. She dropped her arms in a sudden panic as she turned to elude him.

His arm latched around her waist and he reeled her in against him. She turned to pummel his chest with her fists but he easily caught her wrists in one hand. She was intimately aware of his arm around her waist, holding her against the hard contours of his body. Her eyes dropped of their own accord to the black tunic clinging to the sleek muscles of his chest clearly outlined through the wet material. Her stomach did a strangle flip as she inhaled sharply at the venomous look in his glacial eyes.

He was angry. What had she done to provoke him so? Her body trembled as she was overcome with fear. Would he strike her? Inflict some sort of physical pain to ensure who had power between the two?

"You deliberately disobeyed me." His voice was rough as though he suffered from an internal pain.

She was suddenly aware of her breast thrusting against the edge of her bodice from her labored breathing. She could feel every inch of this powerful man against the smoothness of her body and it disarmed her in a way she couldn't comprehend. She felt the strength in those fingers wrapped securely around her wrists and wondered if he would retaliate for her disobedience but she was uncertain to what exactly she had done.

"I-I don't understand." She whispered and for a moment panic hastened through her as those eyes of steel fell on her mouth. A dawning realization caused her to stiffen in alarm as she was suddenly aware of something hard and large pressing against her abdomen.

"You were not to leave the estate." His words were released on a hushed growl.

She frowned, "You did not make that clear to me."

That smoky gaze darkened, "You were wrong to assume."

She wanted desperately to escape his iron grasp. He was doing strange things to her and the look in his eyes frightened her. She had never seen such a look and it terrified her to the very core of her being. "Let go of me." She whispered, refusing to show the pressing fear beneath the surface.

He didn't release her. His gaze had once again fallen to her parted lips. "Do you know what happens to a beautiful woman such as yourself, alone and unguarded in a region such as this?" his eyes never wavered from her mouth.