Chapter 10



"Indeed it does," Lady Amanda agreed.  "Would you have me
believe you knew nothing of this?"

Walter shook his head, his eyes stunned behind his
gold-rimmed spectacles.  "No--I--how can this be?" he asked
helplessly.

Lady Rutherford tittered in mock sympathy.  "Well, my dear,
it's really quite plain.  Lady Sharon never could resist a
good wager, even when she was short on funds.  I'd already
won a priceless family heirloom from her that night, but she
refused to give in.  All her cash was gone, and I never
wager on credit. You were the only thing of value she had
left to gamble."

"But I--I--"  The idea was so horrible that Walter was
unable to formulate a coherent sentence.

"I wanted to take you immediately, but she insisted that a
marriage dissolution would ruin your good name.  I had to
admit she was correct, so being the kind and generous woman
I am, I agreed to this solution.  That upon Lady Sharon's
death, if you and I were still alive, you would belong to
me, along with your entire dowry."

Walter said nothing, still in shock at this new nightmare of
his late wife's uncaring depravity.

"You should be grateful, my dear.  I only delayed collecting
my winnings because I wanted to protect your reputation.
Truly, when I rode off with this paper that evening, I
thought never to collect my winnings.  I was terribly
saddened to hear of Lady Sharon's untimely demise, and yet,
how fortunate for me that I am able to enjoy you while you
are still young and beautiful.  I should have been terribly
disappointed to have inherited the responsibility of a weak
old man."

"Hello," came a soft voice at the door, and Walter turned to
see Fox smiling politely at their guest.  He had been
summoned from his chamber by Roberta, who considered it her
responsibility to listen in on conversations between the men
of the household and uninvited female guests.  Her frantic
pleading that "Lord Walter is in terrible trouble, ye must
*hurry* my lord!" had sped him on his way, in spite of an
uncertain stomach. He'd received a brief explanation of the
situation as they quickly made their way downstairs, and now
Fox held out his hand to Lady Amanda, outwardly charming
while inwardly quaking.

"And who might this tasty morsel be?" inquired Lady Amanda
saucily, rising to take his hand and bring it to her lips in
a delicate caress.

"I am Lord Scully the Younger, Lady Dana's husband," Fox
replied, hiding his revulsion at the woman's touch.  "My
wife is absent, but should be returning shortly, along with
Lady Maggie.  Please allow me to offer you the hospitality
of Scully Manor."

Precisely on cue, Sarah entered the room with a tray laden
with tea and scones, setting it down before Fox with a
flourish.  She backed out of the room, her eyes wide as
saucers, for news of Lady Amanda's supposed claim on Lord
Scully the Elder had spread through the servants like
wildfire.

"Thank you, Sarah," said Fox formally.  "Prepare the Green
Chamber for our guest and see to her servants.  I'm sure you
must be quite fatigued," he smiled, turning back to Lady
Amanda.

"I have traveled some distance," she confessed with a
self-satisfied smirk.

"And I understand you bring troubling news.  May I?" He held
out his hand, and Amanda gave him the scroll.

"How very interesting.  You read, I presume, as does
Walter?" she asked, her patronizing tone setting his teeth
on edge, but he merely nodded.

"Oh yes, my lady, my mother felt it quite necessary for me
to be educated, as it was expected that I would one day
manage a large estate such as this." He stopped talking
then, reading over the words on the parchment carefully.

Fox had hoped to find a loophole that would free Walter from
this woman's absurd claim, but the contract was plainly
written, and signed by both parties.  Lady Sharon Skinner
had lost a round of cards to Lady Amanda Rutherford, the
wager being marriage to Lord Walter Skinner, Lady Amanda to
take possession of Lord Walter and his dowry upon Lady
Sharon's death.  Fox noted grimly that at least Lady Sharon
had stipulated that Lady Amanda was to marry Walter, thus
preventing him being shamed before the entire world as a
mere concubine.

"This is beyond my simple understanding, I fear," he
observed, playing the brainless-husband role, as she
appeared to expect.  He handed her back the scroll. "Perhaps
you would care to rest from your journey after you have had
your tea.  Lady Maggie and Lady Dana should be arriving home
before supper, and then you may discuss this matter with
Walter's wife."

"Indeed, Lord Fox, you seem quite sensible, for a man.  I
believe I shall do exactly that."

Fox poured a cup of tea for the lady, and she made small
talk with him while she consumed two of Natalie's tasty
scones, then took her leave to freshen up in her chamber.
Walter said nothing, still being too stunned to make
conversation, but merely sat quietly, occasionally wringing
his hands in consternation.

Fox placed a friendly hand on Walter's shoulder as he rang
for Sarah to clear away the tea things.  Neither he nor
Walter had felt like taking tea, although Fox had made a
pretense of it for propriety's sake.

"I don't--I can't believe she would do this..." Walter
muttered after Sarah had left the room.

"Don't worry, Walter.  Maggie will think of something."  He
squared his shoulders.  "And if she can't...I will."

Walter shook his head, still lost, and buried his face in
his hands.  "This is why Sharon made no provision for me in
her will," he murmured from behind his fingers.  "But Lady
Rutherford, I can not bear the thought of her. . . Oh sweet
Goddess, Fox, what am I to do?"

"For now, you must try to remain calm."  Fox heard a noise
outside and listened carefully for a moment before smiling
broadly in relief. "I do believe our ladies have returned."

Both men bolted from the room, racing for the carriage
drive, and greeted the women eagerly as they alighted from
the carriage.

"My lady!" Fox exclaimed as Dana wrapped him in her arms. "I
have missed you so!"

"I longed for you every night," she whispered wickedly into
his ear, enjoying the way his beautiful face turned crimson.

"Why Walter, whatever is the matter?" Maggie asked,
examining her husband's pale face critically.  "Are you
ailing?"

"No, my lady, I--Lady Rutherford--"  Walter could speak no
further, so Fox quickly explained the situation to the
women.

"I had her taken to the Green Chamber," he concluded.  "I
did not know what else to do."

"You were quite right to delay the issue until I returned,
Fox," Maggie praised.  "I shall see this person and her
parchment for myself at supper, and then we shall decide
what to do."  She put a comforting hand on Walter's cheek,
kissing him lightly on the lips.  "Do not worry, my sweet
Bear.  No one shall take you from me."  When he still
appeared troubled, she grasped his chin firmly and said with
more forcefulness, "You will endeavor to trust me in this
matter, Walter."

"Yes, my lady," he answered obediently, following her into
the house with a heavy heart.

"I wish to freshen up before greeting our guest, Mother,"
Dana said determinedly, leading Fox by the arm up the stairs
and toward their wing of the mansion.

Maggie smiled knowingly and took Walter by the hand.  "As do
I, my daughter," she answered, giving him a meaningful
glance.

He licked his lips nervously as they passed through the door
to the West Wing.  As much as he adored his lady, the events
of the afternoon had driven all thoughts of desire from his
mind.  "Maggie, I..."

She nodded.  "I understand, Walter, how upset you are, but
you will rest beside me and we shall talk.  I have missed
your company."

Talking was the last thing Dana had on her mind, and their
chamber door had barely closed behind them when she turned
to Fox and ripped his shirt forcefully from his body.

"But my lady, Walter is extremely worried..." he gasped,
partly scandalized and partly inflamed by her behavior.  His
breeches soon followed, landing in tatters on the floor
beside his useless shirt, and before he could say another
word she had launched herself at him, pushing him backwards
onto the bed and straddling him.

"Later, Fox," she responded somewhat breathlessly.  "Mother
will handle the situation.  Right now, I would handle you."

Her mouth took his hungrily, and he could feel the wetness
of her through her trousers as she pressed against him.  He
stroked her womanly area with his fingers, enjoying the
scent of her desire, then gasped when she took him in her
hand. He had already been aroused by her kiss, indeed, by
her very presence, but her soft touch was almost more than
he could bear after four days alone.

"Dana--I--" he stammered, and she tugged at her trousers
hastily.

"Don't you dare, not without me," she commanded, and he held
onto his seed with only a hair's-breadth of control.

"Please, my lady, I cannot wait much longer!" he whispered,
and then moaned in pleasure as she sheathed herself on his
rod.

Satisfaction was not long in arriving for either of them,
and he groaned into her mouth as he spilled his seed inside
her body, enjoying that animal growl she made seconds later
that meant she had found her womanly pleasure.  She
collapsed atop him, exhausted, and they lay there, embracing
one another for long moments before she climbed off him and
rang for bath water.

"I am grimy from my journey," she observed, her nose
wrinkling in distaste as she glanced down at herself.

"I did not mind, my lady," he said shyly, covering himself
with the sheets when the servants rapped upon the door.

They sated themselves again, this time in a more leisurely
manner while in the bathing tub, and by the time they rose
from the water, it had grown quite cold.

"Now, tell me of this situation with Walter," she said as
she donned her evening wear, and Fox related all he knew of
Lady Amanda and her shameful claim.

"It appears genuine, Dana," he said soberly, smoothing his
tunic down over his breeches.  "I had hoped to find a flaw
in the agreement, but upon reading it I could detect nothing
out of order."

"Mother will never let Walter go," she said as they prepared
to leave their chamber, and Fox had to agree.  However, he
wondered, what choice would Lady Maggie have if the matter
went before a Judge?

-----

The polite conversation at supper that evening was a thin
mask over the barely restrained tension and hostility.  At
last, Lady Rutherford could tolerate it no longer.

"Loathe as I am to bring up this unpleasant topic, Lady
Maggie, it must be discussed.  An agreement must be reached
on this matter."

"I agree that we must, Lady Amanda, but I cannot and will
not allow you to take Walter.  We are legally wedded, by
consent of the Queen.  You were unavailable to object to our
marriage, and cannot do so after the fact."

"And yet, were we to go before a Judge, are you absolutely
certain Her Ladyship would not find my prior claim on Walter
to take precedence over yours?" Amanda asked silkily,
sipping at her wine.  "Your marriage could simply be
annulled by the court.  Of course, the resulting gossip
would fascinate polite society for quite some time.  Rather
embarrassing for the very proper Scully matriarch, to have
married a man who was already spoken for."

Walter, who had been shoving the food around on his plate
during the entire meal, made a strangled noise at her words,
and Maggie put a comforting hand over his.  Her mouth
tightened when she noted the trembling in his fingers.

"It matters not to me what a Judge would declare, or the
tongue-wagging of idle gossips," Maggie said firmly.
"Walter belongs to me, and I will not give him up."

Amanda stared around the table thoughtfully for a few
minutes, while the Scully family remained silent. "Well
then," she said at last, setting down her goblet with a
small 'thump'.  "It would appear we have only one option
available to us."

"So it would seem," Maggie agreed evenly as Walter's head
shot up, his face full of fear.

Fox glanced from one woman to the other, confused, but
Dana's warning squeeze to his hand told him not to ask
questions.

"Dawn?" Lady Amanda asked, rising from her chair regally.

"Dawn."

"Pistols or swords?"

Lady Maggie inclined her head slightly, for she was equally
proficient with both weapons.  "Your choice," she said with
a humorless smile.

"Pistols."

"Pistols at dawn, then.  Have you a second?  My daughter
will naturally act in my stead, should it be necessary."

Dana nodded agreement.

"I have a very talented servant who will take my place,
should I be unable to duel.  I have trained her myself."

Duel!  Fox stared at Dana, open-mouthed, and she gave him a
warning glance that forbade him to speak.  With effort, he
swallowed his questions, observing Walter's pasty white face
with concern.  The older man appeared about to faint.

"Perhaps I should take Walter upstairs to rest, Lady
Maggie?" he offered.  "Such conversation is extremely
upsetting to gentlemen."

Maggie nodded. "I believe you should, Fox, thank you."

Walter allowed himself to be led from the room, and spoke
not a word as Fox guided him to his chamber and settled him
upon the large bed.  The younger man placed a candle on the
bedside table and took a seat in a nearby chair.

"Fox, you must help me!" Walter pleaded hoarsely, his eyes
desperate in the candle's glow.  "It would be bad enough to
belong to Lady Amanda, to never see Maggie again, but if
Maggie should be killed or injured...I could not endure it!"

He buried his face in shaking hands, and Fox bit his lip
thoughtfully.  A plan was beginning to formulate in his
mind.  It was risky, but then, could it be more risky than
freeing Isaac had been?  And surely this was almost as
important--Walter's life would be ruined, should Lady Amanda
emerge the victor, and Lady Maggie might well be dead.  At
last he sat forward decisively.

"I have an idea, Walter, but I'm afraid it's rather
dangerous for both of us.  If the ladies come upstairs
early, you must think of a story to explain my absence."

"Where are you going?"

"To the tavern."  He ignored Walter's shocked gasp.  "There
is no other choice, if we wish to prevent this duel.
However, should I be discovered, both of us will probably
spend the rest of our lives in the dungeon--if you are able
to remain with Lady Maggie at all."

The sober way the words were spoken shook Walter to his
core.  "We are Scully men," he answered staunchly.  "We will
not be fail.  Go, take care, and return with haste, Fox."

Fox nodded and slipped out the window, carefully making his
way down the large oak tree that grew just outside.  Once,
on his journey down, he almost lost his grip, but wrapping
his arms firmly around the branches and praying to the
Goddess for Her assistance, he was able to make it safely to
the ground.

He wanted to take Samantha, but knew if he tried to remove
her from the stables the servants would inform Dana of his
defection.  Instead he sped quietly through the forest on
foot, grateful that Dana insisted he wear dark clothing,
mindful not to twist his ankle in the damnable boots. Within
thirty minutes he stood outside the back door of the Azure
Tavern.

Raucous laughter came from within, and an occasional male
cry of outraged laughter would emanate from the windows, but
Fox had no time for propriety.  Steeling himself, he slipped
through the door, dodging past the serving men, shielding
his eyes from their state of undress--for indeed, they wore
very short, tight breeches and no shirts at all!--and made
for the bar.

Sure enough, Richard was there, serving ale to the lusty
women who had come to relieve the stress of jobs and
families with drink and gaming.  Fox watched as Richard
expertly dodged several hands that reached for him as he
made his way down the bar.

"Psst!  Richard!" he hissed, blushing wildly when one of the
women spotted him.

"Jeanne, is it a new serving boy you have?" she demanded,
her eyes sliding up and down his shapely form.  "Why is he
so overdressed?"

Richard immediately pushed him back into the rear regions of
the tavern, demanding, "Lord Fox!  What on earth are ye
doing here?  Blessed hell, your lady will have your head and
mine as well!"

"Richard, I need your help.  Believe me, I would not have
come had the situation not been desperate."

"There'd be one for the tables!" commented a female croupier
as she passed Fox, caressing his soft bottom intimately.

He jerked away from her, staring in confusion, for her
comment had made no sense to him at all.

"One for the tables?" he inquired of Richard, but Richard
just shook his head angrily.

"Tell me why a man of your station has crept from the safety
of your home and come to a place such as this alone at
night, Lord Fox," Richard demanded, so Fox explained the
situation to him hastily, for the speculative eyes of the
croupier who had molested him still rested upon him
thoughtfully.

"I know this Lady Rutherford of which ye speak--she has
gamed here before, and she be a terrible hard woman.  Aye,
'tis a horrible event for the Scullys, but how can I help
you, lad?" Richard asked.

"I need one of the tricks of which you hinted, Richard," Fox
explained.  "Lady Amanda adores wagering.  Perhaps if I can
entice her to gamble ownership of Walter on a roll of the
dice, this duel need not take place."

Richard's face lit up with understanding.  "Ah, so it's
cheating that's on your mind!" he exclaimed in a whisper.
"You've come to the right place, my boy."

He opened a nearby cupboard and withdrew a small box
containing a shiny set of dice.  Four polished cubes met
Fox's eager eyes.

"These are for her," he instructed, placing one pair in Lord
Scully's left hand.  "And these," he continued, dropping the
other pair in Fox's right hand, "are for you to use.  You
must be very careful when you switch them.  Should you be
discovered cheating, I canna imagine what will happen to ye.
Choose ten as the number to match."

"But what if she insists upon another number?" Fox asked,
confused.

"You make sure you choose ten!" Richard ordered.  "Unless
you want to see your friend taken away by that woman
tomorrow morning."

Fox nodded, thanked Richard quickly, and slipped out the way
he had come, breathing prayers all the way home that he
would not be discovered.  He climbed the tree, entering the
manor the same way he had left, and found Walter still lying
abed, his hands clenched tightly together in fear.

"I was afraid you had been captured," he hissed when he saw
Fox.  "What took you so long?"

"I was as quick as I could be," Fox answered.  "And I was
successful.  Tonight at midnight, after all the ladies are
abed, we will knock on Lady Amanda's door and challenge her
to a throw of the dice for you."

"Will it work?" Walter asked, staring in awe at the four
small cubes Fox held.

"It must," his friend replied grimly.

----

"How is Walter?" Dana asked, entering their chamber some
time later.  She and Maggie had done their best to make
civil conversation with Lady Amanda after supper, but it had
been difficult, with the knowledge of what dawn would bring
hanging over them all.  At last Lady Amanda had excused
herself, pleading a long journey, and Dana and Maggie had
breathed a sigh of relief once she was gone.  They had sat
together in the salon for a long while after that,
attempting to design a plan superior to the duel, but were
unable to come up with even a single idea.  At last, they
had departed for their chambers, unwillingly determined to
prepare for morning.

"I left him sleeping," Fox lied, sitting up in the bed when
she approached.  "He was understandably distraught."

"You needn't worry about Walter, Fox," Dana said, sitting
next to him and tracing her finger up his bare chest.
"Mother will not allow him to be lost."

"Have--have you come up with a plan to save him?" he asked,
his breath catching at her touch.  In spite of his concern
for Walter, he wanted his wife, wanted her badly.

Dana shook her head as her lips followed her finger.  "It
shall be pistols at dawn," she whispered.  "Let us not speak
of it further.  Walter will remain with Mother."

"Yes, my lady," he murmured into her mouth as she claimed
his lips.  Moments later he felt the familiar tug on his
wrist as she fastened her scarf around it, and before long
he was bound tightly to the four corners of the bed.

Dana was pleased to see that Fox had slipped into bed
naked--it was much more efficient that way, she reflected as
she lowered her head to him with an impish grin and took him
into her mouth. For a very long time, as long as she felt
they could both withstand, Dana proceeded to drive her
husband completely wild until at last, she lowered herself
onto him and took her pleasure, giving him his so thoroughly
that he felt certain he would faint from the sheer delight
of her.

When they were both exhausted, she collapsed across him,
snuggling against his strong chest, and closed her eyes. Her
breathing soon grew regular and slow.

Fox stared down at Dana's copper head resting against him,
tugging at the scarves which still held him tightly bound to
the bed.  Occasionally she would leave him in this position
all night, taking him thoroughly again in the morning before
releasing him and bathing away the ache in his muscles with
the hot bath water.  If she left him tied tonight...

"Dana," he whispered, moving slightly in the hope of waking
her.

"Mmmm," she muttered, snuggling more firmly against him.

"Dana, my lady, please wake up!" he begged, more forcefully
this time, and she raised her head to stare at him.

"Whatever is the matter, Fox?"

"I was wondering, my lady, if you would...well...please
untie me."

She smiled, her teeth gleaming in the moonlight.  "And if I
wish to take you again in the morning, my sweet, what then?
I like having you bound, at my mercy, and I know you enjoy
it as well."

"Yes, but my lady, it--it makes me so sore...I'm afraid I
might not be able to please you properly."

"You have had no trouble in the past," she observed, tracing
her fingernail across his full, lush lips.

"Please, Dana," he whispered, allowing his tongue to dart
out and lick her fingers briefly.  "I wish to put my arms
around you."

"I shall put mine around you instead," she returned,
slipping her arms carefully around his chest, holding him
tightly to her.  "Now sleep, Fox.  No more talk."

"Yes, my lady," he said, hiding his quiet desperation.  As
soon as she was lightly snoring, he began twisting his
wrists in an attempt to free them, but at last gave up in
defeat; Dana possessed an excellent command of knots, and he
would not be free until she released him.  Closing his eyes,
he began to pray again.

-----

Walter, who had crept from his own bed when Lady Maggie
dropped off, paced the salon nervously, glancing at the
clock on the wall every few minutes.  Fox had said midnight,
and now it was fifteen past and the younger man had yet to
arrive.  Finally, knowing every second that ticked past
brought them closer to dawn, Walter set his jaw firmly and
made for the East Wing.  Perhaps Fox had been unable to
elude Dana.

He rapped quietly upon their chamber door, and when no
answer was forthcoming, opened it carefully.  His eyes
widened when the candle he carried revealed poor Fox, tied
securely to the four corners of the bed, Dana sprawled out
atop him, sleeping soundly.

He stifled his grin of amusement at the look of pure
desperation Fox shot his way.

"Where are the dice?" he whispered softly.

"In the left and right pockets of my breeches," Fox
answered, barely daring to make a sound.  "You must use the
ones in the right pocket.  Choose number ten."

Walter nodded, asking no more questions. He retrieved the
dice, being careful not to mix up the two pair.  Then he
crept silently from the room leaving Fox trapped, agitated,
and feeling as if he must certainly go insane at being left
out of his own desperate plan.

Walter made his way to the Green Chamber and knocked boldly
upon the door.  It opened a moment later to reveal a fully
dressed Lady Amanda--apparently she had been unable to find
slumber either.

"Well, Walter, are you so eager for me to take you?" she
asked slowly, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the
beautiful man at her chamber door.  "To what do I owe this
pleasure?"

"Lady Amanda," he cooed in his most charming voice, "I
should like to discuss the situation with you, if it pleases
you."

She shook her head.  "I'm afraid there's nothing to discuss.
I won your fine body and your dowry, now I am here to
collect my winnings."

"Surely a man who is willing would be far more pleasant, my
lady.  I would like to give you the chance to win me all
over again," Walter told her, and was gratified to see her
eyes light up with interest.

"What did you have in mind?"

"A simple game of dice between us, my lady. Uncomplicated
enough for a mere man to understand and yet as exciting as
any wager.  One roll of the dice to determine my fate."
Walter was galled at the words he uttered, but told himself
firmly that if women insisted upon thinking of men as simple
dolts, men must learn to use that fact to their advantage.

"If I win, you go with me willingly?  But if you win, you
stay with Maggie?"

Walter nodded.  "No duel at dawn.  Since I am the prize in
this wager, I feel it only fair that I be given a chance to
play for myself, so to speak."

She stared at him thoughtfully for a moment before
answering, "Very well, Walter.  You do realize I am quite an
experienced gamer, do you not?"

"Oh yes, my lady, you are one of the best.  Perhaps I may
learn from your expertise."

She grinned and gestured him into her chamber.  Walter
swallowed hard when the door closed behind them, but Lady
Rutherford only drew a small table to the center of the room
and indicated that he should take a seat before it.

"There is one other thing, my lady," he said hesitantly as
she reached into her valise to withdraw her personal set of
dice.

Lady Amanda paused, looking over her shoulder.  "Yes, my
dear Walter?"

"I should like the contract in writing before we begin."

She gazed at him for a few silent moments.  The entire
situation was quite ridiculous--the very idea of a gentleman
coming to her chamber alone at night, and with this
preposterous proposal!  She was not such a fool as to
believe this man had nothing up his sleeve.  If he thought
he could take the best of Lady Amanda Rutherford, however,
he was sorely mistaken.  She would allow him his folly, and
when he was safely in her power she would teach him that no
man ever challenged a Rutherford woman without experiencing
severe regret.

"A contract it shall be," she agreed at last. Amanda quickly
withdrew a piece of parchment and scrawled details of the
bargain across it with a large quill, signing it with a
flourish.  Walter added his signature and the game was on.

"Who shall determine our number?" she asked, her mouth
twitching in amusement.

Walter pretended to consider carefully.  "Since my virtue is
at stake, I believe I should have that right," he said at
last. "After all, should you win, I shall be ruined and my
lady disgraced."

Amanda smiled.  "Very well.  What shall it be?"

"Um...sev--no, ten.  Ten has always been my lucky number."

"Ten it shall be.  You will not object, of course, if I use
my lucky pair of dice?"

He watched as she held out the two cubes she'd withdrawn
from her valise.  Could they be as full of trickery as the
pair he carried in his pocket, he wondered?  Fighting back a
wave of panic, he nodded, and held his breath as she
prepared to roll.

She took her set of dice into her fist, raised it to her
mouth and murmured a quiet chant to the small cubes before
rolling them across the table.  Walter almost felt his heart
burst within him when her score revealed itself--NINE. It
was too close--if Fox was incorrect by even one number...

She smiled wolfishly at Walter, who attempted to look as if
he was on the verge of fainting. "Your turn, my dear," she
said brightly.

Walter withdrew the dice from his right pocket.  "I presume
you have no objections if I use my lady's own lucky dice?"
he questioned, and Lady Amanda smiled with indulgent
amusement while she shook her head.  It was obvious there
was cheating about to occur, she thought.  A shame Walter
did not realize the uselessness of the document he had
signed.

Walter rattled the dice around in his hand for what seemed
like forever before finally letting them fly across the
tabletop, and when the number ten came up, felt his knees go
weak with relief.

Lady Amanda nodded, having expected this outcome.  "So, you
are the winner," she commented mildly.  "And yet, you are
still the loser, Walter.  What a pity for you that an
agreement made with a mere male isn't legally binding."

"What!" he gasped, staring at her in betrayed horror.
"But--you signed your name--"

"Besides," she sneered, "do you truly believe I did not
realize this game was set up from the beginning?  Where did
you obtain the loaded dice, Walter?  Do they really belong
to Lady Maggie?  I had not thought her capable of such
clever tactics, however dishonest."

"You speak of dishonesty, and yet you willingly entered into
a contract you had no intention of honoring," came a voice
from behind them, and Walter almost did faint when he
realized his wife was present.

Amanda swung around to face the woman in her doorway.  "A
contract with a male means nothing," she said with an air of
dismissal.  "No court in the land would uphold it.  It is
not binding."

"Perhaps not legally, Lady Amanda, but it is morally
binding," Maggie answered.  "The commandments given by our
Goddess do not stipulate that lying to males is excusable.
Indeed, to take advantage of a man, who has less of an
understanding of such matters, must be a truly greater sin."

Amanda handed over the paper angrily, as if to prove her
point.  "It isn't legal, Lady Maggie, and you know it.  It
isn't worth the paper it's written upon."

Maggie took the precious parchment into her possession
eagerly--she would not have been surprised had Amanda tried
to destroy it.  "It is worth a great deal more than you
realize," she admonished.  "For if you refuse to abide by
this agreement, an agreement made in good faith with a poor
man who knew no better, I shall make it known throughout the
entire Queendom that you are a liar and a cheat, and hold no
honor. My word, as an honest woman, is known and valued. You
will soon find you are no longer able to live from your
winnings, because no one in the land will wager with you!"

"He cheated!" Amanda retorted, pointing at Walter
accusingly.  "He was using trick dice."

"Walter, give me the dice," Maggie ordered, holding out her
hand, and Walter, praying a silent plea to the Goddess that
the quick switch he'd made wouldn't be discovered, handed
her the dice he'd withdrawn from his left pocket.  Maggie
examined them carefully, then handed them to Amanda.  There
was no denying they were simply an ordinary pair of dice.

Amanda turned them over and over, examining them, then
glared angrily at Maggie, but it was plain to see that the
Scully woman meant what she said.  Finally, deciding that
her only option was to retreat with dignity, she said, "Very
well, Lady Maggie.  You have won.  You will, of course,
excuse me if I refuse your further hospitality.  I shall
take my servants and depart within the hour."

"I believe that to be advisable," Maggie agreed, and
motioning to her husband, she ushered him down the corridor
into their chamber.

"Walter, take a seat.  It may be the last time you are able
to do so for some days," she ordered in a steely voice as
she tugged at the bell cord.

Mariah arrived shortly, and Maggie instructed her, "See to
Lady Rutherford's departure.  She will not be staying the
night after all."  Then she turned back to her trembling
husband.

"You will tell me the entire story of this debacle from
beginning to end, leaving out nothing," Maggie ordered, and
Walter shivered at her tone.  He avoided her gaze for a
moment before sighing heavily.

-----

Dana was awakened by a sharp rapping at her chamber door.
Raising her head to stare curiously at the door--for it must
be the middle of the night--she called, "Who is there?"

"It is I, Daughter," Maggie replied forcefully.  "We must
speak at once."

"What is it?" muttered Fox as Dana climbed off him.

"Shh, sweeting, it is only Mother."  She spread the sheet
over his naked body and pulled on her robe before throwing
open the door.  "Mother, what in the world--"

"Dana," Maggie said, striding into the room dragging Walter
behind her, "it seems our husbands are simply incapable of
behaving themselves for any length of time."

Dana glanced sharply at Fox, who had awakened completely by
now and was staring at her with eyes widened by
apprehension.  She sighed lightly, knotting the sash of her
robe at her waist, and turned back to Maggie.

"What have they done now?"

Maggie quickly related the story Walter had told her, and as
she spoke Dana's face grew red with shock and outrage.  She
whirled back to Fox, who looked as if he would like to sink
into the bed and disappear.  Carefully, she took two steps
toward him before Maggie's voice stopped her.

"Remember your own words of wisdom, Daughter," Maggie
cautioned.  "Take care in the heat of the moment."

"You are quite right, Mother," Dana agreed at last,
surveying her helpless prey with her arms crossed over her
chest.  "I believe we should discuss it in the morning.  Has
Lady Rutherford departed?"

"She is safely off Scully land by now."

"Good.  Now that bit of unpleasantness is behind us, we can
decide what to do with men who so foolishly endanger
themselves, and who stupidly take it upon themselves to
actually try and protect women."

"We shall do so indeed, but over breakfast.  Right now, we
all require sleep. Walter, come along."

So saying, Maggie turned and strode down the corridor toward
her own wing.  Walter, after a guilty look at Fox, and
seeing the dangerous expression on his step-daughter's face,
followed immediately.

"So," Dana said thoughtfully, approaching her husband with
slow, measured steps.  "Let us consider your crimes, shall
we, sweeting?"

"My-my lady, I-"

"You lied to me," she interrupted, holding up one finger.
"You said you were taking Walter upstairs to rest when you
had every intention of putting this ridiculous, dangerous
plan into motion."  Another finger joined the first as she
went on, "You left the house without permission, under cover
of darkness and without an escort."

He bit his lip nervously as she continued.

"You went into the village alone, when you knew that the
commonest of the population would be out and about, and that
a beautiful man such as yourself would be simply too
tempting for them to resist."  Three fingers were now
raised, and a fourth flew up.  "You went, of all places, to
a gaming saloon, where beautiful men are the stakes wagered
on a regular basis, with no one to protect you should you
come to harm."  Now Dana added her thumb, leaving her hand
opened wide, finishing, "You encouraged Walter to visit Lady
Rutherford alone, a scandal in itself, and gave him the
means to cheat at a game of chance, which you had obtained
through your illicit visit to the tavern."  She stared at
her open palm, itching to punish her disobedient husband's
backside, and Fox winced.

"I--may I at least--"  He stopped, uncertain how to begin to
explain to his wife why the plan had seemed logical and a
good idea at the time.

Dana waited for a moment, curious as to what explanation he
might concoct, but when he gave up, she sat next to him on
the bed and began untying the scarves that held him.

"My lady?" he asked in confusion.

"You will rest tonight, Fox," she commanded, removing her
robe and slipping into bed next to him.  She snuffed the
candle and pulled him into her arms, holding him tightly,
for the very thought of what might have happened to him in
the village chilled her blood.  "I shall deal with you
tomorrow."

Fox lay in her embrace, staring up at the ceiling in the
darkness, and wondered how much of the nausea he was feeling
was due to nervousness, and how much due to the strange
illness that seemed to have struck him recently.

It was hours before he slept.

-----

When Dana met her mother for breakfast, both women showed
signs of a restless night.

"I don't believe I slept an hour," Dana confided, sipping at
the strong coffee she had ordered served.  "The very thought
of what might have befallen Fox--or Walter, going to that
woman's chamber alone..."  She shuddered.

Maggie nodded sympathetically.  "I know," she agreed.
"Walter was so concerned about the coming punishment that he
tossed and turned all night.  Poor dear, it is simply one
thing after another with him, it seems."

"Well, Mother, if it is any consolation, during that long
and sleepless night I believe I was able to devise the
perfect plan for disciplining our wayward men."

Maggie raised an eyebrow and waited.

"I believe," Dana said with a wicked grin, "that their fate
should depend upon a roll of the dice."

"Pardon me?" Maggie asked, startled at the statement, but as
Dana quickly outlined her plan, Maggie's smile grew until it
matched that of her mischievous daughter, both in size and
wickedness.

"I do believe we should feed the darlings their breakfast
and get started right away," she said, and Dana nodded
agreement. Both women rose from the table and headed eagerly
upstairs.

"Dana, can't I please get up now?" Fox begged when she
entered the room.  He had been kneeling before the fireplace
where she'd left him, his hands resting upon his head,
completely naked, and he was both tired and humiliated.  At
least, he thought thankfully, Alex would not arrive to clean
the chamber before he was summoned.

"Oh yes, Fox, you may get up.  In fact, I wish you to bathe
and dress immediately.  Then you will eat breakfast, and we
will proceed with your punishment."

Dana rang for a tray for Fox, and while he bathed in the
still-warm water in the tub, Dana pulled out the clothing
she intended him to wear. He tried to hide his grimace of
disgust when a pair of extremely tight breeches landed on
the bed, soon joined by the most revealing shirt he
possessed. She lay the hated high-heeled boots beside the
clothing and waited for him to complete his bath.  Fox
washed himself hastily, knowing that to keep her waiting
would only increase her anger, and soon he stood before her,
still naked, while she patted his skin with the drying
towel.

"Now, you will get dressed," she ordered, and holding back
his objections, Fox quickly donned the clothing she'd
chosen.  His meal arrived, and he choked down as much as he
could before pushing back from the table to indicate he was
finished.

"Come with me," Dana said then, and left the chamber without
a backward glance.  He followed, wondering to what doom she
was leading him, but realizing there was no escape.

They joined Maggie and Walter in the salon of the West Wing,
and Fox saw that Walter was dressed equally uncomfortably,
and was standing in a corner looking miserable.

"Fox, that corner is for you," Dana instructed, pointing to
the opposite wall, and he obeyed without protest, watching
in surprise as Maggie and Dana took their seats at the small
table and produced a deck of cards.

"High card wins?" Dana asked, shuffling the deck, and Maggie
nodded.  "Perhaps we should explain the rules to the boys,
Mother.  They are as yet unacquainted with this sort of
gaming."

"Quite so.  Gentlemen, pay attention."  Fox and Walter both
turned to her, eyes wide, and waited while she smiled at
them.

"Since you both wished to wager your future on a game of
chance, Dana and I have decided that your punishment should
fittingly rest on the same.  She and I will each draw a card
in turn, and whoever has the highest card will order her
husband to remove an article of his clothing.  When you are
both quite deliciously naked, we will proceed."

Fox blushed furiously, glancing at the door to the salon,
and felt weak-kneed with relief when he realized his wife
had bolted it behind her.  At least no servants would be
witness to this humiliation.

He and Walter stared at the ladies as they each reached into
the deck and drew a card.

"Four," Dana revealed, holding hers aloft for everyone to
see.

"Seven," Maggie answered.  "Walter, remove your left boot."

He stood, unbelieving for a moment, before slowly bending
over and pulling the boot from his foot while bracing
himself against the wall.  When he had set it aside, and was
once again standing erect, the ladies drew again.

"Walter, your right boot."

He obeyed.

On the next draw Dana was the winner, and she turned to Fox
with a delighted smile.  "Remove your shirt, Fox."

"My shirt!" he objected.  "But my lady, Walter had only to
remove a boot!"

She rose, giving him a threatening glare, and he immediately
pulled the shirt over his head and dropped it to the floor.
In truth, he thought bitterly, there was not much more of
him revealed now than before, the shirt was that immodest.

Walter's shirt was the next to go, and then his breeches,
and soon he stood in the corner wearing only his
undergarment, his entire body red with embarrassment.

"Fox, left boot."

"Fox, right boot."

"Walter, your undergarment, please."

"Fox, your breeches."

At last, both men were naked, their eyes averted from one
another, and Fox breathed a sigh of relief, for surely it
was over now, and the ladies would allow them to dress.

Instead, Maggie rose and picked up a small case she'd hidden
behind a sofa, placing it on the table.  Fox heard Walter's
gasp, but did not understand the reason for it until the
contents of the case were revealed.

Several vicious-looking implements of discipline were
contained in the case, and Maggie took them all and lay them
carefully on the sofa.  Then she crooked her finger at
Walter, who reluctantly approached.

"Bend over this chair here," she instructed, pushing him
down so that his head rested comfortably on the cushion, his
bare backside within easy reach.  "Fox, that chair is for
you."

At a look from Dana, Fox took his place over the
corresponding chair.  Both men, if they raised their heads,
had a splendid view of the sofa which held a strap, a cane,
a grooved paddle, and a feather. Fox swallowed hard,
wondering what nasty surprise Dana had in store for them
now, for it was obvious that a simple, straightforward
spanking was not to be.

"Our next game of chance involves your favorite gambling
implement, the dice," Dana announced brightly, reaching for
the pair Maggie had placed in the center of the small table.

"First, I shall roll one die.  If I get a one, you will be
punished with the paddle.  A two is for the strap.  A three
means the cane, and a four means the feather.  A five will
earn you punishment with the bare hand."

"My lady--what does a six mean?" Fox asked, attempting to
hide the quaver in his voice, and she smiled broadly.

"Six is your lucky number," she said blandly.

"Then," Maggie continued, "we will roll both dice at once,
and the number rolled determines how many strokes you will
receive with the chosen implement.  Isn't this fun, boys?"

Neither man deigned to answer her, and she did not seem to
expect a response.  "Dana, you go first.  After all, the
entire plan was hatched by Fox, so he deserves the place of
honor."

"Absolutely, Mother," Dana agreed, shaking a single die in
her hand and letting it roll across the table.

Fox watched it fearfully, praying for a six, but instead she
rolled a three.  The cane!  First thing, he must endure that
vicious cane!  He begged the Goddess to allow her next roll
to be low, and to his gratitude, she came up with a three.

"Three strokes with the cane," she said, grabbing it up and
coming around behind him.  "I expect any man who is brave
enough to venture alone at night into a rough tavern in the
village to be brave enough to endure almost any punishment,"
she warned before the first stroke fell upon his unprotected
flesh.

Fox screeched into the chair cushion, clutching at the
fabric wildly, and held on for dear life while she delivered
the strokes.  He sniffed back a few tears that stung his
eyelids, glad of the short reprieve, and watched while Dana
returned the cane to its place.

"Our turn, Walter dear," said Maggie gaily, catching up a
die, and had to bite back her laughter at his expression
when she rolled a four.

"I'd really rather have the cane," he muttered weakly, but
she took her second roll with pleasure.

"Now, Walter, we mustn't cheat, as you did with Lady
Rutherford.  Going to her chamber alone, a libertine like
that, to try and trick her with loaded dice!  Why, she might
have taken all manner of liberties with you, had I not
arrived in the nick of time," she scolded, winking at him
when she produced a seven.

"How will you do strokes with the feather, Mother?" Dana
asked curiously, and Maggie told her to just watch.

She stood behind her trembling husband, bent over, and
started at his ankles, drawing the feather slowly up one
leg, across one smooth buttock, up his back, across his
shoulders, and down the other side until at last she reached
his opposite ankle.  Walter, who had bit his lip hard and
clenched his eyes shut against the tender agony, made a
strangled sound when she began her second journey with the
feather.  By the time she had finished the seventh pass over
his body he was writhing, pleading with her for her mercy,
and completely undone.  Maggie set the feather aside with
satisfaction and motioned for her daughter to take a turn.

They played the game for over an hour, both men experiencing
every implement of discipline at least once, and by the time
they considered their men suitably punished, Walter and Fox
were exhausted and thoroughly chastened.  Both were sporting
very red backsides as well, and Maggie informed them both
that they were to remain in their chambers for the rest of
the day.

Getting back into his chamber without being seen by the
servants was easy for Walter, for it was only two doors down
the corridor, but Fox practically ran through the house to
get to his room before he could be spotted.  Dana followed
more slowly, carrying the clothing he had discarded earlier,
and waved gaily to her mother as she departed.

When she entered their bedchamber, she was surprised to see
Fox on his knees just inside the door, his face quite green.

"I--my lady, I am not well," he said inadequately, just
before losing his breakfast all over the expensive Aubusson
carpet.

"Oh dear," Dana said, opening the door and calling to the
servant she'd just passed in the corridor.  "Mariah, send
Alex up with cleaning supplies.  Lord Fox is ill."

"Come now, sweeting, let me help you into bed.  I did not
realize my creative method of discipline had sickened you."

"It wasn't...it wasn't that, my lady," he told her weakly as
she pulled him into her arms, holding the mug of water
Mariah brought to his lips.  "I've been feeling ill for
several days.  I must have caught a sickness."

"And why did you not tell me you were unwell?" she demanded,
settling him gently in the bed and covering his nakedness
with the sheet.

"It did not seem important, compared to what Walter was
faced with."

She shook her head in exasperation, but said nothing.  It
was so like kind-hearted Fox to forget his own woes in the
face of another's trouble.

Maggie arrived a few moments later, having been summoned by
the ruckus, and her daughter explained what had happened.

"Fox believes he has caught a sickness," Dana commented,
glancing up at her mother knowingly.

"Indeed, perhaps it is that," Maggie agreed.  "We shall find
out soon enough."

Fox lay abed while the women bustled around him and Alex
arrived to grudgingly clean the carpet.  He shut his eyes,
curling up into a ball, and wondered why he didn't feel any
better after emptying his stomach.  He always had before.

"Alex, send Aja with some broth for Lord Fox," Dana ordered
carelessly when he had finished and turned to go. "Oh, and
Alex?"

"Yes, my lady?"

"No more sleeping in the attic for you."

She did not see the look of pure venom he shot her, so
intent was she upon Fox, but it was not lost upon Maggie.
Lady Maggie followed the servant into the corridor, grabbing
him by the ear and jerking him around to face her.

"I suggest you do not anger my daughter further, Alex," she
advised grimly.  "She will not be inclined to be lenient
with you a second time."

Alex stared at the woman before him in shock.  Lenient?  It
had been the most horrible punishment he'd ever had the
misfortune to endure, he almost retorted, but instead, he
wisely bit back his words with a muttered, "Yes, my lady,"
and fled for the kitchen.

Fox had barely begun to sip the broth Aja brought when he
bolted to the chamber pot, vomiting it up violently.

"What is wrong with me?" he moaned, leaning his head wearily
against the side of the bed while Dana bathed his forehead
with cool water.

"Well," she confided, "I am not yet certain, but I believe
there is a good chance we are with child."

"We?"

She nodded, her eyes sparkling with joy.

"But Dana, women are the ones who have babies--why would *I*
be sick?"

She furrowed her brow thoughtfully--it had not occurred to
her that Fox would be so completely uninformed in the ways
of childbearing.

"Do you not know of the mystical bond that is formed between
a woman and a man when they are to have a child?" she asked,
and sighed when he shook his head in confusion. She helped
him climb back into bed, then sat gently beside him,
stroking through his hair with soothing fingers.

"Women are the ones who actually carry the children, because
we are the stronger sex," she explained.  "It takes a woman
to endure the inconvenience of having her body grow large
and unwieldy during pregnancy.  However..."  She bit her
lip, unsure how to explain to him the uncomfortable role men
were required to play in childbearing.  "The father of the
child is sometimes ill for the first few months of the
pregnancy."

He stared up at her in disbelief.  "Months?  *Months*?  I'm
going to feel this way for *months*?" he demanded.

"There is no way to predict exactly how long it will last,
Fox, and every babe is different.  It could be that the
worst is behind you already."

Fox considered his still unsettled stomach and covered his
face with his hands.  "Sweet Goddess!" he whispered.  "I
cannot bear it!"

"You can, and you will," Dana assured him, "just as other
fathers-to-be."  She smiled.  "If it is any consolation, I
will be the one suffering pain when the actual delivery of
the child occurs.  Again, it is something men are too weak
to endure, so our Goddess has given the job to women."

"Dana?"

"Yes, sweeting?"

"I do not wish to have a child."

She laughed at his plaintive words.  "Whether you wish it or
not, I believe we are to be blessed with either a daughter
or a son in a very few months."

"Perhaps I shall make certain this is the only child we
have."

She smiled with amused indulgence.  "And how will you do
that?"

"Perhaps I shall withdraw from you before I spill my seed in
the future," he said sleepily, closing his eyes, enjoying
the comfort of her stroking fingers in his hair.

She laughed again.  "I am afraid you could no more do that
than I could stop taking my pleasure of you," she informed
him.  "It is in the nature of men and women to create
children.  And just think, Fox, I will have daughters to
carry on my name, and you will have sons to teach all the
manly arts to.  We shall be often blessed with children, I
know it is true."

"How often?"

"Oh...perhaps once a year.  Perhaps once every two years."

He groaned again, and she laughed tenderly. "Sleep now, my
sweet Fox.  When you awaken, I shall know for certain if we
are to have a child."

-----

Exhausted from his near sleepless night, his punishment and
his illness, he slept straight through until the next day,
and when he awakened she greeted him with a smile as sunny
as the morning.  Fox, who felt as if he had been trapped on
a runaway carriage for several days, frowned sourly at her
before accepting the tiny sips of broth she forced upon him.

"Mother has examined me, and it was as I suspected," she
told him joyfully.  "I am with child."

He nodded, his head falling weakly to the pillow.  "When?"
he whispered.

"She will be born in early spring."

Even through his illness, Fox was irritated at her words,
and raised one eyebrow questioningly.  "She?  What if we are
to have a son, my lady?"

Dana shook her head, refusing to allow his mood to spoil her
joy.  "That is with the Goddess, true," she conceded. "I
suppose it is possible our first child could be a boy.  In
that case, we shall simply have to try again for a daughter
right away."

He grimaced.  "No, no, I'm certain my lady is correct.  It
is a daughter you carry.  We shall not need to have another
child for years--perhaps never, in fact."

She brushed the damp hair back from his forehead tenderly.
"I must go down to breakfast, if you can spare my company,"
she told him.  "Alex will be available, should you require
assistance, and I have a light schedule of patients to see
this morning.  I will be home shortly after luncheon, unless
an emergency arises."

He made another face.  "My lady..."  It was as if he wanted
to speak, but was reluctant to do so.

"What is it, sweeting?" she asked softly.  "Are you
sickening again?"

He shook his head briefly.  "No, but Dana...Alex..."  Fox
bit his lip, unable to voice his concern, because truly Dana
did not know of all the trouble between her husband and the
upstart maid.

"I know you dislike him, Fox, but attending to your needs is
part of his duties.  If he is insolent to you, inform me and
he will be punished."

"No!  I mean, no, my lady, I'm certain he will not act
rudely again, it's just...I was wondering..."

"Do not be afraid to speak to me, Fox."

He gazed up at her from beneath his long eyelashes,
mustering as much of a smile as he possibly could.  "I meant
to ask you...but of course, I have no right to request
favors from my lady, not after my recent behavior.  Indeed,
I deserve much punishment, and my lady is most generous--"

"Fox, do you think me idiotic?"

He was taken aback at her words.  "No, my lady, of course
not!"

"Then why, pray tell, are you speaking to me as if I had no
more intelligence than a silly school boy?"

His mouth dropped open, then closed again without forming a
word.

"Masculine wiles do not become you, Fox--at least not those
which you do not employ on a regular basis.  By the Goddess,
I believe if I let you go on, you would be batting your
eyelashes at me within minutes."

Fox, who had considered doing that very thing, had the good
grace to blush.

"If you desire something of me, by all means, ask it.  I
will either grant your request or refuse it, but do us both
the credit of not playing the part of a feather-headed
ingenue.  It does not suit you."

"I am sorry, my lady," he said sincerely, looking up into
her deep blue eyes.  "I should not have acted in such a
manner."

She smiled.  "Quite so.  Now, tell me what it is you are so
reluctant to ask."

He sighed, plucking nervously at the sheets with his
fingers.  "You know that I dislike Alex, and he returns the
feeling with enthusiasm.  If it please my lady, I would like
to take the boy, Aja, and train him to be my personal maid."

She said nothing, only looked thoughtful, and he continued
in a rush, "I have given the matter much consideration--he
could sleep in the small chamber at the end of the corridor,
it isn't in use, and is too tiny for guests, and that would
place him nearby in case I needed him, and it makes sense,
especially now that I am so ill--"

"And Aja is young enough to still be a virgin, and this
would remove him from the reach of the servants and place
him under your protection," she finished for him, and he
stared at her, open-mouthed.  She laughed aloud at his
expression.

"Did you believe I did not discern your true motive, Fox
Scully?" she asked, amused, and he smiled with good grace.

"I should learn that my lady knows all that is in my mind,"
he allowed at last.  "The boy is young, innocent, and has no
mother or older sisters to protect him.  I should hate to
see him end up..."

She took his chin between her fingers and studied his face
carefully, seeing only clear honesty in his eyes, before
giving him an indulgent smile.  "Very well, Fox, if it would
please you, you may take Aja as your personal maid. However,
Natalie has him working in the kitchen this week while her
assistant is visiting his ailing mother, so for now, I'm
afraid you will still be forced to deal with Alex."

His beaming face lit up the room.  "Thank you, my lady,
thank you!" He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it
fervently, and she smoothed back his hair one last time.

"I must go, then," she said briskly, rising to her feet.
"But remember, my husband, no matter how you dislike him,
Alex is here to serve you.  If you require his assistance,
you will ring for him, do you understand?"

He nodded.  "Yes, Dana."

"I shall send Walter to check on you after breakfast."

"Yes, my lady."

------

"Fox, what on earth--?"  Dana stared about her, at the
chamber that was still in disarray, wrinkled her nose at the
ghastly smell, and strode over to throw open a window
forcefully. "Where is Alex?"

"I--never rang for him, my lady," he told her in a low
voice, pulling himself to a sitting position on the bed.

She gaped at him in disbelief for a moment before giving the
bell cord a sharp tug.

"Please, Dana, that's not necessary," he said, scrambling to
stand up before grabbing at the bedside table for balance.
"I'm quite well, I can straighten the room myself."

Dana simply stared.  "Fox, have you gone quite mad?" she
demanded.  "Firstly, you are not well, you are barely able
to stand upon your own feet.  Secondly, it is not your
responsibility to clean our chamber, and if you are feeling
so much better, I have other activities I would involve you
in."

He blushed at her wicked innuendo, sinking to a chair when
Alex entered the chamber.

"Clean this room immediately," Dana ordered.  "The bed wants
changing as well.  When you are finished, report to me in
the downstairs salon.  I wish to reassess your employment
contract."

"Y-yes, my lady," Alex stammered, eyes wide, and began to
fly about the room immediately, setting it to rights.

Dana left the chamber, and Fox buried his face in his hands
as Alex went about his duties, restoring the room to its
former pristine state.  When the movements became quiet, Fox
risked a glance up and gasped in horror.  The maid was
standing before Dana's dresser, going through her jewelry
chest.

"Alex, have you taken leave of your senses?  Leave those
things alone!" Fox commanded, and Alex turned to him with an
insolent smile.  Fox watched as the maid slipped a golden
neck band into the pocket of his breeches.

"Put that back!" he ordered in a fiercely low voice, but
Alex only strolled to the door of the chamber.

"If I am to be released from my contract, I shall not go
empty-handed," he informed Fox.  "And if you say anything to
anyone..."  He left the threat hanging, but Fox knew, and
fumed helplessly as the maid disappeared down the corridor.

-----

"Alex, your behavior and performance have been completely
unsatisfactory," Dana said briskly when the maid entered the
salon.

Alex stared at the floor, the picture of abject penitence.

"You are rude, disobedient, disrespectful, and you have
neglected your duties.  Is there anything you would like to
offer in your own defense before I tear up your contract and
send you on your way?"

His eyes shimmered with tears when he raised them to her
face, and his voice contained just the right amount of
pleading.

"My lady, I beg of you, please give me another chance to
prove my loyalty to you.  I swear to you, I shall not
disappoint you again."

She rose and walked around him, looking him up and down
critically.  "Why should I do so?" she demanded at last.

His shoulders slumped and he appeared ready to cry.  "My
lady, when I first came to you for employment...I lied to
you."

"Lied?"

He nodded shamefully. "I--I said I was an upstairs maid, but
in truth, I have never...you see my lady, I needed
employment so badly, and I had already spoken to Melvin...he
said it was the only position available..."

"I see," she said at last.  "And what kind of work are you
able to competently do, Alex?"

"I warmed my last lady's bed."

"You shall not be warming mine."

He nodded.  "You will dissolve our contract, then?" he asked
softly.

Dana leaned against the door, looking him up and down slowly
again.  He blushed beneath her scrutiny, but did not flinch.

"Perhaps not," she replied at length.  "Tell me, Alex, are
you able to make yourself useful in the kitchen?"  Then,
pretending to reconsider, she mused, "No, that would never
do.  You would poison us all."

He said nothing.

"How badly do you wish to remain in my employ?"

"Oh, my lady, I would do anything you require!" he answered
fervently.  "I do not know what I shall do if you release me
from my contract without a reference.  Please give me a
chance to prove my loyalty to you."

"Very well.  Come with me, Alex.  From now on, you will be
working with the livestock."

"The-the stables, my lady?" he clarified as he trotted after
her.

"No, you shall go nowhere near my prize horses, Alex.  You
will be working under the direct supervision of Gena,
mucking out the pens where the pigs and sheep reside."

She ignored his expression of horrified disbelief, stalking
toward the barns, hauling the shocked man behind her.
Before Alex knew what had happened he was handed a shovel by
Gena, a woman large enough to easily challenge Roberta in a
wrestling match, with a wicked sense of humor and a ready
crop if he slowed in his work, and instructed to clean all
the pigpens before suppertime.

-----

"So, Aja, do you think you will be able to handle the duties
of my personal maid?" Fox asked seriously, putting his hands
on the boy's shoulders and looking him in the eye.  Aja
glanced around the bedchamber, thinking of all the things
Lord Fox had told him the position involved, then nodded
soberly.

"Yes, my lord, I know I can do it."

Fox smiled widely.  "Excellent," he said.  "Go and fetch
your things.  You will be sleeping in a chamber down the
corridor from me."

Aja looked stunned.  "You mean--I am no longer to live in
the servants' quarters?"

"Oh no, Aja, I need you near me at all times, especially
now, when I am not feeling well."

"Yes, Lord Fox!" Aja agreed eagerly.  "I shall return at
once!"

The boy scampered down the stairs quickly, racing for the
shed where he slept with the other male servants, gathering
up his meager belongings with haste.  He wrapped everything
in a thin shirt and left the shed, his eyes intent upon the
back door of the manor house, when he heard a voice call
from the nearby trees.

"Boy!  Come over here!"

Aja looked around warily, but upon seeing the friendly face
that peered at him from behind a shrub, he approached
without fear.

"Yes?" he asked, examining the man, who was dirty and tired,
and looked as if he hadn't had a full meal in days.

"What is your name?"

"Aja."

"Well, Aja, I need you to deliver a message to your lord for
me."

Aja cocked his head curiously.  "Which lord, Sir?  There are
two here at Scully manor."

"Lord Fox.  I need you to bring him to me."

"And why would you be needing Lord Fox, may I ask, Sir?"

The man shifted impatiently from one foot to another.
"Please, Aja, just tell him to come to me.  Tell him it's
urgent that I speak to him."

Aja nodded in understanding--Lord Fox was one for odd
associates, all upon the estate knew that. "What name may I
give him?" he asked, preparing to leave, for he had told
Lord Fox he would return quickly.

The man's eyes flickered toward the house--would Fox
remember him?  Softly he answered the boy.

"Isaac. Isaac Tremont."


-----


Chapter 11

"Aja--I was afraid you had forgotten your way," Fox smiled
when the boy returned.  "Come, I will show you to your new
chamber."

"Lord Fox, wait, a man--" Aja began, out of breath, and Fox
paused, his brow furrowed in puzzlement.

"A man?" he asked, his hand on the chamber door.

"Hiding outside, my lord, in the trees behind the servants
quarters. He asked for you."

Fox swallowed hard and stared at Aja for a moment before
asking, "Did he give a name?"

"He said his name was Isaac Tremont, my lord."

Fox felt the room begin to go black, and reached for the
wall for support.  Aja, seeing his master about to faint,
wrapped his arms around Lord Scully's waist and eased him to
a chair.

"My lord, are you all right?" he asked anxiously, patting
the older man's face gently until Fox opened his eyes.
"Place your head between your knees."

"I am all right, Aja," he whispered after regaining his
bearings.  "I was just suddenly quite dizzy."

Aja smiled knowingly.  "Lady Dana is to have a babe," he
said confidently.

Fox grinned affectionately at him.  "What do you know of
such things, my boy?"

The servant shrugged and replied with a smile,  "I have seen
it happen before."

Fox shook his head a bit, rising to a standing position with
Aja's assistance, and allowed the boy to help him to his
bed.  "You are entirely too knowledgeable about certain
matters for a child, Aja."

"Well, I cannot unlearn what I have learned," Aja pointed
out, removing his master's boots and pulling a sheet over
him.

Fox smiled.  "That is quite true, I'm afraid.  Well, since I
am unable to show it to you, your chamber is the small one
at the end of the corridor.  Put your things there, then go
and tell this man to wait for me.  I will see him later,
when I am recovered a bit."

"Yes, my lord."

"And Aja?"

"Yes, Lord Fox?"  The boy turned back to his new master.

"Tell no one of this man."

Aja nodded and disappeared from the room, while Fox stared
at the ceiling in fear.  What did Isaac want, and why was he
back in Azure?  Surely he must know the danger to both of
them, should he be discovered.  Gnawing on his lip
thoughtfully, Fox began to hatch a plan.

-----

"Aja, I require your assistance," Fox said when the young
man had answered his ring.

"Of course, my lord," Aja smiled, quite happy with his new
position.  His first day of duties had been relatively
light, he had never had so fine a room as he now called his
own, and Lord Fox was very kind.

"I must meet with Mr. Tremont, and I do not wish anyone to
be bothered about it, so my lady does not need to discover
that I have left this chamber.  Can you distract her, should
she come upstairs before I have returned?"  He gazed at the
boy, who returned his look with a confident smile.

"Of course I can do that, Lord Fox.  How much time will you
require?"  Aja had the look of a scamp about him, which Fox
found quite endearing.

"Not long.  I will return as swiftly as I am able."  Fox
picked up the piece of parchment upon which he had written a
letter, rolled it carefully and stuck it in his pocket. Then
he left the chamber, creeping carefully down the stairs and
out the back entrance, breathing a sigh of relief when he
did not encounter either servants or family members.

He had gone upstairs directly after supper, Dana insisting
he rest, as she said he appeared quite peaked.  She, Maggie
and Walter had remained in the salon, the ladies no doubt
playing one of their eternal games of chess while Walter
read to himself, and it seemed the perfect time for Fox to
talk with Isaac.

Making his way across the yard in the twilight, he
approached the clump of trees where Aja had said the man
would be waiting.

"Isaac?" he called in a loud whisper, and immediately
received his answer.

"Here, my lord."

Glancing over his shoulder one last time, Fox slipped behind
the shrub and saw Isaac.  The poor man was dressed in rags,
and his face was thin and drawn.  Fox made a mental note to
have Aja bring him some food.

"Isaac, what are you doing here?" Fox asked urgently.  "Do
you not realize the danger?  You are a dead man if Lady
Fowley discovers you!"

"I know, my lord, but I felt I had no choice," Isaac
replied. "I believe that a man I know as Alex Krycek is
employed here at Scully Manor, and I had to warn you of him.
Then I learned in the village that you are now Lord Scully
the Younger, and that makes the danger greater still."

"But--"

"My lord, I promised you I would never reveal what you had
done for me, but I did.  I thought Alex was my trustworthy
friend, and our Lady had provided the servants with a barrel
of ale as a Christmas gift.  I am unused to spirits, but
Alex kept filling my mug--he may have even added something
to it, I cannot be sure, and I...I am afraid I told him the
entire story.  When his contract was up, he told me he was
coming to Azure to seek employment.  He offered to carry a
letter to you thanking you for what you had done, and swore
to deliver it safely.  I did not know until later he could
not be trusted--the other servants had tales to tell of him
that filled me with terror.  He is a traitor and a thief.  I
had to warn you."

"He has been using the letter to blackmail me," Fox said
grimly.

Isaac stared at him in appalled horror.  "My most humble
apologies, my lord--I will do what I must in order to
rectify the situation.  I will go to Lady Fowley at once
and--"

"You will do nothing of the sort!" Fox retorted.  "I did not
save you only to have you throw your life away for me now.
Here."  He thrust the parchment into Isaac's hands.  "You
must travel to the next village to the north, called
Webster.  There you will inquire as to the estate of Lord
Jake Winters.  Give this letter to Lord Winters and tell him
I sent you.  He will take care of you."

Isaac looked at the parchment in his hands, then at Fox, his
eyes shining with gratitude.  "I do not deserve such
kindness," he choked.

"Nonsense," Fox said briskly.  "You did not deserve Lady
Fowley's cruelty, or Alex Krycek's deception.  Now, wait
here a bit.  I shall have my maid return with some food for
you--you look half-starved.  Then you must make haste.  You
must be far gone from this region by morning."

Isaac nodded and sank back into the trees, while Fox
carefully made his way into the house.  He was relieved to
hear the sound of his wife's voice drift from the salon, and
climbed the stairs as silently as a ghost.  When he entered
his chamber, Aja was waiting for him.

"All clear, my lord," he said brightly, and Fox nodded,
feeling weariness and nausea begin to overtake him again,
now that his mission was completed.

"Aja, help me undress and get into bed," he instructed.
"Then you must go to the kitchen and tell Natalie I said to
give you the leftover meat pies and scones from tea.  You
may eat one, if you are hungry, but take the rest to Isaac.
Do not allow yourself to be seen. Can you do that?"

He grasped the boy's arm and looked into his eyes urgently,
and Aja knew this was very important to Lord Fox.

"All us boys know how to get on the good side of Cook," he
replied staunchly, and once his master was settled abed,
made his way downstairs to obey his orders.  He simply
smiled and thanked Natalie when she commented on how much a
growing boy could eat, then slipped outside and gave the
leftovers to Isaac, bidding him haste and the company of the
Goddess.

To Lord Scully's great relief, his wife did not discover
that he had left their chamber that evening, and he prayed
that Isaac had managed to reach safety.  The note he had
written to his cousin was vague, but Jake would understand,
Fox told himself.  They had been as close as brothers while
children, and were still dear friends although they did not
often visit.

-----

Several days later, the family was at supper, where Dana was
doing her best to tempt Fox with tasty morsels of chicken
and pastry, when the great knocker at the front door
resounded through the lower floor of the manor.  They all
looked at each other, somewhat surprised, for the hour for
callers was past.

Roberta, who had answered the knock, threw open the dining
room door with a flourish and stood aside to admit their
visitor.

Dana gave a small shriek of delight as she rose from the
table. "Melissa!"  She stood back to look at her sister
after embracing her in a fierce hug.  "What are you doing
here? We did not think to see you again so soon!"

Lady Maggie, upon hearing their voices, joined them quickly.
She flashed a fond smile at the sight of her two daughters'
loving greeting of one another.

"Mother!" Melissa greeted, receiving the same warm welcome
from Lady Maggie.  "I am happy to see you looking so well."

Maggie gave a short laugh.  "Of course I am well, my dear.
Walter keeps me young.  What a pleasant surprise your visit
is--you are just in time for supper.  Roberta, bring some
champagne."

"I have exciting news," Melissa confided, slipping her arms
through theirs and walking toward the table.  "I have been
given a promotion."

"A promotion!" Dana exclaimed.  "You were already a General
of the Queen's Guard."

"Yes, well now I am Commanding General of the Guard,"
Melissa told her modestly.  "I was given a week leave before
I am to assume my new duties."

"You will be in charge of the entire Queen's Guard?" Dana
asked, impressed, for it was truly one of the highest and
most prestigious positions in the land.

"I am afraid so, Sister," she replied, her eyes dancing. "If
any harm should befall our country or our Queen, you will
know who is at fault!"

"Nonsense," Maggie chided as she resumed her place beside
Walter.  "Set another place for Lady Melissa," she
instructed a servant, who bowed and left the room
immediately.

"Walter, Fox," Melissa greeted the men, who smiled at her
shyly.  "How lovely to see you both."

"Welcome, and congratulations, Lady Melissa," Fox ventured,
sipping at his water. "We always enjoy your company."

"Dana, I had occasion to visit France last month, and I
brought you a decanter of brandy to replace what these
naughty boys imbibed," she teased, for Melissa had found
great amusement in reading her mother's account of the
husbands' folly.

"Thank you, Sister," Dana replied, her face glowing.  "I am
afraid it will be some months before I am able to enjoy it.
You see, I have a bit of news of my own."  Melissa raised an
eyebrow and Dana continued, "Fox and I are to have a child."

Melissa jumped from her chair to embrace her sister, then
came around to take her brother-in-law's hand and kiss it
lightly.  "My congratulations to you both," she told them,
highly pleased at the announcement.

"I, for one, fail to see why you must deny yourself brandy
simply because you are with child," Maggie observed, sipping
at the wine in her goblet.  "I never did so, and all of my
children were strong and healthy, even the boys."

"I know, Mother, but I truly believe that if one would not
give brandy to a small child, one should not give it to a
babe that is only beginning to form.  Perhaps it would not
harm the child, but neither shall my abstinence.  Besides,"
she dimpled, "mayhap it is a male babe I carry, in which
case he should not have spirits at all."

"I absolutely forbid it," Maggie announced sternly, but with
a twinkle in her eye. "Scully women always bear a daughter
first."

The conversation and laughter continued while the family
enjoyed their happy reunion, and once they had retired to
the salon, Maggie and Melissa enjoyed a tiny bit of the
precious brandy at Dana's insistence.

"Well, Sister," Melissa teased, sipping slowly at the dark
liquid.  "Have you managed to locate a husband for me?"

Dana smiled as if she held a very great secret and replied
blandly, "Perhaps I have.  I will know on the morrow."

"Whatever do you mean, Dana?" asked Fox curiously, but she
refused to clarify, only shaking her head at him, and
challenged her sister to a game of chess.

-----

After breakfast the next morning, Dana and Maggie departed
for the village, for they both had patients to see that day.
Walter was working at his accounts, and Fox had taken to his
bed again. Melissa decided a walk in the beautiful Scully
gardens would be just the thing after the hustle and bustle
of London.

She was admiring some particularly fine rosebushes when she
heard the sound of a horse approaching. Turning to see who
was visiting them, she discovered to her great surprise,
that the rider was a man, accompanied by only one female, a
huge, brawny woman with a face that would have frightened
most men.  A small valise was strapped to his saddle, and he
was not followed by a carriage bearing luggage.  His
clothing was dusty, as if he had traveled a good distance,
but his face was the most entrancing she had seen in her
life.

He saw her, reigned in his horse, and looked her up and down
with an expression of appreciation that was quite improper
for a man.  "Well," he said at length.  "You are not Lady
Dana."

"Nor are you Lord Fox, although you look enough like him to
be his twin," she retorted, wondering at the cheeky behavior
of this rascal, and where his wife or chaperone might be.

He gave her a dazzling smile, dismounted, and extended a
hand, which she accepted with amusement, kissing the fingers
lightly before letting go.

"I am Lord Jake Winters, his cousin, my lady," he replied.

Her face lit up with recognition.  "Jake, you impudent
scamp!  I have not seen you since you were a very small
child! You did not have such a look of Fox, back then.  Now,
I must confess, your beauty surpasses even his, and I had
thought him the handsomest man in the land."

Fox would have blushed prettily at such a compliment, but
Jake merely smiled, as if accepting her words as his due.
"And you, my lady, have eyes like the bluest ocean, in spite
of that dull military uniform," he answered, looking deeply
into them.  "We must become better acquainted whilst I am
here."

"Indeed.  And do you always speak so to Ladies not of your
acquaintance?" she said, challenged but fascinated by his
forward behavior, for she had never seen a gentleman behave
thusly.

"Only those as lovely as you," he replied with a smile. "And
yet, we are acquainted--you remember I used to play with Fox
and Dana both when we were children."

They stared at one another silently for a few moments before
the large woman cleared her throat pointedly and Jake seemed
to return to reality.

"This is Brunhilda, my watchdog," he announced testily.  "If
you will excuse me, I must take my horse to the stable. Am I
too late for luncheon?"

"It is an hour away."

"Excellent.  I am famished from my travels."

"I will make certain a place is set for you.  But Lord
Winters, did you not bring other servants to accompany you?"
she called.

"I never travel with them," he shouted back.  "Annoying
creatures, servants."

She watched him disappear toward the stables, a smile
tugging at the corners of her mouth, before turning to the
large woman.

"Brunhilda?" she questioned with one eyebrow raised.  The
woman threw back her head and laughed heartily, and Melissa
thought she saw a bit of kindness in spite of the hard face.

"My name is Dorothy, my lady.  Lord Winters detests having a
female escort, but Her Royal Highness insists.  I am the
only concession he makes; he refuses to travel with
servants."

"He is unmarried?" Melissa asked curiously, her eyes drawn
to the man who was now leading his horse into the stables.
He made a fine figure, one she could scarcely look away
from, and Melissa wondered briefly if this was a joke Dana
had planned in advance, or if the coincidence of Jake's
arrival was real.  "Has he truly no servants?"

"His lordship does fer himself," Dorothy answered.  "Oh, he
has servants and the like at home, but he's a wandering
soul, is Lord Jake.  Hates living in the country.  His lady
wife died a few years ago, and she left him a Free Agent.
Now, as a ward of Her Majesty, he travels as much as he is
able."

"Really," murmured Melissa speculatively.  "Thus the Queen's
direction.  I wonder how he'd take to London."

Without waiting for an answer, she turned and strode inside,
thoughts of the delectable Lord Winters intruding on her
former peace of mind in a most alarming way.  A more
forward, impudent creature she could not imagine.  He might
make this visit even more interesting than anticipated.

-----

"Jake!" Dana greeted him happily when she arrived home
shortly after luncheon.  Lord Winters grabbed her 'round the
waist and swung her in a circle before setting her back on
her feet.

"My lady!" he smiled, kissing her cheek.  "I am delighted to
see you.  You are looking radiant."

"Brash rascal!" she replied as she brushed her hair back
from her face.  "We are to have a child, Jake."  His face
took on a knowing expression.

"Ah, that is why my cousin is not feeling his best?"

"He is having a rather bad day," she confided.  "He is
resting in our chamber at present.  I did not tell him of
your visit, for I wished to surprise him.  You may go up and
see him, if you like.  Surely he is awake by now."

"Thank you, Lady Dana," he replied, caressing her cheek
lightly. "I am very happy to hear your news.  In which
chamber shall I find Fox?"

"Roberta will take you there," she said, gesturing toward
the butler, who nodded slightly, a befitting courtesy for a
man, and led Jake away.

"So, that is your Fox cub's cousin," observed Melissa, who
had entered the hall to greet her sister.  She watched Jake
thoughtfully as he climbed the stairs, enjoying the way his
tan breeches stretched across his firm buttocks. "A very
attractive man, but certainly out of the ordinary.  And did
you plan this, Little Sister, or did he simply drop into
your hands like a ripe plum?"

Dana smiled broadly.  "It was all the doing of the Goddess,"
she insisted.  "I received a communication from Jake
yesterday telling me he planned to come immediately for a
visit, for he had a sudden urge to see his cousin.  When you
asked me about a husband after supper last night, it was all
I could do to keep the secret."

"He is very odd," Melissa said, still staring at the spot
Jake had vacated.  "Quite forward and cheeky, and seemingly
not possessed of the usual male behaviors and apprehensions.
We had an interesting discussion over luncheon.  He has no
women in his family at all?  I am truly surprised that a
ward of the Crown is allowed to travel unaccompanied except
for one groom."

Dana nodded.  "Dorothy.  He pretends to hate her, but she's
kind enough, and he must have some protection.  He is a
widow.  His wife died quite tragically four years ago.  In
truth, Melissa, she killed herself."

Melissa frowned.  "That must have been devastating for him.
What made her do such a thing?"

"Indeed it was, for he adored her.  Her healer had
discovered a canker of the womanly parts.  She had not much
time left, and would have gone in pain.  Instead, she took
matters into her own hands."

Dana was almost certain she heard Melissa mutter an
expletive under her breath, but let the matter slide.

"However," she continued, "Lady Iris did do him the favor of
leaving him a Free Agent in her Last Requests.  Because he
has no children, the Queen has not seen fit to allow any
Lady to claim him in marriage."

"His holdings?"

"Quite vast."

"Perhaps Her Highness would make an exception for her new
Commanding General.  Especially if I assured her that Lord
Winters' lands mean nothing to me."

"My thoughts exactly," Dana agreed, slipping her arm through
her sister's and leading her into the library.  "And now,
Melissa, tell me all the news of London.  We have scarcely
had an opportunity to converse since you arrived."

-----

"Fox?  May I come in?" Jake asked softly after rapping on
the chamber door.  The young boy who had admitted him was
just finishing the chore of straightening the room.  He
stared at Jake as if he'd seen a ghost, and Jake smiled.  It
was not the first time he had encountered such a reaction.

"Jake!" Fox cried in disbelief, holding out his hand toward
his cousin.  "Is it really you?"

"Indeed, Cousin," he replied, coming forward and clasping
the hand that was offered.  "I am pleased to hear your news,
although I wish you did not have to feel so ill."

Fox smiled weakly.  "I am growing used to it," he allowed.
"This is Aja, my maid.  He is of much assistance to me."

"Greetings, Aja," Jake nodded.  "I am Lord Jake Winters,
your master's wayward cousin.  You are not seeing double, I
assure you."

"Aja, if you are quite finished, I shall not be needing you
again until after supper," Fox said.  "Please tell Lady Dana
that I do not wish anything save some clear broth."

"Yes, my lord," Aja replied, bowing to the two men and
backing out of the room.

Once the chamber door was safely closed, Jake quickly turned
to Fox.

"Fox, what scheme have you afoot here?" he demanded gently.
"I received a man three days ago who bore a rather troubling
letter from you.  Although your note was written in general
terms, I received the distinct impression that you were in a
great deal of trouble."

"Did you take Isaac in?" Fox asked anxiously, and Jake
nodded.

"I did, because you requested it.  The man is an excellent
worker, but has yet to regain his full strength."

"I believe he traveled here from London with no food at
all," Fox observed.

Jake smiled warmly.  "But you sent him to me well-laden, I
am guessing."

"Leftover scones and meat pies were all I could manage
without arousing suspicion," Fox said regretfully.  "I do
hope it was enough for the poor man."

"I suspect he considered it manna from the Goddess!" Jake
retorted, seating himself gently on the bed so as not to
disturb his cousin.  "Now, Fox, no more dodging about.  An
explanation, if you please."

Fox hastily told Jake the entire story, beginning with him
finding Isaac chained in the rain, left to die, and ending
with the man's unexpected appearance a few days earlier at
Scully Manor.

Jake's face darkened when Fox told him of Alex's blackmail,
and inwardly he vowed to protect his cousin from this
traitor, for truly, Fox was more like a brother to him than
a mere cousin, and Jake had no other siblings.

"I know what you are thinking, Cousin, but we simply cannot
kill him," Fox warned.  "He claims there is someone else who
possesses a copy of the letter, and I have no choice but to
believe him."

"We shall see," Jake replied thoughtfully.

The cousins were interrupted by a knock at the door, and a
moment later it swung open to reveal Melissa, carrying a mug
of warm broth for Fox.  Jake scrambled quickly to his feet
while both men raised their eyebrows in tandem at the sight
of a Lady doing a servant's job.  Melissa merely smiled and
ignored their confusion.

"Fox, I am happy to see you looking better than this
morning," she told him, handing him the mug.  "Dana insists
you drink all of this, naturally."

"Of course," he said wryly, raising the mug to his lips and
taking a tentative sip.

"I am also to inform Lord Winters that tea awaits us," she
continued as she reached firmly for Jake's hand. "Shall I
summon Aja to sit with you, Fox?"

Fox looked from Jake to Melissa, noted the way they seemed
transfixed upon each other, and gave a little snort which
went unnoticed.  "No thank you, my lady, I am quite
content," he replied.

"May I?" Melissa asked, offering Jake her arm, and nodding
goodbye to his cousin, Jake accepted it immediately.

He stared at their retreating backs in wonder.  It was
obvious even to one as inexperienced as he that Jake and
Melissa found one another captivating.  "Indeed, I should
not be surprised if Lady Melissa petitions Her Highness for
Jake within the month!" he muttered to himself.  With a
light sigh, he wondered if Melissa would ever tell Jake she
loved him.


-----

"Will you walk with me in the garden, Lady Melissa?" Jake
offered after supper, extending his arm with a saucy smile,
and he did not flinch when Melissa raked her eyes up and
down his enticing body suggestively.

"Unchaperoned?" she questioned, and he threw back his head
and laughed in delight.

"Do you plan to take advantage of me, my lady?" he asked,
his white teeth flashing as he grinned at her.

"I do not make it a practice to take advantage of helpless
men, but then, you strike me as far from helpless."

He gave a light snort of amusement.  "Well then, perhaps I
can protect the Queen's Commanding General, and we shall
both be quite safe."

Melissa was outraged and enchanted by him, but she was also
intrigued. She had never known a man such as Lord Jake--part
gentleman and part coquette--and she found the difference
scandalously pleasing.  She ignored the arm he had quite
improperly offered her, instead firmly taking his hand and
placing it through her own arm.  As they strolled through
the french doors to the terrace, she thought there was a
quite interesting challenge in his eyes.

"Tell me of your wife," she said bluntly as they made their
way among the shrubs and flowers.

Jake was silent for a moment.  "You attack issues quite
directly," he observed at last.

"Indeed, I received the impression you preferred plain
speaking," she retorted.  "No other gentleman of my
acquaintance has ever been so forward."

"Does my behavior displease you, my lady?" Jake asked
softly.

"I find it quite...challenging."  She grinned.  "Dana
becomes perturbed with me because I often have no time for
the niceties of life.  Tell me of Lady Iris."

"She was lovely.  I worshiped her.  She got sick.  She
killed herself." They walked on a few more steps before he
continued, "At least she did me the courtesy of leaving me a
Free Agent in her Last Requests.  I discovered after her
death that she had also been keeping a lover for many
months."

"That must have hurt you deeply."

"It did," he said shortly.

They had reached the end of the gardens, completely shielded
from any inquisitive eyes, and she seated herself upon a
convenient bench, pulling him down beside her.

"Is that why you behave like an undisciplined brat?" she
asked curiously. "Do you think to scare off a Lady with your
improper behavior, so that you do not run the risk of being
caught up in a marriage again?"

He looked at her with a somewhat worried expression for a
moment, then glanced away. "It is not marriage I fear, my
lady," he replied soberly, his eyes fixed on a distant
point.  "I will not be hurt like that again."

She took his chin gently in her hand and forced him to look
at her.

"I do not hurt innocents," she whispered softly just before
her lips claimed his.

-----

Fox watched uneasily while Dana dug through her jewelry
chest--he was not certain she was searching for the neck
band Alex had stolen, but every time she had approached the
chest his heart had pounded heavily and his breathing had
become labored.  Until tonight, however, she had not seemed
to miss the trinket. His luck had run out, he found in the
next moment when she turned irritated eyes to him.

"I am unable to locate the golden neck band Mother gave me
for my last Name Day," she replied.  "Do you think Aja could
have misplaced it?"

Fox swallowed hard, remembering Alex arrogantly tucking the
neck band into his pocket and daring him to speak of it.  "I
do not believe he has been near your jewelry chest, my
lady."

She frowned and turned back to the chest, searching some
more, and Fox came up behind her.  She had chosen to wear a
gown this evening rather than her usual trousers, and it
left her shoulders bare and gave an excellent view of her
lovely breasts.  Glancing down into the chest, he picked up
another neck band and placed it against her skin.

"Gold is lovely on you," he whispered as his lips nuzzled
her shoulders, "but my lady would be stunning in rubies
tonight."

She met his eyes in the mirror and smiled.  She allowed him
to fasten the ruby neck band about her throat, and her smile
grew broader when his hands lingered over her breasts before
sliding down to encircle her waist.

"There is something on your mind, Fox?" she asked, her voice
teasing.

"I was wondering," he replied between soft kisses to the
back of her neck, "if my lady was wearing an undergarment
beneath her skirt."

She laughed, both delighted and surprised at his unusually
forward behavior, and playfully slapped his hands away.

"I fear your cousin Jake is a bad influence upon you.  You
will contain yourself, Husband," she instructed with a
teasing smile.  "There will be plenty of time for other
activities after our guests have departed. Indeed, I intend
to take you quite thoroughly tonight, my love."

He stood back, his heart jumping at her use of that term of
endearment again, and waited while she straightened his
tunic.

"Come now, Fox Cub," she said, striding purposefully toward
the door.  "Our guests will be arriving at any moment."

Fox allowed his eyes to drop to the jewelry chest once
again, and he gently closed the lid, giving a small sigh
before he turned to follow her.  Steadfastly, he clamped
down on the wave of guilt that threatened to consume him.
Perhaps, he thought, if he contrived to sneak into the
village he could visit the jeweler. If the woman was
willing, he would trade his diamond earring for a gold neck
band identical to the one Alex had taken.  Of course, he
would then have to tell Dana he had lost the earring, but
that was preferable to admitting that he had stood by while
Alex stole it.

Shaking his head quickly as if to banish the unpleasant
thoughts, he descended the stairs behind his wife,
determined to at least give the appearance of enjoying the
party.

-----

"We shall be late to the party," Melissa panted, dizzy from
the kisses Jake had bestowed upon her.  They had made their
way to the secluded gazebo at the back of the gardens, and
had barely entered when he had pulled her roughly to him in
a most welcome, although inappropriately forward, manner.

"What care we for parties?" he whispered, nibbling at her
earlobe, and Melissa had to agree.  He was pressed firmly
against her, and she could feel his manhood straining at his
breeches.

"You are most improper, Lord Winters," she gasped as his
hands found her breasts, slipping beneath her military tunic
to fondle her bare skin.

"Indeed, I am."

"I should punish you for such impertinent behavior," she
warned.

He grinned down at her.  "Perhaps you could do that later,
my lady.  In the privacy of your chamber."

His wanton behavior was suddenly too much for her, and
Melissa grasped his head firmly, raking her fingers roughly
through his hair while her mouth ravaged his.

"I have no wish to dishonor a gentleman," she murmured,
raising her lips a fraction of an inch, staring into his
deep hazel eyes.

"But the gentleman wishes to be dishonored, my lady," he
insisted huskily.  He slipped his hands inside her trousers,
cupping her bottom while his mouth found hers again, and
Melissa knew there was no turning back.

Carefully, slowly, not releasing his lips, she lowered him
to the floor of the gazebo.  It would be fast, she knew, and
rough, and with a little luck, immensely satisfying for them
both.  Her fingers found the laces of his breeches and she
unfastened them with trembling fingers, shoving the
offending fabric out of the way and feasting her eyes upon
his erect rod.  It was splendid, smooth and hard and ready
for her.

Melissa took one more glance into his eyes, seeking his
permission to continue, and saw only welcome desire and
raging need there. Hastily she unfastened her trousers and
kicked them aside, and he moaned as she lowered herself onto
his shaft.

"Oh, Goddess!" he groaned when she began to move. Any
further exclamations he might have made were silenced when
her lips descended upon his once again.

He reached for her breasts and she slammed his wrists
against the floor, pinning him there in a practiced army
move.  Jake grinned against her mouth--at last, he told
himself, a woman who would take charge.  Not like Lady Iris,
who had been soft and sweet and gentle at all times.  Jake
found his baser nature craved the roughness Melissa was
showing him, and he met her movements with his own
enthusiastic thrusts upward.  His head grew quite dizzy from
her kisses, and he knew his release was not far off.

"Ready..please..." he moaned into her mouth,
"can't...wait..."

Melissa kissed a trail of fire down his cheek and collarbone
before fastening her teeth firmly in his shoulder.

"You will wait until I tell you, boy, or I shall take a
strap to you," came the gruff reply.  Moments later, her
body tensed, her grip on his wrists tightened, and she
quivered around his manhood as she found her own
fulfillment.

He gasped in response, reaching his release with a sudden
intensity that shocked him, for he had never felt such
pleasure before.  She continued her movements until they
were both sated and exhausted, and only then did she raise
her head to look at him.

"I suppose I shall be forced to marry you now," she
commented lazily, a smile tugging at the corners of her
mouth.

"You needn't feel that's necessary," he objected, suddenly
concerned as he saw his freedom slipping away.  He had to
regain control of the situation, and commented quickly, "You
are not my first lover.  Indeed, it is only because of my
wealth that I am still held in regard at all."

She stole another kiss from him.  "Hush now.  Rest assured,
Jake, I hold you in great regard, and do nothing under
compulsion" she informed him.  "I care not about your
lovers.  They are in the past.  You are a delightful change
from the men I have had paraded before me as suitable
husbands. Her Highness seems determined that her Guard be
comprised of family woman."

"You are a rather delightful change yourself," he admitted.
"You are the first woman who has not treated me as if I were
a delicate flower."

She grinned, standing and hauling him to his feet.  They
both dressed quickly, straightening each others' clothing
and hair as best they could.  "I see nothing delicate in a
man who insists upon traveling the countryside with only one
guard," she replied, giving his bottom a swat, but her eyes
glowed as she took his chin in her hand and kissed him once
again.  "Indeed, I think you quite brave, if reckless."

He stared into her face, stunned and a little frightened at
what he saw there--could this woman truly be considering
petitioning the Queen for him?

"Melissa, I--"

"Let us not speak further," she interrupted.  "We shall be
scandalously late, and I shall be forced to wed you
immediately if we do not make an appearance very shortly."

She led him away by the hand, and he followed slowly,
wondering if marriage to her would be tolerable.  Most
certainly she was the most exciting lover he had known, but
ladies, he had found, tended to change when a man became
their husband.  Lady Iris had certainly become more
protective of him, almost suffocatingly so, after they were
wed. He didn't think he could bear it if Melissa were to do
so.

Sighing to himself, he decided to speak to her quite frankly
about it after the party--she had said she found his candor
delightful; he would put that statement to the test.

-----

It was a small gathering this time, unlike the huge ball
they had thrown to celebrate their marriage, and Dana and
Maggie had arranged it for the dual purpose of announcing
Melissa's promotion and Dana's pregnancy.  Melissa had
insisted that Jake remain until she could escort him home,
declaring that it was unsafe for any man to travel alone,
especially one as beautiful as he.  Fox noted his
independent cousin's acquiescence with some amusement.  His
eyes sought out the couple, who were already beginning to
dance to the music provided by the quartet Dana had hired.

There was no doubt in his mind that they had strong feelings
for one another, for they were enjoying a spirited argument
as they danced.  Fox gnawed his lip as he wondered if they
had consummated their passion.  Surely not, he thought. Jake
might pretend to be a tart, but he had been raised a
gentleman.   He would not compromise his virtue.  Would he?

His eyes left Jake and Melissa, then narrowed in disgust
when they rested upon Alex.  The former maid had been called
upon to serve this evening, tonight he was dressed like the
trollop he was.  A thin white shirt, its short sleeves
revealing the maid's strong biceps, and open to provide a
glimpse of his bare chest, disappeared into the almost
indecently tight breeches.  The breeches themselves were
extremely short, barely covering his bottom, and showed off
his lovely legs to perfection.  A pair of boots with
frivolously high heels completed the ensemble.

Fox, who was fervently thankful that his nausea seemed to
have passed at last, surveyed his own clothing with
satisfaction.  Dana was much less inclined to dress him like
a man of the evening now that she was expecting their child.
He wondered if she viewed him differently now that he was to
be a father, but at least her appetite for him was still
insatiable.

Lady Fowley was not a guest tonight, as the gathering was
intimate and she certainly did not qualify as a family
friend, so Fox felt certain he would be able to complete
this party without disgracing himself.  He still blushed
with shame and anger when he remembered the trouble he and
Walter had found at the last Scully ball.

Lady Maggie's attitude toward Walter seemed to have
undergone a subtle change as well, he observed as he watched
the two of them stroll across the dance floor holding hands.
Obviously, nearly losing her husband to another woman had
reaffirmed the value of him in her eyes.

They greeted their guests warmly, and once all had arrived,
the party got underway.  The quartet provided excellent
music, and Dana whirled Fox onto the dance floor
immediately.

"This is the first opportunity we have had to dance since
our marriage," she smiled up at him, and he gave her an
embarrassed grin.

"I did not give you a chance at our last party," he
admitted, and she laughed aloud, resting her head on his
chest.

"No trouble tonight, please, Fox. I find myself extremely
satisfied with my life," she told him.

He gazed down at the top of her head, astounded at such a
confession from his proud wife, and pulled her closer while
the music continued to play.

He managed to avoid Alex for most of the evening, although
he did occasionally catch a glimpse of the hapless maid as
he made his way through the crowd with a large tray, serving
the guests drink and refreshments.  He knew Alex must be
enduring a good deal of groping tonight, as blatantly sexual
as was his appearance, but Fox found he did not care--it was
no more than Alex deserved, and thus far the maid had not
approached Dana at all.

Although his sickness seemed past, his weakness was not
completely gone, and after an hour of dancing Fox begged
Dana to allow him to sit and rest.

"I will have someone bring you a cup of punch," she said
tenderly, caressing his face.  "I simply must mix with our
guests, I'm afraid--I have been neglecting them in favor of
your delightful company.  Will you be quite all right here?"

He nodded, relishing the comfort of the small sofa where she
had deposited him, and worked at catching his breath while
he watched her disappear into the crowd.  No sooner was Dana
out of sight than he was greeted with the unwelcome vision
of Alex standing before him.

"Enjoying yourself, Lord Scully?" Alex sneered, and Fox
simply glared at him in disgust.

"Go away, Alex," he ordered.  "I have no wish to talk to you
tonight."

Instead, Alex leaned closer in order to speak without being
overheard.

"I am not going to remain here," he countered.  "Your lady's
assignment with the livestock has sealed that decision.  I
am going to the Colonies--I hear men and women are equally
esteemed over there."

Fox gave a snort of amusement.  "How are you to reach the
Colonies?" he asked.  "Besides, you signed a lifetime
contract with my lady--you cannot dissolve it, only she has
that power."

"I know I cannot dissolve my contract, you fool," Alex
hissed.  "Why do you think I must leave England?  I'm
running away.  Now.  Tonight.  And you, my fine Lord Scully,
are going to give me the means."

Fox stared into the cold blue eyes uncertainly.  "What
nonsense are you talking?" he asked at last.

Alex took another quick glance around and leaned even
closer.  "Lady Dana keeps a purse filled with gold coins in
the bottom drawer of her chest," he explained quickly.  "You
will go upstairs and fetch it for me.  By the time she
discovers it missing, I shall be on a ship bound for the
Colonies, and she will be none the wiser."

Fox felt the blood drain from his face at the suggestion.
"Do you mean--you wish me to *steal* from my lady?" he
demanded in a whisper.

Alex gave a mirthless smile.  "Is that any worse than
watching me steal from her, and doing nothing?" he asked
carelessly.  "I would remind you of a certainly letter that
old biddy over there, or better yet, Lady Fowley, would be
most interested to receive."

Fox glanced over at Lady Sparlane, Chief Judge in the
village of Azure, who was a guest at their party.  Alex
could present his letter to Dana before Her Ladyship and Fox
would be arrested immediately.  Feeling his heart sink at
the words, Fox realized he had no choice.  If he did this
ghastly deed, perhaps he would be rid of Alex forever, but
if he refused...

"Very well, Alex," he said at length.  "But you must
realize--I am only doing this out of the fervent desire to
never see you again."

Alex smiled again, leaning back with a satisfied expression,
knowing he'd won. "I care nothing for your motivation, Lord
Fox," he answered. "Only bring me that gold."

Fox glanced around quickly, hoping to find his wife
occupied, for if he was discovered leaving the party for his
chamber, she would assume he was ill again and would not
allow him to be alone.  Finding her involved in a quite
animated discussion with her mother and Lady Krewes, he
slipped out of the ballroom quietly and raced up the stairs.

Once in his chamber, Fox glanced around again hurriedly
before kneeling in front of Dana's chest.  He knew she kept
the purse of gold there, for she had shown it to him before
she and Maggie left for London, telling him he was free to
use it should any emergency arise.

Sliding his hand beneath the various garments she kept in
the drawer, he felt around until his fingers met the velvet
pouch.  The amount of coins inside had been increased since
Dana had told him of it, for it was fatter than it had been
before.  Fox knew it would buy a passage to the Colonies
easily, and probably set Alex up as a merchant or
businessman in the new world if he so desired.

Fox withdrew the pouch, hefting its weight, and stared at it
for a moment.  His lady trusted him, and he was about to
betray her.  He had kept the neck band a secret from her,
although it had cost him some of his self respect and a good
deal of sleep, but this--this was a much greater crime.
Suspicion might fall upon Alex once he disappeared, but
until then, Fox knew she would blame Aja.  She had been
half-suspicious the boy had taken her neck-band.  If she
found her purse of gold missing...

With a heavy sigh, Fox returned the pouch to its place and
shut the drawer carefully.  He stood, brushing out his
breeches and smoothing his tunic, and then--oddly, he
thought later--examined his reflection in the mirror.  He
brushed aside a strand of hair that would not remain in
place and twisted his earring so the Scully family symbol
was upright.

It would be a difficult thing, he knew, but Fox had at last
reached the end of his endurance.  He remembered telling
Isaac how he valued the ability to view himself in a looking
glass, but he had never realized how costly maintaining that
ability could be.

With head held high, Fox left the chamber for the last time,
shutting the door firmly behind him, and made his way toward
Dana with single-minded determination.

Alex watched as Fox descended the stairs, observing his
firmly clenched jaw, and knew at once that his plan had
failed.  He had known Lord Scully was honest to a fault, but
had hoped his threats would be enough to persuade that man
to commit the act.  It was apparent now that he had pushed
Fox too hard.  Muttering quite un-gentlemanly curses, Alex
disappeared as quickly as he was able.

-----

As Fox approached, the music suddenly went quiet, and he
looked around in confusion.  Had they already discovered his
crime, he wondered helplessly?  Before he could open his
mouth and blurt out his confession he saw Lady Melissa lead
his cousin to the center of the dance floor and address the
assembly.

"As some of you already know, the Queen has bestowed upon me
the honor of making me Commanding General of her Guard," she
announced.  The hall immediately broke into cheers and
applause.  Melissa acknowledged it with a smile, then raised
her hand.  "Her Gracious Majesty desires that those women
who serve her at this level also have loving families, to
remind them daily of the importance of a strong and peaceful
Queendom."  She then fell gracefully to one knee before a
stunned Jake.

"Therefore, Lord Winters," she said clearly, her voice
ringing throughout the hall, "It would give me great honor
if you would allow me to petition Her Highness the Queen for
your hand in marriage."

A general gasp of delight went up through the crowd, and
Jake beamed down at Melissa as she slowly kissed his hand,
her eyes twinkling.  He seemed overcome with emotion, unable
to speak, but his suddenly shy smile spoke volumes.  When he
nodded, Melissa rose to her feet and swept him into a
fierce, possessive embrace.

"Fox, I...I am betrothed!" Jake called, a little dazed by
the sudden turn of events, when he caught sight of his
cousin standing at the edge of the crowd.

Fox nodded, trying to smile encouragingly, while Dana held
up her own hand for silence.  The crowd quieted again,
wondering what further news the Scully clan had to share.

She smiled warmly at Fox, holding out her hand, and he had
no choice but to go to her.  She slipped her arm about his
waist before announcing joyfully to the assembled guests,
"Lord Scully and I are to have a child.  She...or *he*," she
continued with a grin of concession at her husband, "will be
born in early spring."

Another wave of joy ran through the crowd, and Fox turned to
Dana, no longer attempting to mask his misery.

"Fox, whatever is wrong?" she demanded, seeing the agony on
his face.  "Are you ill again?"

"No, my lady," he said, shaking his head and taking a deep
breath.  "You see, I also have an announcement to make--not
a very happy one, I fear."

Dana's eyes narrowed as she waited for him to continue.

He looked around, his eyes falling upon Her Ladyship.  "Lady
Sparlane, I regret that I must make a confession of serious
wrong-doing to you. When I am done..."  He closed his eyes
briefly, forcing himself to continue breathing.  "When I am
done, I fear you will have no choice but to arrest me."

He ignored Dana's outraged exclamation, focusing on Lady
Sparlane as she approached him slowly.

"Young man, whatever you have to say to me shall be said in
private.  Come with me into the library, away from these
people," she ordered firmly.  "Everyone else shall remain
here."

Fox followed obediently, his eyes fixed firmly on the floor
so he did not have to see the expressions of shock and
disappointment on the faces of his neighbors and family
members.

"Now," she suggested once they had seated themselves in
front of the fireplace, "tell me what you have done, Lord
Fox."  Her voice and face were gentle, and Fox found himself
pouring out the story to her.

"I know what I did was against the law of the land," he said
in conclusion, his head bowed in shame, "but I could not
allow the servant to die.  It would have been a great sin
against the Goddess, and that, I would not do."

In the large ballroom, the guests began babbling furiously,
while Dana stared at the closed library door in disbelief.
Whatever trouble Fox had found, she was his wife and it was
her right to know about it and try to protect him from it.
Lady Maggie looked on with a stern expression.  Melissa
watched sympathetically, her arm safely around Jake's
shoulders, but there was nothing to be done.

"I commend your honesty, Lord Scully," Her Ladyship said
formally, rising when he had finished his tale, "but in
light of your confession, I am afraid I have no choice but
to arrest you immediately, pending an investigation into the
matter."

She opened the door to the anxious Scully family, holding up
a hand to ward off any protest they might make.  "This is a
matter for the Crown.  Lord Scully will be safe in my care
while the matter is investigated," she assured them.  "Since
this issue also concerns Lady Diana Fowley, I will have a
message sent to her at once telling her of this development.
We will convene in my courtroom at half-past nine tomorrow
morning."

With that, she took Fox by the arm and led him from the
room.  He walked beside her without a backward glance, for
he knew if he saw his wife's beautiful face, he would throw
himself at her feet and beg her forgiveness before the
entire congregation, and that he simply could not bear.

When they reached Her Ladyship's carriage, her servants
assisting him inside, Lady Sparlane looked him over
carefully.  "By rights, I should have your hands bound, Lord
Scully, in order to prevent you attempting to escape.  Will
you give me your word that will not be necessary?"

He shook his head, his eyes fixed firmly on the hands
clenched tightly in his lap.  "My promise before the
Goddess, Your Ladyship," he whispered. "I shall not run away
from you."

"Depart," she instructed her driver, and Fox felt the
carriage begin to move down the drive, taking him away from
all he loved.

He buried his face in his hands and fought to hold back the
tears.

-----

"Where is Alex?" demanded Walter after a few moments of
stunned silence had filled the room.

"Alex?" asked Maggie furiously.  "What has he to do with
this?"

"He was serving," Dana replied, still staring at the door
through which her husband had disappeared.  "He must be in
the kitchen."

"We must find him quickly, my daughter, for he holds the key
to this matter," Walter announced.  Quickly he related the
barest details of what Fox had told him of Alex's blackmail.

Maggie glared at him with barely held fury, but immediately
commanded the servants to find the missing maid. A thorough
search of the house soon revealed Alex's absence, and
Melissa, in her element, took charge at once.

"Roberta, summon the most proficient riders among the
servants, and saddle as many horses as possible," she
ordered.  Then, addressing the assembled guests, "Ladies, I
require your assistance.  This treacherous servant, who has
dared to plot against Lord Scully, has obviously fled. He is
probably on foot, and must be found at once.  All who would
join me in the search, step forward."

Immediately there was a surge toward Melissa, and she gave
their friends a grateful smile.

"Excellent.  We will split into four groups, each taking one
of the roads out of town.  Although my guess is that slut
has headed back toward London."

Jake stepped close to Melissa as the women quickly made for
their horses.

"I would join you, my lady," he told her, his eyes sparkling
at the thrill of the chase.  "Indeed, 'tis my cousin Alex
has wronged," he concluded in grim determination.

She shook her head firmly.  "No, Jake, it is too dangerous.
I will not hear of it.  You will remain safely here with
Walter."

"But--"

She held up her hand, silencing his protest.  "I said NO. We
are affianced now, and as a ward of the Queen, you are
doubly my responsibility.  You will do as I say."

With that, Melissa strode out of the room, followed by Dana
and Maggie, preparing to assemble the Ladies and the
servants to begin the search for Alex.  She did not see the
angry glare he fixed on her back as she departed.

"Come, Jake," Walter suggested.  "Let us go into the salon,
and Sarah will serve us some coffee.  I shall tell you the
entire tale as Fox related it to me."

"No, Walter," Jake replied with determination.  "I shall not
be cast aside while my cousin is in need."

Walter's eyes widened.  "You will disobey Lady Melissa?"

Jake smiled grimly.  "She is not my wife as yet, Walter, and
I have never had great success with obedience.  Fox and Dana
can both attest to that."

Jake left Walter, making his way silently toward the
courtyard near the stables, and once all the Ladies had
departed he saddled his horse and rode off--in quite a
different direction.

-----

Long before Fox was ready, the carriage drew to a halt in
front of the village jailhouse.  Lady Sparlane exited the
carriage, holding out her hand gallantly to assist him, and
he alighted beside her, gazing about the darkened street and
shivering.  The village was frightening in the dark, the
only light emanating from the tavern down the road, where
cries of laughter, anger and outrage echoed from the open
doorway.  He remembered the night he had come here alone as
if it had been a dream.  He had been unafraid then, his mind
concerned only with Walter's predicament, but now he
realized how foolish he had been.

"Lord Scully?"  His reverie was interrupted by Her
Ladyship's voice, and she indicated that he should precede
her into the building. Fox waited while she unlocked the
door, shivering again at the creak the hinges made when it
swung open, and allowed her to usher him inside.

Her Ladyship lit a lantern, and the flame illuminated the
room eerily, leaving the corners couched in shadow.  Fox
wrapped his arms about himself and watched while Lady
Sparlane took a large ring of keys off the wall and unlocked
the small cell nearest them.

"My lord, I apologize for the inadequate accommodations,"
she said softly.  "However, the law does not allow me--"

He shook his head gently.  "It is of no matter, Your
Ladyship.  I knew the potential consequences when I released
the servant.  Please, do what you must."

She stood back to allow him to enter the cell, which he did
after only a second of hesitation.  He had thought he would
be terrified in this situation, but now that it was upon
him, Fox felt only numbness.  He took a seat upon the wooden
bench that hung from the wall by stout chains and examined
his surroundings.  There was a chipped chamber pot, a
porcelain basin meant to hold water, and the bench, which
was apparently intended to serve as a bed, although it held
no pillow or blanket.

Lady Sparlane closed the door gently, seeing Lord Scully
flinched slightly at the clank of the bars, and locked it
securely.  Only then did he raise his eyes to her.

"Please," he asked hoarsely.  "If you would be so kind as to
leave me the lamp..."

Normally, given a common criminal, she would have taken it
without qualm, but Lady Sparlane was a kind woman as well as
a wise one.  She knew Lord Scully was a man of some honor,
and doubted he would cause her any trouble as a prisoner.
Besides, she told herself firmly, although there was no
doubt that his actions had been against the law, how could
she feel hostility toward a man who had acted in order to
save a life?

"I shall leave the lantern burning," she told him gently. "I
do not know how long the oil will hold out."

He nodded absently, his eyes taking in the rough stone walls
of the cell.  "Thank you, Your Ladyship."

Lady Sparlane quickly completed the records that were
required of her, and when she left the jailhouse, Lord
Scully had curled into a small ball on the bench, his eyes
clenched tightly shut.

She did not believe he was sleeping.

-----

"What shall we do?" Dana asked helplessly as they threw
themselves into various chairs in the larger downstairs
salon.  Sarah was serving strong coffee and Natalie's tasty
fruitcakes, and the women had returned from a long night of
luckless searching.  "That trollop cannot have simply
vanished!"

"We will find him, Sister," Melissa comforted as she bit
into a slice of cake.  "We will take a bit to refresh
ourselves, then those of us who are able will begin the
search anew. You and Mother must ready yourselves to appear
before Her Ladyship this morning."

Dana nodded, still in a bit of shock at the recent turn of
events.

Maggie sighed.  "Take heart, dear friends. We are not yet
defeated."  She examined her husband closely, noting the
dark circles beneath his eyes and the lines of weariness
around his mouth.  "You will eat, Walter, and then you will
go to bed.  It is obvious you have not slept."

"Nor has my lady," he pointed out shyly, accepting the plate
with several slices of fruitcake she handed him.

"True, but I do not have as delicate a constitution as a
man.  Do not disobey me, Walter.  We have yet to discuss the
matter of you keeping this information from me, and I find I
have little patience remaining."

"Yes, Maggie," he said meekly, quickly beginning to eat.

"Where is Jake?" Melissa asked curiously, looking around.
She patted Walter on the back when he began to choke on his
scone.  "Why, whatever is the matter?" she asked him.  "Are
you quite well, Walter?"

He put down the plate he held in trembling fingers and
turned to Melissa, afraid to meet her eyes.

"I thought you knew, my lady," he said faintly.  "Lord
Winters went out."

Melissa smiled fondly.  "A sunrise ride alone, no doubt?  He
will be the death of me, with his lack of propriety."

"N-no, my lady, he...left last night," Walter corrected.

Melissa rose to her full height, staring at Walter in a most
intimidating manner.  "Where did he go?" she asked
carefully.

"He--ah--I believe he went to hunt for Alex."

All conversation in the room ceased when Melissa began to
swear angrily, in language learned from years in the army
barracks.  The ladies watched for a moment, gathered from
her furious expletives what had occurred, and turned back to
their breakfast.  Lord Winters was a wild, foolish boy, they
told one another knowingly, but Lady Melissa would tame him.
He would soon be chastened, and sporting one very sore
backside, that was clear.

"I will find him," Melissa told her family with a deadly
look in her eye.  "And then I will kill him."  She left the
room purposefully, and Walter turned back to Maggie in fear.

"I--did not know how to stop him, my lady," he babbled.  "I
tried to talk him out of it, but he would go, and nothing I
said--"

"Enough, Walter," Maggie said gently, holding up a hand.
"Melissa will see to Jake.  She is quite capable of handling
a headstrong boy.  You, my Bear, are exhausted.  Go upstairs
to our chamber.  I will come up shortly to bathe and dress
for the Court."

"Yes, Maggie."

With a small sigh, Walter did as he was told, climbing
gratefully between the sheets.  His head was pounding with
worry for both Fox and Jake, and now he wondered if he was
about to be punished for allowing Jake to slip away, as well
as keeping Fox's dreadful secret. Covering his eyes against
the morning sunlight that crept in through the windows, he
began to pray to the Goddess for their safety.

-----

Lady Diana Fowley swept regally into the courtroom, followed
by two of her most loyal servants.  She had been notified
late the night before of the unusual developments that had
occurred, and her smile had grown wide and calculating as
she read the communication.  Now, as she took her place
before the bench, she flashed a smile of pure malicious evil
at Dana.

Dana, who had not slept, or indeed  even gone to bed the
night before, glowered at her from across the room, barely
feeling the restraining hand Lady Maggie lay upon her arm.

"I swear to you, Mother, one day I will kill that woman,"
she growled under her breath.

"Perhaps, but I don't believe a courtroom is the place to
make such threats," Maggie reminded her quietly.  "Maintain
your temper, Dana.  If you do not, I fear Fox will suffer
for it."

At the mention of her poor husband's name, Dana closed her
eyes and swallowed hard.  He had been so desolate when Her
Ladyship had led him away last night, and she had fought
valiantly to hold back her tears when she thought of him
sitting in a cold, barren jail cell.  She hoped he had at
least been made comfortable.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Lady Sparlane entered the
room, and after taking her place behind her desk, Her
Ladyship addressed them all.

"We are gathered here to examine the allegation that Lord
Fox William Scully, who at the time of the deed was known as
Lord Fox William Mulder, did release Isaac Tremont, a
servant contracted to Lady Diana Fowley for the space of
five years, from a legally administered punishment.  Lord
Mulder did assist him in escaping from his contract, the
result of which was to steal from Lady Fowley her servant's
services for the space of four years and six months.  All
evidence will be examined and all available parties
questioned before a decision as to his guilt or innocence is
made.  Do any present have any objection to these
proceedings?"

She looked around the room, her gaze resting on Dana for a
split second longer than the others, before she continued,
"Very well.  I will begin with Lady Diana Fowley.  Lady
Fowley, will you step forward and address the Court."

Diana moved to the front of the room immediately, standing
before Her Ladyship and waiting for the questioning to
begin.  She felt no fear, indeed she did not even feel
apprehension.  She had been within her legal rights; she
need only tell the truth of the matter.  She knew she had
already won.  While she answered Her Ladyship's questions,
Diana was already planning what she would do with Fox.

"Did you have a servant contracted to you by the name of
Isaac Tremont, Lady Fowley?"

"Yes, Your Ladyship."

"And what happened to him?"

"He disappeared from my employ two years ago.  I have not
seen or heard from him since."

"Where was Mr. Tremont when he disappeared?"

"He was chained to a stake in the ground on my property,"
Diana answered clearly.  "He had behaved quite badly, and I
was administering discipline, as is my right."

"Quite so.  Have you anything else to add?  I must insist
that you stick to the facts."

"No, Your Ladyship."

"Very well.  You may resume your seat.  Lady Dana Scully,
please step forward and address the Court."

Dana waited until Diana had moved aside, giving her a
threatening glare as they passed one another, and took her
place before Lady Sparlane.

"Lady Scully, what do you know about this situation?"

"Nothing, Your Ladyship," Dana answered honestly.  "I was
unaware that any situation existed until last night, when
Fox made his confession to you.  I know no more about the
matter."

"There is nothing you would add that might prove his
innocence?"

Dana's jaw tightened, and she steeled herself to give an
answer.  "No, Your Ladyship, there is nothing."

"You may resume your seat."

Lady Sparlane turned to her assistant, who stood quietly at
her side.  "Bring in the prisoner."

All eyes turned to the doorway behind Her Ladyship's desk
when the assistant returned with Fox.  His hands were bound
at his waist and his eyes were fixed firmly on the floor.
His appearance was disheveled, and Dana longed to smooth the
rumpled hair and kiss the lines of worry from his brow.

"Lord Scully, you have been accused of a serious crime," Her
Ladyship began, when Dana rose to her feet.

"Your Ladyship, I beg your forgiveness, but if it please the
Court, I should like a word in private with my husband.  I
have had no chance to discuss the situation with him since
his arrest."

Lady Sparlane looked from Dana to Fox to Diana, and then
nodded toward the door.

"You may see him in my office, for the length of ten minutes
only," she replied, and Dana wasted no time in grabbing Fox
by the arm and hauling him through the door.

"Fox, what have you done?" she demanded in a fierce tone
once they were safely alone.

He hung his head, his eyes studying the chains that bound
his wrists, and waited for her wrath to fall upon him, but
after her initial question she was silent, awaiting his
answer. At last he raised his head, his expression
unyielding.

"I did as I am accused, my lady, and I would do it again,"
he replied softly.  "Lady Diana had chained the servant
outside, naked in the rain, and left him to die for the
heinous crime of spilling her supper tray.  I came upon him
by accident, and although I knew the law of the land was
against me, the law of human decency dictated that I help
him."

She blinked, taken somewhat aback at his words. "So you knew
the potential consequences of your actions when you freed
the man," she clarified, and he nodded.  "And you never
chose to share this important fact with me?"

Her tone was dangerous, and he drew in his breath quickly.
"It--it was well before we were married, Dana, and in truth,
I had all but forgotten the incident until Alex began
blackmailing me.  I saw no reason to speak of it."

She crossed her arms, leaning against the doorway, her face
deeply thoughtful, and Fox began to feel the familiar
desperation return.  When she had brought him back here, he
had hoped she could somehow save him, but now he was afraid
there was to be no escape.  She remained silent, and finally
he could stand the suspense no longer.

"My lady, can you help me?" he asked hoarsely, almost afraid
to face her.  "I know this is a situation of my own making,
but I beg of you, if you can, keep me out of Lady Fowley's
hands.  I will do anything you require, I will act as your
loyal servant for the rest of my days if you can save me
from her.  I have no expectation of remaining as Lord
Scully."

His words faded out at the end, and the last sentence was
almost too soft to be heard, but she did hear, and raised
his face to look into hers.

"Fox, you are Lord Scully," she said firmly, "and Lord
Scully you shall remain.  However," she added with a sigh,
"I do not see any way to save you from this unless..."

"Yes?" he prompted eagerly.  "I shall do whatever you
require, I give you my word."

"It isn't what I require, Fox.  It is a matter of what the
law requires," she told him soberly.  "If you tell the judge
what you just told me, your fate is sealed.  Diana has every
right to claim you as her servant for the duration of
Isaac's contract, and I have no doubt she will do so.  The
only hope you have, I'm afraid, is to lie."

His eyes widened, but he said nothing.

"If you maintain your innocence to Her Ladyship, Diana has
no proof of your guilt.  I might be able to obtain your
freedom based solely upon my reputation in the village as an
honest woman."

"But if Alex turns up--"

"I will deal with that bastard, do not worry yourself about
him," she said firmly.  "He will never trifle with you
again, I assure you."

"So my only chance for freedom is to lie?"

"Yes."

"I understand," he said softly, his eyes fixed once again on
his bonds.

"Shall we return to them?"

He nodded, and followed as she led the way back to the
courtroom.

"Are you prepared to be questioned in this matter, Lord
Scully?" asked Lady Sparlane.

"I am."

"Then step forward and address the Court."

Fox took two steps forward, standing directly before Her
Ladyship.

"Did you assist Isaac Tremont in escaping from Lady Fowley's
contract?"

Fox held his breath for a moment, wondering if he could
bring himself to lie in court, and then sighed lightly.  It
was no use.  He may be a magnet for trouble, and he may not
be the perfect husband, but Fox knew that one thing he was
simply unable to do was lie.  He could not live with himself
if he did so.

"I did, Your Ladyship," he replied, raising his head to
stare proudly straight ahead.  He could feel the anger and
shock coming off Dana in waves, and could feel Lady Fowley's
triumph as well, but this had nothing to do with either of
them.  It was between himself and his Goddess.

Her Ladyship was quiet for several moments, and at last he
met her eyes.  They were sad, and sympathetic, and it struck
Fox all at once that Lady Sparlane did not want to give him
over to Diana.

"I am afraid that, in light of your confession, I have no
choice but to award you to Lady Fowley, to serve out the
remainder of the contract you stole from her. Unless..."

He looked up eagerly at her words--could it be there was a
way out for him after all?

"If you know the location of the servant in question, and
will reveal his whereabouts, I will release you from jail
back into the custody of Lady Scully as soon as he is
returned to Lady Fowley."

Betray Isaac and save himself.  Fox moistened his lips with
his tongue, tempted for a moment, but only for a moment.
Diana would torture him, and rape him, to be sure, but he
felt certain she would allow him to live. There was no doubt
that returning Isaac to her would be to condemn the man to
death. Surely he could endure a few years of Lady Fowley's
unwelcome attentions in order to save the life of an
innocent man.

He squared his shoulders.  "I understand, Your Ladyship," he
said proudly.  "Unfortunately, I--cannot."

Lady Sparlane was silent for a long moment before standing
solemnly before them all.

"Then I fear I have no choice but to sentence you, Fox
Mulder Scully, to serve Lady Diana Fowley in any capacity
she chooses, for the length of four years and six months.
Let the law be done."

Chapter 12

As the verdict was read, Lady Sparlane looked toward Dana,
admiring the stoic expression on the younger woman's face.
Even now, when her world was crumbling, Dana Scully was a
true warrior with no mannish, she reflected. "You may have a
few moments with him, if you wish," she said, and Dana
nodded.

Fox followed his lady as she led him toward a private corner
of the courtroom, and when she turned to face him at last,
he thought his heart would break into pieces.  He opened his
mouth to speak, but found himself unable to form words.

"Fox," Dana said, her eyes shimmering with the barest hint
of moisture, "you knew the whereabouts of the servant,
didn't you?"  He said nothing, but his face told the truth.
"You knew the risk when you released him, and you could have
revealed his whereabouts and saved yourself, but you did
not. You have shown yourself to possess an honor I did not
believe a man could hold.  I am very proud of you. You
deserve to hear this from me before you are taken away." She
took a deep breath.  "I had believed to love a man made a
woman weak. I now find I was quite wrong."

He stared, as if unable to believe he was hearing her words,
but she continued.  "You have proven yourself worthy of my
love in every way, and I do not find that my feelings for
you have weakened me one iota."

Tenderly she placed a hand on his cheek, caressing him
lightly.  "We shall endure this, my darling, and when your
time with Diana is over, I will welcome you back with open
arms.  Do not ever doubt it.  May you find strength in that
assurance, and in the knowledge that I shall do my utmost to
be worthy of your love."

"My lady, it is I--"  his gasping reply was stopped by the
sad shaking of her head.

Trembling, Fox took her hands in his and raised them to his
lips, kissing them fervently, and then his eyes fell upon
his marriage ring.  Surely it would not survive the years
with Lady Fowley.  She would destroy it out of spite, if
nothing else.  Slowly, reluctantly, he slipped it from his
finger and placed it in the palm of his wife's hand, closing
her fist over it protectively.

"My lady...will you keep this safe for me?" he asked,
fighting to keep the tremor from his voice.

"I will indeed," she replied after a moment.  "And I shall
take great pleasure in returning it to its proper place one
day, sweeting."

The familiar endearment was nearly his undoing, and he felt
a crushing ache in his heart, curiously coupled with relief,
when Diana's hand closed around his arm.

"It is time to go, Fox," she said firmly.  "You belong to me
now."

Taking one last look into Dana's deep blue eyes, Fox turned
away.  Lady Fowley had her servants place chains about his
wrists, and Fox followed her as she led him from the
courtroom, his head held proudly high in the manner
befitting a true Scully.

He did not look back.

-----

When Dana strode into the main hall of Scully Manor, most of
the servants were assembled, waiting to hear the news.  They
saw her glowering face, the absence of Lord Fox, and even
the dullest among them was able to grasp the dire
circumstance.

"Roberta! I wish you here this instant!" she yelled, and the
butler stepped forward at once.

"Yes, my lady?" she asked, her tone filled with more respect
than was her usual wont.  Roberta had no desire the feel the
lash upon her own back, and with the mood her mistress was
in, it was better to grovel now than suffer later.

"I want that bastard Alex Krycek found," Dana stated calmly,
the fury in her eyes frightening.  "I want him found and
returned to me. The man signed a lifetime contract, and by
the Goddess, he shall feel every moment of it until Fox is
once again free."

-----

Maggie entered her chamber, closing the door behind her
softly.  Walter, who stood staring out the window, did not
turn around.  He knew what was about to happen, had prayed
Maggie would relent even while knowing she would not, and
had finally accepted his fate.

"If you are considering flinging yourself out that window, I
would that you discard the notion at once."

He turned to her, a half smile on his whitened face.  "I
fear even by doing so I would not escape your wrath, my
lady."

Maggie crossed to him slowly, her eyes locking with his.
"What ever possessed you to keep such a secret from me,
Bear?"

Walter shook his head, as if in disbelief of his own
actions.  "I am not certain, my lady," he told her
truthfully.  "I gave Fox my pledge that I would not reveal
his secret.  In truth, I do not see what either you or Dana
could have done to protect him, especially so long after the
deed was done."

"I would have done all in my power to see that this servant
was found.  I would have returned him to Lady Fowley."

Walter gazed at her, open-mouthed.  "You would have
condemned the man to death, Maggie?" he asked in disbelief.
"Is the life of a man of so little worth to you?"

Her face darkened, and he took one tentative step back.

"The life of one man in particular is of great worth to my
daughter," she said emphatically.  "That life is in danger
now, due to the reckless behavior of both you and Fox.  You,
as the elder, should have known to come straight to me,
Walter."

As she spoke, she continued approaching him, and Walter
continued backward until he was pressed firmly against the
heavy mahogany wardrobe.  His face was completely without
color and his hands trembled a bit, but his voice did not
falter as he informed her, "You disappoint me, my lady. I
gave Fox my word.  Would you have me violate his trust?
Perhaps I should have tried to persuade him to tell Dana,
but I had not thought you so heartless.  Fox sacrificed his
life for this man, and you would have made all the torment
he has suffered for naught."

"Let me be perfectly clear, Walter Scully," she replied,
leaning so close that he could feel her warm breath on his
cheek.  "I will do anything that is required to protect my
family.  Had I been forced to choose between Isaac and Fox,
I should have chosen Fox without hesitation.  He is the
father of my granddaughter.  He will be responsible for
carrying on my family name, and his firstborn daughter will
inherit Scully Manor."

"Is Fox nothing more to you than breeding stock?" he
inquired sarcastically.  "If that be the case, what good am
I, as I am apparently unable to father children?  Why, pray
tell, have you not replaced me with a younger model, one who
could impregnate you with more of the glorious Scully
daughters?"

Almost before he had finished speaking, Maggie's slapped him
forcefully, leaving a red mark across his face.  He put his
hand to the injury, but did not flinch.

"Walter, I am not your equal.  I am your wife, and you will
afford me the respect and obedience a husband is supposed to
show his Lady and Mistress.  Before we proceed, I want to
make certain you understand that clearly.  Must I explain
the situation further?"

"No, my lady."

"Excellent.  You will remove your clothing and bend over the
chair.  I shall deliver your punishment to your bare bottom,
and I shall not be lenient with you this time, Walter.  Your
words have far overstepped the mark of good taste."

"Maggie, I--"

"Afterwards, we shall further discuss the issue of Fox and
his foolishness."

She released him, and Walter got shakily to his feet.  She
pointed to the hated chair, and with a small sigh of
resignation, he went and stood before it, disrobing slowly.
Maggie watched, a glitter in her eye, as her beautiful
husband removed every stitch of his clothing before lowering
himself reluctantly over the back of the chair.

Maggie considered the tools of punishment she kept in their
chamber--there was the feather, which Walter detested, but
that seemed too light a punishment for the ill-advised words
he had spoken.  The cane was tempting, but she was far too
angry to use it wisely.  The paddle seemed too tame, and
after a few seconds' consideration, she picked up the stout
leather strap.  Walter bit his lip firmly when he saw what
she held in her hand; she had used the strap on him rarely,
and it was extremely painful.  He clenched his fists against
the fabric of the chair and waited for the agony to begin.

"We shall address the issues singly," she announced before
bringing the strap down with a sharp *crack* on his smooth,
white flesh.

"Goddess!" he gasped, trying very hard to keep his legs
still.  Maggie didn't like it when he wriggled too much
during punishment, and it would likely lead to very sore
thighs as well as bottom.  That was a situation to be
avoided if at all possible.

"Firstly, Walter, you are never, *never* to keep secrets
from me again."  Another slap of the belt emphasized her
words, and he strangled a groan.  "Is that quite plain?"

"But I promised! My honor was at stake!"

"Had you not made such a foolish promise, there would have
been no threat to your honor."

"Yes, my lady!"

"Secondly, you will never address me in that tone again. You
will speak to me with respect at all times."

"Always, I swear it!"  He flinched again when the third
smack criss-crossed the previous two.  "Maggie, please!"

"Thirdly, you will never again make such foolish accusations
against me.  Think you truly that I would merely allow a man
to die without intervening?  I would have filed a petition
with the court, claiming Isaac's life was in danger under
Lady Fowley's care, if necessary.  Her Ladyship would
probably have allowed Isaac to break his contract in that
case.  I would not merely have turned him over to Diana to
torture and kill."

As she lectured her husband, Maggie kept a steady rhythm
with the strap, and noted with satisfaction that his bottom
was now a bright shade of red.  She tightened her grip on
the strap.  It would be much redder in hue before she was
finished teaching him this lesson.

"Those things understood, you must realize that nothing is
of more importance to me than this family.  Had Dana and I
been warned in advance of the danger to Fox, perhaps we
could have devised a plan to save him.  Instead, he is now
in the hands of that foul woman, and will remain there until
we are able to free him in some way."

Walter was beginning to sob now.  The sting of the strap was
vicious and his legs sagged a bit as he fought to endure the
remainder of his punishment.

"I do not think of Fox as mere 'breeding stock' at all.
Indeed, I am quite fond of the boy.  As is my daughter.  Do
you not see that?"

"Yes!  Yes, I do, my lady!  Please, no more..."

She stopped for a moment, rubbing his sweaty back and giving
him time to catch his breath before continuing.

"We are almost finished, but there is one very important
issue I have yet to address.  Can you guess what it is?"

Sobbing into the chair, he shook his head from side to side.
Maggie smiled fondly; doubtless all he could think of right
now was the pain in his bottom.

Punctuating her words with strokes of the strap, she
continued, "*You*, Walter, are a man, my husband, and your
life is of the utmost importance to me.  Indeed, you are the
most precious person of all to me.  Do you not know that?"

"I--I know--" he gasped through his tears.

Maggie pulled him slowly to his feet and embraced him
warmly.  "Then also know that I love you more than my life,
and let us have no more of this foolishness. Now, you are
quite exhausted, Bear.  You will climb into our bed and
sleep.  Do not argue with me."

Careful to keep the coverlet away from his sore bottom,
Walter did as he was told.

-----

Earlier that morning, after leaving Scully Manor, Melissa
sat astride her horse in the middle of the road for several
minutes, her eyes narrowed in deep thought.  Jake had been
gone for hours already, and none of the women who had joined
in the search had seen him.  They were all to be trusted,
but there were others in the village who were less noble,
who would not hesitate to take advantage of a man like Jake
should he fall into their hands.  She knew that, although
Jake pretended to be carefree and disregarding of his own
safety and modesty, in truth he was as much in need of
protection as any man--perhaps more so because of his
extreme beauty.

They had searched every road out of town for Alex and had
found no success.  Melissa had been certain Alex would head
for London, intending to disappear into the throngs who
crowded the gutters there, but had finally been forced to
admit her error.  Had Alex made for London, they would
surely have found him, and had Jake followed their search
parties, one of them would surely have come across him on
the return journey.

Now, she stared off to the northeast as a horrifying thought
struck her.  Cursing her own stupidity, she urged her horse
onward through the trees, ignoring the trails and searching
for any sign that a man had passed by recently, either on
horseback or on foot.  Soon, she was rewarded when she
spotted a certain pattern of broken twigs, and when the
trees gave way to open fields, a clear evidence that someone
had recently trampled the tall grass.  Jake had gone this
way, damn his hide, and perhaps Alex as well.

Melissa dug her heels into her horse's side, spurring him on
to a gallop, and made for the docks, fifteen miles from
Azure.  If Alex had gone there, he would almost certainly be
captured and raped, possibly taken as a sea captain's
personal maid and bed warmer.  While it was no more than the
slut deserved, right now the Scullys needed him whole.  If
Jake had gone there--Melissa shuddered at the possibilities,
praying she would find him alive.  Traveling as quickly as
she was able, she amused herself with thoughts of how, once
she found him, she would then proceed to kill him.

-----

The ride to Lady Fowley's estate was accomplished in near
silence.  Fox sat staring stonily out the carriage window,
ignoring the smirk of satisfaction on the noblewoman's lips.
She rested her hand gently on his knee, giving a threatening
squeeze when he attempted to draw away, but other than that
one familiarity made no move to molest him.  Fox supposed he
should be grateful she did not intend to take him right here
in the carriage in broad daylight.  According to the many
stories he had heard, coupled with what he had seen for
himself, he knew there were not many boundaries Lady Diana
would not cross.

When they reached the Fowley carriage-drive at last, Fox
breathed a prayer of thanks to the Goddess that he seemed to
be, in fact, quite numb; it would have simply been too
mortifying if his knees had shaken as she assisted him from
the carriage.

Diana kept her hand firmly on his left arm, while one of her
servants grasped his right, and he was led into the large
house immediately.  Fox wanted to turn around and take one
look back, to see if he could spot the rooftop of Scully
Manor through the trees, but he did not trust himself to be
able to endure such a sight.  Instead, he allowed himself to
be drawn into the dark, cool receiving chamber without
protest.

The Fowley servants crowded around in order to better view
their Mistress' new prize, and Fox kept his gaze fixed
firmly on the stone wall ahead of him.  The servants'
babbling was nothing more than unintelligible noise to him
until Lady Fowley's voice rang out above the others.

"Take him to my chamber."

At Lady Diana's words, Fox felt a wave of despair wash over
him.  He had not realized until just this moment how much at
her mercy he truly was.  Praying that somewhere in her heart
she had a shred of compassion, Fox slowly lowered himself to
his knees in an attitude of supplication.

"My lady, I will be your servant, I give you my word, happy
to perform the most menial of tasks, but please, I--," he
stopped just before his voice broke.  Diana regarded him,
amusement in her eyes, waiting for him to finish.

"I have known no woman except my lady wife.  Please, I beg
your mercy.  Do not take me to your bed.  Do not shame me in
this manner."

"Dana has been far too soft on you," Diana replied, twining
her fingers in his hair and giving a tug so he was forced to
look up at her.  "I should have you whipped for your
insolence.  You are not my servant, Fox, you are my slave.
How dare you even suggest that you could command me?"

He shook his head frantically, as if to deny her words, but
she went on before he could speak.

"You are, as you say, my servant for the next four and one
half years.  During that time, your *only* task will be to
please me in my bed.  I require nothing else of you.  I have
plenty of servants to see to my other needs.  You, my
beautiful wild Fox, will make your luscious body available
to me as often as I wish to make use of it."

His face blanched at her words, but he held her gaze proudly
in spite of the tears that wanted to surface.  He was a
Scully, he reminded himself fiercely, and a Scully was never
a coward.

Diana stared into the pooling hazel eyes for a few moments,
lost in their beauty, unable to believe that such a specimen
was truly hers.  She would not keep him for long, she knew.
Diana had no illusions that Lady Scully would allow her to
retain ownership of Lord Scully for the entire four and
one-half years.  Dana would either find a pretext to kill
her, thus regaining Fox, or she would simply steal him and
spirit him away from the village.  At any rate, Diana
intended to gain as much enjoyment from her new pet as
possible before she lost him.

"Take him to my chamber at once," Diana ordered again,
releasing her grip on his hair.  "Prepare him for me.  I
shall be upstairs when I am ready."

There was nothing more Fox could say.  It was obvious now
that Diana did *not* possess a shred of compassion, but he
should have known that, he reminded himself as he meekly
allowed the servants to lead him upstairs.  He was in this
predicament because she possessed no compassion, and because
he had an abundance of it, perhaps more than he had of good
sense.

He stifled a sudden urge to swing out at the servants
guarding him and run for his life.  It was useless, that
much was certain; his wrists were still chained, and he
would not get as far as the front door before being set upon
and dragged back.  Fox had no doubt that punishment at Lady
Fowley's hands would be swift and severe.  Instead of
running, he took care to observe his surroundings carefully
as he ascended the staircase, in order to better make use of
any escape opportunity which might present itself in the
future.

The Fowley estate was built almost entirely of stone, and
Fox shivered in the dampness that seemed to permeate his
garments.  Unlike his home--Scully Manor, he corrected
himself, for it was no longer his home--this place held no
warm fires or inviting salons.  The downstairs was almost
entirely made up of one large room, and the steps leading up
to the sleeping chambers were of old and chipped stone. Fox
followed carefully, attempting to avoid slipping on them,
trying desperately not to think about what was about to
happen to him.  When at last they reached the top of the
stairs, the servants led him to a room directly opposite.
When the door was swung open, he stopped in horror, stifling
his gasp at the sight.

The room was enormous, and appeared not so much a bedroom as
a torture chamber.  One entire wall was hung with implements
of discipline, hung on hooks and stacked on shelves. There
were whips and straps and canes of every size, and those
were the most innocuous of the items he saw.  A set of
thumbscrews, a collar with spikes pointing inward, and a
large whipping bench caught his attention first, then his
eyes wandered over the various tools.  Fox wondered why one
woman had need of so many items used for punishment. Being a
servant on this estate must truly be the depths of despair.

With a barely concealed shudder, Fox turned away from the
wall of horror only to find his eyes focused on the massive
bed.  Posts rose from each corner all the way to the ceiling
where they were securely fastened with iron bolts.  Strong
manacles hung from each post, and Fox shivered again.

He started when the chamber door opened, and several more
servants entered the room bearing hot water.  The tub was
filled, and Fox sighed, resigned to his fate.  He only hoped
they would leave him alone while he bathed. His hopes were
for nothing, for no sooner had they emptied the last of the
buckets of water into the tub and unfastened his chains than
they all reached for him at once, stripping his clothing
from him quickly and efficiently.

"No!" he cried out as he heard his shirt rip, and bit his
lip at the giggles that ensued.

"Not to worry, Fox," one of them smirked.  "Lady Fowley
isn't likely to allow you clothing anyway."

He stared at her, shocked at the implication, and barely
noticed when they began pulling him toward the tub.  Soon he
was immersed in the water, feeling several of the servants
scrubbing at him all at the same time.  He yelped when one
of them reached for his manhood, but the women merely
cleaned him methodically, then tugged him to his feet once
more.  He was dried off with a large drying cloth, then led
toward the bed.

At that point, Fox began to panic, but before he could
formulate a plan of escape, he was lying flat on his back on
the bed, completely naked.  He heard the clank of metal, and
moments later tugged at the collar that had been locked
around his neck.

He closed his eyes, seeing himself in Isaac's position
again, and turned on his side, pulled his knees protectively
against his chest and buried his head in his arms.  Suddenly
comprehending his nakedness, he grasped at the coverlet and
tugged it quickly over his trembling body.

As the servants exited the room, throwing jeers and crude
innuendo his way, he remembered Dana's face as he had been
led away from her. With rapidly increasing desperation, Fox
begged the Goddess for Her assistance as he fought valiantly
to hold back his tears.

How cruel a joke She had played, giving him the love he
craved just as he was to be denied it.

-----

Melissa shielded her eyes from the glare of the sun
shimmering on the ocean, focusing on the sight
approaching--a man on horseback was leading another man by a
rope.  Since they did not turn tail and run at the sight of
her, she could only presume the correct man had the correct
man on the end of the rope.

As they approached, she was able to see very clearly that
Jake had tied the rope securely around Alex's waist,
trapping his arms at his sides, then fastened it to his
saddle.  He trotted along at a pace that forced Alex to jog,
and the hapless prisoner appeared exhausted.

"Before I whip you within an inch of your life, tell me
where you found him," she commanded, her eyes roving up and
down Jake, noting with relief that he appeared unharmed.
"Tell me you were not so foolish as to approach the docks
alone.  Tell me you found him lying in a convenient ditch,
far from the waterfront."

"Actually, my lady, I discovered him slinking about the
waterfront like the sewer rat he is," he told her grimly.
"I am afraid I was forced to be quite rough with him in
order to persuade him to return with me.  He apparently had
plans to board a ship for the colonies, intending to pay his
way with this."  Jake held up a gold neck band which Melissa
recognized immediately, for it was identical to the one her
mother had given her for her previous Name Day. Melissa
nodded with sudden understanding, then turned her attention
back to Jake.

"You went to the docks," she clarified.

He nodded, still glaring at Alex with disgust.

"You went to the docks, where hard and ruthless women
gather, with no protection whatsoever, and attempted to
apprehend a dangerous criminal."

"I *did* apprehend him, Melissa," Jake pointed out.

"Alone and unescorted, without even your "Brunhilda" to
watch over you. Nobody to protect you should a bevy of
seawomen spot you and decide you would make an excellent
plaything for their shore leave."  As she spoke, her face
grew redder and redder and her voice deceptively calm.

"I wasn't without protection," he contradicted, withdrawing
one of Dana's pistols from his saddlebag.  "I had this."

"I shall surely whip you until you are not able to sit for
at least a fortnight," she said mildly, but her eyes glinted
in a way that made Jake shiver inwardly.

He swallowed hard, but replied with a wicked grin, "I shall
look forward to it."

"So.  You located this gutter rat after all.  He will make
an excellent target."  Melissa drew her own pistol and aimed
it squarely at Alex's forehead.

"Wait, Melissa," Jake said hastily.  "I would that you did
not kill him just yet.  I have an idea in which he may be of
some use to us."

Melissa dismounted slowly, walking over to stand before
Alex.  Her eyes took in his defiant glare as well as the
slight cut on his lower lip.  "Did you do this?" she asked
Jake, pointing to the cut, and he nodded.  "Excellent work."

Seconds later, the toe of Melissa's boot connected sharply
with Alex's groin, and he fell to his knees in agony,
gasping for breath.

"Observe, Jake, another reason why men are the weaker sex.
Your manly parts are all on the outside, where they are
vulnerable."

Ignoring Jake's wince, she helped him down from his horse,
her tender touch belying her angry glare, then tossed Alex
across Jake's saddle. She tied the rope firmly about the
saddle so their prisoner did not slip to the ground, then
mounted her own steed and pulled her fiancé astride in front
of her.

"We will take him to Her Ladyship," she said brusquely.
"Blackmail, thievery and illegally defecting from his
contract.  I believe that should take care of Alex for quite
some time.  I'm certain he will prove very popular in
prison.  As we ride, you will tell me this idea of yours."

"Yes, my lady."

"You will also tell me what made you think to search the
docks when I, with all my military experience, believed Alex
to be heading for London."

"Yes, my lady."

"Afterwards, I shall whip you soundly."

Jake only smiled.

-------

Fox raised his head when the door opened, knowing it would
be Diana but hoping against hope it was not.  He saw her
sinister smile first, and suppressed a shiver.  Clutching
the coverlet close around his neck, Fox watched as she
approached.

"You are lovely," she commented, stopping to look him over.
"If only I could see more than your nose and one eye, and
that thatch of dark hair..."  So saying, Diana reached down
and whipped away the coverlet without warning.  Fox curled
into a ball, trying vainly to protect his naked body from
her eyes.

Once again, he fixed his gaze on a distant point, doing his
best to summon up the tender words Dana had spoken to him
just before he was taken away.  If he could concentrate on
her, on those sweet phrases, perhaps he could survive this.
After all, he told himself firmly, there was no shame in
what he had done to help Isaac.  If Diana took him against
his will, could there possibly be shame in that either?
There was, after all, nothing he could do to prevent the
situation from occurring.

She lay a hand gently on his hip and Fox felt his stomach
turn over, suddenly overcome by the nausea that he had been
certain was past.  Breathing evenly in order to control his
stomach, Fox tried to make himself go numb again.  He was
unsuccessful, and as her hand inched toward his waist, his
feeling of illness increased.

"My lady, please," he whispered, closing his eyes and
pressing his hands against his stomach.

"Yes, pretty one, you will please me," she purred, sitting
beside him on the bed.  She leaned over and placed a kiss on
his shoulder, then trailed them down his arm toward his
hands, still clenched over his protesting stomach.

"I don't--I can't--my lady, I'm afraid I am quite ill!" he
gasped.

She ignored him, her fingers sliding between his legs to
grasp his limp manhood, stroking it, attempting to coax a
response from him.  "You belong to me now, Fox," she said
firmly.  "Pretending to be ill will not save you."

The feel of her hands on his most intimate parts was too
much for Fox, and leaning over suddenly, he vomited noxious
bile all over himself, the bed, and Lady Diana.  She
screeched and jumped away from him as if she'd been burned,
staring at her ruined gown in fury.

"Blessed hell!" she cursed, ripping at the fabric in an
attempt to rid herself of the foul-smelling garment at once.
"You damned useless male!"

Summoned by their lady's scream, the servants burst into the
room.

"My lady, is everything all right?" asked one of them as
they all halted, staring in dismay at their soiled mistress
and at Fox, who was still retching, oblivious to his nudity
at the moment.

"Take him to the north tower," Diana said coldly, holding
out her arms as her maid quickly removed the soiled gown.
"He will be over his illness soon enough, and then I shall
teach him the manners he is so sorely lacking!"

The servants obeyed immediately, unfastening the chain that
held Fox to the wall and jerking him roughly to his feet. He
followed them reluctantly, still trying to calm his nausea,
too intent upon his sickness to notice that he was being led
through the entire house completely unclothed.

-----

Dana jumped to her feet when Melissa led Alex into the house
like a pony, ignoring when he stumbled tiredly and jerking
him back to an upright position with the rope.

"As you can see, the fugitive has been located," she
commented mildly as the family gathered around.  "Dana,
hold."  She held out a hand to stop her sister.  "You cannot
kill him."

"Pray tell me, why not?" Dana demanded, her eyes glittering
with hatred as she regarded her runaway servant, her eyes
lovingly fingering the hilt of the dagger at her waist.  "My
husband has been given over to that vile woman because of
this worthless guttersnipe."

Melissa nodded.  It had been no more than she had
expected--the law was quite explicit on these matters.
"Because Jake has come up with a plan, a most excellent one,
a plan devious enough to have been designed by a woman.  I
think you will enjoy it.  I had intended taking him to Her
Honor Lady Sparlane at once, but I believe Jake has devised
a way we may save Fox."

-----

Fox shivered in the lonely tower room, watching through the
single window as the sun set.  It had not been that many
hours since he had been taken from Dana, and yet it seemed
forever since he had seen her face.  He shifted position,
attempting to find a more comfortable spot to rest his
cramped legs, and wished she was there to wrap her strong
arms around him.  His heart ached with the desire to be in
his own bed, warm and safe in the company of his lady, and
he swallowed an enormous lump in his throat as he willed
away tears.  He was done with crying, he told himself
staunchly.  It could do him no good now.

Although, he congratulated himself wryly, vomiting on Lady
Fowley had engendered excellent results.  It had not been
his intention to avoid rape by disgusting his would-be
attacker, but the coincidence of nausea and fear had
combined admirably.  Now, if only he could find a way to
escape before Lady Diana overcame her loathing and again
desired to bed him.

The collar around his neck was quite stout, and while the
spikes did not bite into his flesh, they pressed against it
uncomfortably.  He was afraid to rest his head against
either the wall or floor for fear of one of them severing an
artery.  Instead, he propped his chin on his hands, resting
his arms on his knees, and studied the room.  It was quite
empty, save for a few dust balls and the chain which held
him captive.

He gave an experimental tug on the chain and for a moment
thought he felt it give.  Rising to his feet, Fox examined
the rusty iron ring embedded in the wall.  The dampness that
enveloped the entire house appeared to have weakened the
bolts that held it, and as he tugged again on the chain, he
rejoiced quietly--there was definite movement, very slight,
but still enough to give him hope.  Ignoring the cold and
the feeling of hunger that was beginning to gnaw quite
enthusiastically at his insides, Fox found the loosest of
the bolts and began to work it with his fingers.

-------

Dana handed the hastily scrawled message to Fox's maid, Aja,
and bid him, "Take this to the Lady Fowley at once.  Wait
for a reply."  He scurried away and she turned to Sarah and
Roberta.  "Wash Alex thoroughly.  See that he is at his most
attractive.  Then bring him to me.  And Roberta?"  Roberta
waited.  "Now is not the time to take your pleasure of him.
I want him fresh and rested for tonight."

"Yes, my lady."  The two servants disappeared, dragging Alex
between them, and Maggie arched an eyebrow at her daughter.

"Will this plan work, do you think?" she asked.

Dana shook her head slowly.  "I do not know, Mother, but I
pray it will.  We have few other options, and as often as I
have sworn to kill Diana, it would be best if we can end
this situation without bloodshed."

Maggie smiled and gave her daughter a quick kiss on the
cheek.  "You grow wiser every day, my dear," she said
approvingly.  "And now, I must check on Walter."

"I take it, from the noises I heard emanating from your
chamber earlier today, that you assisted him in seeing the
error of his ways?"

"Oh yes, daughter, I punished him severely.  Walter will
learn not to keep secrets from me if he learns nothing
else."

"Where is Melissa?"

Maggie's eyes twinkled.  "I believe she is in the process of
teaching Jake not to keep secrets from her."

-----

"We will now discuss certain matters regarding your
behavior, Jake."

Jake leaned back in his chair and stretched his long legs,
crossing them at the ankles.  He regarded her lazily from
beneath his long lashes, fully aware of his own beauty and
the effect it had on ladies.  They were in the East Wing
salon, where they had taken their tea in private, and the
entire upper floor was absent of family and servants at the
moment.

"Certainly, Melissa," he acknowledged, feeling his
irritation rise at her autocratic manner.  "Perhaps we may
begin with why you chose to order me about like a stable
boy."

"I did nothing of the sort.  I commanded you to remain here
with Walter--"

"Which I told you I did not wish to do!"

"Which order you completely disregarded, with no thought to
your own safety or to my reputation--"

"How did I endanger your reputation?  I was merely
attempting to apprehend Alex Krycek.  I believe you are
jealous because I found him instead of you.  You, the great
Commanding General, could not guess that the man would make
immediately for the waterfront.  Had the search been left
entirely in your hands, Alex might well be on his way to the
colonies even now!"

His anger had gotten the better of him, and he jumped to his
feet, towering over her as he practically yelled his last
words into her face.

Melissa allowed Jake to finish venting his spleen before
rising to her feet, crossing to the door, and locking it
securely.  He watched her, confused at her action but still
too angry to realize he should be concerned.

"Oh, now I suppose you shall give me that whipping you keep
promising," he taunted sarcastically.  "You are a woman of
many words, Melissa, but I see little action."

Before he knew what had happened, Jake found himself flat on
his back on the soft carpet, gasping for the breath that had
been knocked out of him by Melissa's lightening fast attack.
She straddled him carefully, one knee poised above his manly
parts, his wrists pinned firmly across his chest.  He
struggled briefly, but she lowered her knee slightly and
finally Jake lay still.  It was no use to fight her in this
position; she could cripple him easily if she chose, and
while Jake did not think she would, there was no arguing
that for the moment he was helpless.

When he stared up at her, conquered yet not defeated,
Melissa leaned very slowly toward him, her lips approaching
until they barely brushed his.  He shivered with a sudden
wave of lust.

"I will show you all the action you are able to withstand,"
she growled into his mouth before claiming it with an
expertise that left him breathless.

As she kissed him, her leg slowly straightened until she was
lying fully atop him.  He could feel himself pressing into
her heat and the sensation only served to increase his
torment.

"Melissa--" he gasped, and she raised her head a fraction of
an inch.

"You will address me with the proper respect."

"You will never make me submit!" he whispered fiercely.

In response, she began dropping tiny, feather-light kisses
all over his face and neck, allowing her tongue to lap at
his sensitive skin on occasion, nibbling at his earlobes,
until at last he was unable to bite back a small whimper.

"Give up to me, Jake," she insisted softly.  "We shall both
be the happier for it."

"Never."  His single word was almost a moan, and he felt her
satisfied smile against his mouth with chagrin.  He tried to
shift his body beneath her, to remove the enticing,
tormenting feel of her against his manhood, but she would
not allow even that tiny victory.

"No," she said flatly, nestling herself more firmly against
his stiffened rod.  "You belong to me, Jake, and before we
leave this room, you shall admit that fact."

"My lady..."  It was clear he wanted to say more, but his
eyes were beginning to glaze over and his face was flushed.

She smiled.  "That is an excellent beginning.  Spread your
legs a bit, my dear."

Without thinking, he did as she commanded, and felt her
settle more firmly against him.

"Oh--Goddess!" he gasped, and she grinned wider.

"It is not the Goddess who will please you this day," she
told him, her kisses becoming more passionate as Jake became
more acquiescent.  "It is I, your lady and mistress, I who
will have every claim on you as soon as Her Majesty approves
the match."

He froze.  A sudden, horrible thought struck him, sending a
cold shaft of terror straight to his stomach.  "Mel--my
lady, what if she does not?"

Melissa grabbed his chin, holding it firmly, and stared down
into his beautiful eyes.  They gazed back at her, wide and
afraid.  "You will trust me to take care of matters, Jake.
Do you understand?"

He nodded slowly.

"Then do not worry about my petition for you.  Her Majesty
shall grant it, I assure you."

Any answer he might have made was smothered by her lips,
while her hands went to work quickly stripping the clothing
from his body.  Soon, he found he was quite naked beneath
her, writhing with need and biting his lip to keep from
begging her to take him immediately.  He could tell she
sensed his surrender, could feel her amusement, and it would
have angered him had he been able to summon any sense at
all; instead he was swept away on a cloud of pure desire.

His hands at last released from her grip, he slipped them
beneath her tunic, sliding upwards until he found her full,
soft breasts.  The feel of them beneath his fingers only
served to increase his frenzy.  Melissa pulled away only
long enough to remove her boots and trousers, and returned
to him almost before he was aware she had been gone.  Now
the heat of her arousal was pressed squarely against his
manhood, and he felt as if he must surely die in the next
second.

"My lady...please..." he groaned against her shoulder, and
she raised herself as if to give him his prize, poised just
above his straining sex.  He waited for her to sheath
herself on his rod, and when she did not, opened his eyes to
see a slight smile twisting the corners of her mouth.

"Tell me now that you belong to me," she commanded roughly.

"I--I--"

"Tell me."

"My lady..."

"Tell me you are mine, or I shall leave you in this state.
Your need is much more urgent than mine, I assure you."

His eyes widened, but he saw only deadly certainty on her
face.

"You surely did not do this merely to torment me!" he
managed.

"Indeed I did not.  It is my wish to take you quite
thoroughly, but you are a wild young man, Jake.  You must be
tamed, and your first lesson is to admit that I am your
mistress, that you belong to me and no other.  I will not
have a husband who attempts to rule."

Jake clamped his lips tightly shut, determined not to let
the words pass between them, but the feel of her against him
was too much.  At last, as desperately as a drowning man
striving for air, he gasped out, "You, my lady!  I belong to
you!"

Instantly, she slid herself onto his waiting manhood,
enveloping him with her softness, and he felt raw tears of
need and relief sting his eyelids.

As if sensing that the lesson had been almost too much for
him, she brought them both quickly to their release, biting
firmly into his shoulder, marking him as her property as her
muscles clenched around him, milking the seed from his body.
He threw back his head and screamed in a mixture of pain and
pleasure that was surely the most intense sensation he had
ever felt.

When at last she raised her body off his, holding out a hand
to help him to his feet, Jake felt completely drained.  They
were both covered in sweat, and his clothing was thrown
haphazardly about the room.

Melissa took his face tenderly in her hands and kissed him
softly on the lips.  "You are a wonderful student, my little
one, and I am proud to be your teacher."

He smiled at her endearment, silly in a way, as he towered
over her, and yet somehow appropriate.  "May I ask a
question, teacher?" he queried, looking at her coyly from
beneath his lashes.

She smiled, as if amused by his attempt at coquetry, and
nodded.

"When exactly *are* you planning to whip me, my lady?" His
impish grin revealed his lack of belief that she would
actually punish him physically, but he shivered when she
stroked a finger down his chest, gently fondling him until
her hand cupped his manly parts.

"Soon," she promised solemnly.  "Very soon."

-----

Dana looked Alex over approvingly as the servants brought
him before her.  His still-naked body was completely clean,
and she could tell from the look about him that her orders
concerning him as plaything had been obeyed well.  He glared
at her, but there was no exhaustion or defeat in his eyes;
indeed, the steady challenge she saw there pleased her.  If
all went according to plan, Diana would be intrigued by the
beautiful young man, and she would regain possession of her
husband.

"Excellent," she said.  "I have received word that Lady
Fowley has accepted my request and will meet with me in an
hour at the tavern.  He will do quite nicely."

"Should we not clothe him, my lady?" asked Sarah cautiously,
but Dana shook her head.

"No, Sarah.  Cover his manly parts only.  He does not
deserve the kindness of garments, and my interests will
better be served if he is nearly naked."

Alex did not struggle as a soft loincloth, which he filled
quite nicely, was wrapped about him and fastened; it was
obvious he saw the addition as desirable, if not all he
could wish for.

"Bring him," Dana said when the task was completed, and she
and Maggie left the room, followed by the servants.  They
were joined by Melissa in the hall. "Where is Jake?" Dana
asked curiously.

Melissa gave her sister a wicked grin.  "He is pacing
Mother's chamber at the moment.  He wished to come with us,
but was quickly persuaded to see my way of things.  Mother,
I do hope you don't mind the addition to your rooms for the
evening.  I thought he and Walter could be company for one
another."

Maggie shook her head fondly.  "I fear they will not remain
there for long," she commented.  "Jake is quite headstrong."

"Oh yes, Mother, they shall both remain there for as long as
we wish."

"You locked them in?" 

"I did."

Maggie smiled her approval while Dana grinned.  "Unless you
tied Jake to the bed, Melissa, I've no doubt you will have a
runaway on your hands.  A greater scamp I have not seen."

Melissa tapped her crop against her thigh pointedly.
"Perhaps, Sister, but I am an excellent hunter.  No prey can
elude me for long.  Now, let us rid ourselves of this swamp
rat and bring Fox home."  Turning to Alex, she shook her
crop threateningly in his face.  "If you cause one speck of
trouble, I shall see to it that your pretty back pays the
price for your foolishness.  Am I clear to you?"

He regarded her with insolence for a moment, but when
Melissa showed no sign of weakness or retreat, Alex
swallowed hard, dropped his eyes and nodded his head once.

"Very well.  Let us take our leave."

-----

Fox swung around, startled at the sudden sound of a key in
the door, and shoved the bolt guiltily back into the hole he
had almost managed to worked it from.  He had spent the last
few hours on his task, and now standing in front of the iron
ring, he prayed Diana would not discover his attempt to
escape her clutches.

To his surprise, Lady Fowley was not present--several
servants entered the room, one dragging a large bathing tub
and the rest carrying buckets of water.  The last servant to
enter the room held a fine suit of clothes.

"You must bathe and dress, Fox," one of the women informed
him.  "Lady Fowley wishes it."

Terrified they would discover the loosened bolt, Fox backed
up against the wall.  "Please, I am still unwell," he began,
but one of them reached for his collar, releasing it from
his neck with a turn of a key.

"That's of no importance," she retorted.  "Lady Diana
ordered us to bathe and dress you, and that's what we shall
do.  It will go easier for you if you do not resist us."

Fox didn't resist--there was no point.  He allowed them to
clean the remnants of his illness from him--which to his
gratitude they did as clinically as they had earlier in the
day--and dress him in the fine suit of clothing.  It was
similar to the clothes Dana had chosen for him before she
found out they were expecting a child--tight breeches and an
embarrassingly revealing shirt--but Fox was grateful for it.

When he had been clothed and groomed, they formed a tight
circle around him and led him toward the door.

"Where are we going?" he questioned, but his curiosity was
ignored.  "Lady Diana really should hire servants with more
conversational skills," he muttered to himself.

One of the women glared at him as if she would like to box
his ears but didn't quite dare.  "You'd best keep silent,"
she told him pointedly.  "You aren't a nobleman here, Fox,
you're nothing more than a simple male servant.  If you wish
your life to be at all bearable, you will keep your sassy
tongue behind your teeth."

Fox nodded soberly, afraid of the look in her eye, and
followed without comment.  He was taken downstairs and was
presented to Diana, who looked him over carefully.

"Beautiful," she said at last, approaching him with still
another collar, a soft leather one this time.

Fox did not flinch as she fastened the collar about his neck
and attached a short lead to it.  She ordered her servants
to bind his hands behind his back, which they did quickly.
Then Diana turned on her heel and strode out of the hall,
leaving the servants to escort Fox to her carriage.

"My lady, where are we going?" he asked tentatively when he
had settled himself on the seat beside her.

"I did not give you leave to speak," she chastised sharply.

Fearing punishment, Fox merely nodded and stared again out
the carriage window.  Now, when he might have been able to
endure the sight of Scully Manor, it was far too dark to see
that distance through the trees.

-----

Jake paced the chamber restlessly, while Walter sat beside
the lamp and attempted to read.  At last, unable to
concentrate, he put down the book and spoke to the younger
man.

"Jake, do sit down.  You shall wear a hole in the carpet."

Jake took a few more angry steps.  "I wanted to go with
them," he threw over his shoulder at Walter.  He watched
from the window as the carriage departed.

"I know."

"Melissa should have allowed it.  Fox is my cousin.  I wish
to be of assistance to him."

"Perhaps Lady Melissa felt you could be of the most
assistance by remaining behind and letting the women take
care of such matters."  Walter spoke calmly, but his bottom
was still quite sore from the strapping Maggie had given him
earlier.  At the moment, Walter's only desire was to avoid
further punishment, and he had no intention of allowing Jake
to draw him into trouble.  Instead, he tried to divert the
young man's attention.  "Come, sit down, Jake.  Let us have
a game of chess."

Jake ignored him, staring purposefully at the tree growing
outside the window.  As Walter watched, he flung open the
sash and reached for the nearest branch.  Before Jake could
even grasp the tree with one hand, Walter ran to him and
grabbed him around the waist from behind.

"You shall *not*," he objected fiercely.  "I have already
been the recipient of one punishment due to that infernal
tree.  I shall ask my lady to have it cut down!"

"Walter, let me go!"  Jake struggled against Walter's
restraining arms, but Lord Scully the Elder was quite
strong, and possessed bulk where Jake was slight.  Finally,
he relaxed, and felt Walter's arms loosen a bit from around
him.  "All right," he agreed testily.  "Let me loose.  I
shall not attempt to leave."

Walter studied Jake's face, the sincere expression in the
hazel eyes that were so like Fox's.  Then he remembered his
young son-in-law's escapades as well as his recent lecture
on family responsibility, and made a quick decision.

"Indeed, you shall not," he announced, dragging Jake toward
the large bed.  "I shall make certain of it."

Jake fought like a wildcat, but within a few moments Walter
had his wrists securely fastened to the large bed posts with
two of Maggie's scarves.  He stepped back and regarded Jake
with amusement as the angry young man glared at him.

"Untie me at once!" Jake ordered.  "If you do not, I shall
call for my servants."

Smoothly, Walter grabbed up yet another scarf and stuffed it
into Jake's mouth, wrapping it around his head and tying it
firmly.  "You shall do nothing of the sort," he replied,
giving Jake a satisfied grin.  "I have discovered the value
of safeguarding the Scully men, as well as our family name.
And if you attempt to cause me any further trouble..."  He
let the sentence hang, but he crossed to Maggie's bureau and
withdrew the cane she had used on him on occasion.  Jake's
eyes grew wide, but he continued struggling and hissing
insults at Walter from behind the gag.  Walter gave him one
stroke on the side of his leg with the cane, simply for
emphasis, and Jake--quite shocked at the turn of
events--decided silence was his best choice.

Happy with the job he had done, Walter again settled himself
in his chair, taking up his book, and proceeded to read
uninterrupted until his wife returned.

-------

When the carriage drew to a halt, Diana's servants quickly
opened the door and waited for their lady to exit.  Then,
reaching inside, two of them grasped Fox by the arms and
pulled him out, steadying him as he struggled for balance.
Diana took hold of his lead and gave a slight tug, and Fox,
being allowed no choice in the matter, followed.

His eyes grew wide as saucers when he realized they were
about to enter the Tavern.  From the noises inside, the
evening's activities were well underway.  Fox grew suddenly
very afraid; he could think of no reason for Diana to bring
him to such a place unless she intended to wager him.

"My lady--" he said, turning imploring eyes to her, but her
glare stopped him.

"You will remain silent," she hissed.  "If you speak again
without my permission, I shall gag you.  Then I shall allow
all my servants to take a turn at punishing you when we
return home.  Is that understood?"

Subdued, Fox nodded, lowering his eyes to the ground and
following as she once again made to enter the tavern.

When the two of them stepped into the room, the noise
diminished, then fell off altogether.  All eyes in the room
were on Lord Scully, for the news of his fate had spread
throughout the village quickly.  When Lady Dana had arrived,
with the barely-clad Alex Krycek in tow, gossip had begun,
but now that the two foes were face to face, everyone in the
tavern feared a duel was inevitable.  Lady Maggie and Lady
Melissa had accompanied Lady Dana, and the sight of the
three noblewomen, Alex Krycek bound tightly and forced to
kneel before them, was an intimidating vision.

Diana, not at all intimidated, flanked by her faithful
servants, merely led the leashed Fox over to stand before
Dana, forcing him to his knees as well.  He did not raise
his head to look at his wife, keeping his eyes fixed firmly
on the rough wooden floor.

Diana's eyes went directly to Alex, taking in every inch of
the lovely servant with the utmost appreciation.  She licked
her lips hungrily when she observed the bulge of his manhood
beneath the loincloth.  At last she dragged her gaze from
Alex to confront Dana.

"Well, Lady Scully, you asked for this meeting.  I presume,
based upon the unconventional locale, that you wish to
conduct a wager, in the hopes of regaining your husband from
me."

"Indeed, I do not."

All parties glanced down at Fox when he gave an involuntary
gasp, but he did not look up.

"Then why, pray tell, have you brought us all here?"

"Because I wish to offer you a trade, Lady Fowley.  One
which it would greatly benefit you to accept."

Diana's gaze swept over Alex again.  "A trade?"

Dana nodded.  "This servant has signed a lifetime contract
with me.  I will sign his contract over to you in exchange
for my husband's freedom."

A lifetime!  A lifetime with the luscious beauty at Dana's
feet, or four years and six months with the one at her own.
Diana glanced back and forth between the men for a few
seconds.  Fox still stared demurely at the floor, while Alex
kept his glittering eyes straight ahead, an expression of
something very near contempt marring his beautiful features.
How tempting, how exciting it would be to wipe that look
from his face, to bend such a creature to her will.  And to
have an entire lifetime to accomplish the task...  If she
tired of him, she would merely banish him to the fields.
From Diana's perspective, it seemed an excellent
opportunity. However, she disliked allowing Lady Scully to
win so easily.

"You are forgetting, Dana, that the servant in question must
agree to such a transfer of his contract.  I doubt your
pretty toy would be anxious to work for me once he
understood that his sole duty would be to warm my bed."

She leaned forward to ask Alex, "What say you to this
proposition, servant?"

"No."  The single word was spoken very clearly, and none
were surprised.

"Perhaps you will wish to reconsider, Alex, when I describe
your future duties to you," Dana told him in a dangerously
silky voice.

He glanced up at her, barely masking the worry on his face,
and she continued.

"I intend that you spend every single night here at the
tavern while Fox is in Lady Fowley's hands.  I shall rent
you out to the tables and become quite wealthy, for all the
women will wish to have a chance at punishing your pretty
flesh or partaking of your manly charms.  You will spend
your nights here, lying flat on your back pleasing the
women, or lying on your stomach while they turn your skin a
lovely shade of scarlet with their riding crops.  Then,
after you have had a minimal amount of sleep and food, you
will work the afternoon cleaning my barns and pig sties,
returning here to the tavern at night to continue pleasing
the women of the village.

"After Fox has finished his sentence and is returned to my
care, I will then have you arrested for thievery and
blackmail.  You will be sentenced to at least twenty years
in prison for your crimes, I've no doubt."  She leaned
closer and whispered directly into his ear, "A beautiful man
such as yourself should prove quite popular with the lonely
*men* in prison."

Alex was unable to suppress his shudder.  His eyes had
drifted to the long tables at one end of the tavern while
she spoke, and his face had paled.

Fox, who had never been able to discern the usefulness of
the tables on his own, blanched as well as the unmistakable
meaning of his wife's words sank in.

Alex tried to speak, finding no voice, and swallowed hard.
Making another attempt, he managed to croak out, "I--see the
advantage to agreeing, my lady."

Dana smiled in satisfaction.  "I was certain you would." She
straightened up again and looked Diana square in the eye.
"Well, Lady Fowley?  Do you agree to the trade?"

Diana appeared to consider, but in truth she was already
decided.  The young Alex was lovely, more beautiful even
than Fox, and taming him should prove quite a satisfactory
experience.  Holding out her hand in a gesture of agreement,
if not goodwill, she replied, "Done."

Melissa immediately produced a parchment and pen, where she
scrawled the terms of the contract clearly.  Dana and Diana
both added their signatures, Melissa signed below as
witness, and Alex applied his mark with only a bit of
hesitation.

"Release him," Diana said brusquely to her servants,
indicating Fox, her mind already on her new possession. When
the servants removed the collar from Fox, Diana took great
delight in attaching it to Alex's neck.  She caressed his
cheek softly.  "You belong to me now, pretty one," she
informed him.  "I shall teach you my rules, and you will
obey every one, or you will become quite acquainted with my
methods of discipline.  I assure you, you shall not enjoy
them."

Without another word to the assembly, she tugged on the
leash and turned to leave the tavern.

"Fox."

He raised his head slowly, staring up into Dana's beautiful
eyes, scarcely able to believe the transaction which had
just taken place.

"My...my lady."

She smiled and held out her hand to him.  "My lord.  Let us
go home."

-------

"My lady, it is quite improper that you be in my bed, as we
are not yet wed," Jake protested, for the sake of
propriety's sake only.  He had answered a rap at his chamber
door and been delighted to find Melissa there.

"I am not in your bed, Jake," she corrected, striding
confidently into the room.  "And rest assured that when we
share a bed, it shall be *you* in *my* bed, not the
converse."

"If you did not come to take advantage of me, pray tell, why
are you here at this hour?" he asked, crossing his arms
across his chest and grinning at her.  "When you released me
from Lady Maggie's chamber, you spoke not a word.  Were you
so angry, really?  Did you expect any less from me?"  He
glanced at the clock, which read half-past ten, and was
certain she was only teasing him before taking him to bed.
He felt himself beginning to harden in anticipation.

"I am here to deliver your much-promised thrashing," she
replied, shutting the door and fastening the lock securely.
"The one to which you have been so looking forward.  I have
been quite displeased with your behavior of late, and yes, I
was extremely angry that Walter was forced to restrain you
tonight to keep you from disobeying me and endangering
yourself."

Seeing her determined face, Jake's assurance faltered a bit,
but the idea that she would truly punish him was absurd;
Lady Iris had never done so.  She had treated him as if he
were as delicate as a porcelain doll.  It had gotten quite
tiresome after a time.

"I see," he smiled, standing his ground.

"Remove your night clothing."

"Gladly."  He stripped himself to his bare skin immediately,
knowing her eyes were drawn to his stiffened manhood, hard
and ready for her.  He hoped she would not wait long before
finally taking him, but Melissa did love the thrill of
teasing.

"Lean over the end of the bed."

It seemed an odd request, but even though he had known
several lovers, Melissa was much more experienced than he.
Jake seated himself on the foot rail and lay on his back,
allowing his legs to dangle over the end of the bed. Melissa
smiled.

"On your stomach, Jake."

"What--?"

"Do as I say.  Now."

Seeing the uncompromising expression she wore, he obeyed
immediately, wondering how she intended to make love to him
with his manly parts buried against the coverlet.

Melissa approached his lovely, naked form slowly, savoring
the view.  She stroked her hands over the warm flesh of his
back and smiled when he gave a quiver.  Then she placed her
palm firmly in the middle of his back, holding him in place.

"Melissa?" he asked uncertainly.

"Address me properly, Jake."

"Surely you do not expect me to call you 'my lady' all the
time, as Fox does with Dana," he protested.

"Indeed I do.  It is a term of respect, one which I deserve
and which you shall deliver."

"We shall see."  She could not see his face, but she knew
his lower lip was protruding in a delightful pout.

"We certainly shall."  Melissa reached under the belt of her
trousers and withdrew a small riding crop.  Jake, with his
eyes facing the opposite wall, suspected nothing until the
first stripe landed upon his upturned bottom.

"Hey!" he yelled, squirming vainly beneath her hand. "Stop
that!"

"I shall stop when I feel you have learned the first of the
many lessons I must teach you," she said calmly, landing
another stroke on his flesh.

"Ouch!  Melissa!"

"Address me properly."

It took six hard lashes before Jake gasped out the words she
wished to hear.  "My lady!"

"Very well done.  Now that you have learned that lesson, let
us move on to the next."

"The next?" he asked fearfully, trying without success to
move his vulnerable bottom out of her reach.

"Obedience, Jake.  There are many things you must learn, for
you are wild and undisciplined, but respect and obedience
are the primary things I require of you.  Follow those rules
and the rest will fall into place naturally."

"If you expect me to become a pansy like Fox--ouch!"

"I expect you to be yourself, Jake, with the added
characteristics of respect and obedience."  She whipped his
thighs a few times, ignoring his protests.

"I am not an obedient man, therefore if you wish me to be
myself--ouch!--you cannot wish me to be obedient!"  The last
word came out as a screech.

"Do not try to win an argument with false reasoning, Jake,"
she told him as she continued to whip his now quite red
behind.  "Always remember that I am the woman, and I am the
one wielding the crop.  You are in no position to disagree."

Jake was fighting back tears by now, doing his best to hide
them from her, but Melissa saw and she was pleased.  It gave
her no pleasure to hurt him, but it was her duty and her
delight to instill the necessary discipline in his
character.  The Commanding General of the Queen's Guard
could not have a hellion for a husband.

At last he was unable to stifle the sobs, and Melissa
continued punishing him until he lay limply against the bed
and his defiance had disappeared.  Then she slipped the
crop back under her belt and drew him to a standing
position.

She wiped the tears from his face and pulled him into an
embrace.

"I hate you," he said, his voice muffled against her
shoulder.  "I shall ask the Queen not to grant your
petition."

"You shall do nothing of the sort, my dear," she replied,
tenderly kissing his still-damp face.  "You love me, and I
love you. We belong together.  However, I shall not tolerate
disobedience or disregard for your personal safety.  Am I
quite understood?"

He sniffed.

"Jake?"

"Yes, my lady."

"Now, let us get you into bed.  You are tired."

"I'm not tired," he protested, a gleam of wickedness
entering his eye as she covered him.  In spite of his raw,
sore backside, he felt his desire beginning to grow once
more.  "Please, my lady, do me the favor of remaining until
I fall asleep.  You could lie here beside me and we could
engage in deep, meaningful conversation.  Perhaps we could
discuss Shakespeare."

She saw the gleam and smiled at him with one of her own.  "I
am quite fatigued from administering your punishment," she
conceded.  "Perhaps I should rest a bit before venturing
back to my chamber."

"Indeed, my lady," he answered, drawing her down until her
lips met his.

-----

Fox snuggled happily against his wife, hugging her tightly
for the hundredth time, still unable to believe he was
safely at home.  After a warm reception from the servants,
Walter, and a still angry Jake, she had hurried him
upstairs, where she had proceeded to make love to him slowly
and gently.  Fox had felt his eyes nearly cross with
pleasure as he gained his release, and she had cried out her
own at exactly the same moment.  Now she lay softly against
him, almost asleep.

"Dana?"

"Mmm?" she rumbled drowsily.

"Did you mean what you said this morning?"

Her eyes opened, and she started into his but said nothing.
It seemed weeks ago that she had spoken those words to him,
rather than mere hours.

"About...about loving me, I mean..." he finished hesitantly,
carefully studying her shoulder in order not to see the look
of amusement that must surely cross her face at his foolish
question.

Instead of laughing, Dana put her fingers beneath his chin
and forced him to look at her squarely once more.

"Is it so important that I love you?" she asked.

He nodded mutely.

"Why?"

Fox took a deep breath, letting it out with a sigh that
shuddered slightly.  "Because, my lady, I love you," he
replied honestly.  "I had intended to attempt to win your
affection by becoming a perfect husband, but I seem to have
failed miserably in that endeavor.  I am afraid I cannot
promise you perfect behavior at all times, my lady, but I
assure you, I shall attempt--"

He was cut off by her lips on his.  The kiss began softly,
then deepened until he felt light-headed and dizzy with
renewed desire for her.  At last she raised her head,
looking into his bemused face with quiet delight.

"Such an admission is difficult for a woman like me, Fox,"
she conceded, "but you may rest assured, I never say things
I do not mean."

Fox gave a brilliant smile and stroked his fingers through
her hair, pulling her down for another kiss.

His hands ran gently down her body, coming to rest over her
womb where their child--their *son*, he told himself
happily--grew inside her.  Thankfully, the nausea seemed to
have completely passed, and after such a stressful ordeal,
Fox found himself looking forward to breakfast.

His thoughts of food were quickly interrupted when she
commented mildly, "Just because I cherish you does not mean
you shall escape punishment for keeping secrets from me,
Fox."

His expression changed to one of apprehension immediately.
"What--will you do, my lady?" he asked falteringly.

She appeared to consider.  "Perhaps you should spend the
morning in the stocks," she replied.  "Indeed, perhaps I
shall give Thunder a morning treat."

"Dana, no, please--" he began, but was again cut off by her
lips as they took possession of his.  He felt himself
growing warm and hard, and noted with relief that her
womanly parts were moistened with desire.

Moments later, all coherent thought fled from his brain as
she took him again, quite thoroughly.  His last thoughts
before dropping into an exhausted sleep were of the two of
them spending long and happy years together.

-----


Epilogue:

"Where is Fox?" Dana asked, entering the house after a
morning of visiting patients.  "I have a letter from
Melissa.  I thought he would enjoy hearing how Jake is
adjusting to London."

"He is upstairs with the children," Maggie replied, moving
her rook to another square.  "Walter, I fail to see how you,
a mere man, can repeatedly best me at chess!"

"You must be off your game, Maggie," he commented mildly.
"Indeed, I'm certain it must be the rainy weather that
causes my lady to play so poorly, constantly putting her
queen in checkmate."

She looked into his soft brown eyes and smiled.  "Perhaps I
am merely blinded by your beauty, my Bear."

Walter returned her smile happily, and Dana shook her head
before leaving the room.  Her mother and Walter had grown
much closer since Lady Rutherford's attempt to take him
away.  It was almost nauseating to see one's parents acting
in such a manner.

She climbed the stairs quickly and entered their chamber to
find Fox lying on their bed, stroking their son's back.
Elizabeth, their daughter, was just beginning to fuss a bit
in her crib.

"She wants feeding," he told her.

Dana picked up Elizabeth and settled herself in the rocking
chair, bringing the baby's soft rosebud mouth to her breast.

"I have had a letter from Melissa.  She and Jake are well,
settling happily into their marriage, and Jake is thrilled
with life in London."

Fox grinned at her.  "My cousin always hated the isolation
of the country," he told her.  "I'm certain he will find
unlimited mischief in London.  I, on the other hand, would
wish nothing more than to remain here with you and our
children for the rest of my life."

"I cannot believe they are already six months old," she
commented, staring at Elizabeth's face in wonder. "Fox, as I
said once before, I find myself quite content with my life.
Although you have certainly added excitement to it," she
continued, her eyes twinkling.

Fox caressed the soft hair of Elizabeth's twin brother,
Douglas.  "We have been through much together, my beloved
lady."

"Indeed we have.  However, I have no doubt that I can meet
any difficulty life may send my way, as long as you are at
my side until I go to meet the Goddess."

He frowned at the thought.  "And if I should meet Her
first?"

She glared him sternly.  "You shall not.  I expressly forbid
it."

"Yes, my lady."  His expression was glum at the idea of life
without her, and she quickly amended her decree.

"We shall go together."

Fox smiled, his hand resting on the baby's back, and kissed
his son's soft cheek.

"Many, many years from now."

"Oh, indeed," she agreed.  "I wish many more daughters from
you first, Fox."

Still not forgetting how ill he had felt during the
beginnings of Dana's pregnancy, Fox shot her an irritated
look, but she ignored him, prosing onward, "Perhaps I shall
try for triplets next time."

He buried his groan in the coverlet.

THE END