Here's the third chapter.  I hope you enjoy it.

Always and Forever
Drygonrose
Drygonrose@hotmail.com


This is the third chapter, I hope you like it.  I used lots of hard
language 
so here are some translations.

Tendre:  Attracted to someone, it’s like saying you like someone but in
a 
more serious
way

ton: the ton were the gentry (aristocrates, the titled people,) of
London.  
They were ‘society’

compromise:  When a gentleman ruined a maiden’s honour.  Usually the 
gentleman would end up marrying the lady.

Quizing glasses:  gentlemen and ladies wore them, usually they were to
see 
opera but often people used them as normal glasses to see a person
clearer, 
(especially to study people)

Wallflower:  Someone who isn’t noticed as if they’re part of a wall. 
(There 
was usually dancing in the middle of the room so the sides were for
people 
who weren’t asked or matrons (old spinsters or married ladies)

A crush:  When there are lots and lots of people at an event.

Spinster:  An woman who isn’t married early. (Spinsters ranged from
about 25 
to whenever they die.)

Chit:  (from chapter 2)  Is a girl or woman, it’s just a way to refer
to 
them.

Titles:  Here are the ranks for the titles starting from the lowest to
the 
highest.  Baron, Viscount, Earl, Marquess, and Duke.  The higher the
ranking 
the more power they have.

Disclaimers:  I don’t own Serena and co.

~Always and Forever~  Chapter 3

	“Oh Mina you look absolutely divine!”  Serena gasped looking at the
girl 
who was in front of them in a beautiful orange dress.  Orange wasn’t
usually 
a colour worn by people but Mina pulled it off wonderfully.  The dress
which 
was extremely expensive, too expensive for Mina’s taste was done by the
most 
fashionable modist in London.  Mina’s hair was pulled up into an
elegant 
braid which was pulled up over her head.  Lita was wearing a dark green

dress which set off her eyes, her hair was pulled up in a simple, but 
elegant twist.  Lita hadn’t really wanted to come to London, she would
have 
prefered to stay and work with the paltry horses that were still left
at 
William’s country home.  Serena was wearing a light pink gown that
suited 
her to a perfection.  Her hair was in her custumory hairstyle, she had 
refused to change it even for her debut into society.
	“You look wonderful too, Serena, you too Lita.”  Mina smiled because
she 
was more used to seeing Lita in breeches than a dress.
	“Come on you two, we’re late as it is,”  Lita put in a bit
embarressed.
	“We’re suppose to be fashionably late silly,”  Mina laughed in the
best of 
moods.
	“Let’s go you two.”

	*********************************************************

“Why did I ever let you talk me into coming with you to escort all
those 
girls tonight,”  Darien sighed obviously agitated. ‘Especially that
chit I 
saw before, at least there isn’t a chance of her falling for me, I 
definetely set her off of me.  But I can’t help wonder if she was the
ONE, 
she didn’t seem to be a bit astonished that he was an marquess.  In
fact she 
had just seemed more mulish and angry.’  He grinned remembering her
angry 
little face and then recalling that he was suppose to be angry at his
best 
friend scowled.
“Now Dare, it’s good for you to get to know people.”
“KNOW PEOPLE?  All you’ve been doing in the last three months is parade

ladies in front of me.  I bet I’ve met more damn women than all any ten
men 
put together.  What the hell are you trying to do.  At least you don’t
have 
an ulterior motive here.  Your grandmother would have fried you if you 
weren’t here to help introduce that chit to society.”
“Serena’s a nice girl, she doesn’t speak well of you though, what did
you do 
to make her wary of you?  Whenever your name comes up in conversation
her 
face changes and she never says a word.  Her friends are also here, I
think 
they came in last month while we were touring your estates.”
“ How would I know what……”  Darien trailed off staring at the stairs
with 
something not unlike awe.  He gazed at the lovely angel that stood at
the 
top of the stairs.  She did look like an angel, she was dressed in a 
glossamer pink gown, her hair in that ridiculous hairstyle that he 
remembered from three months ago.  Andrew following his friends gaze
looked 
upon Serena.  He and Serena had gotten to know each other quite a bit
better 
and they had become quite good friends.  He knew that earlier on Serena

thought that she had a tendre for him, but it she soon realized that he

could be nothing more than a friend.  He was becoming discouraged after
all 
after three months of showing Darien girl after girl, no one caught his

attention, not that the girls didn’t try.  Everyone wanted Darien, he
was a 
marquess, wealthy as sin, and remarkably hansome, but no one managed to

snare him, but here was Serena, a girl who had been here for three
months 
already.  Andrew mentally banged himself on the head, he could have
tried 
this earlier, but he hadn’t seen the attraction before.
Elbowing Darien, Andrew whispered, “Dare, stop staring.  It’s not…..” 
His 
voice also trailed off as well staring at the pretty lady in orange
that was 
gliding down the stairs after Serena.  She looked a lot like Serena,
but if 
you looked carefully her hair was a smigion lighter and her eyes were a

paler blue, in stead of that royal blue eyes that Serena had, the
girl’s was 
a pale blue like the sky on a clear day.  Andrew’s mouth was hanging
open, 
the girl looked absolutely wonderful.
Darien finally managing to drag his eyes from him angel turned to look
at 
Andrew and smirked, “Andy stop staring, it’s not gentlemen-like.” 
Andrew 
didn’t even seem to notice, he continued right on staring at the girl
who 
stared back at him.

********************************************************

“Who is that?”  Mina whispered.
“Who’s who, the golden haired one or the raven haired one?”  Serena
asked 
looking up guiltily, she had been staring at the Marquess for almost a 
minute before Mina had stepped out, he looked excruciatingly handsome 
dressed in all black evening clothes.  His eyes had blazed when his
eyes met 
hers and Serena instantly felt her heart rate excelerrate.
“The golden haired one, why he looks like a fallen angel,”  Mina sighed

dreamily.
“Oh that’s Andrew,”  Serena was shocked to feel a emotion like relief
course 
through her at the idea that Mina didn’t like Darien.  “He’s very nice,
you 
and him will get along really well, he’s funny and a general nice
person, 
even though his grandmother thinks of him as a rake.”
“Who’s the other one?”  Lita’s voice sounded in the landing.
“That’s the Marquess of Manmour.  Darien Shields I do believe.”  Before
Lita 
could answer Mina began to descend from the top of the stairs.  Andrew
held 
out his arm and Mina rested her fingers on his arm, grinning like a
fool.  
The dowager duchess introduced them belately noting the expression of
awe on 
Andrew’s face and smiled, thinking that maybe she had finally found
someone 
who could tame Andrew.  It was time that he settled down.
Serena descended after and Darien who didn’t have a choice held out his
arm. 
   He had to, he was a gentleman after all and a gentleman didn’t leave
a 
lady unescorted.  He hadn’t yet noticed Lita or else he would have
given her 
his arm, he didn’t want to talk to this creature who looked like an
fairy.  
She was entirely too disturbing on her senses.  Reaching the carriage
he 
helped Serena in and then Lita and Lady Berkliy.  Andrew was off in his
own 
daydream world with Mina, he wasn’t paying any attention to anyone
except 
for Mina.  Darien raked a hand through his hair, ‘why did I let Andrew
talk 
me into this?  Now I’m going to be left taking care of two schoolgirls
and a 
dowager duchess while Andrew whisks his princess off into a dream
world.  
Damn, I wish that I had stayed at Manmour.’
	After a bit the carriage stopped and at a wonderful house, it wasn’t
as 
grand as the Berkliy house, but it was still beautiful, much prettier
than 
the Seasca (William’s house)  Serena smiled happily and shot another
coveted 
glance at Darien, but he seemed to be in deep thought. ‘Stop it Serena,
what 
are you doing staring at the Marquess.  You hate him remember, he was
crude 
and uncouth to you the last time you saw him. He actually had the gall
to 
think that you were a thief, you Serena Blackthorne, you should hate
him.’  
All this time, while this was going on in her head, Darien was staring
at 
her, no lady had ever affected him like her.  She was different, when
he had 
accused her in a foreboading way that she was a thief, she had fought
back, 
not like some ladies who would simper and cry and go on and on about
silly 
things.
	Darien got down from the carriage and helped the ladies out, all
except for 
Mina.  Serena was looking around the house, it was beautiful, she still

wasn’t used to seeing the beauty of the houses in London.  When their
names 
were announced they walked into the ballroom.  Serena gasped, ‘Why
there are 
so many people.  I guess I finally understand what they mean when they
say 
that it was simply a crush.  I hope that someone will ask me to dance,
I 
don’t want to be left out, Mina will have Andrew and Lita is beautiful 
enough that many gentlemen will ask her to dance. I hope that I won’t
be a 
wallflower.’
She was so busy musing that she didn’t notice that many gentlemen were 
staring at her through quizing glasses.  Many men had never seen a lady
like 
Serena with her strange hair, no one ever wore their hair like that, it
was 
simply not right.
	Darien noticed a red haired lady dressed in a deep maroon gown
beginning to 
come towards him.  He blanched thinking, ‘Not her again, I’d think that
she 
would get the idea that I don’t want to get to know her.  Damn and
Hell, now 
I really wish that I hadn’t let Andrew talk me into this.  I’ve got to
get 
out of here, I don’t want that bitch near me.  Turning back to face his

companions he noticed that a new reel was starting, it was a waltz, a
new 
dance, it had just come into fashion in London. Mina had been led off
by 
Andrew (AN:  OF COURSE!!!)  and Lita had been asked by Ken, Darien
quickly 
grabbed Serena’s hand and pulled her onto the dance floor.  Serena was 
furious, but she knew that she couldn’t make a scene, she was making a
debut 
and she couldn’t act like a commonplace loose woman.  So she gritted
her 
teeth and smiled up at Darien seething in her mind.
	After the dance started he breathed a sigh of relief and said 
apologetically to Serena, “I’m really sorry Miss Blackthorne, but I had
to 
get away from that lady.”
	Despite herself Serena was curious, “Which lady?  Was she your
mistress?”
	Darien’s vehement, “No,” shocked Serena, “She’s been after my money
and 
title for almost the last year.  After dropping subtle hints and being
coy, 
she changed.  She began to wear shocking gowns and flaunt herself at
me.  
She kept trying to compromise me by trying to get caught in a
compromising 
situation with me so I would be forced, by honour and duty to marry
her, but 
I’ve managed to elude her until now, but still I won’t press my luck.”
	“What’s her name?”
	“Lady Beryl Negavyrse, her father is and Earl.”
	“Is it always this bad?” Serena asked rather shocked at the length
that 
this person would go to snare Darien, who was in Serena’s opinion an 
arrogant snob.
	Darien laughed ruefully, “Sometimes, it’s worse, I’ve had to try and
get 
out of the most strangest situations.”
	Serena couldn’t help but laugh too, “What do you mean?”
	“Well once, while I was walking through a garden and then a lady fell
to 
the ground, nearly on top of me.  Her mother was leading a group of
people 
to the spot.  You see she wanted to compromise me so I would be forced
to 
marry her.  She didn’t succeed that time though.”
	Serena laughed again, “That is so funny!!!  Who did it?”
	“A gentlemen doesn’t indulge all his secrets, Miss Blackthorne.”
	Serena said without thinking, “Call me Serena, I hate Miss
Blackthrone, 
it’s just so….”
	“Sure Serena,”  Darien put in quickly before she could change her
mind, 
“You can call me Darien.”
	Serena was stuck, she couldn’t tell Darien that she didn’t him to call
her 
Serena without it being rude.  “Alright then, Darien.”  Then dance came
to 
an end and Serena quickly stepped away from Darien.  She smiled, “Is
the 
Lady Beryl gone?”
	“I’m not sure, but I’m not staying to find out, I think I’ll disappear
into 
the gardens for a while, at least until 10 or so.  Have fun Serena.” 
With 
that he disappeared into the crowd leaving Serena all by herself.  Not
for 
long though, after Darien many men came up and asked her to dance,
Serena 
had a wonderful dance, she nearly danced every dance.  After 11:00 she 
realized that she still hadn’t seen Darien, she looked around for Lady
Beryl 
and noticed that she was leaving.  She smiled and decided that she
would go 
find Darien, he did say that he would be in the gardens.  She felt
sorry for 
him, no wonder he was so surly with Ladies chasing after him wherever
he 
went.  Serena sighed for the first time glad that she only had a
reasonable 
dowry not and extremely high one, if she did then she would have men
chasing 
her.  She didn’t realize that even without an exuberant dowry many men
were 
already smitten with her.
	She stepped out of the doors into the cool night air, she took a deep 
breathe, she was glad that there wasn’t anyone out here.  She began to
take 
a path and admired the garden, it was much more beautiful than the one
at 
Berkliy House.  Lady Berkliy didn’t really like flowers so she didn’t
spend 
much money to have beautiful flowers.  At the end of the path she saw a
lone 
figure standing in the moonlight.  In his hand was a red rose, Serena 
managed to hold down a gasp, it was Darien, he looked sinfully handsome
like 
a god.  Even though she didn’t make a sound he turned and saw her and 
smiled.
	“Serena, what are you doing here?”
	“I came to find you.  You see I noticed that Lady Berkliy left so I
came 
out to get you.”
	“You do know that you shouldn’t have, if anyone caught us than I would
have 
compromised your reputation.  Was that your plan, is a whole group of
people 
coming after you?”
	“How rude you are, I felt sorry for you so I came out to tell you that
she 
was gone.  I resent the fact that you think that you are so arrogant,
you 
think that all women are madly in love with you and that all of them
want to 
compromise you, well you’re wrong.  I cannot believe that you would
think 
that I would do such a thing, first I am a thief and now I am a
simpering 
woman who wishes to trap you into marriage!!  Why…..”  Serena whirled
around 
and ran off.
	Darien was about to follow, but caught himself in time.  He sighed and

wondered why he wouldn’t let up on this girl, with her huge angel eyes.
 He 
twirled the rose between her fingers and looked up at the moon.  Then
he 
sighed again and turned to go inside.
	Meanwhile Serena had reached the ballroom, she was furious at Darien. 
‘He 
is such a rogue.  How can he just think that I wish to compromise him
so 
that I can marry his fortune and title.  That is horrible, I’m not that
kind 
of person.  I hope that I never have to see him again.’  Then she
bumped 
into a young man and lady who were strolling in the garden. “I’m
soooooo 
sorry!”  Serena was mortified, how could she have done such an
unladylike 
thing as careening into anther couple.  The young man had longish brown
hair 
that hung over his shoulders and the lady had raven black hair which
hung 
down her back.  They were dressed expensively and Serena hoped that
they 
wouldn’t be angry.
	The couple only laughed.  “It’s alright, my lady.”  The young man
said.  
“I’m the Earl of Newmorn, Lord Chad Fyre and this is the Countess of 
Newmorn.”
	The young lady smiled, “I’m Raye.”
	“Now Honey, don’t you think you should tell the lady your full name.”
	“I HATE my real name!!!  Rachel-Anne sounds so spinster-like.”
	“Alright Honey, but when you introduce yourself you say your full
name.”
	“Don’t bother Chad, I don’t care, I’m Raye and you know it.”  With
that she 
leaned forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek.  “Now look I think
your 
scaring off your friend.  What’s your name?”
	Serena had never met any of the ton who were so open and nice.  She
smiled 
at them and said, “I’m Miss Serena Blackthorne.”
	“Nice to meet you.”  Raye grinned.  “I’ve never seen you before, are
you 
new here in town?”
	“Not really, but this is the first function that I’ve attended.  It
was so 
crowded inside that I left to get some air.”
	“It is hot inside, but you eventually get used to it, don’t worry.”
	Just then another young couple walked out.  The young lady wore a
simple 
gown, without frippery.  She had short hair, which was strange for
people 
now, it was black but in the light there seemed to be blue highlights
in it. 
  The young man was serious and had light brown hair, he smiled at the
Earl 
and Countess and said, “Chad, Raye how nice to see you.”
	Chad realizing that he had to make an introduction said, “Miss
Blackthorne 
this is the Marquess of Raynbowe, Gregory Wate-rye, and this is the 
Marchioness of Raynbowe, Lady Amelia Wate-rye.”
	“Amy please,” the girl put in.
	“and Greg.”
	“See not everyone loves their names,”  Raye put in and everyone
laughed.  
Just then Darien walked into the light and Amy hurled herself at him.  
Serena was totally shocked.   She had heard about how often married men
and 
women of the ton carried out discreet affairs, but this hardly seemed 
discreet.
	Greg noticing Serena’s expression laughed, “Don’t worry about it, she 
always greets him this way.”
	“But… but ……but how can you stand it?”  Serena sputtered.
	“Because she is my sister,” came Dariens smooth voice.
	Serena gasped, “You never told me you were related to Darien.”
	Amy smiled, “You never asked, and it seems that you know Darien quite
well 
if you’re using his first name.”
	Serena put a hand up to her mouth, “Oh no!”  She turned around and ran
off 
again.
	Everyone looked expectantly at Darien as if they expected him to do 
something.  Darien only shrugged, “What, she’s not my responsibility. 
She’s 
Lady Berkliy’s new admusement.  She’s sponsoring three girls about your
age. 
  Serena’s one of them.”
	Chad grinned, “You too seem to know each other quite well, you’re on a

first name basis with each other.”
	Darien scowled, “It means nothing.”
	Amy put in tentatively, “She seems nice.”
	Darien threw up his hands and stomped away.
	“You know I think he has a tendre for her.”  Raye put in.
	Darien yelled, “I heard that!”  And they all laughed.

~End of Chapter 3~


Well what do you think?  I e-mail me. This parts a lot longer than my
other 
ones. Great!  Maybe I’ll finish soon.

~Drygonrose