JULY 1820

Following the return of a long journey that Raul Mansfield, the Duke, had taken two years earlier, the manor was enchanted by lights, flowers, and ladies of high society in exclusive fashionable gowns and escorted by distinguished gentlemen. The first of July ... the Duke of Mansfield's birthday ... a big ceremony missed for two years. The two children, Sir Karl and Lady Dana both young and brilliant, intelligent, and privately educated, accompanying their mother the Duchess Virginia, day after day waiting for the return of their father.

Fresh flowers, banners, music, and candles to create the party atmosphere dressed up the Mansfield manor founded by the Duke's ancesstors. The outside walls of imported white stone were unique in Mansfield, as a matter fact this manor was the only one of it's kind in the area. Surrounded by a never-ending park, stately trees, flowering shrubs and landscaped gardens was like a picture a fairy tale.

There was magic in the air that night of the first of July. Unfortunately, as the saying goes, "Nothing lasts forever".

"Mama, I've received an invitation to the Vermon's residence for a tea, at two o' clock tomorrow. Should I go?" Lady Dana exclaimed.

Walking across the room, the duchess Virginia sit a basket of red roses, white miniature daisies, gladiolas and fresh cut baby's breath on a console by the entrance. Virginia hesitated before answering. "Certainly my dear, if you wish do so!" she hesitated back.

The idea of a child of the Duke of Mansfield stepping into the Vermon's residence made Duchess Virginia's blood chill in her veins; but after all, she thought somehow she belongs there, just as Rudy and Peter Vermon had all the right to be there.

For over twenty years the Duchess carried her secret in her heart and she wasn't about to ruin her entire life just yet.

"Mama ... Mama!" exclaimed lady Dana wondering if her mother was there in that moment or maybe a thousand miles away.

"Ohh ... I am sorry dear," the duchess said surprised.

"I said ... what time are our guests supposed to be here?"

"At six o' clock my dear, and we have just enough time to make ourselves presentable. Come along dear ... we should look our best tonight," the duchess added on their way up to their chambers.

Twenty years ago exactly, at a party just like tonight, on a summer night like this, in a beautiful enchanted gown of lace and ribbons and satin just like the one to be worn tonight, Sir Luke Vermon romanced the beautiful Virginia. The first time he laid eyes on her, like lightning striking a strong tree in half, Luke Vermon managed to rend Virginia's heart in two. "Tonight will be a strike back at Luke Vermon," said Virginia to her image in the mirror.

Her thoughts, feelings, and smile, were interrupted by the Duke of Mansfield. Happy to meet all his family after so long a time. He burst into the room questioning what colour his tie should be, or perhaps his handkerchief was better to be white instead of green. But the sight of his graceful lady standing in front of him he gasped.

"You ... You ... are ... a splendour. You are ... breathlessly, beautiful and the light of my life," commented the Duke.

"Well, your grace. Do I arouse your desire?" asked Virginia, twirling around and around the Duke tormenting his senses into desire to hold her, for an instant and then ... God only knows. Nevertheless this wasn't the time nor the place for such craziness, childish, and non- appropriate behaviour. "Shall we go your grace! I believe our guests are going to arrive soon, and I wouldn't want to wrinkle my dress," said Virginia with a smile. "But your grace ... hold those thoughts for later on.".

During the next ten years the manor was visited by personalities from all over, including Sir Vermon, but his attitude towards the Duke of Mansfield was obviously with a cold civility.

Nevertheless lady Dana couldn't understand their feelings towards one another. Tonight was a return into high society for Sir Vermon, after a long journey on an African jungle safari.

The last time he was seen by the Duke of Mansfield was the day that he chose to start his journey and leave Virginia behind broken hearted. The Duke's purpose of having him included in his list of guests tonight though, was to show him what he left behind a long time ago, would have made his life worth living for.

They walked down the stairs as graceful as they can be. Virginia was the eye catcher of the party after all every single young men tonight would strike the Duchess.

Knowing all along his plans, she powdered her nose and for one more time, one quick look in her little mirror. She walked, arm in arm beside her husband proud of herself that she was: a respected lady of the high society.

Weaving through the crowd, they stopped in front of Sir Vermon. "Luke, What a wonderful surprise! I wasn't sure you would show up!" exclaimed the Duke happy to show his presence with Virginia beside him.

"Raul, it is my pleasure to be ... here," he answered at a loss for more words. Stopping as soon as his blue eyes met Virginia's. He had to remember she was the Duke's wife now.

The Duke couldn't help but notice his admiration of his wife, but bracing the silence he said: "You do remember Virginia. She was once in your care ... a long time ago," continued the Duke. "Surely you do remember Virginia.".

His heart starting to beat faster and faster, Sir Vermon said: "Yes, yes, I do remember Virginia, very well" kissing Virginia's hand. "and it is my pleasure to see you again,".

Lady Dana, as she came down the stairs was like a jewel herself. Her red satin dress, and the blonde curls dropping down her shoulders, caught the attention of every eyes in the room. Peter and Rudy Vermon watched as Lady Dana came down the stairs, and couldn't help saying;

"She's gorgeous" said Peter Vermon as she walked by.

"Goergeous, indeed. Her perfume fills the entire salon," said Rudy speechless after he cleared his throat. Dana enraptured every one in the room, with her graciousness and glowing smile.

"Look Rudy, she's walking towards father. Perhaps he would introduce us," said Peter.

"Not so fast," said Sir Karl stepping forward from behind Peter. "Be careful, not too close, or else ..." said Karl moving between Peter and Dana.

"Or else what? exclaimed Peter very impulsively.

"Or else you're going to face me, her brother. Believe me this isn't funny," remarked Karl confronting Peter. I am very protective of my sister.

Raul had stepped away from the group but he kept a watchful eye on Peter.

Lady Dana though ignored completely the young man's remarks, instead all her attentions were directly to the quiet man of the family: Rudy, a perfect gentlemen. Totally the opposite of his brother Peter, she was thinking that he was almost unbelievable they're brothers.

The evening went along fine, and Virginia kept looking over Sir Luke on every turn of a waltz, and on every chance she had. Although Lady Dana watched her mother across the crowded, room, Sir Luke felt the strong desire of running towards her. Something, maybe it was a blood calling, that forced him to feel drawn to her. Nevertheless he knew that Dana was a Mansfield and he couldn't possibly have anything to do with them, because of what happened that night about twenty years ago.

Rudy though, stood by a column and watched the dancers. He watched mostly Lady Dana as he...