Chapter 1:

And all of your ways, all you dream, Falls on me………

Elizabeth or Buffy as her family affectionately called her raced through the grassy floor of the forest. Her long blond hair was flying behind her, her green eyes sparkling with laughter.

William’s deep laughter carried behind her as she ran. He caught up with her grabbing her around the waist and falling among the clovers and flowers.

“Caught ya,” he said laughing.

“Only because I let you,” Buffy replied becoming all too aware of his body pressed against hers.

“Uh huh sure,” William said his heart pounding in his throat.

He too was becoming very aware of her body. The smiles faded off their faces as their eyes locked. William felt her sweet breath on his face. Slowly he lifted his hand to pull her blond locks off her face. Buffy’s breath caught as he tilted his head and touched his mouth to hers. He kissed her innocently his lips merely brushing against her. Buffy thought she was on fire. The feel of his lips on hers was exquisite.

If Buffy thought she was on fire then William thought he was going to die. Never before had he felt such passion and love surge through him. He felt her hands creep up his neck and wind themselves in his wavy sun-bleached locks. Her lips responded to his and parted slowly to allow his tongue to slide along hers. She moaned against his mouth her lower regions flooding with warmth and longing.

She could feel his passion hard and throbbing against her leg. Instinctively she pressed her leg against his member eliciting a moan from him. William felt his self-control fading fast.

“Buffy,” he moaned against her mouth.

Buffy opened her eyes to see William with his eyes tightly shut and panting hard.

“We’ve got to stop.”

“No Will, I don’t want to stop,” she whined trying to pull his mouth back to hers.

“Buffy please! I’m losing my control now as we speak. If I do not stop right now…….” He didn’t finish.

He reluctantly tore himself away from her body and sat up. Buffy followed suit and sat up too. William had one leg up and was resting his head against it, shielding his eyes from her.

Buffy lifted her hand to his neck and rubbed it.

“We should go back,” he said finally lifting his cerulean blue eyes to look right at her.

Buffy nodded as William stood up. Silently he held out his hand to her. She smiled and grabbed onto it allowing him to help her up.

She didn’t let go of his hand right away instead relishing in the feel of his touch. William didn’t let go he wasn’t too anxious to leave her either.

“We can meet here again later,” he said his thumb rubbing circles into her palm.

“Ok,” she smiled as they started their trek back to the house.

It was a warm summer day as the lord of Summerhaven paced in front of his library window. He raked a strong hand through his sandy blond locks and stopped to look out the window at the rows of orange and pear trees he had lining his estate.

“What are you thinking about?” his wife said from behind him.

Hank spun around and went to his wife.

“Just the girls Joyce. Buffy is almost over the marrying age and Dawn has yet to begin it. I’m worried about Buffy. She’s 18 now and not one eligible man has taken her fancy,” he said putting his arms around her.

“We promised her she could marry for love. She is still young. Don’t pressure her,” Joyce said a hint of anger in her voice.

“I won’t pressure her. I just want what’s best for her.”

“She will find it in time. For now let’s just relish in both of our daughters living here in our home,” she finished placing a kiss on her husband’s mouth.


*~*

“William? Where are you?”

“I’m over here dad,” William answered from inside the stable.

“Where have you been all day?” his father demanded.

“I was walking with Lady Buffy,” William replied.

William’s father Giles Leslie smiled his anger vanishing; he knew how much William enjoyed his time with Buffy.

“Are you in love with her?” Giles asked.

“Father? Why do you ask?”

“Because you have the same look on your face that I had whenever I thought of your mom,” Giles said as a sad look crossed his features.

“We are friends Father. Not much can happen when I’m not of the same noble blood as she.”

“You never know son. Some things are meant to happen. If you truly love her then it will be.”

Giles ruffled his son’s hair and slapped him lightly on the back before leaving the stables.

William watched his father’s retreating figure walk away and shook his head.

“Aye dad I love her.”

*~*


It was after sunset when Buffy finally pulled herself into her room. She was abuzz with all the feelings she had swirling in her body for William. It didn’t matter to her that he was her stable boy. It didn’t matter to her that he wasn’t an owner of a title or huge lands. It only mattered that he loved her. And she knew he did even though he hadn’t said it.

Buffy didn’t know when her feelings had changed for him. William had always been in her life. He was brought to Summerhaven when he was 6 Buffy was 4 and they became instant friends. Always playing together. She was more a tomboy back then. Playing in the creek and climbing trees. There was nothing William could do that Buffy didn’t and she made sure he knew that.

She knew when William’s feelings for her changed. It was subtle at first. They would lock gazes from across the room, William’s eyes would hold steady with hers until she felt her heart pounding in her chest and a deep blush to taint her cheeks. William would watch her without her knowing it. Standing beneath the balcony to her room, watching her in her window seat as she dragged her silver handled brush through her long locks. Walking through the garden with her little sister Dawn. Running and frolicking her long blond hair glittering in the sunlight, her feet bare.

Buffy smiled and touched her hand to her lips as she thought of their kiss.

My first kiss, she thought a slight blush creeping up her neck.

Buffy sat down on her bed when she heard little rocks hitting her balcony doors.

Buffy jumped up and went to the doors and opened them. On her balcony stood William. His platinum hair almost glowing in the clear moonlight. His lean legs molded by the dark blue breeches he wore. His white shirt open at the top revealing his sun bronzed skin underneath.

"Milady,” he said as he handed her a red rose.

Buffy lifted surprised eyes to his face and took the rose. She closed her eyes as she inhaled the delightful scent from the red petals.

“Are you going to invite me in?” William asked.

“Come in William,” she said as she moved out of the way.

William walked in and smiled. He had been in this room many times. They would hide out in here from everyone. They would hide under her great bed and pretend they were the only ones in the world. In her room no one existed except Buffy and William. Buffy placed her rose in a glass vase and turned to face him.

“I’ve heard rumors,” Buffy stated as she sat down on the bed.

“Oh?” William asked as he took his place next to Buffy.

“I heard that you may be asked to join the Harris’s household. They are known for their champion horses and are looking for a good stable hand. They have heard of your work with the horses and were here speaking to my father about it,” Buffy said looking down at her clasped hands in her lap.

“I won’t go Buffy,” he replied quietly.

“William its such a good opportunity for you,” Buffy started tears gathering in her eyes.

William placed his hand on her cheek and forced her to meet his gaze.

“I’ll never leave you,” he said as he lips touched hers. Buffy melted into his kiss her hands finding their way to his neck, pulling him closer to her.

William groaned against her mouth and wound his hands around her waist. He deepened the kiss licking the seal of her lips with his tongue begging for entrance into her mouth. She complied and sighed as she felt his tongue slide along hers. Her pulse beat wildly under his tongue as he kissed down her neck.

Buffy threw her head back and clutched his shoulders. William laid her back against the embroidered pillows all the while never breaking contact of his mouth on her hot skin. His hands made their way up the bodice of her gown. Slowly he undid the buttons that held it together releasing her young breasts. Gently he drew the sides of the cream colored bodice she wore apart. He lifted his head from her neck to stare at her rosy nipples. Tilting his head to look at her he touched her bare breast with his hand. Buffy moaned underneath him. Arching her back, she pressed herself harder against his questioning hand.

William looked up at Buffy with heavy lidded eyes. She returned the gaze through her own passion filled eyes. Slowly William lowered his mouth to her breast. He kissed her tenderly before sucking her rosy nipple into his mouth. Buffy cried out and gripped his shoulders tighter as he made love to her breasts with his tongue.

William nudged Buffy’s legs apart with his knee. Buffy willingly moved them, her legs on either side of him. William continued to lavish her breasts with his mouth. Buffy felt a deep longing within her body. She didn’t know what it was. Without notice one of William’s hands found itself between her parted thighs. Buffy almost bolted up when she felt that hand lifting her cream colored skirt up. He reached beneath the layers of cotton and silk to find himself at her soaked drawers.

“Buffy? Do you want me to stop?” he asked as his hand lingered over her.

Buffy nodded her head in the negative.

"Buffy? Do you want me to stop?” he asked as his hand lingered over her.

Buffy nodded her head in the negative.

“No William don’t stop. I know you won’t hurt me.”

William held her gaze as his fingers found their way into her soft folds.

Buffy jumped as she felt his finger find its way to her core. Slowly he rubbed his single digit against her opening. Buffy started to pant, an urgency started deep within her. She wanted more, needed more.
Her hips bucked of their own accord. William circled his thumb around her swollen nub as his finger wedged itself inside her tightness.

“Ohh William,” she moaned her hands clutching his head and dragging his mouth back to hers. William’s lips closed over hers with fierce abandon.

His mouth telling her what words could not. She melted against him. Heaven was calling and she was answering.

William tore his mouth away from hers and kissed a trail down to her breasts. He circled each nipple with his tongue as his body moved him lower still. Looking up at her she found him in between her spread thighs.

“Will? What? Ohhhhh,” she moaned as he lowered his mouth to her quivering flesh. William flicked his tongue against her engorged clit encouraging another flood of her sweet nectar to flow. Buffy moaned beneath his expert tongue. She was flying. The tension was building inside her. She felt like she was going to explode.

“Oh god William,” she whimpered as she reached her peak. Buffy grabbed onto his hair and held him in between her legs. She saw stars of all different colors swirling around her. Her body jumping at every touch of William’s tongue. William rode out her orgasm and finally lifted his face from her trembling thighs.

He was on his way to kiss her again when there was a knock at her door.

“Buffy? Buffy are you ok in there?” Her mother asked from behind the locked door.

“I’m fine Mother,” Buffy said as she and William jumped up. William gave her a quick kiss before heading out the French doors to her balcony. Turning and looking at her again he blew her a kiss and crawled down the trellis running into the night.

“Oh ok then. Goodnight sweetheart.”

Buffy stood at the door until she could not hear her mother’s footsteps anymore. Turning she ran to the balcony and peered out. William stood beneath the tall oak tree in the garden. Sensing her he looked up and their gazes caught.

Slowly a smile spread over his face and he tilted his head. Buffy couldn’t help it and smiled back.

I love you, Buffy wanted to shout.
I love you, William thought as he turned and walked away.


*~*


Buffy walked quietly through Summerhaven’s gardens. She was smiling. Her hair illuminated by the sun making it appear to be molten gold flowing down her back. Her eyes were wide and fascinated with her surroundings. A light breeze scented with the variety of fragarant flowers made her light green skirt swirling around her ankles.
Buffy smiled and touched her hand to her lips remembering the feel of William’s mouth on hers.

She took great care in her appearance today wearing his favorite dress of pale green silk. The bodice was tight and had a square edging filled with lace which pushed her pert breasts up. The skirt was ankle length and flowing also edged in the same cream colored lace. The sleeves were elbow length and ended with tiny seed pearls around the cuff.

Another hard breeze blew past and Buffy had to put her hand on her head to keep the straw hat she had on from blowing away. Walking over to her favorite rose bush she bent to smell their fragrance. As she bent down she heard voices. Curiosity was one of her downfalls and she stepped on the cobblestone bench and looked over the ivy covered hedge.

There in the shadows of the barn was William. He was leaning casually against the wall talking to Molly, one of the chamber maids. Molly was practically on top of him. She smiled flirtatiously at William and ran her finger up and down one of his sun-bronzed arms. William smiled back and kissed Molly on the cheek.

Buffy was enraged.

‘How dare he!’ she thought angrily. She was so consumed in her anger that she didn’t notice part of the bench she was standing on was about to crumble. As she stepped on the bad part the stones gave way. Buffy let out a blood curdling scream and fell.

William jumped when he heard Buffy’s shriek. He didn’t even bother saying goodbye to Molly as he raced through the gardens looking for Buffy. His heart was pounding.
His only thought, Please God let Buffy be ok.

As he rounded the hedge he saw Buffy on the ground in a crumbled heap of green silk. As if in slow motion William ran to her, dropping to his knees and cradling her body in his lap.

“Buffy? BUFFY?” he practically screamed into her face.

Wha?…..What?” she asked as she opened her eyes revealing her green depths.

“Are you ok? Are you hurt? Is anything broken?” He questioned breathlessly as his hands ran over her body looking for bruises and broken bones.

Buffy who was rather enjoying William’s frenzied attention whimpered. “Where does it hurt? How did you fall? My god are you ok?”

Buffy smiled up at William and then scowled remembering how she fell in the first place.

“I’m fine,” she grumbled sitting up and pushing him away from her.
“What’s wrong?” he asked touching her shoulder.

“I was here in the garden and I heard your voice so I stood on the bench to see you over the hedge.”

William nodded as she pointed to the cobblestone bench.

“That’s when I saw you,” she said pointedly.

“What do you mean you saw me?” He asked trying not to blush.

“I saw you with Molly,” Buffy gruffed.

“Awe Buffy it was nothing. She cornered me,” William said sheepishly.

“She cornered you huh? It didn’t look like you were too upset about it,” She said getting to her feet.

“Buffy…” William started.

“I know you are more experienced then me. I know you have been with other girls. But William I want you. I wanted to be your first. I l…”

“Don’t,” he said as he got up and placed a finger on her lips.

“Don’t what?” she whispered grazing her finger with her lips. Looking straight into his eyes as she opened her mouth and sucked his finger inside.

William almost moaned aloud at the feel of her hot mouth and at the passionate way she was looking at him.

“Buffy stop,” he whispered not trying to remove his finger.

“No.”

"Buffy stop,” he whispered not trying to remove his finger.

“No.”

William looked in Buffy’s eyes and understood her need. With much effort he finally pulled his finger from her mouth. Buffy sighed impatiently.

“We can’t do this here,” he said breaking their gaze and casting a watchful eye around.

Buffy didn’t care if they were seen. She closed the distance between them and pressed her body against his. William groaned low in his throat almost giving into what she offered.

“Buffy please,” he begged putting his hands on her shoulders and pushing himself to a safer distance.

“Fine!” she huffed, turning her heel and running away.

Her ankle hurt from when she fell but she didn’t care, she kept running. Angrily she wiped the rush of tears flowing down her face. She started to slow down when she reached the edge of the trees. She leaned her face against a tall tree and cried. Her body was flooding with emotions she had no idea how to control. She turned slightly so her back was against the large trunk and stared out into the rush of water from the creek.

The blue water bubbled and gurgled invitingly, the smooth stones gleaming in the late afternoon light. Buffy wiped at her face again and walked down the bank near the water. Lifting her skirts she sat down and took off her green kid shoes. She hesitantly put her ivory toes in the cool water. She sighed contently thankful she hadn’t worn her garters and stockings today.

Buffy laid back in the grass her toes still in the water. Her body was still aflame. She tried to calm herself down thinking of everything but William. Angel the lord of McNevel’s Port with his pock marked face and his leering smile. Buffy laughed to herself confident that that had worked. She closed her eyes against the sun and smiled again loving the way the setting sun felt on her skin.

She was getting warmed through and through when a large black shadow covered her cooling her sun soaked body.

“What?” she questioned tentatively opening her eyes.

William stood over her. His face was red and he was panting as if he had run for miles.

“What do you want?” Buffy spat out as she sat up.

“Buffy please. You have to listen to me,” William said sitting down next to her.

“Too late for that,” she replied gathering her shoes and starting to put them on.

With a fast hand William grabbed her shoes and flung them. Buffy turned incredulous eyes on him.

“Now why in blazes did you do that?” She demanded standing up and putting her hands on her hips.

“I want you to listen to me. I need you to stand here and not be able to run away.”

“Sure throw away a woman’s shoes and expect them to WANT to speak with you,” she replied with a toss of her hair.

“Buffy,” he said walking to her and grabbing her shoulders. His blue eyes bore into her green ones. She knew she could melt in his gaze and willed herself not to.

“I thought you said all you had to say,” she said a little breathlessly hoping to God that William didn’t hear it in her voice.

“There’s soo many things I want to say. So many thoughts and actions I need to speak. But I can’t, you can’t. We can’t do this,” he gruffed squeezing her shoulders almost to the point of pain.

"I love you.”

Upon hearing those words William pushed her away from him.

“I love you William Leslie.”

“No. No. Stop saying that,” he said raking a hand through his hair and refusing to look at his blond haired beauty.

Buffy moved back to him, her feet crunching slightly from the leaves and twigs on the forest floor. She forced his eyes to meet hers. Her hand lifted and rubbed itself against his soft cheek, burning him with her touch.

“I love you. You are the first thing I think of when I awaken and you are the last thing I think of when I fall asleep. My thoughts are always clouded with images of you. You are my half William. The other half that makes me whole,” She breathed.

William couldn’t help himself as he crushed his lips to hers. Her next words muffled in his mouth. She sighed contently and wound her arms around his neck. William groaned as he felt Buffy give herself to him. He wrapped his arms tightly around her middle and lifted her, her legs around his waist.

She felt the pulse of his hardened manhood through her drawers hidden tight within his breeches. William moved his hand up kneading her back with his strong fingers to her neck, pulling her mouth harder against his. He opened his mouth slightly and was surprised when hers opened as well, their tongues dancing a sensual dance within their hot caves.

William backed them up against the same tree Buffy had been crying on earlier. He pressed her back into the smooth bark as his lips left a trail of fire down from her mouth to her neck. His mouth found her pulse beating strong and fast and latched itself to her vein sucking softly.

Buffy put her face down and moaned in his hair. William pressed her harder against the tree and raised his hands to her breasts. He unbuttoned the cream colored buttons spilling her breasts out into his waiting hands. Buffy whimpered as his hot mouth covered her rosy nipple.

William opened his clear blue eyes and stared at her while he teased her nipple with his mouth, tongue and teeth. Buffy wove her fingers through his hair, her nails slightly scraping his scalp. Unconsciously she rubbed herself against him, the hard outline of his cock straining even harder as she bounced against him.

“You’re going to be the death of me,” William breathed against her silky soft breasts.

Buffy responded by pulling his mouth roughly to hers and proceeded to kiss the very soul out of him.

‘Ahh but what a way to die,” he thought as he sucked on her bottom lip.

Buffy plundered William’s mouth with her kisses, their tongues dueled and danced. Both broke away breathlessly, their foreheads touching.

“We should stop,” William said trying to make himself get some control.

“No we shouldn’t,” She rebelled.

William pulled back and looked into her eyes.

“You do know what you are saying right?”

“Yes William. I want you. I want you to love me. Love me William,” Buffy breathed.

“God Buffy I love you,” He said as he kissed her again. This time it was slow and tender, his mouth moving languidly against hers. William’s hands explored her body coming to rest on her hips. He moved them slowly towards the apex of her thighs where her dress was gathered in a bundle.

Nimbly he moved her skirts to the side and slid his hands up the smooth curves of her thighs. His fingers brushed against the sides of her soaked drawers causing her to moan in his mouth. William found the part in her under garment and ripped them from her body.

Buffy gasped and continued kissing him as he threw her drawers to the side. With time stopping slowness William finally eased his fingers onto her dripping cleft. His fingers slid up and down her slit gathering her wetness before pausing at her pleasure point. Gently he flicked her nub with his thumb. Buffy cried out and jerked against him, a tiny orgasm flowing through her body.

William worked a slim finger inside her silky heat and groaned at how tight she was. Carefully he stretched her slick walls to prepare her for his body. Buffy moaned and writhed against his fingers, desperate to get more of him inside her.

William’s pants had become intolerably tight with how excited he was for her. Buffy was panting and mumbling incoherently as William undid the ties that held his breeches on, shifting Buffy he tugged his pants down.

Buffy felt his hard manhood on the entrance to her body. He rubbed himself against her coating himself with her moisture to ease his passage. William placed his hands on her hips and aimed his shaft at her dripping core.

Slowly he pressed up as Buffy pressed down, impaling herself on his body. She gasped at the sharp pain that presented itself. Her body felt as though it had been ripped in two.

“The pain only lasts a minute. Tell me when it subsides,” he said soothingly as he rained kisses on her face. Buffy fought the urge to lift herself off of him and run away. She clung to his shoulders, her nails leaving little half moon marks through his shirt. William wildly kissed her face as his fingers brushed against her nub.

“More,” she whispered against his mouth as he started to move inside her, his fingers never stopping their attack on her tiny bundle of nerves.

The pain had gone and left behind was a delicious feeling, one that Buffy could not put into words. Her body felt tight and full but also exquisite. William was careful as he thrust his body in and out of her. He didn’t want to cause her any more pain. Her body was as tight as a glove and clung to him as he thrust out. His control was almost to the point of shattering when he felt Buffy move to meet his thrusts.

He groaned against her throat, his fingers still rubbing circles around her throbbing clit. Buffy whimpered against him and moved harder. William’s other hand was clamped on her hip, his fingertips leaving bruises on her skin. He pressed her harder against the tree, thankful that the tree was a Eucalyptus who’s bark was smooth. His knees started to ache from the angle he was pounding against her but he didn’t care. All that was going through is mind was how hot and tight his beautiful Buffy was.

“Oh God William,” she breathed in his ear as she tightened her inner muscles against him. There was a tightening in her stomach, a feeling that something was building.

“Buffy….Buffy….My Buffy..” he moaned possessively against her neck as he thrust harder against her.

“William!!” She cried as she exploded in her orgasm. She saw fireworks going off in her brain and stars floating in front of her eyes. She clamped down harder on him signally his own orgasm. With a grunt and a tug of her hair he came, shooting his seed inside her willing body.

They stayed locked together for some time. Clinging to each other as if they were afraid to ever let go.

“I love you Buffy,” he whispered against her neck, his hands in her hair.

“I love you,” she replied holding him tighter against her.

“I don’t want to let you go,” William groaned his lips grazing her sensitive skin.

“Then don’t,” she replied kissing him again.

*~*

It was well past dark as Buffy tiptoed through her house. It was very quiet, all the servants and her family seemed to be in bed or in other parts of the house. Buffy walked past the polished looking glass and stopped. She stepped closer eyeing her reflection. Her hair was all mussed, her lips red and puffy looking like bees had stung them. Her face was flushed and her eyes were bright.

Buffy smiled as she tried to smooth down her hair. She took another glance at herself and walked up the stairs to her room. She opened her door quietly and saw that there was a fire burning brightly in the fireplace.

Buffy wanted to cry and laugh at the same time; she was so happily in love. Instead she grabbed her favorite stuffed pig Mr. Gordo and spun in a circle in the large expanse of her bedroom. Her long hair flew around her, tears of happiness falling down her face. She touched her fingertips to her lips and kissed them, remembering what it was like to have William’s mouth against hers.

She flung herself backward on her bed, her hand still on her mouth. She sighed loudly and rolled on her side, her stomach full of butterflies as she thought of William’s hands on her body. She sighed again and jumped when she heard a knock at her door.


”Buffy you ok in there?” Joyce asked from outside the door.

Buffy let out a little sigh and ran to the door.

“I was just getting ready for bed,” Buffy told her mom as she started to remove her gown and getting out a fresh chemise.

“I thought something was wrong. I heard you making funny noises.”
Buffy blushed and turned her back.

“I was having a hard time with these buttons. I’m sorry to have alerted you.”

“Not a bother dear. I’m your mother after all,” Joyce said walking over to her daughter and touching her shoulder.

Buffy turned and looked into her mother’s smiling face.

“Goodnight sweetie,” Joyce kissed Buffy’s forehead and headed for the door. Upon reaching the doorknob she turned around and smiled.

“What?” Buffy asked confused by the smile her mother wore.

“Nothing I’m just happy,” Joyce said.

Buffy shrugged her shoulders and strode over to her dressing table.
Sitting down on her cushioned chair she grabbed her brush and started to brush her hair as her mother shut the door.

“You’re in love.” Her mother stated.

“What?” Buffy squeaked, looking at her mom in the mirror.

“Is it William?” her mother asked meeting Buffy’s eyes in the smooth silver.

Buffy didn’t answer she just stared at her mom. Buffy knew she was blushing and knew she should deny her feelings but didn’t.

“Aye its William,” she replied awaiting her mother’s reaction.

Joyce knew in her heart of hearts that it was true.

“You know he isn’t of noble blood. He is a simple stable boy.”

“I care not what he is or if he has a title. I love him.”

“I’m very fond of William. I know he loves you. It’s as plain as the day is long. Does he want to marry you?” Joyce asked turning Buffy around and kneeling in front of her.

“We haven’t really discussed it. He knows he isn’t the man father would choose for me. He thinks we have no future,” Buffy said as tears started to form in her eyes.

“He may be right. You know how your father is,” Joyce mused reaching over to smooth Buffy’s hair.

“Do you want to marry William?”

“Oh yes Mother I do. I love William with my entire heart and soul. He is my world.”

“Let me talk to you father and see what I can do. I’m not promising anything. You know how stubborn your father is,” Joyce said thoughtfully.

“Really mother? You will talk to father?” Buffy turned hopeful eyes on her mother.

“I will try dear.”

Joyce made good on her promise to her daughter. The next afternoon Joyce found herself in her husband’s library. She knew it was going to be difficult but didn’t think Hank would totally reject what she was saying.

“There is absolutely no way I’m going to let that…that servant be with my daughter!” Hank roared as he went to his liquor cabinet.

It wasn’t a good sign when Hank would turn to liquor for comfort.

Joyce walked to him and put her hand on his shoulder as he poured himself a healthy shot of scotch.

“We promised her she could marry for love. William is a wonderful boy and he loves her and she loves him. It doesn’t matter that he isn’t a man of title or his family is wealthy beyond all means….”

“Yes it does! Damn it, Buffy is the daughter of the Earl of Summerhaven she doesn’t get to marry someone who is beneath her,” he yelled as he threw back his head and downed his shot.

“I think you are being very arrogant in your thinking. William is an excellent choice for Buffy. Get off your pompous ass and get over the fact he doesn’t have a title,” Joyce chided as she placed her hands on her hips.

“And you are right. You are the Earl of Summerhaven, you can give him a title and his own lands.”

Hank almost choked on his scotch.

“Give him his own lands? Are you out of your mind?”

“What is wrong with you? Are you that much of a snob? Your daughter loves him. I thought that would be enough. But instead all you care about is your precious reputation. Did it ever occur to you that everyone follows what you say? That you lead by example,” Joyce yelled, her anger radiating off her body. She looked him straight in the eye disgusted that she had married such a jerk. She shot him a dirty look and turned her heel, her yellow skirt swishing around her.

She stopped when she reached the door and turned to him.

“I remember when you asked my father if you could marry me. You were hardly a man of wealth. You had a title yes but your family was poor. I can’t believe I would ever see the day you would pass judgment on someone else who is almost in the same predicament.”

With that she opened the door and stepped out into the hall.

Please God; help Hank realize the wrongness of his way of thinking before he does something he will regret, She thought as she raised her eyes heavenward.

*~*

“I love this,” William said, Buffy tucked firmly in his grasp. They were leaning against their tree watching the sun play with the water in the creek. He ran his hands through her long blond hair and kissed her forehead.

“Me too,” She sighed snuggling closer to him. She closed her eyes and breathed deep, marking his scent on her person. They had been in their own intimate world for a little over a month. They continually stole time together, sneaking off into their wooded area to be alone.

Buffy sighed again, delicious tingles running up and down her spine. William had made love to her several times since he had taken her virtue. He had taken her by the lake while the sun shone and the birds sang, in the stables amongst the hay and neighing horses, in the rose garden surrounded by the scent of blooming flowers.

“I want to marry you,” William said, his voice breaking through her reverie. Buffy pulled back and looked into his clear blue eyes.

“You want to marry me?”

“You want to marry me?”

“Is there something wrong with your ears?” he asked playfully.

Buffy slapped him against his chest and smiled.

“There’s nothing wrong with my pretty ears. I just want to make sure I heard you right.”

William smiled back and her and got on his knee. He held her left hand in his and looked up into her shining eyes.

“Buffy, we have known each other all our lives. I have never met a woman like you before. I love you with my entire being and with my entire soul. In my heart I know you are my other half. With you I am whole. I can’t imagine life without you. Will you make an honest man out of me and become my wife?”

Buffy blinked, trying to hold back tears and she sunk to her knees before him. He reached his sun-bronzed hand up to her face and wiped her tears away.

“Yes William I will marry you,” She whispered against his palm.

William gave a shout of yes and kissed her, his mouth cruising possessively against hers.

*~*

Buffy knew she was in trouble the minute her father’s loud voice rumbled her name through the halls. Standing she breathed deep and smoothed her skirt down. She opened the library door carefully and walked inside. Her father sat at his desk in a big leather backed chair. He had his back to her and was looking out the window.

“Buffy please sit down,” he said without turning around.

Buffy fought the urge to gulp and sat down smoothing her skirts as she did so. Her father chose that moment to turn and look at her, his cold blue eyes full of hate and disdain. Buffy almost recoiled from the shock at the depth of hatred his eyes showed.

They had never been overly close and she knew he had some distaste towards her but to see the actual hate resonate in his gaze was un-nerving.

“Your mother has told me some interesting news. Apparently you and the stable boy are in love,” he grumbled.

Buffy didn’t say anything, just continued to look at him.

“You do know I could and would never agree to a marriage with a man who is beneath you. You are better then he is. I will not allow you to make an ass out of me,” he yelled slamming his fist on the hard wood of the desk.

“He is not beneath me father. And yes I do love him. He is everything to me,” she practically yelled as she stood up.

“You will not marry this boy. I have already arranged that he be sent from Summerhaven.”

Buffy gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.

“Where are you sending him?”

Hank laughed, a dry mocking laugh.

“What and risk the chance of having you run off to be with him? I am sending him to Mary’s land to become a stable hand of a wealthy family over there.”

“That’s not good enough,” she said, her voice full of anger.

“What do you mean its not good enough? He’s lucky he is getting the chance that I am giving him.”

Buffy stared at him her body tight and rigid. Her hands balled into fists at her sides. Buffy was so filled with hatred that she started to shake.

“Has he taken your virtue?” Hank asked her his body and stance in equal proportions to hers.

Buffy rose her head defiantly. “Yes he has.”

Hank walked over to her and slapped her hard across her face.

“Spread your dainty legs for anything, even the lowest of servants,” He stated walking in a circle around her.

Buffy’s head whipped back and she tasted blood in her mouth.

“I am with child,” she rose her face even higher trying to show him she wasn’t afraid of him.

Hank stopped his circling and stared at her as if the thought had not occurred to him.

“I can make you get rid of it if you were,” he said coldly.

“Not if you don’t want anyone to know your oldest daughter had been with the stable boy you won’t. I’ll tell anyone I come in contact with,” she said raising her eyes to his.

“What is it that you want darling?” his voice dripping venom.

“I want him as more then a stable hand. Secure him a position as an apprentice.”

“What are you going to do in return? I can’t secure him a spot if he is just going to run back to you. He will be leaving tomorrow morning.”

“I will make sure he doesn’t. He won’t leave unless I tell him to,” she said trying not to betray her strength in front of the man they called her father.

“He will be placed on the ‘Forsaken Aerial’ first thing on the morrow. Make sure he is on that boat,” Hank said signally that she could leave now.

Buffy squared her shoulders and stiffly walked out the door and up the stairs to her room. Only then did she shut door and slump against it crying out her frustration for her love.

Buffy made a decision before William climbed the trellis to her room that she wouldn’t tell him of the baby. It would only make him want to stay with her and she couldn’t let him as much as she wanted to. Buffy wiped at the tears that started to stream down her face.

She heard pebbles hitting her glass doors and scrubbed at her face so he wouldn’t see that she had been crying.

She dragged her sleeve across her face once more and opened the doors. William stood there looking haggard. She didn’t notice it before but it was pouring outside. He was soaked to the skin. His clothes hung, stuck to his body, his face pale. His usual curls hanging in long straight tendrils around his face.

Buffy held a tremble within and silently told herself she could do this.

“William,” she nodded and swept to the side to allow him access to her room.

William said nothing and walked in, water falling as droplets onto the hard wood floor.

“I saw your father this afternoon,” he said gruffly not looking at her.

Buffy turned away from him and wrung her hands together.

“He is sending me away.”

“I know. It’s for the best really. You don’t belong here. You deserve better,” she said looking at his face. William’s clear blue eyes met hers and she had to turn away from the intensity in his gaze.

“I belong with you,” he said grabbing her arm and yanking her against his body.

“William..”

“Tell me to stay Buffy. I’ll go anywhere you ask. I won’t leave unless you ask me too. I’ll come back. No one can keep us apart,” he said desperately holding onto her, his grip becoming painful.

Buffy laughed a dry laugh and wrenched herself away from William’s embrace.

“William go. I don’t want you here. What we had was nothing. This love you thought I felt for you was nothing. Twas not but a bit of practice. I am now ready for an real man now.”

“Buffy I love you,” William said defeated.

Buffy looked at him one last time, trying to memorize everything about his face, his hair, his body. She knew if he touched her again she would crumble and beg him to stay.

“Go William. I don’t want you, you are beneath me,” she said cruelly.

William’s eyes widened with shock making Buffy cast her gaze downward. She balled her hands into fists, her nails leaving little welts in her palms and silently begged him to leave. When she looked up again he was gone.

Buffy crumbled to the floor in a heap of brocade and tears. She wept bitterly, her tears her only voice of her heart breaking. She wanted to run after him and beg him to stay but knew her father would make that impossible. She got up and ran to her balcony in time to see his retreating back fade into the shadows.

“William! I love you!” she whimpered when she couldn’t see him anymore.

*~*

It had been a little over a month since William left and Buffy was still a mess. She was undoubtedly with child. She would cry at the drop of a hat and hid herself in her room. She couldn’t be consoled and refused everyone. She was barely eating, the food promptly being brought back up by her grief.

Her father had glossed over her attitude and her demeanor making it look like she was a spoilt brat. Her mother tried to comfort her but knew her presence wasn’t wanted. Even Dawn tried to be there but Buffy wanted to be alone. She hadn’t left her bedroom since William left Summerhaven.

She would huddle in her window seat overlooking the garden and dream of all the times they played in the maze of hedges and flowers. She would sigh longingly when she peered near the stables. She sat there and dreamed of their child growing within her. She would pat her belly and tell it all about it’s father. What a great man he was and how he would always love them even if he wasn’t able to be there.

It would always make her break down miserably and she would cry with heartbreaking sobs that shook her body.
She was sitting in her window seat when a piece of paper was pushed underneath the door to her room. Buffy turned when she heard the rustle of the paper scrape across the floor.

“What is that?” She said aloud as she got up and walked over to the door.

On the outside of the paper it said ‘Milady Buffy’. Buffy bent down and picked it up. She fingered the paper gingerly and opened it.

Mistress Buffy,

I write this with the most caring of hearts. I know you are heartsick and inside I know you didn’t want William to leave. I know you have always done what is best for him. I also know how very much you love him.

I wanted to let you know that I have received word from him this very day. I wanted you to be the first to know. If you would meet me in the stables later I would gladly share the news with you.

Your ever faithful servant,

Giles Leslie


Buffy read and re-read the slip of paper in front of her. She didn’t even realize she was crying until her tears fell onto the paper smudging the ink. Her hands started to shake and her face felt hot.

“I need to know how he is,” she said as she flung open her door and raced out into the hall. She was running so fast that she tripped over her long skirt and fell down the stairs leading into the main entrance hall.

Her frightened scream echoed through the house as she tumbled headfirst down the flight of stairs, the sound of her shriek being cut off as she landed in a bundle at the bottom of the stairs.

“William,” she whimpered just before darkness overcame her.

10 years later

“Buffy, I don’t think I can do this,” Dawn said nervously while wringing her hands together.

“Of course you can, sweetie. Nothing to worry about. As soon as you hear the music just open the door and float down the stairs. There’s nothing to it,” Buffy replied as she smoothed the puffy silk skirt of Dawn’s emerald green dress.

“Nothing to worry about? NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT? I could fall down the stairs and land on my bottom in front of the whole society and that’s no big deal?” Dawn yelled dramatically as she threw her hands in the air.
“Dawn. It’s not that bad. You will do fine.”

“Ugh. Why do I have to do this? Do I really have to do this?”

“Dawn, calm down. This isn’t really a big deal. You have been to coming out balls before. The only difference is this one happens to be for you. You know how it’s done. Now just relax.”

Buffy lightly grasped Dawn’s arm as she cupped her sister’s cheek. Buffy knew this was nerve-wracking for Dawn and wished there was more she could do besides give comforting words that were obviously not comforting her.

Dawn took a deep breath and looked her sister in the eye.

“You’re right. I know you’re right. It’s just my nerves are going wonky.” Dawn turned towards the mirror and smoothed her hair. “Do I look alright?”

“You look beautiful. Mom would have been proud,” Buffy said as she and Dawn locked eyes in the mirror.

Dawn’s eyes filled with unshed tears as she turned and engulfed Buffy in a hug.

“Come on, Dawn. It’s showtime,” Buffy reminded her, pulling back and wiped the tears from Dawn’s face.

Dawn took another deep, steadying breath and checked her appearance in the mirror.

“Thanks, Buffy. You are the best sister a girl could have.” Dawn smiled and opening the door just as the waltz started.

*~*

“Are you ok?” Willow asked Buffy as the two stood off to the side watching Buffy’s sister dance with Chad Masters, Marquis of Meadowland.

“Yeah…I was just thinking how proud mom would have been of her,” Buffy replied as she watched her sister laugh heartily at something the Marquis whispered to her.

“She would have been proud of you too, Buffy. You have really pulled through since she died.” Willow touched Buffy’s arm and smiled at her.

“Thank you, Willow.” Buffy smiled back at her friend. The two had become fast friends 10 years ago when the Rosenberg family had moved to the neighboring estate, Wildwood Park. Buffy had just suffered the loss of her and William’s child and had fallen in a deep depression. It had hurt Joyce beyond words to see her daughter this way and she had sought out Willow to befriend Buffy to try and take away some of her daughter’s heartache.

Buffy’s father had finally succumbed to the alcohol having died 5 years earlier from excessive drinking. The Summers girls had had another tragedy as their mother passed also, having died not 9 months after the late earl. Joyce had become pregnant right before their father had died and during childbirth had suffered complications that had resulted in the death of her and her unborn child.

Buffy and Dawn were devastated. It took both of them a long time to get over the fact that they were now orphans. Dawn really should have had her coming out party much earlier but with the death of their parents it just hadn’t seemed that important.

“I think it’s really fantastic that Xander is hosting her coming out party,” Willow commented, scanning the area for her friend.

“Yes it is. He has really been there for me and my sister,” Buffy replied as she grabbed a goblet of chilled wine from one of the waiters.

Alexander Harris had come to Summerhaven after Buffy’s mom had passed to pass along his condolences. Since then, Buffy, Willow, and Xander - as he preferred to be called - were inseparable. Xander had pretty much adopted the Summers’ girls and Willow. He was quite protective of all three of them, almost like an older brother.

“I think half the reason he is also hosting this party is for you and I to find husbands. You’d think he was our father or something,” Buffy laughed.

“My god…you are right. All he talks about is how we should be married with armloads of children at our feet.”

“We should call him Father Xander,” Buffy laughed, soon followed by Willow.

“Father Xander, I kinda like that name. Although my many female admirers will think I’m a man of the cloth, so maybe that isn’t really of the good,” Xander mused, his hand resting over his heart as he walked up behind them.

Both women turned toward the sound of Xander’s voice.

“You’re right… it really isn’t,” Buffy replied. “Thank you for this, Xander. It means a lot to me and Dawn that you did this for us.”

“Aww… Buffy. Anything for my girls. My god, how beautiful you both look. If I wasn’t like a brother I would….” He joked as he grasped Buffy’s hand and brought it to his lips and kissing it.

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