A New Temptation

This is my revision of the original "The Chase", which I have asked to be removed. Please comment and vote! All feedback is greatly appreciated.

WF

*****

Elaine Lancelot rushed downstairs to meet her long awaited brother. He had gone India on a business trip for half a year and his returning home near midnight did not deter Elaine in her conviction to see him. However, upon seeing her brother, she did tame her excitement —for his sake of course.

"William!" she formally greeted when she saw her brother hand his coat to their old valet, Pip.

"Elaine!" he exclaimed, "I thought you would be asleep by this time."

"Have you no faith in me?" she asked, wounded. "Do you believe that I would retire any earlier even if you were home?"

William grinned. "How has the household been?"

Elaine caught old Pip's head jerk up. "Perhaps," she started slowly, "Pip would be most apt to answer your question. He didn't express any hesitation when inquiring on your return whenever I received your letters."

"As your caretaker for over three decades," Pip said, "I am entitled to know of your whereabouts."

"Goodness," Will exclaimed at Pip's cheekiness, "I have missed you."

"Come William," Pip said placing an arm around his adopted son, "Let us retire to the study."

Elaine watched as the two departed. Pip had been the father that she and Will never had. Since her mother had died from smallpox when Elaine was two years old, her father had dedicated all his time to his duties at Parliament. Pip had always been there for her. He'd even helped her with her hair— not that Elaine would ever let anyone else know.

Elaine walked up the red carpeted stairs, her steps light as to not wake the servants.

As she opened the door, Elaine wondered about the next season. It was only a fortnight away. Would she and Will attend the festivities because of his absence or would they keep to their usual regimen and not participate? Elaine blew out the candle next to her bed and settled for sleep. That question was for another day.

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Alexander Dorne woke next to a warm body in his companion's London residence.

"My lord," she sighed contentedly, "When shall I see you next?"

Though the question was innocent enough, Alex became irritated. He did not like paramours asking him questions. They were there for the sole purpose of pleasing him.

"Sweeting," he said in feigned amiability, "Not knowing my next visit makes the coupling all the more exciting."

The lady delivered a breathtaking smile. She understood. Alex was not to be prodded.

He sat up from the bed. The white sheets tumbled down into his lap and his long limbs carried him to the bath. There, he washed his face and the remnants of his pleasure from the previous night.

By god, he thought, how could his father do this to him? He was not even thirty years and his father threatened to pass the dukedom to his younger brother, who, admittedly, was more responsible than he ought to be. James, his ever dutiful younger brother, was the epitome of a duke's heir. Alas, he was born three years after Alex.

If Alex married by the end of this season, his father would withdraw his threat. As of now, Alex had no idea if his father had truly redrawn the will or if this was a passing phase. Yet, his father was not to be deprived of seeing his grandson before his deathbed. He had already suffered the death of his beloved wife and swore that he would see his heir's future heir. Sighing, Alex returned to the bedroom.

Lady Bolton had already donned a lavender dress that complemented her blonde tresses.

"Will you be attending the theatre tonight?" she asked.

"I will. Will your husband be with you?"

"Yes," Lady Bolton replied, "Unfortunately, he has caught win of my indiscretions and has promptly returned from the country."

It was about time, Alex thought. Lady Bolton wasn't known for being a lady.

"Very well, I shall see that I avoid you."

"We have been seated in the fifth box from the left."

"And I two boxes from the center. We will not see each other tonight."

With that, Alex dressed himself, quickly pulling up his trousers and dress shirt. He didn't bother with all the other formalities, like his bothersome cravat. He didn't understand how other men tolerated them. In his eyes, the cravat was a woman's corset. He cringed. That was an unjust comparison. The cravat was much worse. After saying goodbye to Lady Bolton, Alex headed outside, where his carriage awaited him.

"Your grace," the footman greeted as he opened the carriage down, "are we returning to your residence?"

"Yes. However, afterwards, we will go to Limber's Antique shop. There is a certain map I require," Alex replied.

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Elaine awoke from her deep slumber. Last night she dreamed of sailing to India. She imagined the salty wind stimulating her senses as she sailed the seas. The musky scent of spices that would fill her nose once she reached India. The adventure. A longing to seek her adventure poked at her heart. She was a female and therefore confined to societal norms. She couldn't do anything out of the ordinary that would taint her reputation. With eight rejections of marriage proposals behind her, many other bachelors now viewed her as winning a prize. Whoever won her hand, won all bets. And her generous dowry.

A couple hours later, Elaine walked downstairs. Aurelia, her maid, should be back from her morning chores by now, and Elaine wanted to go to an antique shop. She heard there was a new map commissioned by the Queen. There were only eight copies available, and Elaine wanted one.

"Lady Elaine," Aurelia greeted. "I apologize for my tardiness. There was morning traffic. The Marquess of Wells encountered some trouble on the road —one of the wheels from his carriage broke, though the man handled it quite patiently. A very handsome man, might I add my lady."

Elaine laughed. "You'll never stop trying to ensnare me in marriage! Besides, the Duke of York's son is not someone I'm interested in. I'd rather not marry one so above me in rank. After all, I don't enjoy those so called fashionable events."

"Yes ma'am," Aurelia dutifully replied.

They left in Elaine's carriage, which bore her family crest —the family crest of the Earl of Sussex. Elaine glanced out the window. Despite the beautiful streets and houses, she knew what lay behind that facade. Hunger, poverty, and desperation. She and her brother had lived that reality when they were assaulted by their father's irresponsibility upon his death. The family was neck deep in debts. William had ventured into trade as a way to repay the loans. His hard work had paid off. The reward was a hundredfold, and they weren't required to forfeit their family home or Elaine's dowry. However, they had to release all the servants from their care —everyone except Pip, who stated that they would have to pay him to leave.

"My lady, we are here," Elaine heard Aurelia say.

A footman opened the carriage door, and Elaine stepped out onto the cobblestone. Fortunately, the street wasn't busy. Elaine quickly glanced towards the antique store and relief flooded her. There was no line. She strode purposefully towards the shop. Upon entering, Limber, the shopkeeper, greeted her. His current guest stilled. He was not pleased with Limber's display of propriety, or the lack thereof.

"Wait outside," Elaine whispered to Aurelia before venturing deeper into the store.

Aurelia nodded and left her lady.

"Returning to the topic of this conversation," Limber's guest continued, "I would pay double what your current patron has offers."

"Your grace," Limber replied, "The problem isn't with your payment. It's my patron —she is never outbid whenever something has caught her attention."

"I very much doubt this lady patron of yours could match a marquess's, or future duke's finances," the guest replied.

"I must say," Elaine interrupted, "that I disagree. I can match a king's finances."

Alex turned around. He recognized the dark haired beauty that everyone constantly spoke of. She had slighted eight men and no other had dared to approach her. Lady Elaine, younger sister of the Earl of Sussex, lived up to the rumors. She was a beauty indeed— a beauty with an interest in the world, evidently.

"Lady Elaine," Alex duly greeted, "I meant no offense."

"Your grace," Elaine returned, "None was taken. I frequent Limber's Antique Shop every week and requested that if anything of interest come his way, he reserve it for me."

"I see," Alex replied, not relenting at all. The new map would be his. Limber had the last one, as all the other shops had sold theirs. "Perhaps a negotiation is in call?"

Elaine stared blankly at the man in front of her. "I don't negotiate."

"Beg my pardon," Alex managed to say after a momentary pause. "I believe I just heard—"

"Is it habitual for lords of your rank to make ladies repeat themselves?"

Lady Elaine was furious. Alex could see her cheeks redden and her stance stiffen.

"May I ask why you require this new map?" Alex prompted, motioning towards the elaborately drawn map. He saw her eyebrows furrow. Apparently, no one had ever asked her about her scholarly pursuits.

Elaine was not to be deterred. She knew what Alex —Lord Alex— would argue that her scholarly pursuits paled in comparison to the real work he did. Men, she sighed.

"My interests in this map are irrelevant," Elaine replied evenly, "My brother could have sent me here to obtain the map." Immediately, Elaine reddened at the improbability of the statement. It was already clear to both of them that she was a scholar. She was interested in maps, history, and others of the like.

"You wound me with your deception," Alex replied noticing that Lady Elaine shared his sentiment. She had guessed that he would say her interests meant nothing in the world of men and therefore used her brother. God, he felt horrible forcing her hand like that. "Very well," Alex replied, "You may have the map."

Elaine strode past Alex and spoke in hushed whispers to Limber. She thanked him for his loyalty and concern. She would be back the week after to look at his collection of handcrafted arts.

Before leaving the store, Elaine turned back to Alex. "I never needed your permission to have the map. It was to be mine regardless of your interest." With that, Lady Elaine walked out, leaving Alex, future heir to the dukedom of York, gaping.