[center][hr][h1][b][i][color=0072bc]Almack's, London[/color][/i][/b][/h1]
[youtube]https://youtu.be/L6ViM8tKG1Q][/youtube]
[color=0072bc][i]"I'm dying to catch my breath, why don't I ever learn?"[/i][/color][hr][/center]

	Elizaveta simply nodded to Virginia's thanks. She was not sure if it was to her or to Myska, or to both. Looking over at Vlad as he took her hand she pushed Myska's head from her lap and rose gracefully to her feet. Brushing the folds of her gown down she smiled gratefully towards her uncle. Though it seemed he was already in the middle of his introduction to Virginia. The man was a showman through and through. There was a reason beyond his skill alone that made him the current Great Bazhooli and he was showing it in spades. It was all about presence, the ability to get a crowds attention or single a person out and make them the center of attention while never losing a bit of the spotlight. This was why he was Bazhooli. 

	Turning her attention to Mary she let out a relived sigh. [color=a187be]"Dat is most veclome to hear my dear nev friend,"[/color] she said kindly to Mary. She was about to make introduction when it seemed that Vlad had finally clued in that there was more going on than just his presence and a loose tiger. Taking a step closer to her uncle she rested her hand delicately on his shoulder and gave him an understanding look. Then she began to speak in a language that sounded almost like Russian but it was vastly different. She spoke in their trained tongue. She explained that there had been several attacks in London today by the Soulless. She let him know about the lady whose soul she had to tend to earlier at the church and the events since then. She was succinct as she spoke, keeping it pure details. Not wanting it to seem that she was ever in a moment of peril.

	Once she was finished she had one last thing to tend to. [color=a187be]"And this uncle Vlad is Dame Mary Hale, a nev friend and the interim Arch Graveolase. She vill be vho ve present our case to."[/color] 

[center][hr][h1][b][i][color=0072bc]Port Annan, Scotland - Teriny Inn[/color][/i][/b][/h1][hr][/center]

	"Man you have got to pull yourself together. Stumbling around like a babe in the nest isn't gonna be gettin' ya anywhere's with a woman," Nigel said as he stood up. Walking over to Calum he grabbed the man's arm and placed it over his shoulder before hoisting him to his feet. Helping him up and sitting him down on the edge of the bed he just shook his head and chuckled a bit. 

	"Lord help me, I know. I don't even know why I was chosen to come pick her up but I thought I was helping. I am just mucking every thing up. God did not bless me with the knowledge or ability to be around a woman like her. She is like the morning sunrise, that hair a blaze like the sun," he said in a dreamy voice and slipping off the bed and back onto the floor with a thump. "Oh fuddle..."

	Nigel rolled his eyes. "Well ye best be getting things under control befores yous hurt yerself, hers, or break me tavern," Nigel laughed as she door opened. His wife coming in with the pillow and blankets Calum had forgotten out front. 

	"What in gods name?" she asked. 

	"Seems out Parson here be having a little crush on our newest over night tenant mi'dear," Nigel answered as he smiled and covered his mouth. 

	"Oh dear..." 

[center][hr][h1][b][i][color=0072bc]Wyndham Manor, London[/color][/i][/b][/h1][hr][/center]
	
	Abigail let go of Millicent and let Gerard take her into his arms. "I be gettin' things to get tended to," Abigail said quickly before darting back up into the house. Millicent fell into Gerard's arms, letting him take the weight of her and curling up against his strong frame as she wept. She was inconsolable as they moved into the house. Her body trembling, weeping against his chest, her fingers curling against his shirt and holding on for dear life. She seemed terrified and broken as they crossed the threshold. Cook coming rushing out of the kitchen and her eyes widening as she spotted Millicent and the condition she was in. 

	"God have mercy..." she said as she stopped in her tracks. 

	"Cook, heat water up," Abigail said as she bounded passed the older woman and into the back of the house. She needed linens, hot water, needle and thread, and more to tend to her mistress. "Mr. Connolly, take her up stairs please to her room," Abigail shouted from the back. 

	"Right, get Miss Milli up the stairs. I'll get on the water," Cook said before scurrying off. She wanted to know what had happened but right now first things first. Miss Wyndham needed looking after and from the looks of things she was in no state to talk about why she was in such a condition. 

	Millicent clung to Gerard, she hadn't even noticed that he had called her by her first name. All she could think of was what had happened. Her mother, Jane, the attack. The carriage... She could still feel his hands on her, what he did to her inside and out. It caused her to cry out in shamed agony and bury her head against Gerard. She was ruined. There was no choice left for her life but the path that had been made for her. No escaping it. No one would have her now. She was sullied. It didn't matter how, not in the eyes of the ton. 

	They were engaged, papers were signed. They would say it was on her, that she threw herself at him. Once they were wed it wouldn't have mattered anyways. He could do this to her over and over again and in the eyes of the law it was perfectly acceptable. She was a piece of property at that point. Now, she had no value besides what coin was in her families purse. It would all be his now, he ensured that. He ensured tonight that if she dared back out that her family would be shunned and ruined. She had no choice. Flight or death were not an option, he would have what he wanted no matter what. Yet a life time his cold hands around her neck and gripping her thighs. She nearly threw up right then from hyperventilating. 

	Finally hearing Gerard's voice her head lowered even further, unable to bring herself to look at him. Not wanting him to look at her. [color=0054a6]"Please do not look at me, I am far beneath you..."[/color] she stammered out between the shaky tearful breaths.