She just can't say no.

"Yes Mistress, I'll be good." Charlotte heard herself say, not understanding how Miss Dunning had found such a strong hold on her.

"That's my sweet Kitten." Priscilla cooed "Oh Jason's going to enjoy you." She stood up abruptly "Remember, not a word about this to anyone, we'll chat after breakfast once you've arranged the trip." With a mocking curtsey Miss Dunning slipped out of Charlotte's room leaving her feeling nauseous. Charlotte got very little sleep that night and she woke with a dry mouth and aching muscles.

Breakfast was served on the garden patio. Charlotte nibbled on toasted bread, poached eggs and sausages and sipped on hot chocolate watching the others pick at the rest of the huge spread laid out on the tables. Her aunts ate inside but Charlotte could see them watching the young guests mingle around the small tables through the French doors.

Neither of them had been pleased when she informed them that she wanted to visit the ruins of the chapel with Miss Dunning and Mr. Worthington. She had seen Aunt Jane's thin lips tighten in disapproval and Aunt Elizabeth's shook her head firmly explaining that even with Miss Dunning accompanying them that it would start tongues wagging in London if word of this picnic ever got back. To her surprise it was her father who poo-pooed his sister's fears about impropriety and gave his consent without a moment of hesitation. With that settled, her Aunts did their best to dissuade her in other ways.

"I've never understood your fascination with that gloomy place." Elizabeth Marlton chided softly. "Surely Master Worthington and Miss Dunning would much rather stay inside during the hot afternoon." Charlotte smiled sadly, she expected that both Jason and Priscilla would much rather have her as a plaything than any of the games that could be found in the garden lawns or game room. After a few more obligatory objections about the possibility of rain and her duties to entertain all her guests, not just two of her favorites (if they only knew) her aunts finally relented and an afternoon picnic was arranged.

For the rest of the morning Charlotte was on pins and needles, she saw Miss Dunning chatting with Jason and saw his sinister smile as he watched her from across the room. The rest of the young men and women spent the morning reading, playing the piano-forte in the music room or backgammon in the library. But she could enjoy none of it, all she could think about was her terrible predicament.

When it was time to change for lunch Priscilla accompanied Charlotte to her room to dress her for the outing. Miss Dunning decided on a high waisted grown of green muslin that seemed almost fey. To Charlotte's horror, she was forbidden to wear any undergarments. The ankle length skirt swirled around her long legs in verdant waves and covered her arms and shoulders modestly but knowing that she wore nothing at all under the scratchy fabric felt erotically wicked. If only it were Mr. Fuller that she would be meeting in the secluded ruins instead of Miss Dunning and Mr. Worthington.

"Kitten?" Miss Dunning interrupted her odd fantasy.

"Yes Mistress?" Yes sighed

"You'll wear your hair down today." Priscilla told her firmly handing her a long green ribbon. "With this pretty ribbon to hold it back."

Miss Dunning's dress also had an empire waist but hers was made of a golden silk that matched her perfectly coifed blonde hair almost perfectly. When Charlotte saw Priscilla's dainty frame, fair skin and blonde ringlets framing her sky blue eyes she felt a stab of reality dash her sinful pride. Compared to someone like Priscilla she was nothing but an awkward sun-freckled country maiden, perhaps not plain, but by no means was she a beauty that might attract and hold the attention of a British gentleman (unless of course he knew she was wearing nothing under her gown.)

Not that it mattered today. Today her role was very different. Charlotte had tried to understand over and over again how this disastrous weekend had gone awry, but not on bit of it made sense. She promised herself that if she could just get through today, she'd have time to figure it out.

Outside Charlotte and Priscilla met her most determined suitor. Charlotte studied him carefully, seeing Mr. Worthington in a whole new light. He was still as handsome as ever, but after learning about his liaison with Miss Dunning and what Priscilla had planned out for today, she studied him with carefully masked distaste. Jason was wearing his hunting jacket again; the scarlet wool was immaculately tailored and gold buttons were polished until they gleamed like a multitude of suns on his chest. His white pantaloons were tucked into the knee high black boots and a sword hung from his belt. However today Charlotte could see a darker meaner side to her suitor, perhaps it was this nastiness that had unconsciously kept her from accepting Jason's courtship.

"Lady Charlotte." Jason bowed to her "Miss Dunning." As he bowed to the golden songstress Jason perhaps missed Priscilla's flash of irritation as everyone present was reminded of her lack of a tittle, but Charlotte did not. Soon enough their positions would be reversed and Miss Dunning was sure to take out her irritation on Charlotte. Their horses were already saddled and waiting. Not willing to have Mr. Worthington's hands touching her any sooner than she had to Charlotte swiftly climbed onto Copper's back relieved to finally back in her element. Priscilla on the other happily let Jason lift her onto her gentle grey mare's saddle.

With his two companions mounted, Jason leapt onto his hunter's back and saluted Charlotte.

"Lead on, Oh most gracious guide." He told her with an unmistakable gleam in his eye.

Charlotte led the others in silence, wondering if Jason would really do to her the wicked things that Priscilla had whispered in her ear last night.