"I imagine it feels like bathing in ice to the person touching her. But how does it feel to her? Cold as she is, it must surely burn life fire." – Orson Scott Card

1814

The evening was young and full of light, the music was playing loudly, and people were dancing with joy. Valerie knew she looked particularly fine this evening. She was wearing one of her new dresses, freshly pressed pale pink muslin with fuchsia flowers printed on the bodice. Her face, flawless as usual, was accompanied by her trademark smirk and blushing cheeks.

The season had well and truly begun in Bath and though the weather wasn't particularly warm, it did nothing to damper the spirits of those around her. Many a young debutant stood anxiously next to their narrowed eyed and prowling Mother's, waiting with barely concealed patience to be asked to dance by a handsome gentleman. Their faces, young and innocent, gleamed in the dark lighting and Valerie snorted at the sight.

It wouldn't be long before these beautiful creatures became nothing more than the nightmare of something they once hunted. The season was like an open massacre of immature emotions and primal bets of marriage to the most fortunate. It wasn't a scene that Valerie was drawn to, for her heart was now cold towards such frivolous things.

It was a night of remembrance. He'd singled her out like he said he would, and she couldn't help but remark of the foolishness of men and their predictability in the presence of a pretty woman.

The ball was in full swing, anyone who was anyone was here to celebrate the night away, and the socialites of Bath were out in style. Everyone always wanted more, more excitement, more dancing, and more scandal. Valerie was glad she was almost done with Bath; the people were getting tedious and there were only so many times she could be out before it became repetitive.

She turned from the dancing and music to face the man before her. They say money breeds excellence, but it doesn't guarantee good looks. Victor Madden looked like a criminal when the light hit him the wrong way. For all his wealth, he couldn't hide the gifts given to him. He cut an imposing tall figure, his black hair was cut short but his prominent side burns coupled with his neatly trimmed goatee made him seem almost dangerous. She'd been warned about him of course, but danger was worth risking and she'd gotten involved regardless.

He was down on one knee now, she scoffed...so predictable. They had such a good thing going, why was he ruining it now? She thought she'd picked a good one in him, someone who enjoyed the adventures of life but didn't want to be tied down and constricted. Theirs had been a tremendously sinful affair but now it seemed it was over. Pity really, as it was enjoyable but perhaps it was a good thing to end things before things became too normal.

"You've led me on a merry dance Valerie but now it's time for the cat to catch the mouse. Marry me?" he asked.

She smirked, her mind racing at a mile a minute. He was pleased with the smile on her lips, thinking he had won her favour and rose up from his knees. Valerie felt momentary guilt for the man before her and realised that he had never thought this was just a game to her. A simple pleasure to pass the time of day. Valerie was a cold person, there was nothing good lying under the surface of her beauty. She was like a bird and could never be caged or tamed. She could see him already, acting the role of the cat that got the cream. The future he was no doubt imagining would never come true.

"Your offer is most tempting but I'm afraid I'll have to decline your most generous offer."

She could have been kinder and showed more remorse in denying him, but she was growing tired of this game and wished to be done with it. She watched as his face change though many shades of red and watched silently as a series of emotions crossed his features. To have such power over a man was always such a rush for her, such an obsession that she was unwilling to give up.

Her time was running short in Bath, there was someone lurking in the shadows and she couldn't cope with the fear that had settled into her heart. Victor Madden would become nothing more than another man in her string of disappointed suitors. The quicker things were over, the quicker she could move on.

"You're rejecting me? You?"

She didn't respond but it wasn't really needed. She just stared at him curiously, not unlike how a cat would stare when stalking its prey. If he was going to talk any louder, then the party goers in other rooms would start to take notice. The last thing she needed was an audience.

"You manipulative snake, what vicious attack is this upon my person? Do you seek to destroy my person and humiliate me before all society? What game is it you play? I have courted you and I have won you. It is my right now to claim you as mine."

His explosion of words sent a short shiver of fear down Valerie's spine. She was instantly angry. She was in control of her emotions and this man before her should hold no control over her. She would never bow down to a man. Who did this man think he was to command her so? She has spent many years masking her emotions and making her skin impenetrable and she didn't need some ego inflated man ruining her self-control.

"I am not an object to be controlled. You have played the game and lost. Now it the time to back away gracefully."

Someone had once tried to control her and that was how this whole mess started. If she had but changed her decisions, she might have walked a completely different path. She was not one of those happy-go-lucky simpering chits, she was a woman of stern stuff and hard appeal. The fear caused by Victor's attitude was nothing like the fear or running from something. It was nothing like the fear that coursed through her veins at every waking moment. That fear made her sick to her stomach. It made her cry out in pain.

In her darkest moments she stood alone and looked out upon the harsh world of her creation. Back in reality she glances at Victor Madden, a man any woman would be thrilled to be with. Not Valerie though for she knew what kind of man Victor was and she already had one person stalking her life, she didn't need to worry about another's possessiveness.

"Women should be seen and not heard. You try my patience girl. You will address me as is proper, by my title: Lord Madden. I am a man of repute and I will not have my name tarnished by your cold feet. You will be my bride and there is nothing you can do otherwise."

Victor was an arrogant bully and it was a surprise to hear him talking like this. They had never really done much talking before...so this was a surprise. Valerie wasn't amused by his behaviour at all.

"You would do well to remember who I am Lord Madden, who do you think society will believe if you run your mouth at them? I'm the cream of society, the 'belle of the ball,'" she paused to laugh, "at least that's what people call me. Who would believe you? A man with money and power whose vicious rumours speak of nothing more than a lover scorned?"

"You have played your last game Valerie and my patience is running thin. Do not think you will so easily run from this. The shadows are a harsh place to be when trouble comes knocking."

Valerie took one last look at Victor and then walked back into the ballroom. She paid no attention to the dancers and the merriment she'd been missing, and it all blurred into nothing. It was a shame, she thought, for his kisses had been sinful and his touches as tender as heaven but she couldn't marry him. She couldn't give her heart away, couldn't settle down or she'd be captured. If her wings were clipped, she would surely flounder and die. Besides, Victor hadn't proved himself or earned her love. She could do so much better and she knew there was more out there for her. Perhaps it was time to leave Bath for good. She didn't want Victor's words to come true. She didn't need another running through the shadows trying to see her fall.

Valerie had outstayed her welcome in Bath anyway. If she lingered any longer people would start asking questions about her. Where she came from, where her family was and why she wasn't yet married. She could do without that complication in life.

There was a darkness settling over Bath and it unsettled Valerie. She didn't like what she knew the darkness would bring. The fear in her heart was overpowering. A spectacular exit is what she needed and to leave a legacy was what she wanted. She cared little for the consequences, she only cared for the next challenge.