Surprise and relief flooded Harry's features as he let out the breath he was holding.

"Really? Are you sure?" he said, "are you absolutely sure?"

Rosalie held his hand tightly in her grip as her other hand caressed his cheek.

"If you think I can help you in some way Harry, I will," she looked at their entwined hands before looking back at his gaze, "I'm bound to you now Harry. I do not think I could leave you now even if I wished to."

Harry smiled and turned to Penelope.

"You see? You see? I told you dear sister, I knew Rosalie was the one!" he was positively beaming as he turned back to Rosalie, "and now she's staying."

"Yes...how wonderful," Penelope said, smiling through gritted teeth.

Rosalie frowned slightly at Penelope's tone of voice, confused that she was not happier at the changing circumstances.

Changes that were hopefully going to help Harry find his freedom from the dreadful curse that had enslaved him.

"Penelope..." Rosalie began.

"Well we must celebrate!" Penelope cut her off, a bright smile plastered on her face as she clapped her hands together, "and I know the perfect opportunity!"

She pulled out the small envelope from her dress pocked as Rosalie and Harry both watched her.

"We received this today," she began, "an invitation to a small party at Lord Armitage's manor this very evening!"

"But Penelope..." Harry began.

"Ah ah ah," Penelope cut him off, "I know what you're thinking brother dear, but I think, no, I know this is an opportune time to get out of this house and enjoy a moment to ourselves," she stopped suddenly, "I mean, you and Rosalie. Would you not like to attend a lovely party and just enjoy each other's company?" Penelope asked coyly.

Harry and Rosalie looked at each other.

"Whatever you wish to do Harry is acceptable with me," Rosalie said, "perhaps though, it might do you some good to forget about the current circumstances for one night?"

"But we should be preparing you," Harry said, "attending a party seems so...so...frivolous, foolish even," he said.

Rosalie's fingers moved to touch his lips gently.

"But it may also be just what you need, just for one night my love," Rosalie countered.

"You are all I need my darling," he said, oblivious to Penelope rolling her eyes behind his back, "would you wish to attend though?" he asked Rosalie.

Rosalie thought it over for a few moments.

"I think you should most definitely consider it," she said, "it will not do you any harm."

He smiled at her before leaning forward and placing a kiss on her forehead.

"It is settled then!" Penelope said, before pushing herself out of the chair.

She was unable to stomach any more of their sickening display of affections.

"I shall advise Lord Armitage immediately that we will accept his most kind invitation," she said.

"Penelope," Harry called to her, "if it is not too much trouble, would you be so kind as to allow Rosalie to borrow one of your gowns for tonight's event?" he asked.

"Of course, Harry," she said, forcing a tight smile onto her face, "why Rosalie's practically family now," she said.

"Quite right," Harry agreed, "the three of us."

"Why don't you meet me in my bedroom in a few moments Rosalie?" Penelope said as she began heading out of the sitting room, "I'll just send word of our acceptance and see you up there."

Rosalie smiled kindly at Penelope before turning back to Harry.

"Well this should be a lovely way to spend an evening, don't you think Harry?" she asked excitedly.

"Hopefully, yes," Harry chuckled at Rosalie's enthusiasm, "you best head on up and start readying yourself for the evening love," he said, standing up and holding his hand out to assist Rosalie to stand up out of the chair.

Kissing her hand, he watched her walk out of the sitting room and up the sweeping staircase.

Penelope watched Rosalie from the corner nook where she had just finished up on the telephone.

"And then there were two," she whispered to herself, "and you are not one of them I'm afraid Rosalie dear."

~~~~~~

Rosalie sat patiently on Penelope's bed, waiting for her to come upstairs, her mind beginning to wander back to what Harry had said earlier.

"It will come after you, have no doubt about that," Harry had said, "you would have no choice but to kill or be killed."

She shuddered at the thought of the hideous creature, a creature that lived within her beloved Harry.

Before she could think anything more about it, Penelope suddenly swept into the room.

"Well now," she said, smiling at Rosalie, "let's find you a gown that will make you look stunning tonight," she giggled lightly, "though we both know Harry is more than already quite taken with you."

Rosalie blushed at Penelope's comment.

"I feel the same about your brother too," she replied, smiling.

"Yes...well, that's lovely isn't it?" Penelope said as she walked over to her closet and opened the doors of her wardrobe.

Rosalie gasped as she saw the array of silken colours inside.

Penelope turned around to face Rosalie.

"Any particular colour you'd like?" Penelope asked.

Rosalie was still speechless as her eyes ran over the beautiful display, coming to rest on a particular gown in the middle.

"That one," she said, "the green one please."

Penelope said nothing, simply reaching for the unworn gown and pulling it out.

Rosalie's eyes lit up as she looked at the gown in Penelope's hand.

The small shoulder straps both had small bows attached to them where they met the bodice, the beautiful green material was smooth until it began to gather and layer itself at the hips. As Rosalie's eyes trailed down the gathered fabric, she only then realised that the bottom layers changed from green to black. She hoped Harry would be wearing black as she knew the dress would complement a black suit beautifully.

"Oh, it's perfect Penelope! It's absolutely perfect!" Rosalie exclaimed excitedly, jumping off the bed.

Rosalie took the dress from Penelope who smiled, thinking Harry would not appreciate or approve of Rosalie showing so much skin on their first public outing together. But no mind, she thought, she won't be around long enough for people to remember anyway.

"I'm sure he'll love it Rosalie," she enthused, "you should head to your room and begin getting ready now, wouldn't want to be late!"

"No of course not!" Rosalie agreed as she leaned forward and kissed Penelope on the cheek, "thank you so much again!"

Rosalie hurried out of Penelope's room, missing the grimace that crossed her face, and headed to Harry's bedroom, eager to begin getting ready.

As soon as she entered, she could smell Harry's aftershave, freshly scenting the room, making her smile as it triggered the memory of his body close to hers.

As she placed the dress gently on the bed, she noticed a small square box tied up with a red ribbon. Biting her lip as she smiled, she picked it up and pulled the ribbon undone. Removing the box lid, she gasped as she looked inside.

Nestled within the box was a pair of silver drop earrings in an infinity shape with a single silver diamond sitting in the bottom of each one.

There was also a folded note in the lid of the box.

Opening the note, she read.

Infinity is forever and forever I am yours, Harry

Rosalie felt her heart swell after reading the note.

She truly was fortunate to have met Harry, even though...she shook her head, determined to push aside any negative thoughts for the evening.

She took the box containing the earrings over to the dressing table and sat down, placing the box in front of her, she began readying herself for the evening.

~~~~~~

An hour and a half later, Rosalie had just finished putting her earring in when she heard Harry's voice in the hallway.

"Rosalie! Penelope! We need to be leaving if we wish to arrive on time!" he called out.

Rosalie stood back and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She had curled her hair into large curls that cascaded down her back, the top half secured at the base of her neck with some loose tendrils framing her face, the earrings twinkling as much as her eyes.

She heard the door open behind her and Harry walked in, stopping dead in his tracks as Rosalie turned to face him.

His gaze went from top to bottom and back up to the top again.

"Rosalie...you look...breathtaking," he whispered.

"The earrings Harry, they are, aren't they?" she said as her hand went to her chest, "they're such a lavish gift!"

"They pale in comparison to you darling, you are a vision to behold," he said as he neared closer to her.

Rosalie relaxed upon hearing Harry's approval.

As he reached her, he placed his hands on her forearms before pulling them away from her body, admiring the beauty before him.

"You will be the envy of all the other guests there tonight," he said smiling, "and I shall be the proudest man there, having you on my arm."

Rosalie blushed, her smile now beaming.

"Harry," she said gently, "we really should get going, yes?"

"Quite right," he said, suddenly remembering why he had come looking for the two women.

"Let me fetch your cloak for you," he said, heading to the wardrobe to fetch it for her.

"Thank you," she said as he held it open for her to place her arms in. Once buttoned, he held his arm out for her to take and they walked out of the bedroom to the waiting carriage downstairs where Harry had passed Penelope heading down just moments earlier.

~~~~~~

The ride was silent in the carriage as Penelope kept her gaze firmly out the window and not on the two people sitting opposite her.

She had watched Harry hold Rosalie's hand in his and he could not take his eyes off her, she was quite simply, captivating to him.

Rosalie kept blushing and hiding her giggling mouth behind her hand whenever Harry would whisper something in her ear.

Penelope was quite sure it was anything but gentlemanly and Rosalie did not look like she minded. Penelope had turned her attention to Harry.

The way his hair was slicked back, showing every inch of his handsome face.

He had the greenest eyes, like looking into a lush forest and she was sure she could quite possibly lose herself in them.

His cheekbones, well, his whole bone structure really, like he had been chiselled, his features so strong. And his lips...Penelope closed her eyes momentarily...

The carriage coming to a stop made Penelope open her eyes.

The door was opened, and Harry exited first.

He held his hand out for Rosalie to exit safely, then for his sister.

Penelope smiled warmly at Harry before he released her and turned to offer Rosalie his arm, leaving Penelope alone.

Annoyed, she followed them up the short path, a waiting butler opening the door and welcoming them into the manor.

As the three entered, coats and cloaks were removed and taken by the staff.

Rosalie heard Penelope gasp from behind and quickly turned.

She looked Rosalie up and down, how fitting the gown looked on her, like a second skin before her eyes rested on the diamonds that hung from her ears.

"She looks ravishing does she not?" Harry said proudly as he placed a hand on Rosalie's back.

He turned and led Rosalie through to the main formal room, Penelope seething as she yet again was left to follow behind.

There were many looks given to the young Rosalie, both from men and women.

Envy, curiosity, lustfulness, surprise...who was the new woman on the arm of Sir Harry Styles?

Rosalie tensed at the sudden attention, but felt Harry place his hand over hers that was linked through his arm.

"Let me introduce you to Lord and Lady Armitage," he said, pulling her over to a couple on the other side of the room.

And that was how the evening progressed.

Harry introduced Rosalie to everyone gathered there and she charmed every single one of them. Harry knew that everyone would adore her as much as he did once they looked past her beauty and saw the intelligence and wit she held.

Penelope watched from a corner, seemingly forgotten by the two of them, a glass of wine in her hand as Harry showed Rosalie off to all and sundry, jealousy eating away at her.

They sat for dinner and again, many of the other guests sort out Rosalie for conversation.

Penelope was seated at the opposite end of the table and had to endure the attentions of the single men which made her want to pick up her dinner place and smash it over someone's head or throw her glass of wine in their face.

No, scratch that, the wine was too delicious to waste, so she downed her glass and was having it refiled constantly by one of the adoring gentlemen.

After dessert, coffee and cognac was then served in the sitting room.

Harry and Rosalie were engaged in conversation with another couple when a member of staff tapped Harry on the shoulder and whispered discreetly into his ear.

Frowning, Harry addressed the couple.

"It seems my dear sister has rather suddenly taken ill," he said, "I'm afraid we shall have to bid you an early farewell for the evening."

"Oh no!" Rosalie said, "I do hope it's nothing serious!"

Making promises to attend another dinner together soon, Harry escorted Rosalie out to retrieve their waiting coat and cloak, having been informed that Penelope had already been taken to their carriage. Thanking Lord and Lady Armitage for their kind invitation, they walked arm in arm outside.

The door was opened, and Harry assisted Rosalie before following her and closing the door behind him.

"Harry!" Rosalie grabbed him in fright, "she's unconscious!"

Harry immediately leaned over to his sister and stopped, an aroma filled his nose, causing him to scrunch it in disgust.

"She's intoxicated!" he exclaimed angrily, "drunk from the wine no doubt...but in public!"

"Oh my!" Rosalie said, "why would she do such a thing? At such a gathering?"

"I do not know," Harry said between clenched teeth, "I do not know."

They both sat back as the carriage began the journey back to Harlington Manor.

Harry's anger was palpable, Rosalie unsure of what to do until she felt his hand search for hers. She held it in both of hers, gently squeezing it in reassurance.

They rode in silence for the remainder of the journey.

They soon arrived home, Harry carrying Penelope up to her room with Rosalie following.

He walked in and placed her on the bed gently.

"Harry," Rosalie placed her hand on his arm, "why not let me dress her for bed and then I shall meet you in ours?" she suggested.

Harry smiled.

Ours.

He like the way it sounded coming from her.

"That sounds ideal, if you're sure of course?" he asked.

Rosalie nodded happily.

"Don't be too long," he kissed her quickly and left the room.

Rosalie began the task of removing Penelope's dress from her, no easy feat considering the number of buttons running down her back.

Penelope began to giggle, causing Rosalie to smile.

"And she...she does not even know..." Penelope mumbled.

Rosalie frowned and stopped.

"Who does not know?" she asked Penelope, wondering if she might be one of those people who converse in their sleep, or in this case, a drunken stupor.

"Rosalie," she slurred.

Rosalie froze at the mention of her name.

"Silly girl..." Penelope laughed, "does not know the secret..."

"What secret?" Rosalie whispered.

"Harry does not know either..." Penelope went on.

Rosalie pulled on Penelope's dress until she was sitting upright.

"What secret does Harry not know about?" she asked her frantically.

Penelope's eyes half opened, and she laughed again, unable to focus as her head lolled about.

"He is not really my brother," Penelope said, "do not tell him though," she murmured, trying to put a finger to her lips, "he does not know..."

"What?" Rosalie said, stunned.

"Soon we will be rid...of her..." she spat venomously, "and he will be mine, not hers," she said before falling backwards onto the bed.

Rosalie could only stare at the woman in disbelief lying in front of her.

"He will...be mine..." she whispered before falling asleep.