The looked she gave him lacked warmth. Instead, in her violet eyes, he could read hostility. 

Olivia knew he would eventually find out about Grace so she decided to tell him about her. It was the subject she wanted, but couldn't avoid. She blushed from the mixed feelings about Austin. After she builds up her courage, she met his stare with her own. Her nerves started to play havoc. Fidgeting with her fan, she moved it from her right hand to her left. 

"I have a daughter." It took a lot not to show him how much courage she needed to gather to say it. 

Austin felt her indifference and his exclusion from being a part of Grace's life as a cold awakening. His reaction was unexpected, even to himself. 

"Olivia..." He started to talk, but Victoria appeared at his side fanning her face. 

"Austin, you're neglecting me!" She whined pouting and batting her lashes at him. When she saw she isn't getting attention, Victoria's interest shifted to Olivia. She looked at her with a flicker of recognition in her eyes. "Isn't this the rag girl from Kenth? What's she doing here?" Victoria baited.

He never wanted to hurt anybody as much as he wanted to hurt Victoria at that moment. Trying not to cause a scene, he snatched Victoria's hand and led her away from Olivia before she had a chance to say more.

Jack observed the scene and saw some kind of trouble happening so he apologized to the man he was talking to and headed to Olivia's rescue. 

"Miss Olivia! Would you do me the honour of this dance?" he asked.

"Thank you Jack, yes." She was relieved to see Victoria go. So far every encounter with her was a disaster for Olivia. 

Austin processed the information he'd just been told. He has a daughter! 

He looked at the dance floor and spotted Olivia dancing with Jack. He wanted to snatch her out of the stranger's arms. Olivia was his. She will always be his, only him had the right to hold her. Pure possessiveness and jealousy spurted out of him.

Unwillingly, he led Victoria to the dance floor just to get her out of his way. She wouldn't give up and his mother expected it. 'I'll have to set that straight and soon.', he thought while every second aware of Olivia's presence.

Olivia was thankful Jack was a good dancer, her level of concentration wasn't on the highest. Her emotions were in turmoil. 

She glanced from the corner of her eye and spotted Austin dancing with Victoria. Mrs. Nelly Jade watched them with a smile. Olivia knew his family wanted the match between him and Victoria. That was fine with Olivia. They were welcome to have her. 

She thought about how she got set straight once. What position she was expected to hold in his life. He wanted her only to warm his bed, but she vowed to herself not to dwell on that. It brought too many hurtful memories. He asked about his daughter, but she would not be fooled. Olivia closed her eyes and the flashes of the events from the past appeared in front of her. She couldn't suppress them from surfacing.




Right after the dance finished the dancing partners headed in separate directions. The lady's in their colourful dresses fanned their faces and went for refreshments, while men in their dark tailored suits headed to light their cigars. 

Austin hastily left Victoria's side. He rushed to catch up to Olivia.

"Olivia. Wait. Olivia." his voice was quiet and low. He didn't want to attract attention. "I want to see her! What is her name?" Austin asked with anticipation. 

"Her name is Grace, and I don't think that would be a good idea," replied Olivia. Her hand that held the fan shook slightly. 

"Olivia, I looked for you! I never stopped," he about whispered. 

"If I can remember I've told you I'm not interested in your offer. You can go back to your own company, Austin. She is, more of your rank and perfect for you." 

He moved them beside the stairs away from prying eyes. 

"I only wanted to take care of you. Perhaps I've acted with a bit of a haste, but with no ill intent." 

"For all your care I'm here today only thanks to my grandmother. If it wasn't for her, I would have died somewhere alongside the road to Kenth."

This new information made him feel even lower than he already felt knowing he carried the secret and guilt Olivia knew nothing of. He also knew she would never forgive him. He has a lot to make up for, and the task wouldn't be easy. 

Not wanting to discuss the matter any further she took her opportunity to leave when they were separated by another lady going by. She quickly turned around and crossed the room to stand with her grandmother. 

Wes came to his side, holding a glass of whiskey in his hand. 

"I've heard the two ladies are the new owners of the Estate. Olivia is Albert's daughter; you remember our former hired hand. Austin, didn't you let him go? I can't think why?" Wes went on. "The old lady is her grandmother. She's the mysterious lady that looked for Olivia at Kenth. The young lady is lovely, I must say."

Wes was knowingly full of useful information, but his last comment didn't sit well with Austin. 

"You stay away from her!" Austin hissed out at his brother. Wes just smiled, he hit the target; it was fun to see Austin jealous.

Austin looked longingly at her. How he wanted to hold her in his arms.

She lived at Moncotton and now he knew where to find her. Moncotton wasn't unfamiliar to him; they had a few investments there. 

His mother chose the perfect time to come talk to him while his father negotiated some sort of business somewhere across the room. 

"Victoria looks very nice today!" Nelly pointed discreetly with her fan in Victoria's direction. "Austin, she bought this dress especially for this evening. She went through a great deal of trouble to impress you. You know one day you must get married. Victoria is waiting for you to propose Austin." His mother didn't know how to give up. 

It was a prefect time he set her straight. 

"Mother! It will never happen. I have no wish to marry her. I want you to look across the room at the young lady in a lavender dress. She will be my future wife. She and no other will do. You are also looking at the mother of your granddaughter. Her name is Grace, and she is my daughter," Austin told his mother with a newfound parental pride.

Nelly dropped the fan that she held. The shock of the news obvious.

"Austin, this is our hired hand's daughter. You can't be serious. What are you talking about? What granddaughter?" 

"I'm serious. I've never been more serious in my life. I'll appreciate it if you would not to mention that to anyone as yet." 

Blatantly attentive, that's what he would call the man that was beside her. He didn't know him, but Austin clenched his teeth at the thought of another man in her life. 

Olivia could feel their looks. Let them look, she thought. Wilma noticed her distress, "Olivia, my dear, tell me if you need anything. That's him, Grace's father, isn't it? I'm old, but I can tell." 

She didn't had to confirm it, the look in her eyes said it all.

If she could have left the ball, she would have, but it wouldn't have been fair to Jack and Wilma. Her grandma didn't go out all that much and it was nice to see her talking to other ladies. 

They also learned a lot about ranching business here. Many old seasoned ranchers attended the event and were full of information. They discussed the expected prices, the new ways of doing things, where to sell for better profit, where to sell lesser quality for a good price. She had to keep in mind many business deals were made at gatherings like this one, and it was beneficial for them to stay.

Across the room Nelly still dealt with the newly found information. 

"Austin, are you telling me I have a granddaughter? You are not married." His mother wouldn't let go. 

"I will rectify that, mother. I will marry the lady." It was a promise. 

"You will marry the former hired help daughter, Austin?" Nelly asked in disbelief, trying to understand.

Olivia's couldn't order her heart to slow down its rapid pace. It raised the questions in her mind: Does she hate him? Does she love him? Was it possible for her to ignore him? He stood apart from every other male in the room. She knew every female was aware of him, but he only danced with few of them. Olivia knew it was expected from him. She sipped her tea and talked to Wilma when he came her way.

"May I ask for this dance, Miss Olivia?" He said it as loud as he could without being obvious. Put in the spot and to avoid gossip Olivia accepted the invitation.

She placed her small hand in his big one and he led her to the dance floor. She was holding her breath, trying to conceal her trembling heart. 

He circled her waist; the warmth of him brought tingles all over her body. His close proximity disturbed her.

He kept a respectable distance, but she could feel and smell him: the unforgettable smell of him; a mix of cologne, leather and a slight smell of expensive tobacco. 

She was a feather in his arms, he was a superb dancer. They floated around the dance floor like one. His leg would brush lightly against her skirt and she was aware of it. He looked at her and noticed no one else in the room. His blue eyes sparkled.

She wasn't sure if her legs could support her until the end of the dance. She shook all over. It was like someone took away her ability to think straight around him. His hold on her got a little too tight, and a little too possessive. 

When the dance ended she barely noticed. She took a few moments to be conscious of the room and others around her.

Having to hold her again in his arms was more than he could imagine. She belonged here, and nothing ever felt better. Her lips tempted him, keeping a respectable distance while dancing wasn't easy. 

"I'm coming to see my daughter, Olivia! We need to announce our engagement." 

"Engagement? What are you talking about? There is no engagement!" He was still holding her hand, reluctant to let go. It felt as he was letting the part of himself go. 

"Mr. Jade, would you mind releasing my hand?" She gently tugged it out of his. 

"Olivia, we can't simply ignore what happened!" He spoke to her trying to convince her. 

"Why not? You ignored me; after all I'm not up your rank! You have found no one to fill the position you propose to me?" Her words hit the target: his heart. He knew she referred to that unfortunate night. 

Austin's secret, and the guilt hanged over him. He'll make it up to her somehow. He longed to see his daughter, "I would like to meet Grace. You can't deny her that! What will you tell her when she grows up? She deserves to have us both." 

"You mean she's good enough for you?" Olivia couldn't hide the bitterness in her voice. She became increasingly upset and stressed out. 

Nelly Jade watched them from across the room