FierceLord

Samantha Winthrop sat her horse on the hill and looked down at the beautiful glade. It was rich with flowers ad bushes of every variety and color. The grass was thick and green the trees tall and majestic. All this was a deep contrast of the house that sat in the middle. No doubt at one time it had been a beautiful country mansion but now it was falling apart. Some of the windows were broken others were shuttered or half shuttered. The ivy grew so thick in some parts you could hardly tell there was wall underneath of it. From the look it seemed as if the house was forgotten while the garden around it was tended carefully. Whoever did it was indeed great with flora. She set her horse into a canter and headed for the house she had to see that garden up close. She was barely down the hill when a horse came charging out of the woods to her right. So startled she was she immediately pulled her mare to a halt. The man on the horse came strait toward her a fierce look on his face. When he stopped his horse a bare two feet away he looked set to rip her in half.

"Who are you what do you want here?" he growled in a deep voice.

"I'm Samantha Winthrop my father's just bought the house over the hill. I was simply on a ride when I saw this garden. I only wanted to take a closer look. The owner I am sure would not mind."

"That's a dangerous presumption. You'd best turn back for home."

"Sir If I may this land does not belong to you so you have authority to order me about. If you'll back up I'll simply ride on and ask the owner if they would mind if I took a look at their garden I'm sure they will not mind."

"Again you've assumed too much. The man doesn't want company. He doesn't like trespassers and I have full authority to keep such people out. Now turn your horse and leave." she didn't like the way he was looking at her and she knew better than to press her luck with a man who was less than friendly. She simply gave him a nod and turned her horse. With a fast gallop she rode back to her home. She left her horse with a passing footman and headed for the library. She knew her father would be there with the new steward that he'd hired. He'd be pouring over maps and plans. Sheets of sales bills for equipment and stock. She didn't bother to stop at the closed door or even knock she simply barged right in.

"Hello Sam. What can I do for you?" Her father said without even looking up. She smiled and kissed his forehead when he finally looked up at her.

"Hi papa. I still would love to know how you know it's me. Even before I hit the door I bet you knew it was me." he gave her a lopsided grin the one she knew used to make her mother's heart melt.

"It's your walk, a dead giveaway. It's just like your mothers swift and very determined. So what can I do for you? Did you have a nice ride?"

"A wonderful ride actually. But it's Mr. Hammersmith I was hoping could help me." she looked at the middle aged man who was serving as steward. She had known since the day her father hired him he would be a capable man but he was also very disapproving of her brash and often headstrong ways.

"I shall do what I can Miss Samantha." She'd tried to get him to call her just Sam but he was determined to keep a barrier there.

"I was wondering if you could tell me about that house to the east the one in the glade." her father looked at the other man who had begun to frown.

"That is one place I would advise you best leave alone miss. The gentleman living there has no wish for intruders."

"Yes I got that impression from the man who ran me off."

"Ran you off?'

"It was more of a demand I leave. He was polite but fierce. I was headed for the house I wanted to get a closer look at those gardens they were truly magnificent but he was insistent I leave." she waited expectantly for the steward to fill her in on the occupant but all he did was stare at her. "So what can you tell me about it?"