Chapter 8: New Horizons

        The next morning Serena approached her father at breakfast, as usual her mother was still abed. It came to her last night that she really didn't want to be in London, or even England for that matter. She needed to get away from everything, but most importantly, she wanted to get away from Darien - she didn't want him to know she was pregnant. She knew him, and he would feel obligated to marry her then, even if he wouldn't after taking her innocence. If she stayed longer, word might get around.
        She explained to her father the way she felt, and she wasn't very surprised to see his relieved expression. She loved her father very much but she knew he wouldn't know how to handle the scandal that would be put upon her family. That was how she found herself heading to Giana's, one week later, to say her good-bye's on her way to the nearest port. She talked with Giana for a while. After her initial shock and concern Giana was almost as delighted about the child as Serena had been. She knew that if anyone could handle a child, it was Serena, for she already cared for her orphans so well. She said a very tearful good-bye, asking Giana to approach Richard,
        "Giana, don't forget to talk to Richard. Explain what happened as much as you feel comfortable about." Giana looked unsure.
        "Are you sure you want him to know you're pregnant? And are you positive he'll help with the orphanage once he finds out?" Serena nodded, wiping her tears.
        "Yes, Richard is like a brother to me. If I had time to visit him before my ship leaves I would, but he lives to far away. I would write him a letter but I think he would have to many questions." Giana nodded and hugged her friend again.
        "Be well, and write me when your child is born, I'm anxious to know if it's a boy or a girl you carry." Serena promised she would and left. Giana prayed with all her heart that Serena would be alright. God damnit, she was going to kill Darien when Serena said she could.

        Darien had kicked himself for months after he had found her letter the next morning. He felt horrible actually. He ruined the girl and then shunned her for no reason. She had never deserved his anger, ever. He had been cruel to her since he met her and now the crowning glory. She had done it all for a bunch of orphans. He felt like a damned fool. Every time he thought her heart couldn't get bigger, it did. He finally had gotten the courage today to go talk to her. She at least deserved his apology for what he had said. Just the thought that she was 'Angel' left him bewildered for a whole week, and then he had felt so guilty that he was ashamed to even go see her.
        She probably will refuse to see me he thought as the carriage rolled onward. He had thought that for two and a half months before he realized that his feelings didn't matter. He had ruined a young girl and then poured salt on the wound, surely his pride was negligible for a simple apology. Word had it that she hadn't been seen in public since that night, neither had Angel, but of course that would be the case.
        The carriage stopped and he trotted up the path of her family's country house. He took a deep breath before he finally knocked on the door. A stiff-necked butler answered, took his name, and went briefly to fetch the master of the house. A short time later he was ushered into Lord Kenneth's foyer. Serena's father walked into the room and stared him up and down. Darien was expecting Serena and asked,
        "Good afternoon, I came to ask if Lady Serena was here. I need to speak with her." Kenneth was silent for a moment before he said,
        "She isn't here."
        "When will she be back? Later tonight?" Kenneth looked at him and said,
        "I'm afraid she went to America young man." Darien was thunderstruck. 'America? Why in the world would she go there?' but he thought he had a good idea why. He knew it was rude, but he had to know.
        "Why did she go to America?" Kenneth looked a little angry.
        "Why is it any of your concern?"
        "I have apologies and reparations to make to the lady, sir." It was then that Kenneth knew who he was. Damnit! This was the man she was pregnant by?! This was the man who didn't love her? He tried to control his anger but it was fast slipping by him.
        "I suggest you leave because my daughter will not be returning for quite some time." He said good-bye quickly and left. He couldn't breath, his breath was stuck in his throat. She left him? Well, no wonder really. She wasn't his to begin with and after the way he treated her... He didn't think she would run away to America though. There must have been some reason. He thought of friends of Serena. Perhaps that Italian contessa would know. What was her name again? Giana Bochelli! That was it. He asked a few questions from people when he reached London again and found out where she lived. He bade his driver take him there. He pounded on the door and was surprised when Giana herself opened it. He had been expecting a butler, but no matter. She looked surprised to see him at first, but she invited him in for tea. He was anxious but drank a cup of tea before he asked her anything. Once finished, he asked her,
        "Why did Serena go to America?" her eyebrows disappeared into her dark bangs. She set down her teacup.
        "Well you are blunt, aren't you? Why should I tell you? I hardly know you." She surveyed his handsome form. Well Angelica, you certainly have good taste! She wanted to be mean to him, for what he had done, but Serena hadn't been mad so what right did she have to be?
        "Please lady, I need to know. I wronged her greatly." You damn well did she thought, but if he was admitting that much then perhaps there was hope.
        "Do you intend to marry her?" Now it was his eyebrows which shot up in surprise.
        "You know then?"
        "I am the only one, do not fear. But I repeat, do you intend to marry her?" His eyebrows furrowed as if in deep thought. Giana watched him closely. He finally said.
        "I have thought about it. Honestly, I did not at first, but I will now." Giana sipped her tea.
        "You were wrong about many things. You said cruel things to her." Darien couldn't believe she knew all this. His eyes narrowed.
        "What do you know about what I said? If you know that, then you must know about "Angel" too." Giana nodded to his surprise.
        "Who do you think helped her?" Darien realized then that this was the "friend" she had mentioned in her letter. This was not important though, he needed to know about Serena was.
        "Will you tell me about Serena or not?" Giana pursed her lips, considering. She had told Serena she would not tell him, but he had come to her - something Serena had never thought he would do. Giana decided she liked him, even with the pain he had caused her. She cocked her head to the side and said plainly.
        "She's pregnant." Darien was floored. He opened and closed his mouth, trying to think of something, anything to say, but he could not. She was pregnant? Pregnant? If she was pregnant then was it his child? He asked carefully,
        "Is it...is it my child?" Giana almost shook him. Stupid man. Reminds me of my dead husband. She shouted at him.
        "OF COURSE IT IS!! You are the only man she has ever known that way!" Darien was stunned and then he started grinning like a fool. He had a child! Not born yet, but he would be a father! She must be two and a half months along. He wondered if she had a little curve yet. He bet she was even more beautiful. Not realizing, he had fallen into a daze until Giana's delighted laugher brought him out of it.
        "You had the funniest expression on your face just then!" Darien snapped out of his daze and Giana quieted.
        "That means she was going to be a unwed mother though. Did she go to America in shame? Is she going to give the baby up? Was she unhappy over her pregnancy?" Giana smiled.
        "A happier mother I never saw. She went to America for a break from England, and because she didn't want you to know she was pregnant."
        "She was happy then? Oh thank god. But wait - she didn't want me to know about her child? Why?" Giana, for the first time since he met her, looked nervous.
        "She would have told you eventually, but I think she would better explain it to you herself when she gets back." Darien jumped up.
        "She would deny me my first-born child?! I swear to God I'll go to America and wring her neck myself!" Giana hid a grin behind a thoughtful expression. He does care for her after all.
        "If you're set to that course, then you must know she is staying with her cousins, the Danstons in Virginia. Good luck." He said a thankful good-bye and left, determined to take the next ship out. He would find her, if only to wring her pretty neck.

        Serena loved the feel of the ocean breeze running through her hair. The smell of salt refreshed her and the cry of seagulls reinforced her current excitement of finally landing in America. She could see a green swath of Virginia before her, waiting for her. She smoothed her hand over her rounded belly. She was in her fifth month now. Soon she thought to her child, soon I will hold you in my arms. She had spent most of the voyage sewing clothes for herself and her baby. She had made loose-fitting clothing to accommodate her ever-increasing size after she had discovered that her old, slim-waisted dresses simply would not do. She looked forward to meeting the Danston's whom she had visited only once when she was five, the year before her brother was born. She remembered them to be kind sweet people and was grateful to know that her father had sent word of her "circumstance" by a speedier ship. She doubted they would turn her out, she rather thought they might welcome her, but one never knew. She hugged her belly tighter as the ship docked later that day. The New World waited. She knew she would return home eventually, but England seemed so far away. Darien seemed so far away, but she knew he wasn't waiting for her. It hurt so bad leaving, but the babe comforted her heart and she was determined to go on. She had to find strength for this child, she had to.