Notes: AU - Set in the English countryside just before the war against Napoleon.  Bitchy heiresses, arrogant suitors, sexy servants, betrayal, love, death, and humor.  Pairings of all kinds appear and characters from many animes will be making appearances.  There will of course be some OOCness, but that is expected with an AU fic. R/R appreciated.

Disclaimer:  I do not own Gundam Wing or Samurai Troopers or any other anime contained herein.
 
 

Dorothy’s hair billowed like a golden flag behind her as she galloped her horse towards town.  That she had left Ryo far behind didn’t bother her in the least.  It was his job to stay with her not for her to wait on him.

She didn’t see the farmhouses or cattle flashing by.  Her mind was reliving memories, seeking an escape from the situation in which she found herself.

Marriage.  The very thought sent shivers of revulsion through her.  How could any woman wish to become a man’s possession?  As if that were not cruel enough, her father, the person she loved most in the world, was the one forcing her into the wretched act.

Oh, father, how could you?

Why now? When she had found someone she enjoyed being with?  Someone who cared about her for herself and not her wealth; who held her in his strong arms and protected her, wanting to shield her from everything and anything that might hurt her.  He didn’t wish to change or corral her.  He loved her.  He never said it out loud, but she knew.  Dorothy held that wonderful knowledge close and treasured it.  She knew her family loved her, but they expected so much from her.  Not him, he wanted nothing but what she was willing to give.  His very nature made her want to make his dreams come true, and she denied him nothing.

Was it love on her part?  She couldn’t be certain.  The time they spent together was wonderful, but was that feeling worth turning away from her family?  Was the warm glow that spread through her at his smile reason enough to give up everything she knew?

If she could convince him that is, he wasn’t being as cooperative as she’d hoped.  She was more than willing to give her virginity to him, but he had turned her away.  It wasn’t because he didn’t desire her.

A wicked smile spread across her face as she remembered being in his arms and feeling him pressed against her soft belly.

She had thought that would be the day and her oh so important virginity would have been vanquished so she would finally be able to call herself a woman.  To her surprise he had pulled back and told her to leave.  They argued and she left, but she wasn’t done.  She wanted him and she would have him, or she wasn’t the daughter of the Steel Roses.

Pebbles flew as she skidded to a halt outside the blacksmith shop.  Dismounting, she quickly smoothed out her dress and hair before leading her horse in.

“Hello? Anyone here?” she called into the shadowed interior.

“One moment, I’m comin’,” came a voice from the loft.

She watched in appreciation as the possessor of the voice came down the ladder.  He was shirtless, and she could see the muscles in his back ripple as he moved.  The bulging arms and legs easily bore his weight.  In her mind his movements were surprisingly graceful for a man of his size.  His sweat dampened hair stuck to his forehead framing his face in curls.  He was a very impressive specimen, but it was his eyes she liked the most.  They were open and honest.  His every emotion was reflected there for all to see.  Their dark blue irises sparkled when he laughed, deepened with anger, and almost disappeared if aroused, a state which she attempted to bring him to as often as possible.

She bit her lip as a wave of desire ran through her.  “Hello, Kento.”

“Hello, Doro,” he called from the bottom of the ladder.  “Come here, Shini, and let me have a look at you.”

The stallion nickered softly and walked across the barn to the gentle blacksmith.

Dorothy slowly followed. “I’ve told you.  His name is Shinigami, or you can just call him Death.”

“Come on Doro, you know I can’t say that name, and Death doesn’t suit his spirited temperament.”  His expert hands stroked over the stallion comforting and examining in one easy touch.  Finishing he patted Shinigami on the neck, “well Shini, you are in fine shape.  Ryo is taking wonderful care of you as always.”  He turned to Dorothy who now stood close to his side.  “Really, Dorothy,” he said clearing his throat and using her full name to add some professionalism to the encounter.  “You don’t have to bring him here.  Ryo is all you could want in a breeder and caretaker.  It would be much easier than coming all the way here.”

“Yes,” she said in a soft voice, “but the house doesn’t have one thing that I desperately need.”  Her fingers stroked one forearm.

Kento took a step back only to come against Shini.  The warm horseflesh pressed into his back as Dorothy advanced from the front.  The intoxicating smell of roses wafted over him as she leaned in, barely inches away.  His breathing became erratic and the blood pounded in his ears as she ran her hands up his arms.

“You.”

The single word was said in deep, sultry, desire-soaked voice that had is whole body responding.  Valiantly he resisted the urge to pull her into his arms.  He had made himself a promise; he wouldn’t ruin her life by taking her innocence.  She deserved a rich titled husband who could take care of her, not a poor black smith who owned little more than the clothes on his back and a hammer.

His body roared in protest as he held it unmoving when she placed petal soft lips against his.  Her arms encircled his neck as she nibbled on his lower lip, gently nipping and tugging.  His frame shook in response.

“Come on, Kento.  Give in to what we both want.”

Her fingers twined in his grayish blue locks as she ran her tongue along the crack in his lips.

With a control breaking groan Kento’s arms wrapped around Dorothy’s waist and his mouth opened to mate with hers.  She sighed happily as Kento gave in and pulled her close to his chest.  He smelled of horse, leather, and sweat mixed with his own musky scent.  She found the aroma enthralling.  Hands clenched in his hair, she pressed her body against him eagerly, acquiring more chest rumbling groans in return.

Dorothy delighted in the feel Kento’s muscular arms surrounding her.  They made her feel small and fragile, but infinitely safe.  Hands that could break a man in half gently stroked her back, burning through her thin summer dress.

Dorothy gave up all thoughts of suitors and marriage, just living in the moment.