POV = Ambrose

Suddenly I sat bolt upright in bed, sweating profusely and desperately trying to catch my breath.

"Lillian ... " I gasped out her name.

It was a clear night and the almost full moon partially lit my sparse bedroom. Adequate ... no need for a candle. My chest continued to heave as my brain replayed the image of Lilly falling from the rope bridge.

I put my hands to my face and stretched my neck backwards trying to get my breathing under control. I couldn't believe it had happened again. I had never been a fan of the wasteful activity called sleep, but recently I had almost begun to fear it. My sleeping hours were being haunted by nightmares - very vivid and detailed nightmares that always left me in this pitiful state.

I reached across to the chest of drawers and grabbed my pocket watch. I flipped it open - 2.44am. I returned the watch and lay back on my bed to continue calming my breathing.

The worst nightmares were becoming more frequent and they always ended the same way - with the death of Miss Lillian Linton. Tonight's had been so vivid that I was questioning whether it had actually happened. Had she really been taken from me? Ever since my unexpected meeting with Dalgliesh shortly after my return from South America, I hadn't had a restful night's sleep.

Fortunately that particular evening my secretary Mr Linton had not accompanied me to what I thought was a business meeting in Battersea. Instead of a prospective business partner, Dalgliesh was sat in The King's Arms tavern waiting for me:

"No secretary tonight Lord Ambrose?"

"Mr Ambrose. Do you see one?"

"I thought you two were joined at the hip, along with your gorilla here." Dalgliesh smirked sarcastically.

Karim took a step forward and placed his hand on the hilt of his sabre. I placed my hand on his shoulder to stop him for a moment.

"Please Rikkard. I just want to talk to you for a few minutes. I have no army with me, just a couple of men sat over there. Sit and drink with me."

Karim looked at me and then continued glaring at Dalgliesh.

"Very well your lordship. I will sit but I will not drink with you." Karim glanced back at me and I nodded at him before I sat opposite the man I hated most in all the world. Karim stood behind me on high alert, facing Dalgliesh's men.

"Such a pity Ambrose. They serve a particularly fine blend of scotch whiskey in this tavern. Sure I can't tempt you?" I shot him a look that made my answer clear.

"What do you want?" I wanted this over and done with as soon as possible.

"Efficient as always, eh Rikkard? Though I am curious as to where Mr Linton is this evening?"

"None of your business."

"I understand that you and your little team have recently returned from South America. You were gone for quite a long time. I trust it was a successful trip?"

"Adequate." I was sure that Dalgliesh didn't know about the hoard of gold treasure that we had returned from that expedition with, so what was he up to?

"Whilst you were away there really were an extraordinary number of balls and social events you know. I attended quite a few of them myself. They're so useful for making and renewing business contacts don't you think?"

Dalgliesh took a sip of his scotch and looked at me. He may have been expecting an answer but I wasn't going to waste unnecessary words on him.

"Hmm ... no?" he raised an eyebrow at me before continuing. "Well the thing is, I've always been fascinated by who does and doesn't show up at these occasions. At a few of the events I attended I happened to see the Linton sisters there with their overly ambitious Aunt ..."

I was keeping a tight grip of my sword-cane even though I was seated. I slid my left hand down it a little lower so that it was below the level of the table. I had a feeling my little finger might be feeling quite active very soon.

"... At the first ball I noticed that Miss Lillian was not with her sisters. I assumed that she was ill as I know Mrs Brank is so ... what's the word? Insistent! Yes, insistent that all of her nieces attend as many social gatherings as possible."

Yes, there it goes. Little finger, left hand twitching away. Such an annoying traitor to the rest of my body. I had never really been that aware of it until Mr Linton started taking such joy in mocking this give away sign of my inner anger or turmoil. I really had to work on trying to control the rogue digit for future situations.

"But then she didn't attend the second or the third. On the fourth occasion, at Lady Bartholomew's Ball, my curiosity really was starting to get the better of me."

I didn't like where this was going. I hated him talking about her ... Lillian ... my little Ifrit. I could sense Karim bristling with agitation behind me too. Dalgliesh continued with a smug, superior look upon his face, whilst mine betrayed no emotions.

"So, do you know what? I decided that it was time to reacquaint myself with the Linton sisters. I thought the youngest sister would be my best bet as she is closest to dear Lillian and always seems like such a timid young thing."

I saw his eyes narrow a little. He was getting a perverse pleasure from this and I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of getting a reaction from me.

"Well sadly fate conspired against me and I never had the opportunity to dance or converse with Miss Ella. I had to make do with one of the twins instead - I'm not sure which one. Delightful creatures as they are, they are nowhere near as intriguing as the lovely Lillian. The strangest thing is, she didn't really seem to know where her sister was. She was very ... evasive and didn't seem to want to talk about dear Lilly at all. Don't you think that's rather strange?"

Dalgliesh inclined his head slightly, waiting to see what my reaction would be. He would have a very long wait.

Having met Mr Linton's twin sisters and having heard her talk about them on a few occasions, I wasn't unduly worried. Both Anne and Maria could be very spiteful towards my Lillian and I didn't like them at all. They were vain, selfish women who were just like the vast majority of the harpees at those events.

I was however relieved that he hadn't interrogated Lillian's favourite sister Ella, whom she adores. She's a shy and quiet soul who may easily have broken under Dalgliesh's inquisition. Plus, my little Ifrit would have erupted like Vesuvius if she had found out that her little sister had been in his clutches.

Bored with waiting for a reaction, Dalgliesh continued with his tale after taking another swig of his scotch.

"Well now my curiosity was really piqued, so I took a few moments to think. Do you know what I decided to do? No? Well I decided to skip the other sisters and try the Aunt instead."

Dammit! Now I was worried. That infernal woman couldn't keep her saucebox shut if her life depended on it, especially in the company of money and titles. Well Lillian's life could depend upon it. My little finger started tapping even quicker against my cane.

"Mrs Brank is not the subtlest of women is she? A fully fledged 'church-bell' with a longing for money and status. I knew that she would be delighted if the richest man in the British Empire enquired as to the health of her niece."

I had to try really, really hard not to react at Dalgliesh's assertion that he was the richest man in the British Empire. With what I had returned from South America with, I had comfortably pulled away from him in the 'Battle of the Bank Balances'. He didn't know it, but I did and it gave me a huge feeling of satisfaction. I heard a strangled cough from Karim's throat - he obviously had similar feelings.

"The Aunt, as expected, was only too pleased to enter into a conversation with yours truly. Annoyingly though she seemed to want to highlight the virtues of her attending nieces rather than discuss the suspiciously absent one. Despite assuring her that I had wholly honourable intentions towards Miss Lillian, she too was rather evasive as to her whereabouts, muttering something about arrangements with her husband Mr Brank. It's all very, very ... intriguing."

"A fascinating tale, but I have no interest in the comings and goings of society balls. I think it's time I left."

Dalgliesh sat up straight from his relaxed position and finished his glass of scotch. The look on his face told me he wasn't finished. He leaned towards me slightly and smiled - the sly smile of a snake that shouldn't be trusted.

"Not yet surely old friend? I haven't finished my tale - the part that really interests me. Well, just a couple of days after your little party arrived back on British soil, I was attending a ball over at Michaelson Hall. I couldn't stay all evening, but imagine my surprise when the Linton sisters arrived, including the formerly reclusive Miss Lillian! I was there to take care of a little business, but decided to observe the young lady for a few minutes. I'm not sure where she had been, but she was looking exceptionally tanned for an English girl."

The tapping of my little finger stepped up another level. I really wanted to introduce his nose to my fist. Every time he said Lillian's name I wanted to grab his throat and squeeze until his face was as blue as his sneering eyes. It was getting harder to contain my fury, but I couldn't let him see that I had any feelings towards Miss Lillian Linton, no matter how hard it was.

"She was glowing ... really quite radiant. I have to confess that I was so captured by her beauty that I very nearly decided to fully participate in the ball and forget about business. You don't know how tempted I was to take the chocolate-eyed beauty into my arms and whisk her around the dance floor."

Bastard!

"Maybe even ask the Aunt's permission to court and marry her niece. I doubt she would have objected."

Bastard! Beardsplitter! Rantallion!

"However, as I observed her with her younger sister, I got the impression that cupid may have already paid Miss Lillian a visit. Whilst secreting myself amongst a group of young businessmen, I tried to eavesdrop on the sisters' conversation. Shameful I know, but my curiosity simply got the better of me."

Curiosity killed the cat, I thought. Why can't you be so obliging?!

"I couldn't hear all of it, but Miss Ella seemed to be grilling her sister about a mystery man in her life. Lillian looked quite flushed - always the sign of a lady whose heart has been stolen I think. I caught a few odd words from the younger Linton sister: tall, dark, quiet and mysterious, granite face, oh and what was it? Oh yes! His eyes. Eyes like a stormy sea. Very poetic.

I must say I found it all quite fascinating. Then that annoying Aunt made an appearance, berating her poor nieces for their lack of time on the dance floor trying to win the heart of a rich bachelor. I guess she has no idea that one of them has already given her heart away. After that I slipped out of the ballroom to attend to business. Sadly, I didn't make it back in time to request the pleasure of the last dance with Miss Lillian Linton."

I couldn't stand this any more. I was in serious danger of causing a very public scene - most unlike me. I had to get out of here before I let my fists and Karim's sabre loose on the face of Lord Daniel Eugene Dalgliesh.

"As fascinating as 'Story Corner with Lord Dalgliesh' has been, I am a very busy man and have much business to attend to." I rose from my chair prompting Karim to move and stand guard at my side.

"Of course old friend, I understand. I too have many business matters to deal with." he stood up. "I've enjoyed our little catch up."

As I was about to turn and leave, Dalgliesh leaned towards my face, all polite expressions gone and that arrogant, dangerous sneer was present. Karim put his hand on his sabre and seemed to grow by almost a foot as he readied himself for any confrontation. Dalgliesh's voice was now quieter, menacing and full of ... well ... evil.

"Remember one of our previous little chats Rikkard? Remember what I said I'd do if you ever became emotionally attached to a woman? Remember how I promised to break you and take her from you in any way I see fit?"

I upped the ice setting of my stare to 'freeze the bowels of hell'.

"I know something is going on somewhere and I'm sure it's with the Linton girl. You don't dance with anyone out of choice at a ball. You made a big mistake that night at Lady Metcalfe's."

"And you made a big mistake by making ridiculous assumptions. I was merely being polite to a relative of my secretary. I think you have spent too much time in the company of hysterical females who are obsessed with romantic stories. Business comes first. I have no inclination to complicate my life with such frivolities."

I was relieved that I managed to keep my voice calm with just a hint of menace. Dalgliesh though, he looked like he was really struggling to stop the public mask falling away completely.

"Seriously Ambrose - what kind of fool do you take me for? You forget that I know you. Something ... something is going on somewhere - your micro facial spasms tell me that much. Whoever she is, wherever she is, I will find out and fulfil my promise. I will take her from you one way or another. What's yours will be mine!"

Karim let out a low growl to alert Dalgliesh that he was ready to strike at a milliseconds notice. As if someone had flicked a switch, his charming gentleman mask was back on his face.

"Thank you for meeting me Mr Ambrose. Sure I can't persuade you to stay for a drink?

I shook my head very slightly. Dalgliesh signalled to the barman.

"Walter, another of your divine scotch whiskeys over here if you please. Oh, and one for yourself my good man."

"Of course your lordship. Thank you, you are a most generous patron!" Walter gushed.

"Goodnight Lord Dalgliesh. I have business that requires my attention."

With that statement I turned 180 degrees and marched out of The King's Arms with Karim close behind. He glare at Dalgliesh's two men on the way out, warning them to stay put.

As the cool night air hit me, the volcano of anger inside me was bubbling dangerously, threatening to erupt at any moment. I stood outside the tavern for a few minutes to try and quell the lava pit. Karim stood across the doorway to prevent anyone else from leaving.

I paced four steps to my left and then back to the right. Then I did it again. Aaarghh! Pacing is such a wasteful activity, pull yourself together Ambrose!!

I turned to face Karim and then punched a hole in the wooden brewery sign to the left of the tavern door. Damn it felt good! Karim's eyes widened with shock.

"Sahib, come. It's time we left this place." I nodded to my faithful bodyguard and we both got into my chaise. Karim gee'd up the horse and we left Battersea.

Whilst the volcano inside of me had subsided a little, my brain was working quadruple overtime running over everything that had happened and Dalgliesh's threats at the end. Then my inner eye was flooded with an image ... no, a face. Her face. The brown hair, tanned skin, chocolate eyes and luscious lips of Miss Lillian Linton. My little Ifrit.

She was rather annoyed with me at the moment, that's why I had let her finish early today so that she could help her friend Patsy celebrate her birthday. Ever since we had returned from South America (and even on the journey home) I had tried to put some distance between us. Things got very, very heated in the jungle. Spending every hour of every day with her - many of those with her wearing only a chemise - had tested my resolve to the max. I came so close to losing complete control that it scared me.

I am Rikkard Ambrose. I do not lose control. I am the master of control with no emotions. But she ... she does things to my mind and body that I cannot explain. Some days it felt as though I was falling into a huge pool of warm, molten chocolate and drowning with a smile on my face. A smile?! Preposterous!

I had tried to limit our face-to-face interaction whilst in the office and taken her to only a handful of business meetings. But it was getting harder as each day passed. I craved her cheeky banter and throwaway insults. I so wanted to hold her in my arms and bury my nose into her hair, inhaling her divine scent. To kiss those lips as I had in the jungle.

But now this. Dalgliesh was getting seriously suspicious and that worried me immensely. I had to keep Lillian safe and make sure she was never, ever in the same place as Dalgliesh again. How was I going to manage that with a feisty female who craved independence; who wanted to show the world she was as strong and capable as any man and loathed all things masculine and (in her words) chauvinistic?

Suddenly a horrible thought crossed my mind. Why had Dalgliesh chosen tonight? It was one of the few evenings I had let my secretary leave my employ early. Did he know? Was he watching Mr Linton? Had he sent some of his goons to snatch Lillian whilst he was playing his little game in the Battersea tavern?

"Karim! Stop!" Immediately Karim yanked the reins and the chaise came to a halt.

"Sahib? What's wrong?"

We were next to Hyde Park. My legs felt like they needed a walk to burn off some of the nervous energy building inside me. I was tempted.

"Sahib - you are worried about the Ifrit aren't you?"

I looked at Karim and nodded slightly. He knew me well and he had been witness - often against his will - to how close Lillian I became in South America.

"Karim, what if tonight was a ploy to get us out of the way? What if he knew that I'd let her leave early? What ... what if ..."

"Sahib, if he had her in his clutches, I don't think he would have been able to resist taunting you with it."

"Possibly. I'm not 100% sure though. Do we know where her friend Patsy lives?" I checked my pocket watch: 8.48pm. "Would her birthday celebration still be taking place at this hour?"

"Sahib, I have all the Ifrit's friends' addresses in a notebook in my desk drawer. Do you want to go to Empire house to collect it?"

"Karim, I cannot wait until Monday morning to know if she is OK."

"I understand Sahib. We will retrieve the notebook. If they are not at this Patsy's house, we can check the other addresses."

"Adequate. Thank you Karim."

My faithful Mohammedan bowed to me and spurred the horse into action once again. We weren't far from Leadenhall Street so we had Karim's notebook in no time. About 10 minutes later we were approaching Green Park, so I knew we didn't have far to go.

"Karim, Mr Linton's house is just around the corner. Let's go past and see if there is any light from her bedroom window before we try the friend's house."

"Yes Sahib. Shall we also check for anyone watching the house?"

"Excellent idea. From tomorrow morning I want at least four of my men to keep a visual guard on the Linton home, 24 hours a day."

"Of course Sahib. Here is the house."

We both looked carefully at the surrounding area from the chaise. We could see no obvious signs of anyone watching the front of the house. Some light seeped through a crack in the downstairs curtains so someone was home.

"Let's check the back."

"Yes Sahib."

There was no light from Lilly's bedroom window. I understood that her sister Ella was also going to attend their friend's birthday, so no-one was there as it was surely too early for bedtime.

"Karim, I think we should check the garden whilst we are here. You check around the bushes and trees and I'll check the shed where she hides her work clothes."

"Right away Sahib."

To my enormous relief I found nothing untoward in the shed, although I couldn't resist inhaling her scent from her work tailcoat before leaving. Karim didn't find anything either so we crept back to the chaise at set off for Patsy's house.

The house was conveniently on a hill, giving us the perfect chance to watch it from the chaise. There certainly seemed to be a party still going on. Not a big one, but it sounded like the people inside were enjoying themselves. What a waste of time, money and energy.

We watched for about 8 minutes, trying to figure out if any of the figures and silhouettes we saw pass the various downstairs windows belonged to Lilly. Then the door burst open and five female figures ran out of the house. The first one was a sight for sore eyes.

There she was - my Lillian. Full of life and mischief with a wicked smile on her face. She appeared to be being chased by the other females. I recognised one as her younger sister. The largest of the women was trying to catch Lilly who held something above her head whilst running around the garden, dodging bushes and rosebeds. The other three slumped onto the lawn, consumed with laughter.

"God dammit Linton! That solid chocolate was a birthday present! Give it back now!" Lilly's pursuer shouted, Ah, that must be Patsy.

"Got to catch me first! You know I can't be trusted in the presence of the only useful creation a man has ever invented!"

"I swear I will sit on you so hard that you'll look like a gingerbread man ... er, woman!!"

"Oh Lilly! You're in real trouble now!" laughed Ella as Lilly leapt over a small rosebush.

"I bet I can run a complete circuit of your huge garden and you won't be able to catch me! If you don't, you have to give me some of your chocolate!"

"What?!" bellowed Patsy.

"Come on, you got loads for your birthday ..."

"It's a good job I see you as a chuckaboo you ... you ... hellfire creature! What was it called again?"

"Ifrit. I'm a fiery Ifrit with 12ft flaming wings and don't you forget it! Now come on fustilugs - catch me!" With that, Lilly sprinted off around the garden.

"Fustilugs?! You ... you ... Ifrit! Come here!" and Patsy chased after her.

Watching her playing about with her friends was something I had never seen before. It set off a warm glow in my chest and stomach. She looked carefree and utterly divine. I loved how she had embraced the Ifrit tag which Karim had initially used as an insult. But even he smiled when we heard her proudly proclaim her Ifrit status to her friends and little sister.

I could sit and watch her all night. It was, for me, a truly memorable moment and I wished I had an artist present to paint it for posterity. That laugh - we could hear it even when the chase took them out of sight around the rear of the house. I also wished that there was a way to record that for posterity too. It was like music to my soul and I vowed to myself that one day I would make her laugh like that. I wanted to be able to make her that happy.

Aarghh! But that bought images of Dalgliesh back into my head. If I truly wanted to (and I think I truly wanted to), would I be able to make a life for myself with this incredible but frustrating woman? Would I be able to make her happy beyond anything physical? And could I keep her safe and out of his clutches?

At that moment Lilly sprinted back into view, still holding the chocolate bar. She raised her arms in triumph as she reached the three seated females. About a minute later, Patsy huffed and puffed her way into view. Lilly flopped onto the grass next to her sister with a smile as wide as the Thames on her face.

"Victory is mine I believe!" she proclaimed.

"OK ... you ... win ..." Patsy tried to say between huge gulps of air, "... chocolate ... is too ... good ... to stay ... encased in ... paper ... anyway. Let's ... eat it ... all of us!"

"Wooo! Chocolate time!" yelled Lilly, and the next thing I saw was the other girls dive on top of her after the chocolate. Lucky girls - that was what immediately popped into my stressed out brain!

Bad Ambrose! Control yourself.

"Come on Karim. All is obviously well and good here." He turned and looked at me with a satisfied look on his face. I almost thought I saw a grin under that mountainous beard. "Let's get back to Empire House. We have to review the security procedures and make some plans."

"Yes Sahib."

Then I suddenly knew what I had to do to apologise to my secretary for trying to be so distant towards her.

"Oh, and can you acquire some solid chocolate before the office opens on Monday?"

* * * *

I was now wide awake and couldn't bear lying idly in bed. My breathing and heart rate were slowly returning to normal after pleasant memories of 'Lilly and the Great Chocolate Chase' had washed over me.

As the sweat had dried though, I started to feel chilly and I needed a drink. I climbed out of bed and put my trousers on followed by my shirt but I didn't button it up. I made my way to my small but perfectly functional kitchen. As I did, I saw the silhouette of a man in the semi-darkness. It's a good job he was wearing a turban or I would have unleashed my fury.

"Karim - what are you doing here at this hour?"

"Sahib!" He went to stand up from the plain kitchen chair, but I motioned for him to stay seated. As I crossed the kitchen to get a glass of water, I found myself illuminated by moonlight.

"Would you like a glass of water?"

"Yes, thank you Sahib." He looked at me as I was in the lunar spotlight. "You've had another one haven't you Sahib? A bad one by the looks of it."

I placed two glasses of water onto the small table and sat on the chair opposite Karim, I looked at him and nodded.

"Sahib, I'm worried about you. That's why I came tonight - to check on your sleep."

"I don't need a babysitter Karim!" I snapped.

"I ... I ... sorry Sahib."

I took a long drink of water and closed my eyes. Then I looked Karim in the eye.

"I'm sorry. I ... I shouldn't have snapped. It's the lack of sleep."

"I know."

"I haven't had a full night's sleep since that meeting. The nightmares are getting more intense and so ... so ... realistic. Tonight I woke and truly believed she was dead."

"Sahib, in all the years I've known you, I've never seen you like this. Maybe ... what about consulting a doctor?"

"Absolutely not! What if word got back to him that Rikkard Ambrose was plagued with nightmares and couldn't sleep? He'd be doing a victory dance down The Mall!"

"Sorry Sahib! It's a good thing you are a strong man. Anyone else would have succumbed to alcohol or frequented an opium den by now."

"Maybe. Have you increased the undercover protection detail keeping watch on Miss Linton?"

"Of course Sahib." he took a mouthful of his water. "Oh, and the shopkeeper at the confectioners where she buys her chocolate is also now one of our men. That way Dalgliesh will not be able to attempt to drug or poison her sweet tooth."

"Excellent work Karim."

"Sahib ..." suddenly he looked a little wary, "... can I speak freely to you about something?"

I was intrigued and nodded an affirmative. He took a deep, calming breath before proceeding.

"Why don't you tell the Ifrit about the meeting with Dalgliesh ..."

"No!" I interrupted him swiftly.

"Sahib, I am not the only one who has noticed how tired you are during the day, and how much shorter your temper is. I hate to admit it, but she's not stupid."

"I know Karim, but I cannot burden her with this. I don't want two of us having nightmares and sleepless nights. I need someone to keep on top of the paperwork."

"But I think she'd surprise you. She coped well with being captured three times in the jungle and it still annoys me that she saved us - twice!"

"She certainly surprised me that first time when she rescued me from the Brazilians! But this is different. It's personal. Very personal. And Dalgliesh is way more dangerous than an army of Brazilians."

"But if she were aware of the threat, she would be more vigilant, and ... and ..."

"Go on ... I'm listening."

"Thank you Sahib. I don't wish to speak out of turn, but sometimes it's easier to protect someone if you keep them closer to you rather than trying to push them away. If Dalgliesh is suspicious, then keeping her nearer could keep her safer too." He almost looked as though he was blushing and maybe a little nervous of how I would respond. After 24 seconds of silence, I decided to put him out of his misery.

"I have thought of that. I would like nothing more than to have her in my sight 24 hours a day. I have spent numerous sleepless hours trying to weigh up all the options. Dammit, if I followed my gut I'd make a bedroom here for her at Empire House so she never had to leave. I hate the thought of her travelling between here and her uncle's house. I can't concentrate fully until she arrives in a morning or until I get the report that she's arrived home safely."

"I know Sahib."

"Being opposite East India House doesn't help. Why the hell did I choose this location?"

"You wanted to keep an eye on Dalgliesh Sahib."

"Yes ... it seems that two can play that game though. You know I even considered making her work weekends because I'm worried that we won't be able to protect her, not knowing exactly what she will be doing."

"That certainly would unleash the fiery Ifrit, Sahib!"

I gave Karim a knowing look. Although to outsiders it might appear that he disliked my personal secretary, he understood that she was important to me. His animosity had thawed and now it was almost like a well rehearsed routine of not-too-seriously-intended insults and her winding him up. He had grown fond of her in a strange sort of way.

"Do you ..."

"Yes Sahib?"

"Erm ..."

"It's OK Sahib. You can ask me anything. My lips stay sealed."

"I know. You're a good and loyal man Karim. Do ... do you think she's worried about me?"

"Yes Sahib, but angry too. The solid chocolate was a start but I still detect ... hostility."

"Maybe I should just buy her a chocolate factory!"

"Talk to her Sahib. I still think you should tell her about Dalgliesh. If she finds out later or from someone else ..."

"All hell will break loose. Yes, I had considered that."

"Of course you have Sahib. I apologise."

"No need for apologies. I am not used to needing someone else's advice. It's ... a strange feeling."

"I understand Sahib."

"I'll think about it ... I mean I'll think about it some more. If I could just get some quality sleep then I could think a lot clearer."

"Maybe you need a bit of a distraction?"

"What? Well ... go on."

"Really Sahib? I don't want to speak out of turn."

"Karim, there are only two people in this world, other than myself, that I trust completely ... and they ... they were both with me in the South American jungle."

"I ... er ... Sahib ... I am truly honoured ..."

"Well it would be a pretty sorry state of affairs if I couldn't trust my own bodyguard wouldn't it?"

"I guess so." There were a few moments of silence and Karim tried to suppress a small grin behind his beard.

"So, what were you thinking about?" I prompted him to save him the embarrassment of me seeing his attempts to hide his grin.

"Remember the first day that we met the Ifrit?"

"Not a day I'm ever likely to forget quite frankly!"

"What were we doing?"

"We were meeting that muntz-watcher of an estate agent about purchasing Wilding Park." I felt my body tense as I remembered how that worm had tried to deceive me.

"And why were you interested in buying it?"

"Are you interviewing me?!"

"A thousand apologies Sahib. Please, bear with me."

"Hmm ... go on"

"Thank you Sahib. Why were you planning on buying Wilding Park?"

"Because I wanted a country base to conduct business negotiations in. I will never understand why so many men are put off by Empire House."

"Nor I Sahib. Maybe it's time to start searching for a property again? A project to use up some of the energy that is being converted to worry."

I took a moment to consider my bodyguard's words. He might actually have had a really good idea. True, it would mean parting with some money, but I had budgeted for a property previously so it wasn't really an unexpected expense. Plus, I could get Mr Linton involved too and try to start getting back into her good books.

"Karim ..."

"Yes Sahib?"

"When did you get so wise? That's my job!" I felt the corner of my mouth raise a little as I looked at him. He blushed.

"I have an excellent tutor."

"Adequate"

"Maybe a few business trips with the Ifrit in tow would also help to ease your worries a little - with a full security detail of course."

"Karim, you have given me a lot to think about. You truly are a valuable employee, maybe ... well ... maybe even a good friend too."

"Sahib, you don't know what an honour it is to hear those words come from you."

"I ... I'd forgotten what it feels like to have a friend. I have enjoyed our chat, despite the circumstances."

"Me too Sahib."

"Don't get used to it though. As soon as my sleep is back on track, don't expect me to be so ... talkative!"

"Of course not Sahib. I would trust you with my life. You gave me my life back. I will do anything I can to help you Sahib, even if it involves the fiery Ifrit from hell!"

"Indeed." I finished my glass of water and let out a long sigh. "Tonight's nightmare was so realistic. I'm still worried that she's dead. How crazy does that sound?"

"Do you want me to get one of the men to check on her?"

"I'd rather see her with my own eyes. Does that sound creepy at ..." I checked my pocket watch, "3.26am?"

Of course it does! - my subconscious cried out.

"Not at all Sahib. I happen to know that the Ifrit has a ladder at her bedroom window that she uses to sneak out sometimes."

"How convenient ..."

"Shall I get the chaise ready Sahib?"

"Please Karim. I'll take a shower and get dressed. I'll meet you in the rear courtyard in 15 minutes."

"Yes Sahib!"

* * * *

Fifteen minutes later we emerged from the rear exit of Empire House. The streets were silent - just how I like them. I was off to stalk my secretary at a ridiculous time of the morning. Perfectly normal I kept telling myself. I was tired but my shower had been refreshing and had fully woken me up. Despite our lengthy conversation not so long ago, Karim and I travelled in an easy silence.

Ten minutes later we were outside the house of Mr & Mrs Brank - home to Miss Lillian Linton. Karim left briefly to inform the 24 hour security watch of my presence and not to panic at the figure about to ascend the ladder to Miss Linton's bedroom.

"All sorted Sahib. Do you wish for me to hold the ladder?"

"I think I can manage, but keep watch just in case there are any very early risers."

"Yes Sahib."

So here I was, Rikkard Ambrose; business magnate and richest man in the British Empire, climbing a ladder at 3.45am to spy on my female-dressed-as-a-male secretary, to make sure Dalgliesh or my nightmare hadn't killed her. My life had seen some truly bizarre things, but this was something else!

I stopped half way suddenly remembering that Lillian shared a room with Ella. I could only hope and pray that both sisters were sound asleep. I'm not sure how I would cope with, or explain a hysterical female at this time of the morning! I nearly asked Karim if he knew which bed Lillian would be in, but I stopped wasting valuable seconds and finished my ascent to the bedroom window.

Helpfully, the sash window was open about 14 inches on this warm night - enough to poke my head through rather than pressing my face against the glass. OK ... here goes. Please let there be two sleeping Lintons and no hysterical females.

I carefully and slowly slid my head through the gap. Once again the almost full moon came to my aid. I could see two beds with two slumbering forms in them. The furthest one had her back to me. I looked at the one nearest the window. She was facing this direction, curled up on her left hand side. The moonlight shone on dark brown hair and a very familiar pair of lips.

She was indeed alive - my Sleeping Beauty.

I watched the blankets rise and fall as she breathed. Ah, such a joyous sign of life! It took all of my willpower not to shuffle my body through the open window, hop onto her bed and cuddle up beside her. She looked so peaceful and not at all like a fiery Ifrit. Something stirred deep in my soul. How could I keep this perfect creature safe from the devil on earth? I wasn't sure yet, but at that moment I knew I'd lay down my own life to do it.

"Goodnight Sleeping Beauty. I'll see you on Monday morning." I whispered and blew her a kiss. Gah! What the hell was happening to me?!

Reluctantly I pulled myself away from Lilly's window and made my way down the ladder to the waiting Karim.

"All is well Sahib?"

"Absolutely."

We started to head back towards the chaise. Just before we set off back to Empire House, I spoke to my trusted bodyguard and confidante.

"Thank you for tonight Karim. You've given me a lot to think about and it's time to start making plans and looking for a country property. I will go to war with Dalgliesh if I have to. I will protect what's mine, come hell or high water."

"Yes Sahib." he nodded at me. With a satisfied look on his face he gee'd up the horse and we headed home.

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Author's Note:

Wow! That was a long one! I hadn't planned for it to be quite so long, but it just sort of evolved that way. The next two or three chapters aren't as long, but they are by no means short either.

So, am I forgiven? I didn't really kill Lilly off after all! Our favourite Ifrit is still alive & kicking, ready to keep Mr Ambrose in check. The next chapter is in Lilly's POV and involves her feminist friends.

Here are the definitions of a few Victorian slang terms found in this chapter. I hope this info is useful to you all.

Saucebox = slang term for the mouth

Church-bell = a talkative woman

Beardsplitter = an insult; penis or dick

Rantallion = 'one whose scrotum is longer than his penis'!!! (Urgh!)

Chuckaboo = a nickname for a close friend

Fustilugs = a teasing expression for an overweight person

Muntz-watcher = a con artist

Thanks for reading and hopefully I can get chapter 3 uploaded in the next 24 hours.

All the best,

JP x