One

William saw the girl by the riverside, he fell instantly in love.

It wasn't her beauty.

With her golden hair and beautiful face she was certainly attractive but he'd seen women far more beautiful in the ballrooms in Silicon Valley of America.

It wasn't her intelligence. He had no reason to believe that she was stupid, but as he hadn't shared two words with her, he couldn't vouch for her intellect either.

It certainly wasn't her grace.

His first glimpse of her came as she flailed her arms and slipped off a wet rock.

She landed on another rock with a loud thump followed by an equally loud Oh bother as she stood and rubbed her sore backside.

He couldn't put his finger on it. All he knew was that she was perfect.

He moved forward keeping himself hidden in the trees.

She was in the process of stepping from one stone to another,and any fool could see that she was going to slip use the atone she was stepping onto was slick with moss and Splash!Oh dear!William couldn't help but grin as she ignominiously hauled herself to the shore.

The hem of her dress had been ruined.

He leaned forward, noticing that her slippers were sitting in the sun, presumably where she'd left them before hopping from stone to stone. Smart girl, he thought approvingly.

She sat down on the grassy bank and began to wring out her dress offering William a delicious view of her bare calves.

Where had she stashed her stockings, he wondered.

And then, as if guided by that sixth sense only females seemed to possess, she

jerked her head up sharply and looked about.

William?She called out.William!

I know you're there.

William froze, certain that he'd never met her before, certain they'd never been introduced, and even more certain that even if they had, she'd not be calling him

by his given name.

William," she said, fairly yelling at him now. I insist you show yourself. He stepped forward. As you wish, my lady. He said this with a courtly ow. Her mouth fell open. She blinked and scrambled to her feet. Then she must

have realized that she was still holding the hem of her dress in her hands, baring her knees for all the world to see. She dropped the dress. Who he devil are you? He offered her his best-lopsided smile.William.You are not William, she spluttered.

I beg to differ with you, he said, not even trying to contain his amusement. Well, you're not my William. An unexpected surge of jealousy raced through him. And who is your William? He's…I fail to see how that is your concern.

William cocked his head, pretending to give he matter temple thought. One might be able to broach the argument that since this is my land and your skirts are soaked with water from my pond, then it is indeed my concern.

The color drained from her face. "Oh, dear Lord, you're not his lordship."He grinned. "I'm his lordship."But, but his lordship is supposed to be old!" She looked most perplexed and

rather distraught.

"Ah. I see our problem. I'm his lordship's son. The other his lordship. And you

are…?"In big trouble," she blurted out.

He took her hand, which she had not held out to him, and bowed over it. I am

extremely honored to make your acquaintance, Miss Trouble."

She giggled. "My name is Miss Big Trouble if you please."

If William had any doubts about the perfection of the woman standing before him,they melted away under the force of her smile and obvious sense of humor.Very well, he said. Miss Big Trouble. I shouldn't want to be impolite and deprive you of your full name. He tugged on her hand and led her back to the bank. Come, let us sit a while. She appeared hesitant. My mother, bless her soul, passed on two years ago, but I have a feeling she would have told me that this is a most inadvisable idea.

You look as if you might be something of a rake.

This aught his attention. And have you met many rakes? No, of course not. But if I were to meet one, I should think he would look rather like you. And why is that?She quirked her lips in a rather knowing expression. Come now, are you looking for compliments, my lord? Absolutely. He smiled over at her, sat down, and patted the ground next to him.There is no need to worry. My reputation is not so very black. More of charcoal. She giggled again, causing William to feel as if he must be King of the Valley. My name Is Miss Sarah she said, sitting beside him. He leaned back, resting on his elbows. Miss Big Trouble Sarah, I presume? My father certainly thinks so, she replied pertly. Then her face fell. I really should go.If he caught me here with you…Nonsense, William said, suddenly desperate to keep her there beside him. There is no one about.

She sat back, her manner still some what hesitant. After a long pause she finally, said, Is your name truly William?

Truly.

"I imagine the son of a Billionaire would have a long list of names. I'm afraid so.

She sighed dramatically. Poor me.I have but two.

"And they are? She looked side ways at him, the expression in her eyes most definitely flirtatious. William's heart soared.Sarah," she replied. And you?If I may be so bold as to ask. You may. William Arthur.You forgot your title, she reminded him. leaned toward her and whispered, I didn't want to scare you. Oh, I'm not that easily frightened Very well.Billionaire, but it's only a courtesy title. Ah, yes, Sarah said. You don't get a real title until your father dies.

Aristocrats are an odd lot.

He raised his brows. Such sentiments could probably still get one arrested in

some parts of the country. Oh, but not here, she said with a sly smile. Not on your land, by your lake.No," he said, staring into too her blue eyes and finding heaven. Certainly not here. Sarah appeared not to know how to react to the pure hunger in his gaze, and she looked away. There was a full minute of silence before William spoke again. Sarah. Hmmm. He cocked his head in thought. Why is that name so familiar? Dad is the new Carpenter of the field, Sarah replied. Perhaps your father

mentioned him. William's father, the Billionaire of Valley,, was obsessed with his title and his

lands, and frequently lectured his son on the importance of both. William did not doubt that the new Carpenter's arrival had been mentioned as a part of one of the silicon Valley daily sermons. He also did not doubt that he hadn't been listening.

He leaned toward Sarah interested .And do you enjoy life here in the the the field? Oh,yes. We were in Leeds before this. I do miss my friends, but it's much love lier in the country.

He paused. Tell me, who is your mysterious William? She cocked her head. Are you truly interested? Truly. He covered her small hand with his. I should like to know his name

since it appears I may have to do him bodily harm if he ever again attempts to meet you alone in the woods. Oh, stop." She laughed. Don't be silly. William lifted her hand to his lips and placed a fervent kiss on the inside of her wrist. I'm deadly serious. Sarah made a feeble attempt to pull her hand back, but her heart wasn't in it. There was something about the way this young lord was staring at her, his eyes flashing with an intensity that scared and excited her. It was William, And does he have designs on you?He murmured.

William is eight years old. We were to go fishing. I suppose e bowed out. He did say that his mother might have some chores for him to do.

William suddenly laughed.I am beyond relieved, Miss Sarah. I detest jealousy. It's a most unpleasant emotion.I can't imagine what it is you would feel jealous about, Sarah

stammered. You have made no promises to me.But I intend to.And I have made known to you, she said, her tone finally growing firm.

"A situation I will have to rectify,he said with a sigh.He lifted her hand again, this time kissing her knuckles. For example,I should very much like your promise that you will never even so much as looking at another man. I don't t know what you're talking about,Sarah said, utterly bewildered.I shouldn't like to share you up lord! We have only just met! William turned to her, the levity leaving his eyes with astounding swiftness. I know in my brain that I only just laid eyes on you ten minutes ago, but my heart has known you all my life. And my soul even longer. I don't know what to say. Don't say anything. Just sit here beside me and enjoy the sunshine.

And so they sat on the grassy bank, staring at the clouds and the water and each other. They were silent for several minutes until William's eyes focused on something in the distance, and he suddenly jumped to his feet."Don't move, he ordered, a silly grin stealing the sternness from his voice.

"Don't move an inch.

"But—"

"Not an inch!" he called over his shoulder, dashing across the clearing.

William! Sarah protested, completely forgetting that she should be calling him "my lord.

"I'm almost done!

Sarah craned her neck, trying to make out what he was doing. He'd run off to a spot behind the trees, and all she could see was that he was bending down.She looked at her wrist, almost surprised to see that it wasn't burning red where

he had kissed her. She had felt that kiss through out her entire body. Here we are. William emerged from the forest and swept into a courtly bow, a small bouquet of wild violets in his right hand. For my lady. Thank you, Sarah whispered, feeling tears sting her eyes. She felt unbelievably moved as if this man had the power to carry her across the world across the universe. He released all but one of the violets into her hand. This is the real reason I picked them, he murmured, tucking the last flower behind her ear.There.Now you are perfect.