The house really doesn't look that special, Delilah thought as their carriage pulled up at Roland's uncles house. The Swensens house was fancier.

"They are building a new house." Roland told the girls, Madolyn Coates smiled, to her the house probably looked nice, but then she had probably never been to Olys house.

Julius Orphington, the hier of the Orphington estates, and the host of the small party, was handsome, and had the prettiest green eyes. But there was no way Delilah was going to pay him any more attention then she was Todd Landers who was moping in the corner.

She had Josiah Martin, and maybe he wasn't that rich but he was devoted. Paul Amberly was here too, and she wondered if they would fight over her, then there was Alexander Timberlane.

Julius was immediately attracted to Delilah, but Delilah pretended she was more interested in the very silver ornate chandelier them Julius.

Todd was asking for a dance, but then Roland had the sense to introduce Delilah to Julius, and Delilah found him very much to her liking he had something the local boys lacked.

"Ah Delilah dear, where have you been all my life, you must fill your dance card with my name," Julius said smiling.

Delilah smiled too, she hadn't thought she would be attracted to some snobby English Lord's son but here she was, and he was very sweet.

If looks could kill however she would be dead, girls were giving her dirty looks. Roland and Amelia quickly disappeared into the withdrawing room to visit with Roland's mothers sister leaving the teenagers to their own devices.

Poor Todd looked as if someone had ripped out his heart, as Delilah who he swore to win, and who Lewis his father had plotted with him to win, danced with Julius.

She could not believe Alex had brought his cousin Keith with him, he dressed and smelled like a stable boy.

Keith had stepped on Madolyn's feet when she gave him a pity dance. Delilah was glad when he left, he was an embarrassment of Amberly. Delilah would give Alexander what for when she got a chance for bringing the oaf.

Paul Amberly however was not going to let Delilah ruin his fun, he immediately started chatting up Julius's sister Helene.

Delilah was glad, she liked Paul, but she had decided they were too much a like, he had too many female admirers. And he was handsome but would probably turn out like his brother kind of ordinary looking as an adult.

Delilah was surprised when Madolyn started dancing with Alexander, but maybe Madolyn had decided that Alex needed a diversion and she was a good enough friend to do that for Delilah. Alexander had always liked Madolyn but Delilah had won his heart, but Madoyln was sweeter, and more like his mother.

Todd was dancing with some girl from Rivers Edge but unlike Alexander, who was preoccupied with Madolyn, he kept stealing looks at Delilah, and wondered how he could compete with someone as wealthy as a son of Lord Orphington.

"Oh Delilah, I can not believe this, I am in love with you, say you will see no others," Julius pleaded.

"Why sir, we have only met this night," Delilah said smiling, she had him, and suddenly she realized she really wanted him. He not only was handsome and charming he was rich beyond her dreams.

But she also realized he might be fickle so she would go slowly and not allow herself to get swept away by him. She must be in control like she was with all of her gentlemen callers.

But as they danced the last dance before dinner. He stopped and kissed her and she knew that it would be very hard to do. Maybe this was true love. What she had felt for the other young men was just like. Her head felt dizzy her pulse raced at his touch. She remembered her mother telling the story about how she had fallen in love with their father. Had not she said the very same thing.

At dinner she sat next to Madolyn, who was nervous as a cat with all the fine china, and gold table wear.

As a servant brought out a huge gold platter Madolyn grabbed her arm and whispered, "Oh my God Delilah, can you believe this, that is solid gold."

"Calm down Madolyn, do not act like such a country girl," Delilah hissed.

"Are you upset with me?" Madolyn asked.

"No why would I be," Delilah said, wishing she would stuff some food in her mouth, Julius was talking to Roland, and the subject seemed to be Delilah.

"Alexander, I know you fancied him," Madolyn said, hoping Delilah wasn't angry, she was her very best friend.

"You can have him," Delilah said, making a little dismissive gesture.

"Thank you so much you . . ." Madoyln babbled on.

Delilah was glad when Alexander distracted her saying something about the food.

Delilah was listening to Roland telling his aunt and uncle as well as Julius about Jamie being the son of a Duke, and Octavia being a granddaughter of a French Count and an English Earl. She felt proud. She thought Roland was doing this for her. She didn't know that Quentin and Roland met a few times a year and they had discussed Delilah. Quentin wanted her to settle down a bit, he was worried about her constantly seeking the favour of all the boys in town.

The next day Roland dropped Delilah off at the Inn, he was running late and didn't have time to run her home. She didn't mind, she knew it was the day her sister came to play chess with Oly and she would probably be finished and in the stable messing with the horses, and she was.

"Sissy wait until I tell you what a wonderful time I had," Delilah said.

"You always have a wonderful time at parties, its so boring to me," Lissa giggled.

"But this is different sissy," Delilah said smiling.

"How many fights were there?" Lissa laughed, that was the only reason she would go to a party with her sister to watch some dumb boys fighting over her sister.

"None, Todd and Alex were both there, but no fights," Delilah said.

Lissa rolled her eyes, she was glad she hadn't gone in more ways then one.

"I am in love, oh sissy Julius Orphington is the most handsome boy in the world, and such beautiful dancer and mannerly, he is wonderful," Delilah sighed.

"Good, well I met someone too and he is the best rider, so handsome, and he has the best manners as well," Lissa said.

Delilah laughed, thinking her sister was teasing. Lissa was about as interested in boys as she was the bloodlines of the horses her father and Lissa were always talking about.

Lissa smiled, and said, "His name is Rafeal, and his mother was Spanish, he is a born horseman."

Delilah shook her head, remembering Lissa's invisible friend she had as a child and how when she got mad at Delilah she would talk to her friend and ignore Delilah.

"Well anyway Julius family are very wealthy instead of silverware they have gold, and the house is really so pretty, and they are building a new larger one. They have so much gold and jewels and wealth. It is beyond even what Oly has. They even have a treasure room in the cellar I think. The Orphaningtons just moved here this spring so not all their things have arrived from Scotland." Delilah said, unaware that Rafeal had entered the stable from a store room.

"Well sissy that is nice, but I really don't care about wealth, it is more about good horses and kindness for me," Lissa said smiling.

Rafeal shut the door loudly, and said, "Lissa are you here?"

"Yes Rafeal here we are," Lissa said.

Delilah was amazed there was a Rapheal, Lissa was not pretending.

Rafeal kissed Lissa's hand, and said, "Do you wish to go riding."

"Of course," Lissa said smiling.

Lissa went to get her saddle and said, "I would like you to meet Delilah my sister."

Delilah thought, oh my, but he is even more handsome then Julius, and there is something dangerous about him I better keep an eye on him. My little sister is so niave when it comes to boys.

"Hello Rafeal, my sister tells me you are quite the horseman," Delilah said in a honeyed voice.

"Enchanted," Rafeal said but he only shook her hand.

Lissa thought if Delilah tries to go after Rafeal I will punch her out sister or no sister, he is mine.

Delilah decided she could not go for Rapheal, but she wanted him out of Lissa's life, she didn't trust him. But Lissa let her know on no uncertian terms, she was not to even think about Rafeal.

So she went to the only boy she did trust who still pined for her, it seemed neither Paul nor Alexander did, she went to Todd Landers. He had never tried to do anything beyond kiss her. Todd and Lissa were child hood friends so he was perfect.

"You have to do this Todd, go for Lissa, then when you break up with her gently this fall before you go back to school, I will date you only," Delilah pleaded.

He sighed he wanted Delilah Warwick so bad, but Lissa was his friend he was not sure he could do this, "I will try."

Todd went to his father, knowing his father had lots of experience with women, he knew about his fathers lovers, Mrs. Chastaine, Laural in Rivers Edge, as well as others.

"Delilah wants me to break up Lissa and this new man Rafeal, but dad, kissing Lissa would be like kissing Paul Amberly," he laughed.

Lewis smiled, and thought Paul was a handsome youth, then shook his head, and said "I understand son, she was like one of the boys."

"Yes, but Delilah will go with me if I break her up," Todd sighed.

"I see, but I doubt if she minds who does it. Am I right?" Lewis asked.

"No she just wants them broke up, she thinks Rafeal is bad, I don't know dad I kind of like him even if he did take my stipend in a race." Todd sighed.

Lewis laughed and slipped his son some extra cash, and then said, "Leave it to me, no woman has ever turned me down, and I think I know just how to do it in a way that will keep me out of hot water with her father as well."

"No offence dad but your a bit old for Lissa," Todd said grinning, his parents spoiled him terriably but he was grateful for the extra coin this time.

"I have a young thing on the side her age, I am sure I can pull this off too, but it will go no further then a kiss, I assure you, I would not want Jamie Warwick after me," Lewis said smiling.

Lewis got it set up, but things did not go as plan, when he tried to seduce Lissa with a kiss she slapped him.

"Lewis what is wrong with you," She scolded, "You have a son my age."

"The world is going to Hell in a hand basket," Roscoe said, and Lewis sighed he thought it had been Rafeal that would come in, not Roscoe.

"What is wrong with Rafeals horse? David came for me," Roscoe said.

"Nothing that I am aware of," Lissa said smiling at the man, she had about to give Lewis a piece of her mind, but decided he had been drinking and every one knew what a passionate man he was. Roscoe also let in Drum one of Pipers sons, and Lewis decided he didn't want to mess with Drum or Roscoe both were a bit feared by him.

Lewis had instructed the boy to find Rafeal, but he had found Roscoe first and decided Roscoe might help quicker.

Todd had failed Delilah, but part of him was glad his father had failed for the first time, it meant that Lissa really loved Rafeal.

Lissa never found out about the plot and continued to ride out with Rafeal unescorted, which made Delilah angry. Her father insisted someone chaperone her when she went to see Julius.

Lissa was disappointed when Rafeal wished to go to a party at Julius home, she really did not like parties. But her father insisted she go as chaperone for Delilah, especially since they were spending the night.

Rafeal seemed excited and nervous about the party, Lissa knew they would miss the Saturday night races, but she went along with the others.

She actually had a little fun at the party, mostly picking fun at girls, Todd had came but he ignored Delilah and was glad that the breakup of Lissa and Rafeal had failed, he was beginning to think he really liked the girl he had met here last time. Even Lissa liked Rebecca Reed, so she must be a fine girl.

"Hi Todd have you seen Rafeal?" Lissa said, glad she could see her sister with Julius.

"No I haven't since Rebecca and I were talking to you and him earlier. Sorry," Todd said smiling at his former playmate.

"He probably went to the little house out back," she said smiling, "By the way I really like Rebecca."

"Good I am glad," Todd said and smiled, he was so glad he had not gone and done something rash that had ruined their relationship. She was a good friend and he had learned a valuable lesson no girl no matter how beautiful was worth loosing a friend over.

It seemed to Lissa that Rafeal had been gone for a long time. But when he returned she noticed that he seemed more relaxed then he had been.

A couple of days later she went riding with Rafeal, he really wanted to go further than kissing and Lissa was concidering it, but she decided to wait.

"I see you do not think I love you enough, well, I am willing to wait," Rafeal said smiling.

"I do love you, but I would prefer to wait, and thought about marriage for the first time," She said, and they kissed.

He felt like she was the only girl he had ever met, that was worth waiting for, but he was not that experienced himself.

Lissa thought about her mother, and what she had told her about going beyond kissing, but she desired Rafeal so much.