Ignoring his son's answer, Hugo forged on. "Albert is leading a brand-new venture in Asia, raising private funds to invest in local businesses. Very kindly, he suggested you could join him this summer. A bit of traveling would do you well after a hard year studying and training for the race."

"Father-"

Hugo cut him off. "Since you were not very enthusiastic about the opportunity I offered you earlier this year."

That was it. Rupert had to stand up to his father once and for all.

"I haven't changed my mind. I accepted the internship at the Times and I intend to work there."

"Humm ..." Albert the banker excused himself and disappeared.

Hugo's cheeks reddened. A very rare occurrence. "Do not go there again, Rupert."

Rupert shook his head and laid his hand over his father's forearm. Hugo didn't recoil at the physical contact.

"It's time for us to let go, Dad. Of all this grief, the betrayals, the resentment." Rupert hesitated. As much as he was ready to move on, some things still cost him to say.

"I hope you'll find happiness with Camilla. I hope you'll be a good dad for the baby. I'll try to be a good brother too. I promise."

His father stared at him, speechless.

"Now, Dad, I have to go. Madison needs me."

SHE HAD DONE what she had to do.

Duty had the salty taste of the tears tipping her upper lip.

There was no point in begging for his forgiveness. More importantly, she had to give Rupert a chance for a normal life. As normal as his upbringing and temper would allow.

Her real life started now. The life she had chosen, after running away for so long.

Her heart was so heavy that she struggled to drag it away from the boathouse, away from Rupert. She loved him more than anything.

She had to tell him. At least one more time..

As she brushed away the tears, she heard her name.

"Maddie." Then again. "Maddie."

She turned and saw him. He stood only a few steps away from her, smiling. Rupert stared right into her eyes, and a warm glow flooded through her body.

"I'm taking you to the airport," he stated matter of factly.

"Th-thanks," she stuttered. "But Ollie is waiting for me."

Rupert closed the gap between them and slid his hand into hers. Heat and comfort seeped into her blood.

"No need. I'm going there as well."

Her surprise was written all over her face because he explained, "I'm flying to the States, to Louisiana, with you."

Tears ran down her cheeks. She could have collapsed on the pathway under the tango of emotions dancing inside her. Words rushed through her lips without her knowing if they made any sense put together.

"I'm so sorry for hiding who I am. I didn't want you to push me away. I don't want to lie to you ever again, but what I do could put you in danger."

Rupert burst into laughter and pointed at his chest. "Come on, Maddie, look at me. I'm a champion, an athlete. I can take care of myself. I can take care of you. Although you're doing a pretty good job of it."

She entwined her fingers with his. "Like my own personal bodyguard?"

He nodded and bombed his torso. "Indeed. I'll be whatever you want me to be... as long as you don't kick me out of your life."

Rupert brought their joined hands to his mouth and dropped a kiss on the knuckle of her index finger, then lowered them against his chest. His heartbeat was in sync with hers. "... as long as you keep me close by your side."

His free hand took hold of her hip and pressed her against him. His lips trembled when they caressed and parted hers. His tongue teased hers, then buried itself inside her.

Their kiss was pa.s.sionate.

Their kiss was deliciously erotic.

And it had never felt so right.

When Rupert put an end to it, Madison almost gasped with pain.

His eyes searched hers. Emotion brought a tremor to his voice. "I don't know if I deserve you, Mad Hatter. But, from this day onwards, I intend to do my d.a.m.ned hardest so that you never... never... have any reasons to ask yourself that very question."

He started walking, leading her by his side. "Let's hurry. I have to pack." He looked down at her, promises in his eyes. "It's time for me to meet the LeBon family."

Rupert was her family.

Oxford Whispers ~ The Playlist.

Galvanize by The Chemical Brothers ~ The first time Madison and Rupert meet at Christ Church Ball.

Are You Gonna Be My Girl by Jet ~ Rupert and Madison on their way to Magway in his Morgan Roadster.

Feel Good Inc by Gorrillaz ~ At Rupert's Christmas party.

You and Me Song by The Wannadies ~ Madison and Rupert walking together through Oxford after the dinner at The Turf (just before Christmas).

Counting My Lucky Stars Tonight by Larry Bagby ~ The First Kiss.

Back by Colt Ford with Jack Owen ~ When Madison comes "back" home to Louisiana for Christmas.

Bayou Girl by Van Morrison ~ New Year's Eve at Le Perroquet.

Someone You Love by Thompson Square ~ Christmas break, Rupert thinking of Madison / Madison thinking of Rupert.

Not Ready To Make Nice by The Dixie Chicks ~ When Rupert "surprises" Madison at Freud's.

How To Save A Life by The Fray ~ After their first official date at The Randolph.

I'm Yours by The Script ~ Their first weekend together in London (after Madison comes back from the Oxford & Cambridge Club).

Just a Kiss by Lady Antebellum ~ "The First Time."

Lose Yourself by Eminem ~ The "Climax" (and, by that, I mean the climax of the plot of course) in the crypt.

How The World's Treating You by Alison Kraus ~ The "Resolution" at the boat house after the race (Part I).

Princess of China by Coldplay with Rihanna ~ The "Resolution" at the boat house after the race (Part II).

Be Mine by David Gray ~ The "Resolution" at the boat house after the race (Part III).

My Oxford.

How the Oxford trilogy came to life.

As part of my business degree, I was selected to spend a year at the prestigious university. For me, it was a dream come true. During my time there, I explored every corner of the city. Some of its most famous landmarks now have a personal resonance: The Randolph, the Turf Tavern, the Queen's Lane Coffee House ... I even celebrated my birthday at Freud's, just like Maddie did.

I really do believe in destiny. When I met the gorgeous Englishman who was to become my husband, I found out the most intriguing coincidence. His parents, who met and fell in love while studying at Oxford in the 1970s, had bought their first house there, the same house I lived in when studying in Oxford twenty-five years later.

Now, please accept my apologies if I took some creative license. There is no side door into Exeter College garden from Radcliffe Square. I made it up. Also, it is very unlikely a student party, even a ball, would take place in Christ Church Hall.

Oxford is in a secret corner of my heart. I am so happy to share it with you.

The painting.

What an amazing artwork, don't you think? I hope my description does it justice, but nothing can compare with the original. It is such a pity William Shakespeare Burton does not enjoy a wider appeal. I used to have a poster of the painting in my room as a teenager instead of Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt. Does that make me weird? Probably ...

Of course, I've made up the whole story behind the painting for the purpose of this novel.

Voodoo and Me.

I was born in West Africa. When I had to leave, aged four, I left a piece of my heart behind.

Elizabeth was the name of my nanny. She looked after me as if I were her own, carried me on her back in the traditional African way, and sang for me while I fell asleep. Today, I can still hear her deep voice when I close my eyes to find the sleep that is eluding me.

This proud and kind lady gave me one of my most precious possessions: a voodoo gris-gris. It was a leather pouch with a small sh.e.l.l on top of it. She had hung it on a rough thread so I could carry it around my neck. It was meant to protect me from evil spirits and bring me luck.

I took that gris-gris everywhere with me: each time I took an important exam at school, on my first day in a new job, even when I went to hospital and gave birth to my daughter.

Elizabeth pa.s.sed away many, many years ago, but I know she still looks after me from above and uses a few voodoo tricks to make my life a happier path to follow.

The Wounded Cavalier.

William Shakespeare Burton.

What's Next?

Join Madison's adventures when she explores the dark secrets of the Tudors and falls under the spell of the haunting melody, *Greensleeves.'

Oxford Shadows.

Available spring 2013.

Acknowledgements.

A heartfelt MERCI to:.

The Romance Writers of America, for opening the magical door to the writing world.

My mother-in-writing, G. Miki Hayden, and the North American angels who helped me along the way: Chris Eboch, Mindy Klasky, and Cindi Procter-King.

Joanna Penn, for inspiring me to conquer my dreams.

My Aussie team, Anthony Puttee and Penny Springthorpe, for their saintly patience.

Maureen Cutajar at Go Published, for accommodating my "change of plans."

Claudia McKinney at Phat Puppy Art and Ashley Dungan at Bookish Brunette, for making Madison look so cool.

Julie Macomb at AToMR Book Tours, for being simply awesome.

Juliette Sobanet, Tracy Hewitt Meyer and Sophie Moss, my writing sisters, for holding my hand across the pond.

Rupert, Sarah and their Oxford love story.