Disgraceful

Peering through the blurred carriage window, Ava Sofia lost in her restless mind with the scenery flying by. The dark had softened to blue and the silvery mist appeared, soon the shimmering rays would rise from the horizon, bringing her a new day she never expected, yet she had to survive. Fate had its way of changing life in an instant. Her life had turned upside down in a matter of days. Not a week ago, she was a glowing bride-to-be, eagerly awaiting a new chapter of her life. She thought her happily ever after was about to begin. Now she was an anxious runaway.

Surely a new chapter of life was on the way to come. But not in a way that she always imagined. It was not the first time things didn't come out as she expected, and not the first time the ugly truth was revealed to her. In her early years, life was just perfect. As a child, she had grown in the warmth of a family, been loved and pampered like a princess. With a loving and caring mother, a high-spirited sister that kept boredom away, and the most generous father. Their family was wealthy, they lived in a big farmhouse in Roseville. She always thought her father was a merchant, since he didn't stay with them and always on trip. He came home twice a month in the weekend, bringing her and her sister, Delilah a lot of expensive gifts. She remembered racing with Del along the corridor everytime father came home, to get to kiss him first. She remembered staring at their parents kissing tenderly and dreaming one day she would have a blissful marriage like them. She remembered having dinner together with her family, talking and laughing, sometimes fighting with Del. Those were the days. Before the bitter reality revealed to her. She would forever cherish the golden memories. At fourteen she found out the truth. One day, a neighbour invited her to join a short trip to London. She went to London along with her maid. She was fascinated with the glam of the city. Strolling around Bond Street, she was overexcited to see all the fancy shops. When she was passing by a trendy restaurant, she saw him. Her father, with two girls about her age, and an elegant lady. They were having lunch, talking and laughing. His father looked at the girls with loving eyes and a proud smile just like he did to her and Delilah. The sight plagued her and puzzled her the following days. Father came and went as usual, like nothing had happened. She knew something was wrong, but she could not bring herself to ask to him or mother. Time passed by and slowly, gradually, she began to understand. Her family was not like what she always thought. Her father was not a merchant, he was a nobleman. Not just another nobleman, he was a bloody duke, the highest rank among nobility. And her mother was his mistress. They never got married. As a matter of fact, she was a bastard. A child born out of wedlock. Later she knew that her mother, Desiree Marlowe was a legendary actress in her younger days, before she retired and settled with the duke. One by one the layers of truth unraveled. Her grandmother and great grandmother were also mistresses. It was like a curse that lived and passed through generations, in the same time they didn't have any male offspring. She didn't want to follow the path. Never, under any circumstances. But she knew it would be difficult, if not impossible, to break the chain. No man of a respectable background would ever be willing to marry a woman like her. In every culture, a bastard was a pariah, the lowest of the low in society. Maybe the only choice left was to be a spinster. She knew she wouldn't be happy to live a life like that. She was a hopeless romantic. She was always dreaming of finding her prince charming since she was a little girl. However, Del seemed like being able to take it better than her. Like she once told her, there were always two sides in a coin. Their situation had its own advantage. To allow her to live in total freedom, not dictated by society rules. To experience anything that was impossible for a respectable woman. As they grew into womanhood, she had became wilder from time to time. She left their quiet hometown to pursue her dream in London. With her bold personality, soon she became famous, or maybe infamous would be an accurate choice of words. Shortly she gained her reputation as a woman libertine and instead of being discreet about her lifestyle, she was very open and proud about it. Always a free spirit, now she was traveling over the world, Ava heard she was somewhere on the desert, far away in the exotic Middle East. Being aware of her nerves, mother talked to her one night in her bed. "Sweetie, I understand what you're feeling... It must be difficult to you, but I want to tell you something." She caressed her hair. "What I have with your father, I won't exchange it with anything in the world. I won't exchange it with a proper marriage either with any other man." "I have all I need, my dear. Your father, Del, and you. And I'm grateful every single day. What does a marriage mean if there's no love between the couple? What is a piece of paper worth when the passion for benefit is bigger than the passion for each other? What is a wedding vow if you don't really mean it? It means nothing, sweetheart. Your father and I, we are husband and wife in every way that truly matters. I love him with all my heart just the way he is. I wouldn't have him any other way." "But it's not enough, mother." She sat on the bed. She couldn't believe her mother would say such selfish, romantic nonsense without considering any consequences that her children might suffer. "I don't want my children to be called bastard. I don't want to live a lie, I don't want to be hidden in some place where people do not know who I am, what I truly am and pretending to be something I'm not. "Life is too short to worry about such matters, my dear. I don't care about the people, I have learned to live only for the people who really matters. What matters most to me is our happiness..." She bit back a tart reply. Our happiness. How easy for her to simplify this. How could she ever be happy to know that she had very little choices for her future? That a proper and rightful life was out of reach? Was her mother so blind to recognize the impact or her wrongdoing to her children. "There are circumstances I can not change, dear... I wish things could be different, but life doesn't work that way. I'm thankful that I knew what I wanted the most, and I took the chance." Her mother rose from the bed, walking to the door. She turned back once again before leaving. "It had taken me all my life to discover this. Be content with what you have, and what you can have. Don't ask for too much, my dear, otherwise you'll lose your only chance." Although mother seemed to convince her that a life like hers was not bad indeed, somehow she understood Ava's tribulation. A mother would do anything within her reach to make her child happy, she was no exception. One day when he was home, father called her to his study. Ava came and saw him behind the mahogany desk, smiling bright at her. "I have good news for you, darling. Come here, have a seat." As she settled in a couch, he continued. "I have found you an excellent match, my dear. I have just settled things up this morning. You are going to marry, in a few months." Surprised and excited, her eyes widened. "What? But... how??" "It's a marriage arrangement, darling." Her mother entered the room and joined her on the couch. "It's been approved. Your father and your future husband signed the contract this morning." "His name is Roger Irving. The honourable Roger Patrick William Irving in full name. He is the son of Earl of Berwick." "Second son, actually. I hope you don't mind that he couldn't make you a countess. But you'll love him at once. He is young and handsome, and amiable as well." Her mother gave her a teasing glance. "How... how old is he?" She managed to keep her voice from shaking as her heart racing in excitement. "Twenty eight and very good looking indeed." His father smiled in assurance. "Be prepared to be jealous, my dear. I've seen ladies fawning over him at a ball for the entire night." He teased her. "And be prepared to get their jealousy as well," her mother replied "for the man they're after is yours now." "Do you want to see him?" Father asked. Blushing, she nodded. "Good. Lord Roger has invited us to visit his London residence next week, so we're going to have a trip, the three of us together." The next few days became very busy and hectic preparing her departure to London. Desiree ordered no less than twenty new gowns for her, determined to make a strong first impression. They are going to spend all of a month in London. By the end of the week, they were leaving. She was glad for the pleasant journey. They stayed for a night in father's fancy townhouse, and now the day that she'd been waiting for the whole week had come. They arrived at Irving House on time at four o'clock in the afternoon. It was a classical building with high ceilings and big pillars. A butler opened the main door for them and led them to a large guest room with a magnificent view to the garden. They were sitting on a beautiful velvet upholstery. With each passing second, she became more nervous. She was going to meet her future husband. "Ava, dear" her mother rose from the couch. "Let's have a better look of the garden. It's splendid." Grateful for the distraction, she followed her to the window. Bathed in the warm afternoon sunlight, the garden looked marvelous. "Good afternoon, Your Grace, my ladies." called a deep masculine voice from behind. From the corner of her eye, she saw mother turning. Ava took a deep breath before slowly turned to meet him. A man she was going to spend the rest of her life with. He was charming. Just like father and mother said, he was young and handsome. He was about average height, likely a fair inches taller than her, very well dressed, she had never seen a stylish man like him in the countryside. His face glowing when he smiled. He certainly had his attractions. Yet she noticed shades of dark circles under his eyes and subtle signs of tiredness. The formal introduction followed and Lord Roger had no difficulty to charm them with his appealing personality. He greeted her with utter respect, not lingering his gaze to her longer than proper. He lit up the room with his laughter, made mother blush with his generous compliments. The entire night was delightful, she enjoyed the dinner and the conversation very much. Glancing at Lord Roger secretly when he was explaining something to her parents, an inevitable thought occurred to her. This was too good to be true. What made a man like him, a nobleman at his best, young, handsome, unquestionably honorable, and a smart conversationalist as well, would be willing to marry her, an illegitimate daughter. Surely it would make a scandal. Did his parents know about it? The Earl of Berwick and his wife. Did they agree without any resistance? Did they give him their blessing? Looking at mother listening to him with great enthusiasm, she wondered how could a nobility let a courtesan like her set foot in his residence. She was certain Lord Roger knew very well her mother was not the Duchess of Livingston. How could he accept this arrangement? There must be a significant reason behind it. She found out the answer a few days later. In every household, the servants were the best source of information. With the help of Polly, her loyal maid, and her best friend as well, it didn't took long to get the complete details. Lord Roger was in a desperate financial straits. His fondness of drinking and gambling had led him to bankruptcy, even worse, it had drowned him to an unaffordable sum of debts. The Earl refused to pay his son's debt, and his impatient creditors were already pushing him to the edge. At critical time, her father came and offered him a bargain. Marry his illegitimate daughter and he would pay his debts, along with an inconsiderable dowry and a generous allowance afterward. Thus far, her father had paid half of the debt to each creditor, the remainings will be settled after the marriage. So, the man was going to marry her for money. "He has ... weaknesses, darling. All men have their weaknesses." Her father said when she confirmed it to him. "Nobody's perfect. But I've been observing him for months before I decided to make the proposition." Father thought for a moment before continuing. "He is reckless and spendthrift, and he has fallen to an unpleasant habit. But I found that he is nice and harmless. He's not a man who will hurt you. He is still young and stupid now, but I'm certain that he will grow up over time." Father grinned. "Believe me I was three times worse than him when I was his age. But I've grown up to be a man that I am now." Unpleasant habit? Father made it sounded like a small, unimportant thing. The habit had dragged the man into an uncompromising situation and changed his life drastically. Had he never thrown himself into such a mess, he would marry a decent lady. On the other hand, his recklessness had been used to his father's advantage, or precisely, to her advantage. However, what seemed impossible before, was within her reach now. A proper and rightful marriage, a respectable life. And he was young and handsome indeed, much to her liking. It would be perfect if he was mature and sensible as well. But nobody's perfect. If he were to choose, he would also prefer a noble beauty than a scandalous chit like her. He had accepted her flaws. Likewise, she should accept his. It was a mutual solution for their situation. Now, all she could do was pray the marriage of convenience would turn to a long lasting love. Her mild distate for her betrothed vanished with each passing day. He had been gentle and caring, he made her blushed and laughed. He told her the most interesting stories. He brought her to the house parties, introduced her to the nobility as his fiancee. She never thought she would be able to attend such glamorous party. Soon she learned that most of the aristocrats were having excessive pride of theirself, feeling superior to those who were not in their circle. Fortunately Roger was a delightful companion and she enjoyed every minute with him. She put a great expectations that their relationship would grow into love. One day, he surprised her with proposing her. They were at a lady's house party and Ava brought her maid, but she told her maid to wait inside as he walked her out onto the balcony to get some private space. "I know our marriage has been arranged." He covered her hand with his. "But you deserve to be proposed the right way." He kneeled before her and reached inside his pocket, pulling out a little velvet box. Slowly he opened the box. A beautiful ruby ring. "Ava Sofia Marlowe, will you marry me?" Never experienced something close to this, she was at a loss of words. Blushing, she nodded awkwardly. He bestowed her a dazzling smile and slided the ring to her finger. He rose and tilted her chin, then brought his mouth to hers. It was her first kiss, beneath the shimmering golden sky at sunset. It was nice. Not breathtaking and magical like she used to read in romance novels. But it was nice. He had stolen a few kisses ever since, in a rare, short moment when they were alone. Her parents never allowed her to be alone with him. After a few weeks, finally her parents allowed her to go to a house party alone with him. Her mother had known she was developing some feeling for him and she decided to give them some space. Roger had the permittion to pick her up. His coach arrived at six o' clock and Ava rushed downstairs. Passing the large cheval mirror in the hallway, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and saw a gorgeous woman staring back at her. Entirely happy with her look, she couldn't help smiling to her reflection. The beauty of the women in her family had been legendary, and she was told many times that she was the fairest. Everywhere she went, people stopped and stared. The appreciation had been so commonplace sometimes it went unnoticed. Walking to the main door, she saw Roger speaking to her mother outside. His eyes glittering with admiration when he met her gaze. "You are very beautiful, my dear. You always are." He said as he took her hand. "But tonight, you're truly a vision." "Enjoy the party, darling." Mother winked at her and whispered to her ear. "I wish tonight will be unforgettable." Roger helped her into the coach and climbed in after her. The coach began to move. An odd silence fell between them. Ava turned her face from his, stared at the lavish interior before her, trying to find some words, anything to start a conversation. She had never been with him alone before, and she was anticipating this moment the whole day. But now, it felt ... awkward. Finally braced herself to gaze at him, she caught him looking at her intently from the opposite seat. There was something different with him tonight. It wasn't the way he used to be; relaxed, warm, and friendly. The way he looked at her, the gleam in his eyes, the way one corner of his mouth hitched up slighty like he was smiling. In the dimly illuminated light in the carriage, his expression looked unfamiliar and wicked. Suddenly she felt uncomfortable. "What a sight you are" he murmured, finally broke the silence. "So lovely, I've never met a woman as lovely as you are." His gaze slid down to the exposed skin above her decolletage, lower to her breasts, and she felt the hair on her nape rose. He moved to her side. Despite the large available space, he sat very close, his body crushed her. He stroked her jaw and turned her face to his. "I've been waiting for this forever." Then he settled his mouth on hers. Ava closed her eyes, anticipating his familiar kiss. Her eyes opened abruptly as he pushed her lips parted and slid his tongue inside. He wasn't sweet and tender this time. He was craving, demanding. His tongue twisted with hers and he sucked hard. She gasped as his hand stroked her thigh beneath her skirts. She shoved his hand away, but he insisted. Breathless, she tried to draw back but he slid one hand behind her and held her nape so tight. His free hand wandered to her breast, stroking and squeezing. With his tongue filled her mouth and his hand claimed her breast, Ava felt overwhelmed. Finally, she managed to break the kiss. "Roger..." she turned her face away, escaping from his kiss. Her hands pushed his chest in vain. "We must stop..." He laughed quietly, then kissed her jaw and made his way down to her neck. Suddenly the carriage stopped, seemed like they had arrived. Breathing in relief, she flew out of the carriage swiftly, not waiting for him to descend first and help her out. She couldn't abide a minute longer with him alone in the carriage. To her dismay, his touch and kisses were extremely unpleasant. Later, they were mingling with the other guests, greeting each other, having conversations. Roger had come back to his sociable nature, but Ava couldn't help thinking about their ride home later. She should have brought Polly with them. Some male guests asked her for a dance and she accepted their invitations. Anything to keep her away from Roger. Confused with her feeling, she wished it was just because of her lacking of experience. Shortly after finishing the last dance, Roger took her elbow and led her away from the crowd. His hand grasped her waist possesively as they passed some men staring at her. "Are we going home now?" Her heart racing in anticipation. "Not yet, my pet" he replied without spared a glance at her. They reached a corridor with a row of doors in each sides. Randomly, he pushed one of the door open and thrusted her inside. It was a beautiful room with a set of basic furnitures. She heard the door closed behind her, instantly she turned to him. "Roger, what are you doing?" He drew her hand, throwing himself into the cushions as he hauled her to his lap. "Roger!" She cried in panic, before she could say another word, he pulled her head closer and captured her mouth savagely. She writhed and twisted against him to no avail. His hands grasped her plump buttocks and dragged her closer. She gasped as she felt his iron bulge pressed against the thin fabric of her undergarments. "I've been wanting to do this since the first time I laid my eyes on you." He whispered between their mingled breath, then he sought her mouth again. "No!" She tried to turn away but his hands clasped her face so tight. "Not now, Roger! We'll soon be married!" "So stop fighting me, love." He took her earlobe between his teeth in a teasing bite, licking and nibbling. "I'll marry you eventually, it doesn't make any difference if I take you by now." His hand slipped beneath her rumpled skirt and slid all the way up. She gasped when his fingers travelled further to the slit of her drawers. Slap! All in a sudden, he froze, his eyes opened wide as he stared at her with extreme disbelief. Ava covered her mouth in shock. She had slapped him so hard. He looked shocked. Shades of red colored his cheek where she had hit him. Suddenly feeling guilt and tenderness for him, she lifted her hand to caress his face. "Roger, I'm sorry... I..." Slap! The next second, she was pushed aside and pinned against the cushions. For a moment, her vision blurred as heat stung her face, he had smacked her harder. "Don't you dare do that to me again, you bitch!" He howled frantically, his voice screeching like a mad woman. "You want to play a lady? Pah!" He spat on her face. "You can't! And you'll never be. Even if I marry you. You'll always be a whore, like your mother, like your sister. Don't ever think I will treat you as an equal, you stupid bitch! I've lowered myself to the hilt by marrying you. My family and the people will despise me." He said the last few words in a bitter tone. "You and what comes with you were paid for with my honor and my dignity. I paid through the nose for a little mistake." He tugged at the low neckline of her gown roughly, pulling it down under her belly, exposing her naked breasts. She screamed in horror. "Well." He smirked, his eyes glinting with malice. "At least you're a good fuck." Then he bent down and claimed her mouth again. Ava struggled helplessly beneath his body as dread filled every fiber of her. He was going to rape her! And she thought he was a good man. God help her! She arched her neck to see the door across the room, hoping it would sway open and somebody came in. The armrest and a table lamp blocked her view. Her gesture made her neck exposed to Roger's mouth. He rained her neck with hot kisses and nibbled her delicate skin. Suddenly flooded by anger and disgust, her free hand reached a table lamp in the nightstand just above her head. Roger cursed loudly as the lamp hit his head very hard. He bent up straight and covered his face with his hands as blood flowing over his face. Ava crawled out of the couch swiftly and rushed to the door, her heart thumping madly in her chest. Her hands shaking uncontrollably as she pushed the door handle, sobbing in relief when the door clicked open. "You'll pay for it bitch!!!" Roger shouted behind her. "After I marry you, I swear I'll make you pay!!!" She ran along the corridor, startled an old couple on their way. She pulled up her messy gown higher to her chest. The old lady choked when she saw her appearance. The lady knew her, they had been introduced to each other once. She couldn't remember the lady's name but certainly the lady knew she was Lord Roger's betrothed. She didn't care, she had to get out of here. By sheer luck, a vacant hackney coach passed by as she ran out of the gate. She entered the coach quickly, turning back to see if Roger was chasing her. He wasn't. The sight of the house slowly disappeared as they reached the main road. She leaned her back to the seat, her body was quivering all over. As soon as she arrived at home, she ran upstairs, right to the main bedroom and pounded the door like crazy. "Ava! What are you doing? You're scaring me." The door opened and her mother appeared at the doorway. "You'll wake up all the servants and ..." "Mother!!!" She cut off, shouting. "Roger! He tried to rape me!!!" "What?" Desiree seemed confused. "He kissed me like a crazy animal, he forced me, he pinned me to the couch and... and..." heat rose to her cheeks when she continued "he tried to undress me, he almost has raped me!" "Calm down, my dear" her mother stopped her ravings. She turned to see father on the bed. He was still sleeping like a child. "No need to wake him up. He was very tired today." Desiree led her to her room and seated her upon the bed. "Darling, sometimes if a man does it to you in a different way... you know, the things between man and woman... kissing, caressing, fondling... it doesn't have to be sweet or gentle or tender..." mother paused, seemed like she was choosing her words carefully. "Some people like it slow and tender, some like it passionate and rough..." What the devil is mother talking about? "It's normal and quite common for a man to play the dominant in ... such private matters..." "Mother" she cut off again. "What are you trying to tell me?" Desiree sighed desperately. "Darling, you'll understand later in time. I know you're uncertain and confused now. It's not a thing you can comprehend overnight. You're so young and naive, and you never have a special friend before... it's a new thing for you. What I need to say to you is..." she stopped for a while. "Lord Roger didn't mean to hurt you. He did it simply because he really desired you, and it's normal. Men are really different from us, darling. They are more into physical things. You are such a beauty and I thought he was just too carried away." For a moment, Ava was totally speechless. The next second, she stood rightaway. "You are wrong, mother! He tried to rape me. He hit my face, he called me whore!" She was thinking to tell mother he insulted her too, and Del, but she didn't want to hurt her feeling. Mother looked surprised. "Did he?" "Yes, and it was not just rough... or passionate like you just said. It was horrible, and violent, and..." she tried to find the right word. "Totally evil." Desiree frowned at her last word and fell silent. Ava got a bad feeling that her mother didn't believe her. "Mother" she started to pace back and forth across the room. "You should believe me. I'm not that naive that I don't know the difference between forcing and seducing. You have no idea what I've undergone just now..." Finally, mother gave a reply. "We should tell your father. Tomorrow." Soon after mother left her room, Polly, her personal maid since she was twelve came to help her undress. She told her rightaway, Polly had been a loyal and caring maid, and also her best friend as well. She couldn't keep a secret from her. "Jeez!" Polly gasped in shock as she told her the details. "That man is totally an asshole!" Seemed like Polly trusted her more than her mother. "You must be very shocked. Do you want me to stay with you tonight?" Polly asked. Ava shook her head. "Thank you, Polly. I'm all right now. Go back to sleep." Ava tossed and turned all night, couldn't have an hour of sleep. The incident was flashing over and over again in her mind. She couldn't wait to tell father. Definitely he must beat Roger to a pulp. She drifted to slumber at the dawn out of exhaustion, but she woke up after three hours, rising from her bed instantly. The sun was already high. She rushed downstairs and saw her mother sitting on a couch admiring two big bouquets of flowers. "Good morning, sweetheart." Mother greeted her cheerfully. "Your fiance have sent you his apology. Look how beautiful this flowers are... they must be very expensive... and he sent another for me as well. How delightful of him!" "Mother!" She couldn't help screaming. "Don't you understand? That jerk has tried to rape me!" "Ava!" Her mother exclaimed. "Lower your voice, and never say that foul word again!" "Calm down, ladies." Father appeared at the stairway. "Ava, go have your breakfast now, we shall talk later. And you, darling, I need to talk to you in my study." Ava just opened her mouth to reply, but her father gave her an indisputable gaze. Her mother rose from the couch and followed him to the study. Certainly mother had told him. Restless, Ava forced herself to sit on the dining table. A maid served her breakfast. She managed to have a few bites, but shortly she left her meal unfinished and paced to the study. The door was slightly open and she overheard their conversation. "... don't believe it either. Roger is very gentle and polite. He won't do such a thing." Her mother's voice. "I believe she is making a reason to call it off. She has been reluctant since she found that Roger is marrying her for money." Desiree sighed. "That child and her romantic ideal. I'm afraid that it would disappoint her very badly someday. Nobody can have it all. We just have to deal with it. She wants a proper marriage and we've tried our best to fulfill her wish. Now she denies it because the man is not a perfect Prince Charming." "If she wants a proper marriage, it's her only chance. Nobody would ever be willing to marry her thereafter if she left Roger. It would be a terrible scandal." She stormed to the room, startled her parents. "Why you don't believe me? I've never lied to you both. I swear I'm not making reason, I'd been willing to marry him until last night..." Recalling the terrifying moment still made her shivered. "He is a beast! He was not just trying to rape me, he hit me on my face, he spat on me, he called me and mother and Del, whores!" "Enough!" His father snapped at her, Ava jolted in shock. Father had never been harsh to her. "You said he hit you on your face? He forced to undress you? Come here." Ava walked reluctantly toward her father. He grasped her chin and tilted her head up. "I don't see the slightest bit of bruise if he had hit you very hard." He said sharply. "And I had your dress checked. Had he tried to undress you in a violent way, it must have been shredded or torn at least." "But I'm not lying!!!" She shouted. A soft knock at the door interrupted in a sudden. Their gazes turned to the door. It slowly opened a little, the butler said awkwardly. "I'm sorry Your Grace, Lord Roger Irving is waiting to see you in the guest room." Desiree rose from her seat instantly and grasped her elbow. "He must come to see you. We shouldn't make him wait. Wear a pretty dress and style your hair, darling. You will accept his apology gracefully." Ava jerked her hand from her mother's grip. "I don't need to be pleasing to his eyes." "For God sakes, you want him to see you like this? In robes and slippers?" Mother exclaimed. "Obey your mother, young lady." His father glared at her. "You may very well dislike him, but in this house, you will show him minimal civility one has to offer an unwanted guest." Mother dragged her upstairs and had Polly dressed her and styled her hair. Looking at Ava's reflection in the mirror, mother looked satisfied. "Gorgeous. Thank you, Polly. You may leave now." That meant there was something she wanted to talk to her. As soon as the door closed, Desiree turned Ava to face her. "Listen, darling. I know what you're feeling now. It must be difficult for you to understand, especially when you've been sheltered from the world for all your life... I've been restrictive to you and your sister, because I don't want you both to experience what I had been through." "I know you don't want it either. You don't want to spend the rest of your life hidden in a strange place. Love itself is not enough for you. You aspire something bigger. You want a respectable life. That was what you said to me, wasn't it?" Desiree took her hands and held it in her lap. "This might be your only chance, darling. Promise me you'll accept his apology and not make a scene. Promise me you'll behave like a real lady." Behave like a real lady? She recalled all his words last night vividly. "You want to play a lady? You can't! And you'll never be." Anger burned inside as she paced to her father's study behind her mother. The butler opened the door for them and she saw Roger rightaway, sitting across her father. His head was bandaged. He turned and rose from his seat as soon as Ava and her mother walked in. "Good morning, my ladies. How wonderful to meet you." Roger showed his brilliant smile. "Glad to meet you too, my Lord" Desiree gave a symphatetic gaze at his condition and Roger took her hand, kissing it lightly with the utmost politeness. He moved to take Ava's hand as well but she stepped back hastily, avoiding his touch. Roger smirked. "I've had upset you so bad. Please accept my apology, my love." "Don't you dare touch me." She hissed, looking right into his eyes. How could she ever consider him a handsome man? His hypocrite face was extremely disgusting. "You want to play a gentleman? You can't! And you'll never be. You're just an insufferable parasite cad." "Ava!!!" Her mother screamed, almost hysterical. "Such a vulgar choice of words! Please accept our apology, my Lord." Ava took a great satisfaction to see his face darkened. He was strucked by her words as much as she was. Roger managed to smile. "There's no need, you have done nothing wrong, my lady." He responded to Desiree, giving her a reassuring gaze. "Ava" her father exclaimed. "I've heard from Roger about the incident last night. It was merely a misunderstanding. Roger didn't try to molest you." "Father! You trusted him over me, your own child? He is a liar!" "Ava! Hold your tongue! You... You're humiliating us!" Desiree was as pale as a plain paper. "There's a more important matter right now. Rumour has spread that you and Roger were caught in an uncompromising situation last night. Lord and Lady Crane testified that they saw you running from a room with disheveled appearance." Father glared at her. She remembered the old couple she passed by in the corridor. Why hasn't it occured to her before that there were witnesses to support her? "You see? I'm not lying. There are eye witnesses. He has done horrible things to me, he frightened me to death!" Ava turned to face Roger. "The witnesses will testify against you. Do you know what it means?" Ava was just about to say "Marriage is off" when she heard father said. "It means the marriage should be advanced. I will obtain a special license by the end of the week. You're going to be married in three days." "What?!!" Ava's eyes widened in great shock. "I'm looking forward to the days when you'll be mine, my sweet little love." Roger smiled at her. "Lucky me, I don't have to wait too long." "Never in a million years." Ava glowered at him. "You want to abuse me while you're leeching off my father at the same time, you bloodsucker asshole!" Something like anger flashing in his eyes though he managed to stay cool, Ava knew she had stung his pride. Had she pushed him more, maybe he would lose his temper like yesterday. If he struck her before her parents, they would finally find what sort of man he truly was. "Enough!" Father snarled like a wounded animal. "Another word from you, and I swear there will be consequences." Desiree rushed to her side and dragged her out swiftly. "Have a seat, Roger." The duke motioned to the couch as he sat back. "We have matters to discuss regarding the marriage."

Ava spent the rest of the day trying to convince her mother. She told her over and over again about the incident, making sure she didn't miss a single detail. If mother could trust her even a little, maybe she would be willing to coax father to cancel the marriage. She totally lost hope the next day. She had been restless all day. No longer having her usual appetite, she couldn't eat more than a few bites of toast. She couldn't sleep either, not when something very bad was coming upon her. She paced back and forth in her bedroom. Father and mother had gone in the morning.

They didn't told any of the servants where they went or when they might be back. Last night after hours of relentless talk, Desiree finally said that she would try to talk to her father. Ava had high expectation that her father eventually would change his mind. Mother always had an irrefutable power and influence over him. After a long, torturing hours of waiting, she heard the coach arriving at the main door. Looking down through the window, she saw the black polished coach of her father down the street. She ran downstairs and found the servants bringing stacks of boxes, so many beautiful boxes. Her mother appeared in the doorway, father was walking behind her. "Darling, you should see all this. Everything is just splendid!" Her voice was bursting with excitement. She opened one of the box on the top of the stack and drew out a beautiful patterned fabric. She continued unboxing the next. "Mother, what are these?" She asked in suspicion, suddenly got the sick feeling in her stomach. "We don't have much time to buy you enough wedding trousseau, darling, but we've done our best. We literally depleted all the shops in Bond Street. Look how beautiful these silks are. They are imported from China..." "Mother!!! I'm not going to marry that leeching scum! Not until the doom's day!" "Ava! Stop saying that foul words. Such a thing is beneath you, you're going to be a lady!" "I'd better be a servant than be his lady. I despise him!" "Silent!" The duke fired, and they both gasped. Her father looked at her with icy cold eyes and she froze immediately. "Listen to me, young lady. I have something to tell you, and I'm only going to say it once." Something in his tone made her shrink. "You will learn to respect him, either you like it or not. You're bound to him with a signed legal contract that the king himself can not break it. Your betrothal has been announced in Times and Courier, if you break this agreement, you would make us suffer a terrible scandal and a severe humiliation as much as you cause him. And there would be some legal consequences too. After all I've done for you to get a life you've always wanted, you would shatter it to pieces right in front of me?" Struck by her father's words, Ava fell silent. Desiree came over her and seated her in the nearest couch, sitting by her side. "We just want you to be happy, my dear. And trust me, you will. I know you never want to be like me, forever staying in the shadows. You will stand by him with your head high and let the world see without shame. One day, you would be thankful for this excellent match." Thereafter, the entire house was busy preparing the big day. Her father had obtained a special license from the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the wedding would be held in the family's drawing room the day after tomorrow. "I think I'm going to die. I can't marry that monster, Polly! I'd better kill myself." She moaned in frustration, rolling in her bed and sitting up straight. "I have to think of something. I have to escape from here." "Don't be silly, where are you going to go?" "I don't know, but I have to go, anywhere far enough from that disgusting swine..." the thought of Roger made her feeling ill. She could not imagine climbing into bed with him. She shook her head. "It's going to be the death of me. He will rape me, he will beat me, he will torture me like hell!" Polly choked in horror. Ava saw Polly staring at her with pitiful gaze. She was always as caring and loyal to her, not just as a maid to her lady, but as a person to her beloved family. "Do you... do you really want to go?" "Anywhere!" She gazed back at her. "Do you have an idea?" Polly swallowed hard, something in her eyes evoked Ava's curiosity. "Polly" she looked at her intently. "You have something to tell me... say it." Polly hesitated. "Now." Finally she managed to say. "I've got a letter from my relatives last month. My aunt, the one who raised me, you know, my spinster aunt. I told you about her several times. She had passed away a couple of months ago. She inherited me a house in the countryside, where she spent her last years..." "Go on" "If you're thinking of escaping seriously, it's a perfect place to hide. The little town is quiet, much more quieter than Roseville. The society is very limited and antiquated, no one cares about the gossip of the ton or the famous city people. They are rather behind the times... most of the young people stays there rather than moving to the city, the people are quite prosper or at least well off." "Sounds good..." Ava murmured. Seemed like she had found a ray of light at the end of a dark tunnel. "Does any of your friends know you have an inheritance in there?" Polly shook her head. "No... I've been telling no one until now since I don't plan for moving. I will never leave you unless my service is no longer required. You and your family have been a real home to me." Ava crawled out of bed and came over her, hugging her tight. "Oh Polly, I'm so lucky to have you." Within hours, they had already packed a small valise. Ava brought only her simplest gown and some personal amenities. She wouldn't need her fancy gowns. She was leaving to a countryside to disguise as a working class woman, not a rich lady. Scanning the inside of her cupboard for one final time, she bent down and groped under a pile of fabrics. She pulled out a square wooden box. "Jeez!!!" Polly bolted as she saw her draw a pistol out of the box. "How... how did you get that???" She choked her last word in shock. Studying the flawless material of the weapon, Ava cocked it and found that the gun functioned perfectly. "Del gave me. She trained me in the forest nearby for weeks until I was finally able to hit the target better than her." Polly's mouth dropped open. "But when...?" "We did it secretly. You know Del, she could always find a way." Ava smiled at Polly's expression. "She told me to bring this wherever I go. She said a woman must have some self-defense..." Ava put the weapon inside her handbag. "But I never take it seriously until the ghastly night with that evil..." "Believe me you don't need that in the lovely, quiet town..." Polly glanced at the weapon fearfully. "I know, but we're going on a trip. In case we meet trouble..." "Ssshhh" Polly hushed "Don't say such a thing, it would bring bad luck." Hours later, they were already in a running hackney coach. The town they were heading was about two days ride away from London, but to make sure they didn't leave any trace, Ava had planned to switch to another hackney on the halfway. "So, tell me about the country. Have you ever been there?" "Nay. I only knew it from my aunt's letter. Evergreen, its name. She said there was no place like it. It's a place where magic happens and dreams come true. It's a land with many magical, mystical spots. Each of them has its legend, and its magic as well. The people are very superstitious, some of them still believe in myth and fairy tale. While the young people begin to leave it, the elderly believes that the magic remains..." Ava's eyes widened in fascination. "Really? I think I'm going to like it." Polly frowned. "You're always a superstitious girl, you're the worst in the world." "Am I? Who has just worried about bad luck?" *** After a long, tiring hours in the jolting and swaying carriage, a quick stop at a little town to change hackney, and a little visit to a jewelry shop to sell her engagement ring, they were finally almost at the end of the trip. Her lips touched a mischievous grin as she recalled the wicked satisfaction she had when she sold Roger's gift. The shop owner looked at her in suspicion, but took the ring anyway. He must have thought she was a discarded mistress or sort of that. She didn't care, the ring made an adequate sum of money she would need for the coming days. She was glad she had tamped the irresistible urge to throw it out of the window that night. Across her seat, Polly was snoring loudly, left her alone with her thoughts. Despite her confidence in what she was doing, Ava was in a quandary. She knew she would always be haunted by Roger, forever bound to him by the unbreakable contract. By now her father must have been searching for her. He was a very powerful man, he would send people to chase her. However, it would not be easy to find her, just like looking for a needle in a haystack. It might take forever to find her. She had some time to spare, but she would never be free. Unless... unless she could find a man and get married before her father or Roger find her. It would set her free and break the contract. She closed her eyes. She would. Pray she would find the man in the new home. It was a land where magic happened and dreams came true. She might possibly found what she'd been looking for there. It was a countryside and she decided she liked the country men better than the dandy gents in the city. Oh, yes she adored the well-fashioned, preening beau when she was younger. They looked so graceful, so sophisticated. But a full month being with one of them, among them, had taught her that those men were nothing but cold, conceited, overpampered narcissists. She would never associate with the nobility again, for the rest of her life. Their superiority, their arrogance overwhelmed her. She would find a humble country man for a husband. He must be gentle, warm, kindhearted and sincere. If he were also handsome and sweet, it would be terrific. The carriage slowed down to a moderate speed, she looked out through the window once again. A shimmer of gold tinged with pink was rising in the sky, unveiling the silver mist over the greenery. From a distant, a landscape of a countryside welcomed her. For a moment, she was completely absorbed by the beauty, her eyes sparkling in awe. She almost could smell the morning dew, the scent of a new sweet earth. Now, the dark is put behind and before her, the glorious morning awaits. The light has returned and a new day has come. *** To come into a new, different life could be both exciting and overwhelming. Soon she had to learn to live without the customary convenience she used to have. No servants, no fancy meals, no fancy dresses and shoes. Everyday was all about housechores. And she learned to make a little money too. Polly had bought twelve hens from the market. They were, more or less, farming now. Polly was great at bread making. So they decided to sell bread and eggs to the market for a living. Because Polly practically did almost all the housechores and the bread making, it was her task to go selling at the market. Of all the convenience of a wealthy life, one she missed the most was the luxury of bathing in the warm water, took a leisure bath, spent more than an hour in the clean, fancy tub, savoring the fragrance and texture of expensive soaps while reading her favorite books... Now she should go fetching water from the well, back and forth at least three times to make a sufficient bath, and no more laying in the tub, and the water was cold. Thinking all about it as she drew the water from the well heavily, Ava decided she wouldn't be a whiner. She missed the fancy bath almost as much as she missed her parents, but if the cost of a convenient life was marrying Roger, she would better be bathing in a frozen lake for the rest of her life. Strengthened her will, she pulled the fully loaded bucket and failed at once. Panting, she gave a next try and finally succeeded. Putting it on the ground for a while, she turned to get a sight of her home, about 100 metres away from the well. Looking at the full bucket again, suddenly it felt like a long, long way to go. After a few days, they had gotten some new friends. One of them is Lady Byrne, and old woman with a friendly face and a plump body. Unlike the proud aristocrats she had met in London, the baroness was surprisingly humble. She paid a visit one afternoon bringing them chicken pie and some biscuits. Soon they found that she was very fond of speaking, amusing them with her stories about myth and magic in the land. She was also a dramatic matchmaker that loved to romanticize everything. They were highly entertained everytime she was around. Grateful with her new friendly, heartwarming companies, Ava could only hope it was a good sign of a new beginning. A first chapter of a new and better life. *** Shielding her eyes with her hand as she walked home from the market, Ava saw an old man riding a cart slowly toward her from a distance. The sun was shining brilliantly today it was almost blinding. The air was stifling hot. As she got near, she saw a lumbered donkey pulled the cart, the old man sat in front of a heap of rough planks. He had a scar across his wrinkled face, his disheveled beard was getting white, his whole expression was stiff and sullen. Suddenly there was a thundering hooves from behind her. She turned to see a lone stallion running madly through the bleak landscape, right toward the old man's cart. "Watch out, sir!" Ava cried to warn him. The old man jerked the bridle hard, forced the donkey to move aside, but the clumsy animal was remarkably slow, it only brayed and lurched, couldn't barely move. The mad horse hit the cart so hard, it was overthrown along with its content, the old man rolling helplessly on the road. "Sir!!!" Ava rushed to the old man quickly and leaned over him. Relieved to see him breathing and not bleeding at all, she patted him gently on the shoulder. "Sir, are you all right?" The old man grunted unclearly and opened his eyes. He frowned as if in pain, trying to brace on his elbow. "You want to sit? Let me help you." Ava tried to pull him up, but he tensed, cursing in pain as she moved him. There might be a broken bone, she didn't know what to do. She never faced a situation like this, yet obviously she couldn't help this poor man alone. "Are you all right, miss?" A smooth, clear baritone voice tickled her ears from behind and she turned back to see ... Apollo or Adonis, she could not decide. The man was possibly the most handsome man she had ever seen. His hazel eyes was warm and enchanting, his nose was perfectly shaped, and his mouth, she swallowed just to see that mouth. Full and masculine, yet it was velvet smooth. He had a strong jaw covered with thin bristles like he hadn't shave for a few days. His unfashionably long golden hair tumbled to his shoulders. His skin was tanned, unlike the dandy gents she had met in London. The stranger looked as captivated as she did. His eyes flickered with awe, just like any man who met her at the first time. She had been accustomed to such appreciation, but this time she was bursting with pleasure. "Uhhh" the old man's rough groan awakened them both from the lull. "Oh" Ava turned back to the accident victim. "Are you all right, sir?" The man leaned back behind her, trapped her with his strong hands. His breath brushed her neck, soothing her damp skin and his warmth surrounded her. His tanned hand was rough and muscular. His shirt sleeves were folded up to his elbow. Seemed like he was a working country man. A farmer or a blacksmith possibly. "I'm okay" the old man snorted in annoyance "My right legs just hurt a little." Ava felt a gentle pat on her shoulder and she turned her head back swiftly. "Excuse me, miss" He bestowed her the most dazzling smile, Ava didn't know which one brighter, the sunshine or his smile. "Do you mind moving a little, I need to see his injury..." "Oh..." She blushed, then moved aside. "Of course." The young man checked the old man thoroughly, meanwhile, Ava made a sideways glance secretly. The man looked like he knew what he was doing. He wore a white casual shirt along with brown vest, a khaki colored trousers and high boots, a country classic style. The old man groaned again. "Is he all right?" Ava looked at the old man with concern. "Supposed to be." He skimmed his hand to the man's injured leg. "Nothing's broken. It's just a sprain possibly. Let me help you on your feet, sir." "I can do it!" He jerked off his hand abruptly, seemed irritated with his offer. "I've suffered much worse injuries than this. Aaarggghhh!!!" He fell back, failed at the first attempt to get himself to stand. "I have no doubt, sir. I can see you are sort of a fighter, a soldier maybe?" Seemed like the young man's clever approach had lifted his pride, because his sullen expression softened, his eyes gleamed. "Indeed. During the restoration. You certainly have an eye, young man." "Salute to you, sir. I've always admired the patriots. You have given all your life protecting people like me. Now when you're in need, I'll be glad to give back, though it's very little and meaningless compared to your service." The old man's resistance loosened and he let the young man lifted him up with an easy pull. When the young man stood up right before her, Ava was stunned by his unusual height. He was a large man, tall and muscular. He let his shirt unbuttoned just above his chest, where a thin mass of golden curls escaped. His rebellious long hair and his bristles made him looked ruggedly handsome and masculine. "Well..." he grinned at her with a mischievous shine in his eyes. "Seems like my hands are full now. I'm afraid you must help with the rest." He cocked his head, motioning to the donkey and the cart along with the scattered planks on the road. "Oh..." Ava's mouth gaped open at the sight of the terrible mess. When she glanced back at him again, his hazel eyes gleaming with laughter. "I'm just joking. How would you fix such a mess alone? I'm going to put you, sir, in your cart. And if you don't mind, miss, can you help with the donkey? That friendly creature seemed quite easy to handle." "My planks!" The old man suddenly exclaimed. "I've been working on them for hours..." "Don't worry about that, sir. I'll get you the new ones tomorrow." "No way!" the old man grumbled. "There's only one cart, sir. Tell me, is it you or the planks I should carry home?" The old man muttered some complaints, but finally agreed. Ava watched in fascination. The way he handled things with a delightful touch of humor was really amusing. And he never knew a man who had the wit. Obviously he was good with people, yet he was sincere. A cold, calculating man like Roger would never bother to help a poor war veteran like this. As they carried the old man home, she was glad he was walking in front of her, so she could have full access to see the dashing stranger without worrying of getting caught. He had tied the bridle to the cart, using it to pull the cart behind him. Admiring his solid back and broad shoulders, Ava noticed that despite his large, well-built figure, he was flexible indeed. The way he moved with such an ease reminded her of a tiger. But he was no savage creature at all, from the way he held the old man firmly but gently before he put him in the broken cart, made certain every single move didn't cause more pain. He was not just clever with words and good with people. He was gentle and thoughtful. He was thorough. Before long, they arrived at a small wooden cottage. Ava tied the donkey to the fence swiftly and followed him into the house. There was no room, the whole of the house had been simplified to be one big bedroom, a rather small bedroom compared to hers in her father's houses. There was a wooden table with only one chair to the right side, a bed at the end of the room, and a cupboard in the right corner. All were shabby and worn out. As he laid the old man on his bed, Ava poured some water from a jug to a used tin cup. Seemed like the old man was living alone here, so it must be his cup. She handed the cup to him, and he drank thirstily, finished the drink with one long swallow. "Now I shall go and find a doctor. Do you mind staying here a little longer, miss?" "Never mind, I'll take care of him." "Great. By the way, we've had a short yet pleasant journey together, but I haven't known your name. What should I call you, miss ...?" "Ava..." she had been very careful not to mention her last name to anyone here. Although Polly said the society in this country was limited and there was no chance this country man knew about the nobility, she would better not taking any risk. He raised his brow. It was not common for a new acquaintances to call each other with given name, especially between men and women. She paused for a while, then confirmed "Just Ava." He stared at her, amused. Then finally he replied "An enchanting name. It serves you very well." She felt her cheeks warmed. "And what should I call you, sir?" "Magnus" A playful sparks flashed in his eyes when he mentioned his name. "Just Magnus." Ava didn't know what to say. He was teasing her, but she could hardly blame him because she was the first one who refused to mention her last name. The old man cleared his throat behind them. Quickly he addressed him with an apologetic tone. "Pardon me, sir. I should have introduced myself to you first. My bad. Now that you know our names, what should we call you?" "Captain John Ballard, at your service." The old man spoke proudly. Magnus gave him a low bow. "Very well, Captain. Looking forward to talk to you later. Now I shall go and call the doctor." Meanwhile, Ava had a little talk with the captain. Although he was a stern guy by nature, he was friendly with her. The captain lived alone in this country after retiring from the army. He had no family left, he had never got married. He simply lived all by himself. Ava promised to visit him tomorrow and brought him a cup of broth and some food. It didn't take long for Magnus to bring the doctor. Soon the captain was taken care of. As he mentioned before, there was no broken bone, the sprain was quite severe but nothing serious. With a little care, after a few days, the captain would be back to normal. The doctor didn't stay long, before he left, Ava saw Magnus paid for the service. Magnus stared at a sword hanging on the wall just beside the table. "Marvelous" he murmured, couldn't take his eyes off the sword. Captain Ballard was sitting on the bed with his leg bandaged. "Do you practice swordplay, young man?" "Since I was a little boy I guess..." he ran his fingers along the sheath in fascination. "I can never stop ever since." "I can show you some move if you like." "Really, sir? Are you good at it?" "The best." The captain bragged bluntly. "I trained every man recruited for His Majesty's Private Army." "Seriously? Then you must be very good." "You can try me after I'm done with this." The old man grumbled at his wounded leg. Magnus turned to the captain with outright curiousity. "If you're that good, sir. Why you couldn't save yourself from a mad horse? A swordman has to be quick." "I had to save my planks, and my cart!" The captain exclaimed. "Really?" Magnus burst into laughter, he crossed his arms across his chest in a relaxed manner and leaned his back to the table. "All right, I've lost more than half my speed, and I'm getting old. But I still got some move." The old man muttered. "We'll see." Magnus grinned. "Careful, young man. I might consider it a challenge." Amazed with the ease between the two, Ava watched in amusement. Suddenly she remembered she had been leaving home for too long. She grasped her basket on the table quickly. "Excuse me, sir. I should be leaving now. See you tomorrow, sir." She nodded awkwardly to the captain, fully awared that the handsome young man was staring at her. She hurried to the doorway. "Wait, miss." The deep voice made her heart stop. "I will walk you home." He walked beside her along the road and she dared not to look at him directly, neither to start a conversation. From the corner of her eye, she could see that the man was studying her in silent. She didn't feel this way when they were carrying the captain before. Now that she was left alone with him, it felt awkward. "So, are you new here, miss?" Finally he broke the silence. "Yes, I've just moved here last week. How do you know?" "I've been here all my life, and never seen anyone or anything quite like you. I would have noticed long ago, if this little town had something really worth seeing." Ava blushed at the way he praised her beauty. All her life, she had had more than plenty compliments to indulge her vanity, but never she felt like this before. Just a little words could make her warm as if she had caught a fever. Struggling to keep her mind clear, she thought about what he just told her. He said he had been living here all his life. So he was a country man like she guessed. "Where do you live, sir?" She would find out more. She braced herself to see him. "Magnus" he gave her the winsome smile again. "Just call me Magnus." His name was unique. "Magnus" she repeated, loving the sound of his name in her voice. "Where do you live, miss?" "Berry Lane near the hill." She completely forgot that he didn't answer her previous question. "You live with your parents?" "No, I've been living with my relatives. The only one I have." She made a little lie to avoid question about family. "What do you do? I mean ... for a living?" "We're selling bread and eggs. And what do you do?" He popped the question about her job first, a good thing, neither way she wouldn't dare to ask his. It took him longer than before to answer. "I'm a ... farmer, yes. A farmer." A farmer, she had also guessed it before. She glanced over him quickly yet thoroughly when he looked away. He was a large, robust hunk with muscles all over, strong hands and light bronze-colored skin like he had been working in the sun everyday in his life. He looked like a farmer, except for his face. He was way too handsome to be a farmer. He should be a Greek god, it suited him perfectly. Suddenly a thought occurred to her. He was such a good looking man with a charming personality. Certainly she wasn't the only woman who was enthralled with him. There was a chance that he had already been taken. Maybe he was married already. Her heart sank at the thought. "Do you live with your family?" She kept her voice relaxed. "Yeah" he smiled slightly, staring at a distance. "A small family of mine." "Really? Do you have any child?" She caught her breath, fearing what she might heard. "What? No!" He nearly laughed, sounded greatly amused. "Someday, I would love to. If I ever found a maiden desperate enough to stick with me." She breathed in great relief. The first sight of her little cottage appeared in the distance. The road to home had always been long and tiring for her since the first day, and it was the same road, yet today the road felt regrettably short. Far too short. They reached the fence of the cottage. "I wish to see you again, miss." "Ava." She corrected. "Just call me Ava." The sound of door swayed open broke their locked gazes. "Ava! Where have you been? I started to think you had ..." Polly stopped talking instantly when she noticed the handsome stranger. "Polly, this is Mister ... Magnus. I've just met him. And... Magnus, this is Miss Polly Banks, my distant cousin." "Nice to see you, miss." He greeted Polly politely. He asked for leave and they exchanged farewell. Ava and Polly watched his back as Magnus walked down the road. "Look at that ass... and that smile. Damn, he's a hell of a man." Polly whistled in excitement. "Ssshhh" Ava hushed her. "He's not too far, he can hear you!" Polly glanced at her with mischievous eyes. "What a great catch. Tell me, how on earth did you stumble upon him?"

It was the same morning like the ones before, but today the sun just shone a little brighter, the birds sang a little sweeter, and she felt her feet swayed a little lighter. She was going to the market as usual, then she had to go to the captain's house. She promised to bring him some food as long as he couldn't move his leg. But it was not the reason why she felt like swinging and humming along the way. He might be there. Magnus. He didn't say a word yesterday but she knew he would be there. The captain's cottage came in sight, her heartbeat began to race wildly.

Suddenly she feared he wasn't there, that there was no chance to meet him again. She sighed in relief when a naked bronze back caught her eye. He was instantly aware of her presence and turned back at her. She sucked in a breath as his naked torso was exposed completely to her eyes. She had never seen a half naked man before. Or maybe she had but it was definitely nothing close to this. He was a living sculpture, a Greek god embodied in flesh. His chiseled chest was coated with a thin layer of sweat, gleaming under the sun. His golden locks was tied behind his neck. He held a saw, looked like he was working with some timber. A glittering spark flashing in his eyes when he saw her. "Good morning." Ava greeted him awkwardly, her mouth went dry. "Nice to see you coming." He showed her his brilliant smile. "What are you doing here?" "I promised the old man I would replace his precious planks, so here I am" "What are they for?" "Looks like he wanted to make a more sufficient stable for that little fellow." He motioned his head to the donkey rested idly by the fence. Ava watched him as he continued sawing the timber into rough planks, savoring the mouthwatering sight. His muscles was flowing with every move beneath the glowing suntanned skin, so tempting to touch. He noticed her thorough observation and halted, meeting her gaze. A mischievous grin played in his lips when he said, "There must be something really interesting around here that has caught your eye." "What?" She blinked in confusion. He shrugged nonchalantly. "Seemed like you're going to stand there all day watching. You know, I think the captain is getting hungry now." "Oh..." she blushed "I'll see him now." She hurried to the house, hearing his quiet laugh behind her. When she stole a glance at him in the doorway, he already turned around to gather some planks. Giving one last look to his pert buttocks, she stepped into the house. He walked her home again that day, and the next day, again and again. Days turned to week and not a day passed without them seeing each other. She was glad the captain's solitariness had been a good reason to keep coming. He was everything she had ever wanted in a man. He was clever, he was funny, he was the most sincere man she had ever known. And he was handsome like the devil. His mischievous eyes and his rakish smile were impossible to resist. Most of all, despite his humble background, he was truly a gentleman. Nobleman at heart. He was a man who paid special attention and respect to women. He was chivalrous. However, Ava found that she was not the only one who was being secretive about her background. Regardless of their closeness, Magnus never spoke about his family, his work, where he lived. She had tried to find out more but seemed like nothing she could get. One day, he brought his sword and showed it to the captain. After almost two weeks of recovery, the old man had returned to his normal state. He studied the weapon intently. "Impressive. Who's your mentor, young man?" "My father." "So, you're coming from a military roots, I suppose?" He smiled, said nothing in answer. Suddenly he looked mysterious in her eyes. Seemed like the captain didn't care as much as she was, the old man didn't push him further about that. The captain promised to show him some moves the next day. Ava was just coming when the sound of metal clanged and clashed in the peaceful morning. A breathtaking sight caught her eye in an instant. Magnus looked exceedingly gallant with his sword, reminding her of some knight she heard as a child once upon a bedtime story. The fine weapon was gleaming under the sun. His unbuttoned white shirt was all damp with sweat, clung tight to his body. He was standing face to face with the captain. Ava watched him in awe as he swung the sword with an amazing ease as if the sword was a natural extension of his hand. He was a magnificent swordsman. A brave man like every woman's dream. She needed a man like him to protect her from Roger, who had been proven to be cruel and brutal at times. "Good Lord, old man! I thought you just bluffed, but you're really good!" "I haven't showed you half of my move yet." The old man replied nonchalantly. "Goddamn!" The practising continued day after day. Ava didn't know precisely when they had officially become mentor and apprentice, but looked like they had been doing it forever. The intensity of the training increased every single day. Ava would never understand something like friendship between men. They didn't have to share every little secret like women did, but somehow the trust grew just as strong. The captain barely knew him, and so did he, yet he gave him everything he had. The swordplay had become a shared passion between them. "I have a nemesis." He said one day when he was standing toe-to-toe with the captain, their eyes locked, swords pointed at each other. "A long standing rival, a considerable opponent. I've never been able to defeat him no matter how hard I try." They began to circle each other, eyes alarmed. "And who is this mighty enemy of yours? Magnus smirked. "Actually, he is not really an enemy..." He stepped to the side just in the right time when the captain advanced with a sudden thrust. "A brother?" "Kind of..." "Ah! Sibling rivalry I see. An all time classic life story. Brothers are the greatest rivals. What's he like?" "Exceedingly fast and merciless. And extremely confident." Magnus slid forward to seize an opening but the captain was fast despite his age, he pushed Magnus' weapon off. "What's his weakness?" "I don't know. If I do I had already defeated him long ago." "Is he as tall as you? As big as you?" "He is about my height, but not as big as I am." Another clashes and clangs as both danced in thrusting and parrying. "So I suppose you're stronger than him?" "Maybe, but he's so damn fast, like the wind. And he bends and moves with a killing ease, like a panther. In a blink, his sword already caught me in the eyes." "Have you ever killed somebody?" "God, no! My conscience would not be able to tolerate it." "Has he?" For a moment, Magnus was silent. But finally he made reply. "Necessarily." " A ruthless warrior he is, isn't he? While you are a merciful one. That's why he is unbeatable for you. He has the guts." "If I have to kill somebody to defeat him, I'd better never be able to defeat him forever." "I won't suggest it either. I've seen too many massacres in my younger days and there was nothing glorious about it." Magnus charged with a forceful thrust but the captain blocked his sword and disarmed him, made the weapon flung away. "Damn, captain! You're hell of a warrior!" Magnus stared at him in astonishment when the captain said "Listen, we'll turn his strength to be his weakness. You said he's extremely confident? And you have never been able to defeat him? Good. He will underestimate you, and you can take it for your advantage. Watch until the moment is right... and make your move at the time he least expect it..." *** "You never told me you have a brother." Ava tried to sound idle as she started a conversation. She was walking home with him. "Yeah" he replied after a short while, sounded reluctant. Seemed like it was an unpleasant topic for him, but she didn't care. She needed to know more about him. "What does he look like? He must look a great deal like you." "Even better." He grinned, staring at a distance. Ava doubted it. Nobody could look better than him. "He's better than me in anything. Absolutely anything. It was always like that since we were kids. He's the pride of the family." He said it in a nonchalant way but Ava could sense a tinge of jealousy and bitterness in his words. Although she had been raised with a bold, fiery sister, she was glad she had never experienced something like siblings rivalry. On the other hand, from his talk with the captain before, she guessed his family was not a common farmer. He was a good swordsman and he had just mentioned something like "pride" and she assumed that he and his brother were raised and educated well. Probably his family was a prosperous farmer or a middle rank military. A sudden thought occurred in her mind. Maybe he was a soldier on leave. "How about your parents?" Ava changed subject to shake him off from the thought of his brother, but he still couldn't get rid of it. "They adore him, they praise him, they speak highly of him all the time." "I mean ... are you close to them? Your father or your mother?" "Not at all" he chuckled as if her question was amusing. "My father despises me, I was never good enough for him. He always regrets the fact that I am his son instead of ..." He halted at once. "That can't be true." Ava protested. "You're such a fine, intelligent man. Your parents should be proud of you. I've never met a man with many excellent qualities as you are." "Really?" Her heart skipped a beat as he smiled at her, looking right into her eyes. At the moment, they reached a small wooden bridge over a trench. She had passed the bridge many times before, but this time she stepped on a broken path and almost slipped away. He grasped her arm swiftly, saved her from falling, then he held her hand, guided her safely along the way. He held her still when they walked out of the dangerous track, and didn't release her hand afterward. It was the first time she had ever walked hand in hand with a man. She ceased to talk, suddenly forgot about digging up details. His hand was rough and calloused against her dainty hand. She loved the feeling of his hand carrying hers, firm and assuring, as if he would lead her through any long, winding road. As if he would keep her safe and never let her go. They walked in silence, yet she felt like they had shared an unspeakable something worth more than a thousand words. Again, the way home was far too short. He didn't release his hold on her until she was right in front of the door. They said farewell and she entered the house, leaning her back to the door after pushing it close and smiling alone as she closed her eyes. Something had happened today, and it was a good thing. Shortly after, Lady Byrne was coming. Ava was glad Magnus had already gone. "I heard you've always walked home accompanied by a handsome lad recently." The lady didn't bother to hide her curiosity. Ava glared at Polly, it must be her telling the lady. "What's his name? I know almost everyone in this town, maybe I know his family." Ava kicked Polly under the table, hinted her not to tell. Ava really liked the old lady, but she was a terrible gossiper. If she knew anything about Magnus, she would spread the gossip over the town, and Ava didn't want it to happen. Polly got her message very well, she stared back at her in answer. With each passing day, she managed to keep it a secret from the lady. Ava had been very careful every time Magnus walked her home, she had always checked from the distance if Lady Byrne's carriage was around. The lady was desperate to know, but Ava managed to avoid talking about it in a friendly way, eventually the lady gave up, but still glanced at her curiously sometimes, and she pretended to be unaware. She didn't know how long she could keep it a secret, but when the time came for the lady to find out, she could only hope she had already knew Magnus' feeling for her. She had no doubt he had something for her, but thus far, he barely said anything about it. *** It was an enchanting evening. The whole country was having a May Day celebration and people had started to gather in the town square since the afternoon. A Maypole had been erected at dawn, brightly decorated with colorful ribbons, boughs and garlands. Soon after the sons and daughters of May proceeded the ritual, the festivities began. Men and women danced around the Maypole in loud music and merrymaking. Magnus pulled her into the dancing revelry and they were blending with dozens of couples. He was swinging, twisting, spinning her on her heels till she felt dizzy and they couldn't stop laughing. She was absorbed to the gaiety and music, completely oblivious about how long they had been there. Thereafter, he lead her out of the noisy festivities into a quiet trail leading to an immense barley field. The stars above looked like a million bright specks sprinkled over a black canvas. "I think I lost something." He spoke in a muffled voice. "What? Let's get back, maybe we can still find it." Ava was about to turn around, but he held her back. "No, someone has stolen it." "What? That's too bad... What's lost?" "My heart..." Suddenly he pulled her so close until their bodies crushed. He kept hold firmly on her waist. Her heart stopped as he looked deep into her eyes. "You're the one who stole it, pretty little thief..." His eyes were sparkling like starlight. "What I got to do with you now?" Her voice was a bit shaking when she replied "I will give it back to you..." "Don't," His warm breath brushed her cheek like a sweet caress. "Just let me have yours" And he bent down and settled his mouth to hers. The stars over the sky were shining so bright tonight, but the fireworks she saw as she closed her eyes were even brighter. It wasn't her first kiss since the disgusting Roger had her first. But it was her first kiss indeed, for it was real. It was mutual, consensual, from the heart. It was a kiss from a man she had fallen in love with, for the first time in her restricted twenty years. It was a first kiss that she always dreamed of. When he walked her home later that night, she prayed he was the knight heaven sent, coming into her life to save her like a tale she heard long long time ago, once upon a bedtime story. *** They walked along the same path to her home the next day in the afternoon, hand in hand, fingers entwined. Last night he had confessed his feeling for her and she had let him know she felt the same way. After lots and lots of exchanged glances and stolen kisses, her home finally got near. Ava scanned along and found no signs of Lady Byrne's presence. There was no carriage around. They walked until they reached the wooden fence of the cottage. "It's hard to say goodbye." He gazed into her eyes, bending to kiss her one last time. "See you tomorrow, love." The door swayed open behind her and a woman's noisy babble burst from the house. Ava turned her head in shock to the doorway, knowing instantly who was standing there. Lady Byrne looked as surprised as she was, even more. Her mouth dropped open like she was seeing a ghost. Ava totally agreed Magnus' entire appearance could be described as jaw dropping, but Ava had never seen the effect on women so literally. She was just thinking Lady Byrne was overly dramatic when the lady hurried toward them and performed a low, elegant curtsy. "My Lord! What a pleasant surprise! I sure didn't expect to see you here!"