Chapter 17

Beyond the massive rolling green grassland loomed Lord Waldorf's Elizabethan Palace. Three stories high, the mansion stood gloriously against the background of sheltering trees, faraway mountains and clear blue sky.

"Look, here we are at last! Beautiful, isn't it?"

Lady Byrne opened the window and leaned out to have a better look. A sudden gust of wind blew her untied bonnets out of the window.

"My hat!!! Oh dear!"

The hat flew by several yards away and caught in a branch of willow tree. Fortunately it trapped in the lower branch, the pink silk ribbon hanging down and rippling in the breeze.

"I'll get it."

Ava alighted from the carriage after the lady ordered the coachman to stop. She rushed to the tree by the edge of the road. Ava stood on her tiptoes and stretched out to reach the hanging ribbon, but it was still too far. She tried again, once, twice, suddenly a leather-gloved hand came from behind her and took the hat. She turned around to see the man who helped her.

For an instant, she was struck by a sudden fascination. Standing before her was one of the most impressive creatures she had ever seen. The man was a vision of masculinity and elegance. She couldn't describe his face as handsome, although it wasn't rough or rugged either. His dark hair was rebelliously longer than proper, falling to his collar. His eyes were a brilliant grey like a silver lightning, sharp and piercing set in a refined, aristocratic feature. For a moment, his eyes held her hostage. Those heart-stopping eyes seemed like they could see into the depth of the soul and never missed a thing. Her eyes traveled down and lingered on his mouth. She held her breath almost unconsciously. The mouth looked like it was made for sin. Like it was made for naughty whispers and scorching kisses. He was tall and slender, broad-shouldered with no excessive bulk in his lithesome figure. All about him spoke of vigorous health and virility, and powerful sensuality. The man smiled and passed the bonnet to her.

"Thank you, sir."

She gasped, brought back to the present. The man seemed to drown out everything around him.

"I'm just happy I happened to be here."

His voice was velvety rough, like a man who had just awakened from a deep sleep. His gaze cruised the shape of her and she felt her hair nape rising in alarm. There was only one man could have this effect on her with just one glance. In an instant she recognized the same air of superiority about them. Just as the other man was, this one was a lethal male.

"I truly believe that people cross paths for a reason. May I beg to know your name, Miss?"

"Never mind my name. I'm no miss, Sir. I'm coming to accompany my lady."

From his impeccably tailored clothing, Ava knew instantly that he was a gentleman, and a highborn such as him should not be associating with women of her station.

"Um, my lady is waiting. I have to go, Sir. Again, thank you."

Not waiting for his response, she sidestepped him and rushed to the waiting carriage.

"My God! Dear, you just met Lord Blackthorne!"

Lady Byrne screeched the moment Ava stepped into the carriage.

"Who?"

"The Earl of Blackthorne! Lothario of London! Such a dashing rogue, isn't he? Half of the women in the country are dying to have a minute with him!"

"And what about the other half?"

Ava asked jokingly, thoroughly amused by the lady's excitement.

"They are either children or oldsters like me."

They burst in laughter and turned in their seat to look at him through the back window as he entered his coach behind them. He must knew immediately she was going to the same direction as he was.

Lady Byrne just couldn't stop talking about how incredibly handsome the lord was until the carriage finally rocked to a smooth halt, distracting the lady from the previous subject. They had arrived at the mansion. Soon they were busy proceeding to the mansion with a heap of trunks, receiving a grand welcome from the noble pair who owned the great house.

She escorted Lady Byrne to her room in the second floor. This time they wouldn't share bed because each lady's maid got a separate room at the back of the building. She helped Lady Byrne changed clothes, then the lady yawned and told her to have a tour about the estate while she was taking a nap.

She strolled along the small corridor with large windows on one side that overlooked a large formal garden. Beyond the garden, an enormous forest loomed in the shadow of trees. Only a small stream separated the lawn from the wilderness. She stared at the view in curious wonder, suddenly consumed by a strong desire to wander into the woods.

Just as she reached the staircase, she saw the duke ascending the stairs alone. She grasped the banister unconsciously, feeling her heart beat faster at the sight of him. He looked preoccupied, his expression inscrutable. However, her presence didn't escape his notice, soon his gaze landed on hers.

Uncertain what to say, she managed a short greeting.

"I hope you had a pleasant trip."

"Thanks, I did."

She hesitated, but at last she decided to ask.

"You seem particularly occupied."

"Matthew didn't come. I made up reasons and delayed the departure for two hours more, but he didn't show up."

He looked as if he had just lost a fortune, his eyes lost their brilliant sparks.

"I'm sorry."

She replied quietly.

There was a clear hint of remorse and dismay in his voice as he spoke

"I wish he wouldn't end up dying in the street."

"He wouldn't,"

She approached him in an urgent need to console him. She almost touched him absentmindedly.

"You said he has a stout spirit, and he doesn't easily crack under pressure. I believe he will find ways to look after himself."

When he remained still without a word, she convinced him.

"Don't worry. He is stronger and smarter than you can possibly imagine. He'll be fine."

Behind her some chattering and footsteps echoed in the corridor. She must leave before anyone saw them speaking to each other.

"I'd better be going."

She descended the stairs past him. He caught hold of her arm suddenly, startling her. She looked up at him in surprise.

"Can I talk to you again some other time?"

Like they had so much to talk. Like it were completely normal for them to speak to each other. She should answer no, just like she responded to Lord Blackthorne, but when his rapture blue eyes beheld hers like that, as though she was the only thing that mattered, it was tough to say no. She nodded and turned her blazing face away from him.

She rushed downstairs, on the way to the garden, something distracted her from her initial purpose. In the long corridor leading to the garden, she found a library. The huge door opened wide and she decided to look around. The air was filled with smells of rich mahogany and bound-leather books. Row after row of ceiling height shelves were full of neat stacks of books. Everything in the library was arranged in an orderly, tidy way. She sauntered between the shelves, admiring some very old books. She stopped here and there to have a quick look at some books. She was flipping through the pages of an old periodical when a rich, low-toned voice reached her ear.

"I guess today is my lucky day."

Startled, she turned aside immediately.

Arms crossed over his chest, leaning against a shelf only a few steps away from her, Lord Blackthorne regarded her with a playful smile. He looked ravishing in his devil-may-care look, perfectly comfortable in his own skin. She wondered how a man could look absolutely graceful and disreputable at the same time. She had a feeling that he was a man who had no fear nor doubt of breaking the rules whenever it suited his purpose. Even though she had no desire to have another encounter with him, she had to admit that Lord Blackthorne was irresistibly attractive.

"I know I'll see you again, but I don't expect it to be this instant. I believe it's a signpost to continue where we left off. I am Rhys Barrett Lennard, will be very pleased indeed to make your acquaintance."

"I am most certainly not expected to speak to you, My Lord."

Putting the book back on the shelf, she decided to be brief with her response. She tried to edge past him, but he stepped aside, blocking her way.

"My Lord, would you please excuse me."

She managed to keep her voice steady as she inspected the room furtively. Except for the two of them, the library was empty and the door was far from reach.

"Please allow me me to make a little bargain,"

His eyes roamed lightly over her yet she felt her skin tingled and warmed as though he was touching her with the merest brush of his fingertips.

"A free pass for the pleasure to know your name."

She braced herself to look back at him. She knew certainly the purpose of this flirtatious game, and she was not the least bit interested in playing it. However, she didn't want to make a fuss, she had to get through it in the most unobtrusive manner.

"I am Miss Ava Banks of Evergreen Valley."

"A beautiful name, although not nearly as beautiful as you."

"Thank you, My Lord. Now if you'll excuse me~"

"Why hurry, Miss Banks? Do you have to go somewhere else?"

"Yes,"

She thought of a more open space.

"I'd like to see the garden."

"Ah, I have a fondness for gardens."

A glint of mischief sparked in his eyes.

"Let me come along with you. There are so many interesting spots there I can show you."

Her breath caught at the wicked promise implied in his polite words.

"I'm afraid I have to refuse your kind offer."

"I promise you some company will be harmless. You'll find that I am the most agreeable escort."

"I believe you understand as well as I am, My Lord, that it would be utterly inappropriate for us to be seen together."

"If you don't want to be seen, I can make some suitable arrangement."

Her eyes widened at the unexpected boldness. Fortunately, some noisy footsteps coming into the room. A moment later, a convenient crowd came into sight. As the group of guests got near, Ava slipped past him and scurried out of the library. When she was already in a safe distance, she glanced over her shoulder. Fortunately the lord didn't follow her.

She wished she had made it unmistakably clear, but she still felt it wasn't safe for her to wander alone. So she chose to stay in the safety of her room until almost nightfall and only returned to Lady Byrne's bedchamber afterward.

Because usually some of the guests hadn't arrived yet in the first day, the soiree would be held in the second day. This evening, dinner served in each guests' bedchamber, and she was glad she didn't have to anticipate another encounter with Lord Blackthorne today.

The next day, when they joined the other guests to have breakfast at the dining room, she caught sight of Lord Blackthorne amongst the other guests a distance away from her, but she found that he was no longer stalking her. She noticed that the earl exchanged smiles with some passing ladies several times. She observed him surreptitiously a few times and much to her relief, he didn't glance in her direction at all. Perhaps he had ceased his pursuit toward her and was now aiming a more willing target.

In the afternoon, she rambled around the garden, looking around and glancing over her shoulders every now and then to make sure Lord Blackthorne didn't follow her. But ever since she spotted him in the dining room this morning, there was no sign of the earl's presence anywhere. A robin perched on a fountain nearby, the little bird chirped as if greeting her. Just when she tried to touch it, the bird flew off. She traveled further to the end of the garden and stopped still as the painting and music of nature fascinated her. Wildflowers grew along the edge of the stream. The trickles of water mingled with the voice of birds chirping. A fallen trunk crossed the stream, made a walkway to the forest beyond.

Grasping her skirt, she trod carefully along the narrow trunk. A rush of joy filled her as she finally reached the end of the bridge. She wandered into the woods in pure excitement. The air was fresh and damp. A shaft of sunlight passed through the canopy of leaves, dappled the forest floor with glowing patches. The beetles on a fallen leaf caught her sight. Birdsongs echoed above her head. The sight, the sound, the atmosphere were reminiscent of her country childhood. She drew a deep breath, filling her lungs with sweet scent of earth.

"I think I've seen a woodland fairy."

She jolted as though she had just caught sight of a snake. She turned toward the voice and froze in pure terror. Lord Blackthorne was standing a few feet away in front of her. His black hair was not perfectly neat and tamed like before, it seemed like the wind had just whipped through the locks, his shirt was partially unbuttoned on top and the sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. He looked casually handsome, and even more dangerous.

"What a pleasant surprise to find you here in the woods... all alone."

She stepped back instinctively, her blood ran cold. She couldn't think of an answer. In an instant, her instinct were telling her to run. Run as fast as she could. Her instinct were telling her, she was in some sort of danger.

A little voice in her head tried to calm her anxiety. However, he was a nobleman. Even though he was known as a rake, it didn't mean that he was a rapist. But one could never judge only by status or appearance or even track record. Roger was no lesser noble than him. Gentleman by birth, perfectly urbane and civilized, he also had a good reputation in that matter. Yet it didn't stop him from assaulting her. The thought scared her out of her wits.

"My lady must be looking for me now. I told her I was going to the forest."

She prayed it would make him think twice if he meant to do anything untoward. To face such dangerous creature, she had to keep her fear from showing, or she would have no chance to escape.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I must return to the mansion."

She spun around her heels and left without making a curtsy. She was too nervous to care about such things. She dashed across the landscape, fear rising with every step. She heard the tread of his boots behind her and she quickened her pace. Heart pounding in terror, she regretted her venture to this secluded place. No one was very likely to come this way, they were completely alone and unobserved.

Suddenly his hand circled around her waist and pulled her back until she crushed his hard body. She shrieked and bucked against him, but his strong hand held her tighter than a chain.

"Easy..." His warm breath brushed the soft, sensitive skin below her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.

"You almost step in a hole."

She looked down in trembling breath and saw a grass-covered hole just inches away from her. He had just saved her from falling into an animal trap. She stopped squirming and forced herself to still in his hold. Slowly, his hand slid along her belly to her waist, tracing a warm, enticing pattern over her skin beneath the fabric before releasing her.

"Thank you, my lord, for saving me." She said without turning. The sound of her heartbeat was still thundering in her ears. She stepped aside with unsteady legs, walking more carefully this time.

Well, perhaps she was too paranoid. Still she felt uneasy to be alone with him. To her great relief, soon they reached the stream. The great mansion came into view. After crossing the bridge, they would be in an open area.

"Wait." He stopped her.

"The bridge looks like it's going to fall down at any moment. Let me try it first."

He strolled down the narrow bridge with a fluid ease and halted in the middle.

"Come, let me help you."

He called, beckoning her over with his head and offered his hand.

She hesitated.

"Thank you, my lord, but it's really unnecessary."

He smiled, a sensuous smile that would turn women's mind to mush, although it made her feel uncomfortable rather than dazzled.

"There's nothing to be afraid of. Come here, I won't bite."

She stepped on the bridge and took his hand reluctantly. He held her hand firmly and she looked down to watch her steps. All of the sudden, he pulled her forcefully, and she let out a startled cry. Her body swayed and crushed his hard angle. He held her close against his body, pressing her tight to him. His strong hands circled her waist in possessive grip.

"My lord?"

She recognized instantly the gleam of mischief in his eyes. She tried to wrench away but the risk of making them both falling into the stream limited her attempt.

"Please let me go."

She tried to say it in a steady, demanding tone but an obvious tremor betrayed her effort.

"Of course."

His low laugh made the hair on her nape rising.

"But as you already knew, there's a toll to pay."

She stiffened when his large hand cupped her face. It happened so fast, before she could think about anything, his gentle mouth already touched hers. She gasped in shocked surprise, her lips parted open. He took advantage of it and his tongue slid in like a snake. Her eyes widened and she writhed against him, but her body was trapped with an unbreakable lock and her protest were muffled by his clever mouth. She tried to fight, but when his warm tongue met hers and played skillfully in the depth recesses of her mouth, for an instant she couldn't control the shiver of pleasure running through her whole body. Her hands trembling helplessly on his chest and her body loosened in his arms, betraying all her efforts to struggle. For a moment sensations made her head swim and her body float against gravity. He took what he wanted not by force, but by persuasion. Only when his hands traveled lower to her buttocks, and pressed her against the hard bulge in the center of his body, she snapped out of the trance with a sudden jerk.

She turned her face away abruptly, breaking the kiss. Surprisingly he let her go so easily, his hands fell away, and she could feel his whole body went rigid. She looked up and saw him staring at the other side of the bridge. She turned to look in the direction and froze with a wild leap of heart.

The duke was standing there, watching them with a look that chilled her blood.

"It's not like what you think..."

She blurted without thinking and scurried down the trunk. She halted before him, looking up at him with racing mind, she couldn't decide what to say and how to begin.

"Leave."

He said without sparing her a glance, looking straight at the man standing in the middle of the bridge. She had seen his eyes burning with fury, but she never knew those eyes could look that horrendous. Like eyes of a wolf stalking its prey. She sidestepped past him and hurried away.

He had just arrived not so long ago, but he made it just in time to see her in the moment of surrender, her hands ceased to push and her body stopped resisting, before shaking in the devil's arms. He saw it all, though it lasted only a split second.

He almost could see her mouth opened wider and took Blackthorne's evil tongue inside and sucked it. He imagined it. Then she let Blackthorne's filthy hand touch her intimately, in the private part of her body.

He had a week in long private hours with her and he never touched her, he had but not in an intimate sort of way. Not that he wanted to, he didn't mean to go such lengths. And he thought she was worth his respect. Everytime he came near, she avoided him like a disease. But in less than half a day, Blackthorne had kissed her, and she allowed him. She let him claim her, tasting every drop of her sweet mouth without any resistance. She gave in to a stranger so easily. Foolish of him, to believe that she was different. She was just the same like all the women who shared her blood.

"Your Grace, what convenient timing."

Blackthorne gave a lazy smile without a nod or a bow, apparently this rake didn't care to show him the least of the damned formality.

"Find yourself another conquest, Blackthorne. That one is not available for the hunt. You will keep your distance away from her as far as you possibly can. Do you understand?"

A spark flashing in Blackthorne's eyes as they met his gaze.

"Very well, Your Grace. There's just one little problem,"

One corner of his mouth hitched up slightly higher in a mocking smile.

"I don't take orders from you."

Blackthorne made the challenge unmistakably clear in every word spilling out of his mouth.

"You unquestionably have deluded yourself if you think you can just walk in and lay claim to all that you please."

For all his life, Ashton had never felt as wild and bloodthirsty as this precise moment. He had assassinated many men in the past, without an urge to kill, without a lust for vengeance. He didn't take pleasure in doing it. But at this very moment, he had both the urge and lust in the most extreme intensity and he would take a great pleasure in shedding Blackthorne's filthy blood to the very last drop. Yet not even the slightest bit of the scorching emotion escaped his voice when he replied.

"I will forgive your impertinence as it appears you have yet to recognize that you are poaching on my preserve."

A few wasn't intimidated by him, and Blackthorne was one of them. He knew Blackthorne was not an easy opponent to outmaneuver, physically and mentally. And the last thing he wanted was to put his reputation on the line with an unreasonable duel in the residence of his fiancée's relatives. It took guile and cunning to completely secure her from this rakehell without making a spectacle.

"I see."

Blackthorne responded shortly as the absolute fact dawned on him. He had noticed at once that the girl and the duke knew each other. She staggered when she saw him and she defended herself immediately. She rushed toward him and stood still, waiting for his command. She obeyed him without hesitation. What kind of relationship did a girl from her station possibly have with a man like him?

"My apologies. Such a sweet tempting mischief she is."

Blackthorne sauntered leisurely past him, muttering casually.

"I don't mind a handover when you no longer want her..."

The day I give up her is the day I go to my grave.

The sudden thought came from the farthest, distant recesses of his mind as an answer. It struck him like a lightning. Ludicrous, he had seen it with his own eyes, she was a minx. She wasn't worth it. Moreover, she was nothing to him. Then why did he interfere with Blackthorne's amorous pursuit toward her? If she wanted a fling with that rogue, what did he care? She possibly had already slept with many men before. The very thought of it wreaked havoc in his mind, violent and uncontrollable like a sandstorm, assailing every bit of good senses in blinding blast of fury. He stared blankly at the empty bridge with one certain thing on his mind. He would not make a fool of himself wanting a wanton like her. Despite all that, he just couldn't let anyone else have her.

******

As she walked to the great house, Ava was feeling bad and uneasy all the way. How many of it had he seen? What would he think about her? The way he looked at her in Lord Blackthorne's arms reminded her of the old days, before everything changed. When he felt nothing for her but loathing and disgust. She shivered at the thought and began to regret her coincidental encounter with Lord Blackthorne. She shouldn't have gone to a secluded place alone, she shouldn't take his offer to help her pass through. However, he had no reason to be bothered. She was nothing to him and he was nothing to her. She didn't owe him any explanation. As for Lord Blackthorne...

She touched her lower lips with trembling fingers. Her lips still tingled from his kiss and she felt like the lingering sensation there would last forever. It was a kiss from the devil, yet it tasted like a stolen piece of heaven. Sinfully sweet, it was a kiss that could awaken the dead. It had been too long she forgot how it felt to be kissed. But as long as she remembered, she had never been kissed like that. A kiss that awakened an unknown passion within and made every bit of her nerve came to life. She shook her head to get rid of the lurid thoughts. Now more than ever, she had greater reason to keep her distance away from him. The Earl of Blackthorne was temptation incarnate.

*****

"Oh dear! I left my reticule in the music room!"

Lady Byrne sudden exclamation interrupted Ava's occupied mind. Just like the entire guests, they were attending an evening soirée in the ballroom.

"I hate to bother you, darling, but could you fetch it now?"

"Of course, my lady. Are you certain you left it there?"

"Yes, next to the harpsichord, I think."

Ava felt uncomfortable as she remembered the music room was quite far from the ballroom. It was not the distance that mattered, it was the situation of being alone in a secluded place. But she had no choice. She couldn't tell her recent encounter with Lord Blackthorne to the lady.

Standing alone with a flute of champagne, the Earl of Blackthorne inspected the large ballroom with his observant eyes. Ever since he stepped into the room, women competed for his attention. Some blinked slowly at him in subtle invitation, some flirted boldly with him, but he declined them all. At this moment, he wasn't interested to quench the burning needs with the ordinary and the mundane.

Perusing the sea of faces, he found what he searched. The ballroom was full of lovely women, but he didn't need a magic mirror to tell who was the fairest of them all. Riveting his gaze on her, Blackthorne curled his fingers into fist in aching need.

He was not accustomed to not getting what he wanted when women were concerned. Women of all ages and class hurled theirselves at him all the time. Whenever he needed one, women were always available, in a colossal amount that could surpass the king's harem, until he finally got jaded, and only a few women could whet his appetite. The dark-haired beauty intrigued him. She possessed such sensual innocence that made him burn with desire. At first, she gave an impression of purity. When she refused his advances, it was as though the reason was morality. Even now when he knew the truth that she wasn't untouched, the sight of her still boiled his blood in unspent passion. She looked so young and innocent, almost naive. How could she ever deceive him? He always knew whether a woman was chaste or debauched in the first place.

He remembered the taste of her, the resistance she offered when he kissed her, before she melted helplessly in his arms. He imagined how she responded to a more intimate touch. He was just about to savor her sweet surrender when their moment was suddenly interrupted by an unwanted intruder. The vain duke. He recalled their recent encounter in the afternoon. From the way the duke ordered him about with immeasurable arrogance, he had no doubt the man considered himself king. That arrogant prick behaved in an unreasonable confidence as though he owned the world and everything in it.

Something~ or somebody drew attention to the doorway and he glanced in the direction. The duke was entering the room, and Blackthorne watched in irritation as the ladies in the ballroom granted him with admiring glance while the gentlemen gave him a courtly welcome.

The Duke of Vermont was a cocky bastard, yet the entire ton seemed to justify his cockiness. They placed him on a pedestal as a role model. A man with grand principles and incredible moral standards. The gentlemen spoke highly of him. The older ladies offered their daughters to him any chance they had while they dragged their girls away the second a rakehell like himself came into sight. Those poor ladies never knew that their paragon of virtue was no better than him, Lothario of London. The utmost difference was; he just didn't care to preserve his propriety in public like some hypocrites.

Tracking the other man's gaze, Blackthorne knew where it anchored. The elfin beauty darted around people and headed toward the doorway. The duke moved in the same direction. He noticed instantly that the duke was following the girl at a discreet pace. Occasionally that bloody bastard stopped and talked to some of his peers but he kept an eye on her all the time. She went out of the ballroom and soon he could no longer see her. A moment later, the duke followed her path and disappeared beyond the doorway as well. Stealing some time for a passionate interlude, very likely. There were only so many vacant rooms in the secluded corridor.

His eyes wandered across the room in search of another person, the poor fiancée the duke had just left, alone and abandoned. Venus of Wales, they called her. With her moonbeam-colored hair and her tall, slender figure, it didn't took long to find her in the crowd. With her unusual height, she dwarfed all the women around her, as much as she did with her exceptional beauty. Always dressed in subtle, understated style, evidently she didn't need more display to enhance her loveliness. The pearls around her long, swanlike-curve neck glowing softly under the muted light of the chandeliers. The champagne colored gown looked perfect on her flawless skin. Her skirt swirled slowly when she took a few steps and he could see that beneath the silk were a pair of long, long legs. She was a true gem, but for him, her physical riches was not her most impressive feature. Beyond that, she possessed a natural, effortless grace he had never seen in any other woman.

Damn lucky bastard.

He had a goddess and a temptress at the same time. Life had favored him in too many ways nevertheless he was positively undeserving of all those advantages. He studied the lady with piercing scrutiny. With her slim, willowy figure, she looked dainty and delicate. Even so, he knew by instinct, she was anything but vulnerable. Even if she were just an ordinary woman, still she wasn't a woman to trifle with.

He finished his champagne in one long swallow. Without tearing his gaze from her, he set the flute on a tray carried by a passing footman, then took a few determined steps toward her.

"Lady Selene Wyndham,"

He put on his most charming smile.

"Will you do me the honor of allowing me to dance with you?"

Glancing at the man came over her, Selene raised a brow in surprise. Had this rogue not known that Lady Selene Wyndham didn't dance with scandalizers?

"I'm afraid I have quite enough of dance tonight."

"Of course, but I believe you would be kind enough to spare me the last dance."

The lady strayed her gaze across the room, as though just looking at him was beneath her dignity.

"I'm saving the last dance for my fiancé."

It wasn't the first time a woman declined his advances, but it was possibly the first time a woman truly declined him, not for the purpose of playing hard to get. Well, the second time probably, although he suspected the other woman's rejection was tentative.

"He is such a lucky man, but I'm not sure he will appreciate it."

"Pardon?"

The lady's gaze returned to him, he smiled inwardly for now he got her undivided attention.

"Because I know it very well, my lady."

He made a deliberate pause to emphasize the effect of his statement.

"This precise moment, your fiancé is busy entertaining himself in the arms of another woman."

"I suppose you know better than to play your tricks on me, My Lord."

It was such a terrific day. Never in his life he had difficulties in handling women, but today he was rejected by a woman, and intimidated by another.

"I dare not. I'm offering you an important, factual information that I believe would be of value."

The lady only cast an assessing glance at him for a long while. He grew restless in anticipation. There was a chance she would just turn away and leave him without a second thought.

"But of course you don't need to know it from me. Sooner or later, you will find out by yourself. You'll need a long time, I suppose. Your soon-to-be husband has exceptional ability in hiding secrets."

He spun on his heel and walked away.

"I guess such a valuable information comes with a price."

She finally said.

His lips curved a triumphant smile and he turned toward her.

"I think I can get you a good price on that."

Across the room, the orchestra started to play the music for the upcoming dance. He made an elegant bow and offered his hand.

"Now, may I have this dance?"

*****

Walking alone in the hallway to the music room, Ava was on full alert. The music room was quite far from the ballroom. To fetch the reticule, she had to pass the corridor, dashed up the empty stairway in fear of unexpectedly being caught by Lord Blackthorne once again. Once she found the reticule in the music room, she took it and rushed downstairs. Her footsteps echoed in the walls. Dim and silent, the side of the building was completely empty as the entire guests were gathering at the ballroom. Not even a servant passed by. She wondered if someone could hear her scream from here.

When she scurried along the long corridor, suddenly she glimpsed a figure standing in the shade of an alcove. The man stepped out immediately, barring her passage. She almost shrieked in shock, but his pewter locks made her recognized him at once. For a second she was thankful to find it wasn't the man she feared for, but the relief last no longer than a heartbeat. He shot a crudely insulting stare that made her even more startled than before. He cut to the chase.

"How much did it cost for him to get what he wants from you?"

Stung by his unexpected hostility, she frowned in confusion.

"I don't understand what you're~"

He cut her off impatiently.

"How much did he pay you for the entertainment you provide?"

Gasped in shock, she took a step back.

"I would never do something like that at any price."

"What's the bargain, then?"

The loathing flickered in his eyes made her skin tingle with fear.

"If you don't set a price for your companionship, what does he give you in return? Is it simply pleasure for pleasure?"

Her mind started to figure out what this was all about, still, she didn't expect him to be so furious.

"You've got that all wrong. I wanted nothing to do with him. I accidentally met him in the forest, I tried to escape from him, but he caught me in the middle of the bridge, and~"

"No need to explain, I saw it before my very eyes."

Darkness cast a menacing shadow over his face.

"You play it better than any woman in your family. You almost convinced me you are different from all of them."

He thought he would take great satisfaction in hurting her, but when he saw the shocked, painful look in her eyes, he felt the pain hit him just as much. In one startling moment, he was shaken by unexpected emotion. Before she returned his glacial glare and said.

"Even if it were true, what is any of that to do with you?"

He caught hold of her arm as she tried to push past him. His fingers biting her flesh so deep it hurt. Her heart began to pound in panicked beat as she looked up on his hard face and she heard her own sobbing breath. In one wild instant, he almost lost his head in an overwhelming urge to thrust her into the shadowy alcove and kiss her without mercy, robbing her breath out of her and took possession of it.

They looked at each other in stunned bewilderment. For a moment there, she had an insane idea that any moment he would shove her to the wall and kiss her senselessly.

It took a great deal of self control to restrain himself from following the irresistible urge, but one thought slipping into his mind a second before he lapsed. If he kissed her, she would know for sure that he desired her. If she knew it, she would think that she mattered to him, that she was important to him, and that she had power over him. God, no. He didn't give a damn about her.

So what was he doing right now, in the place he wasn't supposed to be, one second he was overcharged with hatred, another second he was torn with regret, a moment later he flew with fury, next he was almost overtaken by desire?

He released his grip with a sudden jerk, and she snatched her hand away, retreating a few steps from him. She had a hundred reasons to fear him, but she refused to let him insult her without any resistance. Trembling with outrage, she thrust her chin up and looked straight into his eyes.

"As much as you despise women of my kind, you should not forget that men of your class, who consider themselves worthy of utmost respect, are absolutely the largest buyer of what those women have to offer."

And with that, she turned around and left him rooted to the spot. Tears brimmed in her eyes, and a huge lump stuck in her throat. She felt like her heart was just stabbed with a jagged, poisonous dagger.

She knew what every person thought about her. She knew what the ladies of society talked about behind their fans in her presence, as much as she knew what the staring noblemen thought everytime she walked past them.

"You're just a whore, like your mother, like your sister."

Roger couldn't be more distinct about that. Even the best kind of man like Magnus saw her as nothing more, that was the reason he left her when she asked more than what she was worth.

So why on earth does his opinion matter to her? He might think whatever he wanted.

But really, in a split second, there was something in his eyes when he looked at her, she felt like she could fairly see it. Battle of emotions, the truth of his feelings flashing through for just an instant before it flickered away.

Nonsense.

She had to forget her crazy, stupid infatuation for him. And her silly fantasy that he had some serious feeling for her. If today had taught her anything, it was that she should be done involving herself with men of nobility from this moment on. No one of them really appreciated her value. No one. Each of them fascinated her at first, but in the end, they brought her nothing but heartache and disappointment.

The party was a feast for the senses. The decorations, the food, the music, everything was delectable, but Lady Selene Wyndham could no longer enjoy the enchanting evening. Just not so long ago, she was informed that her betrothed was having an illicit affair. And the woman was here with them, masquerading as a lady's companion. She might had seen her during the soirée without knowing that the woman was her betrothed's devil spawned whore.

One of the significant reasons she agreed to this arrangement was because of the duke was highly reputable. He never kept a mistress, and even if he actually had a few short-lived affairs, he had been very discreet about it. He was never touched by gossip, never mind scandal.

She was not that naive to believe that he had never had some 'experiences' in the past, but she wouldn't tolerate something like the presence of another woman in their marriage, no matter how perfectly concealed it was. He must learn that Lady Selene Wyndham demanded absolute fidelity from a husband.

People came and went through the door but none of them was her betrothed or his whore. They wouldn't come in the same time. They would come separately, one after another. Women, ladies and maids appeared in the doorway, some were familiar faces, some other were not, but she knew those women were not the one she was looking for. Dark hair, lovely face. Many women in the room matched that criteria, but no one felt right. Until a young woman swept through the doorway at hurried pace.

"Ah, here it is. Thank you dear," Lady Byrne noticed Ava's pale, strained face and asked. "You don't look very well. What's wrong, dear?"

"Nothing," She fought back tears and tried to keep her voice steady.

"I'm fine, my lady."

"No, you're not."

She couldn't tell what really happened to the lady, and she didn't think she could stand the pain and pretend to enjoy the party any longer, so she sighed and replied.

"I'm sorry. The long journey, I think. I'm just a little bit tired."

"Let's get back." Lady Byrne hold her arm firmly and guided her through the crowd. Ava glanced at the lady regretfully.

"I wouldn't want to spoil your fun."

"Nonsense, I'm getting bored anyway."

She said nothing in response, feeling touched by the lady's genuine affection. Not all nobility was bad, actually. Just the male species.

By intuition, Lady Selene Wyndham knew at once the beautiful woman was the one she had been looking for. Especially when she accompanied Dowager Countess Byrne out of the ballroom. She was posing as a lady's companion. A perfect charade to cover her true purpose. The moment she laid eyes on her, she could see what made her fiancé fall into temptation. However, she was never the one who convicted without evidence. And she was determined to uncover every hidden secret of her fiancé before their wedding day. She would find out whether her fiancé had been unfaithful or not. She would find out whether this woman was his lover indeed. Only then she could decide what to do. And she didn't have much time. She would figure out everything by the end of the week.