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Chapter 132
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2024-10-29 19:42:56"I believe there's some mistake here. I assume Miss Banks is experiencing some misleading symptoms, but she is definitely not pregnant."
"What?! But... my period is almost three weeks late, and I'm usually pretty regular." She blurted, completely shocked of the unexpected outcome.
"There are many other reasons for missed or late period, Miss. It's actually quite common among women of your age. In your case, I suspect a sudden weight loss that might throw off your period. I suggest you come back if you still haven't gotten your period in two weeks."
Saying nothing in response, Ava looked away in shame. Aware of her perturbation, Ashton promptly said, "Doctor Engelbert, this is a very personal and private matter, and it will have to remain confidential. Do you understand?"
"We'll take good care of it, Your Grace." The doctor bowed solemnly. Mrs. Engelbert who was standing beside her husband lowered her
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Disgraceful Chapter 133
"Easy, it's me."She froze at the sound of the deep, familiar voice. Immediately the intruder removed his hand from her mouth and turned her around to face him."It's alright, it's alright..."Ashton said as he cupped her face with both hands. Too shocked to respond, Ava offered no resistance when he pulled her into his arms and cradled her tenderly against his chest."I can't stop thinking about you, about what happened yesterday. I came to tell you I'm sorry. I'm terribly sorry."For long stupefied seconds, she was dazed by his unexpected appearance, and his drastic change of behavior. She remained still with one side of her face pressed against his chest. His heartbeat pounded beneath her ear, reverberated through her as it had been when he held her after they had made love. The memories, and the pain of it, filled her with sudden anger. She twisted free from his embrace, but he caught at her wrist, hold
Disgraceful Chapter 134
With a shocked gasp, Ava pulled away and slammed the door shut but Roger was faster. Quickly he wedged his foot against the door and pushed heavily forward. The door swung open, sending her staggering back several steps. The next second, his hands shot out to grab her neck, his fingers digging into her throat so deep she couldn't breathe, gulping for air like a fish washed ashore. Obviously pleased to see her in pain, Roger shoved her over the wall and followed after her, pinning her against the stout bricks with his weight."Do you miss me, love? Don't say no because I do. You look so ravishing I can take you here and now. I've missed you that much."He squeezed her breast through the thin fabric of her gown. His hot, fetid breath struck her skin as he grunted lustfully into her ear. Turning away her head in disgust, she wondered how she had let him kiss her several times in the past. She shrieked when he ripped the top of her gown, revealing her white,
Disgraceful Chapter 135
A steely voice intruded the scene and Ava's knees almost buckled from shock and relief. She turned to see Ashton standing in the middle of the street a distance away from them. There was a commanding air about him that others inclined to obey him at once, for Roger's grip on her instantly loosened.Sending thanks to Heaven for sending her help just in time, Ava twisted free, scrambling clumsily toward her rescuer. With her hands tied behind her back, she had difficulty maintaining her balance. Quickly stalking toward her, Ashton caught her just before she fell on her knees, his hands firm and protective as they closed around her, but he said nothing. He remained silent after a while, and she tilted her head to look at him.His handsome profile turned away from her, his eyes were locked on Roger, flashing with a dangerous gleam. He pushed her gently aside, behind the shield of his tall figure. Peeking from behind him, she watched Roger standi
Disgraceful Chapter 136
"You've done enough to taint our family name. For goodness sake! I can't believe you're bringing this filth into our house.""Uncle Carl, I will thank you not to accost my guest."Ashton countered, meeting his uncle's gaze and refused to back down. His uncle's eyes, burning hot with rage, piercing him like fiery swords, but somehow the older man restrained himself from lashing out.Amidst the heated tension, a small cough suddenly drew their attention back to the door, where the butler stood with lowered gaze."Beg your pardon, Your Grace.""Yes?"Ashton answered sharply, eyes still fixed on his uncle."The Duke of Livingston has come to call."Ava felt her stomach turn over at the mention of her father's name. She suppressed an urge to run and hide behind the sofa. Across the room, Lord Carlton and Lady Cecily exchanged alarmed glances.
Disgraceful Chapter 137
"Jeez! I can't believe this is happening."Polly's face twisted into such a comical expression as she hissed the words. In front of her, Ava stood before a cheval glass, watching her reflection in the mirror."Neither can I."She replied, trying to suppress her nerves, but the strain of the upcoming event showed on her face. She had resigned herself to her reality. She had braced herself for whatever the future has in store for her. At least, she'd been spared the most terrible fate.At the moment she was in one of the guest room in Vermont Manor and she'd just done getting ready for the wedding. She'd arrived early in the morning with her father, for it had been agreed the day before that they would be heading to the church from this place.A simple coronet of baby's breath was attached on top of her Honiton lace veil, and a short white kid gloves with her initials embroidered on it wrapped her hands. Sinc
Disgraceful Chapter 138
"Mother is ill?"Ava's heart fell abruptly at the unpleasant news."I'm afraid so, but don't worry, sweetheart. I don't believe it's something serious. I've sent a message to London yesterday. Soon as she knows that you're fine, I think her health will improve quickly."Her father soothed her with gentle reassurance.All the way to the church, Ava was occupied by thoughts of her mother. It never occurred to her that her runaway would cause her mother to fall sick. She really wanted to see her mother immediately, but since she was getting married in less than one hour, she knew that things were going to be different from now. All decisions in her life would depend on her husband, and she wasn't sure if she could get his permission in that matter. Halfway through the ride, Ava was no longer able to suppress her emotions."Father, do you think I still have a chance to see mother again?""Of course, swee
Disgraceful Chapter 139
"Over my dead body!"A thundering voice startled Ava from her thinking, and she turned to see Lord Carlton jumped from his seat. Magnus' face changed, and his watery eyes turned steely."That can be arranged."He replied, undaunted and unabashed."You worthless, degenerate ..."Lord Carlton stormed across the aisle and reached his son in a couple of strides. Magnus let his father spit in his face and slap him hard, but when the older man snatched his collar, he broke free and shoved him back."How dare you!"The lord bristled. He looked shocked, not expecting his son would have dared to fight back. Growling, he hurled himself at his son. Soon both father and son got into a violent brawl."Stop it, stop it, oh..."Lady Cecily sighed and collapsed in a heap on the floor."Cecily!"Lord Carlton turned and rushed to his fainting wife.
Disgraceful Chapter 140
"Father, please let me know about mother's condition soon as you arrive."Outside the church, Ava hugged her father for the last time before they parted."Don't worry about that, sweetheart."Her father gave a gentle stroke on her arm.Since the wedding was precipitated by a pressing reason, there would be no reception afterwards, and her father needed to return home as soon as possible. They departed from the church as soon as her father's carriage was clear of the drive."You alright?"Ashton asked once they settled in the carriage. Ava nodded stiffly and pretended to gaze out the window, avoiding his eyes. Soon as the carriage rolled, a fraught silence fell between them. Neither of them had spoken a word throughout the ride. It appeared that several unpleasant incidents before had affected him as much as it had her. Surprisingly the absence of conversation that lasted all the way back home was rat
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Disgraceful Chapter 187
Carrying the old, unsent letter in his hand, Ashton took a determined step to Lord Carlton's bedchamber. The door was left slightly opened, as to make it easier for the servants to hear if the lord rang the bell. He stopped in front of the doorway and peered inside. Through the narrow opening, he could see his uncle across the room, sitting on the wheelchair by the window, gazing out into the wintry garden outside."Do come in."The lord called without glancing his way. Despite the head injury, his uncle hadn't lost his usual alertness, and the wheelchair didn't make him look less forbidding. He was very fortunate the injury didn't cause him any permanent damage, and though he hadn't quite regained his normal strength until this day, the doctor said that he would no longer need the device in a couple of weeks.Lord Carlton turned in his wheelchair to face him as he entered the room."What is it?"His uncle
Disgraceful Chapter 186
Present DayWhen Ava peered into his chamber this morning, she found that he'd been able to get out of bed without any help. He stood in front of the mirror with a brush covered with lather in hand, meeting her gaze within the reflection. He paused, watching her breeze into the room and walk toward him."Oh, you're up already. Do you feel any better today?"She asked casually."Very much so. I think I'm going to have some fresh air. I'm tired of being confined in this room."Stopping within a foot from him, she glanced at the shaving equipment on the dresser."Let me help you.""There's no need-""Sit over there."She ignored him, motioning him to sit on the sidetable. Obediently, he did her bidding, half-sitting on the edge of the sidetable. With a brush, she smoothed the lather evenly ove
Disgraceful Chapter 185
For a moment, she was quite bewildered by his request, but then she realized, by asking her to do so, he was trying to be completely truthful to her, to share his darkest secrets with her, no matter how sordid and shameful they were, to let her see the ugly side of him and to trust her without reserve.She settled back into the chair and took the letter from his hand. She opened the envelope and unfolded the letter, clearing her throat before she started reading,"Dear Carlton,I hope you will understand why I choose this way. I can no longer carry on in this fashion. It's not that I don't love you enough to go on. No words can express how much I love you. I die a little inside each time I see you. You can't imagine how difficult it is for me, but we both know that this is the best for us. I know you can't desert your family, and I don't blame you, for I can never do that to my son eith
Disgraceful Chapter 184
Several hours later..."This is unspeakable. I can't believe it."Magnus' voice carried clearly across the hall. He turned around abruptly, wild sparks shooting from his eyes as he gazed furiously at the woman sitting in an armchair on the other side of the room."For Christsakes, why would you do this, Mother. How could you?"Lady Cecily stared into the void without so much as a word. Her eyes devoid of emotions, her refined feature as hard as granite.Sitting in a wheelchair pushed by a servant, Lord Carlton entered the parlor. Behind him are two of the guardsmen. Shooting a bitter look at his wife, he uttered with a composed voice."You'll be up before the magistrate to face the legal consequences of your crime. I've sent words to the authorities. The Constable will pick you up at first light."The lady took the notice with a pr
Disgraceful Chapter 183
With soundless steps, Ava sneaked her way to Lord Carlton's bedchamber. The door was slightly opened, allowing a shaft of light from inside the room to spill out into the dark corridor. Stopping by the doorstep, she peeked into the room through the small opening. In the middle of the large bed, the lord lay as white and still as death. A candle burned in the nightstand, casting a dim glow in the gloom of the chamber.Drawing a long, fortifying breath, Ava slipped into the chamber. Crossing the room, she moved around the bed and sat in the chair nearby, gazing regretfully upon the lifeless face.To have a death on her conscience was too great a burden to bear. Perhaps she was a fool to think that to confess her sin and beg forgiveness from the insensible victim would give her a little comfort, but she just couldn't help it."I'm so sorry, My Lord." She began."I thou
Disgraceful Chapter 182
There hadn't been much progress on Lord Carlton's condition the following day. He remained unconscious, only a faint pulse indicated there was life in there, yet it hung by a tenuous thread. In the morning, Doctor Haynes returned to check on him. Ashton asked him if there was any hope, and the doctor shook his head slightly in answer.In contrast to her dramatic reaction over Lord Carlton's condition the day before, Lady Cecily showed little interest in taking care of her husband. Instead, it was a loyal servant that had worked for the family for nearly fourty years who seemed to care deeply about him, feeding him with broth and water every hour, and applying soothing balm to his chapped lips. When she had finished her gentle ministrations, the old maid would kneel beside his bed and folded her wrinkled hands, praying for the master's recovery.Inside one of the sitting room in the secluded West Wing, Ashton stood gazing into the fire where
Disgraceful Chapter 181
Ava blanched upon hearing his oath. She'd never heard such ferocity in a person's voice. Quick to notice her sudden pallor, Ashton took her hand, murmured some excuse to Aunt Cecily and Magnus, and led her out of the room."Your hands are so cold," He looked down at her hand in his hold with concerned frown. Too overwhelmed with distress, she let him take her to her chamber upstairs."Nobody will know about it." He said once the door closed behind them, and when she remained mute, pale and cold with fear, he headed to the sideboard and poured a glass of brandy. He made her finish the drink in two long swallows, and took the empty glass from her trembling hand. Setting the glass in the nearest sideboard, he placed his hands on her arms, forcing her to look directly into his eyes."Listen, I've told the guards never to breathe a word about it to anyone. I'll replace them immediately. Don't be afraid, I won't let anything bad happen to y
Disgraceful Chapter 180
The next thing she knew, Ashton and the guardsmen already moved with mad haste to save Lord Carlton's life. By sheer luck, one of the guards had managed to get a wagon from a local farmer to bring the wounded lord home. She fixed the bandage and tried to slow down the bleeding, doing the best she could without further question, since the severity of the lord's injury left no time for explanation. Unfortunately the process of removing the lord from the building into the vehicle and the rough journey back home seemed to worsen his condition. Once they arrived home, a servant rushed to fetch the new doctor. During the wait, Ashton could hardly think of anything else. He was too distraught with fear, not certain Lord Carlton would survive another minute. Thankfully, within minutes the doctor arrived with his nurse."I'll do my best."Doctor Haynes promised before closing the door to Lord Carlton's bedchamber.
Disgraceful Chapter 179
It seemed like the matter was urgent and highly confidential, Uncle Carlton didn't even leave his name on the message. Pulling the top drawer, he slipped the note beneath the piles of documents and rushed out of the room.*****By the time Ava returned to the study, an empty room greeted her. A sudden sense of premonition settled over her, and she instantly suppressed it. He might have retired to his chamber, or he might have been doing some other activity in another parlor somewhere in the house, she told herself. Still, she couldn't help but quicken her pace as she rushed through the house, desperate to find him as soon as possible."Edward, where's my husband?" She asked when she came across the butler in the corridor. The butler halted and bowed."His Grace has left the house a few minutes ago, Your Grace."Her heart immediately missed a beat."What?! Where?""I
