LOGINShare
Chapter 61
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56"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.
Related chapters
Disgraceful Chapter 62
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, u
Disgraceful Chapter 63
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 i
Disgraceful Chapter 64
Long past midnight, the sheet in the large bed was still perfectly neat and straight, for it remained as yet untouched. The occupant of the best and largest suite for guest in the mansion had spent the hours sitting by the window, looking at something in the distance. Ever since he saw her in the devil's arms, the sight was consuming his every waking thought. The image played over and over again through his restless mind with startling clarity, made him feel as though the vessels in his chest was going to explode.He stared out the window, in the direction of her room in the opposite building, the East Tower, where the upper servants were housed. Instead of window, each room had a small balcony overlooking the garden below. Every balcony in the second and third floor were dark, for all the inhabitants must be sleeping safe and sound at this hour. So was her room, but suddenly a little light flickered and spread over the balcony. He tensed on his seat, his senses
Disgraceful Chapter 65
Ashton watched her room from the shadow in the darkest hour of the night, only to make sure she was not with somebody else. He couldn't tell whether she was waiting for the scoundrel or not. The question harrowed him the whole night. He went back to his room in the small hours, just one hour before sunrise, wondering if he started to lose his sanity. He acted like a man obsessed, a man possessed. He was restless and curious and furious at the same time. This emotion had completely taken over at the expense of everything else.***A few hours later, he sat idly on a bench in the garden with his sketchbook and pencil. The gentle morning breeze carried the stench of dewy grass and the heady perfume of roses to his nose as the birds fluttered and chirped above his head. Soft, vibrant rays of sunlight flooded over the landscape, lighting and warming every inch of the lawn. It was a bright, beautiful morning but his mood was as dark as the night.
Disgraceful Chapter 66
"Be careful."He held her automatically. She stopped walking and frowned as if in pain."Are you alright?"She took hold of him with another hand, apparently it was painful for her."I think I sprained my right ankle.""Let me see."He led her to a stone bench nearby and sat her carefully, absently he placed his sketchbook on the bench next to her, then squatted down in front of her."May I?" he asked. She nodded in response.He took her injured ankle beneath her skirt and brought it to his inspection. He skimmed over her delicate ankle to find the twisted muscles. When his focus fully drawn to her ankle, Selene glanced at the sketchbook laid next to her.Ashton couldn't feel a twisted muscle in her ankle, it seemed perfectly fine.&nb
Disgraceful Chapter 67
She got up and tried to make her way out of the row, but her petticoat made it difficult to move in the narrow passage. She was in the midst of the row and with the seats fully occupied, to get out of here seemed like an impossible task."Please sit down, Miss. You're blocking the view."An irritated voice came from behind, followed by mutterings of annoyance. She had no choice but to sit back. She set her body rigid and looked straight ahead. She would just ignore the earl during the show. She could feel that he was watching her intently. Under his silent observation, she became more and more restless."What do you want from me?"She asked impulsively."Forgiveness."Came his unexpected reply."I apologize. I made a terrible mistake yesterday. I promise it will never happen again."Had she misheard him? Was he apologizing to her? He looked like an unrepentant jerk. But, s
Disgraceful Chapter 68
"Please, allow me to make amends for my careless behavior."The lady's gaze brushed her from head to toe and she felt even more inhibited."There's no need, My Lady."Struggling to conceal her discomfort, she managed to bring out a polite answer."That's very kind of you," The lady raised one brow."I haven't seen you before, Miss..?""I'm no miss, my lady. I'm just a humble lady's companion.""I am Lady Selene Wyndham, and you are?""Miss Ava Banks of Evergreen, Vermont."She performed a low curtsy, and for some reasons she couldn't bring herself to look at the lady. Suddenly she felt an absurd guilt and an urge to escape. What would the lady think of her if she knew her fiancé had had several clandestine meetings with her?"Vermont, what a coincidence. Darling~"The lady beckoned to someone standing a few feet away
Disgraceful Chapter 69
Later that evening, she walked across the garden to return to her room in the East Tower. Lady Byrne decided to retire early this evening and she couldn't be more pleased about that. She didn't think she could endure another hour of polite and mundane conversation, pretending to be enthusiastic with the topic while her mind was in total chaos.This vacation had turned out to be a real disaster, her whole situation was distressing and there was nothing she wanted more than to leave this place, and put anything that happened here behind her. She spent every hour counting down the days until she could go home and return to her peaceful life, away from the haughty, insufferable men of aristocracy who thought they could buy anything in this world with their money and power.She rushed along the lovely garden path, glancing over her shoulder every now and then as to check if she was being followed. When she passed a darkened path, suddenly a stron
Latest chapter
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
