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Chapter 91
The next morning, she woke to a gentle shake and a familiar voice.
"Ava, darling, wake up..."
Polly's concerned face came to view.
"It's me, darling. It's all right."
Polly brushed aside a strand of hair from her face, caressing her gently as though she was a child in need of comfort.
"He's out there waiting. He asked me to get you prepared. We'll leave within the hour. I've prepared you a bath."
Ava stirred and propped herself up on her elbow.
"Be careful, sweetheart."
Polly held her shoulder instantly, her worried gaze shifted to the lower part of her body beneath the cover.
"You must be sore. Did you bleed a lot? Can you walk?"
Ava frowned as her drowsy mind worked to figure out what Polly was talking about. It took a while for her to grasp what was on her friend's mind.
"Nothing happened last night."
She blurted, turning toward her friend ab
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Disgraceful Chapter 92
Rubbing his hair with a fresh towel, he crossed the room and stopped by the chair where he laid his clothing before. He was bare from his waist up. His skin flushed and bloomed from the steam of the hot water. A few shiny droplets bedewed the front of his sculpted chest. His short hair was in soaked disarray, some strands hanging damply over his forehead and temples, the pewter color turned a few shades darker than usual. Ava turned away instantly, feeling heat creep over her cheeks. She had seen him shirtless before, but still the sight made her stomach leap."Well,"He tossed the damp towel on top of the heaps of his clothes."What are you waiting for?""Can you sit over there?"She walked toward him, gesturing to the side table without looking at him. He moved to the side table, and she grabbed the bandage and the scissors on the bed, then approached him. Leaning on the edge of the table, he waited in silence as she u
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They departed from the inn earlier the next morning. As they stepped out of the entranceway, a hackney was already waiting outside. The trip began just like the day before. The hours passed in silence, with no one attempted to start a normal conversation. The only constant sound that filled the enclosed space was the rumble of the rolling wheels. They stopped at a tavern to have lunch at midday and continued the trip right after. With each passing hour, the bouncing and swaying of the carriage got worse, and the rattling noise from the wheels got louder. Ashton pounded the wall, calling out to the driver."Is there a problem?""Uh, no, Sir. It's just... the road is uneven."The driver's voice muted by the rattling noise.The carriage bounced hard, as if the wheels just ground a piece of stone, Ava immediately adjusted her position as to avoid crashing herself against the wall. All of a sudden, the carriage gave a
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Darting a look around the immense moorland, Ava realized that they had left the last county far behind and now they were a long way from populated area."My place is approximately ten hours away from here. We'll arrive tomorrow before midday."He said again, sensing her anxiety."And what about our luggage?""I'll ask the coachman to deliver it to my place. It will possibly arrive several hours after, so bring some things you might need during our trip and upon our arrival."The man who sold horses came with a paper wrap and passed it to Polly."What is it?"Ava asked."Food supply."He replied, giving a short look at the wrap."We will arrive at my place tomorrow morning. Until then, that will have to suffice."Turning to Polly, he nodded toward the brown horse."You ride this one."Then he walke
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They settled and watched the horses graze on the open meadows until the dark descended. Because there was no material to build a bonfire, they were just sitting in the shadow, under the moonlight."Not as bad as I thought."Polly said as she opened the wrapping of the food, greeted by a pleasant smell of fresh bread and cheese. Ava immediately took the paper-wrapped bread from Polly."Out of courtesy, I think we should let him have it first."Polly rolled her eyes when Ava moved in his direction. She stopped and kneeled before him."Here."She offered the bread to him. It seemed that he knew that she would insist that he had it, he took a loaf of bread and replied shortly."Thank you."She added another piece and a block of cheese, which was accepted in silent compliance.Later that night, when Ava and Polly spread their cloak over the grass, Polly said thoughtfully."You
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"I'm sorry. I should have never sworn at you."She said the only thing that she could think of. She waited as several seconds passed in silence, and finally she heard his answer."It's all right. I deserved that. I was the one who inspired you."She couldn't tell whether he said it genuinely or mockingly. He stared into space again. When a beam of orange light radiated his face, she decided that he truly meant what he said, without another suggestion behind his words.However, the reason behind his distant behavior was beyond her grasp. He had gone a thousand miles only to find her. He had taken risks and made a great deal of sacrifice to be with her. So now that she was right beside him, why didn't he come closer? Why didn't he pull her into his arms just like before? She had made her move, why didn't he take the chance?As if her silent thoughts could speak right to his mind, he slowly turne
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After some time, they entered an inhabited part of the land, and set a quick pace through the empty road. When they passed the ruins of a medieval abbey, she was engrossed by the sight."Can we have a look around here?"She looked at the sight with wishful eyes.He let her take her time to satisfy her curiosity. This time, Polly dismounted from the horse and walked with her. Sneaking a quick look at him, Polly spoke in a barely audible voice."In case you forget about it, we're not having a vacation here right now."Polly traipsed between the rubbles in plain dismay."For Heaven's sakes, we're in captivity, and God knows what lies ahead of you after this!"Grasping her skirt as she stepped over a broken piece of rock, Ava replied nonchalantly."Well, since there's nothing we can do about it, why don't we make the most of it?"Polly's eyes widened at her answer.
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The next morning, Ava woke up early and got prepared for the day. As she finished arranging her hair, she glanced at the mantle clock and saw the hands of the clock pointing to a quarter to eight. When she turned for the dining room, she expected that he would be there waiting for her.Silence greeted her as she stepped into the dining room. There was no one at the huge dining table and the chairs around it were empty. A waiting servant approached and guided her to the table, murmuring politely that breakfast was ready to serve. Following the servant, she thought perhaps he was still abed.The servant drew a chair back for her and put the napkins on her lap. She allowed the servant to pour her a cup of tea, but she declined when he began to serve the food."Thank you but I'd like to wait for the master."The servant halted in the middle of putting some pleasant-smelled bacon to her plate, then spoke
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"I'm terribly sorry, Master."Hubert said from behind her."I've tried to stop her but Miss Banks insisted~""It's all right, Hubert."He interrupted. Quick to perceive the meaning of his silent look, Hubert bowed, made his way out of the study and closed the door behind him. Ashton turned his attention to her in an unaffected gesture."What's so important that you insist on meeting me at this ungodly hour?"He asked her as if he owed her no explanation, and suddenly his usual posh accent and his offhand manner infuriated her to a boiling point."Why would you do that?"Her voice came out less severe than she intended to."Do what?""Leave me here without even letting me know!"She exclaimed, her voice rose a pitch."I woke up in the morning and you were gone. You didn't even bother to write me a message... Is that how you treat a
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