"I was pleasantly happy that you accepted my proposal." Lord Campote grinned.

She wasn't given much of a choice, she thought. But didn't dare say that. Lavender smiled as she held her parasol tightly. "I look forward to....being....your....." She swallowed hard and looked around the park. Lots of familiar faces, but none that she particularly wanted to see. "wife...."

"I was thinking instead of 6 months, maybe we should get married right away." Lord Campote smiled sweetly.

"So fast?" Lavender panicked.

Lord Campote bowed. "I am more than eager to have my wife by my side...and for us to start our life."

"That seems a bit fast no?" Lavender asked, feeling her throat threatening to close up on her.

Lord Campote stopped and took her gloved hand. He brought it to his lips and kissed her knuckles. "Call me Jeffrey."

Lavender's eyes widened. That hand, that same hand, yet different reactions. Last night she felt like she would combust. Today she felt....repulsed. She tried to pull her hand away but he held on tighter. Surprised she looked up at him, giving a firm tug where he released his hold with a tight smile.

"Is something the matter...Lavender? You don't mind if I call you Lavender do you?" Jeffrey asked.

Lavender looked back to her mother, who was staring at her with what looked like sadness in her eyes. Did her mother know? Of course she didn't know. Why was she sad? Lavender turned back to Jeffrey. "It's fine, you may.....you may call me Lavender."

"Such a perfect name for the most beautiful flower of the season." Jeffrey remarked. "And you're all mine."

Something was wrong, something was terribly wrong here. Stop it! He's trying to be sweet, he's trying to be sweet yet it felt so.....Lavender took a deep breath. "Hehehehe....." she had to get back on track. Yesterday was a mistake and a distraction that would surely cost her her future.

**

"Are you alright?"

Lavender looked up at her mother and tried to smile as she took off her gloves. "Just a bit tired mother."

Rose reached out and lifted her daughter's chin.

Lavender chuckled sadly. "I just don't want to rush the wedding."

"And there's no need. So we won't." Rose assured her.

"Enjoyed your stroll sister?"

Lavender looked up to Azalea slowly making her way down the grand stairs.

"It was simply beautiful." Lavender answered. She turned to her mother. "I'm going to lie down for a bit, before getting ready for the ball tonight." she turned and walked up the stairs only to have her younger sister grab her arm.

Azalea leaned her head towards Lavender's ear. "You're acting like a common tramp sister." she whispered. "Shame on you."

Lavender pulled back as she weighed Azalea's words, not sure how much her younger sister knew. "Jealousy doesn't look good on you Azalea, now unhand me." Lavender whispered sharply.

Azalea blinked in confusion, immediately releasing her sister. The two looked at each other for a couple seconds before Lavender dashed up the stairs, leaving her younger sister fuming below.

**

"Oh Lavender." Lizzie beamed and pulled her best friend into a tight hug. "You look simply splendid. Yellow is your color I do say so." Lizzie took a step back. "Don't you agree brother?"

Atlas stood stiffly by his sister's side, jaws locked.

Lavender lifted her eyes, but Atlas was not meeting her gaze. Thank God, because she couldn't possibly look at him. Not after last night. Not after the wanton way she'd sucked on his thumb. He must find her so repulsive.

"Oh, Lavender, Atlas has agreed to escort me tonight, and look my dance card is completely full." Lizzie looked curiously on Lavender's dance card. "Oh brother, look it seems like the next dance is free for Lavender----"

"Lizzie stop." Lavender and Atlas whispered simultaneously. Surprised they both finally looked at each other.

"Miss. Worthington, I believe it's my pleasure to escort you to the dance floor." Lord Grant bowed deeply as he extended his hand to her.

Atlas took a step forward and Lizzie shot him a look. He clenched his jaw and swallowed hard as he took a step back. Lizzie curtsied and extended her hand. "Of course Lord Grant. I will be delighted." she told the blond hair, blue eyed man.

"You let her---

"Do you want to---

They looked at each other. "Dance." they whispered.

Lavender nodded stiffly. Atlas extended his hand and escorted her to the dance floor. They moved along with everybody else, not once looking into each other's eyes.

"I'm sorry about last night."

"We don't have to talk about it."

"Okay."

They curtseyed and turned, exchanging partners, they danced around, once, twice, before reuniting again. She stared at his chest, it seemed like the safest place to look. They put their hand up, their fingers grazing. She felt his warmth through her glove as they moved slowly in a circle.

And then she made the mistake of looking up.

Those smoky grey eyes were looking down at her.

She wanted to look away, even when they switched hands and went the opposite direction, it was the perfect chance to look away but she couldn't. She couldn't even if she tried.

"You look beautiful tonight." Atlas remarked, his voice cracking slightly. "I mean you look beautiful every night----it's just Lizzie was right. Yellow is remarkable on you."

"Thank you."

"It makes you look like a bumblebee."

And as much as she tried not to. Her face broke out into a smile and she laughed out loud. Atlas grinned, his eyes sparkling as he watched her.

Lavender stuck her tongue out at him playfully and the smile dropped from his face. An intensity returning to his eyes that she'd seen last night at the rosebush.

"Be careful with that tongue Miss. Candlewood." Atlas warned softly.

"And why is that?" Lavender asked as they moved side by side.

He locked eyes with her as their bodies were brought as close as was acceptable for the dance. "Because I might not be in control of what happens next." he promised.

Her breath hitched as she lowered her eyes to his mouth. The bottom lip was fuller than the top. A beautiful shade of dark pink in a slight heart shape was pulling her in. Those lips were on her finger last night. In her dreams, those lips were kissing all over her body.

"Please don't look at me like that." Atlas pleaded, his hand grasping hers tighter.

**

Azalea crossed her arms as she stared at her sister on the dancefloor, eyes locked with Lord Worthington as if they were they only two people in the room. She searched the crowd and sure enough Lord Campote had arrived. His green eyes had found his fiancee dancing with Lord Worthington. His jaw locked as he shifted his eyes. He wasn't the only one to notice them dancing.

There were whispering and murmuring as more and more dancing couples focused in on the couple in the middle of the dancefloor, whose eyes never once strayed from the other.

"Lord Campote." Azalea bowed graciously.

"Miss. Azalea Candlewood." Lord Campote acknowledged her briefly as he circled the dance floor trying to get his finacee's attention and out of the arms of Lord Worthington.

They stopped dancing but their hands still hadn't released each other.

"Maybe we should stop dancing." Atlas whispered.

"We did." Lavender whispered back.

"Oh." He slowly let go of her hand.

"Thank you for the dance." Lavender curtsied.

Atlas looked behind her, seeing her fiancee approaching. He put his arm out. "Would you care for a drink?" He asked escorting her off the dancefloor and in the opposite direction.

Lavender nodded.

"Miss. Can---Miss. Candlewood...." Lord Campote stopped in frustration as people blocked his views. His fiancee disappering right before his eyes. He turned, his hands forming fists by his side.

"Evening Lord Campote."

His hands relaxed as he turned and smiled brightly. "Evening. Good evening. Hope you're well." He turned around, Miss. Candlewood's yellow dress catching his eye. He walked briskly, only to be stopped again.

"Lord Campote is it?" Lizzie giggled flawlessly. "I do say, it's about high time we got to know each other. Miss. Worthington. I am Miss. Candlewood's best friend. I don't believe we've every actually talked. Care for a drink?"

"Uh....well...."

Lizzie fluttered her eyelashes. "You can't turn down a Worthington Lord Campote. It's blasphemy." She joked, but there was a steel smile on her face, letting him know she wasn't moving until she wanted to.

Lord Campote smiled widely while cursing the entire Worthington family five times over. "Of course Miss. Worthington. The pleasure is all mine." he offered her his arm as his head kept looking back but he'd completely lost track of the yellow dress.

**

Lavender walked slowly behind the large tropical aquarium in the Duchess's castle. She looked through it, to see Atlas watching her through the glass also. His steps just as slow and steady as hers. She smiled and he smiled back. She didn't know how long it was but she could stare at Atlas Worthington for an eternity. If only to see the way his face lit up. The tilt in his teasing smirk.

Lavender looked down shyly. This was not her. What was she doing? She walked away and slowly looked back. Though he hadn't said anything to stop her, Atlas followed. Smiling uncontrollably, she made her way through the crowds, she grabbed a pillar and moved behind it shyly. She felt his hand on top of hers as he grabbed the same pillar and followed her. She giggled softly and moved through the crowds, bowing and acknowledging those along the way. Looking back, Atlas still was not too far behind. His eyes refusing to leave her. We're they walking? We're they floating? Only time would tell. She moved her hand back and felt the softest of fingers, tracing a trail down her arm as they navigated through the crowds.

Her body vibrated with need. She didn't know where she was going, but her feet knew, having found an empty wing in the large castle.

Lavender yelped as firm hands immediately grabbed her waist and turned her around.

"I think we're-----" she closed her eyes because without hesitation or warning, Atlas pressed his lips against hers. Soft, gentle as if handling the most precious of stone.

This is what this felt like.

He deepened the kiss by bringing her body closer, his hand on her back, then slowly drifting down as the softest sound from their lips separated them. Their noses brushed as they slowly moved their heads back.

"You kissed me." she whispered, softly panting.

"I've been wanting to do that for a very long time." He admitted his head once more moving closer to close the gap between them. This time Lavender was ready, her lips parted to receive his kiss. Capturing his top lip between her lips and sucking on it before their lips parted again.

"I've wanted this too." she admitted shyly, with an innocent smile. Her eyes fluttering as Atlas moved his head, his eyes closed as if in a trance. His cheek brushed against hers. He kissed her cheek and her smile widened. He kissed her ear, than her jaw. She moaned a little louder as he kissed her neck. His hands once more tightening around her waist. Atlas kissed her collarbone and then back to her neck.

Trembling hands cupped his face as she lifted his head, her mouth kissing him again. This time their hunger surfaced desperately. The kissing louder, the pressure intensifying. Tongue was added as they moved their heads to find the perfect angle.

Lord Campote swallowed hard. His green eyes darkening. He'd managed to escape Miss. Worthington and had seen Miss. Candlewood going through the crowds. He'd eagerly followed her, only to see Atlas Worthington not too far behind, grab her and kiss her in this secluded wing. He turned and looked straight ahead as he stalked back to the party.

"Good evening. Hi! How are you? You look wonderful. Of course." Lord Campote grinned as he turned around. His eyes landing on the Worthington girl, seemingly looking around frantically. She was searching. Was she searching for her scoundrel of a brother or her whore of a friend?

The tall handsome man, walked over to Miss. Azalea Candlewood and touched her elbow, ever so briefly.

She whirled around in surprise. "Lord Campote."

"I'm looking for your sister? Have you seen her?" He laughed. "There's so many people here, I can't fathom where she could be."

Azalea spun around frantically looking for her older sister. She smiled at Lord Campote nervously. "Oh...I uh...I believe she excused herself to go to the water closet. She should be back any moment now."

"Is that so." Lord Campote asked, holding his smile. He bowed graciously to the younger sister. "I have a present for her. My grandmother's ring."

Azalea's eyes widened.

Lord Campote put his finger over his lips. "Ssshhh don't tell her. You wouldn't mind getting us some time alone would you? Out back, by the statue garden." He winked. "Just five minutes, to keep your mother busy, while I gift this to her." Lord Campote took out the box and showed Azalea his grandmother's ring.

The middle sister gasped at the beauty. Happiness, twisted in sorrow and envy. "Of course." she whispered sadly. "Of course I'll find her, and give you two some privacy."

"You're such a doll." Lord Campote whispered, touching her elbow in acknowledgment. He turned, the same smile plastered on his face as he walked over to Miss. Worthington. The young lady was still looking around desperately, even stretching on her tiptoes.

"Miss. Worthington."

Lizzie whirled around. "Yes."

"You haven't seen your brother have you?" Lord Campote asked.

Lizzie looked around. "Uhm...I believe he was just on the dance floor....might have stepped out for some air. He doesn't very much like these balls." she explained hurriedly.

"I see." Lord Campote nodded. "Maybe I'll see him next time." he turned around and glared as he made his way outside.

**

Lavender broke the kiss, panting. She pushed him away as she looked around the empty wing. "Atlas we must stop...." her world was spinning. She could barely think. She turned to run but he grabbed her hand.

"Lavender...."

"I'm engaged...."Her voice cracked. "And as far as I know, you will be too, on the 'morrow." she licked her lips as they trembled. "I'm not that type of woman----" she swallowed hard and rushed away.

Lavender Candlewood, what in heaven's name has gotten into you? How could you? How could you? She stopped rushing as more people walked around her. She tried to slow down her breathing as she looked around the crowd of eligible young adults, laughing and dancing and having a gay old time. She blinked and laughed inwardly. The actual question was....how could she not? She turned to Atlas making his way towards her.

'Let's talk.' he mouthed.

She was about to nod when somebody grabbed her arm.

Lavender whirled around.

"Where have you been? We've been looking everywhere for you." Azalea's light brown eyes glared.

"I was-----I ----"

"Uuggghhh, it doesn't matter." Azalea dragged her through the crowd.

Lavender looked back at Atlas.

Watching her being dragged away by her sister. He stopped walking.

"Somebody has a surprise for you."

"What surprise?" Lavender asked.

"Well, if I told you big sister, then it wouldn't be a surprise now, would it." Azalea replied in annoyance.

"Who has a surprise?" Lavender insisted as she was to the back patio.

Azalea rolled her eyes. "Meet at the statue garden in the back, you have five minutes. That's all I was instructed to say." she shrugged. "Don't worry, you'll like it." she turned and walked back inside.

Lavender looked after her sister and then turned back to the back yard. The statues were further out in the distance. She adjusted her gloves and walked out. Surprise? 5 minutes? What could it possibly be? And the fact that it baffled her piqued her interest.

"Hello?" she called out. "Hello?" she walked through the first statue and grinned. It was probably Lizzie. She would do an elaborate scheme like this. "Okay, Lizzie, what is it?" she chuckled as she passed the third and forth statue. Lavender turned around in confusion. "Hello?"

"Hey."

She whirled, hand on her chest. Lord Campote seemed to emerge from the shadows. "Lord Campote!"

He grinned and got on one knee. "I've officially come to ask for your hand Lavender Candlewood." he said charmingly.

Lavender stared at him in shock. "Lord Campote." she whispered again as she looked around. She took a step back. "My Lord, it's....it's inappropriate for us to be out here. Might I suggest we go inside." She asked quickly.

Jeffrey's smile dropped watching her turn around rapidly and start to rush back. He shot up and grabbed her arm.

Lavender yelped in shock. "Wh----what are you doing?"

"It's okay." Jeffrey commented. "You're my fiancee. People won't think twice about us."

"I would really like to go back to the ball." Lavender stated trying to pull her arm out of his grasp.

Jeffrey tightened his grip. "And I would really like for my future wife to not be a whore."

All the blood drained from Lavender's face as she stared up at him.

"I saw you." Jeffrey continued, his fingers digging into her skinny arm.

"You're hurting me, Lord Campote." she whispered frantically, trying to pull away.

"With him. I saw you with him." Jeffrey continued. "Throwing yourself at him like a common whore."

"Unhand me, this instant!"

"Do you think I actually like you?" He demanded shaking her. "I need you!"

Lavender stared at him in horror. She tried to think quick and bring her leg up but he flung her hard to the ground.

(i don't usually do this but trigger warning: rape, you may skip to the set of asterixis)

"But I will not allow you to make a fool of me do you understand?"

Lavender tried to scramble away. "Help!"

He grabbed her legs and brought her back down, her head hitting the ground painfully. "As far as I see it, I'll be your husband anyways, why not seal the deal?"

"Stop! Get off me-----"

Jeffrey smacked her hard across the face. Lavender gasped at the sting, never haven gotten slapped before. "You were so ready to give it to Worthington! You fucking whore!"

She tried to smack him with all her might but she was rewarded with another smack to her other cheek, and then a hand on her neck. Lavender grabbed his arm, gasping for air. But it seemed the more she fought, the tighter the hold, the less she could breathe. She heard her dress ripe.

"I need you Lavender Candlewood and I don't care how I get you." He lifted her head and banged it on the ground, causing her eyes to roll to the back of her head. "Let's seal the deal bitch. Give me a child."

Tears ran down her face, as intense pain shot between her legs. She felt like she'd just gotten ripped apart. She had no oxygen left to scream. Her vision going dark, as he hovered above her, panting.

With every force, every intrusion, she slipped further into the abyss. This wasn't happening. This wasn't real. She blacked out.

**