Lavender laid her head to the side. She felt outside her body. This body was not her own. It did not belong to her. As the curtains swayed, she imagined to be on the ledge. Looking down at the cobbled street. Holding her hand across her chest as she closed her eyes and jumped off into the blackness.

She was ruined.

In every sense of the word. Ruined.

She'd brought this on herself. Her wanton ways. Her sinful desires for another man.

She'd brought shame on the Candelwood name. Her father would have be so disappointed.

"She appears to be in good health. A couple scrapes and bruises. Must have had a nasty fall there huh, Miss. Candlewood." Doctor Franklin tried to lighten the mood.

Lavender didn't move. She hadn't made eye contact with anybody. Hadn't talked to anybody. Hadn't said a single word.

Fiona gently rubbed her mistress's face and offered a smile of encouragement. Her gesture was met with vacant eyes.

"Thank you doctor for coming on such short notice." Rose Candlewood whispered emotionally.

"Not a problem." Doctor Franklin sighed. "Do let me know if anything changes. She seems pretty shaken up. I've given her my special remedy to liven up her spirits but it might take some time.

"Thank you doctor. Thank you." Rose clasped her hand over her chest.

She escorted the tired doctor back down stairs. Azalea, Lord Candlewood and Lord Campote all stood as the two entered.

"How is she?" Lord Candlewood demanded. "Is she well? Has she been......" His voice trailed off at the glare Lady Candlewood shot him.

"She's fine. A bit of rest, I do say. Just some rest. The little lady is shaken up. I bid you all adieu." Doctor Franklin nodded, taking his leave.

Lord Candlewood, straightened his back and turned sharply to Azalea. "How could you have been so stupid to abandon your sister!"

Azalea lowered her head as warm tears stung her face. "I---I'm----I didn't---"

"My own d------" Lord Candlewood stopped abruptly. Lady Candlewood watching him in horror. The older gentleman paced around the room. "My own niece, my own flesh and blood. This will ruin her." He stared in horror.

"It was my fault." Lord Campote stepped forward. "I wanted to surprise her with a ring. Miss. Azalea Candlewood must have been distracted with the ball and gotten the locations confused."

Lord Candlewood straightened up. "Lord Campote, we are grateful for everything you have done. I apologize but we must swear you to secrecy. Please forgive us. We will annul the engagement at your discretion---"

"Oh. Well." Lord Campote took a step forward. "I realize that I am entirely in my right to take back my offer...."

Rose Candlewood lowered her head and nodded. "We completely understand Lord Campote...."

"But I am madly in love with Miss. Candlewood." Lord Campote continued.

Lady Candlewood, Lord Candlewood and Azalea all looked up in shock.

"I do not care what happened tonight. Whatever happened, it's irrelevant. I will not love her any less." Lord Campote insisted. "In fact, if it's a scandal you're trying to avoid. I do not mind getting married as soon as possible. I know she is to be my wife.....Marquess of Eastbrook." He addressed Lord Candlewood by his full title, he'd inherited from his twin brother's death. "And I will love her just the same. And I can assure you she feels the same towards me."

Rose Candlewood tilted her head slightly. Had he not added that last sentence she would have been overjoyed to believe him. But she'd seen her daughter with Lord Worthington. Was Lord Campote simply daft?

Lord Candlewood stood up and shook the young man's hand. "You, young man are a true gentleman." He grinned and clasped his other hand over the pale one. "It is with great pleasure that I entrust you with my niece. Thank you my good sir. Thank you."

"It's getting late." Rose Candlewood spoke up. "Maybe we must discuss more in the morning?" she offered up a small smile. They all nodded and escorted Lord Campote to the door.

Lord Campote might be completely in love with her daughter. But Rose knew her daughter was not completely in love with Lord Campote. Maybe she had fallen? But not with what she'd seen on the dancefloor tonight between her and the Worthiington boy. Something was not adding up. And honestly Atlas was not stepping forward to make his intentions clear and for that Rose Candlewood was tempted to wring his ear as she'd done countless times in his childhood years.

She'd gone along with the Lord Campote route because she believed it would have bought them the 6 months time to destroy Julian's ridiculous notion of marrying Lavender off to the hideous Lord Worcester.

"Have you lost your mind?"

"He's a respectable man. He has the money, the house. The assett to the family will be remarkable."

"He is 40 years her senior Julian! He is hideous. Do you not care----"

"Since when have you let me care?!" Julian demanded shooting out of his desk.

Rose clamped her mouth shut and lifted her chin.

Julian looked down, ashamed at his outburst. "I want what's best for her. Kellen would have wanted what's best for her."

Rose looked away, her bottom lip trembling.

"Besides, I heard from a reliable source that he's near death's door anyways. She'll only need to withstand him for at most three years and then she'll be a free woman to do what she wants." Julian sat back in his chair. "SO yes Rose, I do care."

**

Lady Candlewood, quietly made her way downstairs and almost crashed into her youngest daughter.

"Oh careful, Daisy."

Daisy giggled stopped abruptly as she looked up. She curtsied politely. "Morning mama."

Rose put her hand over her heart. "Daisy...." They haven't talked about that night. Never brought it up. "Daisy...." What could she say? How to even address it?

"Mother, do you know if my sisters are alright? I want to hear all about the ball! Azalea yelled at me to get out of her room, but Lavender won't even look at me. And Lavender tells the best stories."

Rose bent down. "Let them rest. Lavender isn't feeling too well. Would you like me to play with you? Or I can tell you all about the ball." she offered caressing her daughter's face.

Daisy stepped back. "It's alright. I'll just go play with Fiona."

Defeated Rose sighed as she stood up and watched her daughter run past her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She entered the parlor and gasped. "Carlisle what is this?"

"It arrived this morning my lady." Carlisle explained. "Bouquet upon Bouquet. We put the rest in the garden."

"The rest?" Rose whispered in awe. "My entire parlor is filled with Lavender...." she looked at the wall to wall of the purple flower. The parlor filled with the most divine of scent. "Carlisle who sent this?"

The servant smiled knowingly and extended to plate to her so she may pick up the card.

-Lavender for my bumblebee?

May I call on you today?

A.

"Oh dear..." Rose whispered sorrowfully as she held the card.

**

Lady Candlewood, smiled brightly as she parted the curtains to allow sunlight to fill the room. "A bit of sun always did the body good." she turned and smiled at her daughter.

Lavender's vacant look remained. Like a body without a soul.

"Now what would you like the kitchen to make today? Would you like your favorite?" Rose asked puffing up her daughter's pillow. She stared at Atlas' note that she left on the bedside with the large vase of lavender. "Are you not curious to see who sent you these flowers? There is an endless supply in the parlor, I dear say." she bent over to smell the lavender. "Oh wow, it smells heavenly dear."

Lavender turned her face the other way. Away from the sun, away from her mother. Away from the flower and the note.

"It seems you've also caught the attention of Lord Worthington." Rose teased.

If anything, her words seemed to make her daughter curl up smaller, already seemingly to get lost in her grand bed.

"Lavender...."

"I want to die." Lavender's voice cracked. Her back to her mother. "I want to die."

"Oh sweetheart." Rose laid down and hugged her daughter tight. "What happened?" she whispered. "Who was it that did this to you?"

Lavender shut her eyes tight as hot tears still managed to spilled forth. "I want to die."

Rose pushed her daughter's unruly kinky curls back. She grabbed the warm face and turned it to her. Those big innocent eyes. The scratch on her cheek. The cut on her bottom lip. She'd hoped....she didn't know what she'd hoped for? What tiny ounce of salvation she'd prayed for. That her daughter had not been touched. That she'd simply been spooked. But those eyes. Her father's eyes. So full of pain.

"Atlas cannot see me like this." Lavender cried. "I'm ruined mother..." she choked on her words. "Ruined....I cannot live...what would he think of me? I cannot....I cannot..."

Rose hugged her daughter tightly, her worst fear spilling from her daughter's mouth. Hot tears running down her face. No. God no. Not her Lavender. What monster? What monster? "Who?" Rose demanded shaking her daughter. "Who?" she cried, but was only rewarded with gut wrenching sobs, as he daughter sank further into herself.

Azalea's body shook as she stood outside her elder sister's door. Tears running down her face. Ashamed she turned and ran back to her room, dropping to the floor, grabbing her aching heart. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry sister.....I'm so sorry." She cried.

**

Atlas stared at the card in his hand in silence.

"Yo brother." Robert whistled. "Want to join me tonight?" He asked, entering the study. "Your favorite opera singer will be there tonight. Or should I say our favorite-----hey, what's wrong?"

The youngest brother asked, finally seeing his brother's forlorn face.

"Realizing your heathen ways are up in about two days time according to father?" Robert joked.

Atlas sighed and tried to blink away his pain. "Miss. Candlewood is no longer accepting callers." he threw the card to the floor.

"Miss Candlewood? Oh Lavender------oh Lavender!" Robert exclaimed happily. "What? That's strange? Don't tell me she's truly head over heels for Jeffrey the ass."

"My question----oh I read your card by the way, as soon as Francis brought it in." Matthew said adjusting his scarf. "Is why you waited so long to court her?"

"Hey brother you look nice. Let me borrow that scarf." Robert nodded appreciatively.

Matthew lifted his head and modeled the scarf. "You can borrow it, after I've wiped my ass with it."

They both chuckled as they pushed each other.

"Atlas let's go. We're going to be late for the show."

Atlas stared out his window in silence.

"Come on, the entire town will be there. And did Robert mention, it seems your favorite opera singer is in town, might get your mind off Lavender."

"That's if Mina doesn't kill the competition first." Robert joked.

The two boys snickered and stopped when their eldest brother hadn't moved or uttered a single word.

"Atlas?"

"Go on without me." Atlas replied. "There's something I need to do."

"Why does that not reassure me?" Matthew asked in despair.

Atlas raced up the stairs and yanked open his sister's chamber door.

Lizzie looked up from her diary. "Privacy please!"

"I need a favor."

She pursed her lips. "Well, I wanted to----"

"Do this and I'll escort you to the opera, later tonight."

Her eyes widened.

"Yes, until the very end of the show."

Lizzie slammed her book shut and shot off the bed. "I am at your service Lord Worthington." She saluted him.

**

"I don't think they're going to the opera tonight." Lizzie whispered behind her.

"They have to." Atlas replied. "The entire town will be there."

Lizzie groaned. "Not the entire town, you were fine convincing father, I needed to stay home."

Atlas nudged her. "Pay attention. Remember when she comes out, call her over. I'll fall back into the shadows."

"Why don't you just call on her like a normal person Atlas? My best friend deserves----"

"She refused me Lizzie." Atlas cut her off in annoyance.

His sister's hazel eyes widened in shock.

"I just want to hear her say it.....and apologize for stepping out of line."

"Oh you dumbass." Lizzie pushed him. "I knew you must have done something, stupid." she frowned at him and face forward. "The front door is opening!" she said excitedly. She looked.

Lady Candlewood.

Azalea with her head hanging low.

The two accepted help as they both climbed into the Candlewood carriage.

"Wait....wait..." Lizzie grabbed her brother's arm. "Lavender is not with them."

"What?" Atlas stepped forward.

"She didn't get into the carriage. She stayed home. She's still home." Lizzie said excitedly. "Oh, she's probably under the weather, poor thing." Lizzie clapped happily. "I shall see her tomorrow. And if I'm feeling generous, I might drop a word or two of your remorse. Now off to the opera." she marched forward but Atlas grabbed her arm and shoved her towards the house.

"You're so terrible concerned for your friend. You brother was so gracious to accompany you for a quick visit." he instructed.

Lizzie put her hand up. "Wait, even if that's true, they'll never let you into her chambers to see her."

Atlas paused. She was right. He racked his brain and then took his sister's hand and pulled her towards the back of the house. "New plan."

"Oh this is terribly exciting!" Lizzie whispered. "But I do wish you'd done it on a night where the biggest show was not in town."

*

"Psst-----psst...."

Fiona opened the back door and stared face to face with the youngest Worthington sibling. "Miss. Worthington, what in heaven's name are you doing back here at this hour?"

"Fiona we need a favor. We need to get into the house. We just have to see Lavender. It's dreadfully important."

"We?" the servant asked in confusion.

Atlas stepped forward into the light. "Please Fiona, I just need five minutes."

The servant gasped. "Lord Worthington! No, no absolutely not, completely improper."

"Please Fiona, just clear the coast for us."

"I cannot." Fiona whispered harshly, looked behind her to see if she was being watched. "Besides Miss. Candlewood is indisposed. You just must come back when Lady Candlewood is here to-----" she tried to close the back door but Atlas stopped her.

"Please." He whispered. "Please....I just need a word."

Fiona shook her head. "I'm sorry my Lord, I cannot. Besides Miss. Candlewood isn't seeing anybody."

"You do know they love each other right?" Lizzie stepped up to the maid.

Atlas blinked quickly. Love? Had he said anything about love?

"No who are you to stand in the way of true love Fiona?" Lizzie asked. "Don't you love Lavender? Wouldn't you want the absolute best for your mistress?"

Fiona pursed her lips.

"This could be a matter of life or death!"

Atlas and Fiona stared at Lizzie in surprise.

"Allow my brother to confess his undying love to Lavender..."

Atlas blushed. "I never said anything about confessing undying love...."

Lizzie stomped on his foot to shut him up.

"He's dying to speak to her Fiona." Lizza grabbed her older brother's face and squeezed it adorably. "Wouldn't you rather she be with this precious bear instead of that very suspicious Lord Campote?"

"I'm going to kill you after this." Atlas told his sister through clenched teeth as he straightened up.

"Come on." Lizzie put her hand out. "A Worthington? A Campote? She weighed them both. "A Worthington." she put one hand all the way to the sky. "A Campote." she threw an imaginary fruit to the ground and squished it beneath her feet.

"Who are you?" Atlas asked his little sister in shock.

Fiona sighed. "I wasn't lying, when I said she hasn't said a word to anybody." she pursed her lips and looked up at the handsome Lord Worthington. Sighing she opened the door wider. "You have five minutes. Absolute silence. We'll go the back stairs."

"Thank you Fiona. Thank you." Atlas stepped forward. Lizzie followed and Atlas put his hand on her shoulder. "Stay guard sis....yeah?"

She opened her mouth to protest, but saw the seriousness in his grey eyes. She nodded and took a step back.

Atlas quietly followed Fiona through the Candlewood house, his heart beating faster with each step he took.

This was ridiculous. What was he doing? What was he really doing? This was not him. Everything he did only seemed to intensify the scandal that could surround her if he were to get caught.

"Five minutes." Fiona warned as she stood in front of Miss. Candlewood's door. "Three knocks and you come our immediately." she handed Atlas the lantern.

Atlas nodded and slowly opened the door, putting the lantern in front of him.

There she was, in the middle of the bed, curled into a fetal position. The curtains shut, her hair a mass of tight curls around her pillow. His heart constricted as he took a step forward.

"Lavender?"

She gasped and shot up in bed, scrambling back. "Please....please don't hurt me." she cried.

"It's me." He said quickly putting his lantern even further up. "It's me, Atlas....sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

She stared at him as if she'd seen a ghost. She then quickly moved her head to the side, using her hand to shield her face from his gaze.

But it was too late. He'd seen the cut on her cheek and the bruised lip.

"Lavender what happened?" He rushed to her side, placing the lantern on the bedside. "What happened to you?"

She tried to hide her face but he immediately grabbed her face, to turn it to him. His slightly cold hands warmed, but her hot face. She grabbed his arms to bring his hand down. But the horror she saw in his eyes, reflected the pain in her heart.

"Please....just leave..." she whispered painfully.

His eyes roamed her face. His thumb brushed over the cut discolored lip. "Who did this to you?" He softly.

Lavender lowered her head, but he immediately lifted it back to stare into her eyes. "Who did this to you?" He asked again, his voice eerily calm.

"It matters not." she whispered, trying to swallow the lump in her throat. "I'm no longer pure for you."

She lowered her head, as warm tears stained his hands. "Please....leave...."

Atlas lifted her head one more time. His eyes a cold stormy glaze covering the warmth behind the. "I'm going to ask you....one more time bumblebee." he swallowed hard to control his emotions. "And you will give me the name....or tonight I will kill every men I see until I'm shot dead in the streets." his thumb grazed her cheek gently. "And even then, I'll come back and hunt this place for all eternity." a single tear rolled down his cheek.

Tears ran down Lavender's face as her lips shook.

"Who did this to you?"

Lavender squeezed her eyes shut as she tried to block out the memory.