She could hear the soft music playing in the background.

Lord Candlewood smiled as he extended his arm.

Lavender smiled at her uncle as she slipped her hand through the gap.

"You look absolutely stunning." Lord Candlewood replied emotionally.

Lavender placed her head briefly on his shoulder and he kissed the top of her head.

"Your father----would be so proud." His voice broke.

Lavender inhaled deeply. She swore to no longer cry. She wasn't going to. She didn't deserve this life that was handed to her. She had a husband, she had the perfect dress, and her family surrounded her. She didn't deserve any of this. She owed them so much.

She owed him so much.

She will forever be indebted to him.

Him whom she hadn't seen in a week.

Mother said it was good for the blushing bride and groom to be separated.

No, Lavender knew the truth.

He was immediately filled with regret. But he couldn't take it back now. No, the deal was set in stone. The lie was ingrained in both families' mind. The only ones who knew the truth were her, Atlas, and her mother.

Well and Lord Campote who'd met a most untimely death in an alleyway because of his gambling problems. One in which he seemed to have followed in his father's footsteps much closer than many had anticipated. Not a single word was spoke about any type of duel.

"Well the apple sure doesn't fall far from the tree."

And that sickened Lavender. Because if she was pregnant with his child. She now carried the devil's spawn. She wouldn't think about it. She couldn't think about it. She could not. She could not hate an innocent life. She had to be better than this. She had to be better.

"Ready?"

Lavender looked up at her uncle and nodded. He patted her hand as they rounded the corner and stepped into the aisle. Her breath caught in her throat as the intimate group present immediately stood up. Her mother and sisters on one side. Rose Candlewood wiping her tears through her smile. Azalea beaming and Daisy stood on the pew, shaking her hands excitedly because mother told her she couldn't clap in the church.

On the other side were the Worthingtons. The Marquess of Shirewest stood and smiled softly, giving Lavender a nod. Matthew, Robert and especially Lizzie were grinning from ear to ear.

But the most important face to her right now, was the man who stood in his black suit down the aisle. The man who turned to face her. His grey eyes wide and mouth slightly parted.

The man who looked like he would move heaven and earth for her. The man who'd actually done that. He smiled and if Lavender were not holding on to her uncle, she was sure her knees would have buckled.

Why did he have to be so perfect? He gave her this moment, and yet she'd taken this moment from him. It was Miss. Charter he was supposed to be watching coming towards him down the aisle. Not a defiled soul, carrying another man's child.

Robert nudged his little sister and they both turned to stare at their older brother who looked completely mesmerized. They looked at each other and giggled.

"How many times do you think he'll cum tonight?" Robert whispered in Lizzie's ear.

Lizzie blushed and giggled. Covering her mouth. She knew way more than probably the entire female population of her time. And that was only because she had a brother two years her senior named Robert Worthington who unabashedly answered every single question she threw his way, with more details than necessary.

Lizzie smirked as she stared at her best friend. Whom she hoped had the best wedding night of her life. Lizzie knew whores didn't fight over her eldest brother for nothing.

Now with Atlas going to the family castle for a couple months. That left Robert and Matthew to take care of. Well Robert, you only had to push him in the right direction for distraction. Matthew on the other hand was proving to be the real problem. Once she figured how to handle him, she could have as many callers as she wanted. She took a deep breath as her mind drifted back to the tall, dark and handsome Duke of Jensen. Wouldn't it be simply lovely if she were to be walking down the aisle to become his new Duchess? She smiled as her mind drifted off.

Lord Candlewood took Lavender's hand and gave it one last squeeze before he placed it in Atlas' outstretched hand. He nodded and went to set on the pew with the rest of the family.

Atlas took Lavender's hand and they turned back around to face the priest. Their arms lowered as they stood side to side. Their hands slowly separated, until only their middle fingers touched for a couple seconds longer until the contact was lost.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to unite these two families in holy matrimony."

Atlas snuck her a look as the priest talked. Lavender looked absolutely terrified. She was nervously sucking on her bottom lip. Her brows furrowed in confusion. He slowly moved his hand against hers, his index finger smoothing her thumb.

Lavender looked down at the gesture and then up at him. He offered her a smile. She smiled back hesitantly. She was sad. He saw it in her eyes. Lavender looked away and turned her attention back to the priest as Atlas kept staring at her.

If he wanted to be honest, he hadn't seen her real smile or heard her laughter since that night at the castle. His eyes flashed as he faced the priest. His lips tight. Was it possible to bring somebody back to life, only so he could kill him again? This time a long drawn out painful death.

The rest of the day happened so fast, lavender felt like she was living in a dream. From the moment he slid the gloves off her hand and put the gold diamond ring on her finger, the world began to spin. It was as if she was on a horse, going in circles, everybody gay and merry. Talking to her, excitement, well wishes. But their faces were blurred because they were moving so fast.

When he was instructed to kiss the bride, she sensed his hesitation. The world wasn't spinning fast enough. Then she felt his soft lips on her cheek.

"Booooo!" Robert shouted from behind them.

People giggled, there was clapping. There was joy. And the spinning returned full force. She couldn't separate the faces. Not even her family members. She couldn't remember the words spoken. Her smile permanent on her face. Her nods, her gratefulness, her acceptance of this new life. Lavender felt like she was disappearing little by little. A small piece of her chipping away with every strike from the clock.

But then she saw him. The only one not spinning. His expression forlorn as he stared back at her.

Maybe if she focused on him. If she only focused on him, then maybe it would be okay. Maybe...just maybe....her heart constricted as she gasped loudly.

Now they were in a carriage. Where did her family go? She had no idea.

"Are you okay Lavender?"

"You're going to be just fine."

"Sister you were the most splendid bride ever."

"Enjoy tonight."

She took another deep breath, the only thing moving was the carriage. The only thing moving was the carriage. The only thing moving was...

Atlas sat across from her, his gaze focused on the country road. When was the last time they'd spoken? The last words they'd said?

She couldn't remember.

Holding herself straight she. She looked down at her lap. She'd been unable to stop rubbing her fingers. Why couldn't she stop? She needed the comfort from that distraction. Did soothing her fingers, ease an unknown ache?

Lavender looked up to Atlas watching her wring her fingers merciless in her lap. Ashamed she formed fists and pressed them into her lap, willing herself to stop acting like this. To stop feeling like this.

How did one stop feeling like the worst being alive?

Atlas sighed and resumed looking out the window.

He hated her. Lavender simply knew it. He was just flirting casually, she got in way over her head, she trapped him and now he hated her. Because she was nothing. Absolutely nothing. She had nothing to bring to this pity party of a marriage. What good was----

"Ow." Lavender looked up and rubbed her forehead. "What was that?"

"Just....stop overthinking, you're making me depressed." Atlas replied before turning his attention back outside.

Lavender looked around frantically. "But what was------ow!"

She rubbed her neck and glared accusingly at Atlas.

He smiled innocently at her.

"What are you throwing at me?" she asked.

He shook his head. "I'm doing no such thing."

She looked down trying to find the weapon. "You just threw-----ow!" she looked back up and touched her nose. "Stop throwing things at me."

He flicked something at her and she blinked but it hit her mouth. She quickly looked down at her lap and stared at the small strange circular.....sweet? She looked up in shock. "Lizzie was tallking endlessly about these every since they came into town."

"We had them at our celebration." Atlas remarked. "I don't think you saw them. It was quite the success."

Lavender smiled. As she held the small sweet in her hand. Lizzie had the sweetest tooth known to man kind. She was sure she'd stuffed her face.

"It's pretty good." Atlas stated as he popped one in his mouth. "I brought us back some." he patted his jacket. "Taste it."

Lavender brought the small red sweet to her mouth and placed it on her tongue. Atlas watched her carefully. She closed her mouth and sucked on it gently. Moving her tongue around. Her eyes lit up. "It's delightful."

"It is." he responded watching her mouth. He quickly looked down and reached into his pocket. "Oh, well I guess the rest is for me."

"May I have one more?"

"Uh.....no...."He shrugged.

"But you asked me to try it." Lavander's mouth dropped open. "You shouldn't have told me to try it, if you weren't going to give me more."

He chuckled. "I just wanted you to see what you were missing out."

Lavender stretched out her hand. "One more please."

Atlas brought his hand out and shook her hand exaggeratingly. "Atlas Worthington, a pleasure Lady Worthington."

Lady Worthington? Lavender blushed and pulled her hand away. "A sweet if you may." Her heart raced. He'd just addressed her as....Lady Worthington."

"There's no more." He stated simply.

"You're lying."

He gasped. "My lady, are you calling your lord a liar?" his grey eyes sparkled as he leaned forward.

"Humph...." Lavender lifted her chin and looked to the side. "One must not tell tales, my Lord."

"I don't have anymore sweets." He insisted as she felt something else hit her chin.

Lavender whipped her head back to him. "If you no longer have sweets, how are you still throwing them at me?" she demanded.

"Throwing what?" He had the audacity to look baffled at her accusations.

"Atlas....." Lavender glared right before, ridiculously thinking it was a great idea to stand in the carriage to confront him. "Whe----woo----" she swayed, losing her balance. Miscalculating how bumpy the ride was.

Atlas grabbed her waist to steady her and yanked her down. Not so much on the seat, where she was but on his lap.

She plopped down, startled.

"I believe a certain Marchioness was accusing me of falsehoods." Atlas whispered in her ear.

Lavender tried to turn to reach his coat pockets. He laughed as he turned her back forward. "If you have nothing to hide my Lord, let me see." she insisted, twisting in his lap, to try and reach inside his pocket.

Atlas chuckled as he kept her reaching hand at bay. As she giggled, her hands grappling at him, his eyes drifted down to his lap. Her ass was mostly on his thigh, so he shifted her body, slightly so as not to alert her. His crotch was now nestled exactly where he wanted it. And as she wiggled above him, he moved his hip to keep the pressure.

"Don't be greedy my Lord. Pass it along. You did say you got it for us. Come on, give it to me."

He wanted to kiss the back of the neck, she presented before him, but didn't think it would be wise as he grew beneath her. He spread his legs to accommodate his bulge. But he just wanted a bit more friction. He secured his arm around her waist, and with the other hand dug into his coat pocket and he took out a sweet.

"oh would you look at that?" He grinned. "One more."

Lavender turned her head, her eyes narrowed. Their lips so close, he could have tasted them with a slight stretch of his neck.

"Oh, yes, how convenient my Lord." She snatched the sweet and popped it in her mouth. Grinning, Lavender put her hands on his knee for support in getting up, but Atlas locked her in place.

She turned her head to look at him in confusion.

"You can stay on my lap, my lady." he whispered.

Lavender's lips parted as he scooted her further against his body. He locked eyes with her as he placed a hand on her knee. Her eyes drifted to it as he scrunched the dress slightly, and then a little bit more. Her dress raising above her ankles.

He pressed his head against her neck as his hand slid her dress even further up, and up---

Fear crept into Lavender's psych as her mind flashed to another time her dress was yanked up.

She jumped out of his lap and immediately settled across from her. Her breathing labored as she adjusted her dress and pressed her thighs together. She kept her hands in her lap as she looked down, unable to meet his gaze.

Atlas, rubbed his thigh before folding his hands in his lap. "I'm sorry, bumblebee, I didn't-----"

"Are we almost there?" Lavender asked as she cut him off and looked out the window. "It's a really beautiful countryside. It's quite long no?" she stretched and yawned. "I'm feeling just a tad bit sleepy. I believe I may need a quick rest." She quickly turned on her side, laying her head on the hard interior, she shut her eyes tightly, willing her body to fall asleep.

Atlas sighed and settled back in his seat as he watched her. He grabbed himself almost painfully, praying for his erection to go down. He closed his eyes, taking controlled breaths so the blood could stop rushing to his dick and instead back to his head.

After 10 minutes of silence, Lavender curiously opened her eyes and looked across from her. Atlas had actually fallen asleep it seemed. His legs were parted, his hand over the crotch of his pants and his head lazily to the side. Closed eyelids, revealed an abundant amount of eyelashes on the lid. His lips were slightly parted, giving him the innocent look of a sleeping child.

Lavender smiled. A sleeping child. Her smile faded as she stared down at her flat stomach, but not his child. She hugged herself, the shame resurfacing.

He was a man. He had needs.

"Men loooove sex."

"Lizzie! You mustn't talk of these things."

"But it's true. I have reliable sources."

And she Lavender couldn't even provide those needs. Couldn't even....

She rubbed her face. Why was it Lord Campote's touches overpowering her mind. Why wasn't she able to focus on how Atlas' touches had felt like. How it had made her feel, all light and hot and wanting. Not this ....dirty. she sighed and closed her eyes. What was she going to do?

"My Lord, welcome back. I see you've brought a wife."

"Evening Vera....."

"It's an awfully late time for you to arrive. I told you to stop at an inn on the way and continue the rest of the journey tomorrow. You never listen. That's why you're now carrying our poor lady----oh what if you awaken her?"

"I will not Vera, I've just discovered my wife sleeps like the dead." Atlas grunted as he made his way up the stairs. "I hit her head against the carriage door and she has yet to wake."

"Oh you scoundrel, this journey is long for anybody. Poor thing she must be exhausted."

"Where are our-----"

"Oh right this way my Lord, we've rearranged everything to your specification. The lady's chambers are here and yours are just down the hall."

"Hummmm....I like hers better."

"Don't be silly, this is the lady's chambers. Lay her there gently....gently my Lord..."

"Trust Vera, I've laid a many women down on beds. I know what I'm doing."

"Oh you! Haven't changed at all. Every bit the rascal like your father."

Atlas chuckled.

"Alright, move along...I'll take it from here. I assume she came with her own personal maid."

"Hello Ms. Vera, I'm Fiona."

"Oh golly me, have you been behind us this whole time? Speak up there, just as quiet as a mouse."

"Yes, Ms."

"Alright my Lord, let us change our lady----"

"I'll change her."

Vera frowned.

"It is my wedding night." Atlas grinned at her charmingly.

"Humph....Fiona give the Lord, the lady's nightwear....and you, no funny business..."

"Seriously? I'm hurt Vera. Who do you take me for?"

The old lady smirked and bowed at her Lord. "Call us shall you need anything."

Atlas carefully took his time to remove her garments, making sure not to wake her. "This is as close to you undressing for me as we'll get huh?" He whispered, carefully laying her head back on the pillow. He took off her slip, grateful that she wasn't actually wearing that much clothes. But alas, he was still a man. His eyes zeroing in on the patch of hair covering her sex. His dick immediately hardening. He avoided touching there even though his fingers itched to dig into her sex. He took off the rest of her layers and simply stared at her.

She was beautiful, laying naked against the sheets. Like a painting, money couldn't afford.

Lavender moaned and hugged herself, curling into the fetal position a slight chill running through her body.

Seeing her shiver, Atlas quickly grabbed her nightgown that Fiona had laid out. He put it over her head, lifted her head gently and pulled it down. He worked her arms through it by moving her on her side and back again. Finally he pulled the long dress all the way down. He moved to pull up the covers and cover her body.

He smiled, proud at his work and the fact that he was able to do it all with his dick throbbing with need. He pulled his boots off and quickly got undressed, yanking his shirt off. He reached to untie his pants and then stopped. Plus he was still sporting a major boner. He hated sleeping with clothes on but this would have to do for now. She would probably scream bloody murder if she woke up with him naked next to her. Keeping his pants on, he climbed into bed and laid on his side, smiling at his new wife. She looked so peaceful, unbothered.

He leaned over and pressed his lips gently against hers. Smiling at the soft sigh that escaped her lips, he kissed her again. He couldn't help himself, his hand came up and through the night grown he grabbed the voluptuous brown breast he'd seen while dressing her. He squeezed it, she shifted into his hand.