Lavender woke up, feeling remarkably refreshed. They'd fallen asleep and she hadn't once woken up during the night. She smiled and stretched on the bed, turning to the side, but Atlas wasn't there. She smiled some more. He was probably working out. Her mind flashed back to last night in the darkness of his room.

"I love you."

Giggling she leapt out of his bed and out of his chambers. She kissed him first. Her. Lavender Candlewo----no Lavender Worthington kissed Atlas Ragnar Worthington first.. She slammed his door shut and whirled around to go to her room.

"Oh." Lavender slowed down, chewing on her bottom lip to stop from smiling.

"My lady." Fiona started with a mischievous smile. "I was just...looking for you. Your bath is getting cold."

Lavender shrugged and made her way to the washroom. "Oh Fiona, isn't it just a wonderful day."

Fiona shook her head in amusement as she followed her mistress. "It's raining." she informed her.

"Oh rain....shmain..." Lavender sang, wiggling out of her nightdress.

**

"Good morning Atlas." Lavender gave him a slight nod as he entered.

Moppy barked a greeting from under the table. Wagging his tail before resuming his breakfast.

"Lavender." He grinned. He took her gloved hand and kissed it softly, his eyes holding hers. "I hope you slept well." His hand squeezed hers gently.

"I did." She whispered blushing.

He gave her another look before heading to his seat across from her. He looked so handsome in simply his white shirt and tan jodhpurs. He must be going for a horse ride right after breakfast. Her eyes moved down to his crotch in those tight pants. She couldn't believe, her entire life she'd never paid attention to the fact that there was always the slightest of bulge in the crotch of his pants. Subtle but there. And now she knew what it held.

She looked down at her plate, her heart racing at her train of thoughts. Oh, she was absolutely scandalous. She smiled to herself as she put her hands in her lap. She thanked Jasper for the breakfast and picked up her spoon. Looking across the table, she found Atlas watching her. Having been caught he quickly shifted his eyes down and dug his spoon into his porridge.

Lavender looked back down at her breakfast with a small smile. Was he....bashful? Because of...her?

They ate their breakfast in silence. But it was a comfortable silence. A silence in which they somehow knew the other was thinking about last night.

"I love you."

"I've always loved you."

Lavender laughed as Moppy ran around her feet. Something he did after he was done with breakfast to get her to pick him up. And pick him up she did. Her adorable eyeless mop of fur.

"I'll be heading out today with Phillip." Atlas informed her as he made his way to her end of the table.

Lavender looked up.

"We have to go handle an issue of an apparent curse on Farmer Dudleys' land." Atlas shook his head as he leaned his butt on the table.

His wife's eyes widened. "A curse?"

"Oh yeah." Atlas nodded. "Apparently brought on by his neighbor old man Richard because old man Richard found Farmer Dudley in his barn with one of his goats." Atlas tried not to smile through his grimace but failed. "Farmer Dudley absolutely denies it."

Lavender chuckled in confusion. "But why would he be in a barn with old man Richard's goat anyways. Why was he not in his own barn? Was he trying to steal the goat?" she asked.

Atlas chuckled. He opened his mouth as if to say something and then shook his head. "I'll spare you the sordid details bumblebee, because rumor has it some farmers have taken immense interests in goats."

She stared at him in complete confusion. "But what's so special about the goats? And why old man Richard's goat. Why not take interest in his own goat?"

"Aha..." Atlas pointed his finger at her. "This is where the story gets more complicated because Farmer Dudley insists that old man Richard stole his favorite goat because that goat in particular brings him good luck so and he demands it back. Old man Richard denies it all and insists he won a wager and acquired that goat from it."

"Oh, this sounds messy." she grimaced.

"Messier than you can imagine." Atlas chuckled. "But I'll just do like King Solomon and offer to split the goat in half."

"Atlas!"

He chuckled and licked his bottom lip as he stared down at her. "I'll be gone for a couple hours, but will be back in time for your piano lessons."

"Piano lessons? I thought I already sounded like Mozart." she pouted.

"Oh darling, is that why Vera grimaces every time she walks by?" He whispered leaning into her.

"Yes." Lavender whispered back. "It sounds like heaven my lord and she doesn't want to go there too soon."

Atlas threw his head back and laughed. Lavender beamed, happy to have made him do so.

He reached out and gently tapped her chin. "I'll see you in a couple hours."

"Okay."

He slowly leaned in and she held her slowly. Atlas brushed his lips against her cheek and kissed it. He pulled back just so their noses grazed. He stayed where he was, his eyes on her lips, waiting. Waiting for----

Lavender closed the gap and pressed her lips against his. Waiting for her permission. She could of sworn she felt his smile on her lips right before he pulled back.

"My lady." He whispered.

Lavender wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for another deep kiss, managing to startle him. But Atlas recovered quickly as he angled his head and sucked on her lips. They opened their mouths wider and exchanged tongues. Lavender didn't know how she knew to do it, but she did, and she loved it as she pressed her tongue against his and then the roof of his mouth, before capturing his bottom lip and sucking it softly.

Atlas groaned as he angled his head some more. His hands reaching out to touch her but at the last minute, he gripped the chair handles.

Jasper and Ludwe flashed each other a knowing smile.

Moppy moved in her lap. Feeling crowded he jumped to the floor, wagging his tail as he went to sit under the table.

Atlas reluctantly pulled back with a smile before he went any further than she was comfortable with.

Lavender's eyes fluttered open, her lips slightly puckered.

Atlas leaned back and took a deep breath. His hands gripping the edge of the table.

He didn't say anything, but as if in a daze Lavender stood up. Her arms once more going around his neck.

Atlas' eyes closed as he tilted his head accepting her kiss once more. Her body came even closer, her grip on him tightening. He instinctively parted his legs and she took a couple steps in between them. Her chest now pressed against his.

He gripped the table tighter as she moaned softly into his mouth. His hip instinctively rolling into her. His dick wanting to find her perfect center.

Lavender moaned again, pressing her body more into him, her fingers moving up to bury within his soft hair.

He released the table and brought his arms up cautiously, placing them on the center of her back. Feeling the warmth of her body heat between his fingertips. He moaned as he pulled her closer. Lavender rolled her body into him instinctively as she teased him with her tongue. Finding that she really enjoyed her tongue in his mouth brushing against his. The sensation was exhilarating. She had no idea what was coming over her. She also had no idea what she was doing, but her body seem to know. God her body certainly seemed to know.

Atlas' hands dropped lower, holding tightly on to her waist. Resisting the urge to grab the ass he so desperately wanted to feel in the palm of his hands.

"Oooohhhhh...." Lavender moaned loudly against his mouth, her lips now trailing against his chin. "I feel....." she couldn't finish because she didn't know how to explain.

His hands gripped her waist even tighter, but he pulled his head back. "We must stop." he grunted.

Lavender immediately dropped her hands from his neck and held it to her chest in embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I didn't----"

"No." He cut her off swallowing hard. "I would love to continue bumblebee but..." he pressed her body even closer to him as he stared at her longingly his lips parted with need.

"But what?" she whispered leaning into him when he did not complete his sentence.

Atlas groaned as he brought one hand up and cupped the back of her neck. Kissing her hard for a couple seconds and then releasing her. "I have business to take care of remember." he said loudly. He straightened up off the table. "Phillip will be waiting, and those farmers need a solution, or I'm afraid all hell will break loose." He chuckled.

Lavender laughed and smoothed down her dress as Atlas put her at arm's length. "Oh, yes of course. I didn't mean to keep you waiting my lord."

Atlas bit down on his bottom lip. He brought his hand up and rubbed his thumb against her plump bottom lip. "I'm going to go." He whispered rubbing her lip gently.

Lavender nodded as he slowly parted her bottom lip from her top lip with his thumb. His finger grazing her teeth.

"I'm going to go." he whispered again.

Lavender smiled. "You said that, my lord."

Atlas cupped her neck again and brought her head to his to close the gap between them once more. His lips hungrily moving against hers. She gripped his shirt and moaned as she moved her head. In the next instant he pushed her away at arm's length once more. "You...bumblebee are...irresistible." he panted.

Lavender scoffed in disbelieve as he moved away from her. She smiled brightly. Irresistible? "Me?" she called out.

"I have business to attend to." Atlas grabbed her shoulders and turned her around to face the table. "I will see you in a couple hours." He marched off.

Lavender chuckled as she turned around to watch him leave. "What did I do?" she asked in genuine confusion.

His back to her, he waved her comment away and left the room.

"Irresistible huh?" She touched her lips.

The rest of the day seemed to have gone on for eternity, but luckily some letters arrived for her and she sat and read them with a smile on her face. Mother was doing well and she was pleased with her eldest daughter. She said that it was the time to put everything behind her and live the life she'd always wanted to live. Interestingly enough, she warned her about Lady Helen. Lavender smiled, oh she warned herself about Lady Helen. There had to be a limit for commenting on the perfection of another woman's husband. Besides Lady Clementine had pulled her aside from the group with a smirk and told her to never leave Lord Worthington alone with Lady Helen.

"She has a complex my dear."

"A complex?" Lavender whispered back in surprise.

"The only prize is one she can snatch from somebody else." Lady Clementine explained. "Her husband is mighty handsome himself I dare say. A bit of a scoundrel....when he manages to be around and not in the city. I believe she's unable to control him, so she needs to prove herself."

Lavender's eyes widened.

"Oh you're far too innocent. She's done it five times already." Lady Clementine sighed. "I would love for her to have a go at Charlie, but he's too old and fat for her. Told me so herself."

Lavender covered her mouth.

Lady Clementine chuckled. "Lord Worthington is far too handsome dear. Even I cannot deny. But I have my knight. And...." she smirked. "I do prefer to have at least two female friends, that I can trust whole heartedly. I wouldn't ruin that by fucking their husbands."

Lavender blushed. "Two female friends..." But they were three, and it didn't seem like she cared particularly for Lady Helen even they've known each other for 10 years. Lady Helen arrived from France at 15 and happened to have taken residence across from Lady Clementine's childhood home.

Lady Clementine slipped her hand in hers, her dimple appearing in her cheek. "You and Lady Worst. Lady Worst. She cannot shut-up to save her life, but you will never find a more genuine friend." The young but seemingly mature Countess of Blaketown explained. "And you, well I don't know you well yet, but I do admire your essence. It's compatible with mine."

Lavender put her mother's letter down and picked up Daisy's.

Dear Sister,

I miss you so much and I am terribly sorry for frightening you. Do not worry about what's going on at home. Everything is simply splendid here, even though you are missed so terribly much. May I come stay with you once school is done? If only for a week. I just miss you so much. I've thought a lot about it dear sister, I am not a child anymore and I pray some secrets must never be told. Nobody has hurt me, and I've done no harm either. I just saw something that I was not supposed to. I am always seeing so many different things that I'm not supposed. For example, I also kept your secret sister. I saw Lord Worthington enter your chambers when mother and Azalea had gone to the opera. I didn't tell a single soul. Azalea also has a secret, and she swore me to secrecy, lest she cuts all my hair off in my sleep. I love her just as much, but she does frighten me so. Oh, I must go, Mother has gotten me a tutor. She's afraid I will get distracted with my studies because all I want to do is paint. I do hope you like the painting I sent you.

Love,

Miss. Daisy Candlewood (your sister who misses you very much)

Lavender read her sister's letter again, but none of it comforted her. At least not how she wanted it to. Relived that she was not hurt. More questions arose and now more than ever she needed to know what her little sister knew. And she must find out Azalea's secret. How to convince Daisy to talk? She sighed as she tried to wrack her brain. She opened the wrapping and smiled as she stared at the beautiful tranquil lake painting before her. 10 years old and Daisy was ridiculously talented. She touched the painting and sighed. Not that, that actually mattered. Her little sister would never be allowed to purse her love of art.

She put the painting to the side. She will ask Vera to find a frame for it, so it can go above the grand piano.

Lavender picked up the last letter and sighed in frustration that Azalea had not written her back this time. But at least her best friend had. She smiled and broke the seal.

Dear sister,

I simply love writing that for us. It brings me immense joy. But dear me Lavender, I'm afraid something is terribly wrong with me. I'm having endless and endless callers, now that the season is in full swing, but they are so terribly immature and boring and just, simply horrendous. Matthew and Robert said that now I've just one over my head, but I told them I wanted to marry for love. Can you believe that actually gave Matthew pause? But I do, I do and it pains me but the only face I see in my dreams is the Duke of Jensen. And by god, he refuses to have anything to do with me. Last night at the ball we attended, I went up to him Lavender, I went up to him and snuck from Matthew and Robert's watchful eyes. I gave so many hints that I would love for him to dance with me, but he was so cold. He was so awfully cold. He turned me away and said he wanted nothing to do with me. Ever ! And that I should just let him be. I swear, I went to the water closet and balled my eyes out. I miss you so much, because I just wanted to be with my best friend. To make matters worst, I came out the water closet and he was outside. He had the audacity to try and apologize. I ignored him and walked right past, but it was the worst feeling ever. He torments me he does, because the entire night, I would catch him watching me. Men are mean and confusing. I will take Atlas' advice and join a nunnery. Unfortunately, I would love to have sex just once at least. Alas, enough talk about my silly life. You told me to keep an eye on Azalea and I've never been more confused. It seems your sister has taken an interest in Robert. Robert! Can you believe it? Michael is simply devastated. He even tried to call on her and she refused him! I have no idea what's going on. I will keep an eye for sure. I love you dearly, but Azalea must know to never come in between a Worthington! And if she does, my dear Lavender, you might just be one sister less! I'm sorry if I seem a bit harsh, but I am still heartbroken about the duke. I will let you know, if anything else arises.

Love,

Miss. Lizzie Worthington (your forever sister)

Lavender read the letter three more times to make sure she hadn't missed anything. She looked up sad for Lizzie but completely confused. What was going on back home? Her heart raced as worry clouded her mind.

"Oh Azalea...what are you doing?" she whispered looking back at the letter.

She turned and grabbed paper and a pencil this time. She had to write back to them. But especially she needed to send Azalea another letter to make sure she was staying out of trouble. Lavender sighed, at this point already her younger sister of two years seemed to be doing some sort of damage.

**

' E D# E D# E D B C A C E A B E G# B C '

'E E D# E D# E D B C A C E A B E C B A'

' E D# E D# E D B C A C E A B E G# B C '

'E E D# E D# E D B C A C E A B E C B A'

Lavender turned to the clapping behind her. "Atlas!" she blushed.

"So you can play something." He smiled proudly. "But I've seen we moved from Mozart to Beethoven."

Lavender smiled. "Don't get too excited, I can barely get by the first 50 seconds and then it's just downhill from there."

"Well Bumblebee..." Atlas sat on the piano bench alongside her. "The first 50 seconds was his song to a girl that he liked very much who honestly was probably as horrible as you on the piano." He said as he played the same parts she did.

Smiled and watched his fingers move as he continued. "And as you can see it gets harder because in these next 50 seconds, this is where the girl rejected him and so he continued this masterpiece to ensure that she will never be able to play it in her life. Which she never did." Atlas continued playing beautifully.

Lavender gasped. "Wow-----"

"Don't get too excited, I was too stubborn not to learn it." Atlas remarked, turning his head to her briefly with a smile. "Lizzie was messing up in the same spot over and over again for about 2 months until I had enough." He explained. "I spent another month learning it, it's not perfect....look I just made a mistake." But he kept on going. "And the next month teaching Lizzie." He smiled proudly.

Lavender looked up at him in wonder.

"Beethoven did say, it's not bad playing a wrong note, but playing with feeling is unforgivable..." Atlas slowed down and stopped.

Lavender put her hands together and clapped.

Atlas stared at her gloveless hands. She must have forgotten or misplaced the gloves she was wearing today at breakfast. Well, he wasn't going to remind her, nor help her look for them. He smiled. "Don't clap too fast, after the first minute and a half, I make all types of mistakes, so I usually end off there."

Lavender grinned.