Disgraceful

rays would rise from the horizon, bringing her a new day she never expected, yet she had to survive. Fate had its way of changing life in an instant. Her life had turned upside down in a mat

was going to marry her for money. "He has ... weaknesses, darling. All men have their weaknesses." Her father said when she confirmed it to him. "Nobody's perfect. But I've been observing him for months before I decided to make the proposition." Father thought for a moment before continuing. "He is reckless and spendthrift, and he has fallen to an unpleasant habit. But I found that he is nice and harmless. He's not a man who will hurt you. He is still young and stupid now, but I'm certain that he will grow up over time." Father grinned. "Believe me I was three times worse than him when I was his age. But I've grown up to be a man that I am now." Unpleasant habit? Father made it sounded like a small, unimportant thing. The habit had dragged the man into an uncompromising situation and changed his life drastically. Had he never thrown himself into such a mess, he would marry a decent lady. On the other hand, his recklessness had been used to his father's advantage, or precisely, to her advantage. However, what seemed impossible before, was within her reach now. A proper and rightful marriage, a respectable life. And he was young and handsome indeed, much to her liking. It would be perfect if he was mature and sensible as well. But nobody's perfect. If he were to choose, he would also prefer a noble beauty than a scandalous chit like her. He had accepted her flaws. Likewise, she should accept his. It was a mutual solution for their situation. Now, all she could do was pray the marriage of convenience would turn to a long lasting love. Her mild distate for her betrothed vanished with each passing day. He had been gentle and caring, he made her blushed and laughed. He told her the most interesting stories. He brought her to the house parties, introduced her to the nobility as his fiancee. She never thought she would be able to attend such glamorous party. Soon she learned that most of the aristocrats were having excessive pride of theirself, feeling superior to those who were not in their circle. Fortunately Roger was a delightful companion and she enjoyed every minute with him. She put a great expectations that their relationship would grow into love. One day, he surprised her with proposing her. They were at a lady's house party and Ava brought her maid, but she told her maid to wait inside as he walked her out onto the balcony to get some private space. "I know our marriage has been arranged." He covered her hand with his. "But you deserve to be proposed the right way." He kneeled before her and reached inside his pocket, pulling out a little velvet box. Slowly he opened the box. A beautiful ruby ring. "Ava Sofia Marlowe, will you marry me?" Never experienced something close to this, she was at a loss of words. Blushing, she nodded awkwardly. He bestowed her a dazzling smile and slided the ring to her finger. He rose and tilted her chin, then brought his mouth to hers. It was her first kiss, beneath the shimmering golden sky at sunset. It was nice. Not breathtaking and magical like she used to read in romance novels. But it was nice. He had stolen a few kisses ever since, in a rare, short moment when they were alone. Her parents never allowed her to be alone with him. After a few weeks, finally her parents allowed her to go to a house party alone with him. Her mother had known she was developing some feeling for him and she decided to give them some space. Roger had the permittion to pick her up. His coach arrived at six o' clock and Ava rushed downstairs. Passing the large cheval mirror in the hallway, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and saw a gorgeous woman staring back at her. Entirely happy with her look, she couldn't help smiling to her reflection. The beauty of the women in her family had been legendary, and she was told many times that she was the fairest. Everywhere she went, people stopped and stared. The appreciation had been so commonplace sometimes it went unnoticed. Walking to the main door, she saw Roger speaking to her mother outside. His eyes glittering with admiration when he met her gaze. "You are very beautiful, my dear. You always are." He said as he took her hand. "But tonight, you're truly a vision." "Enjoy the party, darling." Mother winked at her and whispered to her ear. "I wish tonight will be unforgettable." Roger helped her into the coach and climbed in after her. The coach began to move. An odd silence fell between them. Ava turned her face from his, stared at the lavish interior before her, trying to find some words, anything to start a conversation. She had never been with him alone before, and she was anticipating this moment the whole day. But now, it felt ... awkward. Finally braced herself to gaze at him, she caught him looking at her intently from the opposite seat. There was something different with him tonight. It wasn't the way he used to be; relaxed, warm, and friendly. The way he looked at her, the gleam in his eyes, the way one corner of his mouth hitched up slighty like he was smiling. In the dimly illuminated light in the carriage, his expression looked unfamiliar and wicked. Suddenly she felt uncomfortable. "What a sight you are" he murmured, finally broke the silence. "So lovely, I've never met a woman as lovely as you are." His gaze slid down to the exposed skin above her decolletage, lower to her breasts, and she felt the hair on her nape rose. He moved to her side. Despite the large available space, he sat very close, his body crushed her. He stroked her jaw and turned her face to his. "I've been waiting for this forever." Then he settled his mouth on hers. Ava closed her eyes, anticipating his familiar kiss. Her eyes opened abruptly as he pushed her lips parted and slid his tongue inside. He wasn't sweet and tender this time. He was craving, demanding. His tongue twisted with hers and he sucked hard. She gasped as his hand stroked her thigh beneath her skirts. She shoved his hand away, but he insisted. Breathless, she tried to draw back but he slid one hand behind her and held her nape so tight. His free hand wandered to her breast, stroking and squeezing. With his tongue filled her mouth and his hand claimed her breast, Ava felt overwhelmed. Finally, she managed to break the kiss. "Roger..." she turned her face away, escaping from his kiss. Her hands pushed his chest in vain. "We must stop..." He laughed quietly, then kissed her jaw and made his way down to her neck. Suddenly the carriage stopped, seemed like they had arrived. Breathing in relief, she flew out of the carriage swiftly, not waiting for him to descend first and help her out. She couldn't abide a minute longer with him alone in the carriage. To her dismay, his touch and kisses were extremely unpleasant. Later, they were mingling with the other guests, greeting each other, having conversations. Roger had come back to his sociable nature, but Ava couldn't help thinking about their ride home later. She should have brought Polly with them. Some male guests asked her for a dance and she accepted their invitations. Anything to keep her away from Roger. Confused with her feeling, she wished it was just because of her lacking of experience. Shortly after finishing the last dance, Roger took her elbow and led her away from the crowd. His hand grasped her waist possesively as they passed some men staring at her. "Are we going home now?" Her heart racing in anticipation. "Not yet, my pet" he replied without spared a glance at her. They reached a corridor with a row of doors in each sides. Randomly, he pushed one of the door open and thrusted her inside. It was a beautiful room with a set of basic furnitures. She heard the door closed behind her, instantly she turned to him. "Roger, what are you doing?" He drew her hand, throwing himself into the cushions as he hauled her to his lap. "Roger!" She cried in panic, before she could say another word, he pulled her head closer and captured her mouth savagely. She writhed and twisted against him to no avail. His hands grasped her plump buttocks and dragged her closer. She gasped as she felt his iron bulge pressed against the thin fabric of her undergarments. "I've been wanting to do this since the first time I laid my eyes on you." He whispered between their mingled breath, then he sought her mouth again. "No!" She tried to turn away but his hands clasped her face so tight. "Not now, Roger! We'll soon be married!" "So stop fighting me, love." He took her earlobe between his teeth in a teasing bite, licking and nibbling. "I'll marry you eventually, it doesn't make any difference if I take you by now." His hand slipped beneath her rumpled skirt and slid all the way up. She gasped when his fingers travelled further to the slit of her drawers. Slap! All in a sudden, he froze, his eyes opened wide as he stared at her with extreme disbelief. Ava covered her mouth in shock. She had slapped him so hard. He looked shocked. Shades of red colored his cheek where she had hit him. Suddenly feeling guilt and tenderness for him, she lifted her hand to caress his face. "Roger, I'm sorry... I..." Slap! The next second, she was pushed aside and pinned against the cushions. For a moment, her vision blurred as heat stung her face, he had smacked her harder. "Don't you dare do that to me again, you bitch!" He howled frantically, his voice screeching like a mad woman. "You want to play a lady? Pah!" He spat on her face. "You can't! And you'll never be. Even if I marry you. You'll always be a whore, like your mother, like your sister. Don't ever think I will treat you as an equal, you stupid bitch! I've lowered myself to the hilt by marrying you. My family and the people will despise me." He said the last few words in a bitter tone. "You and what comes with you were paid for with my honor and my dignity. I paid through the nose for a little mistake." He tugged at the low neckline of her gown roughly, pulling it down under her belly, exposing her naked breasts. She screamed in horror. "Well." He smirked, his eyes glinting with malice. "At least you're a good fuck." Then he bent down and claimed her mouth again. Ava struggled helplessly beneath his body as dread filled every fiber of her. He was going to rape her! And she thought he was a good man. God help her! She arched her neck to see the door across the room, hoping it would sway open and somebody came in. The armrest and a table lamp blocked her view. Her gesture made her neck exposed to Roger's mouth. He rained her neck with hot kisses and nibbled her delicate skin. Suddenly flooded by anger and disgust, her free hand reached a table lamp in the nightstand just above her head. Roger cursed loudly as the lamp hit his head very hard. He bent up straight and covered his face with his hands as blood flowing over his face. Ava crawled out of the couch swiftly and rushed to the door, her heart thumping madly in her chest. Her hands shaking uncontrollably as she pushed the door handle, sobbing in relief when the door clicked open. "You'll pay for it bitch!!!" Roger shouted behind her. "After I marry you, I swear I'll make you pay!!!" She ran along the corridor, startled an old couple on their way. She pulled up her messy gown higher to her chest. The old lady choked when she saw her appearance. The lady knew her, they had been introduced to each other once. She couldn't remember the lady's name but certainly the lady knew she was Lord Roger's betrothed. She didn't care, she had to get out of here. By sheer luck, a vacant hackney coach passed by as she ran out of the gate. She entered the coach quickly, turning back to see if Roger was chasing her. He wasn't. The sig