"Who sent you?"

"Please....please, I can't feel my---my—leg."

Ursain and Fred held back the struggling man against the tree.

"Please, it hurts....fuck...fuck...my kneecap!" He howled.

Atlas calmly crouched down in front of him. "Unless you want to go the way of your three companions over there...." He nudged his head to the side to the three dead bodies that were being piled into the wagon by his servants. "I'm only going to ask you one more time." He leaned even closer, the midnight air brushing against his bare torso. "Who sent you?"

The bloody man grimaced as he looked frantically side to side. His harsh breathing filled the otherwise silent night.

Atlas sighed. "I never like doing this, yet it seems some people are hell bent on getting on my bad side." He put up his gun without hesitation.

"Atlas!"

The Marquess of Shirewest whirled his head around in shock at his wife, her maid and Vera running towards him.

He hurriedly tossed his gun to Fred and put his hand up to indicate for him to wait for his instructions. "Lavender I told you to stay inside!" He turned around and rushed to her, to stop her from going any closer.

"I tried to stop her my Lord." Vera groaned as she tried again to grab Lavender's hand, which the Marchioness swiftly moved away.

"Are you okay?" She panted wrapping her robe tighter around her body.

His expression softened slightly at her concern. "I'm okay. But I need you to go back inside."

She nodded and arched her neck to look behind him. "Don't kill him." she turned back to Atlas in slight fear.

"Don't look at me like that."

"Don't kill him." She repeated. "He's obviously working for somebody and if you kill him, you won't find out who."

"I'll find out sooner or later." Atlas replied.

"Sooner is better than later, so we don't have to accrue anymore dead bodies on our lawn." she shrieked back in horror as she took in the two servants struggling to lift the last dead man on onto the wagon.

"Okay." Atlas said quickly. "Fine, can you go inside?" He asked. "I need you to be inside bumblebee."

She crossed her arms over her chest and stared at him.

Her husband groaned as he grabbed her shoulders. "This is not the time to be stubborn---"

"Instead of killing him, why don't you just step on his bloody knee until he fesses up?" She suggested. "I don't want you to keep killing...."

Atlas gave her a sharp look. He turned and nodded to Ursain. "Ursain, check that knee of his you blew out. Add a little pressure."

Ursain grinned and stomped on the man's knee.

The howl of pain that ripped through the night caused Lavender to squeeze her eyes shut to block out the image.

"FUCK!! I'll talk! FUCK MY LEG! FUUUUCCCCKKKKKK!"

"Who sent-----"

"Lady Campote!" He hollered. "She gave us a hundred each. It was you or the Lady, it didn't matter. Please! Please my leg!"

Lavender gasped. "Lord Campote's mother?"

"Please my lady, please my leg-----"

"You don't have permission to address her!" Atlas yelled angrily.

The guy cried. "My Lord, my Lord please....I want my leg...I will be forever at your service---mercy, mercy please----" He shivered even though sweat rolled down his forehead.

"You come to kill us and then ask for mercy?" Atlas asked in disbelief.

Lavender touched Atlas' arm forcing him to look at her. She held it tight, her eyes pleading with him.

"No!" Atlas growled. He pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes in despair. "Fred, Ursain......" He sighed heavily. "Call up the doctor...." he ordered regretfully.

Lavender beamed up at him and stood up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek proudly.

Atlas glared at her. "Now, inside."

She nodded. "Yes my Lord. I shall wait for you." shyly she leaned up and gave him a quick peck on the lips which caused an uncontrollable upwards tilt of his mouth, unable to maintain his scowl

"Oh dear how frightening." Fiona whispered, clutching her mistress' hand desperately. "We mustn't do this again, ever, ever my lady."

Lavender nodded as they rushed back to the castle. "I'm completely terrified." she whispered. She glanced back to see that Atlas had gone back and crouched in front of the crying young man. Whatever he was saying, she couldn't hear, but the man looked terrified. Lavender turned back to Fiona. "He's so devilishly amazing, it makes my body ache."

"My lady!" Fiona giggled mischievously along with her mistress. Vera shook her head in annoyance at the two young women.

**

Azalea clutched the bowl as she dry heaved for what seemed like the millionth time. Her body shook, her nightgown drenched, once unruly curls now plastered to her face. Her lips trembled as she bent again over the bowl. A thin line of saliva trialed down from her mouth as her vision blurred slightly. She couldn't seem to get enough air in her lungs.

The 17 year old girl panted for breath as she removed herself from the bowl. She leaned heavily against her bed as she stared up at her ceiling. Tears mixed with sweat stung her eyes and she tried desperately to rub it away. Her hand felt heavy. It didn't feel like her own.

She clutched her stomach as sharp pains passed through her. She turned around and grabbed her pillow. Bitting into the fluffy material, she allowed her scream to be smothered.

Azalea lifted her head as she stared dizzily out the window. She wasn't going to make it to the morning. She knew it. They would find her body on her bed in the 'morrow. God she prayed it wasn't Daisy, who randomly liked to pop up in the wee mornings as she got ready for school.

Grimacing, she tried to lift herself up. Her legs unsteady. She would not shame her family. She could not. She was a fool. The worst type of fool. She thought she wanted to die....but with death at her door, she was terrified.

"Azalea please just think for one second."

Her elder sister's words ran into her mind as she rushed to her closet. Lavender, Lavender would know what to do. She cried softly as she slipped into her coat. But Lavender wasn't here. Her letter left unopened on the desk because she didn't want to read her sister's words. She didn't want to feel the weight of her actions thrown back at her.

Azalea lip shook as she put on her slippers. Everybody was sound asleep. She knew. She knew because it was midnight. The poision though just a small dose had slowly been running through her system, and now, it seemed to be shutting down.

But----but before she met the devil for her sins, she had to do one thing. Just one thing.

Finding unforeseen strength tuck deep within her belly, ignoring the cramping, she quietly made her way out her bedroom. Clinging to the rails as she descended. Every step more excruciating than the last. If she could control one thing. One thing is where she will lay. Near the Azalea flowers in the backyard. That way it won't be Daisy or mom to find her. It will be the gardener and the gardener will cover her, spare her family the pain.

She bit back her scream as her leg gave way by the bottom step. She groaned and shuffled to the back door. Her eyes looking at the grand piano. The piano she loved so much.

"I'm talented sis, aren't I?" Azalea whirled around happily.

Lavender giggled. "Extremely so. I do wonder if you can give the opera singer a run for her money." Lavender stepped up on the piano bench. "Azalea Candlewood, piano and opera singer extraordinaire."

The two little girls giggled and ran around the room until big arms snatched them up each.

"Papa!" They laughed.

"My daughter? An opera singer?" He barked with laughter. He turned to Lavender, his eyes twinkling. "And you Lavender what will you be doing?"

The little girl beamed up at her dad. "Protecting her of course."

"Do not entertain their foolish thoughts honey, come help me sit, this baby will not let me stand." Rose groaned. The two girls ran to their moms, immediately latching on to her belly to feel their little sister kick.

Azalea walked outside as if in a daze. The pain for some reason starting to fade as the colors around her became blurred. There was laughter and carriages and horses and talking in the background, but she tuned them out. She just wanted her bed of flowers. Just to rest. Just for a while.

"Hey stop..." Matthew tapped on the carriage.

"Aww come on Matt, chickening out now? The one time you decide----"

"Shut-up, what's she doing?"

"Who?" Robert asked trying to look out the carriage, having just left their house.

Matthew opened the cdoor and rushed out. "Azalea!----I mean Miss.Candlewood."

But the girl in the black coat did not turn as she kept walking.

"Miss. Candlewood!" He called out to get her attention as she swayed back and forth.

"What the fuck is the matter with her?" Robert asked climbing out the carriage.

"Miss. Candlewood, are you alright?" Matthew called out getting closer. "I mean not that I care, I'll leave you alone if you prefe-----"

"Oh shit!" RObert called out, but Matthew had already ran to the fence as her body swayed and dropped in the middle of her backyard.

"Azalea!" He called out running towards her.

Robert ran after his brother and was about to hop the fence and then looked down at his new suit. He brushed his coat and ran towards the gate.

"Azalea!" Matthew gasped as he slid down next to her. He turned her body around. His eyes widened as he stared at the unnatural gray tint to her darkskin, her bluish brown lips. "Azalea!"

Her eyes fluttered open. "Matt----" She whispered in confusion. She started to shake, foam gathering at the corner of her mouth.

"Oh fuck she's possessed!" Robert jumped back.

Matthew immediately put his arm under her neck and her legs and lifted her up effortlessly. "Quick we need to bring her to Doctor Franklin---"

"You mean priest----"

"NOT NOW ROBERT!"

"Right!, Right! Let's go!" Robert nodded as they ran towards the gate. "Winston!" He called out to the driver. "Quick, doctor Franklin's house!"

"Hey, stay with me." Matthew whispered pleadingly as Azalea's head almost snapped back by the force of gravity. "Stay with me Azzie."

**

"Ta-da!" Lizzie showed off the freshly cleaned planks.

"Ow lad, move on out, big load coming through!"

She gasped as several crew members ran pass her freshly cleaned area to the other side of the boat to hail in the catch for today's supper.

"What the----" she groaned as she stared at the muddy stained floor. She stomped her foot in anger. "You dirty stupid----" she looked up to Pablo watching her as he leaned against the railing. He arched an eyebrow at her. She turned to Emmanuel who was snickering as he picked his teeth with his pocket knife.

"Ti sei perso un posto." Emmanuel grinned.

Her hazel eyes flared at him as she dumped her mop in the water angrily and did it again. "Stupid fucking men." she muttered under her breath. She wiped the sweat off her face, but smelling the stench of her own hand, she immediately doubled over and threw up. She stared in disgust at her vomit, but staring at it made her heave again.

"Aye lads seasick. "A guy hit her hard on the back.

Emmanuel's eyes glared at the guy. "Keep your hands to yourself." He ordered in an accent so thick, he might as well have been speaking Italian.

The guy put his hands up and snickered. He backed away.

Lizzie closed her eyes, too embarrassed to look at the Duke or Emmanuel. She cleaned the area with her eyes closed to the best of her ability. But her stomach hurled again. This time, she was lifted by the collar and was leaned over board just in time to spill out the rest of her guts.

She wiped her mouth with the sleeve of Robert's shirt and looked up gratefully at Emmanuel. He shook his head at her.

She closed her eyes and sighed.

**

"Are you mad?" Lavender whispered as she stood in front of his desk. She'd fallen asleep so didn't know when he'd came to bed. He hadn't been present for breakfast today either.

Atlas glared up at her. "Don't ever do anything like that again." He ordered.

She flinched.

"When I tell you to stay inside. You stay inside." He rose his voice. "What if something had happened to you? What if there was another guy out there?" He demanded as he shot up out of his chair. "Don't ever disobey my orders again."

Lavender blinked rapidly. "I was just worried about you."

"Worry about me inside!"

"Vera said everybody was captured!"

"What if they hadn't been?"

"But they were!"

"But what if they hadn't!" He shouted. "And you just come out and expose yourself, as prime target!"

Lavender hit his desk like he'd done earlier. "I know you were worried about me but don't talk to me like that! I'm not a child!"

Atlas cocked his head to the side in surprise.

Lavender immediately clamped her hand over her mouth at her outburst. They stared at each other for a couple seconds and she lowered her hand hesitantly chewing on her bottom lip. "I'm not a child." she whispered. "I'm your wife." she lowered her gaze as she stared at his desk. "My Lord...." she added for good measure.

The silence resumed for a full minute. She could feel Atlas' gaze on her the entire time. Her heart raced as she wondered what he was thinking and why he wasn't saying anything. She'd spoken out of pocket. She was doing the exact opposite of all her hardwork training. Yelled? Did she seriously just yell at her husband?

Finally Atlas sighed and sat back down. "Fine....'tis true." He put his arms up. "You're my wife and not my child."

She lifted her eyes to meet his steel grey gaze. "But when I tell you to stay somewhere, I need you to listen to me."

She nodded slowly.

"Because if anything happened to you, I would lose my goddamn mind." He whispered.

Lavender brought her hand up slowly over her left breast, not only that this was the first time he'd dropped such a big curse word directly in front of her, but at the intensity behind his eyes. She rushed over to his side of the desk and without hesitation cupped his face. Kissing him hard.

Atlas grabbed his wife, bringing her down on his lap. She grabbed his collar and slowly pulled away, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "My Lord...." she whispered, her eyes searching his face. "I want you so much...." her voice trembled with need.

Atlas growled and immediately hoisted her off his lap on to his desk. Without a minute's hesitation he pulled her skirts up to her waist and dropped to his knees. He loved the fact that her knickers were crotchless. How utterly convenient.

Lavender gasped as she threw her head back. Her hands gripping on to his head as it moved between her thighs. tongue eagerly seeking. "Atlas...."

**

Lizzie rubbed her aching shoulder. Sometimes she should learn how to just keep her mouth shut. DId she really have to give the Duke some long winded spewl about how she didn't need his help, that she lived with three brothers and could act like a boy and get away with it? Did she really have to say she would earn her keep? Why didn't she know how to shut-up?

"Hey boy..."

Lizzie froze and looked up, her hazel eyes wide.

Stoop spat on the ground by his feet and rubbed his belly. "Ain't seen below deck yesterday. Saved you a nice----" He looked up at the large presence that appeared behind Lizzie. He snarled. "Aint got nothing to do with you."

"Want to try that again?" Emmanuel sneered, his arms crossed, emphasizing his bulging muscles. "Fat english man?"

Stoop spat again.

"Eeeww." Lizzie whispered taking a step back towards Emmanuel.

"I ain't afraid to take on a duke's guard."

Lizzie turned and looked up surprised by the excitement that actually seemed to glint in Emmanuel's eyes. The large Italian man put his hand out and grinned, revealing a sparkly gold molar. "Please, english man, entertain me."

Lizzie slowly moved back until she hid behind Emmanuel's large frame. Emmanuel took a step forward. "I take a liking to the english lad, you challenge me for his favor?" He ignored the sword by his side and took out his pocket knife.

Stoop sneered and took a step back. "Stupid Italians." he spat again and made his way to the other side of the boat, sneaking glances at the bodyguard.

"Oh my, I think you made him shit his pants." Lizzie giggled.

Emmanuel turned and glared at her.

She immediately straightened up and saluted him. In an awkward march, she made her way to the Duke's chamber. She turned to notice a couple of whispers as several glances where shot her way. She rolled her shoulders back and knocked.

The Duke came out and the whispers seemed to come to a halt as the crew watched them carefully.

The Duke handed her a mop. "Make it quick."

Lizzie nodded and dashed inside with the mop. Pablo closed the door to his quarters and walked over to Emmanuel.

"Le voci e pettegolezzi ----"

"Ignore them." Pablo cut off his bodyguard and oldest friend. "All they should worry about is getting paid. Not who comes to my quarters."

Emmanuel nodded. "What to do when we home?"

"Send her back." Pablo replied.

Emmanuel chuckled. "Non le piacerà."

Pablo glared at him. "I don't care."

"Buona fortuna." Emmanuel chuckled louder.

The Duke rolled his eyes in annoyance and looked back at his quarters. Right now she would probably be enjoying the warm water left for her to bathe. A small smile threatened to escape on his face.

Emmanuel gave him a knowing look.

Pablo scowled and looked away. "Sta 'zitto."

**

Matthew stared at the trail of blood flowing down Azalea's legs. "Should she be bleeding so much?"

Doctor Franklin, crushed his pills. "No, Worthington." He said exasperated as he hurriedly added another pill. "This will only hold off for another hour or so." He grabbed the whiskey. "You better pray your brother finds the antidote."

He added syrup and a drop of green liquid that Matthew had no idea what it was. "She might fair better than the other two gentlemen two hours ago."

Matthew's hea snapped up. "Two gentlemen?"

"Oh yeah, the Earl of Yetty and Lord Hammond. Both men found dead in his office. Bottle of whiskey between them." Doctor Franklin parted her lips and slipped his medicine down her throat with his finger.

Matthew shook his head. "But this has nothing----nothing to do with Miss. Candlewood." he insisted. "It's not as if she's drinking whiskey with the Earl of Yetty or Lord Hammond!" He exclaimed to the silent doctor. He looked down her leg. "And honestly doctor, I believe she's losing an awful lot of blood!"

Doctor Franklin sighed. "Worthington either shut-up or wait in the library." He forced more medicine down the unresponsive girl's throat.