Chapter 2

Ava spent the rest of the day trying to convince her mother. She told her over and over again about the incident, making sure she didn't miss a single detail. If mother could trust her even a little, maybe she would be willing to coax father to cancel the marriage.

She totally lost hope the next day. She had been restless all day. No longer having her usual appetite, she couldn't eat more than a few bites of toast. She couldn't sleep either, not when something very bad was coming upon her. She paced back and forth in her bedroom. Father and mother had gone in the morning. They didn't told any of the servants where they went or when they might be back. Last night after hours of relentless talk, Desiree finally said that she would try to talk to her father. Ava had high expectation that her father eventually would change his mind. Mother always had an irrefutable power and influence over him.

After a long, torturing hours of waiting, she heard the coach arriving at the main door. Looking down through the window, she saw the black polished coach of her father down the street. She ran downstairs and found the servants bringing stacks of boxes, so many beautiful boxes. Her mother appeared in the doorway, father was walking behind her.

"Darling, you should see all this. Everything is just splendid!"

Her voice was bursting with excitement. She opened one of the box on the top of the stack and drew out a beautiful patterned fabric. She continued unboxing the next.

"Mother, what are these?" She asked in suspicion, suddenly got the sick feeling in her stomach.

"We don't have much time to buy you enough wedding trousseau, darling, but we've done our best. We literally depleted all the shops in Bond Street. Look how beautiful these silks are. They are imported from China..."

"Mother!!! I'm not going to marry that leeching scum! Not until the doom's day!"

"Ava! Stop saying that foul words. Such a thing is beneath you, you're going to be a lady!"

"I'd better be a servant than be his lady. I despise him!"

"Silent!" The duke fired, and they both gasped.

Her father looked at her with icy cold eyes and she froze immediately.

"Listen to me, young lady. I have something to tell you, and I'm only going to say it once." Something in his tone made her shrink.

"You will learn to respect him, either you like it or not. You're bound to him with a signed legal contract that the king himself can not break it. Your betrothal has been announced in Times and Courier, if you break this agreement, you would make us suffer a terrible scandal and a severe humiliation as much as you cause him. And there would be some legal consequences too. After all I've done for you to get a life you've always wanted, you would shatter it to pieces right in front of me?"

Struck by her father's words, Ava fell silent. Desiree came over her and seated her in the nearest couch, sitting by her side.

"We just want you to be happy, my dear. And trust me, you will. I know you never want to be like me, forever staying in the shadows. You will stand by him with your head high and let the world see without shame. One day, you would be thankful for this excellent match."

Thereafter, the entire house was busy preparing the big day. Her father had obtained a special license from the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the wedding would be held in the family's drawing room the day after tomorrow.

"I think I'm going to die. I can't marry that monster, Polly! I'd better kill myself." She moaned in frustration, rolling in her bed and sitting up straight. "I have to think of something. I have to escape from here."

"Don't be silly, where are you going to go?"

"I don't know, but I have to go, anywhere far enough from that disgusting swine..." the thought of Roger made her feeling ill. She could not imagine climbing into bed with him. She shook her head.

"It's going to be the death of me. He will rape me, he will beat me, he will torture me like hell!"

Polly choked in horror. Ava saw Polly staring at her with pitiful gaze. She was always as caring and loyal to her, not just as a maid to her lady, but as a person to her beloved family.

"Do you... do you really want to go?"

"Anywhere!" She gazed back at her. "Do you have an idea?"

Polly swallowed hard, something in her eyes evoked Ava's curiosity.

"Polly" she looked at her intently. "You have something to tell me... say it."

Polly hesitated.

"Now."

Finally she managed to say.

"I've got a letter from my relatives last month. My aunt, the one who raised me, you know, my spinster aunt. I told you about her several times. She had passed away a couple of months ago. She inherited me a house in the countryside, where she spent her last years..."

"Go on"

"If you're thinking of escaping seriously, it's a perfect place to hide. The little town is quiet, much more quieter than Roseville. The society is very limited and antiquated, no one cares about the gossip of the ton or the famous city people. They are rather behind the times... most of the young people stays there rather than moving to the city, the people are quite prosper or at least well off."

"Sounds good..." Ava murmured. Seemed like she had found a ray of light at the end of a dark tunnel.

"Does any of your friends know you have an inheritance in there?"

Polly shook her head. "No... I've been telling no one until now since I don't plan for moving. I will never leave you unless my service is no longer required. You and your family have been a real home to me."

Ava crawled out of bed and came over her, hugging her tight.

"Oh Polly, I'm so lucky to have you."

Within hours, they had already packed a small valise. Ava brought only her simplest gown and some personal amenities. She wouldn't need her fancy gowns. She was leaving to a countryside to disguise as a working class woman, not a rich lady. Scanning the inside of her cupboard for one final time, she bent down and groped under a pile of fabrics. She pulled out a square wooden box.

"Jeez!!!" Polly bolted as she saw her draw a pistol out of the box. "How... how did you get that???" She choked her last word in shock.

Studying the flawless material of the weapon, Ava cocked it and found that the gun functioned perfectly.

"Del gave me. She trained me in the forest nearby for weeks until I was finally able to hit the target better than her."

Polly's mouth dropped open. "But when...?"

"We did it secretly. You know Del, she could always find a way." Ava smiled at Polly's expression.

"She told me to bring this wherever I go. She said a woman must have some self-defense..." Ava put the weapon inside her handbag. "But I never take it seriously until the ghastly night with that evil..."

"Believe me you don't need that in the lovely, quiet town..." Polly glanced at the weapon fearfully.

"I know, but we're going on a trip. In case we meet trouble..."

"Ssshhh" Polly hushed "Don't say such a thing, it would bring bad luck."

Hours later, they were already in a running hackney coach. The town they were heading was about two days ride away from London, but to make sure they didn't leave any trace, Ava had planned to switch to another hackney on the halfway.

"So, tell me about the country. Have you ever been there?"

"Nay. I only knew it from my aunt's letter. Evergreen, its name. She said there was no place like it. It's a place where magic happens and dreams come true. It's a land with many magical, mystical spots. Each of them has its legend, and its magic as well. The people are very superstitious, some of them still believe in myth and fairy tale. While the young people begin to leave it, the elderly believes that the magic remains..."

Ava's eyes widened in fascination. "Really? I think I'm going to like it."

Polly frowned. "You're always a superstitious girl, you're the worst in the world."

"Am I? Who has just worried about bad luck?"

***

After a long, tiring hours in the jolting and swaying carriage, a quick stop at a little town to change hackney, and a little visit to a jewelry shop to sell her engagement ring, they were finally almost at the end of the trip.

Her lips touched a mischievous grin as she recalled the wicked satisfaction she had when she sold Roger's gift. The shop owner looked at her in suspicion, but took the ring anyway. He must have thought she was a discarded mistress or sort of that. She didn't care, the ring made an adequate sum of money she would need for the coming days. She was glad she had tamped the irresistible urge to throw it out of the window that night.

Across her seat, Polly was snoring loudly, left her alone with her thoughts. Despite her confidence in what she was doing, Ava was in a quandary. She knew she would always be haunted by Roger, forever bound to him by the unbreakable contract. By now her father must have been searching for her. He was a very powerful man, he would send people to chase her. However, it would not be easy to find her, just like looking for a needle in a haystack. It might take forever to find her. She had some time to spare, but she would never be free. Unless... unless she could find a man and get married before her father or Roger find her. It would set her free and break the contract.

She closed her eyes. She would. Pray she would find the man in the new home. It was a land where magic happened and dreams came true. She might possibly found what she'd been looking for there. It was a countryside and she decided she liked the country men better than the dandy gents in the city. Oh, yes she adored the well-fashioned, preening beau when she was younger. They looked so graceful, so sophisticated. But a full month being with one of them, among them, had taught her that those men were nothing but cold, conceited, overpampered narcissists. She would never associate with the nobility again, for the rest of her life. Their superiority, their arrogance overwhelmed her. She would find a humble country man for a husband. He must be gentle, warm, kindhearted and sincere. If he were also handsome and sweet, it would be terrific.

The carriage slowed down to a moderate speed, she looked out through the window once again. A shimmer of gold tinged with pink was rising in the sky, unveiling the silver mist over the greenery. From a distant, a landscape of a countryside welcomed her. For a moment, she was completely absorbed by the beauty, her eyes sparkling in awe. She almost could smell the morning dew, the scent of a new sweet earth. Now, the dark is put behind and before her, the glorious morning awaits. The light has returned and a new day has come.

***

To come into a new, different life could be both exciting and overwhelming. Soon she had to learn to live without the customary convenience she used to have. No servants, no fancy meals, no fancy dresses and shoes. Everyday was all about housechores. And she learned to make a little money too. Polly had bought twelve hens from the market. They were, more or less, farming now. Polly was great at bread making. So they decided to sell bread and eggs to the market for a living. Because Polly practically did almost all the housechores and the bread making, it was her task to go selling at the market.

Of all the convenience of a wealthy life, one she missed the most was the luxury of bathing in the warm water, took a leisure bath, spent more than an hour in the clean, fancy tub, savoring the fragrance and texture of expensive soaps while reading her favorite books... Now she should go fetching water from the well, back and forth at least three times to make a sufficient bath, and no more laying in the tub, and the water was cold.

Thinking all about it as she drew the water from the well heavily, Ava decided she wouldn't be a whiner. She missed the fancy bath almost as much as she missed her parents, but if the cost of a convenient life was marrying Roger, she would better be bathing in a frozen lake for the rest of her life.

Strengthened her will, she pulled the fully loaded bucket and failed at once. Panting, she gave a next try and finally succeeded. Putting it on the ground for a while, she turned to get a sight of her home, about 100 metres away from the well. Looking at the full bucket again, suddenly it felt like a long, long way to go.

After a few days, they had gotten some new friends. One of them is Lady Byrne, and old woman with a friendly face and a plump body. Unlike the proud aristocrats she had met in London, the baroness was surprisingly humble. She paid a visit one afternoon bringing them chicken pie and some biscuits. Soon they found that she was very fond of speaking, amusing them with her stories about myth and magic in the land. She was also a dramatic matchmaker that loved to romanticize everything. They were highly entertained everytime she was around. Grateful with her new friendly, heartwarming companies, Ava could only hope it was a good sign of a new beginning. A first chapter of a new and better life.

***

Shielding her eyes with her hand as she walked home from the market, Ava saw an old man riding a cart slowly toward her from a distance. The sun was shining brilliantly today it was almost blinding. The air was stifling hot. As she got near, she saw a lumbered donkey pulled the cart, the old man sat in front of a heap of rough planks. He had a scar across his wrinkled face, his disheveled beard was getting white, his whole expression was stiff and sullen.

Suddenly there was a thundering hooves from behind her. She turned to see a lone stallion running madly through the bleak landscape, right toward the old man's cart.

"Watch out, sir!" Ava cried to warn him. The old man jerked the bridle hard, forced the donkey to move aside, but the clumsy animal was remarkably slow, it only brayed and lurched, couldn't barely move.

The mad horse hit the cart so hard, it was overthrown along with its content, the old man rolling helplessly on the road.

"Sir!!!" Ava rushed to the old man quickly and leaned over him. Relieved to see him breathing and not bleeding at all, she patted him gently on the shoulder. "Sir, are you all right?" The old man grunted unclearly and opened his eyes. He frowned as if in pain, trying to brace on his elbow. "You want to sit? Let me help you." Ava tried to pull him up, but he tensed, cursing in pain as she moved him.

There might be a broken bone, she didn't know what to do. She never faced a situation like this, yet obviously she couldn't help this poor man alone.

"Are you all right, miss?" A smooth, clear baritone voice tickled her ears from behind and she turned back to see ...

Apollo or Adonis, she could not decide. The man was possibly the most handsome man she had ever seen. His hazel eyes was warm and enchanting, his nose was perfectly shaped, and his mouth, she swallowed just to see that mouth. Full and masculine, yet it was velvet smooth. He had a strong jaw covered with thin bristles like he hadn't shave for a few days. His unfashionably long golden hair tumbled to his shoulders. His skin was tanned, unlike the dandy gents she had met in London.

The stranger looked as captivated as she did. His eyes flickered with awe, just like any man who met her at the first time. She had been accustomed to such appreciation, but this time she was bursting with pleasure.

"Uhhh" the old man's rough groan awakened them both from the lull.

"Oh" Ava turned back to the accident victim.

"Are you all right, sir?" The man leaned back behind her, trapped her with his strong hands. His breath brushed her neck, soothing her damp skin and his warmth surrounded her. His tanned hand was rough and muscular. His shirt sleeves were folded up to his elbow. Seemed like he was a working country man. A farmer or a blacksmith possibly.

"I'm okay" the old man snorted in annoyance "My right legs just hurt a little."

Ava felt a gentle pat on her shoulder and she turned her head back swiftly. "Excuse me, miss" He bestowed her the most dazzling smile, Ava didn't know which one brighter, the sunshine or his smile. "Do you mind moving a little, I need to see his injury..."

"Oh..." She blushed, then moved aside. "Of course."

The young man checked the old man thoroughly, meanwhile, Ava made a sideways glance secretly. The man looked like he knew what he was doing. He wore a white casual shirt along with brown vest, a khaki colored trousers and high boots, a country classic style.

The old man groaned again. "Is he all right?" Ava looked at the old man with concern. "Supposed to be." He skimmed his hand to the man's injured leg. "Nothing's broken. It's just a sprain possibly. Let me help you on your feet, sir."

"I can do it!" He jerked off his hand abruptly, seemed irritated with his offer. "I've suffered much worse injuries than this. Aaarggghhh!!!" He fell back, failed at the first attempt to get himself to stand.

"I have no doubt, sir. I can see you are sort of a fighter, a soldier maybe?"

Seemed like the young man's clever approach had lifted his pride, because his sullen expression softened, his eyes gleamed.

"Indeed. During the restoration. You certainly have an eye, young man."

"Salute to you, sir. I've always admired the patriots. You have given all your life protecting people like me. Now when you're in need, I'll be glad to give back, though it's very little and meaningless compared to your service."

The old man's resistance loosened and he let the young man lifted him up with an easy pull. When the young man stood up right before her, Ava was stunned by his unusual height. He was a large man, tall and muscular.

He let his shirt unbuttoned just above his chest, where a thin mass of golden curls escaped. His rebellious long hair and his bristles made him looked ruggedly handsome and masculine.

"Well..." he grinned at her with a mischievous shine in his eyes. "Seems like my hands are full now. I'm afraid you must help with the rest." He cocked his head, motioning to the donkey and the cart along with the scattered planks on the road.

"Oh..." Ava's mouth gaped open at the sight of the terrible mess. When she glanced back at him again, his hazel eyes gleaming with laughter.

"I'm just joking. How would you fix such a mess alone? I'm going to put you, sir, in your cart. And if you don't mind, miss, can you help with the donkey? That friendly creature seemed quite easy to handle."

"My planks!" The old man suddenly exclaimed. "I've been working on them for hours..."

"Don't worry about that, sir. I'll get you the new ones tomorrow."

"No way!" the old man grumbled.

"There's only one cart, sir. Tell me, is it you or the planks I should carry home?"

The old man muttered some complaints, but finally agreed. Ava watched in fascination. The way he handled things with a delightful touch of humor was really amusing. And he never knew a man who had the wit. Obviously he was good with people, yet he was sincere. A cold, calculating man like Roger would never bother to help a poor war veteran like this.

As they carried the old man home, she was glad he was walking in front of her, so she could have full access to see the dashing stranger without worrying of getting caught.

He had tied the bridle to the cart, using it to pull the cart behind him.

Admiring his solid back and broad shoulders, Ava noticed that despite his large, well-built figure, he was flexible indeed. The way he moved with such an ease reminded her of a tiger. But he was no savage creature at all, from the way he held the old man firmly but gently before he put him in the broken cart, made certain every single move didn't cause more pain. He was not just clever with words and good with people. He was gentle and thoughtful. He was thorough.

Before long, they arrived at a small wooden cottage. Ava tied the donkey to the fence swiftly and followed him into the house. There was no room, the whole of the house had been simplified to be one big bedroom, a rather small bedroom compared to hers in her father's houses. There was a wooden table with only one chair to the right side, a bed at the end of the room, and a cupboard in the right corner. All were shabby and worn out. As he laid the old man on his bed, Ava poured some water from a jug to a used tin cup.

Seemed like the old man was living alone here, so it must be his cup. She handed the cup to him, and he drank thirstily, finished the drink with one long swallow.

"Now I shall go and find a doctor. Do you mind staying here a little longer, miss?"

"Never mind, I'll take care of him."

"Great. By the way, we've had a short yet pleasant journey together, but I haven't known your name. What should I call you, miss ...?"

"Ava..." she had been very careful not to mention her last name to anyone here. Although Polly said the society in this country was limited and there was no chance this country man knew about the nobility, she would better not taking any risk.

He raised his brow. It was not common for a new acquaintances to call each other with given name, especially between men and women. She paused for a while, then confirmed

"Just Ava."

He stared at her, amused. Then finally he replied

"An enchanting name. It serves you very well."

She felt her cheeks warmed. "And what should I call you, sir?"

"Magnus" A playful sparks flashed in his eyes when he mentioned his name.

"Just Magnus."

Ava didn't know what to say. He was teasing her, but she could hardly blame him because she was the first one who refused to mention her last name.

The old man cleared his throat behind them.

Quickly he addressed him with an apologetic tone.

"Pardon me, sir. I should have introduced myself to you first. My bad. Now that you know our names, what should we call you?"

"Captain John Ballard, at your service." The old man spoke proudly.

Magnus gave him a low bow. "Very well, Captain. Looking forward to talk to you later. Now I shall go and call the doctor."

Meanwhile, Ava had a little talk with the captain. Although he was a stern guy by nature, he was friendly with her. The captain lived alone in this country after retiring from the army. He had no family left, he had never got married. He simply lived all by himself. Ava promised to visit him tomorrow and brought him a cup of broth and some food.

It didn't take long for Magnus to bring the doctor. Soon the captain was taken care of. As he mentioned before, there was no broken bone, the sprain was quite severe but nothing serious. With a little care, after a few days, the captain would be back to normal. The doctor didn't stay long, before he left, Ava saw Magnus paid for the service.

Magnus stared at a sword hanging on the wall just beside the table.

"Marvelous" he murmured, couldn't take his eyes off the sword.

Captain Ballard was sitting on the bed with his leg bandaged.

"Do you practice swordplay, young man?"

"Since I was a little boy I guess..." he ran his fingers along the sheath in fascination. "I can never stop ever since."

"I can show you some move if you like."

"Really, sir? Are you good at it?"

"The best." The captain bragged bluntly.

"I trained every man recruited for His Majesty's Private Army."

"Seriously? Then you must be very good."

"You can try me after I'm done with this." The old man grumbled at his wounded leg.

Magnus turned to the captain with outright curiousity.

"If you're that good, sir. Why you couldn't save yourself from a mad horse? A swordman has to be quick."

"I had to save my planks, and my cart!" The captain exclaimed.

"Really?" Magnus burst into laughter, he crossed his arms across his chest in a relaxed manner and leaned his back to the table.

"All right, I've lost more than half my speed, and I'm getting old. But I still got some move." The old man muttered.

"We'll see." Magnus grinned.

"Careful, young man. I might consider it a challenge."

Amazed with the ease between the two, Ava watched in amusement. Suddenly she remembered she had been leaving home for too long. She grasped her basket on the table quickly.

"Excuse me, sir. I should be leaving now. See you tomorrow, sir." She nodded awkwardly to the captain, fully awared that the handsome young man was staring at her. She hurried to the doorway.

"Wait, miss." The deep voice made her heart stop. "I will walk you home."

He walked beside her along the road and she dared not to look at him directly, neither to start a conversation. From the corner of her eye, she could see that the man was studying her in silent. She didn't feel this way when they were carrying the captain before. Now that she was left alone with him, it felt awkward.

"So, are you new here, miss?" Finally he broke the silence.

"Yes, I've just moved here last week. How do you know?"

"I've been here all my life, and never seen anyone or anything quite like you. I would have noticed long ago, if this little town had something really worth seeing."

Ava blushed at the way he praised her beauty. All her life, she had had more than plenty compliments to indulge her vanity, but never she felt like this before. Just a little words could make her warm as if she had caught a fever.

Struggling to keep her mind clear, she thought about what he just told her. He said he had been living here all his life. So he was a country man like she guessed.

"Where do you live, sir?" She would find out more. She braced herself to see him.

"Magnus" he gave her the winsome smile again. "Just call me Magnus."

His name was unique. "Magnus" she repeated, loving the sound of his name in her voice.

"Where do you live, miss?"

"Berry Lane near the hill." She completely forgot that he didn't answer her previous question.

"You live with your parents?"

"No, I've been living with my relatives. The only one I have." She made a little lie to avoid question about family.

"What do you do? I mean ... for a living?"

"We're selling bread and eggs. And what do you do?" He popped the question about her job first, a good thing, neither way she wouldn't dare to ask his.

It took him longer than before to answer.

"I'm a ... farmer, yes. A farmer."

A farmer, she had also guessed it before. She glanced over him quickly yet thoroughly when he looked away. He was a large, robust hunk with muscles all over, strong hands and light bronze-colored skin like he had been working in the sun everyday in his life. He looked like a farmer, except for his face. He was way too handsome to be a farmer. He should be a Greek god, it suited him perfectly.

Suddenly a thought occurred to her. He was such a good looking man with a charming personality. Certainly she wasn't the only woman who was enthralled with him. There was a chance that he had already been taken. Maybe he was married already. Her heart sank at the thought.

"Do you live with your family?" She kept her voice relaxed.

"Yeah" he smiled slightly, staring at a distance. "A small family of mine."

"Really? Do you have any child?" She caught her breath, fearing what she might heard.

"What? No!" He nearly laughed, sounded greatly amused.

"Someday, I would love to. If I ever found a maiden desperate enough to stick with me."

She breathed in great relief.

The first sight of her little cottage appeared in the distance. The road to home had always been long and tiring for her since the first day, and it was the same road, yet today the road felt regrettably short. Far too short. They reached the fence of the cottage.

"I wish to see you again, miss."

"Ava." She corrected. "Just call me Ava."

The sound of door swayed open broke their locked gazes.

"Ava! Where have you been? I started to think you had ..."

Polly stopped talking instantly when she noticed the handsome stranger.

"Polly, this is Mister ... Magnus. I've just met him. And... Magnus, this is Miss Polly Banks, my distant cousin."

"Nice to see you, miss." He greeted Polly politely.

He asked for leave and they exchanged farewell. Ava and Polly watched his back as Magnus walked down the road.

"Look at that ass... and that smile. Damn, he's a hell of a man." Polly whistled in excitement.

"Ssshhh" Ava hushed her. "He's not too far, he can hear you!"

Polly glanced at her with mischievous eyes. "What a great catch. Tell me, how on earth did you stumble upon him?"

***