Chapter 2: Chapter I
"Are you out of your mind Dunham?"' Lord Ashton stared at his friend while restlessly pacing the room.
"You haven't even seen the chit, hell there are countless rumors about her." Christian Marcus Dunham, the Marquis of Dunham, just regarded his friend with disinterest.
''All women are the same in the dark, and I don't care if she's shagged the whole ton, she's got too big a dowry for me to care about petty things like that."
He took another gulp of his whiskey while wondering if the rumors were actually true. Some said she was off to Europe, others that she had tried to elope with a footman, or that she'd been caught in the throes of the passion with a lord. All in all, she was thought to be quite a fallen woman by society standards. By Christian's standards? She was just a means to an end. He meant what he said about not caring whether she'd shagged her way through the ton. Once she was his wife and had given him an heir she could take as many lovers as she wanted. It was only fair, since he hadn't meant to be faithful one tiny second.
"What are you smiling about?'' Ashton asked him, interrupting hiss thoughts.
''Nothing, absolutely nothing " Maybe it was even better, as this way she won't have a reason to fuss. If there was something he hated in women was all the fussing and theatrics and for nothing. They thought that it helped them keep their husbands when in truth it distanced them even more.
Three days later
Eva was standing in front of her mirror while her maid was working at her hair. Her wedding day. She supposed it should be a happy event, but she had this ominous feeling that she couldn't shake.
''All done Miss, have a look!" Lizzy said, giving her a broad smile.
"Thank you…" Eve murmured and proceeded to scrutinize her reflection. She wasn't pretty. Not in the conventional way; her hair ebony black and her eyes a deep spring green. What if her husband-to-be won't like her? But more importantly what if he's heard about her? Will he be unyielding? Surely if he heard her side of the story....No, she realized, she couldn't speak about it because speaking about it meant reliving it and she's had nights and nights to remind her of that man's touch. She still felt soiled, dirty. A tear managed to slide her cheek. No, she won't think of it, she told herself and wiped her face.
The door opened and her mother sauntered in. She studied her from head to toe and grunted.
''I hope you won't disappoint us Evangeline. This is your last chance to prove yourself and if I were you I would kiss the ground your husband walks on for giving you this chance.''
''Yes mother, of course I am grateful "' She whispered and lowered her gaze. Ever since that night she hadn't been able to meet her mother's gaze.
''If these were normal circumstances, I would have had to tell you about your wedding night, but I have no doubt that you know more than enough. Just don't deny your husband, ever!"'
All she had an idea about were gropes and touches that made her recoil. She prayed to God that she would be able to do her wifely duties.
Dunham was waiting impatiently for his future bride and even the minister seemed bored. A carriage could be heard approaching just when he was about to have a fit. The bride… What was her name? Well the bride was coming towards the altar, led by her father. He couldn't see her features as she had a white veil over her face. He sized her up and his lips curled around the corners. She had a fine figure, he'd give her that, even though she was a bit on the skinny side, she would do perfectly. He turned to stare at the minister just as she reached his side. Taking her hand into his, the ceremony started.
Eva's nerves were killing her. Her father was leading her down the aisle and she didn't even dare to lift her gaze off the floor enough as to see her future husband .Once she arrived by his side, he gently took her hand into his. This small gesture warmed her. His hand was so big in comparison to hers, so manly. She had the urge to turn and see his face, but that would have to wait because the minister was already beginning.
They said their ''I will's"' and the minister bid them to seal the ceremony with a kiss. Facing each other, Dunham lifted her veil and was dumbstruck. She was breathtaking. Not in the common, English sort of way but she was nonetheless incredibly beautiful. Soft pale skin, high cheek bones and a sensual mouth made to be kissed. He could certainly understand why any man would want to bed her. It would definitely prove to be a most enjoyable sport. Deep green eyes framed by black eyelashes were watching him apprehensively. He gave her a little smile to alleviate her fears and dipped his head to kiss her.
Eva gasped as she finally got a good view of her husband. He was definitely not like what she had imagined. His hair was longer than the current fashion, for one, curling at the ends and giving him a roguish look. His black eyes seemed to see right through her and when he smiled at her she noticed dimples. He may not be the most handsome man but he was definitely the most attractive one she had ever met. And he was hers now. A surge of giddiness washed through her as his lips descended upon her own. But the moment they touched another emotion she knew far too well replaced it. She found herself five years in the past, another man's lips on her own, which made her tremble in disgust.
Dunham immediately noticed the change in her. She went stiff as a stone, her eyes wide with shock. He took a step back and caught her as she fainted.
''By the power invested in me, I declare you man and wife '' the minister's voice boomed in the background.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone