บททั้งหมดของ Disgraceful : บทที่ 161 - บทที่ 170

Soon after Amanda was gone, Ashton wasted no time to search for his wife, and before long, found her with Dowager Countess Byrne in a sitting room. He stopped by the door and stood listening to their conversation.  He almost choked when he heard Ava spilling the whole story of Amanda's scheme to the countess. Not only he was taken aback, he was also terribly embarrassed and strongly disapproved of her openness in such private matters. But he knew at this point he couldn't interrupt without humiliating himself or anyone. He'd never understand the ways of women. They tended to confide personal secrets in their friends, something that he, and most men, would never do. Much to his surprise, the countess was vehemently on his side. The older woman strongly supported him in her opinion and firmly convinced Ava to trust him and not to doubt his f

Mystified by the strangeness of it all, he flipped through the pages, quickly reading through the book, and immediately froze, rooted to the ground as what he discovered in the pages snatched the air from his lungs. Totally unforeseen, unthinkable, and unbelievably devastating, the long-buried secret revealed in the book struck him as a bolt from the blue. It was as if his entire world had been turned upside down in the blink of an eye. Heedless of all else but one thing on his mind, he took the picture and notebook with him, rushing out of the study and right to his chamber. Without thinking, he tossed several random clothes into a valise before snapping it shut. After having his things brought down by his valet, he threw on his winter coat and bounded downstairs. "Have a carriage readied for me as soon as possible."He ordered the butler, who seemed more than a bit startled."Pardon me, Your Grace, but Mr. Ingwald is still wa

Vermont, three days later  For the rest of the week, time had hung heavy on Ava's hands with nothing to give her relief, not even showers of motherly affection and words of comfort from Lady Byrne. Until the indefinite, agonizing wait eventually ended one fine afternoon, as abruptly and unexpectedly as it had begun. She was having her tea alone in the sitting room when she heard clatter of hooves from the drive, followed by the echo of footsteps in the corridor as the servant hurried to the front door. Setting her cup carelessly on the table, Ava stood up rightaway and hurried out of the room.It's time for her thoughtless husband to explain the reason of his sudden departure and his failure to inform her properly about it. Oh, he better has a good one, because she won't let him get away with this so easily. With an angry swoosh of her skirt, she took a brisk, determ

He lifted a hand to cup her face, sifting her hair through his fingers."Darling, you don't need to say that. Even if you have, it wouldn't change what I feel for you." "No, you must know the truth. I never let anyone else touch me like you do. Never."Her voice trailed away, her gaze traveled downward for a brief moment, only to raise back to his."Do you really think I would let him kiss me if you didn't come?" "It doesn't matter now. All I care about is you stay with me, because I can't bear to lose you." She grasped his hand, stopping it from stroking her hair, and jerked it away."Wait, that means you really think I would just let him, like you said. You're doubting my faithfulness. I can't believe it. After all this time, do you not know me at all? It hurts to know that you think so low of me." She drew away, but he quickly grabbed her by the arms,"No, it's n

Two stories above the main entrance to the manor, Ashton stood waiting by the window, observing the snow-covered frontyard below through the frosted windowpane. A gilded carriage with Vermont monogram was waiting by the portico, ready to deliver Lord Carlton and Lady Cecily to their new house. Beside him, Ava turned to look into his face. Though he refused to share his true feelings about it with her, she knew that it wasn't anger or pride that was keeping him from saying goodbye, but the unbearable sight of his family stepping out the house for the last time. "Won't you bid farewell?"Ava asked, but instead of answering her, he turned around and left. At first she thought he was going downstairs, but he walked past the stairs and headed to one of the parlor that overlooked to the formal garden inside. She followed behind him but halfway down the corridor she halted and waited. Ava knew she shouldn't interfere with his family affair,