She cannot lose him

No matter how hard she pushed Copper, the fleet-footed hunter could not lose the broad-chested monster that Jason rode. Charlotte was even able to pull away from that vile gentleman, but never enough to make good her escape so when she reached St. Teresa's, Mr. Worthington was only a few seconds behind. Furthermore, the narrow path that led through the woods ended at these grassy ruins, and there was no further place for her to run.

Charlotte refused to be run down like a wounded doe, and when it became clear that she had no place to run to she decided to enact a **** plan. Leaping nimbly from her roan's back she slapped the huffing gelding and sent him back along the path past Mr. Worthington, while she herself headed into the ruins. Charlotte guessed that Jason would be far more interested in her than her horse, and if Copper could make his way back to Marlton Village, his riderless arrival would raise an alarm and help would be sent immediately.

However, in order for her gamble to pay-out, she'd have to elude Jason for as long as possible. Charlotte knew these ruins better than anyone else alive, there were nooks and crannies to hide in and even a few narrow gaps that she could scrape through but that would stymy a man of Jason's proportions. For a short while her plan worked, but after a few close calls Jason surprised her near one of the small rooms and Charlotte had nowhere else to turn.

"Now this is a sight for sore eyes." Mr. Worthington looked more like a brigand than a gentleman after the lively chase, his jacket and waistcoat nowhere to be seen and his cravat was draped loosely around his neck. Even his hair, normally groomed with immaculate care was now half-pulled from the ribbon that had held it perfectly during their ride from Marlton Manner. Charlotte could not remember ever seeing Jason Worthington look so disheveled, but it was more than the state of his clothing and the sword that hung loosely from his hip, that frightened her. Jason's lips were curled into a vicious sneer and the lustful look in his eyes reminded her perfectly of a cold hearted villain who was about to commit unspeakable atrocities.

"Jason," Charlotte tried to sound confident but her voice came out in a squeak of surprise. "What about Priscilla?"

"Miss Dunning will be along in a while," Mr. Worthington stalked forward like a hungry panther as he spoke. "A needy little gold digger like her will surely want a chance to attract my eye." He sneered, "She and I will have to come to an understanding of sorts when she realizes this is not a game. But don't expect her to come running to your rescue, in her heart, that one is much more like me than you." Charlotte felt a renewed tremor of fear as Jason's eyes swept over her and he licked his lips in anticipation.

"Mr. Worthington." She tried again to break through to Jason's goodness, "Stop this!" There was no weakness in her voice this time, but Jason just grinned wickedly and motioned for her to approach. Charlotte scanned the old chapel for a way past the man but the walls on this side of the ruins were in better shape than the southern facing, almost six feet high and solid. She backed slowly towards the broken arch of a small ante-room off the side of the chapel and Jason grinned gleefully as he closed the gap.

"That was quite a chase you led us on." Jason was not at all put off by her attempt at evading him, if anything he appeared to be excited by the thrill of chasing her down. "Don't worry my dear, now that I've finally cornered you I'll be sure to make you pay for your reticence." Charlotte backed through the doorway into the small grassy chamber; it was only when she saw Mr. Worthington smile wickedly that she realized she was now completely trapped. Even without his threats, Charlotte knew with absolute clarity that she did not want to have her first time be with this man!

"Let me go, Jason!" She hissed. "I don't want this." Mr. Worthington was able to catch her hands in his as she pushed against his chest and she knew she could not escape from his strong grip. He stepped even closer and his left hand circled her waist pulling her hips tightly against his groin; the hard bulge in his trousers left little doubt as to his intentions. Jason continued his brutal seduction, as he gripped her hair with his free hand and pressed his lips to hers kissing her roughly.

"You were going to play the virgin princess, darling. Don't you remember?" Charlotte's stomach turned as she realized Jason was still eager to play his stupid game. "And I the lustful ogre who deflowers her. This will be even better than our wedding night." Jason's assumption of marriage even as he had cornered her in these isolated ruins was more than she could take.

"I'm not marrying you Mr. Worthington." One of her hands climbed to his throat and she dug her fingers into the soft flesh under his chin. "I'd never marry a drunken womanizer like you!" The discomfort of her strong grip and the brutal sharpness of her words sobered her assailant, but the result was not what she had hoped for at all. Both her wrists were seized and stretched painfully behind her back, Jason Worthington might dress like a dandy, but he was a strong man and was no longer trying to be gentle with her.

"I will have you Lady Marlton." Charlotte to see the cold anger in his eyes. "I will have your hand in marriage, I'll have your estate and the title that comes with it." His hand found the bare skin of her throat and slid under the bodice of her green dress to explore the tender skin of her bosom. "And, I'll have your maidenhead too Charlie, I'll take that prize this afternoon in these secluded ruins, and you'll cry out just like you promised you would last night in your room."

"You can't Jason!" Charlotte resisted the urge to spit in his eye as she wiggled in frustration. "My father -" She stopped short at Mr. Worthington's harsh laughter.

"Your Father, Miss Charlotte, has counseled me in private to take this very action," Charlotte's eyes narrowed in stunned disbelief as he continued "Lord Marlton has explained the peculiarities of your mother's will, but in his opinion once your honour has been compromised the esteemed Lords of the court will look favorably upon my offer of matrimony." His hand cupped her breast and squeezed it like a housewife judging the size and firmness of an apple.

"Not nearly as big as Priscilla's," he told her with a disdainful sneer, "but I think I'll enjoy your awkward long limbed body even if your tits are a tad disappointing; I do so like the feeling of a virgin squirming under me." This time Charlotte did spit at Jason's face and although she had the satisfaction of seeing Mr. Worthington grimace as the spittle struck his cheek she also felt her bodice tear as he threw her to the ground while still gripping the neckline of her gown. She sprawled at his feet clutching the torn dress to her chest as he towered above her loosening the belt from which his court-sword hung.

Miles from home, with no sign of mercy from the man she once thought she knew, Charlotte's only hope lay in someone finding Copper and tracing his trail back to the chapel in time to put an end to this nightmare.