Jason, but no Priscilla

"Now this is a sight for sore eyes." Mr. Worthington looked more like a pirate than a gentleman, his jacket and waistcoat nowhere to be seen and his his cravat was draped loosely around his neck. 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, it was the cocky grin the and lustful look in his eyes that made her think 'Pirate'.

"Jason," Charlotte tried to sound confident but her voice came out in a squeak of surprise. "Where is Miss Dunning?"

"Priscilla will be along in a while," Worthington stalked forward like a hungry tom cat as he spoke. "She and I have come to an understanding of sorts, perhaps not what she had hoped for but don't expect her to come running to your rescue." Charlotte felt a tremor of fear, Jason's eyes swept over her and he licked his lips in anticipation. Had he deduced that she and Priscilla had conspired to deflect his attention from her? What did he mean by 'don't expect her to come running to your rescue,' would she need rescuing from Jason?

"Mr. Worthington." She tried again to get through to her suitor, "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.

"I like that you are nervous, my sweet." Jason was not at all put off by her reticence, if anything he appeared to be excited by her ****. "Don't worry my dear, I'll be gentle." 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. In spite of his promise to be be a caring lover 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 idea of seduction, as he stroked her cheek with his free hand, the smell of wine was strong on his breath and Charlotte wondered how much of this aggressive style was due to the **** in his system.

"Of course you do darling, it's natural. We don't have to wait for our nuptial bed." 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."

"You can't Jason!" Charlotte resisted the urge to spit in his eye as she wiggled in frustration, unable to escape his strong grip but horrified at how he was fondling her flesh like she was his mistress. "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." Jason's long fingers 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 Priscilla's return to the chapel in time to put an end to this nightmare.