The Candlewood Sisters: Lavender

What expectations?

She could hear the soft music playing in the background.

Lord Candlewood smiled as he extended his arm.

Lavender smiled at her uncle as she slipped her hand through the gap.

"You look absolutely stunning." Lord Candlewood replied emotionally.

Lavender placed her head briefly on his shoulder and he kissed the top of her head.

"Your father----would be so proud." His voice broke.

Lavender inhaled deeply. She swore to no longer cry. She wasn't going to. She didn't deserve this life that was handed to her. She had a husband, she had the perfect dress, and her family surrounded her. She didn't deserve any of this. She owed them so much.

She owed him so much.

She will forever be indebted to him.

Him whom she hadn't seen in a week.

Mother said it was good for the blushing bride and groom to be separated.

No, Lavender knew the truth.

He was immediately filled with regret. But he couldn't take it back now. No, the deal was set in stone. The lie was ingrained in both families' mind. The only ones who knew the truth were her, Atlas, and her mother.

Well and Lord Campote who'd met a most untimely death in an alleyway because of his gambling problems. One in which he seemed to have followed in his father's footsteps much closer than many had anticipated. Not a single word was spoke about any type of duel.

"Well the apple sure doesn't fall far from the tree."

And that sickened Lavender. Because if she was pregnant with his child. She now carried the devil's spawn. She wouldn't think about it. She couldn't think about it. She could not. She could not hate an innocent life. She had to be better than this. She had to be better.

"Ready?"

Lavender looked up at her uncle and nodded. He patted her hand as they rounded the corner and stepped into the aisle. Her breath caught in her throat as the intimate group present immediately stood up. Her mother and sisters on one side. Rose Candlewood wiping her tears through her smile. Azalea beaming and Daisy stood on the pew, shaking her hands excitedly because mother told her she couldn't clap in the church.

On the other side were the Worthingtons. The Marquess of Shirewest stood and smiled softly, giving Lavender a nod. Matthew, Robert and especially Lizzie were grinning from ear to ear.

But the most important face to her right now, was the man who stood in his black suit down the aisle. The man who turned to face her. His grey eyes wide and mouth slightly parted.

The man who looked like he would move heaven and earth for her. The man who'd actually done that. He smiled and if Lavender were not holding on to her uncle, she was sure her knees would have buckled.

Why did he have to be so perfect? He gave her this moment, and yet she'd taken this moment from him. It was Miss. Charter he was supposed to be watching coming towards him down the aisle. Not a defiled soul, carrying another man's child.

Robert nudged his little sister and they both turned to stare at their older brother who looked completely mesmerized. They looked at each other and giggled.

"How many times do you think he'll cum tonight?" Robert whispered in Lizzie's ear.

Lizzie blushed and giggled. Covering her mouth. She knew way more than probably the entire female population of her time. And that was only because she had a brother two years her senior named Robert Worthington who unabashedly answered every single question she threw his way, with more details than necessary.